Chapter 41 - Two-in-One Longevity Noodles
The next morning, Lin Chuntao got up earlier than usual.
Today is June 5th, Pei Ying's birthday.
She took some buckwheat flour, kneaded it, and made a simple bowl of egg noodles. She poached two eggs in it, sprinkled some chopped green onions on top, and it smelled delicious. It tasted pretty good.
Pei Ying got up on time and, as soon as she opened the door, saw Lin Chuntao scooping water to extinguish the fire. On the bench next to her was a bowl with a pair of chopsticks on it. In the moonlight, she could almost see the steam rising from the bowl.
Lin Chuntao looked up and saw him come out, and smiled, "You're up?"
Happy birthday! I made you a bowl of longevity noodles. Come and eat after you've washed up.
Pei Ying rarely celebrated his birthday. After getting lost, no one cared for him. His master took him in, and because his master's wife was still alive, they celebrated his birthday for a few more years. Later, his master's wife passed away, and his master stopped celebrating his own birthday and stopped caring for him. He only mentioned it casually the day he came with Lin Chuntao, but he didn't expect her to remember it and even specially cook noodles for him.
He quickly went over to scoop water to wash his face and rinse his mouth, and then came back after he finished washing up.
Lin Chuntao had already brought over the basket and small bamboo basket. He looked at the bowl of noodles on the bench, with two poached eggs on top, and felt a sense of unease. He watched her but didn't pick it up.
Lin Chuntao raised an eyebrow at him: "What's wrong?"
Pei Ying didn't speak, but reached out and pulled her into his arms. The moonlight cast long shadows of them, and he whispered in Lin Chuntao's ear, "Thank you."
Lin Chuntao smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "Of course, eat quickly, it'll get cold soon."
"My parents didn't have any wheat flour, so I made it with buckwheat flour. Why don't you try it and see how it tastes?"
Pei Ying released her, picked up the bowl of noodles. The buckwheat noodles weren't white, but they smelled fragrant. Seeing that there was only one bowl, he asked Lin Chuntao, "Didn't you cook yourself a bowl too?"
Lin Chuntao smiled and said, "I'm not hungry yet, I can't eat."
"I'll go get the bowls and chopsticks, we'll each have half." He said, turning to go inside, but Lin Chuntao quickly stopped him. "I really can't eat anymore, how about I take a bite?"
Pei Ying smiled and picked up a noodle to feed her. Lin Chuntao didn't have much of an appetite, but since the birthday girl had fed her, she had no choice but to eat the noodles.
After she swallowed, the person in front of her picked up another fried egg and fed it to her. She said helplessly, "This is the last bite."
After saying that, she took a bite and then resolutely refused to eat any more. She urged Pei Ying, "Hurry up and eat, or we'll be late."
Pei Ying nodded slightly and quickly ate the bowl of noodles, even drinking the soup clean.
After finishing their meal and washing the dishes, the two of them left the courtyard together.
Lin Chuntao walked in front, their shadows overlapping. He walked behind and watched, slowly reaching out his hand. Their shadows intersected, as if the two were holding hands.
Lin Chuntao inadvertently noticed Pei Ying's subtle movements. She smiled and slowed her pace to walk alongside him.
During a few unintentional touches on the backs of their hands, Lin Chuntao hooked her fingers around his, and Pei Ying gently clasped them back, their fingers intertwined.
Lin Chuntao pursed her lips slightly, a smile playing on her lips. Pei Ying felt her heart pounding, as if it were about to jump out of her chest.
Her hands were small, with long, slender fingers that felt soft to the touch.
The two walked hand in hand to the fork in the road before separating.
After daybreak, the children in the village were exceptionally happy, as if it were New Year's Day.
The adults were also discussing how many pounds of mutton they wanted for tomorrow and were going to the village head's house to let him know.
The atmosphere at the Lin family's house was somber. When the children went out for a walk, they found that all the kids in the family were excitedly discussing eating mutton the next day.
When the children asked Lin Jialang and his family about mutton, they couldn't answer. In the past, their family would have already discussed how many kilograms and what cuts of meat they wanted. But today, the house was quiet, and no one mentioned eating mutton. Because Qian Shi's child was gone, and she had threatened to divorce them and wouldn't let them go, everyone in the Lin family was on edge.
The rising sun slowly shone into the courtyard and onto Old Man Lin.
He tapped his pipe repeatedly, then let out a long sigh and called over Lin Changhai and Lin Changhe.
"Father, what did you call me for?"
