Chapter 181. Are you Lin Qing He?
It was a pity that such a woman continues to stay in this barren countryside.
Don't know what was going on. He noticed her before, she had a so-so relationship with Zhou Qing Bai. Despite having three children, they didn't have much feeling.
However, after Zhou Qing Bai retired, he would occasionally run into her while working. She was always walking with him. Even though there was no extreme behavior, one can still perceive that she and Zhou Qing Bai were married and were a couple with a wonderful relationship.
It seems that her change started after Zhou Qing Bai came back.
She got moisturized by Zhou Qing Bai, so that's why she changed?
Chen Shan was puzzled. He couldn't get it even if he cracked open his brain- Lin Qing He's core had changed.
The school lasted until December. Due to the severity of the snow, the holidays had to begin.
Although there were no work points and wages after the holiday began, the school still gave two jins of cotton coupon as a subsidy before the holiday.
This was what the principal had fought for the school teachers when he headed to the city.
"I heard that the teachers in the county's high school still received paid vacations," said Teacher Xu.
"Our countryside can't compare to them," Lin Qing He lamented.
Teacher Xu asked: "Do you have enough cotton?"
Lin Qing He had good perception. She can tell by her gaze, and whispered: "Teacher Xu would you like to exchange it with me?"
"Over at my home, we don't lack this." Teacher Xu smiled.
Moreover, if she took the two jins of cotton coupon back home, she'll have to hand it into the public fund. Might as well sell them privately.
"What does Teacher Xu want to exchange it with?" Lin Qing He asked.
"I want to exchange two industrial coupons. Don't know if you have any?" Teacher Xu asked back.
Most people may not necessarily have industrial coupons but Teacher Xu believed that Lin Qing He might have kept some. After all, Zhou Qing Bai was previously in the force. He can get any kind of coupons. What's more, the national version that will not expire.
"Teacher Xu found the right person." Lin Qing He grinned. She took out two industrial coupons from her pocket when actually it was from the space.
"You bring it everywhere with you?" Teacher Xu asked in surprise.
"No, I have something to buy. Since Teacher Xu wants it, I'' give it to you." Lin Qing He responded.
Teacher Xu nodded, and the two exchanged.
Lin Qing He got a total of four jins of cotton coupons. Have to say, this was really a lot.
There was no shortage of cotton at home. The jackets and the likes were all made last year. They were all still in good condition, so these weren't needed.
That's why Lin Qing He brought it to Third Brother Lin.
Four jins of cotton coupons were enough for Third Brother Lin to buy some cotton back to pad up the cotton jacket and quilts.
"If you want to use a bicycle, you can come over to the house and take it. Currently, there's no work, so I won't use it." Lin Qing He told Third Brother Lin.
"Then I will come over tomorrow?" Third Brother Lin asked.
"Sure." Lin Qing He nodded.
Third Brother Lin came over to pick up the bicycle the next day. With the cotton coupons, he could go to the supply and demand cooperative in the community to buy cotton. However, Third Brother Lin went straight to the county city.
He grabbed a bolt of cloth and a few jins of cotton back.
On the way, he brought a bag of milk candy back for Da Wa and the boys. Lin Qing He didn't refuse. She only reminded him to be more careful on his way back.
Lin Qing felt was molding away now that she didn't have to go to work,.
She basically stayed on the kang with Zhou Qing Bai. Of course, she didn't do anything else other than studying English textbooks.
Originally, she didn't intend to let Zhou Qing Bai know. But for some unknown reasons, she trusted him. Like really really trusted him. So she took it out.
When Zhou Qing Bai saw that she was reading this book, his gaze was somewhat strange.
However, he was still able to hold it back and didn't ask her anything. He didn't even ask her if she could read those words.
It was Lin Qing He who couldn't hold it back that night.
She asked, "Qing Bai, why don't you ask me about reading foreign language books?"
She had given it a good consideration and felt it was better to show her card to him.
Because they shared the same Kang, she really didn't want to hide it from him. Especially since he stuck very close to her and basically didn't go out much.
How was she to review English? How can she snatch the chance to become part of the most powerful group when the situation becomes less rigid?
It's nothing great to be able to speak English in the future. However, if one can grasp it at the beginning of the restriction drop, it will really be super awesome.
She really needs English to become her strength, so she had to self study it from now on. She had forgotten a lot of the English she learned in college. She must revise it well.
This wasn't literacy and mathematics. How can she hide it from him?
"You didn't say."
Zhou Qing Bai looked at her.
It can't be that it wasn't him not wanting to ask, but rather, waiting for her to bring it up herself?
Lin Qing He chuckled. This introverted man. Afraid he must have been quite anxious these few days.
She didn't know as she had slept very well.
"If you have anything to ask, just ask." Lin Qing H hugged his neck and grinned.
Zhou Qing Bai hesitated for a moment and said, "Are you Lin Qing He?"
In the past few nights, he had been unable to sleep. In fact, he had a vague feeling in his heart before this but it never felt so real and profound as when he saw her understanding English books.
Don't tell him that she can't understand and was casually flipping through it. He knew whether she could read it.
Other things can be said to have been self-taught in private. After all, she was so smart. He can deceive himself. As long as she didn't do anything harmful to the country, he will choose to keep one eye closed.
But can English be taught without a teacher?
Impossible.
Since she took out the English book and studied in front of him, his heart never calmed down.
Since she was willing to confess to him, he decided to ask. He had even prepared for the worst.
Lin Qing He hugged his neck as chuckled softly: "Since when did you suspect that I wasn't?"
"She won't sever ties with old Lin Family. Also, she doesn't care much about the family either." Zhou Qing Bai felt that his heart was about to jump out of his throat as he watched her.
"I am Lin Qing He." Lin Qing He kissed him on the chin and calmly assured: "Don't be afraid."
Zhou Qing Bai saw the tenderness in this woman's eyes. He knew that she also liked him, so Zhou Qing Bai didn't say a word. He just looked at her and waited for her to continue talking.
"Actually, even when you want me to explain what's going on, I don't know how to say it. At first, I dreamed of your family." Lin Qing He said.
She told him about the three-day in a row dream and how a space appeared after third day.
That's why she had to believe that something strange was going to happen to her.
Lin Qing He recounted the story of transmigration but hiding the fact that this world was a book. From the beginning, such a matter was already outrageous enough.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 182. You're my wife
If she said this was a book world, can this traditional man accept it?
So Lin Qing He didn't say. She just explained she came from 40 years later.
But even so, Zhou Qing Bai, who was born in the '40s, was stunned.
He had thought she was a spy sent from somewhere. Even after he racked his head open these days, he couldn't see what was worth those people to send such a chess piece over when he was already like this.
It was completely unnecessary.
If he was from any important level, he can figure out why they sent such a woman, who can bring harm to the country, to muddle him. However, he held no important role.
Although he knew a few things about the force from before, she had never asked him about it. Instead, she took good care of him and his sons. Was there such a spy?
Too perplexing. Zhou Qing Bai really didn't understand.
He never expected that the real reason would be like this.
She came from forty years later?
For Zhou Qing Bai, this was as hard to accept as saying she was truly a spy.
"What's up? Scared silly?" Lin Qing He patted his face as she tried to call back his soul.
Zhou Qing Bai came back to his senses. He frowned. Lin Qing He smiled when she saw him like this: "Hello, old fogey. In our future generations, you are my grandfather's generation."
Speaking of this, Lin Qing He couldn't help but laugh.
This wasn't wrong. In forty years later, wasn't that a grandfather-generation figure.
Zhou Qing Bai turned black.
"What's with the black face? About this, you are the old cow who ate tender grass. An extremely tender grass." Lin Qing He said.
Seeing this unsympathetic look, Zhou Qing Bai's initially uneasy heart calmed down a bit. He looked at her and said, "What's it like in forty years?"
"Forty years later. How should I explain it? Everything is well developed. Rice and mantou are very common things. There's TVs, mobile phones, and the likes. The streets are full of petrol cars." Lin Qing He answered.
Zhou Qing Bai knew of TV and car. But what is a mobile phone?
"It's this." Having already confessed to him, Lin Qing He showed him the mobile phone in the space.
The battery was dead, so it can't be used anymore. Still, Zhou Qing Bai was shocked when he saw this thing.
