Chapter 44 Returning to Guo Family Village
After this meal, even Grandma Guo, who used to think that eating out was a waste of money, was so happy that she didn't say a word.
Touching her slightly protruding belly, she found a toothpick and picked her teeth for a bit, then leaned back in her chair to relax.
"Goodness, no wonder everyone wants to live a good life."
Not to mention the clear mutton stew, even the scallion-braised rabbit that we've made at home before tastes better in restaurants.
Not to mention the plate of spicy shrimp soup.
It's sour and spicy, and it's appetizing. In addition to shrimp, it also contains eel. But because of the chili and rice vinegar, the soup made from these two ingredients is both sweet and delicious.
After finishing one bowl, I wanted another.
Grandma Guo felt as if she had eaten enough for tomorrow's meals in this one meal.
At first, I was worried that three people wouldn't be able to finish eight dishes.
I only realized later that I had been worrying unnecessarily.
Hesitantly entered, then left so full he had to lean against the wall.
Guo Baiwen thanked Uncle Zhao before going around to find the two of them from behind the door.
"We really have to thank them properly." Grandma Guo breathed on her palm. "We were able to settle down in the county town thanks to them."
"I know."
The journey home was long, and it got cold after dark, so Guo Baiwen specially prepared several hand warmers to hide in his wide sleeves to keep his hands warm.
It's not like home outside; I'm afraid using a hot water bottle will give me away.
These hand warmers are made of brass and have some simple geometric patterns on them. Because they are small and delicate, they are not cheap.
Grandma Guo saw that although it was warm to hold in her hands, she still wanted to mutter a few words as usual.
"This was rented, Grandma, don't be so quick to judge me." Guo Baiwen had gotten used to Grandma Guo's frugality, so he instinctively offered a defense.
He was telling the truth this time; in addition to fixed-term pawns, there are also flexible-term pawns in the pawnshop.
These delicate little trinkets, used only in specific seasons, are sometimes acquired by pawnshops in less desirable condition for secondhand rental or sale.
It's convenient for anyone to take it in an emergency.
He paid a deposit and secured the rental of these three hand warmers for the season.
It's much cheaper than buying directly, and you can even get your deposit back when you return it on time.
So Grandma Guo stopped arguing with him, patted her belly, and said, "Let's go home, let's brew some coarse tea and heat up some cured meat."
"We'll be staying up all night to celebrate the New Year."
The days of the Lunar New Year seem to pass more slowly compared to when the shop is open.
But even if time passes slowly, it's already the second day of the Lunar New Year in the blink of an eye.
In a few days, Guo's Spicy Hot Pot will open. Taking advantage of this break, Grandma Guo wants to settle the matter of her family's farmland as soon as possible.
So early that morning, I bought a bunch of things, put on my backpack after a long time, and got on the oxcart at the city gate.
There were many people visiting relatives that day. When Guo Baiwen got off the cart, he asked the driver how many trips he would make that day and when the last oxcart would depart.
After finding out the time, they followed Grandma Guo and Xiaohua, trudging along the mountain towards Guojia Village.
Snow fell in winter, and a small road had already been cleared to enter the village.
However, because not many people walk on this road, and it snowed again in the morning, the cleared road was partially submerged again, so people could only walk through the snow, sometimes sinking deep into the ground.
Once you finally get into the village, you'll see your own house standing at the very edge of the village.
The already dilapidated walls looked even more ruined because no one had lived there for some time and the snow hadn't been swept away in time.
Guo Baiwen entered the house intending to go to the kitchen to boil some hot water to drink.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw a corner of the kitchen roof that looked like it had collapsed, hanging down from one side.
It swayed up and down in the cold wind.
Its precarious state was shocking.
Guo Baiwen couldn't care less about boiling water at this moment. He could only close the door again and then take Grandma Guo and Guo Xiaohua to the cellar behind the yard.
Although we don't have much stuff at home, we moved everything that could be moved last time.
However, some items, such as the imitation linen cushions and bamboo beds and chairs, were not taken along because they were too heavy or old.
Grandma Guo took another look at these things. She had lived in her home in the county town for several months, and now it was furnished very comfortably.
These things wouldn't be of much use even if we brought them to the county town.
Although it had been stored in the cellar for some time, apart from being a bit dusty, it was still usable.
It's better to give it to your close relatives and neighbors to avoid the hassle of carrying it back and forth.
She withdrew her hand from the bamboo bed, gently patted the dust off her palms, and said to Guo Baiwen and Xiaohua, "Let's go, leave these things here, let's go see your Uncle Shi first."
Guo Xiaohua had been unable to contain her excitement since she learned she was going back to the village today before the Lunar New Year, when she got on the oxcart this morning.