Lin Changhe looked at his father and asked. Lin Changhai glanced at him and frowned slightly. He didn't know what to say to this man either!
Old Man Lin stared at Lin Changhe for a long time, then sighed again.
"Tomorrow is the ancestral worship ceremony, aren't you going to go and bring your wife back?" Old Man Lin asked irritably.
Lin Changhe certainly wanted to, but Qian Dingxiang wouldn't come back with him, otherwise he would have brought her back that day.
"I want to, but they're not coming back, are they?"
Old Man Lin remained silent for a long time before saying, "Eldest son, go to your mother and get some money. Go to the county town to buy some meat and a packet of sugar tea, then go with Third Brother to bring Qian Shi back."
Lin Changhai frowned: "Just me?"
"I'm afraid we won't be able to bring them back."
"Call your wife, and also invite your older brother and sister-in-law to come with you."
Lin Changhai nodded. "Then I'll go to my uncle's house first."
At the village head's house, Chen Dongniang and her sisters-in-law had just finished collecting their dirty clothes and were about to go to the river to wash them when Lin Changhai arrived.
When Muramasa heard that he was going to pick up Qian Shi, he thought about it and, since Qian Shi was his nephew, he told his eldest son and daughter-in-law to go with him.
Chen Dongniang stood in front of the door with a wooden basin in her hand. Normally she would not refuse her father-in-law's arrangement, but it seemed that it was not her and her husband's place to go and pick up the task.
"Changhai, who among you is going to pick them up?"
Lin Changhai looked at Chen Shi and said, "Sister-in-law, it's me, my wife, and the third brother."
Chen's expression was calm, but her tone was somewhat displeased.
"Isn't Fifth Aunt going?" she asked.
Lin Changhai's expression changed slightly; no family has ever had a daughter-in-law being picked up by her mother-in-law when she returns to her parents' home.
Seeing Lin Changhai's darkened expression, Chen said calmly, "It's not that I'm unwilling to make this trip, but if you sincerely want to bring her back, you should also think about the root of the problem, right? How did Qian's child die? Your elder brother and I went, along with you and your sister-in-law, what can we promise Qian?"
Hearing Chen's words, he looked at the village head and Sun, who were both silent, seemingly agreeing with Chen's statement.
He was furious. That Qian woman knew she was pregnant but still went for it. Who could she blame for losing the baby? It was all a commotion. She herself didn't care about her own pregnancy, and the others' actions were just unintentional.
“Sister-in-law is right. We’ll just go along. I guarantee it won’t be our turn. The third brother will talk to him himself.”
Chen thought of Lin Changhe, then looked at Lin Changhai in front of her, and found it somewhat amusing.
"Alright, then let's go."
She's going to have to go and get scolded anyway. She doesn't care about being scolded; what she's worried about is that this trip will make the Qian family think she's not sincere, adding fuel to the fire!
Chen Dongniang carried the wooden basin into the house, and her second sister-in-law said from the side, "Sister-in-law, give me the clothes, I'll wash them for you."
Chen waved her hand, "Sister-in-law, you go wash. I'll take care of mine when I get back. It's a whole basin full of water, how long are you going to wash it?"
The third son's wife also laughed and said, "We'll each wash two pieces; it won't take much trouble."
Chen Dongniang still refused, but Sun said with a smile, "You sisters go ahead, I'll be there in a bit."
After the sisters-in-law left, Sun followed her daughter-in-law into the house. She whispered, "If you see anything wrong with the Qian family, run away quickly."
Chen Dongniang glanced at her mother-in-law and said, "I know that, Mother, don't worry."
“It’s not that I’m unwilling to go on this trip, but if they can bring Qian back like this, then there’s no way they’ll succeed.”
Sun patted her on the shoulder, and Chen Dongniang and her husband Lin Changzong went to the Lin family home together.
Lin Changhai went to Tian Shi to get the money. Tian Shi gave him the money without saying a word, and then Lin Changhai and the others headed towards the county town.
After they left, Old Man Lin said to Madam Tian, "Go to your elder brother's house later and tell him that we want three catties of mutton this year."
Upon hearing this, Tian paused, said nothing, and walked away with the winnowing basket.
The Qian family lived in a village not far from the county town. They needed to go to town first to buy meat and other necessities before returning to the Qian family's house.
Lin Changhai and his group first bought half a rib and carried it, before buying snacks and tea.
They bought the meat from another stall. On their way to buy snacks, they passed by Pei Ying's stall, and Lin Changhe immediately spotted Pei Ying standing in front of the meat stall.
