Chapter 109

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

The 1968 New Year, though simple, was filled with festive atmosphere everywhere around.

Time entered the twelfth lunar month in an orderly fashion; most of the canning factory staff went on holiday on the twenty-sixth.

Apart from a very few who needed to work overtime, everyone else collected the rich mountain-goods New Year gifts prepared by the Logistics Office, along with the canning factory's signature flavored canned goods and various coupons, and happily went home for the New Year.

Because she had facilitated this mountain-goods New Year gift arrangement, Shen Yao received quite a lot of extra items prepared by the Logistics Office, not counting the thank-you gifts Zhao Yueyue had mailed to her separately.

The bicycle she rode home was packed full; Shen Yao rode at half her usual speed, and only then made it home safely all the way.

The City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital where Yuan Li worked had already gone on holiday; there weren't many people at the hospital during the New Year period.

After all, aside from a very few patients, who likes going to the hospital on New Year's Day to invite bad luck?

"You're back."

"Aunt Zhao, Aunt He."

Just as she entered the Tongzilou, Shen Yao saw Zhao Yueyue's birth mother pulling a woman along, spitting saliva as she argued theory.

She stared for a closer look — it turned out to be Chun Xiao's stepmother; she's been let out? The detention time was long enough.

You should know Chun Xiao has been away from Jing Shi, sent down to the countryside, for more than half a year already.

The Chun family was turned upside down by Chun Xiao this time; word is even their positions at the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital might not be kept.

Obediently carrying the New Year goods she had collected, she slipped past the two of them and quietly went back to her room.

Shen Yao carefully stacked the things in the living room, then went to greet her birth mother and ask about the situation.

Yuan Li gave her a sidelong glance. "What's a child doing prying? Go on, go on — first go back to your room and watch Shen Ning and Shen Jin do their homework."

Shen Yao was shooed away by her birth mother in a few brief words, still somewhat baffled.

What's going on?

"Nothing much, just your mother worrying you'll go out and blab, affecting herself."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou, wearing a little vest, nimbly brought out a basin of oranges for Shen Yao and the others.

Shen Yao peeled an orange as she retorted, "What could I blab about? I don't even know about Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao asking after Yueyue."

Since going to the countryside, Zhao Yueyue hasn't returned to Jing Shi once so far.

She has sent some mountain goods, but compared to the Shen family it's worlds apart.

Of course, this isn't entirely Zhao Yueyue's fault — who made the Zhao family elders so biased?

When Zhao Yueyue left she took nothing at all; it was all arranged by Shen Yao asking Yuan Li to help organize.

"Right, don't say it then. The Zhao family's in a mess lately; Yueyue's a good kid, can't let her come back and get delayed."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou added a comment; seeing Shen Yao didn't understand, she explained in a low voice, "Zhao Yueyue's eldest brother, Zhao Ziqiang, got entangled with the Chun family's stepdaughter.

Heard Chun Fei got pregnant; Zhao Ziqiang won't marry her, so the Chun family went to file a complaint."

Shen Yao: …

"Grandma, where's all this news from? The Zhao family still dares get involved with the Chun family? Wasn't Yueyue sent down to the countryside because the Chun family stirred up trouble?"

Shen Yao was stunned, even the orange in her hand forgotten; she thought to herself that Yueyue's situation coming to light was because Chun Xiao's stepmother was no good, and Chun Fei was the beneficiary in all this.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou hmphed, "The Tongzilou connects every which way — where's a place to hide secrets?

Besides, Zhao Ziqiang isn't any proper person; Chun Fei's move was way too crooked."

Shen Yao pursed her lips. "Still better than going to the countryside; Chun Fei and Chun Xiao aren't even a few months apart in age.

Besides, Chun Fei doesn't look very proper either," otherwise Chun Xiao wouldn't have gone crazy.

