Li Fagui stood at the door of his house, the cold wind cutting his face like a knife. He wrapped his cotton coat tighter, his expression calm and his heart unmoved by the prospect of returning home. He just thought to himself that his parents were really healthy. The "butcher's knife" of time had not worn down their spirits at all. They were really long-lived.
Mr. and Mrs. Li: "………………"
Lost in thought, a commotion arose. Looking up, he saw his brother-in-law and his second brother-in-law huffing and puffing as they carried a huge object towards them. As it drew closer, a fat pig appeared before him. Li Fagui's eyes widened instantly, his mouth slightly agape, his face filled with astonishment, and he stood frozen on the spot.
After a long pause, he stammered out, "What...what does this mean?"
Brother-in-law Li Panmei slung the heavy load off her shoulders, let out a long sigh, and rubbed her hands, which were red from the cold, and said, "Brother-in-law, this is what Mom told you to take home! Zhao Mei and I were at the slaughterhouse at four in the morning. Good heavens, we were in that ice cellar for a full three hours. Do you know what that feels like?"
Li Fagui was speechless for a moment, his throat felt blocked, and he could only stare at them blankly, his face full of disbelief.
Second brother-in-law Li Zhaomei looked exhausted but stubborn. Large beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, mingling with the frost of the morning. She gritted her teeth and said, "In this freezing winter, we're as cold as dogs, our hands and feet are almost numb. What's the point of all this for this pig? You have to take it back to your parents' home safely! Don't let down my mother, my sister, and my niece."
His words were earnest yet firm, each one carrying the weight of hard work endured in the biting cold. His dedication to his family seemed to break through the icy chill and crash straight into Li Fagui's heart.
My second brother-in-law is indeed a loyal fan of my mother. He must have been tortured too much when he was a child, which led to the opposite of what he intended!
As dawn broke and the soft light spilled into the courtyard, Li Zhongguo stood there upright, his military overcoat wrapped tightly around his body, the fur collar turned up, making his neck feel warm and cozy. Every fold seemed to have been carefully ironed, smooth and neat, and the brass buttons gleamed, reflecting on his vigorous face.
Time has etched lines of varying depths on his face, but his spirit remains as resilient as a pine tree, his eyes shining brightly with anticipation for today's journey, as if he were about to embark on a glorious adventure.
The iris trees beside it resembled flowering trees in full bloom in spring, dressed in green floral cotton-padded jackets, with the embroidered flowers on the cotton fabric spreading freely, just like the splendor accumulated over the years.
Her black hair was carefully combed and braided into a thick, long braid. The red string at the end was eye-catching, like a leaping flame. It not only bound her hair but also seemed to hold onto her youth. Her neatness and vitality made it hard to believe that she had lived for over eighty years. She could easily be mistaken for a woman in her thirties, and she exuded a gentle and graceful aura.
Ma Hehua was like a bright red rose in full bloom. Her red suit was well-tailored and fit her shapely figure perfectly. The padded shoulders added a touch of strength, and the cinched waist accentuated her graceful curves. Every step she took was graceful and charming.
Her already striking features were enhanced by makeup that added a touch of fierce "evil charm." Her bright red lips were like burning embers, dazzlingly bright, and her wavy, permed hair cascaded freely over her shoulders, exuding a trendy and unrestrained vibe. Every gesture she made was modern, drawing the attention of Li Zhaomei and Li Panmei, who followed her gaze unconsciously, just like the most dazzling fireworks in the cold night.
Ma Lihua, still half asleep, was wrapped in a black down jacket, fluffy and soft. Her legs stretched freely under her down pants, keeping her warm while maintaining a playful and lively look.
Two braids of black hair hung down her chest, with red ribbons fluttering among them, like lively musical notes, jumping with her light movements, adding a touch of brightness to the pure black, and a festive feeling was overwhelming. Her clear eyes were full of smiles, and her graceful movements revealed the charm of a young girl.
Shangguan Wenyan resembled a noble young master of the night, his tall figure draped in a black trench coat, the fabric fluttering in the wind. His hair was meticulously styled, each strand distinct, with a few wisps falling casually across his forehead, further accentuating the depth and allure of his eyes. He wore black casual trousers with sneakers, a simple yet stylish look. Tall and upright, he stood beside Ma Lihua, his gaze fixed on her, his eyes almost tangible, tender and full of undisguised affection.
In comparison, Li Fagui looked at himself and felt truly "down on his luck".
The red apron was loosely tied around the waist, stained with oil; the thick cotton-padded coat was bulging, with some dusty stains on the hem; the trousers were also the same style of thick cotton-padded trousers, full of the "traces" of everyday life.
The old cotton shoes on his feet had a blackened patch on the toe from a spark that had somehow appeared. His hair was disheveled, like a pile of hay ruffled by the wind, and a lingering smell of cooking oil could be smelled if you got close.
He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing, and asked with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, "Mother, Lotus, I...I'll go and tinker a bit?"
Ma Hehua raised an eyebrow, waved her arm, and neatly interrupted him: "Hey! No need, Fa Gui, you still have to carry the pigs! No need, just lead the way!"
With those words, the final outcome seemed to be sealed. In her eyes, dressing up at this moment was completely unnecessary. Back at the Gui family's house, there was probably still work waiting for her at the stove, so she wouldn't have time to fuss over these things.
Helpless, Li Fagui could only scratch his head, stand silently, close his eyes, resign himself to his fate, and carry the heavy "pork" out the door.
When he arrived at the door, he saw a pedal tricycle and was dumbfounded.
"This...no, Mom, we have a car! Where did this tricycle come from?"
“Oh! This is what Zhao Mei and the others rode to the slaughterhouse. How can we lower ourselves when we go to our in-laws’ place? Look, the grandson-in-law has already prepared everything.”
As she spoke, she looked up at Shangguan Wenyan, thinking to herself that the young man knew what was good for him.
"Then... what about me?"
"You can drive your Volkswagen here!"
Lotus Flower hadn't forgotten that he owned a Volkswagen, so she insisted that he drive himself. Afterward, the group got into the luxury car and drove off.
"No, will you be able to find the place?" Li Fagui's voice was hoarse from shouting.
"No need, Shangguan has already scouted the place. We'll wait for you at your mother's house."
Li Fagui: "…………………………"
There was nothing he could do. He drove a Volkswagen, and when he left, everyone in the Li family stood in the yard looking at him pitifully.
"Tsk tsk tsk... My brother-in-law is nothing compared to that pretty boy. If this were in the old days, Mother would probably have made him carry a live pig there!"
"Hmph! You're dreaming. A pig? Bringing a chicken is already a favor, let alone a pig. He's dreaming."
Li Zhaomei and Li Panmei's words stunned everyone around them. After spending so much time together, it was impossible not to know the secret. What surprised everyone was that the Li family had two different surnames.
Later, Li Dafu learned why his father said the family couldn't have a girl anymore—his grandmother was a shaman!
That woman deserved to be unlucky to have run into the Li family; otherwise, he would probably have been wearing that green hat until he died.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
