CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 29: NATIONAL DAY’S HEARTACHE

After eating buns and noodles, paying the bills, and tying the two cloth bags onto the back of the bicycle, he carefully pedaled home with a bamboo basket packed by the master chef. It was indeed getting late, estimating he would be riding back in the dark.

Hurrying along the way, he didn’t dare to waste any time. What was supposed to be a half-hour journey took 40 minutes by bicycle, carrying the wine. He felt ashamed for not accurately judging the time, realizing he still needed to buy a watch.

Entering the courtyard, it was quiet; only the main room had shadows and sounds, probably the family returning from work for dinner. Zhang Guoqing looked at the large and small bags in his hands, decided not to go into the main room, but went directly to his room to put things away, see his wife and child, and then head to the main room to eat.

He directly parked the bicycle under the eaves of the west wing, put down the things at his room’s doorstep, locked the bicycle, and quietly entered the bedroom. He saw Jiao Jiao softly chatting with their son, babbling away, looking somewhat silly and clearly bored.

"Oh, son, you’re not asleep, huh? You knew Daddy was back? Daddy brought persimmons, pears, and wild fruits for the baby. Too bad the baby can’t eat them yet. Grow up quickly, and Daddy will take you and your mom to pick wild fruits in the mountains. In our Daqing Mountain, wild fruits are abundant year-round, much better than other mountains."

Zhang Guoqing spoke with a smile, poured hot water, washed his face, and declared to Zhou Jiao with pride, "I saw ’bitter girl’ today, thought you liked them, bought some for you. Later, I’ll ask Mom if we can blanch them in boiling water so you can ease your cravings."

Zhou Jiao immediately perked up, joyfully said, "They can only be eaten hot, even then they are not suitable. The son is still little, I’ll bear it, can’t risk it. Give them to me, I’ll hide them away first, and eat after the confinement month. This thing’s sweetness comes only after frost. We don’t grow them at home, though Elder Uncle’s family has two plants. I can’t compete with the kids for it. Now, it’s just right - saved for a slow enjoyment. By the way, why did it take so long? Wasn’t it only shopping? Did something hold you up? Is everything okay? Is there turmoil in the county now?"

Zhang Guoqing handed her the dilapidated bag containing the persimmons, pears, and some wild fruits. Seeing her keep it well and still eyeing him for an answer, comforted, he said, "All is fine. Now you can still see people selling fruits on the streets, the same as what you saw last year. But today, I saw some new slogans, indicating the People’s Commune is forming, likely after the new year. The current production team might agree to reform. The anti-rightist movement is intense, and slogans are everywhere in the county. We stay out of these matters. I came back late asking the master for wine, haha. Did you eat tonight? What did you have? Anything particular you’d like, have Mom prepare it."

Upon hearing, Zhou Jiao thought for a moment and shook her head, "Forget it, whatever stew, lacking salt still tastes the same. Bringing out more things causes unease. Tonight, I had Mom’s braised pig’s feet and a bowl of noodles. I used a small bowl to let Mom have some, had to persuade her to eat. The pig’s feet and noodles were tasteless too, but for our son, I pushed through. After Mom went out to wash diapers, letting me rest, I secretly ate the confinement meal."

Listening, Zhang Guoqing pursed his lips, wanting to say something but held back. A big family dining with one ladle of food makes anything special well-known, which is a downside. The stove must be installed somehow, so she doesn’t have to sneak confinement meals, feeling like a thief, hard to digest too.

"If they say anything, don’t mind them. Even if they’re eating coarse bread, there’s nothing to be upset about. We use our own money to buy things, maybe some secret complaints, but don’t need to mistreat ourselves for others. Be friendly with those who are nice, less with those who aren’t."

"No one, not even Second Sister-in-law, complained, all are nice. That’s why I feel I should be understanding, not always provoke others. Just Eldest Sister-in-law came to our room to see Ping’an, chatted a bit. I felt bad eating selfishly. Did you eat yet? At night, it’s probably sweet potato rice again. Want to eat some beforehand? Did you trade tickets for goods? Put these things in the cabinet, more people will come." Zhou Jiao quickly shook her head, motioning with her hands, not wanting Zhang Guoqing to misunderstand.

"That’s good, after the New Year, moving out will be more convenient. Look at what few items we have, besides those needed with tickets. Today there were good flawed products, wool yarn with color variation, but quality’s fine. 28 yuan discounted to 12, so I bought wool yarn, just right for winter here. Your wool clothes are quite new, no rush, and what you gave me is still new. Keep for later use.

Canvas shoes were half price; I bought two pairs, one for Dad. The sales clerk said for women it’s 8 two - 1 jin, for men, it’s 1 - 1.2 jin, right? Dark red for Mom, 1 jin, dark blue for Dad, 1 jin, let them knit. The flawed towels are only 2 mao each, bought five. Mom envied Little Ping’an’s diapers, so give her two. Also bought two cans of malted milk, unpolluted, good for us to drink every day, good for health. This wine put it in the space to handle, else it smells too strong. After pouring 2 jin for Dad, put the rest in space. Oh, almost forgot to ask, using space during confinement, any effect on your body, feel weak, not energetic? If abnormal, stop immediately, and after confinement, use sparingly."

"No issues, before, when you asked me to store gold, it was already tested, rest assured, I take care of myself. My bottles are so exquisite, hard to bring out." Zhou Jiao pouted, rolled her eyes, Zhang Guoqing turned to kiss her gently.

"Pour the wine into other big bottles, keep 2-3 jin, it’s the same." Zhang Guoqing held her in his arms, "Tonight we sleep early, I haven’t been mindful of your rest. Tomorrow I won’t go out, and will stay at home with you."

Zhang Guoqing gently patted his son, with a soft kiss to his forehead.

"When did the son last drink milk? He slept until 2 AM and woke up crying, I fed milk powder once. I didn’t see him awake when I left at 5 AM."

"In the morning, as soon as you left, he woke up crying. After feeding, he slept again till nearly 10 AM, probably every 3-4 hours for a feed."

"Observe for a few more days to figure out the routine. For milk, mix breast milk and formula, or else your body won’t handle it. No use even if you supplement. The confinement meals eat heartily. I didn’t find a stove today, will check the warehouse later. I ate when I returned home, that Sister Huang from the restaurant is marrying Crazy Guy at the year’s end, inviting us to the banquet. This wine was also from the master chef."

Hearing of the master chef, Zhou Jiao understood he went to barter again, gave him a side-eye, "I also have your wine collection here, you can take two bottles to the master chef. The jars of wine, the wool, and the shoes, send them first so they’re on table before dinner."

He tuned in for any noise outside the yard, nodded, and carried the sorted bags, holding wine and beef, "I’ll go to the main room, Ping’an, Daddy’s going to eat, you be good and keep your mom company."

Watching him leave, Zhou Jiao spoke to her son, "Baby, it’s just the two of us again." She touched Ping’an’s little hand, "My baby, grow up quickly, and Mommy will also take you to the city to play. Let’s see what Grandma’s letter says."