Yun Tangyin was cutting fabric with her head down when she noticed Fu Yuanshan's gaze. She looked up at him and smiled, "Second brother is back? I just told Acheng to go chop firewood, and he brought it back. What a coincidence."
Fu Yuanshan abruptly looked away, his ears burning slightly. He coughed twice and said, "I just picked up a bundle when I passed by the woodshed, so that Lao San wouldn't have to make another trip." He glanced at the kitchen. "Is A-Cheng cooking?"
"Yes, I'm making steamed eggs for Mom and Yinyin." Jiang Jianhua came out with a winnowing basket to dry beans. "Yinyin said the other day that dried shrimp is good for calcium, so I specially asked someone to bring some."
Fu Yuanshan's gaze fell on the red floral fabric in Yun Tangyin's hand: "This fabric looks familiar. Is it for making a padded jacket for Mom?"
“Yes, Second Brother has a good eye.” Yun Tangyin spread the fabric out. “The weather gets cold quickly, so if we finish it before the first frost, Mom can wear it.”
Song Yushuang chimed in from the side, "Your third brother's wife is skillful and thoughtful; she's hard to find even with a lantern."
"Mom, you're making fun of me again." Yun Tangyin picked up the scissors.
“Everyone has their own skills.” Fu Yuanshan suddenly spoke up. “Jianhua… his pickled cabbage is even more fragrant than the one from the supply and marketing cooperative. Didn’t he win first place in the last competition in the regiment?”
Jiang Jianhua looked up in surprise: "How did you know?"
"Uncle Li kept telling me that I should write down your pickling method and use it as a model experience for the team." After saying that, Fu Yuanshan felt that this was too detailed, so he quickly added, "I was just listening for fun."
Yun Tangyin smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents: "That's perfect, Second Sister-in-law. When we pickle new sauerkraut, I'll learn from you and pickle a few more vats. Besides eating them ourselves, we can also send some to the supply and marketing cooperative."
"Sure," Jiang Jianhua grinned from ear to ear. "If you want to learn, I'll teach you. I guarantee it'll whet your appetite."
As they were talking, Fu Yucheng brought out two bowls of steamed egg custard, handing one to Song Yushuang and the other to Yun Tangyin: "Eat it while it's hot, there's plenty of dried shrimp in it."
Just as Yun Tangyin scooped up a spoonful, Sister Wang's voice suddenly came from the courtyard gate: "Is Sister Shuang home?"
Song Yushuang peeked in and said, "I'm here, come in quickly."
Sister Wang walked in carrying a cloth bag, smiling as she said, "I just closed the supply and marketing cooperative, so I brought you some nice things."
She opened the cloth bag, inside was a piece of crimson corduroy. "It's a new item that came in the other day. I thought this color would make you look good, so I kept it for you."
Song Yushuang quickly waved her hand: "I can't accept this, I'll pay you however much it costs."
"No need, no need." Sister Wang glanced at Yun Tangyin. "If you want to thank someone, thank Yinyin. Last time she helped me sort out the messy accounts of the supply and marketing cooperative, saving me from being scolded by the director. Consider this a thank you gift."
Yun Tangyin had just swallowed the steamed egg custard when she said, "Sister Wang, you're too kind. It was nothing at all."
"It's nothing, the ledgers are a complete mess, only you can sort them out."
Sister Wang slapped her thigh and said, "The other day, Xu Runli came to make a fuss, saying that it was favoritism for me to save the brown sugar for you. I told her that Yinyin ordered it in advance and the rules cannot be broken, but she was still unhappy."
Fu Yucheng's face darkened: "What did she say now?"
"Ignore her." Sister Wang waved her hand. "She's just jealous. She can't even manage her own household, and she can't stand seeing others do well. The other day, her husband came to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy soy sauce, saying that she had squandered all the money in the house, and they even had to buy salt on credit."
Jiang Jianhua couldn't help but laugh: "No wonder she always coveted other people's things; it turns out her own family was broke."
