Chapter 46 Soybean Rice

The fact that both mother and daughter are safe and sound is the greatest blessing.

Lin's tense shoulders gradually relaxed, but she frowned again and asked, "Is Wangchun really alright?"

“Really, you’ll see for yourself tomorrow,” Lin Xiangyang said.

A tear slid down Lin's cheek. After taking a deep breath, her brows gradually relaxed. "Okay, I'll go tomorrow. Xiangyang, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Come in and eat with us."

Lin Xiangyang politely declined, but was pulled into the house by Lin's family.

Today is a day of double happiness. Lin was so happy that she forgot to eat and went back to her room to pack the things she needed to take tomorrow.

Turning her head, she saw her two daughters coming over and said with a smile, "I prepared some medicine to replenish qi and blood early on, and had it prescribed by Doctor Huichuntang. Wangchun is giving birth, so I have to go and take care of her for a few days. Tomorrow, your grandmother and Jiawang will set up a stall to sell braised food, and you two will come with me."

Qiao Mianmian had wanted to go last time, "Mom, should we bring more meat?"

"You should bring it."

Lin packed everything up, making sure she had everything, and then said goodbye to Lin Xiangyang before leaving. She told her family, "Father and Mother, I have to go back for a few days. Wangchun doesn't have a mother-in-law or sisters-in-law, and my mother is getting old, so I'll take care of her for the next few days. After the Wu family moves out, have Jiawang and Jiaxing knock down the walls and clean it up. We don't have any other special requirements; just fix what needs fixing, and as long as it doesn't leak, we can live here."

As for renovation, that's impossible; she doesn't have that much money.

Zhang told her not to worry and to go back to her parents' home. "It's not a difficult thing. I'll take care of the two brothers when they arrive. Please give them my regards to Wangchun. This is a small token of my appreciation as their grandmother. Please give it to her."

She handed over a sealed package. Wang Chun had given birth, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It was best that both mother and daughter were safe.

Lin did not refuse. She was eager to go to Linjia Village. After quickly packing up, she told everyone to go and rest.

The next day, before dawn, Lin came to call for them, "Xiahe, Mianmian, get up quickly, we're getting ready to set off."

Qiao Mianmian was still asleep when she was woken up. She rubbed her eyes, yawned, and got dressed.

After October, the weather got much cooler. As soon as the door opened, a cold wind blew into the room. Qiao Mianmian wrapped her clothes tighter. "Mother, why are you going out so early? The city gates aren't open yet."

"It's getting late. Let's have breakfast first, then head to the city gate. It should open soon." Madam Lin urged her two daughters and called to Qiao Mancang to hurry up. The four of them were going back together today, but Qiao Mianmian and Qiao Mancang would be returning first in the afternoon.

With no other option, Qiao Mianmian took a sweet potato, quickly ate two bites, and followed her parents back to Linjia Village.

In ancient times, transportation was inconvenient, and if she wasn't in a hurry, Lin would walk back. Now, however, she was in a rush and spent extra money to take a horse-drawn flatbed cart back to Linjia Village.

Along the way, Qiao Mianmian looked around, curiously observing the scenery around her.

After the autumn harvest, only bare rice stalks remain in the paddy fields; there is no straw to be seen. Most of the straw is picked up and burned or used to make straw sandals.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped, and the family got off. They saw a young man in his early twenties.

Lin exclaimed excitedly, "Baoshan, what brings you here?"

“Grandpa said you got the news and would definitely come today, so he sent me to pick you up.” Lin Baoshan took the basket from his uncle-in-law. “Take it easy, Grandma has been watching over us since yesterday, and she even killed a chicken this morning. This must be Mianmian, she’s grown so much, she’s really changed a lot.”

“This is your cousin Baoshan. He’s so silly, he doesn’t greet people. Don’t you recognize him?” Lin asked.

Qiao Mianmian didn't recognize him and greeted him with a smile.

The family greeted the Lin family and then went to the Li family together.

As soon as she entered the Li family's courtyard, Lin called out "Wang Chun" and ran into the house.

