Chapter 7: If I Don’t Go, Then I Won’t
Page (1/3)
Second brother Cheng Junnan shot a glare at fifth brother Cheng Junguo—he was everywhere. Cheng Junguo just grinned and paid no mind; in this family, all that mattered was keeping the old lady on your side.
Su Li took the stick and, facing the smug Cheng Junguo, pulled the corners of her mouth into a sly smile.
“What’s it got to do with you!”
“Cheeky brat!”
The stick landed squarely on Cheng Junguo’s backside. He yelped, clutching his rear, hopping away.
Just as Cheng Junguo was about to turn back and ask the old lady what that was about, Su Li shot him a look that said, “Calm down, it’s just acting.”
Oh... it was a performance.
Clutching his backside, Cheng Junguo deflated. Why was it always him who ended up on the losing side in these plays?
Su Li held the stick, glancing over at Second brother’s family, who were clutching their stomachs and pretending not to feel the pain, simply enjoying the spectacle.
“Ouch, my stomach hurts!”
“Mom, I can’t take it anymore.”
Second brother and his wife kept up the act, followed by their two grandsons.
“Grandma, your eldest grandson’s stomach hurts!”
“Grandma, your precious second grandson’s stomach hurts too.”
The others had long gotten used to this. Second brother’s family were experts at feigning illness, slacking off, ignoring scoldings, and barely flinching from beatings. What could anyone do?
Each time, Old Lady Su would give them a harsh thrashing to vent her frustration.
“Stomach pain? Oh, poor things. So, you won’t be working in the fields today?”
Su Li’s question was unexpected, and Second brother Cheng Junnan almost didn’t register it. Was she asking before hitting them today?
“Mom, really can’t go. We’ve been running to the bathroom all morning. What if one of us soils ourselves—what would we do then?”
Su Li nodded sympathetically.
“Fine, then don’t go! Diarrhea can be serious or mild. You all stay home and rest well, drink some rice water to recover.”
Finished speaking, Su Li turned to the others watching the scene in the yard.
“What are you all staring at? Get to the fields! If you’re all missing when roll call comes, how will life go on? Do you expect an old lady like me to do all the work?”
After that outburst, everyone pouted slightly: still the same old lady.
The crowd quickly dispersed, heading to the fields first, then returning for lunch.
Second brother’s family of four stood alone in the yard, still clutching their stomachs, looking puzzled. No beating today?
Had their performance finally convinced the old lady?
Su Li didn’t glance their way at all and turned back inside.
Page (2/3)
Inside, Su Li rummaged through things and finally found several wooden mooncake molds covered in dust.
She fetched some water from the vat, washed them clean, and set them out to dry on the windowsill.
After that, she sketched a rough plan for baking the mooncakes, noting sizes carefully and knowing she’d need to experiment with the oven temperature a few times.
By just after seven in the morning, the workers had returned.
Breakfast had already been prepared before they left: sorghum rice cooking in the pot, with a dozen or so potatoes and eggplants mixed in. A steaming rack with a crosshatch pattern held one or two large bowls of steamed egg custard.
After returning, the four families each grabbed basins to wash up in different corners of the yard, then sat down to eat.
Their dish today was homemade soybean paste mixed with potatoes and eggplants, sprinkled with chopped scallions.
Su Li spooned out the egg custard for everyone.
“Second brother’s family has an upset stomach, so don’t eat this. It’s for those working in the fields to replenish energy.”
As she spoke, she distributed one spoonful of egg custard to each person—except for Second brother’s family.
Second brother’s family puckered their lips and stretched their necks as if they wanted to suck all the flavor out of the custard.
No matter, no custard for them. They could tell the difference between a spoonful of egg custard and a day’s work.
Lowering her eyes, Su Li knew exactly how to deal with food lovers.
Today’s egg custard was divided fairly—every grandson and granddaughter received a spoonful.
Oldest brother’s three granddaughters lowered their heads when watching Su Li distribute, and after receiving their share, they looked surprised and hesitant to eat.
“If you do the work, you all eat.”
Su Li put down the two empty large bowls.
“Mom, give me a bowl, I want to mix it with rice.”
Second brother reached out to grab it, but the bowl was a little scratched and couldn’t be cleaned properly. Mixing rice in it would taste of egg custard.
Others wanted it too but lacked Second brother’s thick skin.
“No!”
Su Li took a chopstick and lightly tapped it away, taking back the two large bowls. Calmly, she said, “You have stomach trouble. There’s oil in this egg custard, and your tummy can’t handle it.”
“Second brother, be good, wait until you’re better.”
Su Li cooed to them like children and placed the two large bowls in front of Fifth brother.
Fifth brother Cheng Junguo immediately broke into a silly grin, forgetting all about the morning’s beating and his losses.
He knew his mother loved him best!
Cheng Junguo had completely forgotten he used to be the one who could get three spoonfuls of egg custard.
Everyone except Second brother’s family was quite satisfied with the egg custard.
Breakfast was quickly finished, and without resting, they returned to work.
Su Li called Fifth brother to stay home.
Cheng Junguo grew even more smug, sure his mother was worried about him and didn’t want him to work.
Page (3/3)
Others saw this, and Third brother’s wife muttered as she left, probably gossiping with one of the other daughters-in-law.
At home, Second brother’s family lazed in their room. Cheng Junguo hummed a tuneless song, wanting to go out and play, but Su Li called him back.
“Fifth brother, come here. Mom’s making you something delicious.”
“Coming!”
Cheng Junguo trotted over happily.
Next, under Su Li’s coaxing that “Mom only spoils you and makes food just for you,” Cheng Junguo began hauling yellow clay from the mountain.
One basket of soil after another.
Whenever his shoulders ached and he felt like giving up, Su Li knew exactly how to handle him.
“Fifth brother, tired? Drink some sugar water.”
“You’re the best worker in our family. Mom’s counting on you to take care of me in old age.”
“Mom tells you, if these mooncakes turn out well, I’ll take them to give away, and maybe get you a job.”
The sweet, fragrant cakes dangled in front of him, and trusting that his own mother loved him best, Cheng Junguo, who rarely did much work, managed to carry yellow clay and stones all morning—much harder than working in the fields.
Not only that, under Su Li’s guidance, he also built a simple clay oven.
Meanwhile, Su Li nimbly chopped green beans, added bean oil, and minced the only piece of meat in the house to make a green bean and minced meat filling.
She mixed cornmeal with a bit of wheat flour, added sourdough starter, and steamed two large pots of vegetable buns.
As soon as the buns came out of the steamer, Second brother’s family caught the scent and came out instantly, without a moment’s delay. Su Li suspected they had been peeking through the cracks in the windows and doors.
Smiling, Su Li carried a bowl of corn grits porridge.
“Second brother, are you awake? Here’s your lunch. This is good for your stomach.”
“These buns can’t be eaten. Mom put meat in them, not good for your belly.”
After saying this, Su Li turned away, completely ignoring the dumbfounded Second brother’s family.
She handed two golden buns to Fifth brother Cheng Junguo, whispering, “Mom specially made these for you.”
Cheng Junguo understood perfectly—there must be more meat in these.
Su Li thought: It’s all the same! Who has the time to put extra meat in for you?
“Fifth brother, hurry up and eat. When you’re done, take the buns to the fields.”
Cheng Junguo was exhausted and a bit reluctant when he heard he had to carry the buns far away.
Feigning ignorance, Su Li said, “When you deliver them, everyone in the field will see you and praise you!”
Cheng Junguo blinked and finished the buns in a few bites.
“Mom, I’m going now!”