She originally wanted to go find her friend Atao as soon as she returned to the village, but her brother said he had to go back to his own home first, so she followed him into the house.
Although she felt bad looking at her dilapidated old house, she said, "Grandma, I want to go play with Atao."
The small cloth bag she carried contained not only the silk flowers she had been tying up over the past few days, but also two rag dolls she had pieced together from scraps of fabric.
She made it by copying the design Ah Tao had shown her last time.
Besides these things, the cloth bag also contained sesame and peanut candy that her brother had given her.
When she left home in the morning, she was worried that she wouldn't have enough to eat, so she packed extra food.
The original purpose of coming to the village today was to discuss the matter of renting the land. Grandma Guo was already in a bad mood, and seeing Xiaohua's naive and ignorant appearance, she wanted to say a few words to her.
But I also know that after today, it will be a long time before I have time to go back to the village again.
So I simply closed my eyes to avoid seeing her, since it didn't matter whether she was there or not. I waved my hand and said, "Go on, we're going back before lunch. Don't get carried away and forget the time."
"Thank you, Grandma—I understand!"
When she saw that the person had run far away and was only a small shadow, Grandma Guo sighed, and then took Guo Baiwen's hand and walked towards Guo Shitou's house.
They arrived at just the right time, intending to miss Uncle Stone's dinner time.
But for some reason today, when I knocked on the door, Guo Shitou came to open it while holding a bowl in his hand.
"Happy New Year!" Guo Baiwen greeted him with New Year's wishes, then handed over the New Year's gifts he was carrying, such as melon seeds and peanuts. He looked at him with some surprise and asked, "Uncle Shi, why is your family eating so late today?"
Uncle Stone nodded politely, first replying with "Happy New Year," then sighed silently, "Wen-zai, you don't understand—"
Before he finished speaking, Guo Baiwen, who had just entered Uncle Shi's courtyard, immediately spotted the family sitting inside.
The people on everyone's faces didn't show much joy; they were all subtly glancing at Guo Banshan, whose hands were tightly bandaged, out of the corner of their eyes.
It was quite strenuous for him to hold both the bowl and chopsticks in one hand. Seeing his difficulty, Uncle Shi sighed and replaced the chopsticks in his hand with a spoon.
This action was originally intended to make it easier for Guo Banshan to eat, but when he looked at the spoon in his hand, he became even angrier.
The hand holding the spoon was raised high, as if about to fall to the ground. Uncle Stone's wife watched this scene, wanting to say something.
Just as he raised his hand to strike, he suddenly turned the corner.
After fiercely scooping a spoonful of mixed soup from the bowl, he swallowed it hastily with gritted teeth.
Seeing this, she could only swallow her words of advice and silently added another spoonful of soup to Guo Banshan's bowl with the large soup spoon beside her.
It's New Year's Day, but the atmosphere isn't exactly pleasant.
This prevented Grandma Guo, who had originally intended to inquire about renting land, from speaking.
Guo Baiwen quietly pulled Uncle Shitou aside, and the group went outside. "Uncle Shitou, Brother Banshan's hand—"
“The doctor said that it’s already a blessing from God that this hand was saved,” Guo Shitou knew what he wanted to ask, so he just lowered his voice to answer, “but even though the hand was saved, it’s still difficult to use it like a normal person. I can’t exert any strength.”
Ironically, these are the very hands they use to farm.
After this, Guo Banshan will be older, and given the condition of his hand, it's uncertain whether he'll be able to find a wife.
Although their family lived a relatively comfortable life in the village, with some surplus grain each year, they were neither rich nor poor.
But after being bitten by the big spotted dog, Guo Banshan had to start worrying about how he would make a living.
Uncle Stone's hair has turned quite a bit white because of this.
Only now, because of Grandma Guo and the others' visit, was she able to force a smile. "I heard before the New Year that you moved to the county town, so I didn't get a chance to see you off."
"How have you been doing these days staying in the county town?"
Seeing Uncle Stone like this, Guo Baiwen couldn't help but think of the wound on his back, which initially looked quite frightening due to its high swelling.
But I applied the medicine on time every day and didn't get it wet much. The thick scab that had formed not long ago completely fell off. Apart from the skin on that side being a little lighter in color than the other side, I didn't suffer much.
The only bad thing was the house.
"Life is the same no matter where you live it, you'll get used to it." Guo Baiwen vaguely described his family's life in the county town, only saying that his family planned to do some small business in the county town and did not intend to continue farming.
Those two acres of land that were originally in Guojia Village are probably unattended.
I also mentioned to Uncle Shi the reason why Grandma Guo came here today.
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