He actually didn't know what the space she was talking about before. Now he kind of grasp it. It seem like it can store things. It was invisible and intangible.
Because he was clear that this so-called mobile phone just appeared out of thin air.
"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Lin Qing He asked as she watched him examined her phone over and over.
Zhou Qing Bai returned the phone to her. He watched the phone disappear from her hand, and replied, "None."
Lin Qing He grinned as she observed him: "Zhou Qing Bai, did you get a shock from me on this matter tonight?"
"Was shocked." Zhou Qing Bai told the truth.
His wife came from forty years later. How could he not be shocked?
"Da Wa's mother went to 40 years later?" Zhou Qing Bai asked.
"Yes." Actually, Lin Qing He didn't know where the original owner had gone, but she could only answer like that.
Zhou Qing Bai remained silent.
"Do you blame me for taking possession of your original wife's body? And lied to you and your sons ?" Lin Qing He asked.
Zhou Qing Bai took her into his arms.
He didn't know what to say, but he will prove with his actions that he didn't blame her.
And he also knew exactly who he held in his heart.
Before she confessed, he had even decided that if... if she really came from another country, he would still persist on keeping her.
Their family can't live without her. Really can't live without her. He can't imagine what his family will become without her.
"Don't leave our family." Zhou Qing Bai only stated this.
Lin Qing He said the truth: "It depends on your own performance. If you treat me badly, then I will definitely not stay."
In fact, she had planned that way at the beginning. Keep a distance from him until the children grew up and then everyone would separate each other like a clap.
But who knew after he came back, she somehow thought this man was pretty decent after getting along with each other.
Mindlessly, she really became his wife.
Still, she was from 40 years later. Her mind wasn't so conservative and inflexible. Only when he treats her well, she will take care of his family.
If he treats her badly, then, needless to say, she will not make it difficult for herself.
"You have no conscience." When Zhou Qing Bai heard her say this, he immediately complained. He said while looking into her eyes.
Lin Qing He patted him on the cheek: "The most similar thing between me and the wife before is this conscience. We don't have one, so don't count on it."
What should be said was clearly told to him. Always be good to her, otherwise don't even think about her taking good care of the family for him. Go eat cold meals!
Zhou Qing Bai hugged her. He was thinking, how he should treat her to count as well.
She came from forty years later. Hadn't she seen all the good things? He really didn't have any good things to take out.
"As long as I have it, I will give it to you." Zhou Qing Bai pondered for a long time, but could only utter this.
As long as he had it, she can take it.
Lin Qing He grinned and said, "Don't worry, there will be opportunities in the future. It depends on your performance."
Then Zhou Qing Bai asked: "You said that the college entrance examination will resume, is it true?"
"In 1977, there are still a few years left." Lin Qing He nodded.
"There's an English exam then?" Zhou Qing Bai asked.
"No English exam in the first year of restoration. Mandatory in the second year. I don't remember the details. However, knowing English in the future will definitely be a big advantage. So I have to start self-study now. I mostly forgot all of it," Lin Qing He explained.
Zhou Qing Bai flipped on top.
Lin Qing He froze for a moment. She said in mirth: "Still got the mood?"
"You are my wife." Zhou Qing Bai looked at her and declared.
This was his wife. The mother of his children. Not another woman. As for everything she said today, he'll treat it like he didn't know.
Lin Qing He got doted by this man. Out of breath, she stated, "You're making tomorrow's breakfast!"
After saying this, she found a comfortable position in his arms and fell asleep.
On this wintry days, this man, who was like a cow, can't plow the field, so he plowed her land. She'll let him eat dried radishes tomorrow and avoid gaining so much energy.
Zhou Qing Bai kept holding his wife even until now. Only when he held his wife, it felt a little real.
After knowing the truth, he was only able to understand why her way of acting was completely different from that of people nowadays.
But no matter what, this was him, Zhou Qing Bai's wife. Can't escape from it in this life.
"Hugging too tight." Lin Qing He pushed him while half asleep, but nothing budge.
"Go to sleep." Zhou Qing Bai kissed her forehead and whispered.
Lin Qing He murmured, hugged his waist, and buried her face in his arms. She fell asleep surrounded in his scent.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 183. She must be outstanding in her previous life
The next morning, Zhou Qing Bai had already cooked the congee.
Today they drank millet congee with pickled eggs. This pickled egg was also from Lin Qing He's unique recipe. The oil yield was particularly high.
The whole family ate happily.
"Father, do you want to go to the mountain to hunt pheasants today?" Da Wa sent an invitation to his dad.
The eyes of Er Wa and San Wa shone.
Little Su Cheng's eyes were also glittering. However, he was too young to go. He'll be sent over to his grandpa and grandma later.
"Sure." Zhou Qing Bai glanced at his wife and answered.
What Lin Qing He said last night, he won't take it seriously today. Lin Qing He still understood Zhou Qing Bai. She had to give him some time to digest, right?
He would eat her clean on the Kang when he should. What's more, act very possessive; telling her that she was his wife.
But still, he must felt weird in his heart, right?
After the meal, Zhou Qing Bai took the three brothers to hunt pheasants.
There was another phrase for hunting pheasants, that was, picking pheasants.
On a snowy day, the pheasant gets frozen and it can get tired from being chased. At that time, it will stop and let someone catch it. This exactly like picking it up.
Lin Qing He let them be. After making sure the father and sons were all bundled up, she let them go out.
It was when they were about to head out, Zhou Qing Bai pulled her for one long snog, making her blush and heartbeat race.
They all went out, so Lin Qing He stayed back to study English books alone As for little Su Cheng, he was taken to Mother Zhou's place.
Although she had almost forgotten the majority of English, she still had the foundation from before. As long as she knew the phonetic transcription, she will be fine.
After memorizing twenty words and ten sentences in one go, Lin Qing He entered the kitchen to work away while revising.
In the last life, she never thought that she would be such a good wife and mother?
The father and sons just left the house, and she had already started to prepare delicious food for them to come back to eat. It was a natural fate of toiling.
Lin Qing He steamed the red beans. She planned to make a pot of red bean rolls and have them sparingly.
The red bean rolls tasted great. The whole family liked it.
When she was making red bean rolls, Eldest Sister-in-law stopped by. Seeing that Fourth's was working on food again, Eldest Sister-in-law felt admiration.
"No wonder Yang Yang and the kids all say their fourth aunt is the best at cooking and all want to be your kids." Eldest Sister-in-law laughed.
Lin Qing He smiled and said: "It's not something rare. Eldest Sister-in-law, you can make it at home when you're idle."
"Too much effort." Eldest Sister-in-law replied.
"Since you're free, you got nothing else to do. It's great to make more food for Eldest Brother and the children. Throughout the year, you get to rest now. Might as well, make more delicious food, and nourish them? How else can you hold up against the whole year of work next year?" Lin Qing He persuaded as her hands kept occupied
Eldest Sister-in-law didn't care: "It's was always like this."
"It's better to dote your own man yourself." Lin Qing He persisted.
She didn't care what others do. Anyway, at her place, she must take care of Zhou Qing Bai's three meals a day, so that he can get enough nutrition.
There was no nourishing product at the moment. If they were in the future, then she can buy some fish gelatin or edible bird's nest to supplement him. At this time, they didn't any good stuff. If she didn't put her heart into making the three daily meals, then that's too much.
Eldest Sister-in-law agreed: "I'll cook up something good when I go back."
Lin Qing He was just expressing her opinion. She laughed: "Don't be surprised, Eldest Sister-in-law. I was just saying. I'm worried about Qing Bai's body. Eldest Sister-in-law, you know why he retired. Though his body looks strong, he can't be compared to Eldest Brother and the rest."
Eldest Sister Zhou chuckled when she said this: "Even if there was an injury on his body, it should have recovered long ago."
She had seen her fourth brother-in-law's physique. What inferior to other people? Is should be the other way round.
It's no wonder with such a person, who can take care of others and make good food, present at home. He can always be nurtured very well.
Lin Qing He didn't say anything more about this, so Eldest Sister-in-law helped her start a fire or something. Red bean rolls were easier to make. But because she didn't make too much, Lin Qing He only gave Eldest Sister-in-law two when she went back.
Eldest Sister-in-law wanted to decline. She just came over to sit around due to boredom. While she was at it, she helped out. It wasn't a tiring chore.
