On the second day of the New Year, when it comes to returning to her maternal home, Ge Sanmei got up early in the morning of the second day. She took out the best blue cloth jacket from the wardrobe, and then said to Li Xianglu who was still lying on the kang bed, "Xiang, get up quickly, your grandma wants to see you."
What? Li Xianglu was in a daze, half-asleep, and suddenly being told that her grandmother wanted to see her made her freeze.
Without turning her head, Ge Sanmei continued, "Hurry up and get ready, put on the new rabbit fur shoes you made. It's a long way to travel."
After saying that, she addressed Li Jianqing, who was still sleeping soundly, "San'er, you get up too. Your aunt is going to the commune today, you should go with her for a visit. Don't you want to attend middle school? You can take this opportunity to check out the school."
Upon hearing this, Li Jianqing sat up abruptly from under the quilt, his face confused, "Mom, are you agreeing to let me study?"
Ge Sanmei turned around with an irritated look and glanced at Li Xianglu, who was getting dressed in the quilt, before saying to her son, "Yes, I agree. I would never object if you want to study, but remember, you have to study hard."
Li Jianqing nodded vigorously and looked at his sister who had already folded her quilt and said somewhat shamelessly, "Mom, I want to go with you to Grandma's house too..."
"Forbid it!" A loud shout came, and both of them looked in shock at Ge Sanmei, who was frowning at them from the head of the kang.
Ge Sanmei realized her voice and reaction were somewhat overdone. Her face, slightly contorted, moved unnaturally, then she said to Li Jianqing, "San'er, enough with the nonsense. There's a serious matter to deal with when taking your second brother and sister to Grandma's house."
At this, Li Jianqing became unhappy, "What serious matter is that? Why can't you take me along?"
Ge Sanmei, glancing at Li Xianglu who was looking back at her with some suspicion, hurriedly explained, "My dear, your second brother is no longer young, we need to start looking for a match for him soon. Bringing only him would attract too much attention, but if your sister comes along, no one will talk."
Hearing this, Li Jianqing finally nodded and said, "Alright then, but you have to bring me back some good food."
Hearing that her little tyrant of a brother agreed not to go, Ge Sanmei almost burst into tears with emotion and quickly agreed, "Alright, quickly get up. It's late, Aunt Liu is about to leave."
Upon hearing this, Li Jianqing hurriedly got dressed. His shoes were rabbit fur ones made by his sister. Although they were a bit ugly, they were undeniably warm. Even if they got wet, they were easy to dry and exceptionally comfortable.
Li Xianglu was somewhat puzzled as to why Ge Sanmei would take her to her maternal home, as, according to the original owner's memory, it was usually her two older brothers who were taken back in past years. Ge Sanmei's maternal family was well-off, and each visit meant a meal with meat. Why would she think of herself for such an opportunity to eat meat? There was something fishy about this, but Ge Sanmei's explanation seemed plausible. In the countryside, match-making couldn't be done overtly; if a match wasn't successful and people found out, it would reflect badly on both families.
With some doubts, they set off. Li Erfu drove the mule cart, while Aunt Liu Aidang took her daughter-in-law, daughter, and grandson, all back to her maternal home, carrying a large basket covered with cloth. Without looking, you could tell it likely contained food. During this time, most families did not have the means to send New Year's gifts and would typically bring some grain to see relatives. Those who could afford it would bring a slab of meat. Bringing a whole basketful of stuff like Liu Aidang was an indication of very good financial condition.
Ge Sanmei was also carrying two baskets, each with gauze stretched over the top. Noticing Liu Aidang's curious gaze, she explained, "Planning to visit my second brother-in-law later, cannot go empty-handed, brought some corn bread as gifts."
Liu Aidang didn't ask any questions but simply smiled and nodded. Seeing Li Xianglu also joining the journey, she was startled for a moment. Had Ge Sanmei really changed her ways? That seemed impossible. But her heart was no longer as insistent as before.
