Braised Pork

Song Qiu Sheng took advantage of his drunkenness and yelled, "Don't meddle in our men's affairs. Why are we drinking medicinal wine on New Year's Day? We have to drink Lao Baigan."

Song Shixia didn't want to listen to his bragging. "Professor Ji doesn't drink white wine. You should drink with your brother-in-law. My parents are getting older, so they should drink less white wine."

Song Qiusheng turned to look at Ji Weiqing: "Brother-in-law, you, the head of the family, don't have much authority!"

Ji Weiqing took the teapot and said, "I have a virtuous wife at home, and I always listen to her."

Song Shixia raised her head proudly: "Brother, your plan to separate us is useless. In our family, we listen to him on major matters and me on minor matters." As for what is considered a major matter, she has the final say.

Song Qiu Sheng shook his head, pretending to be angry at his brother's lack of resistance: "My brother-in-law is so pitiful. You control him so strictly."

Song's father tapped the back of his hand with chopsticks: "Even eating can't stop your mouth." He talks nonsense all day long.

In the Song Dynasty, Xia was happy to see the excitement when disaster struck.

"You're allowed to talk too much, so your dad should punish you." I knew my brother was joking with me, but it was interesting to see him being scolded by his father.

Song's mother brought the dishes to the table, and Grandma Sun stood up quickly.

"Mother-in-law, stop working. There are so many dishes on the table. Come and sit down and eat with us."

Song's mother wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, "I'll just have to cook two more dishes and it will be over. Eat them while they're hot. We're family, so don't be polite."

Grandma Sun had never seen so much meat before at any banquet. Wherever she put her chopsticks, there were only pickled vegetables. She didn't have the courage to pick up her chopsticks.

Song Chunxia didn't know what the situation was at home right now, but her parents must have some spare money, otherwise how could they dare to eat like this.

After the second day of the Chinese New Year, it’s time to visit relatives and pay New Year’s greetings. The two kids received a lot of red envelopes while visiting relatives. Even though the total amount is not much, they were very excited just for the sake of having fun, as they have so many relatives.

Song Shixia did not confiscate the money, but let the two of them use it to do what they wanted. Whether to buy snacks or do anything else, it was up to them.

The young family was happy, but their father was treated like a national treasure wherever he went. Somehow his identity as a professor was exposed, but fortunately this was a small village and even if they knew about it, it wouldn't be a big deal. But his relatives couldn't believe that he was so young and was actually a university professor.

Just like a child at home who has learned a talent has to perform for the guests during the Chinese New Year, Ji Weiqing was forced to answer all kinds of strange questions, help check the homework of relatives' children, and ask whether the children have a hope of getting into college. Some even asked him if he could make an exception and admit their own children.

In short, these were all topics that made it difficult for Professor Ji to deal with. He was in dire straits these days. Song Shixia felt both amused and distressed.

Capital, Ji family.

Zhang Wanqing and Principal Hu came to pay New Year's greetings with gifts, and Han Rong was surprised.

"Why are you here so early?"

She had already informed her relatives and friends to entertain them at home on the tenth day of the first lunar month. Why did Mr. and Mrs. Hu come to pay New Year's greetings on the sixth day?

Zhang Wanqing smiled and took Han Rong's arm.

"We two came here to congratulate you first, and we'll come again when you treat us."

Han Rong was puzzled: "What good news happened? Did Lao Hu get promoted?" Otherwise, why would he be so eager to come and wish New Year's greetings.

Zhang Wanqing smiled happily: "This is a happy event that is even more exciting than his promotion."

Han Rong was led to sit down with a shoulder full of doubts. Zhang Wanqing asked her husband to put down the gift and go find Lao Ji. She wanted to share the good news with her good friend.

Principal Hu put down the gift beside the tea table, sighed twice, and went to the backyard to look for Old Ji. The two families were very close, and it was common for them to visit each other.

Han Rong couldn't wait to ask: "Tell me quickly, what's the good news?"

Zhang Wanqing held her friend's hand and said excitedly, "My Hu Yu is pregnant!"

