Chapter 14: Hosting a Dinner Party
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Zhou Qing woke up in a daze, thinking she was still at the Zhao family’s house, lying quietly on the kang and shedding tears.
“Daughter, get up, it’s time to eat.”
Startled, Zhou Qing sat up and saw her mother standing at the door, holding a bowl of steaming noodles.
“Mother.”
The heartfelt call of “Mother” brought a wave of sorrow to Hu Ailian.
“You stubborn girl, if you were being mistreated, why didn’t you tell us? If your brother hadn’t gone, would you have had to die before anyone informed me?”
Hu Ailian set down the bowl and embraced her daughter tightly, blaming herself for hastily marrying off her eldest daughter and ruining her life.
“Mother, I can endure it. I’m useless; I didn’t bear him a son.”
Zhou Qing wanted to resist, but at home, it was only her mother and sister-in-law. Who could help her?
“Nonsense! We’re not going back. Divorce that scoundrel.”
“Mother, I can’t divorce him. If I do, it’ll bring shame upon you.”
Hu Ailian wanted to snap her out of it.
At that moment, Gu Wenran pushed open the door and entered.
“Eldest sister, are you still going to endure his abuse? If not for yourself, think of Yaya. Stay here, and tomorrow go to town and get the divorce done.”
Zhou Qing looked at Gu Wenran in disbelief. Was this the same lazy little sister-in-law she had known?
“Qing’er, it was thanks to Wenran this time that you were rescued. You should thank her properly.”
“Thank you, sister-in-law.”
Gu Wenran took her hand and felt her pulse. “Eldest sister, you’re malnourished and overworked. Take good care of yourself these days. Mom, I’ll go to town later to buy some big bones for soup. Both eldest sister and Yaya need nourishment.”
Hu Ailian was pleased to see how much this daughter-in-law cared for her daughter.
“Got money?”
“If not, mother has some.”
“I do. I’m leaving now. I might not be back for lunch. The herbs are dried; have Xiaoxi pack them for me.”
“Got it. Come back early and take Liu Da Ye’s ox cart.”
Seeing her mother and sister-in-law so harmonious, Zhou Qing thought she must be dreaming.
Gu Wenran chose not to take the cart; the poor road would jolt her to pieces.
Her first stop was the textile factory, hoping for some luck. She saw Qin Fangfang standing at the entrance.
“Fangfang, why aren’t you working today?”
“Warm sister, you finally came! I’ve been waiting here for you every day.”
“What’s the matter?”
Qin Fangfang leaned forward, showing her face. “See the difference?”
Qin Fangfang’s complexion was prone to tanning, but after using the whitening cream, her skin had brightened noticeably.
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“Whiter, but you must be careful with sun protection. Wear a hat when you go out to avoid sunburn.”
Qin Fangfang listened intently.
“There’s more good news. After I became fairer, my colleagues asked me about it. I recommended the whitening cream, and now twenty people want to buy it.”
“Really?” Gu Wenran was excited and gestured animatedly.
“The factory has many young girls; everyone loves to look beautiful and hopes to find a good match. Have you set a price? I want to tell them.”
Gu Wenran thought of the snow cream she used, sold at the supply and marketing cooperative for five yuan, often out of stock. Such a good product should be worth that much.
“Five yuan, the same as the cooperative’s snow cream. You know how effective my whitening cream is; five yuan isn’t expensive. I’ll also make some hand cream to give them.”
“Okay, I’ll tell them at noon.”
“Fangfang, help me sell it. I won’t shortchange you; for every bottle you sell, I’ll give you eighty cents.”
Qin Fangfang earned only twenty-five yuan a month, part of which she had to give to her family. Her fiancé’s family lived in a crowded three-room building. With this income, they could perhaps buy a small courtyard and live independently.
“Alright, I’ll promote it well.”
“Good. I’m going to the supply and marketing cooperative now. I have to go.”
After Gu Wenran left, Qin Fangfang returned to the workshop and shared the whitening cream news.
