Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei had just been chased and were running for their lives, but now they seemed to have regained their spirits and were no longer afraid. They circled around the large snake, which, although still terrifying and disgusting, did not deter Ming Mei, who was now full of joy. She said, "I think it must be poisonous. Otherwise, how could a harmless, non-venomous snake grow so large and be so unafraid of humans?"
Zhuang Zhixi nodded, "You're right."
After circling the snake a few times, he said, "But the problem is, how do we get this thing back?"
It's no wonder Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei were afraid. This snake was truly terrifying, as thick as an adult man's thigh and about a meter and a half long. What else could be more frightening? It was downright horrifying.
If not for Ming Mei's precise strike, directly hitting the snake's vital point, it would have been difficult to subdue it, even with her martial arts skills. After all, dealing with such a creature has little to do with one's martial prowess.
Fortunately, Ming Mei's martial arts skills were precise, and she knew how to use her strength effectively, managing to kill the snake with a single strike.
Zhuang Zhixi said, "This basket might not be big enough to hold it."
The snake coiled up into a large mass, making it even more unnerving.
Ming Mei suggested, "Let's try to stuff it in. We can't just carry it openly; it's disgusting and might scare people on the way."
Zhuang Zhixi nodded, "We have no other choice. Mom, what do you think?"
Zhao Guihua agreed, acknowledging that they didn't have a better solution. She said, "Our preparations were insufficient."
"No matter how well-prepared we were, who could have expected to encounter such a large creature?" Old Man Zhuang lamented, "Why did we encounter such large creatures today?"
Zhuang Zhixi quickly asked, "Did you catch a big fish?"
It was no surprise that the young man reacted quickly, understanding immediately upon hearing this.
Old Man Zhuang replied, "Indeed, we caught a big fish and two turtles. You wouldn't believe how big those turtles were..."
Zhao Guihua interrupted, "Let's talk about it at home. Let's first get this snake into the basket."
She approached the basket of Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei, only to fall silent.
She looked up blankly and asked, "Did you catch all of this?"
Ming Mei and Zhuang Zhixi both nodded. Zhuang Zhixi said, "My wife caught most of it. She's really amazing."
Zhao Guihua looked at Ming Mei again, inwardly marveling at how extraordinary she was, even more so than the lucky female leads she had read about. They weren't just picking fruits; it was as if they were stocking up. Weren't rabbits notoriously clever and hard to catch? How did they end up with so many?
"Mom, what's wrong?"
Zhao Guihua replied, "I'm just amazed at how capable Ming Mei is."
Zhuang Zhixi said, "Isn't that obvious? She took down that big snake with one strike. You should have realized that already."
Zhao Guihua: "Uh..."
It was indeed a valid point, and she couldn't refute it.
She took a deep breath and said, "Alright, let's wrap these dates and strawberries in big leaves, several layers thick, and put them in the rabbit basket. The fruit basket will hold the snake."
After some deliberation, they realized it wouldn't fit entirely, with a significant portion sticking out.
Given the size of the snake and the limitations of their baskets, they were quite troubled. Zhao Guihua said, "I'll find some willow branches to extend the basket."
"Mom, do you know how?"
Zhao Guihua shook her head, "No, but we can improvise. At this point, we don't care about aesthetics; getting it home is what matters. We may not know how to weave baskets, but we can braid, right? We'll just extend it roughly to avoid scaring people."
"Alright."
Zhao Guihua continued, "Wait, you and your dad take the bus back. We'll see you off and then ride back."
There was no way to carry such a large snake.
"Okay!"
The family quickly got to work. Ming Mei, despite her earlier bravery, now found herself quite uneasy looking at the snake. It was hard to believe she had been the one to strike it down.
Ming Mei stammered, "I-I..."
Zhao Guihua said, "I know you're scared. Your dad and I will handle it. You two go ahead. Oh no, I left a fire burning! Go check on it!"
Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei hurried to the pond, not out of concern for the fish but for fear of starting a forest fire. They quickly arrived and breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Guihua had been cautious, starting the fire away from the woods and surrounding it with small stones as a precaution.
However, the sight of the two roasted fish made them laugh. The fish had turned into charred remains, even dogs wouldn't eat them!
The fire had also died down, leaving only a few embers.