Qiao Mianmian greeted her brother-in-law and maternal grandmother. Her maternal grandmother held her hand and kept praising her for her good looks.

“It’s only been half a year since I last saw you, Mianmian, you’ve grown so much taller.” Mrs. He said there were two chicken wings left in the room, “I specially left them for you and Xiahe, Baoshan and the others didn’t have any.”

As she spoke, Mrs. He pulled her two granddaughters into the house and insisted that they finish the chicken wings.

Home-raised free-range chickens don't require complicated stewing. Just two slices of ginger and a little cooking wine will result in a golden-orange chicken soup with beautiful oil floating on top.

Qiao Mianmian took a sip and felt it was a bit oily, but people at this age can't eat meat every day, so this little bit of oil wasn't much.

After finishing the chicken wings, Qiao Mianmian went to see her third sister and saw that Lin Shi's eyes were red. She greeted her third sister and then squatted down to look at the baby in the swaddling clothes. "Mother, why isn't she as plump and fair as Erlong?"

"We'll raise her in a few days. All newborns are like this." Lin looked at her sleeping granddaughter. "She looks like Wangchun. When she grows up, she'll definitely be the most beautiful girl in the whole area."

Lin Wangchun lay on the bed, still feeling tired. "Mother, why didn't you tell me when you came back to borrow money last time? You even slipped me some silver. I wouldn't have known if someone hadn't told me."

Speaking of this, Lin Wangchun felt very guilty. Perhaps it was becoming a mother that made her more sentimental, and her eyes immediately reddened.

"Don't cry!" Madam Lin hurriedly said, "Good girl, you mustn't cry during your postpartum period, or you'll develop health problems. Don't worry about us. The fact that I can give you money means I have plenty. Borrow what you need, and give what you need to give. Don't cry anymore."

Lin Wangchun nodded, forcing back tears. His gaze swept over his two younger sisters. Upon learning that Xia He had been engaged to a scholar, he was genuinely happy for his sisters. "Xia He's good fortune has arrived."

When the topic of marriage came up, Lin Xiahe was a little embarrassed and whispered, "Third sister, your good fortune has arrived too."

"Yes, our whole family is blessed." Lin Wangchun got tired after saying only a few words and continued to rest. Lin Shi took her two daughters to the courtyard.

“Mother, you’ve had a long day, go home first,” Lin said as she went over. “Oh, and take this back with you, return it to my elder brother and sister-in-law for me.”

She took out the silver, but Madam He refused to accept it.

"What, the house wasn't bought?" It hadn't even been a month since her daughter last came back, and Madam He subconsciously assumed the house purchase had fallen through. After all, it was impossible for her daughter to earn enough money so quickly. She frowned. "Didn't they agree to sell it to you? Did they go back on their word?"

Lin said no, "The house has already been bought, and we can start knocking down walls and cleaning tomorrow."

"Then why are you paying me back?" Madam He refused to take the money. "You've borrowed so much from others, you should pay back what others owe first. There's no rush to pay back what's owed to your own brothers."

She kept waving her hand and saying no, which made Lin's tone become anxious.

“I will definitely pay you back later. But it’s different with my brother and sister-in-law. Even if we are siblings, I have to pay them back first when I have money. I have to pay them back first so that my sister-in-law will be willing to help me again in the future.”

Lin also bought three packs of pastries from Songhelou, one for each of her eldest and second brothers. "As for my second brother's family, you know their situation. They have so little to their name, and they gave me all their silver and copper coins. If I don't pay them back, will they even be able to celebrate the New Year this year?"

Lin Yongnian's family was doing a little better, but as the younger sister-in-law, Lin should repay the money as soon as possible so that Zeng would feel at ease.

She was very grateful that her sister-in-law had asked her brother to lend her money, but her brother's family didn't have any extra money right now, so she still had to pay it back first.

Lin Yongquan's family was truly poor, and Lin felt anxious for her second brother's family when she thought about it.

"I'll go to my second brother's house myself later. Please take the money from my eldest brother and the villagers back with you first," Lin said. "Don't worry, I've kept the money on hand, and everything has been arranged with the others as well."

If you borrow and repay, it's easy to borrow again. Even if the time is short, the faster you repay, the more at ease others will feel about you.

"Guilan, are you really rich?" Mrs. He asked, half believing and half doubting.

"Mianmian, come here and tell your grandmother if our family really has the money to pay back the debt?" Lin called her daughter over helplessly.

Qiao Mianmian nodded in agreement, then looked over with a smile. "Grandmother, it's true. Our business is doing well right now, and we can use the money we've earned to pay back my two uncles. Please accept it quickly, otherwise my mother won't be able to sleep tonight."

After looking at the money pouch for a while, Madam He said, "I'll bring Mianmian and the others home for lunch. Mancang hasn't been here in a long time, let him and your father have a few more drinks. I'll go home and cook for you."

Knowing she couldn't refuse, Lin smiled and agreed. Watching her mother walk away, she sighed to her daughter, "Your maternal grandmother doesn't trust me at all."

“That’s because you always report good news and never bad news.” As Qiao Mianmian spoke, the sound of a child crying came from inside the room. “I’m going to help Third Sister take care of the child.”

Qiao Mianmian doesn't like doing housework. This is the Li family's house, not her own. Right now, she just wants to watch the children play.

She found well-behaved children very interesting, like the Xu family's Erlong, who was chubby and fair-skinned, even cuter than a New Year's picture doll.

"Does our Mianmian like children that much?" Lin Wangchun fed her daughter and then coaxed the child to sleep.

"I only like well-behaved and cute kids," Qiao Mianmian said softly. "I don't like naughty ones. It's better for other people to take care of the children. I can play with them occasionally. Third sister, why don't you come home and stay during the Lunar New Year, around the time of eldest brother and fourth sister's wedding? I'll cook you something delicious."

Lin Wangchun looked at his younger sister, who had grown up without him noticing. The little girl who used to be greedy and lazy was now helping with the family's chores, and he felt quite gratified.

She patted her daughter and then touched her younger sister's head, gently replying with a "okay."

At this time, Lin took the silver and some snacks to her second brother's house.

Now that the autumn harvest was over, Lin Yongquan couldn't find any work to help out, so he chopped firewood at home. As soon as Lin entered the house, she saw her brother and sister-in-law.

"Oh, my dear second sister-in-law, why are you washing clothes again?" Lin Shi snatched the wooden basin from her second sister-in-law's hands. "I'll dry them. Where are the children? Why aren't they washing?"

Sun was very thin, with sunken cheeks, and said timidly, "The children went to my parents' house for a feast."

"Let my second brother do the feast, you sit down quickly." Lin helped hang the clothes to dry before taking out the silver. "Business is good at home. I came back to visit Chun this time, so I brought back the silver from the villagers, as well as yours."

As soon as she took out the money, Lin Yongquan's face hardened.

Not knowing how to respond, Mrs. Sun turned to look at Lin Yongquan.

"Then you should pay the other person first, I'm not in a hurry for mine," Lin Yongquan said, refusing.

“Listen to me, I’ve borrowed money from another family, a wealthy family. They’re regular customers at our restaurant, and they don’t charge interest. They’re not short of money, and I can pay them back part of it right away. You have to take this money. It’s almost winter, and you’re all dressed so thinly!” Madam Lin glanced at her second brother’s house. The door was torn and patched, and the window paper was also torn and patched. Nothing was in good condition.

She couldn't stand it anymore, so she rolled up her sleeves and went into the kitchen to work.

It wasn't until noon, when Baoshan came to call them for lunch, that Lin Shi finally went over with her second brother and sister-in-law.

Lin Yongquan, still unconvinced, asked, "Are you really rich now?"

"Yes, yes, I really have money!" Lin thought helplessly, why didn't anyone believe her!

When they arrived at the Lin family home, Zeng greeted them with a smile, saying, "I went to see her yesterday. Wangchun's pregnancy looks good, and the baby she gave birth to is growing well. Guilan, please sit down. Only when you come would I be willing to kill a duck and cook fish."

Duck meat is best stewed. Farmers are reluctant to use seasonings, as stewing preserves the original flavor of the duck meat and is not complicated.

The fish was braised; Zeng's daughter-in-law was a decent cook, and with a large family, she braised two carp. There was also a large bowl of homegrown yellow pumpkins.

In the village, being able to eat a meal with fish and meat is considered very good.

Qiao Mianmian took a sip of the duck soup. It was rich and fragrant, with a hint of sweetness. Indeed, the taste of free-range chicken and duck was much better.

She mixed her rice with duck soup, but didn't eat much fish, probably because the cooking time wasn't quite right and the fish was a bit overcooked. However, the pumpkin was sweet, and with the duck soup, she was quite full.

The Lin family only eats two meals a day, but today, because the Lin family came, they had an extra meal.

After everyone had eaten their fill, Qiao Mianmian and Qiao Mancang were about ready to head back.

"It's better to go back early. It gets dark early now, and the city gates close early too," Lin instructed. "Walk quickly on the road. I'll be back in a few days."

Mrs. He came over reluctantly, "Why are you going back so soon? Let Mianmian stay a few more days!"

“No, Xia He is back, and Mianmian is staying here too. No one in the family knows how to make braised meat. We still have to rely on setting up a stall to earn money. If you miss her, let her come and stay for a few more days during the first month of the lunar year. This girl’s cooking skills have improved a lot. We can have her cook for you then.” Lin Shi said, urging her daughter to get started.

Qiao Mianmian wanted to play a little longer, but without her at home, things really couldn't go on. So she could only cling to her grandmother's arm and act coquettishly, "When I come to pay my respects during the Lunar New Year, you must save some fruit and persimmon cakes for me."

"Alright, alright, I'll save them all for you. Since you're leaving, set off early." Madam He then looked at her son-in-law, "Mancang, take this winter melon back with you, as well as the lotus root and lotus seeds, all from our own land."

Qiao Mianmian looked at the winter melon, which weighed at least thirty pounds, and thought there was no need to bring such a big winter melon back. But before she could speak, her father had already agreed with a smile.

Lin Yongquan also brought a bag of dried black fungus, saying, "These were picked from the mountains; take them back and eat them."

"Thank you, Second Brother." Qiao Mancang said goodbye to the Lin family, carrying a heavy basket on his back.

Once they left Linjia Village, Qiao Mianmian asked, "Dad, can you carry all that stuff?" She couldn't help with that.

"Don't underestimate your father. Twenty years ago, I could carry a 300-pound pig!" Qiao Mancang said proudly.

"You said it yourself, it was twenty years ago," Qiao Mianmian muttered.

"You silly girl, don't you dare to undermine your father. This is all from your maternal grandmother and the others. If I don't bring it because it's too heavy, the old folks will be unhappy." Qiao Mancang's shoulders were indeed a bit hunched. The old folks had filled his basket to the brim, and he didn't dare say no to a single item.

Qiao Mianmian thought to herself, whatever, it's not like she's the one coming.

The father and daughter embarked on their journey home, while Qiao Jiawang in the city packed up his stall early.

Today they only sold braised food, and it sold out before noon. They went home, tidied up, and then began to clean the pork and offal they had collected.

The two brothers sat in the yard. Qiao Jiawang was scraping hair off a pigskin, while Qiao Jiaxing would stop and stare blankly from time to time.

"Brother, will Uncle Qiu come to your wedding?" Qiao Jiaxing suddenly asked.

Qiao Jiawang continued working, saying, "Yes, Dad went to deliver the invitations, he should be coming."

Their biological mother's surname was Qiu, and she passed away not long after giving birth to Qiao Jiaxing. Over the years, they hadn't had much contact with the Qiu family, only visiting them during the Lunar New Year. The Qiu family treated them indifferently, not as warmly as their two maternal uncles from the Lin family.

Qiao Jiawang finished his work and then noticed that his younger brother had been staring blankly. He asked, puzzled, "Why did you suddenly ask about the Qiu family?"

“My third sister became a mother, and everyone is very happy. Look at our mother, she got up before dawn to prepare. She said that having a child gives her hope, and a child is a mother's heart and soul. Eldest brother, do you think Mother was just as happy when I was born?”

A hint of melancholy flashed in Qiao Jiaxing's eyes. His birth had damaged his mother's health, and when he was a child, some people even said that it was because of him that his mother died.

In Qiao Jiaxing's memory, there was nothing related to his biological mother.

Qiao Jiawang didn't understand at first, but then he realized, "He's happy too."

When it comes to his impressions of his biological mother, Qiao Jiawang can't remember anything. He's only two years older than his younger brother, and he was less than three years old when his mother passed away. Despite trying hard to recall, he can only picture a vague image of her, lying in bed calling out "Jiawang" over and over again.

"I don't think she'll be happy," Qiao Jiaxing said. "If she hadn't given birth to me, she might still be doing well. Brother, do you miss her?"

Do you want to?

I really wanted that when I was little.

When Lin married into the family, Qiao Jiawang was already old enough to remember things. At that time, all the children in the alley had mothers, except for him and his younger brother.

His father was busy making money, his grandfather was busy too, and his grandmother had to sell fish and mend fishing nets. He often sat with his younger brother in the courtyard of their house, staring blankly at the sky, thinking how wonderful it would be if he had a mother.

Later, when Lin entered the family, she was considerate and attentive to the brothers, but children's memories are easily occupied by new things.

But sometimes he would think about those words, "Jiawang," and wonder what she really wanted to say to him.

Qiao Jiawang nodded and patted his younger brother on the shoulder, "Don't think too much about it. Everyone is happy when a new member is born. The past can't be undone, so we should cherish the present."

"Hmm." Qiao Jiaxing looked up and saw the sky a crimson red. His reddened eyes held back tears. "Do you think we should go and pick up Fifth Sister?"

Qiao Jiawang started tidying up the yard. "Go ahead, I'll clean the yard."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qiao Mianmian skipped into the house. "Big brother, second brother, we're back! Mom said the Wu family is moving away tomorrow, and you should tear down the wall right away. She also told me to bring you some fried peanuts, they smelled so good, I ate a lot on the way here!"

Seeing her father carry away the big winter melon, she happily rummaged through her basket, took out some roasted peanuts and handed them to her second brother, then grabbed a handful of chestnuts from her pocket for her eldest brother to eat. "These were given to me by the aunt next door at my maternal grandmother's house. I didn't finish them, so I specially saved some for you. How are you? Did you miss me after not seeing me for so long?"

"Yes, I want to." Looking into his sister's bright eyes, Qiao Jiaxing nodded vigorously, as if answering his own question earlier, and also answering his sister's question.

"I knew you would miss me. Where are Grandpa and Grandma?" Qiao Mianmian looked around but didn't see anyone.

Qiao Jiaxing said, "Grandfather went to see Uncle Zeng, and Grandmother is cooking."

When it came to cooking, Qiao Mianmian smelled the aroma of soybeans. When she ran to the kitchen and saw steam rising from the pot, she realized it was braised rice with soybeans.

Zhang poked a few holes with chopsticks to make sure the rice was cooked before scooping it out. "Today, Chunsheng's mother said she was going to grind soybeans into tofu to make fermented tofu. So I soaked some soybeans, but I soaked too many, so I picked out some to make braised rice."

The soybeans are plump and round, and the rice is cooked with lard, so you can smell the meaty aroma.

Mrs. Zhang scooped up a spoonful and fed it to her granddaughter, "Try it, can you eat it?"

As soon as Qiao Mianmian opened her mouth, the steam carrying the aroma of rice entered her mouth. She blew on it, then ate half a spoonful. "Delicious, Grandma. Your cooking is excellent too."

"You silly girl, you always know how to say nice things. Go and call the others to eat. I can't cook anything too complicated, so tonight we'll just have rice with soybeans and kimchi." Zhang said, starting to scoop out the kimchi.

Qiao Mianmian shouted at the kitchen door, "Big brother, second brother, father, grandfather, dinner is ready!"

When Qiao Jiaxing arrived, he saw his sister smiling brightly and his grandmother gently calling his name. Looking at his family, the corners of his lips unconsciously turned up. "Grandmother, let me serve."