Since she couldn't refuse, she accepted it.
She took it back and shared it between the children. Seeing how much the kids loved it, Eldest Sister-in-law was moved. She grabbed some red bean to soak. That evening, her family made red bean roll too.
Lin Qing He made the red bean rolls and left them in the pot. Simply grabbing it to eat for lunch was fine. She went to study the English textbooks.
The father and sons only came back around noon. They didn't come back empty-handed. They were carrying a gray pheasant.
Despite having rosy cheeks, the boys' eyes were shining. They were obviously ecstatic.
"Fry half of this pheasant and stew the other half?" Lin Qing He was also delighted and beamed.
The four hens at home had to be left for laying eggs. They can't be touched. It would be great to catch a pheasant back to add a dish.
"You decide." Zhou Qing Bai nodded.
For lunch, they had red bean rolls along with Lin Qing He's sesame peanut tea.
This sesame peanut tea wasn't truly tea. She mashed both sesame and peanuts into a paste and directly poured boiling water on top.
Then added in a little more soup inside. This became a very delicious and original sesame peanut tea.
It was a perfect combination with the red bean rolls.
After eating, Da Wa, Er Wa, and San Wa all went out. Of course, they didn't forget to grab and pocket a handful of peanuts cooked by their mother as a snack.
In such cold weather, Father Zhou and Mother Zhou didn't come over to eat. This was to avoid inflicting misery to little Su Xun. Zhou Qing Bai simply sent it over.
So Zhou Qing Bai and Lin Qing He was the only members of the family present at this moment.
Zhou Qing Bai consciously went to handle the pheasant and chopped it all up. Then came back with clean hands.
Lin Qing He, who had already confessed, wasn't jittery around him at all. English words jumped out one after another.
There was no fear of someone coming from outside. If someone did, her family's Fei Ying will make a noise. Even if it's Mother Zhou, he will let out a reminder.
Zhou Qing Bai looked at his wife in silence.
"You've been watching it for a long time, still going to watch?" Lin Qing He didn't have his patience. After being stared at by him for five minutes, she raised her gaze toward him.
Zhou Qing Bai took her in his arms. Only when he held her in his arms can he feel at ease.
He thought, she must be outstanding in her last life, right?
Would she really be willing to stay with him like this? He vowed that he would give her everything he could. In fact, he really had nothing to take out.
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Chapter 184. Youngest son wants spoiling
Lin Qing He was clueless that her man was getting low self-esteem.
Leaning in his arms, she continued to recite her own English words. She didn't recite much, just 20 words a day.
She memorized it in the morning and now she enforced it into her memory.
The phrases were also memorized in the morning. What's more, they were the ones she learned previously. Those had to be review.
The children were very energetic. They weren't tired after playing for a day. However, Lin Qing He can't. She was already drowsy after 1pm.
"Do you want to sleep?" Lin Qing He withdrew the English textbook into the space and asked Zhou Qing Bai.
Zhou Qing Bai witnessed the book in her hand disappeared. He found it amazing. He saw it last night under the lamplight, while now was in broad daylight.
Lin Qing He raised an eyebrow at him.
Zhou Qing Bai said: "Sleep for a bit."
So the couple took a nap, during which Zhou Qing Bai wanted to flip on top. However, Lin Qing He refused: "You better rest properly!"
This man didn't know when to stop. Wasn't he afraid of death from that?
Zhou Qing Bai could only hug her to sleep.
Lin Qing He was a good sleeper and soon fell asleep.
Zhou Qing Bai couldn't fall asleep. He watched his wife. In the end, having his wife in his arms made him feel at ease. Not long later, he too drowsed off.
The couple napped for more than an hour. It was so cozy to stay in bed on these wintery days. So when she woke up, Lin Qing He was feeling lazy. Her cheeks were nice and ruddy as if the whole person was like a honey or peach. She looked very tempting.
"Wife." Zhou Qing Bai woke up and was also full of energy. His big hands lingered on her waist.
Lin Qing He enjoyed being caressed by him. Her eyes narrowed as her mouth said: "From now on, once every three days. You have eaten meat last night. Counting today, we'll talk about it two days later."
"No need to go to work." Zhou Qing Bai persisted.
He won't be tired since there was no work. It also meant he won't be tired no many times he did it.
How could Lin Qing He not know what this man thought? She smilingly patted his face: "Behave. Don't dwell on these pointless things. Just do your massage well."
Then she turned over and let him continue to massage her.
This man had a rough and thick callus on his palm but it was extraordinarily assuring and full of strength. At least Lin Qing He personally loved it.
She just can't come to appreciate those little fresh meats. She preferred this masculine and heroic type.
Zhou Qing Bai didn't argue with her about this. He naturally had ways to make her willing at night. For now, he would obediently massage her.
Lin Qing He felt that this man was tempting her. Even though he properly massaged her, he didn't forget to eat her tofu. What's more, he had a serious face and looked very innocent.
The couple connected on the Kang for a while before the boys came back from outside.
When the brothers came back and saw their parents' room door closed, they had the self-awareness to not head over and disrupt. They went back to their room.
Starting from this year, including San Wa, they all slept next door.
"Our three sons can really mess around." Lin Qing He was helpless when hearing the laughter of the brothers from next door.
"They listen to you." Zhou Qing Bai stated.
Lin Qing He wanted to laugh a little. Why did she hear such a strong desire to survive?
"It's only right to listen to me. I feed and dress them well. If they don't listen to me, I will serve them with a rod." Lin Qing He swept a glance at him.
"You don't need to do it, I will." Zhou Qing Bai responded.
Lin Qing He couldn't help it this time. She laughed as she looked at him, "No wonder people say that if you have a stepmother, you have a stepfather."
Zhou Qing Bai felt lost, but he still seriously corrected: "You are their biological mother."
He knew in his heart how she treated him and his three sons. She was his wife and the mother of his children.
Lin Qing He didn't refute. She had dedicated herself to children. If they dare be unfilial, disobedient, or become corrupt, she will not be merciful when it comes to beating.
When it was almost time, Lin Qing He picked some pheasant meat to stew. She kept the rest for tonight to stir-fry with fungus.
"Mother, there's a hole in my sock." San Wa came out to look for her and told her.
"There's a hole? Didn't I just sew it for you." Lin Qing He completed the chicken noodles before following him.
San Wa's sock really gained a hole. Lin Qing He remarked, "Why did it break so fast, it's only been a few days."
"I don't know. I wore it and somehow broke." San Wa said with blinking eyes.
Lin Qing He ushered: "Go to the kang first. Mother will fix this sock for you first."
All three brothers owned two pairs of socks. However, one pair was just washed yesterday. They were laying on the kang head. They can't be worn unless they were dry. So she can only sew this one for him to wear.
San Wa hopped on the Kang. Lin Qing He brought the socks over to patch it. She said to Zhou Qing Bai who was reading the newspaper: "I suspect San Wa, the stinky boy, wants me to buy new socks, so he deliberately found work for me. "
"Huh?" Zhou Qing Bai turned to her.
"I just fixed up these socks for him the day before yesterday. Now they got such a big hole today." Lin Qing He showed him.
Zhou Qing Bai said: "Leave him alone and let him continue to wear it."
"It's easy to get smelly feet when wearing shoes without socks." Lin Qing He took out the needle and thread, and began to sew it: "If this kid dares to break it for me this time, I'll let his foot go smelly."
The socks were a bit old. After all, they were worn out twice. Still, they can still be worn. No need to buy new.
Zhou Qing Bai watched her quickly patch up the socks.
Lin Qing He shouted and called San Wa over. Then she gave him the socks. Looking into his eyes, she said, "San Wa, you have to protect these socks. If it breaks again, you don't have socks to wear. ."
"If it breaks, buy a new one." San Wa said with blinking eyes.
Listening to this. She knew this kid deliberately broke it. Lin Qing He glanced at Zhou Qing Bai as mentally said 'this is your son'.
"Our family did get a bit of money this year, but you, three boys' appetite are now getting bigger and bigger. All the money has been used to buy food. There's basically no excess money left." Lin Qing He explained.
"Our family can still afford milk." San Wa pointed out.