At first, everyone thought five yuan was expensive, but imagining becoming as fair as Qin Fangfang and finding a good partner, they felt it was worth it no matter the cost.
Qin Fangfang counted a total of forty bottles and planned to visit Gu Wenran during the holiday.
Gu Wenran went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy new shoes.
Yaya’s shoes were worn through at the toes, and her clothes could be altered from Gu Wenran’s own.
“Clerk, please bring me those cloth shoes.”
“Here you go.” The clerk, Zhang Shanshan, recognized Gu Wenran but wasn’t close to her.
“Bring me size 32.” Gu Wenran had measured Yaya’s shoe size that morning.
“That’s one yuan fifty.” Zhang Shanshan wrapped the shoes and handed them over.
“Thank you.”
After buying the shoes, Gu Wenran went to the grocery store, thinking of buying extra meat for dinner since she planned to treat everyone.
“Sister Wu, I’m here.”
“Why are you here today? The meat’s all sold out.”
“Sister Wu, do you have any big bones? Please find me some.”
“You little one, there are only a few bones left. Do you want them in the next shipment? They haven’t been cleaned yet.”
“Yes, I want them.” Spicy pork intestines were incredibly delicious.
“You can have one big bone from the next shipment.”
“Thank you, Sister Wu. I’m leaving now. I have to invite people for dinner tonight.”
“Go quickly then. Come visit Sister Wu’s house next time.”
“Got it.”
Gu Wenran bought a bun at noon and ate it while walking home, knowing she still had chores to do.
She stopped by the post office but learned there were no parcels, then headed home.
Near the village, she took pork and chickens from her storage, knowing that when inviting people for dinner, nothing could be subpar. Everything had to be just right.
When Gu Wenran arrived home, Hu Ailian and the others hadn’t returned from work yet. Zhou Qing was resting inside, while Yaya and Yubao played in the yard.
“Mother, you’re back.” Yubao ran up to hug Gu Wenran as soon as she arrived.
“Look what treats I brought for you.”
Gu Wenran took out sponge cakes, giving each of them a piece.
“Let’s eat in the yard. Mother, I’ll start cooking.”
Gu Wenran tossed a watermelon into the water tank and began preparing the ingredients. The pork intestines were delicious but had a strong odor, so she washed them five or six times until clean.
Zhou Qing tried to help with the farming chores upon her return but was sent back to rest by Gu Wenran.
As evening approached and work finished, Gu Wenran went to the fields to tell Hu Ailian to inform everyone about the dinner and to remember to bring the children.
Seeing her daughter-in-law so adept at handling social matters, Hu Ailian felt even more satisfied.
Gu Wenran chopped two chickens to stew with mushrooms, prepared a pot of braised pork, boiled a rich broth with the big bones, and served it with fresh bok choy.
She stir-fried two large plates of spicy pork intestines, made a cucumber salad, cooked some greens, and steamed a big batch of flatbread. The feast rivaled even New Year’s fare.
Zhou Qing and her two children set the table, waiting for everyone to arrive.
After work, the uncles and neighbors brought their children. Seeing the table laden with meat and vegetables, everyone was stunned.
“Si Nian’s wife only knows how to cook two dishes, how much do you think all this cost?”
“Uncles, you helped our family yesterday to make sure my eldest sister came back safely. I had to make more dishes to thank you. Sit down and eat, the wine is ready. Try it.”
Gu Wenran poured the white wine, handed cups to everyone, and called the children to eat.
Uncle Zhou raised his cup: “I’ll say a few words. Si Nian’s wife has changed. She’s become diligent, filial to her parents, respectful to her siblings-in-law—a good wife. Sister-in-law, when you have time, call Si Nian and ask him to come back. He can’t just abandon the family.”
“Big brother, I can’t control that scoundrel. When he comes back, please manage him for me.”
Hu Ailian looked proudly at her daughter-in-law who had brought honor to the family.
“Alright, that scoundrel still hasn’t shown up.”
The gathering lasted until eight or nine o’clock. After cleaning up the dishes, Gu Wenran did not retreat into her space but washed up and went to sleep.
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