Song Lainan’s face flushed red in an instant, and she slapped her daughter on the butt. “Haven’t you ever eaten before? Embarrassing!”
The little girl let out a loud wail and started crying.
Erwa instinctively moved closer to Dawa.
Song Zhaodi’s second brother-in-law immediately picked up his daughter, Du Tao, and glared at Song Lainan. “She’s so young, she doesn’t understand anything. Why are you hitting her?” As he spoke, he glanced at Song Zhaodi as if to say, Is this how an aunt should behave, arguing with her own niece?
Song Zhaodi curled her lips, about to speak, when Du Tao suddenly let out a sharp scream and started bawling her lungs out.
The words at the tip of her tongue were forcibly swallowed back, nearly choking her. Instead, she patted Dawa, signalling him to take Erwa upstairs. Then, she picked up Sanwa and nudged her mother’s arm, motioning for her and her father to head upstairs as well—leaving Du Tao to cry downstairs as much as she wanted.
Seeing this, Song Lainan stood up with her son in her arms.
Holding Du Tao, Du Faming instinctively got up as well.
Watching them, Song Zhaodi felt a wave of frustration. She understood that her mother had brought Song Lainan’s family here to introduce them to her home, so that in the future, when people asked, Song Lainan wouldn’t be clueless about where her own sister lived.
But seeing how Song Lainan was acting, Song Zhaodi couldn’t help but want to scold her parents.
Then again, the elderly couple had spent two days travelling by train and boat…
Song Zhaodi took a deep breath. “Alright, let’s all go upstairs and figure out where to sleep tonight.”
Before her mother arrived, Song Zhaodi had already discussed the sleeping arrangements with Zhong Dawa. He and Erwa would sleep on the top bunk of the bunk bed, while Du Tao and her younger brother, who was a few months younger than Erwa, would sleep on the bottom bunk.
Zhong Dawa had agreed, thinking that his second aunt’s children would be just as well-behaved as his eldest aunt’s. He never expected that his second aunt was nothing like his eldest aunt—and that his second aunt’s daughter was a complete menace.
As soon as Song Zhaodi reached the second floor, Zhong Dawa couldn’t wait to grab her arm and drag her into his room, pointing at the bunk bed. “Mom, I take it back.”
“Dawa, didn’t we agree on this?” Song Zhaodi was puzzled. “A real man keeps his word.”
Zhong Dawa snorted. “I’m not a real man, I’m a kid. I don’t care—she is not allowed to sleep in this bed.” He pointed straight at Du Tao in Du Faming’s arms.
“What’s going on?” Mother Song didn’t understand.
Song Zhaodi explained her original plan to her.
Mother Song glanced at Dawa, who was puffing up his cheeks in defiance, then at Du Tao, who was still sniffing and wiping her tears. She quickly understood why Dawa had changed his mind—he simply didn’t like Du Tao.
Although all children were precious, Mother Song just couldn’t bring herself to like her only granddaughter. That was because Du Tao had been raised by Song Lainan and Du Faming to cry and make a scene at the drop of a hat, her moods unpredictable.
“She won’t sleep there. Dawa, there’s still a big bed in this room. We’ll sleep on that one.”
“Then where do we sleep?” Song Lainan suddenly asked.
“In the guest room, there’s a bed there,” Song Zhaodi replied. “Father and Mother slept there last time they visited. Big Sis and her husband, along with their two children, all shared this bed.” She pointed at a 1.2-metre-wide bed against the west wall.
Song Lainan glanced at it. “That small bed fit four people?”
“Liugen sleeps on top of my brother-in-law,” Song Zhaodi said, though she had no idea how her eldest sister’s family actually managed—after all, Song Laibao had never once complained about the bed being too cramped.
Mother Song added, “If you think the bed is too small, let Du Tao sleep with us tonight.”
Du Tao was already over four years old. In the countryside, children that age still slept with their elders, so Song Lainan had no objections. She turned to her daughter and said, “Stop crying. Tonight, you’ll sleep with Grandma.”
Du Tao completely ignored her, clinging to her father’s neck and continuing to whimper. Seeing this, Song Zhaodi knew that Song Lainan’s words were pointless—there would definitely be trouble at bedtime.
