"That's true. I heard your brother-in-law is the head chef at the factory. These days, no one goes hungry except the chef."

Wei Xigun smiled and said, "Life is tough for everyone, no one's having an easy time! I'm leaving now."

With that, he slung the blanket and a few clothes over his shoulder, took the meager allowance, and went out. He sat on the back of Zhao Dahu's bicycle, and the two of them went back.

As soon as he entered the door, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao came out to greet him, "Brother-in-law, you're here! Come in quickly!"

This was Wei Xigun's first time visiting Old Zhao's house, and he was a little reserved. "Are you very kind, Uncle and Aunt?" he said, gritting his teeth as he handed the pound of meat he had been given to Zhao's mother. Zhao's mother accepted it with a smile.

"Great, great! Come in quickly!" When he entered, he saw the fair-skinned and plump Wei Shuqing and the chubby Zhao Aiguo. Without asking, he knew they were living well. Wei Shuqing quickly poured hot water and said, "Brother, wash your hands and face. Dinner will be ready soon!"

"Hey! Coming right now!" After quickly washing her hands, Wei Shuqing told Zhao Aiguo when she returned, "Call him Uncle!"

Zhao Aiguo said in a childish voice, "Hello, Uncle!" and then shyly hid in his mother's arms.

Father Zhao took charge of the cooking, making a stew of cabbage and pork with vermicelli, a stew of carp and tofu, stir-fried shredded potatoes, opened two cans of meat, and ate steamed buns and bean buns made from a mixture of flour and water.

The three men even opened a bottle of wine, and Zhao Dahu kept putting food on Wei Xigun's plate. The meal was enjoyed by both hosts and guests. That night, Wei Xigun slept there with Zhao's parents, Zhao Aiguo, and Zhao Dahu's wife. After checking on the things Zhao's parents had received, the couple added five jin of meat and took the bag Wei Xigun had been given. Zhao Dahu also brought two pieces of the flawed cloth the director of the supply and marketing cooperative had given him when he prepared a banquet for them, along with two jin of fruit candy, one jin of soft candy, and two jin of peach shortbread. They packed six or seven bundles of various sizes. They didn't have enough large bags at home, so they had to pack everything in different sizes; luckily, they had a car.

Wei Shuqing was especially grateful to Zhao Dahu for helping her so much during this famine-stricken year. She said emotionally, "Dahu, marrying you in this life is truly worth it!" As she spoke, she leaned on Zhao Dahu's back as he tidied things up. Zhao Dahu chuckled, not stopping his work, and said without turning his head, "Worth it? You're so easily satisfied! Shuqing, as long as you stay with me for the rest of your life and live with me sincerely, I will definitely make you happy for the rest of your life!"

Wei Shuqing felt a warm glow in her heart and nodded silently. If a couple could live in harmony and have a stable life, what woman would want to be prickly and mean-spirited?

When Zhao Dahu finished packing and went out to wash up, Wei Shuqing looked in the mirror and saw that her face and features were neither sallow nor withered, nor did they have a sharp or mean expression.

Thinking of that strange book, I thought to myself, "Only incompetent men drive women to become shrewish, while capable men only make their women into virtuous wives!"

Yes, that must be it. She has never been furious, never argued with anyone, and never looked bitter or resentful since she married Zhao Dahu. Thinking of this, she smiled. What is all this about? Zhao Dahu is not the same as Qi Zhijun. Qi Zhijun is not worthy of being compared with Dahu.

When Zhao Dahu came in, she had already washed up. He pulled her into his arms and lay down, saying, "So, shouldn't you give me some kind of reward?"

Wei Shuqing smiled and said, "Not today, I have to get up early tomorrow. But I can come back tomorrow night, whatever you say is fine, okay?"

Zhao Dahu rubbed it a couple of times to satisfy his urge and said, "You said it yourself, I've got it in mind."

"Look at you, do you think I'm someone who doesn't keep my word? What difference do you make over a few times!"

Zhao Dahu chuckled lewdly, then fell asleep while touching his soft, high breasts.

Before dawn the next day, the couple, Wei Xigun, and Zhao's father each carried large and small bags onto the car, and Zhao's father also packed fifty steamed buns.

Zhao Dahu held the still-sleeping Zhao Aiguo inside his military overcoat, and the three of them squeezed into the driver's seat. Zhao Dahu said, "Dad, let's go back! It's cold outside!"

Mr. Zhao nodded and waited until the car had driven far away before returning to the house. He saw Mrs. Zhao getting dressed and asked, "Old woman, why are you up so early?"

Zhao's mother sighed and said, "He can't sleep well when Aiguo isn't around. He misses me as soon as he leaves. He's feeling uneasy!"

Mr. Zhao smiled and sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). He was indeed feeling bad, but he couldn't stop his child from going back to his maternal grandmother's house.

Meanwhile, Zhao Dahu and his group were chatting with Lao Sun in the car. Zhao Dahu handed Lao Sun, the driver, a box of Lao Dao brand cigarettes and said, "Lao Sun, have a taste! Lao Hu brought it from Qingdao."

Old Sun looked down, chuckled, and took it, saying, "This is good stuff! Thank you, Old Zhao! You can wait for me at your mother-in-law's house. I'll be heading back around 10 PM tonight and will pick you up then. And brother, I'll be passing through here on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. Just wait for me at home then, and I'll bring it back for you. It's all on the go!"

"Oh! Thank you so much, is it too much trouble for you?"

"What's the trouble? I'll just pick up your feet while I'm at it. We can chat on the way, otherwise I'll get really bored by myself!"

Wei Xigun stammered for a while before managing to utter a thank you. Old Sun said it was no trouble, they were all family. Two hours later, the car arrived at Wei's house. After unloading the things, Old Sun noted the location and said, "Wait for me here tonight! I'll come pick you up!"

"Alright! Thanks!" Old Sun said, waving his hand and leaving. At this time, some early risers from the neighborhood peeked into Old Wei's house. When Sister-in-law Wei heard the commotion, she quickly came out and saw several people carrying large and small bags of things inside. Sister-in-law Wei asked, "Why are Shuqing and Dahu back? Where's Aiguo?"

Zhao Dahu tightened his coat and said, "He's sleeping here!"

Sister-in-law Wei hurriedly said, "Come inside quickly, the kang (heated brick bed) is still a bit cold." She excitedly rushed back into the house to call her mother, then went to light the fire. She had a thought when she saw the large sack, but she couldn't believe it was real.

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