Chapter Thirty-Seven: Storms and Rain
Shu Yao had a very comfortable postpartum period, but as her month was drawing to a close, she started sweating frequently. Even after skipping a bowl of noodle soup that evening, her forehead was already glistening with sweat.
"Honey, why are you sweating so much lately?"
"It's probably because my body is weak after giving birth; it'll get better after a while." She was like that in her past life too. Later, when her circumstances improved, she saw a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. He said she had yin deficiency and excessive internal heat, causing restlessness and heat in her palms, soles, and chest. Later, she also developed liver qi stagnation, but none of these problems affected her daily life, so she didn't take them seriously.
He reached out and touched her; sure enough, not only her forehead, but also her neck and hair were damp. Just then, his third aunt came in and overheard their conversation, then chimed in.
"It's normal for new mothers to sweat a lot; it will gradually get better."
Although experienced women all said so, Su Xiangdong did not take it lightly. After observing for two more days, he invited an experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctor. The doctor took Shu Yao's pulse and then wrote a prescription.
"Yin deficiency with excessive fire is caused by the loss of a lot of qi and blood during childbirth, resulting in insufficient qi and blood. It is necessary to consolidate yin and astringe, and replenish qi and blood. This problem is not a big deal, but it is not a small deal either. Over time, it will damage health. Many women suffer from insomnia and have a sallow complexion for this reason."
"Thank you, doctor."
Su Xiangdong went to get the medicine and carefully brewed it for her in a clay pot. After more than a month of continuous treatment, her symptoms finally disappeared. Her hands and feet no longer felt hot and returned to normal temperature. She also stopped sweating so easily, and her complexion looked excellent, with rosy lips and white teeth like flowers on a branch.
Two months after giving birth, she sat in front of the vanity mirror applying face cream after washing up in the evening. Looking at her reflection, her face as radiant as a spring flower, she felt a little dazed for a moment.
In her past life, many people said that her beauty was short-lived. When she was young, her face was as beautiful as a spring flower, as pure and translucent as a pear blossom. But her beauty was short-lived. After getting married and having children, she gradually lost her radiance.
But now she has not only given birth to twins, but also another child. She is beautiful with smooth skin, clear and bright eyes, possessing a mature charm, yet also retaining the lightness and tenderness of a young girl.
Su Xiangdong bathed and changed his son's clothes, and his third aunt brought in the bathed He Yi and placed him on the kang (a heated brick bed). Little Bao was babbling and playing with his brother, his little legs kicking happily. Su Xiangdong went to pour some water, and his third aunt brought in a full thermos, also placing the chamber pot in the corner.
All bedtime preparations were complete, and the three children played by themselves, calling for their father if they needed anything. She didn't have to do anything throughout the entire process; she easily washed up, did her skincare, and relaxed completely.
"Yiyi and Xuxu lay down to sleep, and Daddy turned off the light."
The two little ones obediently lay down: "Daddy, tell me a story."
"Okay, tell me a story."
The man got into bed to put the child to sleep, and she, having finished preparing everything, put on a coat and went out to use the restroom. Hearing the noise, the man turned around and glanced back; after so many years of habit, he naturally knew what she was doing.
"You two go to sleep, Daddy's going to check on Mommy."
Xiao Bao was just playing when his older siblings were called away, and he quickly fell asleep with his eyes closed. He gently patted the two older children, telling them to go to sleep so he could go pick up his wife.
Shu Yao took a flashlight and went into the restroom. Just as she squatted down, another person came in—it was Meng Xi from the next stall. The two looked at each other without saying a word, and Meng Xi tilted her head and silently sized her up.
Shu Yao was the factory's most beautiful girl, famously so. Now remarried to Su Xiangdong, she's a mother of three. I saw her for the first time two months after she gave birth, and she looked even more beautiful than before. Her skin was radiant and plump, like a ripe fruit, exuding an alluring fragrance.
"daughter in law,"
It was Su Xiangdong's voice. He'd actually come to pick her up. Maybe it was the freshness of their honeymoon before, but so many years have passed, and it's still the same? Her heart ached so much she felt like she could squeeze vinegar out of it. Why could other people remain unchanged for so many years, while their "shelf life" was so short?