"That's because you all are growing up. You have to drink milk. Look at your eldest brother. How much taller he became this year? It's almost five centimeters. Maybe he won't be able to wear his clothes next winter and need to make new ones." When Lin Qing He came to this point, she feel a little bit emotional.
Da Wa had not yet entered the peak period of development and growth was still pretty fast.
After the new year, he was only ten years old. He was almost 1.5 meters tall. She estimated that he could exceed 1.55 meters next year.
However, San Wa didn't care about those. He just wanted a new pair of socks.
"Mother, my socks are very old. Can you change it for a new pair?" San Wa noticed how well-sewn the socks were, he knew there was no chance that they would break again. So he could only demand spoiling.
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Chapter 185. San Wa got a fever
Although Lin Qing He dotes her sons, she won't blindly be indulgent.
For example, if these socks can still be worn, then continue to wear them. It was useless to act like a spoiled brat.
One must know that this current era really can't compare to later generations. It was fine to buy it in the future generation. However, at this time, it was still necessary to be frugal.
Resources were really quite limited.
"Is our family too poor to buy socks?" San Wa said, seeing his mother actually disagree to make new socks or buy new socks.
"We are pretty poor. After all, it's really not easy to raise you boys." Lin Qing He nodded.
San Wa responded: "Mother, you're deceiving me. I had seen it myself. You made new underwear for my father!"
He looked at his mother accusingly with his eyes that conveyed 'only favor father and not me'.
Lin Qing He was slightly embarrassed. Then confirmed with a nod, "Your father need a new one."
"Mother, coax me. I have seen it all. Father's underwear is still very new, and there isn't a single patch." San Wa pointed out.
Now they grew up, it was harder to fool them.
"Then what do you want." Lin Qing He said.
"Mother, you can make a new pair of socks for me." San Wa persisted.
Lin Qing He refused: "Wait until next year. I will give you brothers a newly made pair. You keep this pair this year."
"I don't want." San Wa stated.
"If you don't want to, just go around with your own smelly feet." Lin Qing He waved her hand.
San Wa yelled with anger: "Mother, you don't love me at all. You just love my father!"
"That hurts my heart a lot." Lin Qinghe responded, "But, you are right. I do love your father. You brothers all grew up in the mud. What's the point of doting?"
San Wa ran into his room and tattled to his eldest brother and second brother.
Da Wa had long opened his mind: "You only found out now that Mother loves Father the most? What's available will always be given to Father. What Father has, we may not necessarily have. You actually dare to compete with Father?"
"That's right. Mother only helps Father scoop the congee. She only urges Father to eat more. Mothers don't care about us. Want to eat then eat. If not, go away." This was what Er Wa said.
San Wa originally wanted to come and pull his two brothers together to fight the war. He never expected to hear his two brothers say something he hadn't noticed before!
"San Wa, just wear it. Be content that Mother is willing to patch it up for you. Last time, I asked Mother to give me a cloth pocket. I just happened to see Mother making clothes for Father. I had to wait until Father's clothes were finished, then Mother would sew it for me." Zhou Da Wa patted his younger brother on the shoulder and said.
San Wa declared: "I am the youngest in the family!"
He was the youngest in the family. Shouldn't he be the one who gets the most doting? Father was already that big, what's the point of doting Father?
"Being the youngest is useless. Our family doesn't copy other people's norms." Er Wa waved his hand.
"Mother doesn't love me anymore." San Wa wanted to cry.
Da Wa and Er Wa paid him no heed. Their mother set up some difficult questions today. They haven't solved it yet, so they both worked on the questions.
The isolated and helpless San Wa ran over to his grandparents' home.
He confided to his grandmother.
Mother Zhou wanted to laugh when she heard it. She had witnessed how Fourth's wife always put old Fourth before everything. As for the children, it was really free-range care.
Of course, what should be taught will not be shorted.
"Your father has to work. That does wear the clothes away. We only get issued so many cloth coupons at the end of the year. It's not a good idea to always wear new ones." Mother Zhou explained.
"I don't always wear new ones, I have been wearing them for a long time." San Wa maintained. Then he continued: "It's not that there's no cloth at home. It's just my mother reserving it for my father."
"Your mother felt distress about your father's tiredness from farm work, so she wants to make him two comfortable clothes. You are also filial. Don't worry about these little things." Mother Zhou coaxed.
San Wa was still not convinced. He went off to played with little Su Cheng.
At home, Lin Qing He had already resigned herself to sewing socks. However, she won't give it to him now. Let's give it to him as a New Year gift when the New Year arrived.
There was a smile at the corner of Zhou Qing Bai's mouth. His sons all said that she was partial to him. He felt that way too.
Still, it felt good. He enjoyed and loved it.
"You can still laugh. Your sons are very difficult to deal with." Lin Qing He said grumpily.
"If they are hard to handle, hit them." Zhou Qing Bai stated.
"It hasn't got to that level yet. It's just wanting a new pair of socks." Lin Qing He responded.
Putting side by side with those future generation's children who want toys and acted as the emperor at home, San Wa's desire for new socks was simply nothing.
"Don't need to make so many underwear." When Zhou Qing Bai said this, there was a smile in his eyes.
He had a total of five undies. All of which were very new.
Lin Qing He was slightly embarrassed, and said, "I made it for you, so just wear it."
Besides, was five pairs of underwear too many? Not at all.
Lin Qing He made the new socks in two days. There wasn't any difficulty. The last piece of cloth at home was used up. When they were done, she put them away. She did not directly give them to San Wa.
It's also good for this kid to know that he doesn't get something once he makes a fuss. Otherwise, when someone doesn't give it to him, he will easily develop the habit of making a fuss.
In the past two days, San Wa had become a bit rebellious. He had stopped talking during meals.
Even when he went to bed at night, he won't come to stick to his mother anymore.
Lin Qing He let him be. Finally, San Wa couldn't help it that night. He ran over to knock on the door in the middle of the night. As he knocked, he cried. He asked whether his mother didn't want him.
It was very cold today. Lin Qing He intended to rush out of bed.
Zhou Qing Bai stopped her and got off the kang to bring San Wa in. Lin Qing He quickly poured a cup of hot water and blew it cooler for this naughty child to drink.
The brat finally couldn't sit still after suffering for a few days and saw that no one was paying attention to him.
However, he was a little happy when he was hugged by his father and mother and slept with his father and mother. However, he started to get a fever in the middle of the night.
The stinky boy rarely caught a cold. His body was as strong as a cow. Never thought he would actually have a fever now.
Lin Qing He dissolved a kids' tablet for him to drink at once. She did it without explaining what it was to Zhou Qing Bai.
"It's sweet. Mother, are you giving me sweet soup?" San Wa asked in a daze.
"Yes, I'm only giving it to you. Your eldest brother and second brother don't have any." Lin Qing He comforted.
"Hehe." San Wa giggled happily, but still said: "Still, need to give it to Eldest Brother and Second Brother."
"Okay, mother will feed them it tomorrow." Lin Qing He soothed.
Soon San Wa fell asleep. However, Lin Qing He didn't dare to sleep. Zhou Qing Bai didn't sleep either. The couple busied away until the latter half of the night. When San Wa's fever subsided, only then they relaxed.
"I handled it wrongly." Lin Qing He said guiltily after lying down.
This was actually the first time that she took care of a child. She had never personally given birth. She was really inexperienced. She didn't expect that San Wa would actually run out in the middle of the night without bundling up.
"He's fine." Zhou Qing Bai comforted.
Lin Qing He was tired. She slept with San Wa in her embrace.
The next day San Wa woke up and found that he didn't have much strength in his body. However, sleeping in his mother's arms, made San Wa feel pleased.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 186. Red date and tremella soup
It took San Wa two days to recover from this illness.
The little guy didn't have much energy for the past two days. Fortunately, Lin Qing He took good care of him with the help of the prepared medicine for children she kept in the space. So it was just a surprise without danger.
A child's fever cannot be underestimated. Even a grown adult can burn up silly, let alone such a small child.
When the body recovered, San Wa couldn't sit still anymore. He ran out and jumped around.
Lin Qing He didn't restrain him either.
A few days ago, the little guy always thought that his mother didn't care for him and didn't love him. But after having a fever, he finally felt how much his mother loved him.
She can make whatever he wanted to eat. Also, she kept him in their kang for sleep at night and tell him stories. It was super.