Among them, Chun Xiao's stepmother is certainly at fault, but Chun Fei isn't entirely innocent either.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou spread her hands. "So those two just ended up together, didn't they?

Chun Fei absolutely refuses to go back this time; the Chun family is clinging to the Zhao family, just wanting your Aunt Zhao to vacate her job so they can keep Chun Fei in the city."

Shen Yao: …

Shen Yao pressed her lips together. "With the Zhao family like this, they still dare act against the wind?"

The Chun family had three jobs, directly lost two; the Zhao family only has three workers total — if Aunt Zhao loses her job, the two elders and the kids below all rely on Uncle Zhao alone? That's a pipe dream.

As for Zhao Ziqiang's job, Shen Yao never counted it in at all.

After all, he's just a temporary worker watching the gate at the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital; expecting him to make much money in a month.

Once Chun Fei marries in and takes Aunt Zhao's job, the young couple might live relatively stable, but the rest of the Zhao family will definitely be sacrificed in all sorts of ways; Shen Yao can already imagine the lively scenes coming for the Zhao family.

Zhao Yueyue not coming back after going down to the countryside was the right call; whoever returns to this fire pit gets unlucky.

She stood up and hurriedly ran into the room; Grandmother-in-law Zhou called out, "Going back to your room for what? You leave half an orange — who's it for?"

"Writing a letter, to tell Yueyue about this; she ought to have some psychological preparation at least."

In case the Zhao family has no shame and makes Yueyue send back all kinds of food.

Supporting the parents and grandparents can be called duty, but everyone else — including this new eldest sister-in-law Chun Fei — Zhao Yueyue has no such obligation.

On the contrary, Zhao Yueyue was trapped into going to the Northeast countryside, all thanks to the Chun family; Chun Fei is the true culprit behind it all.

…

"Comrade, when will the letter arrive?"

Shen Yao handed over the stamped envelope, and paid the one-Portion postage for out-of-city delivery.

"To the Northeast, half a month at least; even fast it takes seven or eight days.

Especially at this time, freezing cold, the roads in the Northeast are hard to travel; it'll be even slower."

The postman at the post office was a young man; seeing Shen Yao, he was also very amiable.

"Oh, then I understand. Thank you, Comrade."

Shen Yao turned and went out the door, decisively turning a corner and going to the public telephone booth next door to send a brief telegram to Zhao Yueyue.

As for why it was brief, that was because telegrams charged by the number of characters.

A few characters tapped out, a few mao of money put in, and not even a sound was heard.

Shaking her head helplessly, Shen Yao missed the developed transportation tools of the future world immeasurably.

Whether it was mobile phone text messages or a certain letter that could directly connect video calls, they all greatly increased the close contact between people.

"Aiyo, forgot to buy oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar; still have to make a trip to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative."

Pushing the bicycle, she was about to go home when Shen Yao only then remembered she still had a mission going out.

Right, had to run another trip to the crowded Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

These few days before the New Year, the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, department stores, and such places were crowded to death.

The Shen Family had long ago, when the twelfth lunar month began, bought all the vegetables and meat that needed buying.

This time having Shen Yao bring back some seasonings was still because the family's New Year's goods were too many.

People of this era's diet lacked oil, so heavy-oil heavy-salt dishes were most liked.

Yuan Li thought since it was the New Year, everyone gathering together should properly enjoy themselves, and decided to cook and show her real craftsmanship.

As a result, once the craftsmanship got serious, the family's food kept rising uncontrollably.

The seasonings bought before the New Year were already not enough; Shen Yao this time belonged to extra restocking.

Patiently squeezing through the earlier crowd, Shen Yao bought one bottle each of oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar, and conveniently also bought several bags of MSG; things like star anise, spices, scallions, and ginger were also bought in no small amount.

When she came out of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Shen Yao's two hands were carrying a full bag each.

"Let through, let through, let through"

"Quick, don't squeeze, don't squeeze, this holds eggs"

"Aiyo, my cloth, what did the cloth rub against"

"..."