"It'll be ready soon," Shu Yao replied.
"No rush, I'll wait for you."
Watching Shu Yao leave and hearing the couple's hushed conversation fade into the distance, she felt a chill run through her body as she squatted on the toilet. As soon as she entered the house, she heard her daughter crying, and her husband immediately began to complain when he saw her return.
"What's wrong with you? Taking so long to go to the bathroom. You're a mother, don't you know that? The child is at home, how can you not feel at ease..."
“I’m the mother, and you’re the father. With you, the father, at home, what do I have to worry about?”
"I can't take care of children. Have you ever seen a man take care of children?"
“Su Xiangdong from next door, and he brought three with him.”
"Meng Xi!" At the mention of the neighbor, Sun Yaozu exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He put his daughter down and got off the kang (a heated brick bed), his eyes red with anger.
"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did it on purpose. You're just a bunch of little light bulbs to vent your anger on, and there are role models all around you, why don't you learn from them? Even just a move or two..."
"You think you're right just because you gave birth to a girl? If you had been more fertile and given birth to a boy, my mother wouldn't have suffered a brain hemorrhage from all the stress. Then someone would have been there to take care of you."
It's all your fault. Meng Xi had long understood what he meant every time. She didn't cry when she was furious; it seemed she had already run out of tears. Instead, she laughed, a cold, clenched smile.
"My belly is useless? You son of a bitch don't even have a child, if it weren't for me..."
What did you say to me?
"So what if I curse you?" She didn't dare say those words in the end. Divorced and with a child, she had nowhere to go. She didn't have the confidence to leave, and no matter how angry she was, she could only suppress it.
The couple were arguing fiercely. Sun Yaozu put on his clothes and left, slamming the door shut. The child cried loudly, his cries pitiful and heart-wrenching, but it didn't earn him a single glance back from his father.
She picked up her daughter and gently patted and soothed her. Despite their argument, her in-laws next door didn't react at all. She knew they didn't care about their daughter at all, and with such an attitude, how could she entrust her daughter to them?
Shu Yao was about to go to sleep, but the noise from next door made it impossible for her to fall asleep. The noise was so loud, and the child was crying so much. Afraid of waking her three children, she silently stuffed cotton balls into their ears.
Su Xiangdong's movements were equally practiced. After he finished, he reached out and hugged his wife. It had been so long since they had done that; the moment they touched, he felt all the blood rush to a certain place, making it erect.
"Wife," he said in a deep, sexy voice, reaching out to pull her close to him.
Shu Yao turned and hugged him, an encouraging gesture that invigorated the man. "Is it okay?"
"Can."
They were completely at ease, and neither wanted to leave even after it was over. They cuddled and slept until the early hours of the morning, when he finally got up to take care of the baby.
Soon after the New Year, the weather warmed up, and shepherd's purse sprouted, turning peach blossoms and willows green. The weather was fine and the sun was shining brightly, so she took her second child out for a walk. Neighbors came over to see the children and asked what their names were.
"Su Hexin, nicknamed Tangtang."
"Oh my, look at how cultured people are! What a nice name, and it comes from your two older siblings. You can tell they're a family."
Shu Yao smiled. Her little girl was now as white and tender as a dumpling, with chubby arms like lotus roots, making one want to take a bite. Seeing someone reach out to hug her, she quickly turned around and hugged her mother's neck.
"He's shy around strangers," Shu Yao explained with a smile, gently refusing anyone who wanted to hold him. Xiao Bao's personality is quite different from his sister's; he simply won't do things he doesn't like, and will immediately burst into tears if forced at the slightest provocation.
The weather was exceptionally nice, and Meng Xi took her daughter out to bask in the sun. The child had a bald patch around the back of her head; the doctor said it was due to calcium deficiency and advised her to take the child out in the sun more often. As soon as they came out, they saw Shu Yao and the baby in her arms.
The two children were born a few days apart and weighed about the same at birth. But now, several months later, Shu Yao's daughter is fair-skinned, chubby, and has bright, lively eyes. Meanwhile, the baby in her arms has sparse hair, yellowish skin, and the doctor said she's malnourished, her breast milk is insufficient, and she's calcium deficient, so the doctor advised her to supplement her diet with more nutrients.