Zhuang Zhixi found the big fish and was amazed, "Look at this fish, it's huge!"
Ming Mei exclaimed, "That's incredible!"
She marveled at their parents' skill, managing to catch such a large fish.
Zhuang Zhixi, feeling a bit uneasy, nodded, thinking his parents were quite capable. He said, "You stay here and keep an eye on things. I'll go help mom and dad. Add more firewood to keep the fire going, and we'll roast the fish later."
Ming Mei agreed, "Alright."
Zhuang Zhixi returned to his parents, relieved that the distance was short. He found them trying to stuff the snake into the basket. Despite his unease, he helped.
The sight of the snake made him shudder, even though he was a grown man.
He said, "Let me help."
Zhao Guihua replied, "No need, I've got it. Let's gather some willow branches and reinforce it by the pond, then we'll head down the mountain."
"Good idea," Zhuang Zhixi agreed, realizing they couldn't carry everything. There was still the big fish to consider, and even with four people, practical limitations had to be taken into account.
They returned to the pond. Ming Mei asked, "Should we roast the fish?"
Zhao Guihua said, "You two go ahead. I'm not in the mood to eat after handling the snake."
She felt queasy, recalling the feel of the snake's skin on her hands—ugh!
Ming Mei said, "We need to eat to have the strength to work. How about this, Zhixi and I didn't touch the snake. We'll roast the fish and skewer it on sticks for you to eat without touching it. What do you think?"
It wasn't that Ming Mei was greedy; she just knew they needed energy for the work ahead. Their proposal was accepted.
They placed the big fish in the fish basket, with a third still sticking out. Fortunately, the fish was nearly lifeless, otherwise, its tail twitching would have made their task even more challenging.
Zhao Guihua said, "Zhixi, find some willow branches to tie the turtles and put them in the fish basket."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Alright."
Everyone went about their tasks separately. Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei were in charge of catching fish, while Zhao Guihua and Old Man Zhuang reinforced and raised the basket for the snake. As they worked, Zhao Guihua said, "Third son, Ming Mei, since you two killed this snake, we old couple won't take advantage of you."
The two of them turned their heads simultaneously, looking at Zhao Guihua with incredulity.
Although they hadn't formally separated from the family, it was practically the same as being separated. But money and food were different matters. Previously, when Liang Meifen went up the mountain with them, everything they gathered was handed over to the family. Now, they were keeping it for themselves? This idea hadn't even crossed their minds initially, so they were a bit dumbfounded.
Zhao Guihua, seeing their stunned expressions, said, "I know what you're thinking, but I have my own standards. The four rabbits, one wild chicken, and these wild fruits you caught were all handed over to the family. But this snake is different. It's something you risked your lives for, and we can't take it."
Old Man Zhuang nodded, "Right, we can't take it."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Hehe, how can I be so shameless?"
Ming Mei remained silent. As a daughter-in-law, some things were better left unsaid. Her mother had taught her before her marriage to keep a low profile, not to meddle in matters that didn't concern her, and to let her husband handle things. She wasn't good at such things anyway.
She blinked her big, innocent eyes, looking watery.
Zhao Guihua: "If this snake were caught by your sister-in-law, I wouldn't take it either. This is different from a few fish, a rabbit, a chicken, or wild fruits. Your sister-in-law and I go up the mountain together, and our harvests are the result of our teamwork. When we all go up the mountain, if we catch a rabbit, it's a shared harvest for the family. But if you catch a big snake, a sheep, or a cow, and I still want to claim it for the family, that would be unreasonable. We haven't formally separated, but food is for improving everyone's life. Since this can be sold for money, I can't take it."
Zhuang Zhixi still wanted to decline.
Zhao Guihua said, "Stop acting with me. You're practically beaming with joy. I say what I mean, and you're a smart kid, you understand my intentions."
Zhuang Zhixi smiled, "Then, thank you, Mom."
Zhao Guihua rolled her eyes, "What are you thanking me for? Listen, I don't care about your trivial matters, but my kitchen knife is ruined. You have to buy me a new one."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Ah?"
Zhao Guihua: "What 'ah'? After killing a snake, how can I bring it back home to use? Besides, who knows if the snake was poisonous? It's just not safe."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Okay, okay, I'll figure something out."