In her past life, Song Zhaodi had always found children troublesome. She only doted on Zhong Jianguo’s kids because they were her choice and, more importantly, because they were exceptionally well-behaved.
As for Du Tao, who came in crying and wailing? If Song Lainan and Du Faming weren’t here, Song Zhaodi would have already disciplined her. She made up her mind: if Du Tao threw a tantrum at night, she would simply toss her out.
“Second Sister, Second Brother-in-law, you should go rest in the west room. By the way, does Xiaozhuang wet the bed at night? If he does, I’ll get you some diapers.”
“Give me a few extra,” Song Lainan said. Her youngest son, who was the same age as Zhong Sanwa but two months older, had been feeling seasick and was now curled up in her arms, motionless. “His pants are already wet. Get me a pair to change him into.”
Zhong Dawa looked up and asked, “Didn’t you bring clothes for him?”
Song Lainan hesitated. “They’re in the bag. I don’t feel like digging them out.”
“My mom doesn’t feel like digging them out either,” Zhong Dawa said bluntly. He was a child with a temper. Even his father, Zhong Jianguo, wasn’t exempt from his sharp tongue—let alone an outsider like Song Lainan. “My little brother doesn’t have many clothes. If we give yours to him, he won’t have any left.”
Song Lainan’s breath caught in her throat. “You—”
“Second Sister, Dawa is right,” Song Zhaodi interrupted her. “Everything here requires ration tickets, even buying fabric to make clothes. We can’t even get cotton thread. The kids really don’t have many clothes—just two sets per season. If it rains and their clothes don’t dry, they have to sleep naked in the blankets.”
Zhong Dawa nodded in agreement. “Mom’s right.”
Song Lainan opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.
“Er yatou, go rest in your room,” Mother Song cut in.
Song Lainan huffed and carried her son away.
Tall and broad-shouldered, Du Faming looked at his mother-in-law, then at his father-in-law, utterly at a loss.
Father Song waved him off. “You go rest too.”
Once Song Lainan’s family was inside, Father Song turned to Song Zhaodi. “Zhaodi—”
“Father, you and Mother should lie down for a while,” Song Zhaodi said quickly. “And watch over Erwa and Sanwa for me. Dawa and I are going to cook dinner.”
Father Song understood immediately—she didn’t want to talk about it. Exchanging a glance with Mother Song, he simply nodded.
Mother Song added, “Dawa is just a child, he can’t really help you. I’ll go with you.”
“Erwa, can you stay here with Grandpa?” Song Zhaodi asked.
Without thinking, Zhong Erwa shook his head vigorously.
Zhong Dawa nudged his arm and whispered, “Stay upstairs and watch the house.” Then, he pointed at the west room. “Make sure they don’t take our stuff.”
Mother Song’s expression darkened.
Song Zhaodi held back a laugh. “Dawa, come downstairs and help me with your little brother.”
“Okay.” Zhong Dawa followed along. Seeing that Zhong Jianguo and Song Zhaodi’s bedroom door was open, he darted inside, found a lock, and tiptoed to lock the door.
Mother Song’s breathing quickened.
Song Zhaodi couldn’t hold it in anymore. She coughed lightly to suppress the laughter threatening to burst out. “Dawa, let’s go.”
Zhong Dawa tied the key onto the string around his neck, bouncing happily. “Coming, coming!”
Downstairs, Mother Song couldn’t help but comment, “That child—”
“He’s not guarding against you, he’s guarding against my second sister,” Song Zhaodi explained. “Don’t blame him. My second sister is just like their grandmother. Dawa is scared out of his wits.”
Mother Song sighed. “I know your second sister isn’t easy to deal with, but she’s still my daughter. I always felt that even if I favoured your eldest sister, I couldn’t favour her too much.
“You’ve sent a total of three hundred yuan home. Your father and I have saved up some money over the years, so we’re not struggling. I was just wondering if you could spare fifty for your second sister. But seeing your reaction, I don’t need to ask anymore.”
“Is Second Sister out of money?” Song Zhaodi washed her hands, scooped three ladles of white flour and one of soybean flour into a basin, and began kneading the dough for noodles.
