Even the bullock cart is arranged to be warm and comfortable, let alone at home!
The kangs in the east and west rooms have been heated thoroughly by Liu Shouren, and the stewed chicken and jujube soup concocted by Su Hongying in the pot already permeates a savory aroma, with the meat thoroughly tender.
When Lian Jie, Lian Yue, Jiandang, Jianguo, and a few others outside, who were playing and letting off steam, shouted in unison, "They’re back, they’re back, my aunt/sister-in-law and the little ones are back!"
A group of people immediately rushed out from inside, including even Wu Yinghong, whose belly was slightly protruding, and Qiu Fang, who had only recently found out she was pregnant.
Carried all the way inside by Lianshan, Shuzhen was finally allowed to take off her scarf, hat, and the heavy military overcoat, feeling overwhelmed with favor: "Oh my, Saozi, Fang’er, how come you’re here? In this freezing weather, what if you catch a cold, how could I live with that!"
As the younger sister-in-law, Qiu Fang only smiled shyly, "It’s nothing, just missing you and wanting to come see you!"
As the elder sister-in-law, Wu Yinghong pushed Shuzhen’s half-joking sentiment to the end, "Yes, we came to see you, but we’re truly here to meet my exceedingly rare niece and nephew twins born at the same time!"
"Absolutely! I’ve longed countless times for a daughter, and my eyes turned blue from hoping, yet to no avail. But you, my sister-in-law, get whatever you wish for, having a son and daughter both at once. It makes me incredibly envious. No way, I must spoil this niece thoroughly. Maybe she’ll think having an aunt like me is more reliable than her own parents and would love coming to our house!" Su Hongying clapped her hands and, after confirming which swaddle held Xinzhi, eagerly went to take her from her second aunt.
Although still small and skinny, in these days her head shape had slowly become more rounded and attractive. Once she opened her eyes, you could see the almond-shaped eyes identical to Shuzhen’s, with very alert eyelids. Her eyebrows, though faint, had an arch like willow leaves, exuding a natural beauty. The bridge of her nose was straight, and her mouth was small.
Except for her sparse hair, her slim small body didn’t look as white and cute as her twin brother born at the same time. She looked just like the daughter Su Hongying had imagined, making it hard for her to put her down once she held her.
It was only when Little Jianjun, sleeping on the kang, woke up and let out a few cries that Su Hongying had to put down her beloved little niece and pick up her own naughty boy.
Her reluctant demeanor amused Liu Shouyi, who couldn’t help but tease on the way home, "If you love daughters so much, why don’t we try to have one ourselves? Why envy others?"
Su Hongying, directly touched on a sore spot, glared at him: "Do you think I don’t want one? I dream of having a sweet, soft little girl, to prepare a handsome dowry for. Pamper her like a treasure as a child and let her live freely and happily in her husband’s house when she grows up. But ah, Saozi said, whether you have a boy or a girl depends on the man’s capability, not the woman. If you are not competent, no matter how anxious I am, there’s nothing I can do!"
What, is my competence being questioned here?
Liu Shouyi’s eyes widened like light bulbs, almost popping out. Watching his wife walk briskly ahead with their child in her arms, he grinded his teeth: Just wait until nightfall, when the sons are asleep. Unless you cry and beg and admit your man is the best in the world, we won’t let this pass!
Originally, Lianshan and Shuzhen had thought of keeping a low profile, to avoid being the tall poppies that draw the most fire.
But ever since they returned from the hospital, the news that the Liu family had welcomed twin boy and girl had kept the villagers abuzz. You bring a chicken, I bring a duck. The wealthier ones gave two sets of clothes, one red and one blue, while the less well-off offered two or three dozen eggs, and a handful of noodles. All in all, their gratitude wasn’t boundless, but it represented the villagers’ sincere blessings.
It’d be better for Shuzhen and Lianshan to accept with a smile; if they showed any hesitation, the elders sent by each family would immediately put on a stern face: Are the two experts now too proud with fame and success to appreciate a little thought from the village folks?
This was all given sincerely by everyone, represented by elders who were at least over sixty; it wasn’t easy to refuse even if the words weren’t straightforward, leaving Shuzhen and Lianshan no choice but to accept these gifts from the whole village once again.
Of course, this time the couple made a special little ledger, carefully recording what each family sent. Planning to return the courtesy according to the list when each family has any celebrations or funerals.
Additionally, Lianshan was thinking of boiling over a thousand eggs, dyeing them with red paper, and distributing them to every Liu village member one by one, as a way to share the joy.
Yet this idea, as soon as it was proposed, met with strong opposition from his wife: "I know your intentions are good, but do you know this isn’t the way to do it? Even if eggs are cheap, they still cost four cents each. Spending over forty yuan for the whole village to celebrate could be big leverage for those with ulterior motives only wanting to make a name for themselves.
With frugality being promoted everywhere, don’t get caught up in this and cause trouble for yourself and burden the villagers."
The conclusion was simple: while one shouldn’t harbor ill intentions, one should remain vigilant.
It’s better to be safe than sorry!
His wife had made it this clear, so how could Lianshan, not one to disregard wise advice, dare to be smug?
It’s better to trust his wife’s words and devote himself to the ’development’ of the new seeds! Once a ’breakthrough’ is made, let the Liu family village production team be the first to implement it. Just like last summer’s cabbages and radishes, didn’t it bring a considerable increase to the team’s communal account?
According to his brother-in-law, only the cabbage and radish alone allowed each team member to earn five more yuan, not including the half allotment each of cabbage and radish left for seed production.
With spring approaching and the plowing season arriving, why not put into practice his wife’s theories of rational dense planting, interplanting, and relay planting?
And when it comes to the river works, encourage his brother-in-law to take the opportunity to increase some paddy fields for the Liu village production team.
Good land with plenty of water, coupled with his wife’s all-conquering golden thumb, transforming the flooded lowlands often inundated by the river into paddy fields shouldn’t be too difficult, right? After all, Liu family village now boasts being a ’mechanized’ settlement with three tractors!
Upon hearing his brother-in-law guarantee a yield of over six hundred catties per mu of rice, Liu Shouren immediately decided: One word, do it! What’s a little hardship or toil? In rural life, who’s afraid of that! All three tractors and all members are ready, just waiting for the soil thawing to begin, determined to turn waste into treasure through everyone’s diligent work!