Chapter 43 Brothers and Sisters-in-law

It was already past five in the afternoon when they arrived in Beijing. Because they had a child, they had a lot of luggage, so they filled two large bags. He Liansheng carried one on his back, held another in his left hand, and put his right hand on Qin Jue's shoulder, protecting the mother and daughter as they squeezed out of the crowd.

Doudou had woken up a long time ago and was held in her mother's arms. She looked at the people around her curiously with her big eyes. If she met someone's eyes, she would not be shy. If they smiled, she would smile too. If they greeted her, she would open her little mouth and mutter a few words. It didn't matter whether people could understand her or not, she just liked chatting with people.

Qin Ju and his wife had actually discovered that ever since she uttered her great-grandmother's Zen that night, it was as if their Ren and Du meridians had been opened. She could speak fluently, not only could she say many complete short sentences, but she could also utter a few adult words from time to time, inadvertently making everyone in the family laugh.

No one spoke to her until she walked out of the train station. She then became idle and looked around, pointing at the bus and asking, "What is this?"

"It's a public bus, the same one my great-grandmother took to go to Lenghe Town." In fact, it looked very different, otherwise the little girl would have recognized it long ago, as she had a good memory.

"What is this?"

"What is this?"

"This is..."

Since they got on the bus, the conversation between the father and daughter has been like a repeater, with questions and answers. Qin Ju didn't pay much attention to it. She was enjoying the capital with interest.

She had lived in Beijing for many years in her previous life, but because she had always been a housewife, she seldom went to areas too far away from home, so she was only familiar with the area around her home. This was her first time walking this route from the train station to Chunhua Hutong.

At that time, there were not many high-rise buildings in Beijing, and there were not many vehicles on the road. However, the large number of bicycles was very spectacular, just like the old photos of Beijing taken by some foreigners in later generations.

"Don't be nervous. If you don't like it, we can just meet once and leave." The man leaned over and whispered to her.

Qin Ju turned around and realized that he had not spoken much since he got in the car. He thought he was going to meet his parents-in-law and was nervous.

"Okay." In fact, she was not nervous at all. On the contrary, she was a little excited.

Regardless of how close the relationship is, she wants to know what kind of parents raised such an upright, selfless and smart guy like Lao He.

The He family could be considered a family of some note. He Liansheng's great-grandfather and great-grandmother were both famous Peking Opera performers. Unfortunately, when it came to He's father's generation, he did not appreciate the skills passed down by his ancestors, but instead became fascinated by the "foreign stuff" of the cello. He went abroad to study at a music college despite his parents' opposition, and after returning to China, he joined the National Symphony Orchestra based on his own abilities. Although He's grandparents were disappointed that they could not pass on their inheritance, they thought it was a serious job after all, so they did not say anything.

In addition, He's father was a handsome man with great artistic talent when he was young, very popular with girls, and his wife was also a neurosurgeon at Union Hospital, so the old couple was even more satisfied.

However, the fact is that when He's father was studying abroad, he had a childhood sweetheart. The girl felt that she was going abroad to pursue a better life and was determined not to return to this backward and isolated country with him, so they were forced to break up.

Although he married He Mu reluctantly, Bai Yueguang was always there in his heart, and he even tried to write many letters to her.

No one knows whether Bai Yueguang received the letters or not, but many years later these letters became evidence of his surrender to capitalism. He had a hard time at work, and the elderly at home were sick or dying. Life was very difficult. He finally waited until his eldest son got a job and his youngest son joined the army, hoping to ease the burden. But then someone sent a letter of accusation to the couple, and they were both sent to the Great Northern Wilderness. Only He Liansheng was left in the army and his eldest son He Baosheng worked at the Beijing Fertilizer Factory.

The He family had a prosperous past. They originally had a large courtyard house with three entrances in Shijia Hutong. After two or three generations, the house had long been renamed. The He Liansheng brothers were both born in the dormitory assigned by He's mother hospital. Unfortunately, when He's mother went to the Great Northern Wilderness, the house was taken back. He Baosheng's family had to rent a house outside, which was Chunhua Hutong, which was famous for its dirtiness and disorder.

