"Brother Da, can I go with you and my second brother? I'm going to the commune to buy some meat. I want to celebrate today when my younger sister is discharged from the hospital."
"Okay, you can ask about Weidong's second sister-in-law. I think my eldest brother should have replied."
…
Upon arriving at the commune, Liu's mother separated from her father and brother. Yesterday, Xiu'er was able to walk in the fields; the doctor said she could be discharged. Today, Liu's father and brother borrowed a village oxcart to pick up Xiu'er and Wang Shuihua. Wang Shuihua had gone to the county town to take care of Xiu'er. After buying a pound of meat, Liu's mother went to the grain station to find Weidong.
"Weidong, did big brother call back?"
"Sister, she came back yesterday and said that there's a doctor in their military district who can treat my second sister-in-law's illness. My second brother and his family and my parents plan to leave the county town for Heilongjiang Province the day after tomorrow. I was going to tell you at noon today."
"That's good. Second brother and sister-in-law finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've got the money. You can take it back to your second brother today."
"Sister, my brother-in-law and sister need money recently. If you give so much to my second brother, what will happen to the family? I have saved a hundred dollars, and I plan to give it to my second brother when the time comes. Otherwise, you can take less."
"It's okay. It's better to take more money with you when you go out. A poor family can make a lot of money on the road. Your brother-in-law and sister Xiu'er don't need us to pay for the time being, and I still have some spare money at home. Go back and tell your second brother not to keep all the money on him. Ask him to go to the post office and transfer part of it to your eldest brother first, and then go there to withdraw it. It's safer this way."
"Okay, sister, I remember it."
"Okay, get busy! I have to leave too."
…
Liu's father and his family returned from the county town around three o'clock in the afternoon.
"Xiu'er, it's good to be home. Come and jump over the fire basin. Everything will be peaceful and smooth from now on." Grandma Liu placed a fire basin at the entrance of the yard. Wang Shuihua helped Liu Xiu jump over the fire basin.
As soon as Dahua and Xiaohua saw Liu Xiu coming back, they burst into tears and hugged him. Liu Xiu saw that his two daughters were dressed cleanly, their hair was neatly combed, and their complexions had improved. He felt relieved and moved to tears.
"Okay, Dahua, Xiaohua. Your mother's return is a great joy, so don't cry. Xiu'er, you're still in confinement after the baby's birth, so don't cry either."
"Sister-in-law, you're right. Today is a good day. Don't cry. I'm just happy and touched. Sister-in-law, thank you for taking such good care of these two sisters."
"They are both very obedient sisters. They don't need me to take care of them at all. Xiu'er, you and the sisters Dahua and Xiaohua will live across from Xuemei's room. Xiu'er, go to bed and rest for a while!"
"Excuse me, sister-in-law."
"What's the problem? We're all family. Dad, Mom, you guys stay here and talk to Xiu'er. Dahua, Xiaohua, stay here with your mom. Shuihua, go to the kitchen and help me cook!"
…
"Sister-in-law, do you know what the man who had an affair with Li Ziqiang looks like?"
"I don't know. I didn't ask your eldest brother."
Wang Shuihua leaned close to Liu's mother's ear and whispered, "I asked my Guanghui, and he said he looked older than Li Ziqiang, with thick legs and a round waist, and he was as thick as a bucket. Do you think Li Ziqiang has a problem with his eyes? Xiu'er was once a famous beauty in Liujia Village. Even now, my little sister doesn't look thirty, but more like a girl in her twenties, and her skin is still white and tender. But she is thinner than before, her complexion is not as good, and her hands are rough. This shows that the Li family really doesn't support their wives and only tortures their wives. But don't their men like these skinny, weak, and soft-looking girls the most?"
"Li Ziqiang may look refined and elegant, but he's actually completely rotten inside. He's all show and no substance."
"Sister-in-law, what you said is too profound. I don't understand it. I just think that idiot is blind and can't spit out ivory from his mouth. Back then, before I married Guanghui, every time I saw Xiu'er, I don't know why, my heart softened like a puddle of water."
"Xiu'er is so charming and pitiful. When you see her, you can't help but want to protect her."
"I still can't understand why that jerk abandoned Xiu'er for such a bastard. Is it because Xiu'er didn't feed him well in bed that made that jerk so hungry? Guanghui can't feed me in my family, what about your family, sister-in-law? How's my brother? Wang Shuihua nudged Liu's mother with her butt."
Mother Liu was frightened by Wang Shuihua's boldness and choked on her saliva. "Cough cough cough..."
"Hey, sister-in-law, let's talk about Xiu'er. I think some men are so used to eating delicacies at home that even eating shit outside is delicious."
"Yes, sister-in-law, you are right. As the saying goes, domestic flowers are not as fragrant as wild flowers."
"Shuihua, look at Xiu'er's face, and then look at yours. Do you not put on makeup in winter? You should be nicer to yourself in the future."
"Sister-in-law, how can I afford to buy clam oil for my face now? My kids don't have enough to eat every day, and I'm almost dying of worry."
"You can't just take care of the children. Women should treat themselves better. Look, Xiu'er has to work, take care of the children, and take care of those two old men in the Li family. Li Ziqiang doesn't treat Xiu'er like this."
"Guanghui, if he dares, I have given birth to so many children for him and taken care of his parents. If he dares to do anything to let me down, I am not as soft as Xiu'er. I will castrate him."
"Shuihua, you misunderstood me. Guanghui treats you and the child well, and I see it all. What I mean is that you should be more generous with yourself and be willing to spend some money on yourself. If you look better, you'll feel better! Your relationship with Guanghui will also be better. Besides, the vanishing cream you buy can last a year, so all you need to do is make a few more pots of tofu to sell during the New Year."
"Sister-in-law, you should also apply vanishing cream now."
"Anyway, after what happened with Xiu'er, I think I should treat myself better in the future. I plan to buy myself some vanishing cream every year. We don't need new clothes for work, but we still need to apply facial cream. At least it makes me happy."
"Then Big Brother won't say you're a spendthrift."
"Why are you saying that about me? Wouldn't it make him proud if I looked younger? Which man doesn't want his wife to be forever young and beautiful? Besides, he bought me the vanishing cream I'm using now."
"Sister-in-law, brother is so good to you. Guanghui hasn't bought anything for me since we got married."
"Guanghui probably doesn't even have 50 cents on him. What can he give you? I, your eldest brother, often give him pocket money."
"Should I give him some pocket money from time to time? Forget it. I feel more at ease holding the money myself. I'll listen to you, but I still can't bear to spend the vanishing cream. I'll buy some clam oil for my face!"
"Okay, as long as you understand." After saying this, Liu's mother called out, "Xuemei, it's time for dinner. Clear the table."
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