Han Rong took a few seconds to come back to her senses, and then she was in disbelief: "Really? She's really pregnant?!"

Principal Hu and his wife have only one daughter. Hu Yu and Ji Ran are the same age. Ji Ran's child is about to go to junior high school, but Hu Yu has been married for many years but still can't get pregnant. Many doctors said that Hu Yu was left with a cold in the remote north. She took Chinese medicine for several years to adjust her menstrual period. Unfortunately, as long as she is a little busy at work, her menstrual period will be intermittent. In serious cases, she has not had a period for half a year.

Zhang Wanqing has been unwilling to give up all these years. Her daughter and son-in-law no longer insist on having a child and are ready to adopt a child when she turns 40. She originally thought her daughter's health was completely hopeless, but she vomited when she came home for dinner and smelled the braised pork she made.

Because of Hu Yu's physical condition, no one thought she was pregnant. They all thought she had a cold and couldn't eat the greasy and fishy braised meat. But she still vomited after smelling the light fish soup at night. This time Zhang Wanqing finally became suspicious and coaxed her daughter to see a doctor to confirm the pregnancy.

Zhang Wanqing nodded heavily, tears in her eyes: "I'm really pregnant. I didn't dare tell you until the fetus was stable in three months. I was afraid that it would be a waste if I told you in advance." After all, her daughter was prone to miscarriage. She took care of her with trepidation every day. She also forced her daughter to take two months of sick leave at home to take care of the fetus. It really worked and the fetus was saved.

Han Rong wiped her tears excitedly: "That's great, I told you that what is destined to happen will happen eventually, it just comes a little late, but in the end it is a good result."

Zhang Wanqing held her friend's hand tightly. "The second thing I have to thank you for is that you gave me the medicinal wine, saying it was for women like us to nourish our bodies. I thought Hu Yu was not in good health, but I couldn't bear to drink it myself, so I gave it to her. She drinks a small cup every night before going to bed. She said that her body is warm and her hands and feet are no longer cold, and her sleep is much better."

"It's good that it works. This is the medicinal wine that my daughter-in-law made herself. I gave you a bottle because it tasted good. You can take another bottle back when you leave later."

Zhang Wanqing shook her head, her face full of gratitude: "We later consulted an old Chinese doctor. I didn't quite understand what the doctor said, but he said that it was thanks to the medicinal wine that Hu Yu's body was in good shape, and the effect was better than Chinese medicine."

Han Rong quickly declined: "Medicinal wine is wine after all. The herbs in it are all good supplements for us women's bodies. They have little to do with medicinal wine."

Zhang Wanqing had so many words to say that she wanted to thank Song Shixia in person, but she learned that she would not be home until after the New Year.

She was not disappointed: "They say good things take time. My Hu Yu has been working so hard to get results. I don't need to rush to thank her in person anytime soon."

Han Rong wanted to say that the medicinal wine was not that powerful. "You can't deny that you took Hu Yu to see a doctor and take medicine. She has been taking it for many years. Why do you put all the credit on Xiao Song?"

Zhang Wanqing smiled and said, "I know what you are worried about. This matter is between our two families. I will not publicize it."

Han Rong was still worried. The medicinal wine was indeed effective in regulating the body, and Zhang Wanqing was still exaggerating. The medicinal wine was already in high demand, and if Xiao Song was promoted, it would be used by someone with ulterior motives to spread the word that it could help people get pregnant. Wouldn't that be a case of overpraising.

Song Shixia stayed at home until the eighth day of the first lunar month, when she was kicked out by her parents.

"You can't stay at home until after the Chinese New Year. You've been home for more than ten days. Go back quickly before the Chinese New Year is over."

Ji Weiqing wanted to explain, but was stopped by his mother-in-law.

"Xiao Ji, don't worry about us. There aren't so many rules in the countryside. We're glad you can come back with Xia Xia to celebrate the New Year. Your parents have to have children to take care of the house during the New Year, so we can't let you spend the whole New Year at home. Next time you want to come, your father and I will welcome you anytime."