As soon as we entered the alley, we could clearly feel that the sanitary conditions were far worse than those outside. In the middle of winter, we could still see flies flying around, and from a distance we could smell the stench of a public toilet. He Liansheng felt a little embarrassed. "Let's go see my brother first. We won't stay here tonight. Let's stay at the guesthouse."

Not only was he worried that his wife and daughters would not be able to get used to living there, but there was also no room for them.

There are many large courtyards in the alley. After entering through a big gate, the front, middle and back courtyards are divided into more than 20 small houses, where 10 to 20 families live. The living quality is really not good. He Baosheng and Hong Xia live in the two small compartments on the far right of the back house in the front yard, which were servants' rooms in ancient times.

Qin Ju had lived in Beijing for many years in his previous life and knew the rules of the courtyard houses here, but he still followed them to the two small houses without changing his expression. Just as he was about to knock on the door, a thin young woman came out. She had short hair and was wearing a gray cloth jacket over a sky blue work suit with the words "fertilizer factory" printed on it.

"Hey, second brother, you're back?!" Hong Xia exclaimed, and hurriedly looked at Qin Jue beside him, "This must be your sister-in-law, oh, this is your little girl, come in quickly."

He turned around and shouted into the house, "Baosheng, our brother and his wife are back with the child."

Soon, a man who looked 70% like He Liansheng came out and said, "I'm back."

Even the usually calm He Liansheng was a little emotional, as he hadn't seen his brother for two years.

Qin Ju hurriedly greeted them with a smile, calling them "Brother and sister-in-law", and pushed He Liansheng to pass the things over, "Let's talk inside." A chubby little boy followed behind He Baosheng, looking at them curiously.

"Look at me, go in, go in, you guys just come back, why do you need to buy so many things, you are not strangers." Hong Xia smiled from ear to ear. Even if they are brothers, now they have their own families, who would not be happy to bring gifts to each other?

"Nothing much. I don't know what you like to eat. It's just some local specialties." Qin Jue was the one who bought the things. Knowing that they had a hard time in Beijing, he didn't buy anything flashy or pretentious. They were all genuine air-dried beef and mutton, and canned maltose that the children loved. Grandma even baked a few pounds of white flour cakes filled with peanuts and walnuts.

Seeing so many good things, Hong Xia couldn't stop smiling and was busy lighting the stove. "Huzi, don't just stand there like an idiot. Hurry up and call for help. This is your uncle and aunt."

He Xiaohu licked his lips. He had seen other children eat maltose and canned food. "Second uncle, second aunt."

Xiao He responded indifferently, but Qin Jue could feel that after seeing the frostbite and snot on the child's face, his body subconsciously leaned back, which was the body language of resistance.

Hey, how much does this guy dislike children? This is his own nephew! He is not one of those naughty kids on the train!

It is said that along the way, he was almost annoyed to death by the naughty kids on the train.

Qin Ju actually liked this child very much. He had met him twice in his previous life. Because Hong Xia and her husband were in poor health, he had borrowed money from Old Hetou, and later he repaid the money on time. Every New Year he would call Old Hetou on time to show his concern. He was considered a conscientious younger generation.

Qin Ju patted Doudou's little butt in his arms, "Dodou, do you remember, this is Uncle and Auntie, what Mommy told you on the way, right?"

Doudou was not shy. She was a little confused at first because so many people came out at once. She didn't know what was going on. When her mother reminded her, she immediately called out softly, "Uncle~"

"Aunt~"

"Hey! My niece is so well-behaved and beautiful. Come here, aunt, give her a hug."

When Hong Xia extended her hands, she was not afraid because her parents were by her side.

My sister-in-law brought the child over, and Qin Jue was able to take a breath. Her clothes on her chest were soaked. The child had grown so strong.

"Come here, Xiaohu, right? Auntie will make you some malted milk to drink. Let's pair it with this beef jerky. It's so delicious."

Soon, after drinking the sweet malted milk and eating two pieces of wind-dried beef jerky, the little guy called her "Auntie" happily and said he wanted to take her and her sister out to play. In fact, he was just showing off, because after all, this Auntie was young and beautiful, and she gave him so many delicious things to eat!

