Su Wenmao was so frustrated from being yelled at all day that he decided to lash out. “How am I not doing my job well? It’s clear they’re targeting me. If you don’t like it, too bad, I might as well quit. Not even grandpa would bother with that lousy team; getting despised all day long while acting like a grandson – whoever likes it can take my place.”
“Not going to work? If you don’t go to work, what are you going to do? Do you think your dad can still provide for two freeloaders?”
Su Dazhuang looked at his son, who’s about the same age as Su Wensong and still behaving like a petulant child. Thinking about the current situation with Su Wensong, Su Dazhuang felt even more disappointed.
Su Wenmao pleaded, “Dad, think of something. Let’s take over Su Wensong’s shop. If we get that shop, not only will I have a job, but mom and Cuicui too. We wouldn’t even have to go to that crappy job, we could open our own bun shop, Su’s Dumpling Shop, and be our own bosses. Imagine how good life would be…”
His eyes were gleaming brightly with scheming anticipation for the future.
Just then, someone called out from outside the door.
“Is sister-in-law home?”
Su Wenmao’s eyes sparkled even more upon seeing the visitor, “It’s Cuicui’s second aunt. Mom, it must be Cuicui who’s come around, asking her aunt to come over to arrange our marriage. Mom, do I look okay? Should I change my clothes?”
The visitor was both the matchmaker for Su Wenmao and Cuicui, as well as Cuicui’s distant second aunt.
Mrs. Su excitedly got up to welcome her, “Second Aunt, what brings you over at this hour? Come in, come in.”
“I’d rather not come inside.”
Cuicui’s second aunt stood still at the entryway, glanced at Mrs. Su then at the grinning like a fool, Su Wenmao behind her, and instantly looked away.
“I came to tell you, let’s forget about the previous arrangement. Since neither family is sincere, let’s not waste each other’s time.”
Having said that, Cuicui’s second aunt turned to leave.
Mrs. Su got anxious and quickly tried to stop her, “Second Aunt, what do you mean by that? Weren’t the kids happy with each other before?”
Cuicui’s second aunt scoffed, “Happy? Who was happy? Don’t talk nonsense. Cuicui just met your Su Wen at my place by chance, nothing was set in stone. Now, Cuicui is seeing Xiao Liu from the brick factory, and his family even found her a job. They’re going to work together at the brick factory…”
With a mocking look at the family, Cuicui’s second aunt left swaying her plump hips.
“Why’s she going for someone else? She’s just another flashy, cheap woman…”
Mrs. Su cursed under her breath, then turned to see Su Wenmao sliding down the door frame looking completely dazed, gazing blankly at the courtyard gate as if he had lost his mind.
“Wenmao, Wenmao, what’s wrong with you? Don’t frighten mom…”
…
On the 23rd is the candy hawthorn treats, the 24th is for house cleaning, the 25th is for grinding tofu, the 26th is to buy a piece of meat, the 27th is to slaughter the rooster, and the 28th is for kneading the dough…
On the 27th of the Twelfth Lunar Month, Mrs. Qin decided to slaughter the two roosters little Zhuangzhuang had been yearning for all year long.
Previously, Lin Chuxia had intended to get some chickens directly from the shop to bring home, but Mrs. Qin disapproved, believing that personally slaughtering chickens was necessary for the New Year atmosphere.
Having experienced the future, Lin Chuxia longed for the Spring Festival of this era.
Given what Mrs. Qin had said, Lin Chuxia didn’t insist on bringing chickens, and not only did she not bring any, but she also didn’t go to work that day, choosing instead to join the festivities at home.
Mrs. Qin boiled a large pot of hot water, while Lin Chuxia and little Zhuangzhuang worked together to catch the chickens.
Originally, the chickens were supposed to be locked up in the chicken cage overnight by Mrs. Qin, but little Zhuangzhuang, having been fixated on slaughtering the chickens, accidentally let them escape first thing in the morning.
Catching chickens during broad daylight is not an easy task.
“Zhuangzhuang, you block that side. If the chicken goes there, herd it towards your little aunt…”
While directing, she quietly approached the big rooster.
“Cluck cluck cluck…”
The big rooster flapped its wings, hopping and jumping, while Little Zhuangzhuang and Lin Chuxia chased after it, mouths full of feathers.
“Little Auntie, you’re so clumsy, you had its wing, how could you let it escape?”
“Little Auntie didn’t mean to, it was trying to peck me, I got scared…”
“Little Auntie, don’t be scared, I’ll protect you. You block over there and I’ll catch it…”
Mrs. Qin, Mr. Qin, and Qin Yang, the three of them watched the young and the old chase chickens around the yard, laughing until they were nearly in tears.
She sneakily glanced at her younger son standing by her side, his eyes smiling and seemingly glued onto his wife.
Initially, she just felt that this daughter-in-law sat well with her son, but she didn’t expect their relationship to be so good.
This put her at ease; the daughter-in-law’s capable hands had brought good days to the entire family. If her son had maintained his usual icy demeanor with her, she would have felt extremely guilty.
“Yangyang, stop watching and go help your wife.”
Qin Yang still wanted to watch a little longer, it was rare to see this side of his wife.
Meeting his mother’s disapproving gaze, he had no choice but to join the chicken-catching fray.
“Qin Yang, no need to do anything, just block over there, I’m definitely catching it this time…”
Lin Chuxia locked onto her target and pounced with all her might.
Just as she was about to succeed, the rooster flapped its wings and flew away.
“Ah ah ah… you’re flying now, that’s not honorable!”
Lin Chuxia couldn’t stop her momentum and was about to make intimate contact with the ground when an arm wrapped around her waist, saving her from the fall.
A voice filled with laughter whispered in her ear, “Had enough fun? Alright, go rest, I’ll handle this.”
Lin Chuxia still wanted to continue, but seeing Little Zhuangzhuang covering his mouth and snickering, she realized she was still in Qin Yang’s arms.
Standing beside them were Mr. and Mrs. Qin, which made her suddenly feel embarrassed.
“Then it’s all on you,” she said as she stepped out of Qin Yang’s embrace and straightened her clothes.
Qin Yang gave her an OK sign and beckoned to Little Zhuangzhuang, “Come, help your little uncle block.”
Little Zhuangzhuang was instantly thrilled and dashed to herd the chicken.
The rooster ran towards Qin Yang, who suddenly struck, deftly grasping the chicken by the neck.
No matter how the rooster struggled, it couldn’t escape his grasp.
“Little uncle is so amazing…”
Little Zhuangzhuang clapped his hands excitedly and yelled, while Qin Yang turned to look at Lin Chuxia, smiling and raising his eyebrows.
Lin Chuxia understood what he meant; truly, men never grow up.
Beneath his expectant gaze, she gave him a thumbs-up.
Killing the chicken was also Qin Yang’s doing; after over ten days of recuperation and nourishment from the spiritual spring water, his injured arm was fully functional again, and his muscles were robust.
His actions were always swift. The knife rose and fell, eliciting gasps of amazement from Little Zhuangzhuang.
Plucking and gutting was done by Mr. and Mrs. Qin; Lin Chuxia wanted to help but couldn’t find a way to get involved.
While the courtyard was bustling, Qin Yang’s Third Aunt came over with a sifter covered with a clean white cloth.
As she entered the courtyard and saw everyone there, especially Lin Chuxia and Qin Yang, she greeted with a smile, “Everyone’s home! Second Sister-in-law, I made some rice cakes. I’ve brought some over for you to try—pure glutinous rice flour, and I’ve added lots of jujubes too.”