Chicken and Potato Stew

The car arrived at the village at 11 o'clock in the morning. The villagers were either cooking or just coming back from the fields. They heard their children shouting that two cars had arrived at the entrance of the village, and the adults in the families rushed out to see the excitement.

A few women who often chatted at the entrance of the village gathered together and pointed at each other.

"Yo, it seems that Qiu Sheng is the one who came back?"

"The one from the Song family? Isn't Song Qiusheng a driver for someone else? How come he's driving a small truck?"

"I guess he's going to be a truck driver. It's good to be able to drive a car so that you can drive your boss's car home."

"Tsk, they have been to big cities, but they are different from us. I am afraid they will become city dwellers in the future."

"Doesn't your brother have a younger sister? Song Qiusheng is still unmarried. Why don't you try to bring her up?"

"I don't think it's reliable. If you do business outside, you might end up in debt one day. It's better to find a man who works honestly in the countryside and grows crops."

"That's true. Who knows what it's like to do business now? Doing business is just exploiting us ordinary people. What if you end up in jail one day?"

"Who says it's not?"

Song Qiu Sheng stuck his head out and shouted at everyone at the entrance of the village to make way, as he wanted to drive his car into the village.

There were a lot of unfamiliar people gathered at the entrance of the village. Their brigade was at the innermost part of the village. The road was a bit narrow, so you could drive in, but it was inconvenient to back up. However, the yard at their house was big, so you could park in the yard.

Song Dongdong was doing his winter vacation homework at home. He bit the pen cap, scratched his ears and cheeks, but couldn't figure out the answer.

Ergou from next door ran in, panting and shouting, "Song Dongdong, your brother is back, and your sister is here too, driving a car!"

Song Dongdong dropped his pen, stood up and ran out.

Song's mother hurried out of the kitchen and only saw her son's back.

"Mom, I'm going to the village entrance to pick up my sister!"

Song's mother hurried to the backyard to catch a chicken. Fortunately, she had just cooked a meal and had not yet started frying any vegetables.

When Song Dongdong was halfway there, he saw a white pickup truck with a lot of things piled in the truck.

He put his hands to his mouth and yelled, "Brother!"

Song Qiusheng stopped the car and waved to him: "Get in."

Song Dongdong excitedly opened the car door and saw Ergou waving at him from behind.

"Come up quickly!"

Ergou quickly got into the car with him. This was his first time riding in a car.

Song Dongdong's face was full of excitement. He looked around and asked, "Where's my sister?"

Song Qiusheng idly turned the steering wheel: "In the car behind, her car is full, there is no room for you."

Song Dongdong looked out the car window. He had ridden in a car before, but he was not surrounded by the whole village like this time.

"Brother, why are there so many people following you?"

It’s okay for the kids, but why are there so many adults watching the cars?

"Who knows? Are our parents home?"

"Yes, Mom is cooking and Dad is weeding in the field."

Song Qiusheng frowned.

"It's almost Chinese New Year, and you're still working in the fields?"

"Dad is always busy. He goes to dig some grass even when there is nothing to do in the fields. The pigs at home are fat and big, waiting for you to come back and kill them."

Song Qiu Sheng paused and said, "We raise pigs so they can sell them for money, but the pigs haven't been sold yet?"

Song Dongdong held up his hands and said, "I didn't sell it. Mom said you and your sister bought the pig and she will kill it and eat the meat when you two get home."

When they arrived at the door of their home, Song Shixia took the two kids out of the car. They finally felt energetic today.

This was the first time for the little guys to go on a long trip. When they started yesterday, they were so excited that they leaned on the car window to look at the scenery, asking endless questions. Later, the road was too bumpy and they started to become listless and leaned on their parents' arms to act cute. However, they didn't make a fuss and went home. Fortunately, they didn't suffer from carsickness.

Before leaving this morning, she gave the children malted milk and added spiritual spring water, otherwise the two little guys would not have been able to jump up and down as soon as they got out of the car.

She pinched each of their soft little hands: "Are you cold?"

The two little guys shook their heads obediently: "It's not cold."

The countryside in the north is much colder than the city. Song Shixia helped them put on gloves and scarves, but they were reluctant to take off the tiger hats on their heads.

"Follow me and Dad. We are moving things. Be good and don't run around. OK?"

Song Shixia wanted to move the things down quickly so that Xiao Li could go back earlier.

The villagers noticed Song Shixia and asked, "Is that Qiu Sheng's sister? The child is already this big?"