San Wa, who enjoyed the two days of motherly love, had recovered back to normal- lively and energetic.
These days passed and it was Laba day.
Lin Qing He got up early to cook Laba congee.
Zhou Qing Bai said: "Later, come with me to visit my comrade-in-arms?"
It had been snowing for the past few days. Finally, today was a rare chance of a clear day.
"Okay." Lin Qing He knew that he had always wanted to introduce her to his comrade-in-arms. What's more, a comrade within the police department was also a very solid network.
So the couple headed out. They had brought along San Wa. Neither Da Wa nor Er Wa joined them.
San Wa, the little bear, can feel that his parents loved him again. He was overjoyed.
"Don't grin so wide. The cold wind will fill your stomach, and then you will have diarrhea." Lin Qing He said.
"Mother, buy me candied haws later." San Wa began to make requests.
"Buy two sticks for you brothers. Wait until we go back, then you can eat with your brothers." Lin Qinghe stated.
"Ok." San Wa nodded.
Da Wa and Er Wa didn't mind that he was able to tag along while they couldn't. They both knew that San Wa was sick during the past two days and became listless. There was nothing wrong with taking him out for a trip.
When they came to the county city, the couple visited the security bureau with San Wa in hand.
There was no need to bring special gifts in the countryside. Lin Qing He brought a jar of chili sauce.
A jar of chili sauce weighed about a jin. It was truly delicious. Zhou Qing Bai, the spicy lover, enjoyed it extremely.
His comrade-in-arms' taste was similar to him. As expected, he liked it too.
After sitting in the bureau for more than an hour, Zhou Qing Bai and Lin Qing He departed with San Wa. His comrade-in-arms personally sent them out and also urged them to come and visit more when free in the future.
Zhou Qing Bai agreed. Then he brought his wife to the supply and demand cooperative to buy the things that the house needs to buy.
Lin Qing He asked Zhou Qing Bai to enter the supply and demand cooperative first. She was going to the black market. Now she had confessed to Zhou Qing Bai, Zhou Qing Bai really didn't have to follow. Even the best dog in the camp can forget about finding evidence on his wife.
It was no wonder that she dared to promise him before that if someone found out once, then she would wash her hands clean.
With this thing called space, who can find out?
Zhou Qing Bai shook his head helplessly.
On Lin Qing He's side, she got rid of the leftovers she had. She bought two baskets of eggs from the black market and carried an approximate jin out. Then she took it over to Shen Yu.
Shen Yu gave birth to a girl.
Earlier on, when she went to the bureau with Zhou Qing Bai, she bumped into Chen Jie, Shen Yu's man. Chen Jie had informed them.
If she didn't know, she didn't know. Now she knew, then she had to bring something over. That's because, with Shen Yu at the supply and demand cooperative, she can buy many things that others can't buy.
Knowing that she was in post-natal confinement, bringing some eggs over can be considered a thoughtful gesture.
Sure enough, Shen Yu was delighted as soon as she arrived: "Sister, it's enough to just come and see me. Why did you bring me so many eggs? Take them back and give them to my nephews (Da Wa co.)."
"I brought them for you, so keep it." Lin Qing He said with a smile. Then she looked at the girl again and said: "If Da Wa's father see this, he will be extremely envious. He always wanted a girl."
Shen Yu pursed her lips in laughter. Truth to be told, she and her man didn't have any biased toward boys over girls, so there was nothing wrong with having this daughter.
While it was her mother-in-law who remarked a bit. But that was just talking and more or less, they don't live together.
"The diapers don't dry easily in the cold weather. Is there enough coal at home? I know someone. If there isn't enough, I can give you an address. You can ask Chen Jie to go over and get some." Lin Qing He said.
"Sister, you are so thoughtful. Chen Jie got some back, it's enough." Shen Yu smiled.
"That's good." Lin Qing He nodded, and then reminded her to drink more fish soup. As for the rest, she had nothing to say. She left the eggs and returned.
"Mother, where have you been? Father and I have been waiting for you for a long time." San Wa said.
"I went to Shen Yu's place to sit down." Lin Qing He explained to Zhou Qing Bai.
Zhou Qing Bai nodded. He knew about it too. He had just heard Chen Jie talk about his wife giving birth. Some common courtesy needed to be done.
Lin Qing He noticed that the father and son hadn't bought anything yet, so she came to the counter and checked it by herself. Once asked, she found that tremella had actually arrived this year!?
This was a good hydrating product.
Lin Qing He didn't hesitate at all and instantly bought half a jin. Then got two stick of candied haws. After looking at other things, she bought what she needed and left alone those she didn't need. Still, she bought some melon seeds and toffee. Those were reserved for visitors on the first day of the New Year.
There was no need to buy milk powder. There was still a bag at home. Also, a can of malted milk powder too. That was drinkable.
After finishing all these things, the family of three went home.
As soon as Lin Qing He returned home, she gave the candied haws to San Wa and his brothers. They can share it among themselves. Of course, little Su Cheng also had a share.
Lin Qing He soaked the tremella.
Red date and tremella soup. Was there anything more nourishing for the heart and lungs than this during these snowy days?
Especially when the kang was burning at home. It was very dry. It was better to drink some soup to defeat the internal fire.
Still, the staple food had to be eaten.
A lotus root pork rib soup, a dried bean pork belly, and a bean flour bun.
Speaking of which, Sister Mei sent the lotus root. She went to get the meat yesterday and Sister Mei gave her the lotus. It wasn't much, just that bit.
The lotus root was delicious when sliced and fried. However, Lin Qing He preferred to stew it into a soup. Adding in the ribs, it became the lotus root ribs soup. On top of that, sprinkle a handful of peanuts into the soup and the taste became excellent.
When the boys' grandparents came over, the family began their meal.
What one can eat on a snowy day was really limited. It was either cabbage or radish. Of course, there were dried beans, dried seaweed, fungus, and mushrooms. Still, it can't beat summertime. At that time, there were plenty of edibles.
So one can imagine how popular this lotus root was.
The whole family gathered around together to have a delightful lunch as the outside snowed again.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 187. Making meat buns
As the days passed, it reached the time for the year end's meat distribution.
The family's two big plump pigs were also driven out early in the morning.
After breakfast, Da Wa, Er Wa, and San Wa wanted to watch the pig slaughter.
Little Su Cheng had the heart to follow.
"No. You are too young. The scene of killing pigs is not suitable for you to watch." San Wa coaxed him.
"I'm not afraid." Little Su Cheng persisted.
Because he often mingled with his elder brothers, his language skills developed pretty well.
"You'll have nightmares after seeing it." Er Wa also said.
"I'm not afraid." Littel Su Cheng maintained.
But in the end, Little Su Cheng didn't participate because he was still too small. He was only that big, no way was he allowed to watch.
However, those who were taken over Zhou Qing Bai had their eyes covered when the pig got killed. Da Wa covered San Wa's eyes.
As for Er Wa, he half-covered his own eyes. His whole body was a little tense.
After a few pigs cried out one after another, the pigs were slaughtered.
Three pigs were killed in the village this year. Every household can receive a lot. Still, the most in-demand were the two pigs from Zhou Qing Bai's family. They were really fat. Fat and strong.
Lin Qing He was able to get three jins more meat this year than in the previous year. It was from the work points she got as a teacher. Of course, there were also work points from raising two big pigs.
One giant pig's head, seven or eight ribs, big bones. These were all the usual request.
Also, they didn't leave out the large intestines, small intestines, and pork stomach.
The rest was fatty meat. Lin Qing He got a cut of seven jins of fatty meat. This had many people look on with envy. No one said anything about her.
If they had the ability, they would ask for it too.
Lin Qing He also asked for a lot of pork belly and lean meat since she got some ribs and the big bones at the beginning. These were third-class meat, which was the least valuable.
Lean meat was also considered as third-class meat.
Pork belly was considered second-class meat. First-class meat was naturally the fatty meat. Everyone labeled it the best meat.
Adding up these things, it was approximately 30 jins of meat.
Of course, this was because Father Zhou's share was also included in here.
Even so, bringing back so much meat still aroused everyone's envy.
But sometimes one can't be envious.
Before, everyone didn't expect much from Zhou Qing Bai's family.