He couldn't help but boast, "Mom, look how amazing we are as a couple. We contributed four rabbits and a wild chicken to the family. My sister-in-law couldn't match that."
Zhao Guihua looked coldly at Zhuang Zhixi and said slowly, "Before the New Year, I sold fish for over two hundred yuan, almost three hundred. I also exchanged it for sixty to seventy catties of meat. All this was done by me and your sister-in-law, two women, while you men only helped a few times. That's all our merit. Your sister-in-law didn't ask for anything. Even if she didn't go to sell the fish, she still deserves one-third to one-fourth of the credit, right? I made clothes for the kids, but you're sharp, you can see I didn't spend much on the cloth. So, your sister-in-law, despite her flaws, has contributed a lot to the family. Don't just see her shortcomings. She has her good points too. If I wasn't afraid she'd squander the money, I would have given her some. I didn't give her money, so I had to compensate her in other ways. Don't be jealous all the time, are you still a man? You're not as open-minded as your wife."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Ah, Mom, you misunderstand me! I'm not jealous."
Zhao Guihua glared at him, "I know, you just resent her for causing trouble before your wedding. That's undeniable; she was up to no good. I know you contributed more to the family than your older brother and sister before you got married. That was my mistake, I misunderstood. I should have realized that each of you has your own life, even if you're brothers. I'll adjust. Now that you're all married, each of you can save your own money. I won't let you suffer losses, but you also shouldn't take advantage. I know you don't like your sister-in-law, and I don't expect you to get along perfectly with her, just keep it civil. Don't be petty. Your sister-in-law isn't a bad person, just a bit muddled. If she offends you, you don't need to be polite. But if she doesn't, don't provoke her. Wouldn't it be better to focus on how to live your life? Arguing with someone who's not very clear-headed makes you look petty."
Zhao Guihua rarely spoke so candidly.
Zhuang Zhixi didn't expect his mother to be so direct. He glanced at his wife, who was grilling fish with intense concentration, as if the fish were a delicacy beyond compare.
If you looked closely, you could see her ears perked up high.
He said earnestly, "Mom, don't say that. I never thought you did anything wrong. I know you care for us a lot. If we hadn't paid less for living expenses, you wouldn't always be trying to improve our lives by doing all this. I understand."
He leaned on his mother's shoulder, "I know you love me the most. Please don't say such things to me; it makes my heart ache."
With a hint of coquetry, he added, "Since you say I shouldn't pick on my sister-in-law, I won't. I promise!"
Zhao Guihua: "Good."
Zhuang Zhixi grinned, "But I still have to compete when it's necessary, hehe, I can't help it."
Zhao Guihua laughed and poked his forehead, "You little rascal."
Zhuang Zhixi yelped, "Ahhh, Mom, you just touched the snake with your hands and now you're poking me, ahhh..."
Are you rejecting me?
I disdain the snake...
"Hahahaha." Old Man Zhuang laughed heartily.
Ming Mei laughed along.
After everyone had their fill of laughter, Zhuang Zhixi suddenly said, "My dear mother, you're quite the hoarder. You made so much money selling fish."
Zhao Guihua: "None of your business."
Zhuang Zhixi: "But..."
Zhao Guihua: "Stop asking questions. There's food to keep your mouth busy!"
Zhuang Zhixi raised an eyebrow, "Mom, you're really good at hiding money."
Zhao Guihua: "Get lost!"
The harmonious mother-son relationship collapsed in an instant. Ming Mei then laughed and said, "The fish is done, Ming Mei's exclusive grilled fish, tastes amazing."
"Come, come."
Everyone quickly started eating. Zhuang Zhixi complimented, "My wife is really amazing, the taste is superb."
Ming Mei pouted, "Of course, I was very serious."
She said, "Mmm, this fish is so fresh. I think grilled fish and stewed fish are completely different, but both are really delicious."
The four of them ate quickly. The fish was small, and the small bones were already crispy after grilling, so they didn't need to pick out the bones. After they were full, Ming Mei let out a burp.
Looking around, her father-in-law, Old Man Zhuang, had already picked up his fishing rod and sat back down.
She crouched beside him to watch.
Zhuang Zhixi: "Dad, stop fishing, we won't be able to carry it all back."
Old Man Zhuang: "Why not? The basket for the big snake and big fish will go with us on the bus, and we can stuff a couple more fish in it. It's on the ground, we don't need to carry it."
