CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: GETTING ALONG AS A FAMILY

On summer afternoons, the young wives idling at home in the residential building liked to gather in front of Liu Xiue’s grocery store, each bringing a small stool to sit in the shade of the entrance, chatting leisurely about everyday matters.

Zhao Meimei ran wild with other little friends like Da Bao under the blazing sun, sweat pouring as she ran home, and when she reached the grocery store entrance, Zhao Meimei tilted her thin eyelids up with style and called to her mom, "Mom, I’m thirsty. I want strawberry filling!"

Zhao Meimei loved the crunchy ice around the rich milk of strawberry filling, sweet and refreshing.

Liu Xiue looked at her drenched in sweat, hurriedly tossing a clean towel to wipe her face, "Look at you, sweating like crazy! You can have a popsicle, sit here and eat it, finish it before playing! Cool off!"

Taking the popsicle, Zhao Meimei bit into the crunchy ice with her neat white teeth, showing a satisfied expression.

A young wife chatting idly with Liu Xiue at the grocery store entrance unintentionally turned her head to look at the roadside, saying, "Hey? Isn’t that Shi Yang from the bungalow? I must say, this kid really resembles his mother."

Several heads at the grocery store entrance turned to look at the roadside, seeing Shi Yang carrying something, his tall and slim figure appearing quite handsome.

Though Shi Yang was only in middle school, he was good-looking, standing tall with defined bones.

His family’s conditions were good. On such a hot day, he wore a trendy T-shirt with simple prints and a pair of knee-length shorts with a leather belt, and pure leather sandals on his feet.

His features were deep and beautiful, walking with his head up and chest out, a light smile forming near his brows, looking stylish.

Zhao Meimei saw Shi Yang too, jumping up from her chair, running forward excitedly, calling out, "Brother Yangyang!"

Shi Yang smiled as he bent down, waiting for her to come closer, then hugged her small waist, lifting her into his arms, affectionately rubbing her face, getting it wet.

Shi Yang frowned, "Where did you run wild this hot day?"

Zhao Meimei offered her sticky popsicle to Brother Yangyang, "Strawberry filling, eat it, it’s so refreshing."

Shi Yang glanced at it, not minding, and took a bite.

Liu Xiue turned to the icebox, fetching a peanut ice brick more expensive than Zhao Meimei’s strawberry filling, calling Shi Yang, "Hot day, come over, have an ice popsicle to cool down."

Shi Yang came up, politely greeted the few ladies sitting at the entrance, then reached out to take the ice brick Liu Xiue handed over, also giving her the bag he was carrying.

Liu Xiue took a look inside, seeing four boxes of metal canned food of the old Shanghai brand luncheon meat. Liu Xiue’s grocery store also sold luncheon meat, but all processed by the city’s meat processing plant, which couldn’t compare to this premium canned food.

Zhao Meimei poked her head to look, delighted, "I love luncheon meat, I’ll eat this tonight!"

Liu Xiue was quite touched; Shi Yang and his mother genuinely maintained a good relationship with them, always bringing over something nice for them to share whenever they got something good at home.

Liu Xiue accepted it without pretentious politeness; the relationship was clear, such gestures could only be repaid slowly with gratitude, bringing it up directly would seem false and distant.

Smiling, Liu Xiue said to Zhao Meimei, "Brother Yangyang thinks of you when he has something tasty, you should thank your brother quickly."

Shi Yang smiled, turning his head to look at Zhao Meimei in his arms, waiting for her gratitude, not expecting Zhao Meimei to pout her lips, intending to kiss him.

Shi Yang was caught off guard, and they ended up kissing.

Zhao Meimei kissed with earnest effort, producing a loud ’muah’ sound.

The adults burst into laughter.

Upon realizing she kissed the wrong place, Zhao Meimei, still young, saw no embarrassment in it, laughing heartily as she looked at Brother Yangyang, who seemed flushed and amused.

Shi Yang was naturally fair-skinned, now blushed red by the few adults laughing at him, frowning slightly, feeling awkward. He tousled Zhao Meimei’s wet head complainingly, "Kissing foolishly!"

Zhao Meimei giggled, holding his neck, kissing his face again, "I’m thanking you!"

Shi Yang looked at her innocent childish face, his face showing a doting expression, pinching Zhao Meimei’s chubby little face tenderly.

Liu Xiue thought little of it, lacking the realization that her oblivious little girl had accidentally given away her first kiss, thinking the kids were young and a mistaken kiss didn’t matter.

Watching Shi Yang’s shy awkwardness, she couldn’t help bursting into laughter, bending over with the others.

Residents of the building knew each other well, trivial matters could spread quickly, becoming the talk during idle chats, gossip that people loved to share and revisit often.

Shi Yang and his mother lived in the bungalow, not originally part of the factory, initially mysterious, leading to all sorts of private discussions, actual gossip mainly because Shi Yang’s mother was both young and beautiful, raising her child alone, with neighbors rarely seeing her partner.

After Zhao Meimei’s family got close to Shi Yang’s family, neighbors would consciously avoid talking about them when gossiping.

People privately said many things, gathering bits of gossip into everyday talk.

Because Shi Yang and his mother lived well, their food, use, clothing, and attire were not cheap, unlike the nearly equal standard factory families, making Shi Yang’s family different.

This led to speculation about where Shi Yang’s mother got her money, given she never worked, often seen leisurely visiting Liu Xiue’s grocery store or airing out household items on sunny mornings.

Sometimes, the gossip would include Zhao Meimei’s family, who were close to them.

The residents were mainly envious, watching as both families seemed like one, indulging Zhao Meimei, allowing her to enjoy better goods than other kids, especially after befriending Shi Yang’s family, making her even more indulged.

The rose-pink fluffy princess dress Zhao Meimei often wore was a gift from Shi Yang’s mom, brought specially from the city, rumored to be from the department store, which sold no cheap goods.

These talks, Liu Xiue heard gradually, not heeding them; their bond with Shi Yang’s family was emotional, not easily swayed by gossip, intending lifelong companionship and friendship.

Shi Yang’s family often provided Zhao Meimei’s family with good things to eat and drink, prompting Zhao Meimei’s family to reciprocate with warmth; whenever Shi Yang’s mom visited the city, Shi Yang would be treated like family by Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue, loved as a son, Zhao Meimei’s bond with Shi Yang growing tight, closer than actual siblings.