RMCF: Chapter 56

 

Chapter 56

“This place is built pretty well; it really looks like something. And look at all these pots, bowls and the stove—every single one brand new.”

Liu Xianglan made three rounds around the tea stall, inside and out. She glanced at Xu He, then glanced again. Finally, Zhang Shiyue came over to greet her. “Madam Xu, you're here. Please, have a seat.”

“All right.” Liu Xianglan finally withdrew her gaze, unceremoniously sat down in the tea stall, poured herself some tea, and began questioning Xu He about everything—how much it cost to build the stall, whether business was good, and so on. 

Xu He shook his head. He knew his mother's nature well enough. “Why are you asking all this, Mother? Thinking of giving us a subsidy?”

“Our household is still struggling. How could we have money to give you? With both the meat stall and this tea stall, you must be rolling in it, no?” 

“Mother, business isn't that easy.”

“Save it. Starting to cry poor to me already? I'm not asking to borrow money.”

Liu Xianglan crossed her legs, looking every bit like someone who owned the place. She opened her mouth to say something else when suddenly she spotted a tall, sturdy figure at the entrance. She unconsciously straightened her legs. 

“Oh, Mother-in-law is here.”

Zhang Fangyuan saw her as soon as he entered. He put down his bucket and went to get a drink of water.

Liu Xianglan rubbed her thighs. “Ahm yes. He Ger's father was thinking how hard it must be for you, opening a tea stall and all, so he told me to bring some vegetables from the field. From now on, if you need any, just go pick them yourselves from the garden. Save a little where you can.”

Zhang Fangyuan clicked his tongue. “Well, that's a surprise.”

Liu Xianglan added, “Another day, have He Ger come home for a meal. We're in the same village, but he hasn't been back in a while.”

“That would be great.”

Liu Xianglan found speaking with Zhang Fangyuan as uncomfortable as sitting on pins and needles—like the bench was on fire. After a few exchanges, she ran out of things to say. She had been eyeing the good pork Xu He had put aside, wanting to ask for a piece to take home, but with Zhang Fangyuan sitting there like a stern judge with his legs sprawled apart, the words turned over and over in her mind but wouldn't come out. 

She couldn't help but miss the early days when their families were first betrothed. Back then, Zhang Fangyuan had such an agreeable face and spoke so pleasantly. He came to their door every few days, always bringing meat. Now that he'd gotten the person, his true nature had surfaced. You couldn't cross him. Both her children’s marriages, each was causing their own kind of frustration for their natal family. 

“Well then, He Ger, come early tomorrow.” With that, Liu Xianglan stood up. “I'm going back.”

Zhang Shiyue poked her head out of the kitchen. “Madam Xu, stay for dinner. We're about to eat.”

“No need. The old man needs me at home to cook.”

Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He didn't insist on her staying. They let her come and go as she pleased.

“Why did you agree that I’d go back? Not only am I busy here, but if she's calling me home for a meal, there's definitely some scheme behind it.”

Zhang Fangyuan said, “What's there to be afraid of? I'll go back with you.”

Xu He thought for a moment. “Forget it. I'll go alone. If you come too, both our businesses here will be affected. Not worth it.”

“Can you handle it on your own?”

“Don't worry. No problem.”

Zhang Fangyuan grunted in acknowledgment. “Alright. If anything happens, stall for time. I'll handle it when I return.”

The next day, around noon, Xu He finally left the tea stall to go back to the Xu household. Although there were more customers for lunch than at other times, he had already set things in order before leaving. He left the rest to Zhang Shiyue, with Xiao'e and Xiaomao, who were playing nearby, able to lend a hand—sweeping floors, tending the fire, serving dishes—all no problem.

Xu He headed out with peace of mind.

As he approached the Xu family courtyard, he could see from a distance that smoke was already rising from the kitchen chimney. It seemed they had already started cooking. It was rare for them not to wait for him to come home before preparing the meal. Stepping into the courtyard, the sun was beating down, and he was already sweating beneath his straw hat. He took off the hat and hung it on a peg by the eaves, then heard some lively chatter coming from inside the house. 

“Auntie is here, and Second Sister is back too.”