Mother Song: “We were chatting on the train. She said Du Tao was sick last month, and they spent several yuan on medical expenses. I thought about giving her a little.”
“Mom, you don’t have to feel guilty about Second Sister,” Song Zhaodi said. “The money I send you is actually for Eldest Sister and her husband. I live far away. If you and Dad ever get sick, I can’t rush back, so Eldest Sister is the one taking care of you.
“They put in both money and effort. Since I can’t contribute physically, I give a little more financially. You want to give some to Second Sister, and logically, I shouldn’t stop you. But tell me—when you and Dad grow old, will Second Sister and her husband take care of you?”
“They have their own in-laws to care for. How could they have time to look after us?” Mother Song suddenly paused, then sighed. “As a mother, I shouldn’t have asked.”
Song Zhaodi: “Mom, actually, you shouldn’t have asked me. You should ask Eldest Sister and her husband. Think about it—if Eldest Sister were your son and her husband your daughter-in-law, would you dare secretly give money to Second Sister?”
Mother Song admitted honestly, “If Second Sister was truly struggling to get by, I would.”
“But Second Brother-in-law earns more than Eldest Brother-in-law.” Song Zhaodi frowned, then realised something. “If he takes leave, does the factory deduct his pay? Then why did Second Sister ask him to come with her?”
Mother Song: “She said that since you’ve been married to Zhong Jianguo for over a year, it would be unreasonable for an older sister to have never visited her younger sister’s home.”
“You believe that?” Song Zhaodi asked, then answered for her, “I don’t. Second Sister must have another motive. When she tries to pick a fight with me, I hope you and Dad won’t intervene.”
Zhong Dawa immediately asked, “Mom, are you going to argue with Second Aunt?”
“Not your business,” Song Zhaodi said. “Stay out of it.”
Zhong Dawa: “I can help you.”
“I don’t need your help.” Song Zhaodi fixed him with a stare. “Zhong Dawa, do you think I can’t handle this?”
Zhong Dawa shook his head vigorously. “If you say no help, then no help.” But as soon as Zhong Jianguo came home, Zhong Dawa pulled him outside, pointing at the second-floor window. “Dad, the new Second Aunt and her family are just like Grandma.”
Zhong Jianguo had met Song Lainan once on their wedding day. Though they’d only exchanged a couple of sentences, from her tone and gestures, he could tell she was just like Zhao Yin.
When he entered the kitchen and saw Mother Song washing her hands, he quietly asked Song Zhaodi, “Your Second Sister is up to no good.”
“A well-meaning person wouldn’t come at all,” Song Zhaodi replied. “Afraid of causing us trouble, even Song Dali, who’s been clamouring to see Dawa, wasn’t allowed to come by Eldest Sister.”
Zhong Jianguo vaguely heard footsteps rushing downstairs. “She’s coming. How do you plan to handle her?”
“They’re my family. I can handle them myself.” Song Zhaodi was full of fighting spirit. However, when Du Tao asked her for a meeting gift, the usually sharp-witted and eloquent Song Zhaodi was stunned. “What meeting gift?”
Coming down the stairs, Song Lainan added, “She’s not asking you, she’s asking her uncle-in-law.” She pointed at Zhong Jianguo, who was coming out holding a bundle of chopsticks. “This is the first time Du Tao is meeting her uncle. Jianguo, how much do you plan to give as a meeting gift?”
Song Zhaodi understood immediately. So they came to freeload off them? “Dawa, go bring Erwa and Sanwa over. They should kowtow to their second aunt and uncle and wish them an early New Year.” She turned to Song Lainan. “Second Brother-in-law, I heard your salary is quite high. How much are you planning to give my three kids as New Year’s money?”
“This—” Du Faming looked at Song Lainan, unsure what to do.
Give what?! Song Lainan shot him a glare. “Zhaodi, it’s still half a month until New Year’s. It’s too early to talk about New Year’s money.”
“It’s not early at all.” Song Zhaodi replied, “There’s a saying—once Laba Festival passes, the New Year begins. Today is the fourteenth of the twelfth lunar month. Laba was six days ago. I actually think we’re late.”