Qin Ju has a way of getting along with children. She can satisfy them and cater to their preferences, but she also has a principled way of not spoiling them. No matter whether it is Qin Pan or Dou Dou, they cannot escape her control. Not long after Hong Xia finished cooking, Xiao Hu followed her like a little tail, and even sat next to her when eating.

They arrived at the wrong time. The He family had already had dinner and the vegetable market was closed. There were no vegetables to buy, so Hong Xia could only borrow a few eggs from next door and fried them with soybean paste. Unable to buy meat, she stewed vermicelli and cabbage in a pot, added two large spoons of white lard, and went to the grocery store to buy three or two peanuts, fried them and gave them to the two brothers to eat with wine... well, although only He Baosheng drank.

Although the food was simple, it was the best they could do. Qin Ju was deeply moved and she would definitely help Lao Hetou maintain this family relationship.

A few people encouraged each other and sat together to eat the hot meal. They talked about the recent situation in the past few years and sighed.

He Baosheng was originally working in a fertilizer factory as a researcher, but because he was unwilling to break off relations with his parents, he was transferred to the workshop, doing the dirtiest and most tiring work, getting the lowest salary, and having white hair at a young age. Hong Xia was a primary school teacher. She was originally the director of the logistics department of a primary school in a government agency in Beijing. She not only had a teacher's salary but also an official position allowance. However, because of her in-laws' involvement, she was transferred from the government agency primary school and lost her official position. She could only be an ordinary teacher in the street primary school where Chunhua Hutong is located.

But looking at their expressions, not a single word of complaint was made towards their parents. In fact, they even seemed to be concerned about them and discussed going over to visit them tomorrow.

Qin Ju felt that, based on this point alone, she liked such uncles and sisters-in-law.

They chatted until late at night. Hong Xia did not let them go to the guesthouse. She gave up their bedroom and replaced it with a clean blanket. "You can stay at home and rest assured. Tomorrow is Sunday, I will accompany you to go around. Okay."

Xiaohu also held Doudou's hand and begged, "Second uncle and second aunt, please let my sister live in my house. I don't want to fight with my sister for the bed."

Unable to refuse the kind offer, the family of three had no choice but to stay.

Miraculously, Qin Jue slept very soundly. Not only did she sleep soundly, she also had a dream that was mixed with joy and sorrow. It seemed like a parallel universe. In this universe, she and Lao Hetou also had a daughter. She was white and plump. Her eyes looked like hers and her nose looked like Lao Hetou. She liked to sing and dance. She would laugh when she was tickled. She also loved to eat her fingers. As she ate, time passed by in a flash. The daughter graduated from university and couldn’t find a job…

She was suddenly awakened by the shock. She had read too much social news before traveling through time.

"What's wrong?" He Liansheng thought she was feeling unwell, and hurriedly touched her forehead. "Are you feeling unwell?"

There was no toilet in the compound, so one had to go out to use the public toilet. Qin Jue did feel like peeing, but was too lazy to go out for some fresh air, so she told about her dream as a joke.

Who knew that He Liansheng's brows tightened as he listened, as if he had been constipated for ten years, and his hands subconsciously patted the girl's chest gently. The weather was hot, and Doudou would kick off the quilt, so he didn't dare to let her sleep alone, and always put her between the couple.

At this time, Doudou's little chest rose and fell, and his little mouth was slightly open, making purring sounds like a kitten.

He touched her forehead and neck out of habit, and seeing that she was not sweating, he knew that the quilt was just right for her and she was not too hot. Then he continued the previous topic, "Can't find a job? No job assignment?"

"There will be more and more college students in the future, so there won't be enough jobs to go around."

The man found it incredible, but after a little thought, he could understand that the educational level is improving from generation to generation. "Then there are still occupations, so you can be an official. Being a worker is glorious, but too tiring."

"To become an official, you need to take an exam."

"What's the test?"

"The civil service exam and the essay test are just the written tests. There is also the interview where you may or may not survive." Qin Ju blurted out as he thought of the craze for taking the civil service exam before his death.