"That's true, but it's too heavy for us."
Zhao Guihua thought, "That's true. Since the 'big stuff' will be carried back by the two men, our load isn't that heavy. Let's pick some mugwort and tie it to the back of the cart to take home."
Zhuang Zhixi complained, "Mom, you said mugwort can keep snakes, bugs, mice, and ants away, but look, we've pulled a whole bundle of mugwort, and that snake wasn't scared at all, it even chased after us. We really had a tough time. It wasn't afraid of it at all."
"It's so big, of course it's not afraid of just a little bit of mugwort. We don't have snakes that big in the city, and if we did, it would be the end of us," Zhao Guihua replied, "We just need to keep its grandkids away, no need to worry about that big thing. Even if a person came, they couldn't stop it..."
"A fish is biting the hook!" Ming Mei exclaimed. Sure enough, Old Man Zhuang pulled up a fish.
He was very happy, saying, "Look at this catch, we should have come earlier. I didn't know I was this capable."
Zhao Guihua rolled her eyes, "Hmph, are you trying to make me angry?"
Could she do it?
Well, she really couldn't.
"Are you done yet? Are we heading back or not?"
Normally, they could ride their bikes down the mountain, which was quick. But today, they had too much stuff to push the bikes, so they should head down early. Zhao Guihua suggested, "Let's pack up and go?"
"Alright."
They quickly tidied up. Zhao Guihua made sure to stomp on the fire and pour pond water over it to ensure it wouldn't reignite.
Zhuang Zhixi praised, "Mom, you're really conscientious."
Zhao Guihua replied, "If a fire starts, it could cause big problems. If something happens, we'd regret it for a lifetime. Better to be cautious than to regret after the fact. Even though there aren't many people on this mountain, if a forest fire starts, it's a big deal. I absolutely won't let that happen."
She said, "Alright, let's go."
Two large baskets were placed on the bike's rear seat, with the two men pushing the bikes and the two women holding the baskets. Old Man Zhuang's bike also had a rabbit basket hanging from it, which he insisted on carrying. Although Zhuang Zhixi said he could manage, it was unfortunate that the young man who spent all day in the office was not in as good shape as Old Man Zhuang, who worked in the workshop, and didn't have as much strength.
Ming Mei, who could kick a strong man flying with one foot and stab a snake with a kitchen knife, wasn't particularly strong in brute strength. She was skilled in using techniques, but in tasks like arm wrestling or lifting things, she wasn't exceptionally strong.
The strongest woman in their courtyard was Aunt Wang.
Others just couldn't compare.
The group headed down the mountain cautiously.
Fortunately, the smell of blood was masked by the mugwort they carried, which probably kept other animals away. This was a lucky coincidence.
Of course, it also helped that there were no particularly large animals in this mountain, like wolves or tigers.
Otherwise, the mugwort wouldn't have been enough.
Experienced hunters would never stay in the mountains after seeing blood, but these were novices who didn't know better. They were just lucky.
The descent took twice as long as usual, and by the time they reached the foot of the mountain, they were out of breath.
They arrived at the bus stop, and luckily, a bus arrived soon. The two men lifted the baskets onto the bus, and Zhuang Zhixi also carried the rabbit basket, allowing the two women to board more easily.
The time was off-peak, so there weren't many people.
The bus quickly departed. Although some curious passengers glanced at the baskets, no one spoke to them. After all, carrying large baskets into the city wasn't uncommon. The only unusual thing was that these two didn't look like country folk, but that wasn't a big deal.
There were a few others on the bus, and it was normal to bring back some things from visiting relatives.
In the past, many people would trade city food coupons for grain in the countryside. City folks had coupons but no grain, while country folks had grain but no coupons. It was common to swap through relatives and friends.
Of course, there were limits, but some people didn't have enough, so they had to trade.
So it wasn't strange.
The bus quickly drove off. Ming Mei watched the exhaust and said, "Mom, let's go."
She had stayed in the shade and didn't help carry the baskets. She and the driver worked at the same place and didn't want to be recognized. Not that she was afraid of embarrassment, but she didn't want to be questioned.
If Zhuang Zhixi and the others got on the bus, no one would talk to them.
But if she showed up, she'd definitely be asked questions. Ming Mei didn't want to reveal this "treasure trove."