Liu Xiangmei, who was fanning herself in the main hall, was taken aback  when she saw Xu He return. For a moment, she almost didn't recognize him. She had been chatting with Xu Shaochun, but upon seeing Xu He, she immediately abandoned Xu Shaochun and pulled him to sit beside her. She fanned him vigorously. “You must be hot. Why didn't Zhang Fangyuan use the cart to bring you? Look at you, all sweaty in this midday heat.”

As she spoke, Liu Xiangmei pulled out a handkerchief and started wiping Xu He's face.

Xu He instinctively leaned back a little. Such enthusiastic concern—he had never experienced this from anyone in this family, or from any relatives, for that matter. It was completely out of the blue.

Liu Xiangmei wasn't offended. Living in town for so many years, she had become adept at changing her demeanor as needed, and felt no embarrassment at all.

She glanced at Xu Shaochun beside her, then looked at Xu He and took his hand, gently patting it. “You've filled out nicely. Look how spirited you are. At your age, you're still growing. See, just a little growth and you've become so outstanding.”

Xu He gave a dry laugh. “Auntie, what are you saying?” 

“I'm not just saying this to flatter you. Look at our ger—tall and well-built and put on some wight too. The kind of looks that make people turn their heads for a second glance.”

Xu He thought to himself that things were better before. His aunt really spoke to him—just greeted him and then went back to chatting with Xu Shaochun. Today, she was truly acting strange. Instead of carrying on with her niece, she kept praising him instead. 

“Your butcher husband didn't come today?”

“He's in town running his stall.”

“Right, busy with business.” Liu Xiangmei smiled. “Your husband has always known how to treat people. Every time I go to buy meat, he recognizes me right away, calling me 'Auntie' this and 'Auntie' that, and always gives me a good deal.”

Xu He forced a smile. He had never heard Zhang Fangyuan mention any of this. He just responded, “As he should.”

“Little brother's life is good now, with two businesses on both sides, it's no wonder your Aunt is so fond of you and thinks of you constantly. Every family in the village says Zhang Fangyuan is a man of real ability.”

Liu Xiangmei held onto Xu He and chattered endlessly, as if she couldn't run out of things to say, completely neglecting Xu Shaochun. Several times, Xu Shaochun tried to interject, but Liu Xiangmei steered the conversation back to Xu He each time. Frustrated, Xu Shaochun spoke with sour sarcasm.

“Look, your Second Sister is getting upset. You're all married now. It's not easy for the whole family to get together like this. Why be so petty?”

Taking advantage of the pause, Xu He took a good look at his second sister and was somewhat shocked. The radiant, glamorous girl who once lived at home was nowhere to be seen. Today, she wore a plain-colored garment and not a single hair ornament. In the past, she had dressed like a young lady even at home, and when going out, she would scent her clothes with flower petals and adorn herself with hairpins and ornaments.

Now her eyes lacked luster, with slight bags underneath, as if she hadn't slept well for many days. Her once-delicate hands, which she had been so proud of—white and tender as scallions—were now calloused and yellowed, bearing knife cuts. Perhaps the summer sun and fieldwork had darkened her skin, or maybe it was from sleepless nights. 

In any case, the whole person looked wan and spiritless.

Xu He had occasionally heard that his second sister's life in the Fei household wasn't comfortable. Now he could see for himself. It was certainly not as good as when she was pampered at home. But that was normal. Once married, the one in charge was not her own mother; naturally, she wouldn't indulge or coddle her. If she did anything imperfectly or couldn't manage things properly, she’d be scolded and criticized. There were even more vicious mothers-in-law in the village who went so far as to resort to violence. 

With Liu Xianglan around, the Fei family probably wouldn't dare lay a hand on her. Besides, they considered themselves a scholarly family, and such rumors would damage their reputation. She might not suffer beatings, but a comfortable life was certainly out of the question.

Xu He couldn't help but sigh. Who would have known it would turn out like this? Looking at it now, he was the one who had ended up with a good life. He and Zhang Fangyuan had genuine feelings for each other, there were no in-laws to contend with, and Zhang Fangyuan indulged him greatly.