Zhong Jianguo suppressed a laugh and said, “Fair is fair. Second Sister, Second Brother-in-law, this is also the first time my three kids are meeting you. Let’s exchange meeting gifts before discussing New Year’s money.”
“Hey!” Song Zhaodi smacked Zhong Jianguo’s shoulder, calling him out for being too cunning. “Second Sister, Jianguo is right.”
Song Lainan had calculated everything but hadn’t expected to be countered with “New Year’s money.” “You two are an officer and a teacher. You’re richer than us. Do you really need our small meeting gifts and New Year’s money?”
“Second Sister, you’re wrong there.” Song Zhaodi nudged Zhong Jianguo, signalling him to bring out the dishes before continuing, “Whether it’s a meeting gift or New Year’s money, it’s meant for the children.
“You can give a dime, and Dawa won’t complain it’s too little. You can give a yuan, and he won’t dare say it’s too much. How much you give just shows how much you care about your little sister.”
Song Lainan’s face turned red.
Standing at the stairs with Erwa in tow, Father Song watched the exchange between his daughters. His usually sharp-tongued second daughter had not gained a single advantage, and he couldn’t help but shake his head. “Zhaodi, it’s getting dark. Let’s eat.”
“Alright, we’ll talk after dinner.” Song Zhaodi turned to bring out the dishes.
Last winter, they had barely anything to eat. This year, before winter set in, Song Zhaodi had filled the courtyard with vegetables to last through the season.
She cooked a pot of noodles and stir-fried three dishes—cabbage, lettuce, and bok choy. Song Lainan, thoroughly outmanoeuvred, stayed silent throughout the meal.
Song Zhaodi wasn’t in a hurry. As long as she was willing to play dirty, she was confident Song Lainan wouldn’t gain any advantage here.
As expected, when Song Lainan used the children as an excuse, Song Zhaodi called her three children over. Dawa would turn eight after the new year and could understand almost everything adults said. He chimed in with Song Zhaodi, nearly making Song Lainan so angry she coughed up blood.
Every night at bedtime, Du Tao fussed about wanting to sleep on Zhong Dawa’s bunk bed. Zhong Dawa refused, and Song Zhaodi didn’t bother telling him that guests should be accommodated. Instead, she directly told Song Lainan to control her daughter.
Song Lainan said, “Just let Du Tao sleep there for a night.”
Song Zhaodi immediately responded, “Du Tao is a girl. It’s inappropriate for her to sleep in the same bed as a boy.”
Zhong Jianguo agreed, “Zhaodi is right.”
It wasn’t a big deal—after all, the children were still young—but since the couple insisted on making it an issue, even Du Faming, who doted on his daughter, felt it was inappropriate. He sided with Song Zhaodi, saying, “A little girl sleeping with a boy really isn’t proper.”
Song Lainan then suggested, “Then let Du Tao sleep on the top bunk alone.”
Without hesitation, Song Zhaodi said, “If you’re not afraid she’ll roll off in the middle of the night, be my guest.”
Song Lainan countered, “Then let Zhong Dawa and Zhong Erwa sleep on the top bunk instead.”
Zhong Dawa coldly responded, “Not happening.”
Song Lainan was speechless.
At first, Mother Song and Father Song tried to mediate when they saw their two daughters bickering. But after watching their second daughter suffer repeated defeats and still keep fighting, they lost interest in intervening.
On February 5, the weather was pleasant. Mother Song told Song Zhaodi that they would be heading back the next day.
With the New Year approaching, Song Zhaodi didn’t insist they stay. After all, they still needed to prepare for the festivities and secretly visit their ancestors’ graves to burn offerings.
On the morning of February 6, Song Zhaodi bought two bags of goods, saw her family off, and collapsed onto the long bench as soon as she returned home. With a deep sigh, she said, “Finally, they’re gone.”
“Mom…” Zhong Dawa came down from upstairs, wiping his eyes.
Song Zhaodi sat up instantly, startled. “What’s wrong?”
“My book is gone…” As Zhong Dawa spoke, tears streamed down his face, one after another.
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