Another person lowered his voice and said, "It's not her child. She is someone else's stepmother. The child is from her husband's ex-wife."

"Oh, isn't she the same stepmother as Chen Jiao from our team?"

"Yes, you said that young girls like them are too young to think about marrying city men and becoming stepmothers. Well, what's wrong with the men in our village?"

Song Shixia and her brother didn't hear the villagers' discussions, but even if they did, they wouldn't care.

Song Dongdong looked at his sister's two children curiously. These were his nephews, and although they looked silly, they were not annoying.

The two little guys hid behind their mother, observing their distant relatives whom they had never met with the same curiosity.

After Xiao Li helped move the things, Song Shixia took out the gift box and handed it to him.

"This is a small gift from Professor Ji and I. We wish you a happy new year in advance. Please don't refuse."

Xiao Li happily accepted it and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law. I will go back now."

Song's mother hurried out of the kitchen and said, "Young man, have a meal before you leave."

Even though I don't know the other person, I have to treat them to a meal since they are sending their daughter and her family back.

Ji Weiqing also invited him, "Let's eat first before leaving. It will take you three hours to drive back, and there are no restaurants along the way."

Xiao Li was so flattered that he stayed for dinner and then busied himself moving things around.

Song's father was weeding in the field. There were hardly any weeds in his field. He was idle all day and had no habit of doing anything, so he carried a hoe and went to the field to dig every day.

The neighbor stood by the edge of the field and called her husband to come home for dinner, and shouted at Song's father,

"Old Song, why are you still weeding in the field? Your son and daughter are back and they've driven two cars."

Song's father said in surprise: "You must have recognized the wrong person." How could his family afford to drive two cars back?

"Why would I lie to you? The car has already driven into your yard, why don't you hurry back? Your son has bought a lot of things for you and your wife!"

Song's father carried the hoe home with half belief and half doubt. As soon as he reached the door, he heard his daughter-in-law yelling. He put down the hoe and listened outside the door.

"Why are you such a spendthrift? You can't stop yourself when you have a little money. Look at what you bought. Are these washing machines and refrigerators enough for our family?"

Song Qiusheng explained helplessly: "Mom, I made money just to make your life easier for you and my dad."

"Your father and I don't have much to do at home except for farming. We have a TV at home which is enough for us to pass the time. What's the point of you buying a washing machine and a refrigerator? Go back now."

Song Shixia was laughing secretly on the side and was seen by the sharp-eyed Song Qiu Sheng.

He changed the subject: "My sister bought a rice cooker, why don't you say anything to her!"

"The rice cooker is useful at home, and we also use a washing machine for a few clothes."

Song Qiusheng felt inexplicably aggrieved: "You favor girls over boys. I am very picky about the things I buy, but I like the things my sister buys."

Song's mother really wanted to beat him up, but Song Shixia took the initiative to step forward and smooth things over.

"Mom, my brother is a filial son. He must have bought the things for you within his financial range. Don't return it."

Mother Song said to her daughter in a more relaxed tone: "How much electricity would it take to use so many appliances?"

Song Shixia pulled her mother and said, "The refrigerator can be used as a cupboard without being plugged in. When it's hottest in summer, we can open it when there are leftovers at home. It's fine to leave it unplugged at other times."

Song's mother had no choice but to accept it. She was very disappointed with her son: "You said you bought such a big item without discussing it with your family in advance, and you can't hold back when you have some money. I don't blame you for buying things, but you haven't even married a wife yet, what will you do if you spend all the money?"

Song Shixia smiled secretly with her lips pursed, while Song Qiu Sheng grinned foolishly.

"Mom, I have good news for you about getting married. I guarantee you and my dad will be satisfied."

Now Song's mother was very happy, as her son's major life event was settled.

Outside the door, Song's father put his hands on his shoes and patted the dust off his shoes.

After moving the things, Song Shixia found the little guy squatting and pulling grass with his nephews in the backyard.

"Mom, this is Yangyang and Yuanyuan. Yangyang is the older brother and Yuanyuan is the younger brother."

The young guys shouted in unison: "Hello, Grandma."

Listening to the babyish voice, Song's mother's heart melted.

"Good boy, grandma didn't buy any candy at home, so I'll give you some chicken drumsticks later."

“Ahem.”

Song's father came in carrying a hoe, and he made a noise on purpose.

Song Shixia introduced him to the children: "This is grandpa."

The two little guys obediently called for help.

"Hello, Grandpa."

"Good, the city kids are really fair and clean."