Her breast milk wasn't good, and as a result, the three members of the Sun family disliked her. Now, seeing Shu Yao's daughter, she felt both angry and aggrieved. The Sun family all thought this child was theirs, but they didn't care about her at all.
Everyone gathered around and chatted for a while, then went home to cook around eleven o'clock. Only she and Meng Xi were left outside. Shu Yao picked up her daughter and got up; she and Meng Xi had nothing to say to each other.
"Shu Yao, don't rush off, I have something to tell you."
"The two of us," Shu Yao asked curiously, "what's there to talk about between us?"
"I just want to ask you, when you were still with the Sun family, was Sun Yaozu this cold and heartless? My daughter was their first child, but they didn't care about her at all. It was as if they thought one daughter was too many. Was their preference for sons over daughters really that extreme?"
Looking at her haggard face, Shu Yao's mind automatically connected her to the arrogant mistress from her past life. She and Sun Yaozu were at the hospital, accompanying their daughter as she awaited childbirth. Facing her, the legal wife, he showed no remorse whatsoever. Instead, he spoke of their years of love, how they were truly in love.
Two married men have the nerve to claim they've been in a relationship for years. She even bore him a daughter while married, and she calls it love. Screw you! This kind of insult to marriage is utter bullshit love. Look at the world now, where is the love?
"..."
Shu Yao didn't answer her at all, giving her a cold glance before turning around and carrying the child back into the house. In her previous life, Meng Xi had injured her body after giving birth to her daughter, reportedly due to a difficult childbirth. At that time, Sun Yaozu said a friend was seriously ill and took two hundred yuan from her.
Sun Yaozu's years of deception and betrayal, her illicit affair with him during her marriage—all these emotions that once made Shu Yao so angry she fainted now, seeing them living like this, filled her with nothing but satisfaction.
Serves you right. I wish you a long and happy marriage, and may you stay together forever.
After being humiliated by the Sun family, Meng Xi subconsciously wanted to establish some kind of connection with Shu Yao. Even if it was just to curse the Sun family together, or for the two women, both former daughters-in-law of the Sun family, to go to the Women's Federation or the neighborhood committee to file a complaint against them. Unfortunately, Shu Yao despised the Sun family, but she despised Meng Xi just as much.
Shu Yao didn't maintain a facade of harmony with her, always coldly ignoring her attempts to speak. Whether at home or at work, the two initially didn't exchange a single word. When they bumped into each other, it was as if they didn't know each other. When she and Sun Yaozu got into a fight that spilled into the street, Shu Yao, carrying her daughter, turned and walked away.
Just like in her previous life, Meng Xi was unable to conceive again after giving birth to this child. Her relationship with Wu Erhu remained ambiguous, but there was no further news. She wanted to solidify her position in the Sun family through pregnancy, but Wu Erhu wouldn't work, so she started having affairs with other men in the factory.
In 1966, Sister Xu noticed that Meng Xi and the factory mechanics were acting strangely, and she whispered gossip to Shu Yao during lunch.
"Is Meng Xi having relationship problems with her man? I just saw her with Lao Song, and the way she looked at him didn't seem innocent at all. How can she be so bold? What will happen if her man finds out?"
"Is that so?"
"Hmm. There were rumors about her and Wu Erhu before, but no one saw it with their own eyes. Later, I heard that she went to the hospital for a checkup, and the doctor said that she had damaged her body during childbirth and would have difficulty conceiving again. And now she's involved with Lao Song, what exactly is she trying to do?"
"have no idea."
Shu Yao didn't say much about it; in her previous life, Meng Xi only had this one daughter. Her relationship with Wu Erhu was equally chaotic, and they divorced in the late 1960s. Given Meng Xi's personality, she would have nowhere else to go if she hadn't divorced him.
She rode her bike home after work in the afternoon. Her two older children are in elementary school, and her younger child is in daycare. She picked up her daughter first, and the little one happily ran towards her when she saw her.
When the child was little, it was hard to tell who she resembled, but as she grew older, Shu Yao could tell. Her facial features were strikingly similar to her deceased mother-in-law. She probably looked like her father, but males and females express things differently, so she seemed to resemble her grandmother more. One day, Su Xiangdong took out a photo of his deceased mother, and the couple looked at it.