So, she wanted to keep it hidden for as long as possible, as it could improve their lives.
The two women rode their bikes home. If it were just Ming Mei, she could ride very fast, but with Zhao Guihua, she slowed down. Just like when her mother Lan Ling was around, she would be scolded if she rode too fast. These elders always thought too much.
So Ming Mei was cautious in front of them.
As they rode, Zhao Guihua said, "Let's not mention the snake when we get home."
Ming Mei obediently nodded, "I'll do as you say."
Zhao Guihua glanced at her and saw her little face was dirty, turning the usually bright and beautiful girl into a "dusty princess." She smiled faintly and said, "After we get home, let's clean up and go for a bath."
Ming Mei quickly agreed, "I think that's a good idea."
But she quickly added, "If we both go, do we have enough tickets?"
Yes, even going to the bathhouse required tickets, not just money. Without tickets, they wouldn't be admitted, no matter how much money you had.
Zhao Guihua said, "Oh, that's no problem. If we don't have enough, I'll swap some with someone in the courtyard."
Ming Mei said, "That makes sense."
Although tickets were needed, they weren't as precious as other tickets. Many people preferred to save money and bathe at home.
For example, in the machinery factory, a formal worker got one ticket per month, valid for three months.
It didn't sound generous, but remember, a bath cost twenty cents, and twenty cents could buy more than one steamed bun. So some families wouldn't use these tickets.
Their value for swapping was quite low.
Usually, except for the two months before the New Year, these tickets weren't in high demand, especially in summer when bathing at home was convenient and not cold.
Now, although it wasn't summer yet, it wasn't the busy period before the New Year either.
She said, "I'll go swap with Aunt Wang when we get back. She definitely has some."
Ming Mei said, "I think that's a good idea."
As they rode their bikes home, the time passed quickly with their chatter. When they reached Xinghua Lane, Ming Mei suddenly remembered, "Mom, why did we come back? We should have gone to the station to pick them up."
Zhao Guihua said, "Are you stupid? Can we ride our bikes faster than the bus? They probably arrived long ago. If they waited for us with the baskets, they'd be caught by the Red Armband. They wouldn't do something so foolish. They're probably already home. Let's go."
Two people rode their bikes into the courtyard. Sure enough, they saw Old Man Zhuang already sitting at the gate. He really did look tired, resting there. The front yard was surprisingly empty, not a single person in sight. She first went to the sink to wash her hands, washing them meticulously and vigorously with soap! She had to wash them thoroughly!
Zhao Guihua: "Why are you alone?"
Liang Meifen came out of the house: "Mom, I'm here too."
She was leading two children and looking at the turtles.
"I mean the other households."
Liang Meifen was a gossip queen, well-informed. She said, "Old Man Bai went to the hospital. His son and his old flame are both at the hospital, so how could he not go? Jiang Lu hasn't come back at all, staying at the hospital to take care of her husband. As for the Su family, Wang Xiangxiu took her three kids to the hospital to see their grandmother, and they haven't returned either."
She whispered, "I know what Wang Xiangxiu is up to. Old Man Bai going to the hospital will definitely buy food for Aunt Su. By taking the kids there, she can always mooch a meal. If she stayed home, she wouldn't have that chance."
Everyone was thrifty; who didn't know who?
Zhao Guihua: "That's good."
She laughed and said, "Since they're all gone, let's get to work."
"What?"
Both Liang Meifen and Ming Mei were a bit confused. Zhao Guihua: "We can't keep these rabbits in the courtyard; it's against the rules. We can't just let them go; there are several of them, and we can't eat them all at once. We still have one from last time. I couldn't do anything but salt it. On my way back, I thought, let's kill them, make them into smoked rabbits, so they're easier to store, and we can eat them slowly."
"Sounds good!"
Liang Meifen lowered her voice and asked, "Then, Mom, what about that big fish?"
Such a big fish, they couldn't finish it all. If they made a whole fish feast, maybe they should invite her family to come and eat? Recently, her family hadn't been reaching out to her. When she went back for the New Year, her parents were very dissatisfied with the gifts she brought, their faces long and unhappy. If she could invite them for this fish feast, her parents would surely look at her differently.
If, if she could bring a smoked rabbit as a gift to her family, that would be even better.