She had previously told her parents about the life stories of her two children. The Song parents loved their two well-behaved grandchildren very much, but they wanted to hold them in arms but were afraid that their thick skin might hurt them.

Song Dongdong curled his lips. Neither of them called him uncle.

Song Shixia's voice rang out: "The big brother squatting in the corner is your uncle."

The two boys tilted their heads and pointed at Song Qiu Sheng, wondering: "Isn't that uncle?"

Song Shixia smiled and said, "One is my elder brother, and the other is my younger brother. They are both uncles. You can call them elder uncle and younger uncle."

"Hello, uncle!"

Song Dongdong's face turned red, and he scratched the ground with his toes.

"Hello."

When Song's mother heard that her child had returned, she immediately killed a chicken and cooked chicken stew with potatoes. She didn't know what was wrong with the chickens, ducks, and pigs at home. They were only fed pig grass and vegetable leaves, but they grew like balloons and were twice as big as those raised by other families.

"Go wash your hands quickly. The meal is ready. It will take another ten minutes to stew the chicken. I'll ask your dad to light the stove."

Song Shixia went into the house with her mother and sat down: "Mom, don't worry, we will come here after having breakfast at my eldest sister's house."

Song's mother quickly asked, "You came from your sister's house. How is she doing recently?"

Song Shixia thought about her sister's work.

"What's my sister's job like?"

"Alas, I don't know either. Your sister was wrongly accused and could have continued to work after she explained herself, but she just didn't want to do it anymore."

From what the old lady said, my sister's position was taken by a relative of the leader. Maybe that incident was done deliberately to find fault with my sister.

"How is my sister's business? I don't dare to ask in the county town."

Song's mother took her daughter to sit down and said, "Their business is really good. Your sister said that she earns more in a month than her and your brother-in-law's salary combined. I didn't ask any more questions afterwards."

"As long as the business is good, I don't know when our county train station will be open. Right now there are only two trains coming from the south. When there are more trains, the income from setting up a stall at the train station will definitely double."

Song's mother was envious when she heard this: "Really? If you double the amount, your sister's family will have a much better life."

Song Shixia heard the hidden meaning: "Is there any trouble in my sister's family?"

Song Qiusheng washed his hands and went into the room and sat down: "What are you guys talking about?"

"Let's talk about my sister's work."

Song Qiu Sheng followed and sat down.

"I want to hear that too. I really don't understand why my elder sister lost her job. She was an outstanding model in the supply and marketing cooperative every year, so how could she be fired?"

Song Shixia explained to her brother: "It was my eldest sister who took the initiative to leave the position. She must have known that the leader was deliberately making things difficult for her and didn't want to stay any longer."

If she didn't have a side job after get off work, I guess I would have to continue working and endure the bullying from my boss. It was her side job that gave her the courage to quit her job.

Song's mother frowned, "Your sister's house was originally occupied by your brother-in-law's father and his brother. Later, his father's brother thought the family was poor and ran away with the only jar of lard and two yuan in the family. He came back a few days ago and wanted to divide the house. He is your brother-in-law's uncle. Your brother-in-law's father died early, so his generation is higher than his. Either give him money, or divide the house in half."

Song Shixia stayed at her sister's house last night. It would be very troublesome if her sister's house was divided up.

If half of the house is divided, the kitchen, yard and toilet will become communal, and the key point is that the only three bedrooms are connected. Even if the house is divided, the furniture will be taken away by others, so the only way is to pay money.

"How much does he want?"

"200 yuan, your sister's house was only sold for this price. Your brother-in-law's uncle knew your sister was doing business so he deliberately raised the price to annoy her."

Song Qiusheng was furious: "He stole the money from our family and ran away, almost killing our whole family. How can he have the nerve to come back?"

Song's mother sighed, "What can we do about it? Everyone back then is dead. Your brother-in-law wasn't even born then, and your sister's mother-in-law hadn't married yet, so there's nothing we can do about it."

Song Qiusheng frowned: "Who is that person now?"

"He has no job. I heard that he went to be someone's son-in-law, and now he is so poor at home that he comes back to ask for money, or he wants to share the house with others."

No wonder my sister and her family were so worried; it turned out to be because of this incident.

200 yuan is nothing. The key point is that the behavior of this malicious person is not worth giving him money.

Song Shixia and his brother could both come up with 200 yuan, but they would not give the money to such a person.

Song's mother changed the subject: "Let's not talk about it anymore. I'm going to go see if the food is ready. Let's eat quickly."