The phrase 'thirty years, river flow east, thirty years, river flow west' wasn't a lie.
How many work points does his family have now?
There was a work point from the two pigs. The fertilizer produced by the pigs also gained a work point. Zhou Qing Bai got ten work points. Father Zhou got eight work points. Lin Qing He also earned five work points. In addition to five work points, she also received 13 yuan in salaries. There were also subsidies like food coupons and fabric coupons.
Da Wa and Er Wa had grown up now. They would gather plenty of pigweeds after school and can earn one or two work points.
Even though Mother Zhou didn't enter the field in the first half of the year, she would also scavenge for pigweed during the time when Zhou Xiao Mei had yet to deliver. Little Su Cheng had gotten bigger and ran behind San Wa like a tail. She didn't need to take care of him. So she gained a good amount of work points.
So they got so much meat allocated this year.
Eldest Sister-in-law received four jins this year. Second Sister-in-law was the same. Third Sister-in-law's share was less, only three jins or so.
It can't be helped. She had a big belly this year. She only worked for the first half of the year and after that, she forced herself to keep going.
Of course, during the post-natal confinement in the latter half of the year, she ate well.
Su Da Lin never stingy in this area. He would bring eggs or a piece of meat and fish every time he came over,. That was why Third Sister-in-law was properly fed.
"Now the women in the village aren't faring as well as her." It was Wang Ling who said this.
Since the incident at the old Ma's house last time, Wang Ling lost face for a while. Regardless of what her in-laws said to the outside world, she knew exactly what the facts were.
She just happened to run into her brother-in-law when he was taking a bath in the river once. After seeing him butt naked, she found that he was better than her own man, so she got tempted.
And then one thing led to another and they rolled together.
But in the end, everyone at this time cherished their feathers.
Even as women, they understand Wang Ling's difficulty and ran over to borrow from her fourth brother-in-law, the matter still wasn't glorious.
For example, Second Sister-in-law had a good relationship with her before, but now she didn't interact with her at all.
The others were the same. No one responded to Wang Ling's words.
On the contrary, some idle men in the village encountered Wang Ling in private. There was never short of catcall toward her. Wang Ling was quite proud of this, but she refused in a decent manner on the surface.
Just don't know if it was a true rejection or false rejection.
After Wang Ling received the cod shoulder, she curled her lips in dissatisfaction. So she followed her mother-in-law back with her own family's share of meat.
There were also a few people who have a bad relationship with Wang Ling present. They started to gossip after seeing her leave.
"Acting like nobody knows that old Ma Family use 'borrow' to cover her loose way to preserve that bit of reputation!"
"That so right. I saw her and Zhou He from Zhou Family together the day before yesterday. They were sending each other meaningful gaze!"
"Just one look, you'll know she's a bad bunch. Have you not heard that her eldest sister from her maternal family previously had an affair. What's more, was caught on the spot!"
"My God, there was such matter?"
"What happened afterward?"
"..."
Perhaps someone found Wang Ling's affair too disgusting and still dare be so rampant, a rumor started in the village at an unknown time. Rumor of Wang Ling's eldest sister, Wang Cui's past love affairs.
"San Ni's mother, don't interact with her anymore. It's really shameful." Eldest Sister-in-law said to Second Sister-in-law after hearing about it.
If they didn't live together, Eldest Sister-in-law wouldn't be bothered to remind her.
Even though the family was divided, everyone was still in the same courtyard. Before, Wang Ling had came often to look for Second Sister-in-law.
Second Sister-in-law knew what was circulating in the village. Naturally, she felt extremely embarrassed and replied: "I'm not in contact with her anymore!"
Everyone in the family, no matter if it was the in-law family or the maternal family, they felt they lost face. Except for the person who was cheating.
Wang Ling didn't feel it at all. What's more, she had an unclear interaction with other bachelors in the village. Really didn't know to repent.
Eldest Sister-in-law took in her response and dropped the matter.
After the meat was divided, everyone started to make some yummy food.
As for these matters in the village, Lin Qing He turned a deaf ear to it. Even when she heard Mother Zhou bring it up, Lin Qing He didn't care.
She was in the middle of leading Zhou Qing Bai, Da Wa, Er Wa, San Wa, and Xiao Su Cheng on making buns.
This year, she came back with such a large cut of fatty meat and extracted three cans of oil. There was so much oil residue left.
So she chopped up these oil residues, and then made a meat bun with it with cabbage and pickled veg.
There were two flavors.
One was stuffed with oil residue and cabbage, and the other was stuffed with oil residue and pickled veg. No matter which one, it was very tasty.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 188. Borrowing money
Come to think of it, about the materials collected by Lin Qing He from modern times.
The eggs, pork, and peanut oil were all consumed. They need to be restocked from outside.
But when it comes to rice and flour, there was a lot left.
At that time, she took in fifty packs of rice, what's more, one pack was only 20 jin.
But the rice was not often eaten at home. Flour was the main consumption. So until now, there were still 30 packs of rice left.
Especially after Zhou Qing Bai came back. When he didn't know, she didn't dare to go overboard, even if he didn't think too much. So she didn't take out too much.
She also ordered fifty packets of flour at the time. All of which was the current well-known fine grains. A top-quality flour.
She hadn't finished all it even until now as the family had supplies.
Also, two out of ten days, she made plain flour mantou. No other grains mixed in.
In most cases, she would mix it with bean flour or cornflour.
Eating more coarse grains was good for one's health.
Still, they occasionally ate dumplings and noodles. So the consumption was still a bit fast. Even so, there were still ten packs left.
Ten packs of flour weren't not much. After all, one pack was only 20 jins.
This year, she was allocated some wheat. Third Brother Lin also got 30 jins from his side. It was not a big problem for the whole family to make meat buns.
They had made a lot of meat buns. If they can't finish it, just leave it in the basket. When they want to eat it, just steam it. It was that easy.
From the time the meat was divided, until the New Year's Eve, the family had a good fill of oily juice and goodness.
The pig intestine, pork stomach, and pig head were completely eaten.
Only pork belly, lean meat, and spare ribs were left.
Zhou Xiao Mei and Su Da Lin only arrived on New Year's Eve.
This year the couple also visited the countryside. They brought their food rations. On top of that was also a chicken, a basket of eggs, and a net of fishes.
Half of the eggs and the fishes were given to Third Sister-in-law. The rest was left on this side.
Currently, little Su Xun still drank milk. His appetite wasn't small at all. Third Sister-in-law had to breastfeed two alone, which wasn't an easy task.
Little Su Xun was getting bigger now. He can start eating rice mash.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, you have to be prepared this year. My second sister may borrow money." Zhou Xiao Mei told her fourth sister-in-law in private.
Lin Qing He was taken aback: "Borrow what money?"
"My second sister's family got in a big fight with her sisters-in-law. Second Brother-in-law got his head split open by his eldest brother." Zhou Xiao Mei explained.
"Huh?" Lin Qinghe was shocked.
Old Zhou family didn't hear any news, so she asked Zhou Xiao Mei how she knew about it.
Zhou Xiao Mei was a little embarrassed and whispered: "When I went to the hospital to grab some condoms, I happened to run into Second Sister. That's why I know."
Then her second sister told her about their plan of moving out. However, their fund wasn't enough. She asked if she could borrow some?
Zhou Xiao Mei said that she could lend her thirty yuan.
How was 30 yuan enough? After all, her second sister had five children in total and they weren't young at all. It was different from Third Brother Lin. Even if he got four children, they were still young. A dozen or so square meters was enough space to live.
"We'll see how much money she lack at that time. I can lend her a little bit." Lin Qing He didn't comment much.
In fact, her connection with the first two daughters of old Zhou's family was average. They had a better relationship with Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law.
However, between family, they would lend some when the family asks. Her brother had borrowed from them. If they did not lend to this side, it couldn't be justified.
Because of what Zhou Xiao Mei said, Lin Qing He and Zhou Qing Bai didn't have their city trip on the second day of New Year like last year.
They can go tomorrow on the third day of New Year instead. Today, they will stay at home and wait for the two eldest sisters to come to visit as guests.
Zhou Xiao Mei was right. Second Sister wanted to go back to her maternal family to borrow a bit because her in-laws favored the first branch. The two elders would follow the first branch in the future, so the two elders were biased toward the first branch during this fight.