She could surely gain face in her family.
She was lost in her fantasies, chuckling to herself. After decades of being mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Zhao Guihua knew exactly what Liang Meifen was thinking. She scoffed and said, "I plan to ask Li the Cook if their cafeteria wants to buy this fish."
"Ah???"
Everyone looked at Zhao Guihua in surprise, never expecting this.
Ming Mei wasn't too surprised though. On their way back, they had discussed that such a big fish was hard to handle for an ordinary family like theirs. If they ate it themselves, they couldn't finish it. If they cut it up to make salted fish, the thick meat wouldn't dry easily. It was just hard to handle.
Such a big fish, it was really a problem.
At that time, Ming Mei felt her mother-in-law must have some idea, and it turned out she was right.
Old Man Zhuang: "You decide, whatever you decide is fine with us."
Only Liang Meifen felt bitter inside. Such a big fish, why not have a fish feast and invite guests? How honorable that would be. She really didn't know how to make her daughter-in-law look good.
She felt so sad.
She deeply felt that she was unlucky to have such a mother-in-law. Other young wives didn't suffer like she did.
Liang Meifen had a bitter face. Zhao Guihua was furious and scolded, "You miserable thing, who are you making that long face for! If you can work, then work; if you can't, then get lost. Stop pretending here. If you're so eager to think about your family, go back to your family and never come back. Zhuang Zhiyuan, that rascal, must think I've lived too long, bringing you back to annoy me. Seeing your bitter face every day is so annoying. Even good luck would run away from you."
Zhao Guihua didn't want to scold, but Liang Meifen... if you didn't scold her like this, she would just wallow in self-pity. But if you acted like a strict mother-in-law, she would immediately become obedient.
It's just... difficult!
Zhao Guihua wasn't a good-tempered old lady to begin with. Picking on her daughter-in-law? She was good at that.
She snorted loudly, and Liang Meifen immediately became as meek as a rabbit meeting a big wolf, quickly saying, "Mom, I wasn't, I wasn't. I'll start working right now! I wasn't thinking about my family, please don't send me away."
Ming Mei: "???"
Didn't her mother-in-law just say that casually?
She scratched her hair, making her already messy long hair even more disheveled.
Zhao Guihua was shouting loudly at the gate. A neighbor auntie from the back yard, who was about to come forward to chat, decisively pricked up her ears and decided not to come over. She quickly went to gossip with a neighbor.
Liang Meifen must have done something again. Zhao Guihua was roaring.
Zhao Guihua, at her age, still had quite a temper, always shouting like a wild donkey!
Zhao Guihua: "Alright, start working. I'm going to the back yard. Ming Mei, help your sister-in-law."
Ming Mei: "Okay!"
She was stuck on the stool but agreed very readily.
Zhao Guihua knew what kind of person she was. Everyone has their flaws. Ming Mei's flaw was laziness; she didn't like doing any housework. However, you couldn't say she was entirely lazy. If you asked her to go up the mountain and catch rabbits, which was also a physical job, she was quite enthusiastic.
She figured Ming Mei probably couldn't handle the routine housewife chores, but catching rabbits was like playing for her, so she enjoyed it.
But Zhao Guihua didn't analyze her anymore. She picked up a fish and a small basin of dates and said, "I'm going."
"Sure."
She hadn't shown her gratitude for borrowing the sewing machine so many times recently, so now was the time to do so.
Zhao Guihua entered the Li household with the items. Aunt Wang was at home mending her grandson's clothes when she heard Zhao Guihua's voice: "Old Wang, are you home?"
Fortunately, Aunt Wang was a woman; otherwise, being called "Old Wang" all the time would be quite misleading.
Aunt Wang: "Oh, Old Zhao, come in quickly. Didn't you go fishing? How did it go?"
Zhao Guihua: "Need you ask? Of course, I had a catch. Look what I brought you."
She entered the house. Aunt Wang looked and immediately frowned: "What are you doing?"
She closed the door: "Fishing is not easy for your family. Why are you giving it to me?"
"What are you saying? I've borrowed your sewing machine a lot, and the fishing net too. How could I always come empty-handed? I couldn't do that."
Look at what you're saying. We've been sisters for so many years. What are you doing? Take it back. If you don't take it back, I'll be angry." Aunt Wang was determined not to accept it. The fish was not small, enough for a dish, and she had no face to take it.
