How could Li Mingliang not hear the sarcasm in Wang Jieshi's words? He felt as if something was blocking his heart.
He withdrew his gaze from Wang Jieshi's face, turned around, and walked out of the main room. Seeing Chuntao coming out with the dumplings, he quickly stepped forward to catch them, his tone polite, "Sorry to trouble you, Chuntao."
Wang Xiaoming also brought over two bowls, and Wang Xiaohong went to the kitchen to help bring out the dishes.
Chuntao had specially prepared four dishes: a bowl of shiny braised pork, a plate of stir-fried shredded radish, a plate of dried beans stir-fried with meat, and a saucer of cold white fungus.
Her cooking skills were good, and even ordinary home-cooked dishes looked tempting and appetizing.
This meal was particularly awkward. Chuntao was afraid that Wang Jieshi would be suspicious, so she didn't dare to offer Li Mingliang food, leaving Wang Xiaohong to do it constantly.
"Brother Mingliang, try this! The braised pork my sister-in-law made is very delicious!" As she spoke, she pushed the plate of meat towards him.
At that time, southern Henan's rural areas were generally poor. For many families, large white steamed buns were a rare treat only eaten during festivals. In Wang Xiaohong's eyes, distinguished guests should eat the best.
But Li Mingliang worked in the oilfield, and the canteen food was not bad.
White flour steamed buns and meat buns were plentiful, rice and noodles were alternated, and the dishes were a mix of meat and vegetables, so he didn't crave this bite of meat.
But it was hard to refuse such hospitality, so he picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, sincerely praising, "Mmm! The taste is really authentic!"
He looked up and scanned this dilapidated thatched cottage with air leaking everywhere, thought of the disabled man lying in bed, and recalled those sarcastic words, feeling increasingly sorry for Chuntao.
Such a good girl, trapped in this poor nest, spending her life guarding a difficult man, it was really a loss.
After eating, Li Mingliang didn't stay long and stood up to take his leave.
It was completely dark, and a thin layer of ice had formed on the road, making it slippery and hard to walk on.
Wang Xiaohong wanted to borrow a flashlight from Zhou Zhijun's house, but on second thought, today was New Year's Eve, and there was a rural custom of "not borrowing things during the New Year," for fear of touching people's taboos, so she didn't go.
She went back to the house to light the old hurricane lamp and, together with Wang Xiaoming, escorted Li Mingliang back.
On the way, Wang Xiaohong remembered Wang Jieshi's unpleasant words and, afraid that Li Mingliang would be unhappy, quickly explained, "Brother Mingliang, don't take my brother's nonsense to heart.
He doesn't have any bad intentions. It's just that lying in bed for so long makes him feel suffocated, so his words have a sting!"
Li Mingliang smiled, saying, "I know, I'm not angry." But the stuffiness in his heart hadn't dissipated, and he felt even more sorry for Chuntao.
Meanwhile, Chuntao was brushing the pot and washing the bowls in the kitchen, her heart in a mess.
Wang Jieshi was a suspicious person, looking at everyone as if they had bad intentions. Those words just now were clearly meant to embarrass Li Mingliang.
People kindly saved her and brought so many New Year's goods today, only to have to listen to these unpleasant words. Chuntao felt both guilty and aggrieved.
"Tao!"
A sudden call startled Chuntao.
She turned her head and saw that Zhou Zhijun had entered the kitchen.
He held a flashlight in one hand and took out a brown paper package from his bosom with the other, placing it on the chopping board, "Roasted peanuts!"
As the village's militia captain, from New Year's Eve to the fifth day of the first lunar month, he had to take turns keeping watch with other militiamen.
There were no big thieves during the New Year, mostly small thefts like stealing dumplings, taking steamed buns, or walking off with firewood and agricultural tools.
Zhou Zhijun put down the peanuts and closed the kitchen door, "Tao, on this good day of the New Year, I can't be close to you..."
He hugged her from behind, his lips pressed against the top of her hair, his voice suppressed and hoarse.
Chuntao's hand slipped, and the bowl fell into the pot with a "clatter." Her small body couldn't move, and she could only turn her head to avoid him.
"Let me go, Xiaohong and the others will be back soon!"
Zhou Zhijun had just seen Zhou Xiaohong and her brother leave with the hurricane lamp, accompanied by a stranger.
He asked, "Who is that person?"
"A worker from the oilfield!" Chuntao didn't say much, "Hurry up and go!"
He turned Chuntao's body around and suddenly picked her up.
"Tao!" His eyes were full of desire.
Chuntao, "Put me down!"
"What if I want to do it?"
"You're crazy. You know the temper of Xiaohong and her brother. Let go..."
"Don't be afraid, I'm just joking. Let me hold you a little longer!"
The hot air from his mouth sprayed on her face, making Chuntao feel hot all over, her small face completely red!
It wasn't until he heard footsteps outside that Zhou Zhijun put her down, lowering his voice and saying, "Tao, after the New Year, I want it!"
