Wang Er Mazi was a well-known scoundrel in the village, named for his pockmarked face. His family had been poor peasants for generations. He loafed around all day doing nothing, loved to drink, and after a few cups, would harass the married women in the village. He'd been beaten up more times than anyone could count.
He was always boasting about his "poor peasant" status, claiming he came from the purest revolutionary stock. Whenever anything happened in any household, he'd show up uninvited to eat and drink for free.
[During China's revolutionary era (1950s–70s), "poor peasant" was considered the most politically reliable class status. People from this background were seen as inherently loyal to the revolution, while those from landlord or rich peasant families were viewed with suspicion — not just because they were wealthy, but because the regime labeled them as "class enemies" who had exploited poor peasants through rent and high interest. During land reform, their property was confiscated and redistributed, and families were stigmatized for decades, barred from Party membership, military service, and higher education.]
He was also greedy by nature. When Guan He had landed such a good deal, Wang Er Mazi couldn't stand it and would take every chance to mock him.
Guan He was so furious he rolled up his sleeves to throw a punch, but the others who had come for the pork feast held him back. Finally, he snapped, "If you want to eat, eat. If not, get out. Say one more sarcastic word and you're out the door."
Wang Er Mazi had stirred up trouble, but he didn't get angry. He sat there calmly and said, "Why wouldn't I eat? I'm not leaving."
There was no point arguing with such a brute, so the commotion eventually died down.
Yang Xiucui pretended not to hear Wang Er Mazi's words. But when she came out and saw him, her face fell. Still, with the team leader and village officials present, she didn't dare throw a tantrum and forced herself to hold back.
The daughters-in-law of the Guan family were busy in the kitchen, while Yang Xiucui took Guan Manyue and Guan Manxing into the back room to whisper among themselves. It wasn't until it was time to cook the meat dishes that she stood by the stove like a scowling guardian.
Zhao Xiulian was the easiest to bully among the three daughters-in-law, and Yang Xiucui scolded her the most. "Slice that meat thinner! A piece that thick—one per person and it'll be gone in no time. Are you a pig-brain or what?"
Zhao Xiulian nervously re-sliced the meat, but Yang Xiucui had more to say: "Hurry up! Haven't you eaten? At this rate, the sun will set before we're done."
Guan Manwu happened to come in for water and heard Yang Xiucui berating Zhao Xiulian. He spoke up in defense: "Mother, if you think Xiulian's work is so bad, let the eldest and second daughters-in-law do the cutting. Swap Xiulian with the eldest—she can tend the fire."
Yang Xiucui's heart ached with anger at Guan Manwu's words. "What sin have I committed? They say a son forgets his mother once he takes a wife. Can't a mother-in-law even say a word anymore? Oh, heavens above, I might as well die..."
Guan He was hosting guests in the main room when the kitchen uproar started. Embarrassed, he stormed in and bellowed at Yang Xiucui, "What're you howling about? Howl one more time and I'll chop you down!"
Yang Xiucui's crying caught in her throat. The kitchen finally fell quiet. Soon, the aroma of cooking meat wafted out, and the Guan children stood at the kitchen door, staring longingly.
After the guests had eaten, the Guan family sat down to their meal. Yang Xiucui had set aside a large portion of meat for Sun Jianguo's family—almost as much as the Guan family's entire share.
Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan had eaten meat just the day before and weren't craving it, but to avoid raising suspicion, they sat at the table and joined the frantic grabbing.
Sun Jianguo had dropped all pretense of refinement and was shoveling meat into his mouth. Sun Ziyu and Sun Zihao were eating with grease smeared all over their faces. Sun Jianguo worked at the supply and marketing cooperative, earning only 25 yuan a month. That salary not only supported his own family but also his parents, his unmarried younger brother, and his sister, who often came by for handouts.
That meager salary was never enough. Without the grain from the Guan family and the extra money Yang Xiucui secretly slipped them, they would never have been able to live so well.