“Auntie sees that He Ger is doing well, so she's warm towards him. Shaochun has fallen on hard times, so naturally the villagers laugh and her own family steps on her. I can accept outsiders gossiping about me for entertainment. But I never expected my own aunt to be the same way. The family might as well enshrine Little Brother and be done with me.”

With that, Xu Shaochun wiped her eyes, suddenly stood up, and ran back to her room crying.

“Oh, this child!” Liu Xiangmei rose as if to chase after her, but didn't actually follow. Seeing her run into the room, she simply sat back down and said to Xu He, “Your Second Sister is already married, yet her temper is worse than when she was at home. No wonder she can't get along with her mother-in-law. And your own mother—going to the Fei household to make a scene. Even if she 'wins,' the daughter still has to live in that house. There will be plenty of ways to make her life difficult.”

“I thought the Fei family match was a bad idea from the start, but your mother wouldn't listen. She thought a scholarly man was good, had a future. But now that he has a future, does he remember to share it with her? It’s much better to do an honest business, with no worry about food and clothing. After those basic needs are met, then you can think about the fine things like studying. How else can an ordinary family afford it?”

“Look at your Second Sister. What a good girl she was, and now look at her.”

Liu Xiangmei shook her head repeatedly.

Xu He didn't feel he could say much. He silently took a sip of tea. “I'll go check the kitchen.”

“Your aunt doesn't know how to speak properly. She knows Shaochun rarely gets to come home, and she still has to make her cry.” Liu Xianglan heard Xu Shaochun sobbing in the room, so she dropped the spatula and wanted to go inside. Xu He didn't want to chat with his aunt in the main hall either, so he thought it would be better to just cook. 

Unexpectedly, Liu Xianglan looked at him and stopped heading for the room. Instead, she said, “I called you back today, first, so the family could gather, and second, I have something to discuss with you.”

Xu He looked at Liu Xianglan. So they were finally getting to the point.

He didn't respond. Liu Xianglan continued on her own. “You've seen how your sister's life is. The Fei family is a mess. Fei Lian passed the county exam and the household gets a monthly stipend now, so things should be comfortable. But Fei Lian insists on staying at the academy, frittering away his time, refusing to find work to support the family. Not only that, but he spends the government money on his studies, so life is still just as hard.”

“Your sister and her mother-in-law don't get along. If they're under each other's noses every day, how can she go on living?”

“We're family. Now that you have two businesses going, let your Second Sister come and help at your tea stall.”

Xu He heard this, then suddenly laughed. So this was why she'd so kindly called him home for a meal. “Mother, don't you know how big my tea stall is? How many people can it hold? I already have Second Aunt helping.”

“I don't want to criticize you, but why would you take in that widow and her extra baggage? Adding two more mouths to feed—I don't know how you agreed to it.” Liu Xianglan said irritably. “Otherwise, the tea stall would have the space. It would be just right for your Second Sister to come help. Running a business, but you can't calculate anything.” 

“Go back and tell that widow to go home. From now on, your Second Sister will help at the tea stall.”

Xu He said bluntly, “Can Second Sister handle that kind of work? If it weren't for you coddling her all these years, she wouldn't be incompetent. You insisted on saving face, putting on a show for outsiders how she could do everything. Half the reason her life is like this now is your fault. You want me to send Second Aunt home to replace her with Second Sister? Fine. I can give her meals for helping at the stall, but no wages. After all, Second Aunt doesn't get paid either. I'm not stupid enough to send away someone who works for free and bring someone who wants to be paid.” 

“How can she work for no wages? That's slave labor!” Liu Xianglan grew anxious at this.

“How is it slave labor? I already said I'd provide meals.”

“Just meals? How can her mother-in-law agree to let her out just for meals?”

Xu He said, “Well, that’s her business then; what can I do about it? The tea stall barely makes any money. We have enough trouble covering our own expenses. There's no money to pay Second Sister a wage. If you have money, Mother, why not invite Second Sister home to help you husk corn? You can pay her, and she can come back and be well taken care of. I'm sure the Fei family would have no objection if money is involved.”

“What nonsense are you talking! Is that any way to behave?” 

