Chapter 38: Why Hasn't Big Brother Replied Yet?

Chapter 38: Why Hasn't Big Brother Replied Yet?

The atmosphere at the Lu family dinner was heavy. Liu Sanjin glared angrily at Xie Jinghao; she couldn't believe that Xie Jinghao went to see Shen Meng with Xiaogang every single night without getting anything in return!

Wu Xianglan was equally displeased. She had been hesitant to borrow sugar coupons from her sister-in-law today, yet the meat dumplings were given away so easily. If she had the kindness to give them to Daqing and Erqing, why wouldn't she give them to her own Yongqiang and Yongli?

Yongqiang and Yongli were unaware of their mother's inner calculations; like their father, they were eating with gusto, their chopsticks flying.

"Eat, eat, eat! All you know is how to eat! Can't you go play with your brother Mingyang when you're not busy? Look at your eldest aunt—whenever there's something delicious, she thinks of others, never of you. Even though you're her own niece and nephew, she doesn't show a shred of affection."

"Why blame the children? It's not their fault. That Shen Meng is so capable; if she didn't give the children food, she wouldn't know how to show filial piety to an old mother like me. Jiaxuan, has your big brother replied yet? It's been so many days, why haven't we heard a word? Ask the mailman when he passes by!"

Lu Jiaxuan swallowed his porridge in one gulp and said deeply, "No. Two or three letters were written, but not a single reply. Mother, do you think Big Brother is unwilling to write back?"

"That can't be. You know what kind of person your brother is. Putting everything else aside, if he knew his mother was being wronged, he would drop whatever mission he was on to come back and see me." Liu Sanjin lifted her chin and looked at Lu Jiaxuan proudly; she knew her son.

Lu Jiaxuan remained silent. Dropping a mission to see his mother might be an exaggeration, but as long as he saw the letters, Big Brother would definitely reply. He hadn't been home for nearly three years; he must be homesick.

"Jiaxuan, I think Mother is right. The last letter said he went to southern Yunnan, and I heard that place isn't very peaceful. Maybe Big Brother is just busy and hasn't seen them. Don't be anxious." Zhou Jiaojiao reached out and patted his arm.

But how could Lu Jiaxuan not be anxious? A commune official! If he got this job, not only would he receive a salary, but he would also get benefits. It was a real "iron rice bowl," unlike a warehouse keeper for a production team. If he performed well, he might even be promoted in the future. With meat being scarce and competition high, if he couldn't find a way, this job would have nothing to do with him.

"I'm done eating. I'm going out for a walk."

"Hey, Jiaxuan, wait for me! I'll go with you." Seeing his retreating back, Zhou Jiaojiao hurriedly dropped her chopsticks and ran after him. She was still calculating things for their new house; last time, Lu Jiaxuan had said to ask his brother-in-law, Lu Zhenping, to find a way to apply for a batch of bricks and tiles so they could live in a brick house.

Since the matter remained unresolved, she couldn't let it go.

Liu Sanjin saw that Xie Jinghao and Xiaogang were still eating, and her anger flared up again.

"Xie Jinghao, you really are my 'good' daughter-in-law! You run to Shen Meng's house every day. Has she not given you any benefits? Others get to eat dumplings, but you flatter her so much, I'm surprised she hasn't fed you dragon meat yet!"

Frightened, Xiaogang didn't dare open his mouth to eat and hid behind his mother. Xie Jinghao did not put down her chopsticks. Her husband was earning money outside, and their branch of the family had their own grain; why shouldn't she eat? She ate.

"Fine, eat! Since you're eating so much, you can wash all the dishes and clothes later, sweep the floor, and feed the chicks and ducklings. Hmph!" After saying this, Liu Sanjin let out a cold snort, grabbed a vegetable steamed bun, and turned back into her room.

Lu Jiahe, having eaten his fill, turned and left. All they did was argue every single day; it was truly annoying.

"Where are you going? You've worked all day and you still have energy? I don't know what's out there, but you're always going out. People would think you're going to see a temptress."

Lu Jiahe paused, turned around, and pointed at Wu Xianglan, cursing, "All you do is cause trouble. When will you ever be quiet? Your noise gives me a headache. I'm going to the river to take a bath."

"It's autumn; the river will be cold. I'll boil some hot water for you. Oh, child's father, what's the rush?" Wu Xianglan chased him for two steps, then turned back and gave a giggle to the silent Xie Jinghao.

"Jinghao, look, technically it's my turn to wash the dishes and clothes today, but since Mother said so, I won't fight you for it. Haha."

"It's fine, Second Sister-in-law. I can do it."

Seeing her indifference, Wu Xianglan didn't get angry. She leaned in and whispered, "Hey, Jinghao, let me ask you. You go to your sister-in-law's house every day—does she make delicious food for you every day?"

"What kind of personality does Sister-in-law have? How could she make delicious food for me? I go there to help her make clothes. She promised me two scraps of leftover fabric, and Xiaogang couldn't sleep in the room alone, so I brought him along."

Wu Xianglan curled her lip; she didn't believe it at all. When that woman Shen Meng was stingy, she was truly stingy, but she could be generous too. If she could give dumplings to Daqing and Erqing, she could surely give good things to her own niece and nephew. Her eyes darted around, and after giving Xie Jinghao a nod, she took her daughter and son back to her room.

After thinking it through, Shen Meng found a basket, packed some things, and retrieved a bottle of safflower oil from her space.

Outside, Mingyang and the others were sitting together, whispering about something. When the door opened, the children jumped in surprise.

"Mingyang, Mother is going to check on your Aunt Lianhua. Watch your younger siblings while I'm gone. Your second aunt will be over in a bit. There are two bowls of grits soup in the pot; make sure your aunt and Xiaogang eat some later!"

"Okay, Mother!"

"Mother, I want to go too! I want to go!" Lu Mingkai was scared; he was afraid his gentle mother might disappear, and he wanted to keep watching her to feel at ease.

"Alright then, Xiaoke, come with me!"

"Great! Mother, Xiaoke will carry the basket for you. Xiaoke is very strong."

Shen Meng stroked Lu Mingkai's head and said, "Silly child, Mother can carry it. If you want to help me, wait until you grow up, study hard, and earn good money. Then Mother can enjoy a comfortable life with you, okay?"

Lu Mingkai didn't understand much, but he understood earning money; his father sent money home every month.

"Mother, when I grow up, I'll let you enjoy life. I won't make you do anything!"

"Good boy!" Shen Meng felt a sweetness in her heart.

Behind them, Lu Mingyang, who was preparing to sweep, curled his lip. His two younger brothers—the older one and the younger one—knew exactly how to use sweet words to please their mother. He wouldn't do that. As the eldest son of the first household, with his father away, he was the one who had to hold up the family. He couldn't act like his siblings, acting spoiled and coy; that showed no manliness. How could he protect Mother like that? Hmph!

When work ended that evening, Chen Zhaodi and Zhao Jingui were dragged out by Guo Xiuqin for a public denunciation and were fined three yuan to be given to Wang Lianhua. Lu Yonggang was also lectured. Seeing this, the old women in the village who secretly mistreated their daughters-in-law clutched their belts tightly, terrified that someone would report them and they would have to pay the price.