He stared in disbelief and tugged at Lin Changhai's sleeve. Lin Changhai followed his gaze and was equally stunned.
"Is that Chun Tao's husband?" Lin Changhai asked, frowning.
Hearing her husband's question, Zhang finally saw Pei Ying, who was holding a knife and cutting meat.
Seeing the three of them like this, Madam Chen said calmly, "Don't you know?"
Lin Changhai frowned slightly and looked at Chen Dongniang.
"This Pei Ying is skilled at slaughtering pigs and works as a pig slaughterer in the county town."
Lin Changhe looked incredulous. "Him? The butcher?"
Chen Dongniang laughed and said, "That's right, a pig butcher."
Lin Changhe took a deep breath. No wonder! No wonder they were buying this and that. It turns out Pei Ying's job is making money!
He should have said so earlier. Lin Chuntao has always been timid and cowardly, yet when she was kicked out, she left so readily with her three wretched girls. She must have been thinking that Pei Ying could make money by slaughtering pigs, so she had already made plans.
He'd raised this brat for so long, and he still had no idea she was so cunning!
Lin Changhe grew angrier the more he thought about it, and walked straight toward the meat stall.
Chen hurriedly called out, "Lin Laosan, are you still going to pick up Qian Shi?"
Lin Changhe stopped in his tracks, and Chen Dongniang urged, "Hurry up, or we'll be late for dinner."
Urged on by Chen Dongniang, Lin Changhai also said, "Let's go buy things first, and talk about it when we get back."
Chen Dongniang frowned slightly. What else could they say when they got back? Did they still want to call Lin Chuntao back? It was easy to kick her out, but it would be difficult to bring her back. They would soon experience just how difficult it was to bring her back.
At this moment, Liu, Qian Dingxiang's sister-in-law, was sweeping the yard while cursing the Lin family, wondering if they were all dead and why they hadn't come yet.
They knocked on the door right after they finished scolding Lin Changhe.
The courtyard gate was not closed, and Liu looked up to see Lin Changhe and his group. Besides Lin Changhe, Liu had seen the others before at Qian Dingxiang's wedding.
Lin Changhe, carrying the things, looked at Liu and said, "Sister-in-law, is Dingxiang home? We've come to pick her up."
Liu scoffed, "At home? Of course she's at home. Did she just get beaten up and miscarry? Are we going to kick her out of the house? We're not some heartless, despicable family."
Lin Changhai and Zhang Shi blushed slightly, while Chen Dongniang followed behind calmly. She was only going to make the trip; how to invite the people back was Lin Changhai and Lin Changhe's business.
Lin Changhe said awkwardly, "Sister-in-law, it was an accident, an accident."
Seeing Lin Changhe like this, Liu was furious. She had heard from Qian Dingxiang that her vicious mother-in-law had punched her in the stomach again and again, which was how she lost her child.
In all the surrounding villages, she had never heard of such a horrifying thing, nor had she ever seen such a vicious mother-in-law!
Thinking you can just brush it off with a "mistake"? Dream on!
"Accidentally? What a fine 'accidentally'! The pain was on my sister's body, but it was your son who was lost, and you can call that an accident! Maybe you're destined to never have a son in your life, you don't deserve one!"
As Liu cursed, Lin Changhe's face turned red, as did Lin Changhai's. Zhang took a deep breath and said, "Sister-in-law, we are all sisters-in-law, of course we all want our younger brothers and sisters to be well. Whether it's beating or scolding, let the third brother go in and see Dingxiang, let the couple talk to her."
Liu glanced at Zhang and said sarcastically, "I wouldn't dare. My sister is still lying weakly in bed. If I let him in, he could punch her twice and kill her. I wouldn't be able to explain myself!"
Thus, Liu refused to let Lin Changhe and the others into the house. It seemed that the Qian family was not at home either; only a few children and Liu were there.
After Liu finished speaking, she ordered the child next to her: "Go and call your father, grandparents, uncles and aunts back. Tell them that the people who beat your aunt have come to the door!"
The child responded and ran quickly out of the yard. Zhang Shi twitched her lips. Who hit Qian Dingxiang?
But since it was a matter of picking someone up from their home, Zhang didn't argue about it.
Lin Changhe stepped forward carrying the things and handed them to Liu Shi, saying, "Sister-in-law, this is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't find it offensive."
Liu glanced down at the meat and pastries, and chuckled softly, "We can't accept the Lin family's kindness. We've only been married for a short time, and she's already had a miscarriage? What can you do with all this for medical expenses, tonics, and this little bit of stuff?"