Besides, there was also a small basin of dates.
"I'll take the dates for the kids to snack on, but take the fish back."
Seeing her like this, Zhao Guihua said, "Hey, I have something else to ask you for help. If you don't take it, how can I ask you?"
"Huh? Something else? Tell me, but it doesn't have to be like this."
Zhao Guihua: "It's really important. Today, Old Man Zhuang caught a big fish. Our pot is too small to cook it. I wanted to ask if the cafeteria wants to buy it. We don't want money, just exchange it for food."
Even if it's a public place, she couldn't talk about money; money hurts feelings, and things get complicated. So she thought to directly ask for food. She said, "I know this is speculation, but we're not trading, just exchanging, helping each other. It shouldn't affect anything, right?"
Aunt Wang: "If it's an exchange, it definitely won't affect anything, but I don't know if they'll take it. Why don't you wait for my husband? Today is a good day; someone is getting married, and he went out to cook. It's already late afternoon, so he should be back soon. How big is it? You can't cook it at home."
She truly believed it was because the fish was too big, not because Zhao Guihua wanted to sell it for money. After all, in their courtyard, the Zhao family was known for their large appetite and willingness to spend on food. Especially since their youngest son got married, their household became even more noticeable for indulging in good food.
It seemed that with all their worries settled, they were more willing to enjoy life's pleasures.
She smiled and said, "You guys are really something, managing to catch such a big fish."
Zhao Guihua: "If I were to tell you..." Before she could finish, she started laughing, saying, "You might not believe me, but there's an old saying about how a fisherman benefits from the struggle between a snipe and a clam. We really experienced that."
Aunt Wang: "What do you mean? Tell me more."
Zhao Guihua: "This big fish was bitten by two turtles. Maybe it hurt so much that it accidentally swam into our net. When we pulled it up, the turtles still hadn't let go."
"Ah?" Aunt Wang was astonished.
Zhao Guihua laughed: "It was really our lucky day."
"That's for sure. Let's go take a look."
Zhao Guihua stopped Aunt Wang, saying, "Wait a bit. Let's wait for Li the Cook to come back and then we can go together. If he can take it, we'll move it right away. I don't want a crowd gathering to watch. Not that I don't want you to see, but you know, I don't want to hear all the jealous comments. Besides, if those three thieves next door hear about it, and if your husband can't take it, they might try to steal it."
"Pfft, thieves, that's an interesting nickname. Where did you learn that from?"
Zhao Guihua: "You might not believe me, but it's from Bai Zhan Tang.
You might not know about 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.'
I, Zhao Guihua, have seen the world.
But she remained calm, saying, "Didn't Uncle Lan mention it before? Thieves, those are real thieves, so we better be careful."
Aunt Wang couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Oh right, I forgot to ask, who caught the fish today in your family?" Aunt Wang asked curiously, her eyes gleaming as she looked at Zhao Guihua. Zhao Guihua's mouth twitched, and she said gloomily, "What do you mean by that?"
She slowly said, "Do you think I can't catch fish?"
Aunt Wang didn't feel awkward and continued laughing, saying, "My husband and I were betting on whether you'd catch anything today. Did you catch anything or not?"
Zhao Guihua: "Can you two be decent?"
Aunt Wang: "So you didn't catch anything?"
If she had caught a fish, why would she be so angry?
Obviously, she hadn't caught anything.
Aunt Wang felt she had seen through the truth.
Zhao Guihua: "Hmm."
Aunt Wang: "Pfft, hahaha."
Zhao Guihua: "That's too much!"
But since the conversation had reached this point, she couldn't help asking, "So did you bet that I would catch something or not?"
Aunt Wang's eyes flickered.
Zhao Guihua narrowed her eyes slightly: "You bet I wouldn't catch anything? Are you still my old friend? Can you be like this?"
Aunt Wang quickly said, "I, I was just being realistic."
Zhao Guihua gave a cold chuckle, saying, "So it was Li the Cook who bet I would catch something?"
Aunt Wang was truly embarrassed now, stuttering, "Both of us wanted to bet that you wouldn't catch anything, and we ended up fighting over it... The bet didn't happen in the end."
Zhao Guihua: "..."
Pfft, be decent, you!
Shame on you!