"So alike." Her narrow, almond-shaped eyes were delicate and charming, her nose was exquisite, and the lip line of her small mouth was so distinct, her lips as beautiful and shaped as flower petals. "It's another case of skipped generations, how amazing."
Why use the character "又"?
"Because Yiyi looks just like her maternal grandmother, and more like my mother than I do."
"Really? I always thought Yiyi looked like you."
"More like my mom."
Tangtang went home and played by herself in the afternoon. There are no child traffickers at this time of year, so children are all so free. The almost four-year-old girl is sunny and cheerful, and has been raised with great courage.
Third Aunt was still in very good health. When Shuyao returned, she had already steamed the millet flour, which would be used to fry oil cakes later. Seeing that she was kneading the dough, Shuyao washed her hands and went in to help.
"I don't need you, I can take care of it myself in a bit."
"I've heated the oil in the pan. I'll knead some more dough and fry some sesame candy balls to eat slowly later."
"OK."
Having lived here for many years, Auntie San had become practically part of the family. The two were cooking together when suddenly her cousin, Su Juan, stumbled in.
"Mom, Mom, come with me quickly. My dad, he, he..."
The aunt wiped her hands on her apron, seeing her daughter's panicked, tear-streaked face, and immediately realized something was wrong. Her relationship with the old man was long gone; he'd been living with her all these years. But the old couple hadn't registered their marriage, and if he became paralyzed, she wouldn't be able to escape.
"I was working the early shift, and when I got home I found out my dad hadn't come over. I cooked dinner and went to call him, but..."
"What exactly happened?"
"The doctor said it was too late; he had a brain hemorrhage last night and was already dead when he was brought in."
Auntie closed her eyes briefly, and those her age felt a pang of sadness, lamenting how fragile life is. Yet, at the same time, they were also deeply grateful that the old man, who had never cared for his children in his life, had passed away so peacefully in his old age—a truly virtuous act.
"Stop crying. As people get older, birth, aging, illness, and death are normal occurrences. Tell them to make arrangements for your father's funeral."
The three sisters gathered at the hospital, with their nephew Su Xiangdong also present. They were discussing funeral arrangements when Su Ping suddenly started crying, angrily snapping at his mother.
"It's all your fault. If you had stayed home to take care of him, he wouldn't have suffered a brain hemorrhage and fallen into a coma without anyone knowing."
Auntie closed her eyes, her heart turning ice-cold. Su Xiangdong couldn't stand it anymore and retorted, "Raising children is for old age security, but what have you, as a son, done?"
"I—" Su Ping couldn't answer, his face turning pale from the rebuke. He suddenly felt a pang of regret; perhaps he shouldn't have said those things. But over the years, he had harbored resentment towards his mother, using this as an excuse to vent his frustrations. He had forgotten that Su Xiangdong was no pushover.
"Your father worked hard all his life to support you, and when he got old, he mistreated your mother, and you didn't say a word, you even helped him. Now that he's gone, you start blaming your mother. What, do your parents owe you something? As a son, you didn't care about your mother, you abandoned her when she was sick. You didn't take care of your father, you failed in your duties as a son. How dare you complain about your mother? She gave birth to you and raised you, she was wrong, right? She should have just drowned you in a chamber pot after giving birth to you, so you wouldn't have to hurt her."
"I—" Su Ping's face turned even paler, and he couldn't utter a single word. Su An, standing to the side, shrank back, thankful that he hadn't spoken.
Since the person has passed away, burying them in the city requires purchasing a burial plot. If they are sent back to their hometown, they are usually buried in the ground. A vehicle needs to be found to transport the deceased back. Su Xiangdong didn't say much about this, leaving it to his brothers to discuss.
Finally, Su Laosan was cremated, and his ashes were sent back to his hometown. This saved on a cemetery plot and the need to hire a vehicle, saving both time and effort. He was dressed in the cheapest kind of clothes, and burned to ashes.
Auntie San didn't go back to her hometown with her sons; she left it to them to handle. She sat on the bed all night, unable to sleep; the old man's fate was heartbreaking. The next day, feeling unwell, Shuyao made her a cup of milk.