Ge Sanmei's maternal family was in the West Town Production Team of the Mizhi Commune, which was west of the Jigu Commune—a considerable distance from Li Family Village Production Team. The whole journey was a full twenty li (around 10 kilometers), but from the Jigu Commune, it was only about ten li (around 5 kilometers). After dropping off Liu Aidang, Li Erfu drove the mule cart, delivering his wife and children to the West Town Production Team. Upon arrival, he left them there and drove the cart back immediately, having been told there was no need to pick them up later. The mule belonged to the team, and it was communal property; he couldn't use it to visit his mother-in-law, so he quickly turned around to head back.
Ge Sanmei, carrying the two baskets, attracted many curious glances along the way.
Proud as she was, Ge Sanmei merely smiled and greeted people without giving any substantial answers.
Li Xianglu noticed that this West Town Production Team is surrounded by mountains on one side, and people also lived in cave dwellings, but their clothes and appearances generally seemed much wealthier than those in Li Family Village.
Ge Sanmei's parental home was a prominent household of the West Town Production Team, with four sons and just Ge Sanmei, the eldest daughter, with all younger brothers.
However, they had divided the family property early on. The families of farmers with undivided households had more issues, and when it came to allotting private plots, it was based on households; having more people didn't mean a benefit to the household, so they divided early.
Ge Sanmei's father had passed away ten years ago, leaving behind only the elderly mother living with the eldest son.
Uncle Ge, in his forties this year, is the captain of the village security team with considerable prestige, while the second uncle of the Ge Family is the accountant for the production team, and their family conditions were relatively good.
Upon seeing the appearances of the Ge Family, Li Xianglu felt that they all had a harsh look about them, with upturned eyes, large noses, thin lips – such features suggested they were not easy to get along with.
As soon as Aunt Ge saw Ge Sanmei carrying two baskets, her face lit up with a smile as she stepped forward to take them.
Ge Sanmei slightly sidestepped and said with a frown, "Sister-in-law, the contents of this basket are New Year gifts for Jianwen's teacher, I dare not touch them. This basket," she said, looking at her mother who appeared behind her, "contains some yellow cornbread and some mutton, brought for the family."
Yellow cornbread and mutton; this year's gifts are exceptionally generous.
Granny Ge's squinting eyes widened in an instant when she heard this, and she smiled, showing off her yellowed teeth; Li Xianglu felt chills.
Uncle Ge, upon hearing his sister had brought meat as a gift, also warmly greeted, "So this is our nephew, the star student of the family, looking quite the talent."
Li Jianwen, upon hearing about the customs of Ma Shan, asked with modesty, "Uncle, happy New Year."
Uncle Ge, pleased, immediately smiled and said to his sister, "Sis, you've raised a good boy." He then glanced at the slim girl beside and frowned, "Is this the little niece from home?"
Li Xianglu, as if she hadn't noticed the Ge Family's disdain, greeted with a beaming smile, "Uncle, happy New Year!"
Uncle Ge didn't expect the girl to have more courage than when he had seen her in previous years; he squinted his eyes and then smiled, "Good, all good children."
The food at the Ge Family's place was about the same quality as at the Li Family's, but possibly because Ge Sanmei brought meat, they even made dumplings with mutton filling, though not enough for everyone, with just one bowl of dumplings per person.
The Uncle Ge's household had quite a number of people; two sons and a young daughter of his own. The Ge Family's young daughter was much younger and tinier than Li Xianglu and also far too timid, trembling as she held her dumplings, probably would get scared enough to break the bowl if someone just shouted at her.
Li Xianglu, holding a bowl of dumplings handed to her by Ge Sanmei, sat on the brick bed by the stove to eat and noticed the girl had just three dumplings in her bowl. Seeing the eight in her own, she couldn't help but put two into the girl's bowl, and the young girl looked immensely grateful.
Ah, it seems favoritism within the Ge Family is hereditary.
Li Xianglu didn't eat fast; after finishing six dumplings, she saw the young girl sitting beside her started to sway slightly.
What's going on? Li Xianglu put down her bowl and moved over to support her, but for some reason, she felt very dizzy herself. Looking up, she saw the people sitting on the brick bed all blurry, and then with a thud, Li Xianglu felt the world go dark before her eyes.