Chapter 5: Chive and Pork Sizzling Dumplings
“Clatter, clatter, clatter—look what Mom bought.”
“Milk candy.” This was the first time Yubao had seen milk candy; he could hardly wait to put it in his mouth.
Gu Wenran pulled out a handful of milk candies and handed Yubao two pieces. “You can eat two a day, but too many will give you a toothache.”
“Mom, I understand. Can I go find some friends to play with?”
Knowing he wanted to show off, she said, “Go ahead, but come back early for dinner.”
Yubao ran off with the candies to find his playmates.
“Mom, Xiaoxi and Siyue, you guys eat some too.” Gu Wenran divided the remaining candies among them.
“Mom, I won’t eat; save it for Yubao.”
“Sis, I won’t eat either, save it for Yubao.”
Looking at her lovely family, Gu Wenran felt a warm glow in her heart. They hadn’t driven her away for her past mistakes.
Even when she had been domineering at home, they only grumbled silently but never complained aloud.
“Mom, life is tough now; we need something sweet like candy to brighten our day.”
“It’s not tough. As long as you live well and treat Yubao right, Mom doesn’t feel hardship.”
“Mom, you should eat some too. There’s more good stuff coming.”
Hu Ailian took a piece of milk candy and tasted it—it was sweet. The last time she had eaten candy was on her wedding day when her mother had stuffed it into her mouth.
“Lian’er, you’re married now. Mom has nothing else to give you, so eat this candy to sweeten your mouth. May your life be as sweet as honey.”
“This candy is as sweet as the one my mother gave me.”
Zhou Xi noticed her mother was missing her own mother.
“Mom, let’s visit Grandma in a few days. I miss her.”
“All right, we’ll go in a few days.”
“Mom, look, I bought this big piece of fatty pork. The fat will last us a while.” Gu Wenran pulled out five jin of pork, three of which she had taken from her space stash, cautious not to take too much at once.
“Oh my, why buy so much? That must have cost a lot,” Hu Ailian said, wincing as she thought about her son’s meager stipend.
“I sold ginseng today. Guess how much I got.”
“Twenty?”
Gu Wenran shook her head.
“Ten?”
“One hundred.”
“What? One hundred! Oh my heavens, we earn just a few dozen yuan a year. One ginseng root for a hundred yuan?”
Hu Ailian was stunned at the price.
“Mom, keep fifty yuan for household expenses.” Gu Wenran counted out five crisp bills.
“No, you keep it. In a few years, Yubao will start school, and there will be many expenses.”
“Mom, you accept it. From now on, just wait to enjoy the good life.”
“All right, I’ll keep it for you and save it for Yubao’s future bride.”
Hearing one hundred yuan made Zhou Siyue’s heart itch.
“Sis, I want to go digging too.”
“Calm down. I heard wolves last night. You’re not allowed to go up the mountain.”
Upon hearing about wolves, Hu Ailian quickly told Gu Wenran to stay home—she mustn’t go again.
“All right, Mom.”
“There’s more good stuff: rice, milk powder, flour, glutinous rice, a chicken, and apples. Xiaoxi, wash the apples later for dessert after the meal.”
“Great, sis, so much delicious food—better than New Year’s! Especially these apples, big and red, just looking at them makes my mouth water.”
“I’ll get the fat ready. We’ll have meat with chive pockets. Xiaoxi, cut the chives; Siyue, start the fire.”
“Coming.”
Hearing there was something good to eat, the two hurried to work.
Hu Ailian knew her daughter-in-law was earning money and willing to spend it on them, so she didn’t mind her extravagance.
The dumplings were wrapped and ready to be boiled. Gu Wenran noticed it was already dark outside and wondered why Yubao hadn’t returned yet.
“Mom, where does Yubao usually play? Why isn’t he back at this hour?”
“He’s probably playing wildly with the kids. I’ll have Siyue go find him.”
Hu Ailian went to the backyard where Zhou Siyue was chopping wood.
“Siyue, go to the village entrance and bring Yubao home for dinner.”
“All right, Mom.”
Zhou Siyue put down the axe and was about to leave when a shout came from outside.
“Auntie, come quickly! Little Yu and Tiger from next door are fighting!”
“Cui Cui, what did you say?”
Gu Wenran looked at the girl before her and recalled that she was Zhou Cui Cui, the village chief’s daughter.
“Little Yu and little Tiger from next door are fighting.”
Hearing her son was being beaten, Gu Wenran grabbed a stick and rushed out.
“Who just went out?”
It was understandable that Zhou Cui Cui didn’t recognize her; the original owner had mostly stayed inside since marrying in, and Zhou Cui Cui taught at the village elementary school, so they barely crossed paths.
“That’s your sister-in-law. Hurry.”
Gu Wenran arrived to see Zhou Jiayu pinned beneath a chubby boy.
“Give me the candy. Zhou Jiayu is fatherless. Who gave you candy?”
Zhou Jiayu tried to resist but was held tightly.
“That’s my mom’s candy. She gave it to me.”
“Your mom is a lazy pig, giving you candy? Dream on! It’s obviously stolen—thief!”
The children began to jeer.
“Thief! Thief! Zhou Jiayu is a thief!”
“I’m not a thief!”
Zhou Jiayu could no longer bear it and burst into tears.
Seeing her son bullied, Gu Wenran raised her stick and struck out.
“If you dare bully my son, see how I beat you!”
“Help! A mad woman is attacking!”
Wang Xiaohu, realizing he couldn’t win, ran home to call his grandmother.
When Hu Ailian arrived, she found Gu Wenran sitting on the ground, holding Zhou Jiayu.
“What happened? Oh my goodness, who beat my grandson like this?”
“Grandma, Wang Xiaohu bullied me and snatched my candy,” Zhou Jiayu wiped his tears with his sleeve.
“Come on, Grandma will go settle this.”
Hu Ailian led Zhou Jiayu back, with Gu Wenran following behind, stick in hand. Before, her mother-in-law would have just calmed things down; today was different.
Midway, they met the fierce old Wang woman.
“Damn brat! How dare you hit my grandson? See if this old woman doesn’t finish you off.”
“Hu Ailian, aren’t you going to manage your little bastard? Look at my grandson! If you don’t make this right todayI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.