Chapter 22: Mutton Steamed Buns

Su Li left.

She played chess purely to scout for information; what ordinary folks know and what retired officials know are two very different things.

It is 1980 now, and policies have just begun to loosen. Much of the information is internal, and full opening-up won't arrive until 1984. Just a moment ago, she learned that the club had pilot stalls and was looking for vendors. However, most people were still sitting on the fence, viewing trade as speculation and a shameful act, so no one had signed up.

Su Li kept this in mind and turned toward the supply and marketing cooperative at the mine. After locking her bicycle outside, she grabbed her basket and went in. She arrived at the perfect moment; right in front of her was the meat stall, where a person in a blood-stained white apron was carrying over a freshly slaughtered sheep.

"Mutton! No ration coupons required!"

Su Li’s legs moved before her brain could even register the thought. "Give me ten pounds!"

"Rationed! Two pounds per person!"

Regretful as she was, Su Li didn't miss a beat. "Give me two pounds then!"

Su Li was the first in line, and in the blink of an eye, the space behind her was packed with people.

"Don't shove me! I'm an old woman with a bad constitution; don't blame me if I try to squeeze some compensation out of you!"

"Give me this piece, hurry up, two pounds!"

Su Li urged the butcher on so persistently that he was momentarily stunned, quickly slicing off two pounds for her. Once she secured the mutton, she was pushed out by the crowd, and it would have been quite difficult to squeeze back in.

She turned to buy star anise, MSG, sugar, and flour. Happening upon some honey, she bought a bit of that too, along with some loose hard candies, before cycling back home. The village head’s wife was at home cooking, and since Su Li was returning the bike and in a hurry to cook herself, the two didn't say much.

Back home, Su Li took the mutton out and soaked it in cold water to draw out the blood. She then began kneading dough, mixing cornmeal and white flour in equal parts. After preparing the dough, she placed it in the sunlight to rise; it would be ready in twenty or thirty minutes.

While Su Li was busy, Cheng Junguo was out in the fields, his shoulders aching. Today, all the strong men were using shoulder poles to carry corn from the fields. He hadn't wanted to do it, but what kind of "real man" would admit he wasn't up to the task? By the end of the morning, his shoulders were chafed and bloody—when had he ever endured such hardship?

Wait, he had just endured this same hardship two days ago when carrying yellow clay for his mother.

Lost in these thoughts, Cheng Junguo hauled another load. Finally reaching the end of the field, he set it down to catch his breath, wondering if his mother had returned yet. It was almost noon; surely she should be back? He had made up his mind: the moment his mother was home, he would stop working for the afternoon. After all, she wouldn't have the heart to let him suffer.

"Comrade Cheng Junguo, well done!"

Cheng Junguo jumped, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest. He clutched his heart and looked at the village head, who had suddenly appeared behind him holding a megaphone. The village head was grinning, his face full of wrinkles, his voice buzzing through the speaker.

"Today, we would like to commend Comrade Cheng Junguo for his diligence and hard work. Young and strong, he took the initiative to shoulder the most strenuous labor—this is exactly how a youth of the new era should be!"

"Comrade Cheng Junguo, I believe in you, keep it up!"

The village head raised his fist in encouragement and nodded emphatically. Under the gaze of the crowd, Cheng Junguo picked up the shoulder pole he had just set down.

Watching him walk away with the load, the village head shouted, "Comrade Cheng Junguo has given up his rest to contribute to agricultural transport and actively complete the autumn harvest—worthy of praise!"

After speaking, the village head wiped the sweat from his brow, exhausted. He had finally fulfilled the request made by "Sister Su" regarding those two mooncakes. Who knew it would take him all morning to rack his brains for these words? There really hadn't been much to praise, and it had been a real struggle.

Carrying the pole, Cheng Junguo felt like crying. He had wanted to ask for time off. He wouldn't have minded if people insulted him—he could just insult them back. But this barrage of praise from the village head left him feeling too embarrassed to protest.

Cheng Junguo miserably went back to hauling corn. When the others in the village saw that even Cheng Junguo was being praised, they thought, "Why should I be any worse?"

Work! Work until you drop!

Suddenly, a wave of "competitive spirit" swept through the fields, leaving Cheng Junguo feeling completely numb with exhaustion.

Around eleven in the morning, those responsible for cooking in every household headed home. Today, it was the third daughter-in-law, Yu Xiaohui, who was cooking at the Cheng household, with Daya, Er’ya, and Sanya heading back as well to feed the chickens and do chores.

As a group of young wives and old women walked toward the village, one remarked, "That must be the Cheng house; the chimney is smoking."

"Third daughter-in-law, who is cooking at your place?"

Yu Xiaohui took a glance. "My mother is home."

"What's the use of your mother being home? She can't cook."

"That's for sure. Old Lady Su is the most pampered woman in our village!"

The word "pampered" was said with a sarcastic lilt; when the old lady is pampered, the children and grandchildren suffer. Many in the group badmouthed the old woman behind her back, and Yu Xiaohui did too, though only in private.

"My mother is actually quite fine." Guilt-ridden, Yu Xiaohui picked up her pace, with Daya, Er’ya, and Sanya scurrying after her. The people behind them laughed. Old Lady Su is fine? Don't make me laugh.

As soon as Yu Xiaohui entered the courtyard, Su Li spotted her. "Hurry up and wash your hands, come help wrap the buns! My back is killing me, I can't keep up."

Su Li wasn't putting on airs; there were simply too many buns, and she couldn't manage them alone.

Buns? Yu Xiaohui washed her hands, her eyes fixed on the kitchen table. Glancing over, she saw what looked like a meat filling in the basin.

"Hurry up! If we don't finish wrapping, we'll be late for lunch."

Urged by Su Li, Yu Xiaohui moved quickly, with Daya and Er’ya helping, while Sanya went to feed the chickens.

"Mom, what kind of meat is this?"

"Mutton, brought back by your eldest brother." Su Li lied smoothly; after all, no one knew what the eldest had or hadn't brought back.

Yu Xiaohui clicked her tongue. Their family was actually eating mutton buns? Life felt like a dream.

Regardless of what they were thinking, the four of them kept their hands moving, steaming the buns batch after batch. By shortly after twelve, lunch was ready in other households, and small groups of families began walking out to the fields.

"The Cheng family hasn't come yet."

"Old Lady Su must be causing trouble again."

"Cheng Eldest, why don't you go back and check? Don't let your mother withhold the food again to save grain."

"She did that last year, didn't she?"

Cheng Jungdong’s face darkened. In the past, he wouldn't have known what to say, but having just awakened to his responsibilities as the eldest brother, he felt he had to speak up. "My mother wouldn't do that. Don't spread rumors."

"Exactly! My mother even treats us to braised pork! Which of your families would be willing to do that?" the second brother chimed in. That was their mother; they could say what they wanted about her, but outsiders couldn't.

"Dad, Grandma is here!" After little Daniu shouted, he rushed toward Su Li, who was carrying a basket, and Yu Xiaohui, who was carrying a shoulder pole.

"Grandma—"

"Hey, my eldest grandson is here to help, how wonderful."

Daniu: *Actually, I wasn't.*

Unfortunately, Su Li moved faster, having Daniu help her lift the basket. "Hold it steady, Daniu, these are big meat buns inside!"

Daniu’s eyes lit up instantly. He gripped the basket with his small hands, puffed out his little belly, and held the basket high. Cheng Jungdong was the first to come over to help, and as soon as Cheng Jungnan saw his son’s expression, he knew there must be something delicious in the basket, so he hurried over too.

"My dearest mother, what are we eating today?"