“That’s right.” Sister Wang lowered her voice. “Her husband complained to me that she tries on new clothes in front of the mirror every day, and she’s too lazy to do any work in the fields. She doesn’t even earn as many work points as her children.”
Yun Tangyin scooped up the steamed egg custard without replying, but she knew perfectly well that Xu Runli couldn't stand seeing the Fu family living well, which was why she was always causing trouble.
Fu Yuanshan suddenly spoke up: "Didn't her husband cause trouble last time, saying he wanted a divorce? In the end, they didn't get divorced."
Jiang Jianhua glanced at him, feeling that his words sounded like he was hoping the other person would get a divorce.
But Yun Tangyin could tell.
With Xu Rong supporting Xu Runli, it's estimated that this divorce will be difficult to achieve.
Who knows what other unexpected troubles might arise in the future?
Sister Wang quickly waved her hand, "We're all from the same place, it's probably not a good look if things really fall apart. Besides, with Yinyin around, she won't get away with it."
She stood up. "I have to go back. My family is waiting to cook."
Yun Tangyin handed the remaining steamed egg custard to Sister Wang: "It's freshly made, please take it back and let your child try it."
"I can't accept this..." Sister Wang declined verbally, but took it with her hand. "Then I won't be polite, thanks."
After seeing Sister Wang off, Fu Yucheng snorted, "Xu Runli is really outrageous. She can't even manage her own life, yet she always comes to cause trouble."
"Let her be." Yun Tangyin put the bowl on the table. "The more she acts like this, the more harmonious our Fu family seems. By the way, Second Brother, when we distribute cabbages tomorrow, remember to pick some of the smaller ones. I'd like to make some spicy cabbage and send some to the educated youth in the team."
"Sent-down youth?" Fu Yuanshan asked, puzzled. "You know them?"
"I ran into them the other day when I was shopping." Yun Tangyin picked up the scissors and continued cutting fabric. "They're all from the city, so I'll give them some kimchi to whet their appetites."
Song Yushuang nodded: "That's right, they're all poor kids, so far from home."
Jiang Jianhua walked towards the kitchen: "I'm going to turn over the pickled radish I made this afternoon, so it doesn't spoil."
Fu Yuanshan stood up and said, "I'll help you."
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Yun Tangyin smiled and said to Fu Yucheng, "Second brother is getting better and better to second sister-in-law."
“That’s right. If we don’t treat her better, her second sister-in-law might really get angry with him.” Fu Yucheng came over and helped her hold the fabric.
Yun Tangyin raised her chin. "By the way, after you finish distributing the cabbages tomorrow, go to the commune and collect your second sister-in-law's labor fee."
"Okay." Fu Yucheng nodded. "How about bringing something? Freshly pickled radish would be good."
"No need, Mom doesn't like spicy food." Yun Tangyin seemed to remember something, "By the way, what about the yarn I asked you to buy last time?"
"It's in the cabinet, navy blue, it doesn't get dirty easily." Fu Yucheng walked into the house. "I'll go get it for you."
In the courtyard, Jiang Jianhua was turning over dried radishes, while Fu Yuanshan squatted beside her to help. The two didn't speak, but they worked together seamlessly. He handed her a bamboo pole, and she spread out the dried radishes. The sunlight shone on them, making them feel warm and cozy.
Looking at this scene, Song Yushuang smiled so hard her eyes narrowed into slits. She turned to Yun Tangyin and said, "Look, this is what it's like to live a normal life."
Yun Tangyin paused in her hand holding the scissors, a sudden warmth spreading through her heart.
Perhaps life is like this, without so many dramatic events, just a family staying together, you helping me out, me thinking of you, and hidden in the mundane details of daily life is all the down-to-earth happiness.
She picked up a needle and thread and began to sew the cuffs of the cotton coat. The stitches went through the fabric, sewing warmth in little by little, just like sewing the hearts of this family together little by little.
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