By her ears were all kinds of noisy sounds; fortunately Shen Yao was already used to it.

Strolling to the bicycle, unlocking and mounting, Shen Yao steadied her left and right hands on the handlebars, pushed hard with her feet, and with a zi-lu sound rode far away directly.

Pedaling the bicycle swift as lightning, Shen Yao simply loved this feeling.

Seeing the Tongzilou getting closer and closer, Shen Yao slowed down planning to push the bike in.

Hm?

At the Tongzilou front doorway, Shen Yao saw an auntie wearing a padded cotton jacket, hair braided into little braids.

The auntie had a basket slung in her arms, covered on top with slightly thick cloth.

"Auntie, you're from Shen Family Village, right? Such cold weather, why not go inside?"

Basket-carrying Auntie:...?

"You, you are Little, Little..." The auntie reacted, eyes turning, about to respond.

"I am Little Shen; these two years I've grown larger, Auntie couldn't recognize me, right?"

Shen Yao touched the two hanging braids, her smile exceptionally sweet.

The auntie nodded, "Yes yes, the appearance has changed somewhat; they say a girl changes eighteen times growing up, Little Shen is getting prettier and prettier, Auntie almost didn't dare recognize you."

Shen Yao covered her mouth, "Auntie, you saying this... you coming over is..."

"Auntie, next time you come over just go straight home; outside the weather is strangely cold, health is important."

"Eh, got it, Little Shen go back, Auntie will go back now."

Shen Yao carried the basket, watching the other party leave, turned around, collected her smile, and walked back.

Good, good; fortunately she had sharp eyes; such big eggs at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative could sell for seven Portion each, smaller ones still six Portion.

Now she used four Portion each to buy them all; a basket full of forty eggs, enough for their Shen Family to eat for half a month.

Humming a little tune, Shen Yao locked the bicycle and pushed the door open to enter.

"Mom, I'm back; on the road I also ran into someone selling eggs."

Shen Yao made faces, presenting the basket in her hand to Yuan Li, and unsurprisingly received Yuan Li's praise.

In these times, going to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy eggs is a matter of gambling on luck; not letting you pick and choose aside, the time you go is crucial.

Yuan Li's eggs before were mostly bought at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, resulting in often buying bad eggs.

Later someone sold at the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital entrance; Yuan Li getting off work would occasionally buy some.

Now the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital is on holiday; Yuan Li was just planning to try other hospitals; Shen Yao bringing back a basket of eggs at this time counted as solving an urgent need.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou, wearing a vest, sat in the living room and beckoned to Shen Yao.

Winter got cold; Grandmother-in-law Zhou, to save coal briquettes, would move in to live with the Shen Family.

Just right to live together with her daughter Yuan Li; Shen Zizai moved to squeeze in with Shen Ning.

"Tomorrow we go together to Fengshou Hutong; whatever you need to bring, must buy in advance."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou's impression of Xie Ci'an was good to an excessive degree; Shen Yao had even eaten vinegar over this.

"Take some of the family's canned food and mountain goods; that'll be enough."

Shen Yao counted on her fingers and settled accounts with Grandmother-in-law Zhou; they were taking quite a lot.

Mountain goods aren't something every family has; if not for the Canning Factory and Zhao Yueyue, wanting to eat them you'd have to go to the Black Market and buy yourself.

The Black Market near the New Year indeed has abundant supplies, but it's also truly expensive.

Like the basket of eggs Shen Yao just bought back; at the Black Market they'd be eight Portion each.

Not to mention the severe markup, the Black Market is also unsafe; who knows when you might get caught by the Correction Team.

For ordinary commoners like the Shen family, even if they went to queue at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, they would not choose to take the risk of going to the Black Market.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou listened and nodded, "Indeed, taking too much isn't good either.

You're not marrying over alone; there's also Little Xie, and the Xie family has other brothers and sisters.