Lin Changhe looked embarrassed, and Zhang said, "Sister-in-law Qian, we will definitely pay for Dingxiang's medical expenses. We are going to hold an ancestral worship ceremony tomorrow. Dingxiang is now part of our family. She is not feeling well, so it is only right that we take her back to take care of her."
"Sister-in-law, let the third brother go in and see Dingxiang, and let the couple have a chat."
Liu glanced at Zhang indifferently, but did not agree.
"No need. I can't take responsibility if something goes wrong. Just wait for Dingxiang's parents and brothers to come back. It's not too late to say anything then."
Liu didn't even bring them a stool; they just stood there in the yard, dumbfounded.
After waiting for about 15 minutes, the child who had run to call for help returned, followed by Qian Dingxiang's parents and brothers coming in from outside.
The old lady came in with a gloomy face and slapped Lin Changhe across the face.
"You beast!"
Lin Changhe's face turned red from the slap. He gritted his teeth and remained silent. The old woman, who was holding a sickle, took it and put it down. She then turned around and looked at the group of them. "What are you doing here?"
Lin Changhe said in a deep voice, "Mother, we've come to take Dingxiang back."
The old lady snorted coldly, "What's the point of taking them back? To let your family beat them up again?"
Lin Changhe pursed his lips and said in a deep voice, "Mother, I didn't hit her. That was an accident."
Just as Liu brought her mother-in-law a bowl of hot tea, the old woman, upon hearing this, flung her hand, and the bowl, along with the tea and water, landed on Lin Changhe's head.
Chen Dongniang quickly pulled her husband back a little, only to hear the old lady curse, "An accident? That old slut Tian was punching her in the stomach again and again, and you're telling me it was an accident?"
"Want to take him back? Dream on! Get out! Get out!"
The Tian family was insulted, and Lin Changhai and Lin Changhe's cheeks turned as red as monkey bottoms.
The two wanted to argue with the old lady, but the Qian family had many members, and if they said too much nonsense, they might get beaten up.
As he was about to be kicked out, Lin Changhe shouted at the top of his lungs, "Dingxiang, would you like to come back with me and say something? I know you're wronged, but my son is gone, and I'm heartbroken too. If you come back with me, we'll live separately, and you'll be in charge of the household from now on."
The Qian family glared at Lin Changhe resentfully, and after a long while, Qian Dingxiang's voice came from inside the house.
"If you want me to go back to your hometown and live a normal life with you, then you'd better get that old vile woman, Tian Xiaomei, to apologize to me! I'll wait for you until 3:45 PM. If you don't bring her here by then, then we're done!"
Lin Changhe was somewhat annoyed upon hearing this, and left the Qian family's gate without saying a word.
After stepping out of that door, Chen Dongniang knew that Lin Changhe was not going to be brought back. But that was not the problem; the real fear was that the Qian family had other plans.
Based on what Qian Dingxiang just said, if she really just wanted an apology and to go back to her normal life, she wouldn't have called her mother-in-law by name and cursed her as an old, vicious woman. Many men don't feel anything when they curse their own mothers, but if you curse their mothers, they instantly become very filial sons.
Even if Qian Dingxiang goes back to live a normal life afterward, Lin Changhe will definitely cause trouble for her in the future.
Given Qian Dingxiang's personality, it's highly unlikely she would go back to living that kind of life.
The five travelers on their way back didn't say a word; they silently returned to the village.
The village was bustling with activity. A large group of people had gathered in the village head's courtyard, all there to discuss how much mutton they wanted the next day.
Old Master Lin has spoken, so Madam Tian has to go too.
Before she even left, Lin Changzong and Chen Dongniang returned. Things can't be kept secret in this village, and seeing the couple return, everyone hurriedly asked, "Did Lin Laosan bring his wife back?"
Chen Dongniang looked up and saw Tian Shi behind the man. She didn't answer, but asked him instead, "Fourth Brother, how many catties of meat do you want this year? Last year you had a bumper harvest of three catties. Do you want even more this year?"
Upon hearing this, the man laughed and said, "Yes, yes, there's been a new addition to the family this year, so we need four jin."
Watching the lively scene, Tian quietly slipped away from the back.
After everyone left, Mrs. Sun asked her son and daughter-in-law, "How did it go?"
The two shook their heads together, and Chen Dongniang said, "It's probably impossible to bring them back."
“Then the old lady must personally go to pick up Qian Dingxiang and apologize to her.” After Chen Dongniang finished speaking, Sun Shi said indifferently, “She has done such a terrible thing, she should go to pick her up and apologize.”