He opened the kitchen door, took the flashlight, and left. Chuntao was both ashamed and annoyed, with a hint of unacknowledged anticipation in her heart.
That night, Chuntao lay in bed, listening to the crackling of firecrackers outside and the laughter of children chasing to pick up firecrackers, feeling no joy of the New Year at all.
How could she endure the days to come?
...
After eating dumplings on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Chuntao and Wang Xiaohong went out to pay New Year calls, while Wang Xiaoming stayed at home to look after the house.
They first went to Aunt Zhou's house to pay New Year calls to the old couple.
Zhou Zhijun hadn't slept all night and had just lain down for a short while. Hearing their voices, he didn't get up, but he didn't fall asleep either.
Aunt Zhou stuffed melon seeds and candies into their pockets, then took out four brand-new one-yuan bills from the inner pocket of her cotton-padded jacket and smiled, "Come, girls, lucky money!"
"Godmother, how old am I? How can I still take lucky money?" Chuntao quickly stood up and walked out the door.
Wang Xiaohong also waved her hand, "Grandma, I'm not a child anymore, no, no!" She also walked towards the door.
"Why not? In front of me, no matter how old you are, you're still a child!"
Aunt Zhou didn't allow any explanation, first stuffing two yuan into Wang Xiaohong's pocket, and then trying to hand the remaining two yuan to Chuntao.
Just then, Zhou Xiaohai and Zhou Xiaobao rushed in.
Immediately after, the families of Zhou Zhiguo and Zhou Zhimin also entered the yard.
Aunt Zhou took advantage of the chaos to stuff the money into Chuntao's pocket, but it was still seen by the sharp-eyed Zhou Xiaoying.
She secretly tugged at Zhou Xiaomei's hem and lowered her voice, "I saw Grandma give Chuntao two yuan, did you see?"
Zhou Xiaomei's eyes widened instantly, "What? So much? Why didn't I see it!"
There were many people in the yard, and Chuntao couldn't take the money out and return it to Aunt Zhou, so she had to drag Wang Xiaohong away to say goodbye.
Wang Xiaohong and Chuntao then went from door to door to pay New Year calls to the Wang clan members.
Chuntao was afraid of meeting Zhou Zhaodi and didn't want to go to Wang Qingshan's house.
But Wang Qingshan's father, Old Man Wang, according to seniority, they had to call him uncle. It really didn't make sense not to go, so Chuntao had to bite the bullet and follow Wang Xiaohong there.
Old Man Wang and his wife Li Yuzhen were sitting in the main room. Seeing them come in, they quickly stood up to greet them.
Only a few days after getting married, Zhou Zhaodi had turned the family upside down. They had suffered a lot, and there was no joy on their faces.
"Uncle, Aunt, Happy New Year!" Wang Xiaohong saw that their faces were not good and said softly.
Chuntao also forced a smile and called out, "Uncle, Aunt."
"Come in and sit down, girls!"
Wang Xiaohong and Chounier were about the same age. Seeing her reminded Li Yuzhen of her own daughter, and her tears couldn't help but fall.
Chuntao and Wang Xiaohong naturally knew why she was crying. At a loss for how to comfort her, they stood in the room for a moment, not even daring to take a seat on the stools, before finally taking their leave.
Just as they walked out of the courtyard, they bumped into Wang Qingshan and Zhou Zhaodi, who were on their way back.
Zhou Zhaodi cast a sideways glance, looking Chuntao up and down. Curling her lips in disdain, she deliberately said to Wang Qingshan, What terrible luck! Stepping out on New Year's Day only to step right in a pile of dog shit!
Wang Qingshan obviously knew she was making a veiled attack, but he could only play deaf and dumb, choosing not to reply.
Are you deaf or mute? Didn't you hear me talking to you? Zhou Zhaodi persisted relentlessly.
I heard you, I heard you, Wang Qingshan hastily replied, pulling her toward the courtyard.
But Zhou Zhaodi shook off his hand, turned back to glare at Chuntao, and cursed, You filthy thing! Instead of staying properly at home, you come out here to disgust people!
Chuntao's eyes instantly turned red. Biting her lower lip tightly, she really wanted to throw caution to the wind and rush up to have it out with Zhou Zhaodi.
But on second thought, today was the first day of the Lunar New Year. Starting a shouting match would only make them a laughingstock to the neighbors. She had no choice but to force down her anger, grabbing Wang Xiaohong's arm to lead her away.
But Wang Xiaohong was not about to let this go.
Zhou Zhaodi always loved to gossip and stir up trouble out of thin air, and today she was bullying Chuntao right in front of her. She absolutely could not swallow this insult!
Wang Xiaohong suddenly shook off Chuntao's hand, took a few quick strides right into Wang Qingshan's courtyard, planted one hand on her hip, and pointed aggressively toward the main room with the other.
Zhou Zhaodi! Come out here if you have the guts! You make it clear to me right now, who exactly were you just calling a filthy thing?