When the two of you form your own household in the future we'll talk about it; for now we'll just follow the crowd."

Not letting the Xie family suffer a loss, but also not showing off how the Shen family is doing.

Grandmother-in-law Zhou isn't afraid the Xie family will be greedy; it's mainly the sister-in-law getting-along issue.

A big family bumping into each other is normal; there's truly no need to rush to add difficulty.

Shen Yao smiled and hooked her arm through Grandmother-in-law Zhou's, "Tomorrow Grandma will get to see that group of Courtyard House neighbors.

From what Xie Ci'an said, during the New Year the Courtyard House is the most lively."

They're going over tomorrow; eighty percent chance they'll run into a melon-eating scene.

The moment Shen Yao's voice fell, Grandmother-in-law Zhou's eyes instantly brightened — that was the light of discovering gossip.

"Really? Then tomorrow let's go over a bit earlier and have more contact with the in-laws."

Grandmother-in-law Zhou finished speaking with a straight face, then turned her head and started asking Shen Yao about Courtyard House matters.

Shen Yao had introduced it before, but quite some time had passed; Grandmother-in-law Zhou decided to deepen her impression again, so she wouldn't miss the beat when it came time to eat melons.

Because the Shen family was going to Fengshou Hutong tomorrow, after finishing dinner they all went to bed early, planning to rest up and be in good spirits to watch the drama; the two little ones Shen Ning and Shen Jin didn't make a fuss either.

You should know that earlier, Shen Ning and Shen Jin would dawdle until past nine before going to sleep.

Now, they close their eyes and rest at eight sharp; even Grandmother-in-law Zhou's favorite radio rested for a day — a small thing showing the big picture, sufficient to prove the Shen family's longing (enthusiasm) for going to the Courtyard House.

"Yao Yao, wear that red wool one; it's festive."

Yuan Li directed Shen Yao to change out of her dark green coat into a big red one, and she also conveniently styled Shen Yao's hair into a pretty hair ring.

She dabbed red rouge on both sides of her cheeks, then applied lipstick to the corners of her mouth.

"Not bad, not bad; looking like this makes it look proper too."

She patted Shen Yao's shoulder, letting her go rest to one side; Yuan Li single-handedly hoisted up the chicken-nest-haired Shen Jin and hurriedly dressed up her own little daughter.

By the time the Shen family's six members went out, the time had already reached eight o'clock.

First time not riding bicycles; they simply took the bus over.

Swaying for about half an hour, the family got off at a stop not far from Fengshou Hutong.

Xie Ci'an had already been waiting here for a while; seeing Shen Yao and them come over, he hurriedly ran over to meet them.

"All okay?"

Eyes looking at Shen Yao with concern, Xie Ci'an stuffed two milk candies into her hand.

Shen Yao: Hm?

They were Big White Rabbit.

She unwrapped the candy paper and put it in her mouth to hold, Shen Yao took a deep breath and calmed her nerves.

"Little Xie, you support Yao Yao; she gets carsick; let's head over now."

Yuan Li smiled and beckoned Xie Ci'an, herself leading Shen Ning with her left hand and pulling Shen Jin with her right, striding forward with big steps.

Shen Yao leaned on Xie Ci'an's arm, pressing more than half her body weight onto him.

"Not cold?"

Xie Ci'an wore a dark green coat, looking tall, straight, and slender.

Especially since this person's glasses had also been swapped for silver ones, matching his smoothly combed hair, he indeed had quite a bit of looks.

Xie Ci'an smiled, diluting the coolness on his face, "Want to match with you."

This dark green coat, both of them have one; it was specially bought by Xie Ci'an.

Shen Yao thought of the matter before leaving this morning, held back a laugh, "Matches very well now too."

The girl in red wedding dress is gorgeous, setting off her delicate features; the boy in ink-colored clothes is cold and detached, his face handsome like jade.