Song Dongdong brought his two nephews to his room.

He straightened his back and acted like a little adult: "Sit anywhere. How old are you?"

Ji Yang looked him in the eye: "Four and a half years old. This year's birthday will make you five years old."

Song Dongdong avoided his gaze. Why did his little nephew look at him like an adult?

He excitedly changed the subject: "Can you two read? I have a comic book for you to read."

Ji Yuan raised his hand happily: "We also have comics!"

Song Dongdong thought that his comic book was bought by his sister, and she must have bought some for them as well. He felt a little sour in his heart, as he was no longer the only brother that his sister loved.

Ji Yuan pulled his legs and said, "Uncle, can you read comic strips? My brother and I don't know many words."

Song Dongdong's feeling of loss disappeared immediately, and he patted his chest and said, "Of course I can! I'll tell you."

When Song Shixia came in and called them to eat, they saw several kids with their heads leaning against each other.

"It's time for dinner, what are you doing?"

Song Dongdong turned around for the first time.

“I’m telling them stories.”

She praised her brother: "Not bad, this is more like an uncle, come out and have dinner."

Song Shixia waved her hand, and the little guy ran to her happily.

Song Dongdong pouted. He was also raised by his sister, so he was not jealous.

Song Shixia turned around and looked at him: "Song Dongdong, why are you standing there like an idiot? Aren't you hungry?"

Song Dongdong followed happily.

"Hungry! I'm starving to death."

Today was supposed to be a simple lunch, so when the children returned home, Mother Song made some impromptu chicken stewed with potatoes, stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, and vegetable and egg soup.

At the dinner table, Song's mother found out that Xiao Li was her son-in-law's driver. She couldn't help but wonder about his family background. She looked at her daughter who was concentrating on eating and shook her head helplessly.

As soon as Song's father got home, he started chatting with his son-in-law. While Song Shixia was chatting with her mother and brother in the main room, Ji Weiqing was chatting with his father-in-law in the kitchen. He accidentally burned his hand with the steam from the pot lid that had just been opened.

Song's mother scooped some meat for Xiao Li with a spoon and said, "Eat more meat, little guy. Don't be restrained at home."

Xiao Li praised sincerely: "Auntie's cooking skills are really good. She even stir-fried the cabbage so deliciously."

"Eat more meat. You're a young man and you have to drive home later. Eating meat will give you the strength to drive."

Xiao Li smiled embarrassedly. He felt that his eating manners must have been embarrassing today. How could simple stir-fried cabbage and stewed chicken be so delicious!

Mother Song held the bowl and smiled: "We can't finish the cabbage at home, and I don't know why the green vegetables in the yard keep growing. If you like, you can take a few cabbages back later. It's not worth it."

Cabbage is not scarce in the winter in the north. Every household has cabbage in its cellar. Besides cabbage, there are potatoes on the table. Those with better conditions will make cabbage, pork and vermicelli stew.

Father Song showed a long-lost smile on his face.

"Forget about the greens. The chickens, ducks and pigs in the backyard are all fattened up with cabbage leaves."

Song Qiu Sheng remembered that the pig at home had not been killed yet: "Mom, it's almost New Year's Day, why don't you sell the pig? Dongdong said that you two should keep the pig for us, and my sister and I can't eat a whole pig no matter how much we eat!"

Song Shixia was pouring soup into the bowls of the two kids to soak their rice. Hearing this, he raised his head.

"Why are you involving me again? I can't eat a pig."

Song's mother and her husband looked at each other, and then told their two children,

"Your father and I have planned to give each of you one of the two pigs. It's up to you to decide whether to sell them or kill them for meat."

Song Shixia touched the children's heads and told them to eat their meals obediently.

"Why? I bought the piglets for you to raise."

Song Qiusheng was equally puzzled: "That's right, why did you two raise me for half a year?"

"You two paid for this. Your father and I won't give you any money for the chickens and ducks. Just consider it as wages for helping you raise pigs."

Song Shixia was full of disapproval: "How can a family be so estranged? It's true that I paid for the money, and my brother helped buy the poultry. Our original intention was to let you two earn some pocket money. How much money can you make from farming throughout the year?"

Song's mother glanced at her son-in-law and said, "You still have your own family to take care of. Don't always worry about me and your father. Your brother and Dongdong are still supporting you at home."

Song Shixia put down her chopsticks and said solemnly, "Mom, I don't agree with what you said. I am married, but I am still a member of this family. I can live a good life after marriage, but don't you believe that my brother and I can lead our family well?"