Chen Dongniang said, "That Qian woman called out Fifth Aunt's name and cursed her as an old vicious woman. I think Lin Changhai and Lin Changhe are too ashamed to let Fifth Aunt go."
Madam Sun sighed, "You reap what you sow. A few days ago, she sold everything she owned to insist on marrying him, saying he could give her a son, and now look what's happened..."
Chen also told her mother-in-law about seeing Pei Ying working at the butcher shop in the county town.
When Sun heard about Lin Changhe's actions, she snorted coldly.
“The household registrations have already been separated, so he can’t get them even if he wants them. Besides, Xiao Pei and Chun Tao are both independent, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
Chen Dongniang nodded slightly and smiled, "By the way, does Chun Tao know that we're having mutton today?"
Mrs. Sun was stunned; she had forgotten about it.
"It's alright, let's talk about it after lunch. Chun Tao might not be back yet at this hour."
After Tian returned home, she did not see Qian Dingxiang.
Old Man Lin was questioning Lin Changhai and the others. Of course, Lin Changhai couldn't explain why they were being insulted by calling his mother's name. They returned with their tails between their legs.
Zhang glanced at Lin Changhai and replied to her father-in-law.
“My sister-in-law isn’t coming back. She said she wants Mother to go and apologize to her personally and ask her to come back.” Zhang paused, thought for a moment, and decided that since she had already said it, she might as well finish saying it. She looked at Lin Changhe and Lin Changhai, and continued to say to the old man, “My sister-in-law also said that she’s waiting for my third brother until 3:45 PM. If he doesn’t come by then, we’ll part ways.”
Hearing her daughter-in-law's words, Tian said in a deep voice, "Let her come back or not, it's up to her! She's a useless piece of trash who can't even keep one child. If she wants to break up, then let her go!"
After a long silence, Old Man Lin looked up at Lin Changhe and asked, "What do you think?"
Qian Dingxiang cursed her mother in front of Lin Changhai and his wife Lin Changzong. Not only would Tian Shi not go to pick her up, but even if she did, he would feel that he would never be able to hold his head up again.
But he won't accept it; he has no son.
Lin Changhai probably guessed what he was thinking and said in a deep voice, "She's not the only woman in the world who can give birth to sons! Just marry another one."
Lin Changhe replied calmly, "I will listen to my father and elder brother."
The matter was thus dropped. The children didn't care about any of that; all they knew was that Ms. Tian had asked for mutton, and that they would have mutton hot pot the next day. Those few half-grown brats jumped around excitedly, showing off.
They kept watch at the gate until lunchtime, but Lin Chuntao and the others still hadn't gone to the village head's house. Only then did the Lin family feel happy. He thought he would bring mutton to eat with them the next day to show them!
He'll eat mutton while Lin Chuntao and the others eat wild vegetables. Just thinking about it makes him feel great!
Lin Chuntao and Pei Ying returned a little late. Tomorrow is the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, and no pigs will be slaughtered, so Manager He told everyone to take a day off and not set up their stalls. Pei Ying and the others waited until they finished processing the meat at all the stalls and cleaned up before heading back.
Lin Chuntao thought that if that was the case, she wouldn't come to the county town tomorrow. She needed to buy all the seasonings she would need for the mutton she would eat tomorrow.
Not to mention scallions, ginger, and garlic, she went to buy dried chili peppers and cilantro since she didn't have any at home. After wandering around for a while, she even saw mint and bought two pounds of it. The mint seller was stunned for a moment, but he didn't say anything and sold it to her directly.
Since we're going to cook hot pot, the meat will definitely be stewed in a clear broth, and there's no need to add any spices. Just add some fresh ginger and fennel seeds.
Since they didn't have any fennel seeds at home and had to go to the pharmacy to buy them, Lin Chuntao thought it would be better to use her points to exchange for some spices so that it would be more convenient for her family to use in the future.
She brought up the control panel and exchanged half a pound of all the spices she could usually use, but only took out fennel seeds and pepper.
When she returned to the butcher shop after buying her things, Pei Ying and the others had just finished packing up.
He said goodbye to Zhang Dayong and Lao Zhao, and then left with Lin Chuntao.
Before they even left the market, Lin Chuntao asked him with a smile, "It's your birthday today, is there anything you want to eat? Let's buy some to take back."
Pei Ying shook his head; he had already eaten the best food for his birthday this year.
It was the longevity noodles that Lin Chuntao had personally cooked for him that morning.
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