With so many people on the Guan side, each person barely got two slices of meat before it was gone. Guan Taixing and Guan Taidi reached their chopsticks toward the large portion in front of their aunt's family, but Yang Xiucui slapped their hands with her chopsticks.
"Starved to death, are you? Never get enough, do you?"
Sun Zihao deliberately picked up a piece of meat and chewed it noisily.
Guan Taixing and Guan Taidi burst into tears. "Mom, I want meat! I want meat!" Once they started crying, Guan Taiju and Guan Taimei joined in, and even two-year-old Guan Yu added to the noise.
Li Yuezhi couldn't hold back anymore. "Mother, are these not your own grandsons? I've never heard of favoring outside grandsons while ignoring your own blood."
Yang Feifang was also unhappy, but she usually relied on Yang Xiucui's support to stay above Zhao Xiulian, so she forced herself to stay quiet.
Yang Xiucui was about to start yelling again when Guan Manxing pulled her back. She picked up the meat bowl and began dividing it into their family's plates, saying as she did, "Don't be angry, sisters-in-law. It's my fault. Mother just feels bad that Zihao and Ziyu rarely get meat at home, so she favored them a bit."
Guan Manxing had intended to share only half, but before she could stop him, Guan Taiming grabbed the whole bowl, set it in front of himself, gave one piece to each member of his own branch, and then devoured the rest in a frenzy.
Everyone was stunned for a moment. By the time they came to their senses, the meat in the bowl was already gone. Guan Taiming wiped his mouth, left the table, ignored Yang Xiucui's cursing, and dashed out the door.
Guan Yuan couldn't help but laugh at the scene. Zhao Shenggu tugged at him, and after finishing their own portions, they both left the table.
Back in their room, they could still hear Sun Zihao and Sun Ziyu crying from the main hall. Guan Yuan couldn't hold it in any longer—he collapsed on the kang and burst out laughing. Zhao Shenggu laughed along with him.
"You little rascal," Zhao Shenggu said, gently tweaking Guan Yuan's ear.
That afternoon, when Guan Manxing left, Yang Xiucui not only gave her a third of the pig but also a large sack of newly harvested wheat. Claiming that Sun Jianguo was a refined man who couldn't carry such heavy loads, she had Guan Mancang escort them all the way back to the county town. All three sons and their wives were unhappy, but whether Yang Xiucui truly didn't notice or just pretended not to, she went ahead with it anyway.
Guan Yuan's kang was in the inner room of the east wing. This room had originally belonged to Li Yuehua and Guan Mancang, but after Yang Feifang moved in, she found it unlucky, so it was given to Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu.
Yang Feifang and Guan Mancang lived in the outer room of the east wing. Usually, with the door shut, nothing could be heard from inside—but Yang Feifang's voice kept getting louder and louder. That night, lying on the kang, Guan Yuan could hear Yang Feifang arguing with Guan Mancang, complaining that the family didn't treat Guan Mancang as a real son.
Guan Yuan guessed she was talking about Yang Xiucui. He thought that by the next day, Yang Feifang would at least show some resentment toward Yang Xiucui. But to his surprise, she acted as cheerful as ever, being incredibly affectionate with her mother-in-law.
Guan Yuan shook his head and admitted he was no match for her.
Every day now, Zhao Shenggu and Guan Yuan drank the spiritual spring water. Guan Yuan's health was visibly improving. His once-dull yellow hair had turned black, shiny, and soft. He'd put on some weight, and his skin was fair with a rosy glow. Zhao Shenggu watched him grow healthier day by day, and his heart was full of joy.
Zhao Shenggu himself had also transformed through the spiritual spring treatments—he was now full of energy and vitality. Lately, he'd been thinking about sending Guan Yuan to school.
In those days, landing a government job was considered a blessing from one's ancestors. Zhao Shenggu was no exception—he envied those "government people" in their crisp suits, with steady pay and easy work. Whatever was good, he wanted it for Guan Yuan.