"Third Aunt, don't be sad. The deceased is gone, and the living should grieve in moderation."
The aunt took the milk and said, "I just feel... is it because I failed in my parenting? How could I have raised such a cold-hearted son?"
"People have genetics and inherent traits. One's nature cannot be changed by an individual, so this is not your fault."
The old man's death and the way his funeral was handled completely broke Auntie's heart. His two sons had neglected their father while he was alive, thinking he was worthless because he couldn't do laundry, cook, take care of the children, or earn money. After his death, they simply handled the funeral arrangements, completely ignoring the old man's request not to be cremated, and just burned him. That way it was easier.
"Yaoyao, I'll be counting on you guys from now on."
"Of course. Didn't we agree that you'd stay with us and we'd take care of you in your old age?"
"Um."
Su Juan lost her father, but she wasn't too heartbroken. She had cared for him for many years while he was alive, fulfilling all her filial duties. Now that her father was gone, she began to visit her mother every few days.
“The children are all grown up now, and I have more time. Mom, you're healthy now, so you can stay here in Xiangdong. When you can't work anymore, you can come live with me, and I'll take care of you.”
"How's your husband doing lately?" Auntie San didn't respond to her question, but smiled and asked about her life. Two years ago, Su Xiangdong found her husband another job, which he has been doing ever since.
"That's good. He got a permanent position. Ever since the doctor said he would die if he drank again, he really quit. Thanks to Xiang Dong for the job he found, he can start over."
"Work hard, live well."
"Um."
With her daughter doing well, Auntie San was finally at ease. She was content staying with her nephew, and felt her health was excellent. Her children all treated her like their own grandmother, and she doted on them, enjoying her time with them. She lived a very happy life.
Even in this moment of happiness, Shu Yao was on edge. A major storm was about to hit, and Su Xiangdong wouldn't be able to escape unscathed. She had to be prepared.
She had just finished her night shift and was about to go to bed when a guest suddenly arrived. A man in military uniform stood in the yard, his gaze warm and excited as he looked at her.
"Zhou Dalin, when did you come back?" The young man had been away in the army for several years. Now that his shoulder insignia were gone, he must have been transferred back to civilian work or retired.
"Just arrived." The young man had long since shed his immaturity and grown into a grown man. "Where's my brother-in-law? Hasn't he gotten off work yet?"
"They should be back soon."
Of course, if it weren't for Shu Yao and her husband's help, he really doesn't know what would have become of him. These past few years in the army have truly matured him. His father passed away the year before last, and the neighborhood committee helped with the funeral arrangements. Now that no one is arguing with him anymore, he went home yesterday and tidied up the house first.
"I've been discharged from the military and been assigned to the fire department. I'll officially start work next week. I thought I'd come and see you all first."
"That's good."
Soon Su Xiangdong returned, and Shu Yao went to the kitchen to cook a few dishes for them. The two men drank very restrainedly, and Shu Yao also drank a glass with them.
When the three children came back, he called them over, and to his surprise, he had brought gifts for everyone. He Xu's was a wooden toy gun, while He Yi and He Xin's were building blocks, and all three children loved them.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Oh, my good boy." Zhou Dalin's face flushed with excitement, all of this warmth stemming from that night when he was almost starving to death.
"Sister, let me toast you."
"good."
The meal was a pleasant one for both host and guests. After exchanging contact information, Zhou Dalin took his leave, and Su Xiangdong escorted him to the gate. "From now on, treat this place like family. Come over whenever you have time."
"Yes." The three children called him uncle; he had no other relatives in this world. This was a place he cherished dearly.
Zhou Dalin went to work at the fire station and would occasionally bring cooked food to visit Su Xiangdong. Just when everyone thought life was peaceful and stable, everything seemed to change suddenly.
The Red Guards started causing trouble, and the Red Guards ran rampant. Some people were taken to the streets for public criticism and struggle sessions. Shu Yao happened to see this on her way home from work and was shocked. Their factory was also carrying out a campaign today, with banners and big-character posters plastered everywhere.
She'd been through it once before, so she was mentally prepared. She'd already stocked up on various medications at home and cultivated connections beforehand. She just needed to get through the initial chaos; then she'd spend a few years on the farm, and everything would be fine.
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