This time Second Sister proposed for the family to split. The two elders' response was 'sure, they can split off. They must still show filial respect in the future.' After the division, they can only get a share of a little grain and a few dozens of yuans. Any more, then it wasn't possible.
Even under these conditions, Second Sister persisted in splitting.
She didn't want to stay in that home at all.
As for filial piety in the future, let her wait and see if she honors these two old people!
Eldest Sister and Second Sister were actually the kinds to be pliable. Unlike the little sister Zhou Xiao Mei. Zhou Xiao Mei was a bit bold.
Since the first two had a bit of doughy temperament, Lin Qing He didn't like such a goody-two-shoes person that couldn't hold on their own.
Therefore, she kept the contacts to the minimum. Even before this, she and Zhou Qing Bai took the children to play in the city. They simply gave Father Zhou and Mother Zhou the food and the dishes to entertain them at the old Zhou's house.
But this time when Second Sister came back, Lin Qing He saw that she had set her mind. Wow, to be able to force a goody-two-shoes to act like this.
Second Sister came back by herself. None of the others came back.
Lin Qing He lent fifty yuan to her and said, "When Second Sister and Second Brother-in-law move out, you can come and find Qing Bai. He can help you see if there are any bricks available."
Second Sister agreed.
She didn't go back to her maternal to sent down reinforcement this time as she didn't want to make the matter big. The adults didn't care, but there were five children to consider.
She planned to build a brick house this time when she moved out and let her in-laws and the others know that she wasn't without a maternal family's support. Even if she didn't get much money divide to her, her family had it!
Otherwise, there was no need to come back to borrow so much money.
This time Zhou Xiao Mei lent her thirty. Lin Qing He lent fifty. Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law both lent twenty yuans. Third Sister-in-law lent ten yuans. Eldest Sister also lent ten yuans. Her conditions were also so-so, so to be able to lend ten yuan was pretty good.
Mother Zhou must have given her some too. As for how much, no one asked.
In fact, Mother Zhou didn't give much. She just lent 20 yuan, which had to be repaid. It wasn't given.
Mother Zhou frankly expressed that she and Father Zhou wanted to save the money as a retirement fund. When in fact, they planned to keep it for Da Wa and brothers' marriage in the future.
Even when Lin Qing He said there was no need. Still, the had saved the money to be used in the future, so they weren't in a hurry, right?
The older generations were so precautionary. They dislike the thought of having wine today, so drink it all today.
But after getting so much money, it still wasn't enough. It was great that her maternal family can lend so much.
For the rest, she had to go to borrow from those she had a good relationship within her village
But at this time, it goes to show how great it was to have a good social connection in the village. If there was something really urgent, the neighbors will still look at the character to give support.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 189. Matchmaking
Putting aside Second Sister's matter, everyone still had a wonderful Chinese New Year.
This year, San Wa got a new pair of socks. His mood was so close to soaring to the sky. He had been longing for it for a long time, but his mother wasn't willing to make it.
Unexpectedly, she had long made it and just stored it away for him.
Lin Qing He took the opportunity to teach this little brat again and let him know that things won't be given because he threw a tantrum. They will be given when they should.
The second was left for Second Sister's return. The family had their day out on the third.
This year, Da Wa's height piled up a bit fast, so Lin Qing He went to the oldLinZhou's house to borrow another bike. Zhou Qing Bai took Da Wa and Er Wa, while Lin Qing He took San Wa.
The whole family came to the city to have fun on two bikes.
Regarding her family's tradition of a day trip to the city every year during the New Year, the villagers used to shake their heads and remarked how Lin Qing He didn't know how to live.
But after upgrading from Lin Qing He to Teacher Lin, everyone had a different opinion.
Men envy Zhou Qing Bai. Children envy Da Wa and his brothers.
This was called life. This was how the days should be!
They had fun for one whole day. They had taken photos that should be taken and entered the restaurants that should be visited. They had also been to the movies. Then they went back home.
"Mother, where are the previous photos? Can you take them out for me? I want to see them." Er Wa said as soon as he got home.
After the New Year, this kid was eight years old. (T/N: this reminds me of one thing. I met a Korean guy at work. He told me that they were one when they were born. And once it was New Year, their age increase. Their age doesn't increase on their birthday. It was eye-opening. In my family (of Chinese origin), my age increase on my birthday but sometimes, my parents say my age was my age1. I don't get why they increase my real age by one even til now. It was like this way back at their hometown.)
Lin Qing He still remembers when she first came, Er Wa was only three years old. Just a little one.
Not only him. Even Da Wa was the same. He was much smaller than the current San Wa back then.
Even though San Wa was only six years old after the new year, he was a bit taller than his eldest brother when he was this age.
It can't be helped that she transmigrated over when San Wa was still young. The nourishment could catch up from then on, so he naturally developed faster.
Of course, Da Wa wasn't short at all now.
She grabbed the previous photos for them. The brothers gathered around and began to look through them.
"Did I look like this before?" The youngest picture of San Wa was when he was two years old. It was Lin Qing He's first year here. He had been to the city, so there was naturally a photo of him.
It wasn't their first time seeing the old photos. But still, the brothers looked at them curiously together. Each time they saw it, they have to say it once- 'Did I look like this before?'.
When Zhou Xiao Mei and Su Da Lin came over, they too gathered around to look at the photos.
Zhou Xiao Mei can't believe it. An annual must-have photography session was really luxurious.
At this time, taking pictures wasn't cheap at all. It must cost a least a few tenner worths of yuan for so many photos in one go.
This was almost one month's worth of Su Da Lin's salary.
Lin Qing He didn't care about the worship. It was only once a year. Just for a few tenners, so why won't she spend it?
Life didn't completely revolve around firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea. Sometimes it takes a sense of tradition to increase happiness at home.
In a blink of an eye, the Spring Festival of 1974 was over.
The time between winter wheat and the spring plowing was the idlest time for farmers throughout the year. Many people choose a date to get married.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Lin Qing He cooked a pot of glutinous rice balls for breakfast.
The sesame and peanut stuffed glutinous rice balls left the boys content. Lin Qing He was bored to death. She had no choice. She couldn't get herself to read books all day long. She treated making delicious stuff to eat as a mediation.
Zhou Xi came over on the sixteenth.
Although a little embarrassed, Zhou Xi still briefly talked about her elder brother, Zhou Dong's marriage.
After some counting, her elder brother, Zhou Dong was twenty years old this year.
In the countryside, people usually were married at this age. Zhou Dong hadn't yet.
There was no rush for Zhou Xi. After the New Year this year, she was only fifteen years old. However, it was urgent for her brother. He was already twenty.
"Go back first. Later my mother will come over and I will tell her. We will definitely pick a suitable and pleasant one for your elder brother." Lin Qing He assured Zhou Xi.
Zhou Xi's lips curled into a smile, "Thank you, Auntie."
Zhou Dong and Zhou Xi siblings have a good relationship with their family. Even though Zhou Dong's conditions were actually quite good, they had no adult to help them.
The only weakness was that they were short on the population at home.
Although there were other uncles and so on in the clan, they were a bit distant. So they counted as a sole family.
The most avoided thing in the countryside was the sole family. If something were to happen, they were all alone and helpless. There was no one to call for help.
Generally, girls with good conditions disdained this point. As for those with bad conditions, Zhou Dong won't fancy them.
It was normal for Zhou Dong to.
He had good looks and was hardworking and diligent. He didn't have to wrong himself too much.
When Mother Zhou came over for dinner, Lin Qing He told her about it.
Mother Zhou grinned when she heard: "Actually, I do have a good candidate."
"Which family's?" Lin Qing He asked.
Mother Zhou replied: "Old Cai's. The old Cai Family next to our old Zhou's."
"Old Cai family's condition is quite good. Even though Mrs. Cai gave birth to five daughters, she also has three sons. It's a big family. Would they take a shine on Zhou Dong?" Lin Qing He thought for a while and said.
It was really common for families to give birth a lot at this time. She wasn't belittling Zhou Dong. The conditions in old Cai family were indeed very good. Even in the famine a few years ago, none of the old Cai's children met with a mishap. They had survived.
After going through the difficult years, old Cai family was particularly united.
What's more, they had so many brothers and sisters. Have to say, even though they were a foreign surname in Zhoujia Village, no one dared to bully them.