Although Guan Yuan wasn't particularly enthusiastic about school after hearing Zhao Shenggu's idea, he agreed with his brother's attitude. The existence of the space was too mysterious—there was no guarantee it would last forever. So they couldn't stake everything on it; they needed to work hard in the real world too.
"You'll be five after the New Year," Zhao Shenggu said. "Old enough to start school. Then our little Yuan can take the college entrance exam and get a government job!"
"Brother, then you should come to school with me. I'd be too scared alone," Guan Yuan said, shamelessly seizing the chance.
"That won't work. The family would never agree. Besides, I'm not cut out for studying. You learn and then teach me!" Zhao Shenggu refused.
Guan Yuan didn't push further. He knew Zhao Shenggu had money and could go to school if he wanted. But Zhao Shenggu was afraid of leaving Guan Yuan alone at home to be bullied, so he'd dropped out after just one year.
Guan Yuan understood that Zhao Shenggu wasn't going to school mainly to keep the Guan family from complaining—and ultimately, it was all for his sake.
After a moment, Guan Yuan said, "Alright then. I'll go to school, but can I wait until I'm six?"
Zhao Shenggu looked at Guan Yuan's hopeful eyes and couldn't say no. "Fine. Six it is."
Inside the space, Guan Yuan had collected a vast number of books and materials about future developments. But since he was currently "illiterate," he couldn't explain any of it to Zhao Shenggu. So those things had to be put aside for now.
Days passed quickly, and soon it was New Year's Eve—the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month.
But unexpectedly, Guan Manxing showed up that day.
As soon as she arrived, she shooed the children out and held a family meeting behind closed doors. Thanks to the spiritual spring water, Guan Yuan and Zhao Shenggu's senses had sharpened considerably.
From outside, they could hear Guan Manxing say: "His name is Wang Shihui, nineteen years old. A spirited young man—very handsome. Both his parents are factory workers with good salaries. He'll be working in the government too. Once Manyue marries him, she'll live a life of ease..."
Guan Yuan lost interest after a few sentences—it was exactly the same as in his previous life. Guan Manxing left after lunch, taking another large bag of food with her.
When Guan Manyue came out, her face was flushed with shyness. Guan He and Yang Xiucui looked delighted. Only Yang Feifang and Li Yuezhi had dark, unreadable expressions. As for Zhao Xiulian—she was as docile as ever.
Back in their room, Zhao Shenggu grew more suspicious the more he thought about it. The second day of the New Year was the traditional day for married daughters to visit their parents' home—so why couldn't that news have waited until then?
Guan Yuan noticed his brother worrying about other people's business and pouted. "Brother, why do you care about them? Just keep your eyes on me!"
Zhao Shenggu couldn't help but laugh. "You little jealous one. Of course I only care about you. What are they to me? just find it odd—Eldest Aunt has way too many tricks up her sleeve."
Then, remembering that Guan Yuan was only four, he added, "From now on, if you see Eldest Aunt, don't go near her!"
"Mm." Guan Yuan thought: Brother is way too sharp—he's already seen right through Guan Manxing! If he hadn't given up so much for me in his past life, he would have lived so well.
At that thought, Guan Yuan's nose stung with emotion.
When it was time to sleep, Guan Yuan would wrap his arms and legs around Zhao Shenggu, curling up in his embrace. He wished he could press his whole body into Zhao Shenggu's.
Zhao Shenggu gently patted Guan Yuan and softly hummed a lullaby. Though the times were turbulent, though no one in this family truly cared for them, they had each other. In this small kang bed, Zhao Shenggu used his still-youthful body to build a safe harbor for Guan Yuan—like a barrier, shielding him firmly on the other side.
And in the gentle melody of Zhao Shenggu's song, Guan Yuan fell into the sweetest sleep.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar