Chapter 50
◎ After getting off the bus, I entered the Shikumen.
When the night wind blows, Bei Bitang sweats all over her body◎
After getting off the bus, I entered the Shikumen.
When the night wind blew, Bei Bitang was sweating all over and felt uncomfortable.
She was thinking hard, remember to make herself a bowl of brown sugar ginger soup when she gets home, and drink it, so as not to catch a cold.
After my second sister got married, no one in the family cared about her anymore, so she had to take care of herself.
A little girl wearing overalls and pigtails was sitting on the steps downstairs, holding the tip of her popsicle in her mouth with a happy look on her face, smacking her lips and her eyes narrowed.
She didn't know how long she had been eating it, but the popsicle was shaky and her chin was covered with shiny sugar water.
The little girl touched it with her little hand and found it sticky. She thought it was fun and started laughing again.
Little Nannan was Bei Bitang's downstairs neighbor. She raised her little face and saw Bei Bitang. She excitedly said, "Sister Bitang, you are getting married and will be a bride!"
Bei Bitang always found it funny when the little girl called her "sister". Logically, she should call her "Auntie". But the little girl was so clever that she refused to do so and only called Bei Bitang "sister".
But now Bei Bitang couldn't smile anymore. Her face changed drastically, but she quickly put on a gentle expression. She half-knelt down beside Yu Xiaonan and asked softly, "Who said I'm getting married? Lele, tell me."
The little girl opened her mouth to speak when her grandmother, who was enjoying the cool breeze under a tree not far away and fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan, called out, "Le Le, come here quickly!"
When her closest grandma called her, the little girl immediately forgot about Bei Bitang and skipped towards her grandma.
Bei Bitang opened her mouth, wanting to call her, but gave up the idea the next second.
It's just the innocent nonsense of a child.
Bei Bitang frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed.
After going upstairs, Bei Bitang looked at the completely lifted curtain in surprise.
It was extremely hot in Shanghai that year, and the curtains in the house were never lifted.
As I recall, the curtain at the door of my house was always drawn down.
As she grew older, Bei Bitang understood that it was because her family was poor. The swaying curtains were a cover-up that only made things more obvious, unable to block out some of the outside world's prying eyes, nor could they hide the air of poverty in the family.
After Huang Dashan married into the family, he would complain of heat even in May. But he did not draw up the curtains, because he felt that he was a live-in son-in-law, and facing the people in the Shikumen house, he would always feel guilty and short of breath.
But today the curtains were drawn, and the scene in the room was clearly visible.
The dining table was full of people. On the table was a plate of green beans with sesame sauce, half a bowl of winter melon and shrimp soup, a small dish of sweet and sour garlic, and the most eye-catching dish was the dish of fried rice cakes with hairy crab.
The crab is bright red and fresh, and the crab shell is covered with brown sauce, scallions and ginger slices.
Most of the crabs in this plate have been eaten, and there are a lot of crab remains piled up on the table.
Bei Bitang stood in front of the window and rubbed her hands vigorously, as if she wanted to rub off every layer of skin.
Miao Xiuxiu, who was feasting on the food, opened her greasy mouth and said, "Bitang, come here quickly and eat crabs."
Bei Bitang shook her head and said weakly, "I don't want to eat. Mom, don't leave any food for me. I'm going to take a shower."
Miao Xiuxiu's eyes widened, and she said in disbelief, "Why aren't you eating? Are you angry because we ate first and didn't wait for you?"
Then she complained about Bei Bitang's lack of appreciation for life. She said, "These crabs used to be used to stave off hunger, but they've become increasingly valuable in recent years. If you want to eat good crabs, you have to ask for help. This is the first crop of crabs this year, and we're the only ones in this building who have eaten it first. How dare you not eat any?"
Bei Bitang lowered her eyes and remained silent. She held her breath tightly. People in the Pearl River Delta love eating crabs, a tradition that has been passed down for thousands of years. She loved them too.
But today, the crab smell was particularly strong, even with the addition of scallions and ginger. She couldn't smell anything strong at all. Even drinking plain water tasted pungent.
The little boy was playing with an empty crab shell. He raised his hands, laughed happily, and shouted to Bei Bitang, "Auntie, crab! Big crab! Auntie wants to eat too!"
Adorable children are indeed creatures that can make people happy.
Bei Bitang smiled at him gently and said softly, "Auntie won't eat it, little brat will."
Lin Bilan put down her empty crab claws, looked up at Bei Bitang, and said with a smile, "Little sister? Do you know who sent these crabs to our house? You can't not eat them!"
The hairy son-in-law delivered crabs to the door. It was a little after six this evening, and before Miao Xiuxiu had even finished cooking the dishes, Feng Jiaqing and his son He Dafei arrived, carrying a net bag full of hairy crabs.
They deliberately chose a time when there were many people around, and were naked, for fear that others would not know that their family had taken a fancy to Bei Bitang.
No wonder the little girl downstairs picked up the gossip from the adults at home and said that Bei Bitang was going to be a bride.
Bei Bitang's face darkened. She looked at Lin Bilan coldly, and said in a cold tone, "Big sister, I won't eat it. What else can I say? Whoever eats it should repay the favor."
Lin Bilan has a bad temper, but she is the most timid of the three sisters.
She quickly turned her face away, laughed awkwardly twice, and nudged Miao Xiuxiu with her knuckles.
Miao Xiuxiu stood still, head down, gnawing on the crab shell.
Lin Bilan had no choice but to grit her teeth and face the challenge, saying, "Little sister, why are you back so late today? Oh my, why is your hair so wet?"
Then she sniffed and murmured, "What's that smell?"
Then Lin Bilan looked at Huang Dashan uncontrollably.
Facing Lin Bilan's suspicious eyes, Huang Dashan glared at her and raised his voice, saying, "What are you looking at? It's not me!"
Miao Xiuxiu said, "Where is the smell? Bilan, you smelled it wrong."
Bei Bitang remained silent and went straight into the inner room, picking up the items she was going to take to the bathhouse.
Before leaving, Miao Xiuxiu asked again, "You really don't want to eat it? It's rare for me to make hairy crab rice cakes."
Miao Xiuxiu was born into a wealthy family. She loves to eat, knows how to eat, and is also a good cook.
Bei Bitang walked out the door without hesitation.
Lin Bilan half-leaned on the table, stretched her neck, looked towards the door, and then half-sat down again.
She looked at Miao Xiuxiu with a reproachful look and complained, "Mom, didn't we agree on this? Why don't you help me?"
Miao Xiuxiu glanced at her and said unhappily, "Why don't you just say it yourself? You even have the guts to make Bitang upset. You might as well take this opportunity to tell her why He Dafei chose her."
Lin Bilan shrank her neck and whispered, "Mom, you know I'm most afraid of my younger sister. She has eyes like Guan Gong. When she looks at me, I have to hold back everything I want to say. How can I say anything?"
Miao Xiuxiu lightly rebuked, "Nonsense! How could a sister say her sister looks like Guan Gong? Bitang looks like Guan Gong? You've already lost everything, how could you still have such thoughts?"
Lin Bilan twisted her neck and said, "Mom, I don't care. You ate the crabs they sent you. You can't just accept gifts and not do anything about it!"
Huang Dashan, who ate the most crabs, listened quietly, his face indifferent, as he bit into the crabs with a loud crunching sound.
Huang Dashan already knew what Lin Bilan was planning, but it was none of his business. Humph, the ones who benefited were Lin Bilan and Bei Bitang, with Wei Bili and Miao Xiuxiu also coming after them.
Who does he think he is? They say that once a husband and wife are married, their love will last a hundred days. He and Lin Bilan have been husband and wife for so many years, but she has never thought about him.
I would rather find myself a less busy job than help him find a job first, even if it is a temporary one.
He works under the sun and in the rain, bowing and scraping every day to earn two words. Is it easy for him?!
Just as he thought, Lin Bilan and the others didn't treat him as their own family and would never think of him when something good happened.
Miao Xiuxiu and the others are the first in her heart, and she is also on guard against him as her live-in son-in-law!
Miao Xiuxiu wiped her hands and said, "You ate a lot too! You ate more than me!"
Lin Bilan said angrily: "Mom!"
Miao Xiuxiu asked, "So loud? Aren't you afraid that Bitang will hear it?"
Lin Bilan became deflated when she heard the word "Bitang".
She shrank back half a head and said, "My little sister is always slow in everything she does. How could she take a shower so quickly? How could Mommy not keep her word? I thought Mommy had promised and could do it."
Miao Xiuxiu fed the little brat two mouthfuls of soup and said indifferently, "You didn't even dare to tell Bitang that you wanted her to go on a blind date with He Dafei. Do you still want to ask Bitang for benefits in the future?"
Lin Bilan frowned and said, "Mom, ever since Bitang came back, I feel like she's become more and more distant from me, her older sister. Maybe she's holding a grudge against me. I was the first one to ask her about her job, and then she said she wanted to be an educated youth."
She defended herself, "As the eldest sister, is it wrong for me to care about her work and life? I never said a word about letting her go to the countryside. Yes, Bitang went to the northwest, and I got some benefits, but they also fell on the little boy. Bitang, as an aunt, shouldn't you consider your nephew?"
At this point, she looked at Miao Xiuxiu earnestly and continued, "So, Mom has to personally speak to Bitang about the meeting with He Dafei. Bitang is Mom's most caring little girl, so Mom's words naturally carry a lot of weight in her heart."
Miao Xiuxiu chuckled twice and said speechlessly, "You just flatter me."
Lin Bilan reached out and pushed her shoulder, saying coquettishly, "Mommy~"
Miao Xiuxiu frowned, sighed, and said helplessly: "Today, when He Dafei came to our house, I felt pain in my eyes when I saw his face and the whole person up close. It was already a little dark at that time. If I had seen him in broad daylight, I would have been even more disgusted. Even an old vegetable like me feels disgusted with such a person. I wouldn't want him even if he was given to me. After all, I want him to be Bitang. Bitang is much more beautiful than you and Bili."
Lin Bilan stared and said, "Mom, what are you talking about? He Dafei gave it to you? How can you drag him into this? He's your future son-in-law."
Miao Xiuxiu snorted coldly and said, "You think I'm not worthy of He Dafei, and I also think He Dafei is not worthy of Bitang! I ate the crab, but I'm not Wang Po! Doing something like sending Pan Jinlian to Ximen Qing's bed! I'm Bitang's biological mother. He Dafei is not even as good as Ximen Qing. No woman would want to get close to him."
Lin Bilan was angry. She said angrily, "If Mom doesn't want to tell me, then don't tell me! I don't even need to associate with Feng Jiaqing anymore!"
Miao Xiuxiu turned around, picked up the well-fed little boy, and went to wash his hands and face.
Lin Bilan raised her voice and shouted, "Mom!"
Miao Xiuxiu pretended to be hard of hearing and cleaned up the food residue and grease stains on the little boy. She carried him downstairs and took him to play with other children his age.
Lin Bilan shook her head and angrily threw the crab legs into the empty bowl, muttering to herself, "I have to return the crabs that He Dafei brought. It's all Mom's fault. My head hurts so much."
Huang Dashan bit a piece of shredded ginger, smacked his lips, and spit it out.
He glanced at the annoyed Lin Bilan and said in a cold tone, "That's easy. This year's crabs aren't on the market yet. You can just estimate the price and spend the money, right?"
Lin Bilan said to him, "Pay it back with money? Do you know how expensive these crabs are? At least this much!"
As she spoke, Lin Bilan stretched out five fingers in hatred.
Huang Dashan said in surprise: "So expensive?!"
Oh my god, no wonder Lin Bilan was so enthusiastic about He Dafei. He underestimated the financial resources of the He family.
Lin Bilan's eyelids drooped as she said, "What do you think?! I was thinking of letting you make the estimate. After all, you work at the docks and have many friends, so you're well-informed."
He can’t do this! Huang Dashan complained in his heart.
Huang Dashan consoled him, "Just pay it back. You've already taken all your salary, and it's not even a month's salary. It's better to settle it earlier, otherwise you'll have to pay more."
Lin Bilan couldn't bear to see Huang Dashan's indifferent expression. She slammed the table and said angrily, "You don't think about me at all?! Do you know how long I've wanted to change my job?"
As she spoke later, Lin Bilan's voice became tearful, her eyes slightly red, and her accusations turned into complaints.
Huang Dashan rolled his eyes and said casually, "You don't want to return it? Then don't exchange it. What's so difficult about that? Those with bare feet are not afraid of those with shoes. Since my little sister has not had any contact with He Dafei, the He family can send these to her, which means that the He family doesn't care about these crabs at all."
Lin Bilan said nothing and stared at him.
Huang Dashan thought for a moment and asked doubtfully, "You're not afraid of my younger sister, are you? Are you afraid she'll turn against you? No way, my younger sister is so quiet and gentle, how could she possibly fight with you? Even if we really fight, she's weaker than you and can't beat you."
Lin Bilan turned away and whispered, "Dashan, can't you wait for me a little longer?"
Who said Bei Bitang can't fight? She just looks obedient!
Her second stepfather, who was also Bei Bitang's biological father, passed away. For a period of time, Bei Bitang was lifeless and didn't speak all day. She stared at people with her big dark eyes, which was very creepy.
At that time, there was a foul-mouthed little boy in Shikumen who came to Bei Bitang and said that her father was killed by her mother, and that her mother had killed three men, and whoever touched them would die.
Without saying a word, Bei Bitang stood up, picked up a chair that was taller than her, and smashed it at the little boy without any effort.
The little boy was taller and stronger than her, yet she managed to subdue him first. She was completely stunned, and it was only when Wei Bili rushed forward to help that she came to her senses and ran over to join in the beating.
The little boy's face was bruised and swollen, and his body was covered in wounds. His parents brought him to the door to ask for an explanation, but Bei Bitang stubbornly refused to speak. She bowed her head and admitted her fault, tears streaming down her face.
When other people saw her crying, they felt sorry for her and started to speak up for her. In the end, even the little boy's family didn't say anything.
You have to know that the little boy was a year older than Lin Bilan. But Bei Bitang was not afraid at all. She didn't even say anything and just hit him directly.
Later, when Bei Bitang looked weak and introverted, and smiled especially meekly at her elders, everyone completely forgot about the incident.
Huang Dashan slowed down his voice and said, "Go talk to Xiaomei. Didn't you notice just now that she looked so depressed? She looked exactly like you when you complained about not wanting to work anymore. Maybe she doesn't want to kill fish anymore either."
Hearing this, Lin Bilan turned around abruptly, her eyes shining, and she said excitedly, "Really?"
Huang Dashan said sarcastically, "You are my sister, but you didn't even notice that there was something wrong with my sister's expression."
Lin Bilan waved her hand and said, "Hey, you haven't seen much. My little sister likes to have a cold face and act like a nun who is not interested in anything."
After a pause, Lin Bilan muttered, "But, as you said, I can really talk about it."
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