She remembered very clearly that Zhao Qingsong's unit was only a low-paying government office in Beijing. In the 1990s, those assigned there were all ordinary technical secondary school students. After entering the 21st century, one had to pass an undergraduate exam to get in. Later, they became graduate students. Later, to get a doctorate, one had to be a returnee with strong scientific research skills... As a result, once they got in, the salary they received was not enough to buy one square meter of house in half a year.

He Liansheng was shocked again. "No, that won't work. It's too tiring to take so many exams. Let her do a job that requires strong professional skills but is not too tiring."

Yes, that’s right. If you have strong professional skills, you will be less likely to be replaced, which is good.

"That's a business unit. The competition is just as fierce."

He Liansheng opened his mouth, feeling inexplicably nervous. Why was their daughter so tired?

Qin Ju laughed and kicked him lightly, "Look at you, you haven't even started yet, but you're already wondering whether your daughter will take the civil service exam or a career exam." Your daughter is still a baby.

The two of them had just fallen asleep, and in the cubicle next to them, Hong Xia and her husband began to whisper, "Hey, Baosheng, don't sleep too deeply tomorrow morning. I just quietly borrowed a meat ticket from Aunt Wang in the backyard. Go buy half a pound of meat early. They say that you can have dumplings when you go out and noodles when you come home. Tomorrow morning, we'll have fried noodles with soybean paste. If you go too late and can't buy meat, I won't forgive you."

He Baosheng uttered two honest "hmm".

"Did you hear that? Don't you see how they treat us? I tried the beef jerky and it's genuine. We can't buy it in Beijing. Even the bread is made of white flour and mixed with a lot of lard. It's so crispy that it's falling apart. The filling is peanuts and walnuts, and there's a lot of sugar. Our little tiger has only had a bite of it at his grandmother's house during the Chinese New Year... My sister-in-law spent a lot of money on this trip."

"You're the only one who talks too much. That year you said my brother didn't understand the ways of the world. Why have you changed your mind now?"

Hong Xia kicked him and said, "It's not that your brother has changed, it's that we have a sister-in-law."

Not long after she gave birth to Xiaohu, her brother-in-law came back to visit and brought only two sets of clothes with him. He didn't even buy half a pound of brown sugar eggs, which made her lose face in front of her family. They have been complaining about it a lot in the past few years.

"You haven't figured it out yet, our sister-in-law is a capable person, she has big ideas, and she does things openly and generously. We can't be stingy in the future, do you hear me?"

Without her husband's consent, Hong Xia continued to talk to herself, "When my parents came over a few days ago, they said my sister-in-law was a country girl. I thought she was just like the daughters-in-law of the three masters in the backyard. I didn't expect that... with this appearance and this temperament, even if I said she was from Beijing, people would believe it."

The key is that you still have a formal job as a doctor now. As long as you work hard and don't make any mistakes in principle, you will have a stable job for life.

Hong Xia couldn't help feeling sad when she thought about how she had been kicked around from the government primary school to the district primary school, and then to the street primary school, and how she had lost her original cadre position.

He Baosheng turned around and hugged her, sighing, "I'm sorry for putting you through this."

At that time, he was unwilling to write a letter of denunciation to "expose" his parents, nor was he willing to sever ties with them. He thought that the biggest obstacle would be his wife. However, after hearing what he said, his wife not only did not make trouble with him, but also cried and said that she had married a real son.

"Why bring up the past? After all, this is the path I chose myself." The He family was indeed poor back then. Her father-in-law didn't work, her mother-in-law had to feed so many mouths with one salary, and Baosheng was sick every other day. She, a daughter of a well-off family, really fell in love with this man and married him despite her family's opposition.

You can't blame anyone for the path you choose.

Compared to her brother-in-law, she at least benefited from the He family and her mother-in-law in the first two years after she got married, and she was able to hold a leadership position at a young age. But what about her brother-in-law? He had never had a good life since he was a child. Later, he finally stood firm with his military merits, but was affected by the historical problems left over by his parents-in-law and could not move up.