Now that their mother had said so much, the two of them had to go back home.

The two of them went back to their room to pack their luggage. Song Shixia sighed.

"We are being kicked out of the house."

Ji Weiqing was helpless: "Don't talk nonsense, Mom is doing this for our own good."

Song Shixia understood what her mother meant, and she was kind enough to put herself in Ji Weiqing's shoes. Their families were all gathered together, and Ji Weiqing's family only had two semi-retired parents and an underage sister. If there were guests at home, she couldn't ask her married daughter to go home to help, so she was in a hurry to get them back.

The two little guys said goodbye to their uncle reluctantly. Song Dongdong had finally become familiar with his nephew, but now it was time to say goodbye.

Ji Yang and Ji Yuan emptied their pockets and pulled out two boxes of "Journey to the West" and "Huluwa" picture cards and a few pieces of chocolate.

"Uncle, this is our gift to you."

Song Dongdong stared at the pictures for a long time, but the ones sold in the village canteen were not as beautiful as the ones in his nephew's hands.

He was embarrassed to take his nephew's things for free, so he pulled out his own treasure chest from under the bed, which was full of wooden toys.

He gritted his teeth and took out his favorite spinning top and wooden sword.

"Dabao, this sword is suitable for you. If anyone bullies you, use it to poke his knees. Xiaobao, this is a spinning top. You are not strong enough. If you play with the spinning top more, you may become stronger."

Song Dongdong was not happy with the picture. No one would sleep with him and talk to him at night. Even though he could not understand the nonsense of the little kid, he felt lonely sleeping alone.

Ji Yang said to his uncle solemnly: "Uncle, although your friends wanted to bully us at first, we are friends now."

Song Dongdong scratched his head. He didn't expect his nephew to know. "He doesn't dare to bully you. You call me uncle and we are a family. If someone bullies you at school, you can't do this. We men can't be scared! We can't swallow our anger. It's never too late for a gentleman to take revenge."

Ji Yuan clapped his hands in agreement: "Don't be afraid! Take revenge if you have a grudge!"

Ji Yang held the sword tightly: "If you want to be a leader, you must be the boss. You won't be bullied by your classmates."

Song Dongdong patted his shoulder and encouraged him: "You have a promising future. You are worthy of being my nephew."

Song Qiu Sheng drove his sister's family to the city to pick up the car from Xiao Li's house. After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, he asked Xiao Li to go back with him.

Her mother packed a lot of New Year gifts for her, most of which were local specialties for her to give to her mother-in-law's family, and a few were her own things.

Song Shixia had no choice but to take it. It felt like her mother had packed all the meat in the house for her. The discarded cardboard box from the washing machine was used to pack the New Year gifts. If you didn't know, you would think she was going to take the washing machine to the city to return it.

Before getting on the car, Song's mother quickly stuffed a red envelope into her son-in-law's pocket, and before anyone could react, she was already walking back.

Ji Weiqing was stunned for a moment. Song Shixia probably understood what her parents meant.

"Here, it's a gift from my parents for you."

He had no choice but to put the thick red envelope into his pocket.

"Why give me a meeting gift?"

Song Qiusheng explained cheerfully while steering: "It is a custom in our countryside that when you visit your parents for the first time after marriage, you are given a meeting gift to show that your parents are very satisfied with you."

Ji Weiqing took out the red envelope and wanted to open the suitcase to put it in.

Seeing this, Song Shixia raised her eyebrows: "What's wrong, are you afraid of losing it?"

Ji Weiqing nodded solemnly: "Well, don't spend this money, keep it at home."

She lowered her voice and said, "You're not going to keep it as a treasure, are you?"

"Is it not possible?"

Looking at his puzzled eyes and serious expression, Song Shixia was speechless. Of course, who asked this to be his meeting gift?

She suppressed her laughter and teased him: "Then put the money away, don't let me find it and spend it."

Professor Ji looked at her seriously and said, "You can spend the money at home as you like, but you can't touch this money."