At this moment, there was only one daughter in old Cai family left. She was called Cai Ba Mei.
The few sisters in front were all married. The three elder brothers were also married. There was only one unmarried left in the family.
Seeing that she knew, Mother Zhou chuckled and said, "Zhou Dong looks upright. He is also willing to work, so why won't they like him? Although he is a sole family, the ancestors of the old Zhou family belong to the same family line. No matter what, he is surnamed Zhou. What's more, Cai Ba Mei is honest. Her mother is afraid that she will be bullied when marrying her far away."
Lin Qing He understood it, and grinned: "That means, this isn't a bad choice?"
This side feared that Cai Ba Mei would get bullied. With Zhou Dong, he would definitely not bully her.
The seven siblings in front already got married. So how many in-laws did they have here? They really didn't need Cai Ba Mei to marry another big family.
If she marries Zhou Dong, then she can be the head as the eldest sister-in-law. Which was a good thing.
"I'll talk about it to Mrs. Cai later." Mother Zhou happily settled.
Ba Mei Cai and Zhou Dong were both nice people. If not, Mother Zhou won't show any interest in matchmaking. She just heard Mrs. Cai mentioned it before. So, this can be discussed.
Cai Ba Mei was nineteen years old. It can be said that she have to get married now.
So after dinner, Mother Zhou went over to chat with Mrs. Cai. Then she brought up Zhou Dong's age.
This can be counted as sending a signal to Mrs. Cai.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 190. The earlier they move, the better
Aunt Cai, who married off four daughters, naturally understood what Mother Zhou meant.
Her daughter was at the right age for marriage. Mrs. Cai didn't want to marry this youngest daughter far away. So it went without saying that she checked everyone in her own village.
It just happened that Zhou Dong was on Mrs. Cai's list of candidates.
Mother Zhou just stopped it at hinting. After mentioning it, she switched to other gossips. Then she went back.
Mrs. Cai brought it up to her man.
"Say, why would Zhou's wife come and talk about this?" Mrs. Cai said.
"Zhou Dong has a good relationship with Zhou Qing Bai's family. That side is probably helping Zhou Dong consider. With our kind of family, Zhou Dong will have support in the future if he's going to marry our daughter. We don't need to worry about him bullying Ba Mei. I think it's wonderful." Old man Cai expressed.
Mrs. Cai grinned: "There is no worry that he'll bully Ba Mei. It's just, the life in the future. There's no backup?"
"We're all in the same village. What backup would they need? Ba Mei is soft-tempered. With Zhou Dong's kind of person, he won't bully her. We can consider." Old man Cai said.
When discussing marriage, the most feared thing was a single side enthusiasm. If both sides have such an intention, then it will be very swift.
Well, just two days later, Mrs. Cai discussed this matter with Mother Zhou. They need to find some time to let the two young people walk around the city?
Mother Zhou merrily said, "I can lend the bike at home to them. Just don't know if Zhou Dong knows how to ride it."
"That's wonderful. If this matter settles, I will have to give a red envelope to you, sister." Mrs. Cai grinned.
Mother Zhou was younger than her. However, with matchmaking, it was alright to accept a good omen reward so Mother Zhou did not refuse.
Then she passed the news to Lin Qing He.
Lin Qing He pushed the bike over. Zhou Dong couldn't ride it. Still, it's just riding a bike. It didn't take much for a grown man to learn, right?
He was on the road in half a day.
Initially, Zhou Dong could take Cai Ba Mei to town the next day but he was afraid that he would be too inexperienced and cause the other to crash to the ground.
So he just practiced for another day. Then he took Cai Ba Mei to the city by bike.
Both of them went out secretly. No one saw them. Once into the first month and the spring plowing hadn't officially started, old Cai's family held a joyous event.
Cai Ba Mei was going to marry Zhou Dong.
This made many people in the village stunned.
Because the two families had done a good job at confidentiality, no one heard a wisp of it. This sudden joyous event was about to be held had everyone in surprise.
When the surprise was over, some people in the village who were aiming for Cai Ba Mei scolded Zhou Dong for being no good.
This was really a person with a scheme. They actually never notice it before. He actually hooked Cai Ba Mei without anyone's awareness.
Old Cai Family had a good image. They were one of the families in the village with the cleanest background. Their reputation was excellent.
In addition, the sons above and below were all capable. They were clearly a large household. After marrying Cai Ba Mei, they can discuss if they ever encounter a problem in the future?
Who would have thought that Zhou Dong cut in before they could even mention it to their sons.
Others felt old Cai Family was clever.
They clearly targetted the fact that Zhou Dong had no one to back him up and won't bully Cai Ba Mei. That's why, they agreed to this marriage!
But anyway, in short, Zhou Dong's marriage with Cai Ba Mei was arranged before the spring plowing.
They didn't make it too grand. Just set two tables and invite the elders.
Zhou Qing Bai also participated, while Lin Qing He didn't. Even though Zhou Dong and Zhou Xi had both come over and invited her, it was enough for Zhou Qing Bai to go.
Once this happened, Mother Zhou received Zhou Dong's red envelope and a chicken.
Because it's what should be given to the matchmaker, she openly accepted.
Zhou Dong and Zhou Xi's current life wasn't as difficult as before. The brother and sister have a very good life. Now that Cai Ba Mei, a kind wife, entered the family, it will only get better and better in the future.
Lin Qing He did not pay too much attention, because she had already started class on the 20th of the first month.
Zhou Qing Bai, this bloke, wanted to be considerate of her and cook for her. It was fine to get this guy to hunt rabbits and pheasants. However, it was a herculean task for him to cook.
At most, he can make dumplings.
The food at home was made by Lin Qing He when she came back from work. Mother Zhou had everything prepared. She just needed to cook it when she came back.
In a blink of an eye, spring began on this day.
A variety of fruits and vegetables were planted in their backyard. For the whole summer, they have to rely on this vegetable garden in their own land.
On Second Sister's side, they were building a brick house this time. It can be said that it wasn't at the right time.
Everyone was busy with spring plowing. How can they help her?
However this time, Second Sister steeled her heart like she had eaten heavyweights. Even if everyone was occupied, she still persisted in building this brick house.
She had a very good reputation and popularity in the village. Because of her persistence, everyone worked harder.
After getting off work, they all went to help for half an hour to an hour.
The Second Brother-in-law came over that day.
He came here to ask Zhou Qing Bai to help him get some bricks.
Zhou Qing Bai went to work, while Lin Qing He went to class. Both weren't home. Mother Zhou was minding little Su Xun. Little Su Cheng went crazy with his Brother San Wa.
"You really know how to choose the time. At this time, everyone is very busy. How can they get the time to handle this for you? He has to ask for time off." Mother Zhou disgruntledly remarked.
Second Brother-in-law meekly said, "Just this time. I will definitely not trouble Qing Bai again."
The relationship at home was really strained. Not just Second Sister, even Second Brother-in-law, himself, didn't want to stay longer.
So even at this time, they wanted it to be built.
In fact, since the snow had melted, the construction had started over there. Now, most of it had been completed. Just some parts left. Since everyone was occupied, it took some time. Otherwise, they could actually build it in a month .
After all, it wasn't a big house.
"You go home first. I will tell Qing Bai when he comes back." Mother Zhou said.
With this, Second Brother-in-law went home first.
After Zhou Qing Bai got off work, Mother Zhou told him about this. She was quite speechless: "Can't even bear it this year. I thought that once they borrowed the money, they'll start building it when they are idle this year. Never thought they would build it just like this."
"He got beaten until this state. It's normal if they can't bear it. What's more, if they don't move out earlier, they might really grab a knife next time." Lin Qing He wasn't against it when she heard it.
"I'm not free these two days. The day after tomorrow's tomorrow, I'm going to buy fertilizer and pesticides. I can bring him a cart on the way." Zhou Qing Bai said.
"Alright. When he comes again, I will tell him." Mother Zhou nodded.
The next day, Second Brother-in-law came again. Mother Zhou truthfully passed on the words. Second Brother-in-law was very delighted to hear that, and said, "I really troubled Qing Bai."
"It's no trouble, we're all one family. It will be easier, once you move out in the future. Your parents are too biased. The earlier you move, the better." Mother Zhou responded.
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