Chapter 11: Swift and Steady Work

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Cheng Junguo looked at his mother, who was beaming with happiness, and said bluntly, “Mom, don’t get your hopes up. They’re not stupid; they won’t give you a job just because you brought a few mooncakes.”

“Of course not! What were you thinking? There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”

Su Li’s retort left Cheng Junguo puzzled. “Then why are you so happy? They clearly don’t think much of us.”

At that time, young Cheng Junguo still cared about his pride. The thought of his own mother bowing and scraping to a much younger person just to deliver mooncakes made him deeply uncomfortable.

“I’m happy because there’s a chance! I did the math. Between the compensation money and the hundred or so yuan we have at home, if your eldest brother earns a bit more and I save up, I’ll buy you a job by then.”

Su Li said this while digging into her pocket, not even glancing at Cheng Junguo’s expression.

“I know they don’t think much of us—that’s nothing. As long as you’re fine, Mom just says a few humble words. It doesn’t take away a single thing, so don’t worry.”

“By the way, fifth son, how much was your shirt?”

Su Li looked up, clutching a handful of small bills, her eyes full of love and trust.

“My son is so handsome; he has to dress well. Here, take this money to buy a shirt. I’ll wait for you outside.”

Cheng Junguo raised his hand but found he couldn’t bring himself to reach out.

“I—It’s getting cold soon, and I won’t even get a chance to wear it now. Let’s buy it next spring,” he mumbled an excuse.

“Aha! You’re smart. I’ll save this money for you. Whether it’s for a job or marrying a wife, I’ll make sure our fifth son gets the best.”

Su Li’s overflowing affection and her large pancake overwhelmed Cheng Junguo’s thoughts.

He’d never felt guilty asking for money before; why was this time different?

Su Li’s quiet dedication had earned her unspoken credit. After this, Cheng Junguo would probably behave for a while.

Supported by Cheng Junguo, Su Li got into the car, and mother and son headed home.

Along the way, Su Li fretted over many things.

“Son, why don’t you get out and walk a bit?”

“Son, let’s take a break.”

“Fifth son, get in, I’ll push you!”

Cheng Junguo was startled—his grandmother was going to push him?

They were almost at the village, and now he’d lost all shame!

He had been avoiding work, but pushing the cart back only made his already sore arms hurt even more.

Meanwhile, the village was lively. Today, Cheng Junguo’s elder brother had surprisingly not slacked off!

The story began with today’s work.

Early in the morning, the village chief announced they would divide the fields and work in sections, as they had done before, and no one objected.

The rule was: finish your section, then go home.

“Let me warn you: if you don’t finish, your work points will be deducted!”

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After the village chief’s warning, the group leaders divided the fields. By coincidence, the second son and his wife from the Cheng family were assigned to the western cornfield.

The couple was stunned.

“Old Gada, you must be mistaken. There’s no way we can finish this huge field!”

“Yeah, me and my husband can’t finish it; we don’t have the strength.”

The couple asked sincerely. The old Gada in charge shrugged and said, “Why worry about that? If you don’t finish, just stop. You two have done this kind of thing before.”

Then he walked away.

Li Meilan looked at her husband Cheng Junnan, the pillar of the family.

“Husband, what do we do? I want to eat big bone soup!”

Cheng Junnan was also troubled. The lesson from yesterday was still fresh: if the old lady said no, then no one was getting any.

Just thinking about others eating big bone soup at night while they could only watch, smell, and listen made him restless.

“Maybe... we should just work?”

Li Meilan’s face was wet with tears, her lips trembling. “What if we can’t finish? Do you think they’ll save any bones for us?”

“Would you save any for yourself?”

Li Meilan shook her head hard, her face growing even more miserable.

Then, something remarkable happened in the field.

The second son and his wife worked hard—no slacking, moving swiftly!

People watching were astonished, then asked Ding Xiaohui, the third son’s wife,

“Xiaohui, have your second brother and sister-in-law been injected with adrenaline?”

Ding Xiaohui glanced up and scoffed, “They’ve been fueled by big bone soup.”

The questioner was baffled.

Su Li and Cheng Junguo arrived at the village entrance, where some workers were gathered. They called out to them,

“Old Lady Su, your second son didn’t slack off today—worked like crazy!”

“I heard you’re cooking big bone soup tonight!”

“Old Lady Su, what if there’s no big bone soup tomorrow?”

Everyone laughed heartily. Clearly, the Cheng couple’s strange mix of laziness and greed was a source of joy in their exhausting lives.

Su Li smiled knowingly and shouted back,

“Stop all this noise! My second son can work well; he usually holds back so he doesn’t embarrass you by working too fast.”

“Keep making a fuss! Tonight you’ll just smell the soup but won’t get a bite—your drool will flow for two miles!”

Su Li retorted sharply, feeling refreshed. This was the advantage of being a notorious old lady.

“Fifth son, come home. Big bone soup is waiting!”

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With a wave of her hand, Su Li urged, and Cheng Junguo pushed the cart hard. The two gradually faded into the distance.

Back home, Su Li started directing her fourth daughter-in-law, Zhang Mingyue, to cook the big bone soup.

A large pot filled with green beans, potatoes, and six big bones simmered.

After work that evening, the second son Cheng Junnan was practically draped over the fourth son’s shoulder, with the third son supporting him beside them. His wife Li Meilan was no better off, helped along by the eldest sister-in-law Miao Xiaocao.

“Mom, I really finished all my work!” Cheng Junnan proudly reported first, while Li Meilan sniffed eagerly.

“Mom, did you make some crispy pork bits?”

The rich aroma of oil filled the air. Su Li nodded and brought out a small plate with a few pieces of crispy pork.

“Da Ya, Er Ya, San Ya, Da Niu, Er Niu, San Niu—come here.”

Six grandchildren gathered around. Except for Da Niu, Er Niu, and San Ya, the others were shy and reserved, unlike a family.

Su Li didn’t bother explaining and fed each child a piece of crispy pork. For the small and thin San Niu, she specially picked a piece of lean meat.

San Niu had a weak constitution since childhood and shouldn’t eat too much oily food.

“All done. Wash your hands quickly and come eat.”

Su Li turned and left. Li Meilan smacked her lips, watching her two sons, Da Niu and Er Niu.

“How does it taste? Is it good? Let Mom have a bite!”

San Niu, clutching the lean crispy pork, hesitated and looked at the third daughter-in-law, Yu Xiaohui.

Yu Xiaohui looked at the lean meat and nodded,

“You can eat it. Go ahead.”

San Niu smiled shyly and nibbled carefully, savoring every bite.

Soon, a huge pot of green beans, potatoes, and big bones was brought to the table. Everyone sat down.

Su Li stood and distributed the bones.

“Six bones. The second family did especially well today, so you two get two bones.”

Cheng Junnan grinned so wide it looked like his teeth might dance. The fatigue from work was instantly forgotten as his eyes gleamed at the fragrant big bones. He took two bones in a bowl, swallowing his saliva in anticipation.

“Wife, I’m giving you extra meat on your bone.”

Li Meilan was touched and nodded.

“Husband, you’re so good!”

“Of course! Who else would I do this for but you?”

Su Li paused briefly, realizing the first slice of domestic bliss in the 1980s was served by these two.