That wasn't what Song's mother meant. She wanted to say that her son-in-law's family was very well off, and if her daughter kept trying to be disloyal, her relatives might think too much.

Professor Ji held her hand under the table and signaled his wife to calm down.

"Mom, this is Xia Xia's filial piety. She hopes that you and Dad live well, so that she can feel at ease in the capital. She manages our family very well, you don't have to worry about her not being able to make a living. She is more sensible and likable than you think. My mother loves her as her own daughter, and my sister and younger sister like her very much. Xia Xia has returned to school to take the college entrance examination next year. She is a very good girl."

Song's mother was confused. Her son-in-law said a lot of good things about her daughter? What about taking the college entrance examination? Didn't they say they would take the exam in two years?

Song Qiu Sheng cast an admiring look at his brother-in-law. He didn't expect that Professor Ji, who usually didn't like to talk, would say such a long thing this time.

"Mom, don't use our hometown thinking to guess other people's parents. Just relax, I'm still doing business in the city. If my sister is wronged, I will be the first to come to my house. I have met my brother-in-law's family. They are very kind. Last time they treated me to a big meal, they invited me to join them. The things that were taken from my sister's car today are all gifts prepared by her mother-in-law for you."

Song's father was puzzled. Why did he send so many gifts?

Song Shixia took the initiative to explain to her parents: "My parents-in-law haven't retired yet. They have to receive some important guests during the Chinese New Year, so they can't come to our house to pay New Year's greetings."

The expression on Song's father's face was unpredictable, but Song's mother calmed down.

"Since Xiao Ji said so, let's just be frank. I speak to your dad more directly. Xiao Ji, don't take it to heart."

"My daughter is marrying up into your family. We can probably guess the conditions of your family. It must be a wealthy family. We are not the kind of people who are shameless. We will not throw ourselves at our in-laws just because they are capable. So we tacitly agree that my daughter will not pay money to support the family. Please don't mind."

Professor Ji said slowly, "Xia Xia never used my salary to subsidize you. I took it upon myself to ask my mother to help send you winter cotton clothes without telling you. Dad and Mom, you should trust her. Xia Xia's ability to make money is not inferior to mine."

Mother Song opened her mouth, but suddenly she didn't know how to say what she had prepared in her mind.

Song Shixia helplessly held up her forehead and said, "Mom, I have the ability to make money myself, so I don't need to use his salary to subsidize you and my dad. The money I use to buy chickens, ducks and pigs for my family is from the money I earned from selling Ganoderma lucidum. I know it clearly, so you and my dad can rest assured."

Ji Weiqing finally understood why she had separated her property from him.

"Dad, Mom, you should believe Xia Xia. She is not what you think."

Song Shixia felt a little guilty. If it were the original self, he would definitely use Professor Ji's salary to support his family. This is what the original self would do.

Song's mother wiped her eyes. She was against her daughter marrying and becoming a stepmother at first, and she would not listen no matter how she persuaded her. Her daughter even threatened her to sever the mother-daughter relationship. She cried all day and night for fear that her daughter would be bullied after getting married.

Now my daughter has changed a lot after getting married, as if she has really become a different person. It seems that marriage can really change a woman's destiny.

"Okay, Mom won't be estranged from you. I'll go back and discuss this with your dad. We thought too much and ended up pushing you out."

Song Qiu Sheng made the decision right away: "Don't think about it, just kill the pig and sell the meat. Chinese New Year is coming soon anyway, and people in our village are gathering here to buy pork for the New Year, so it's more convenient to sell it to the village."

The conversation at the dinner table completely resolved my parents' worries, and they no longer had to find excuses to send things home.

Song Shixia shook his hand tightly under the table: "Thank you for speaking for me."

Professor Ji frowned slightly, as if he was enduring the pain.

She looked down subconsciously and saw a red mark on the back of his hand.

"What's going on?"

Song's father looked up when he heard this and said, "Xiao Ji was helping in the kitchen and got his hand burned by the steam. I asked him to go to the bathroom to get some medicine, but he said just rinse with cold water."

Song Shixia glared at Ji Weiqing.

"Come with me after dinner to buy medicine."

Ji Wei said in a slow and clear voice,

"No, the pain will subside after it passes."

"Who is in charge of this family?"

Professor Ji quickly replied: "You."

Song Shixia snorted: "Then listen to me."

The ninth day failed, it seems that I can only have the sixth day this month.