Xu He said unhurriedly, “Mother, weren't you the one talking nonsense first?”

“Now that you're doing well, you're going to cut off your family's way to survive?"

“A way to survive is earned by oneself, not given by others,” Xu He said. “Second Sister is doing fine now. She's learning things and picking up farming work. The way she looks now is because she's not used to it yet. Once she gets the hang of it, it'll be fine. We're farming folk to begin with. Mother and Father insisted on raising her like a young lady. That's fine, but then you married her off to another farming family—asking for trouble. If you'd married Second Sister into a wealthy household in town, things would have been much better.”

Liu Xianglan's teeth ached with anger. She had thought that without the butcher here today, she could have a proper talk with Xu He. But a few months had passed, and this disagreeable little ger spoke even more harshly than before. 

The two of them really were birds of a feather—both infuriating to talk to.

Liu Xianglan was about to start cursing again when Liu Xiangmei walked in. “What's all this shouting about? You're family. Everyone calm down. What He Ger said isn't wrong. I told you before, there's a wealthy household in town, very well-off, and suggested you marry Shaochun to them. But you insisted you didn't want her to be a second wife or a stepmother, and said the man was too old. Is there any marriage in this world that's perfect in every way?”

“He Ger, go rest in the hall and cool off. You have to go back to the tea stall this afternoon. I'll help your mother with the cooking.”

Xu He turned and went back to the main hall.

Watching him leave, Liu Xiangmei lowered her voice. “I also told you Zhang Fangyuan was a good match, but you looked down on him. Look at how things are now.”

“What use is it to say that now?”

Liu Xiangmei shot back, "If it's no use, then why are you shouting at He Ger, demanding he give you whatever you want? Do you think he's still the same ger he was when he lived at home? Do you think he's still the soft persimmon you could squeeze whenever you want? I don't understand how you've lived to this age without using your head and thinking things through.”

“Shaochun's mother-in-law is a fierce, formidable woman. Fei Lian does everything his mother says. He has no backbone at all. Don't count on him to support Shaochun in anything. Even if the Fei family has some great future ahead, it probably won't benefit this household. Be grateful if Shaochun's life becomes bearable. In the future, you'll have to rely on He Ger's side.”

“I can see Zhang Fangyuan is capable. He Ger can also hold his own. The couple gets along well, and there are no in-laws above them. Their life will only get better. Even the scraps that fall from their fingers will be enough for you and Old Xu to live well.” Liu Xiangmei was exasperated. “And here you are, acting fierce, trying to treat him like a slave? He's long since flown the nest. He won't listen to a word you say. If he goes home and complains to Zhang Fangyuan, that man might come knocking on your door again before long, and we'll have another chaotic scene for the whole village to laugh at.”

Liu Xianglan's face cycled through various shades of red and green. She was already frustrated because she had bet on the wrong horse, and now she was being told to ingratiate herself with Xu He, whom she was used to ordering around. It left a bitter taste in her mouth. 

But she also felt her sister was making sense. The last time she had spoken such words hadn't been taken to heart. Now, having suffered the consequences, she let out a long sigh. The glorious days of the past were truly gone, never to return. 

“Don't mention the idea of Shaochun going to the tea stall again. They just opened their shop, and you, as her mother, haven't lifted a finger to help but are already rushing to claim benefits. Never mind being a birth mother—you're just a foster mother. Who would be happy with that?”

Liu Xianglan said, “I'm just anxious for Shaochun. Day after day, suffering in the Fei household, doing so much work and still not earning any goodwill.”

“Children have their own fortunes. Can you protect her for her whole life? She has to carve out her own path.” Liu Xiangmei said, “If you truly want what's best for her, behave yourself and stop trying to fight with that woman in the Fei family. Let Shaochun whisper in her husband's ear at night and get Fei Lian to find some work for himself. That's what's important. The man is nearly twenty. He's not some rich young master. What sense does it make to let his family support him indefinitely?”

“If a man doesn't earn money himself, he'll never be able to hold his head high.”

Liu Xianglan looked dejected. After a long pause, she said, “Fine. I'll do as you say for now.”

