Chapter 20: Braiding Hair

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The village chief agreed to Su Li’s request because Su Li not only slipped him two dimes but also brought two pieces of mooncake. When a matter is handled well, it’s only natural to receive some praise; the village chief wasn’t stubborn. Su Li stepped out of the village chief’s house with a cheerful smile, her steps veering toward the village gossip spot. She didn’t necessarily intend to say much, mainly to listen and make sure she didn’t miss any important news.

She stayed there until after eight o’clock. The group had extinguished the mosquito-repelling fire, and people were drifting home in small clusters. The moon hung high and bright, almost like an artificial moon at a scenic spot, peculiarly luminous. The path home was clear and well-lit; the croaking of frogs filled the air, while the autumn breeze carried the unique scent of rustling leaves and country soil.

Peaceful and comfortable, this environment seemed quite suitable for her mother’s retirement. Su Li felt her spirit settle into this tranquility, ready to accept and enjoy the life ahead.

*

Early the next morning, just after four, Su Li, accustomed to rising early, stretched her limbs. Once her muscles loosened, she began some simple yoga.

“Knock knock knock.”

“Grandma—”

Da Ya knocked at the door, only daring to come in after hearing movement inside.

“Da Ya, come in.”

Su Li, now dressed and combing her hair, invited her in.

Da Ya carried a basin and said, “Grandma, your clothes.”

“Ah, there are two pieces.”

Da Ya walked to the kang bed, picked up Su Li’s discarded jacket, and also grabbed a pair of underwear.

“No need for that; it’s unwanted.”

Su Li felt embarrassed even having Da Ya wash her outer clothes, let alone her underwear. She didn’t want to change everything all at once.

“Throw them away.”

“Throw them away?”

Da Ya was reluctant but dared not disobey Su Li’s words. After Da Ya left, Miao Xiaocao, who had come in from outside, saw Da Ya standing by the trash bucket as if about to throw something away.

“Why throw it away? Such wasteful things—give them to me.”

Soon after, when Su Li came out to put away the day’s grain, she spotted a bright red rag. The fabric looked so familiar.

“Mom—I thought don’t waste it; it’s not even torn. I’ve turned it into a rag.”

Miao Xiaocao explained, and Su Li’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

She silently reasoned to herself: It’s normal; times are tough, no one wastes anything.

But her mind protested: No, I can’t accept this!

“I know.”

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Su Li responded, “Go chop some winter melon; stew it for breakfast.”

“Da Ya—”

Miao Xiaocao opened her mouth to call Da Ya, but Su Li shot a sharp glance.

“I told you to go, why call Da Ya? That big winter melon—did she manage to carry it?”

Miao Xiaocao shrank back, pursed her lips, and headed to the backyard.

After Miao Xiaocao left, Su Li quickly tossed the underwear rag into the trash, then turned to Da Ya with a shushing gesture: “Don’t tell your mom, this is our little secret.”

Da Ya grinned widely, nodded, her heart racing a bit.

“Come, Grandma will braid your hair.”

Su Li sat on a small stool and braided Da Ya’s hair into beautiful plaits—two braids hanging over her chest and a small curved braid across her forehead. Neat and charming, Da Ya dared not move her head as she admired herself.

“My Da Ya is so pretty.”

After praising Da Ya, Su Li spotted Er Ya hiding behind the door with San Ya and her eyes sparkled with amusement.

“Anyone else want a braid?”

Er Ya, clever, came out with San Ya.

“Grandma, me too!”

“Big sister looks so pretty!”

Miao Xiaocao entered holding a pumpkin and caught the scene of Su Li braiding her daughter’s hair. She was so startled that she nearly dropped the pumpkin.

“Er Ya, don’t bother your grandma.”

“Mom, they’re just girls; no need—”

Su Li paused her hands, gently pressed down the head of Er Ya who was about to get up, then turned to Miao Xiaocao.

“Oldest daughter, what do you mean? I’m a woman too; I’m a girl too!”

“What’s with calling them ‘girls’? A daughter is a daughter. Don’t bring your Miao family’s old ways here. This is the Cheng family; my granddaughters and grandsons are equally cherished.”

“We’re all human; why create hierarchies? Do you think your family has a throne to inherit?”

Su Li spoke rapidly and forcefully. Miao Xiaocao was stunned, unsure how to respond.

What does Mom mean? Treat grandsons and granddaughters the same?

Miao Xiaocao’s worldview was shaken. The Miao family was deeply patriarchal; she had been taught since childhood to favor her brother, that girls were worthless, and women must bear sons.

Although Old Lady Su was not as biased as the Miao family, she disliked Miao Xiaocao and treated her granddaughters poorly, often scolding them harshly, which only increased Miao Xiaocao’s pressure and made her cry daily.

“Er Ya, sit properly. Grandma will braid your hair the prettiest.”

Er Ya pursed her lips, her small face serious.

Is this going to be a little kindness before selling them off?

In the village, people who raised pigs usually fed them more before selling.

Su Li had no idea what Er Ya’s little mind was imagining. After braiding Er Ya’s hair, she moved on to San Ya.

When finished, she smiled with satisfaction—her skills hadn’t dulled. Not bad.

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“My San Ya is so pretty; stay home and keep Grandma company, okay?”

“No, I have to take San Ya to pick mountain jujubes!”

Er Ya held San Ya’s hand tightly, eyes shifting nervously as she slowly stepped back from Su Li, forcing a weak smile.

Su Li glanced at her—there was something fishy.

“Alright then.”

Su Li didn’t insist on keeping San Ya. Er Ya breathed a sigh of relief. She must watch San Ya closely these days and remind her oldest sister too.

Ah, she really worried herself sick.

Su Li got up, ignoring the daydreaming Miao Xiaocao. Many things had to be figured out by herself; she was merely giving a reminder.

The current Cheng family didn’t need Miao Xiaocao to prove herself by bearing sons. Su Li wondered if Miao Xiaocao could comprehend this.

Before seven in the morning, Cheng Jundong returned from work.

Su Li noticed her eldest son still looked energetic.

“Did you sleep last night?”

“Yes, I drank a lot of water before bed. When I got up to use the bathroom, I checked around and went back to sleep. Nothing’s been delayed.”

“That’s good. Rest when you’re tired. If you collapse, look around our family—who else can earn work credits?”

Su Li pursed her lips and glanced toward the courtyard. Cheng Jundong looked as well.

The second son was lazy, the third thin and weak, the fourth wanted to compose poems or lecture others whenever he did any work, and the fifth just wanted to play all day.

Seeing this, Cheng Jundong felt the weight of responsibility even more.

His mother’s words—“It’s all on you”—were true.

For breakfast, there was winter melon stewed with potatoes, sorghum rice, and scallions dipped in sauce—a genuine, cost-free northeastern breakfast.

During the meal, the second son smiled and asked the eldest.

“Big brother, did you get the meat?”

“Yes, I bought it.”

The second son grinned broadly, swallowing hard as he looked at Su Li.

“Mom, will we have meat tonight?”

Su Li replied without much interest, “Depends on how you behave.”

“Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll work hard today. Right, wife?”

Li Meilan immediately nodded in agreement, showing her determination.

“Mom, I’ll just focus on work. Can I have two extra pieces of meat tonight?”

Su Li didn’t continue scolding. She nodded decisively, “Work hard, and I’ll make you braised pork tonight!”