Xu He had overheard the entire conversation from outside. He said nothing. Regardless of what Liu Xianglan had in mind, he didn't expect his family to fawn over him. As long as they didn't cause trouble, everything was negotiable.  As for his aunt, she truly was someone who had been around in town for many years. Though she was more mercenary than most, at least she could see things clearly and understand reason. 

Zhang Fangyuan finished work early that day. He'd had good luck. Soon after setting up his stall, an old regular who always bought mountain goods from him came by. The man's household was preparing for a major event and bought all the meat on the stall in one go. It was the first time Zhang Fangyuan had encountered such a customer. It was incredibly lucky. He delivered the meat to the customer's home at a fair price, bought a block of ice by the roadside, and returned directly to the tea stall without even eating lunch in town. 

He wanted to tell Xu He about his good fortune today, but when he got there, Xu He hasn’t returned yet. Then he remembered that he’d gone to his family's home today. 

Xu He had told him in advance, so Zhang Fangyuan wasn't worried about the Xu family causing trouble. The tea stall was busy at noon, so he helped Zhang Shiyue attend to customers.

When things quieted down, he ladled himself a bowl of tea and went to sit on the mat outside to drink tea and shell melon seeds, calling out to passersby.

“A-Yuan, He Ger bought some watermelons yesterday and left them cooling in the well. It's hot at noon. Why don't you cut one open? Someone might buy some.”

“Alright.” Zhang Fangyuan responded and went to the well behind the tea stall to fetch a watermelon. When building the stall, they had considered the inconvenience of getting water here, so he paid the Chen brothers an extra two days' wages and had them dig a well. Now it was very convenient. 

The round watermelon came up from the well cool and refreshing, as if taken from an ice cellar. He patted it gently—it made a very ripe sound. He could split it open with half a fist's force, but since it was for sale, smashing it would make it look bad.

He took it out to the small wooden bridge outside the tea stall, sliced the whole watermelon evenly into twelve pieces with a few cuts of his cleaver, then cut each piece in half to make twenty-four slices. He took one piece for himself and went off to the side to eat. “Second Aunt, it's cut. Come out and get some.” 

“I've been in this cool spot all day. Not hot or thirsty.”

Zhang Fangyuan was about to say something more when he suddenly caught a familiar fragrance. Then a short man carrying a shoulder pole hurried in. “Big Brother, how much for the watermelon?”

“Three wen a slice.”

The man set down his load, fished out three wen, and took a slice. The watermelon, chilled in the well, was cool, sweet, and juicy, perfect for quenching thirst and relieving heat. The man finished the slice in one go and looked like he wanted more, but didn't buy another. Instead, he sat down at a table where Zhang Fangyuan was drinking tea and struck up a conversation. 

“Big Brother, you're a butcher?”

Zhang Fangyuan glanced at the man. “Got a sharp eye.”

“There was a butcher across from my old place. I used to watch him cut meat when I had nothing else to do. Your knife skills—no ordinary person could do that. Besides…” The man sniffed the air and grinned. “You've got that smell of livestock on you.”

Hearing this, Zhang Fangyuan couldn't help but frown. Xu He liked cleanliness and didn't like him smelling. He thought about heating some water to wash up in the outhouse behind the tea stall. That would cool him off and get rid of the smell. Summer was like this—people in their line of work couldn't be as clean and proper as young masters in their fragrant carriages. 

Before he could respond, the man quickly added, “I've got something good—very effective at removing odors.”

Without waiting for Zhang Fangyuan to say whether he wanted to see or not, the man opened one of his baskets and quickly pulled out a small porcelain bottle. He hadn't even brought it close when he uncorked it, and immediately a rich, intense fragrance spread through the air. 

“This bottle of perfume is hard to come by. A few drops on your clothes, and the scent will last ten days to half a month. Perfect for you, Big Brother.”

Zhang Fangyuan held the small porcelain bottle and sniffed it gently, not daring to bring it too close—the smell was cloyingly sweet up close. But from a distance, even sealed in the bottle, a faint, subtle fragrance lingered.

His brow twitched. If he remembered correctly, this perfume was called ‘Rose Water’.

 

<< ToC >>