Translated by Serena Love

Zhao Lanxiang was caught by him and kissed. They kissed until her cheeks are steaming hot.

She feels the slight enthusiasm in his blood and looked at the way he looked at her as if he couldn't wait to kneel down and propose. Her heartbeat almost overwhelmed the laughter coming from the Li family's courtyard.

Sweat oozes from the palm of her hand.

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"Don't make trouble, go back."

She whispered to He Songbai.

The enthusiasm in He Songbai's heart cooled down, and then he put down the girlfriend's hand in embarrassment.

His dark-brown face turned red suspiciously. He realized what he had done just now was...just like a hooligan! He sighed with relief and felt that he is more and more unruly.

Zhao Lanxiang looked at him with a smile and shook his hand. "Okay, don't be too shy, there are serious things to do later."

"Hurry back to drink wedding wine. The only precious wedding in your eldest sister's life, you can't hide outside like this. Get over it."

There were two reasons why He Songbai "hide" outside. When the girlfriend called him, he followed.

Second, it is because many members have come. He Songbai subconsciously got used to the cold eyes of others and deliberately avoided it when toasting to avoid embarrassment. To be honest, his own doesn't care about those who look down on other people, but he is afraid that someone will be bitter on this happy day, and he will say something unpleasant.

Zhao Lanxiang touched the man's ear lovingly, and encouragingly say, "Go."

"The bride's younger brother should come forward at this time and share the 'firepower'."

Zhao Lanxiang could tell that the man is a bit mindful of his own background. Even on such a day of great joy, he has to pass it carefully.

What He Songbai did not know was, on the day after the collapse of Niujiao Mountain, after the director of the women's federation and the second brigade's captain, He Laifu, sent chickens to commend their "good behavior", Zhao Lanxiang wrote the commendation letter and review materials for the "progressive members" of collective life.

She wrote a memoir to the party, and a few days later, the major safety accident was published in the provincial newspapers, and by the way, a small piece of blurb was squeezed out to these "heroes."

He Songbai was so busy during this time, he was rushing around to make up for his brother-in-law's medical expenses, and of course, he didn't bother to pay attention to the changes in the attitude of the people in the village towards him.

However, He Songbai soon feels it.

There was a smile on his face, but it was somewhat restrained. When facing the crowd, the curvature of his mouth seemed to be deliberately calculated. He didn't have the joy from the heart when he faced his own people, he even spoke flatly, not much, and tend to be a little silent.

"I'll come, I'll come."

He took the big bowl that Li Daniu had brought to his mouth, and drank it all.

This bulk rice wine is three cents per pound, cheap and spicy. The Li family bought 20 pounds in one go. There is not enough food and wine to finish, so everyone could have a good time.

The three men of the Li's family were so instigated that they are already drunk to death. Where could Daniu, Dama, and Dagou drink so much wine before...

However, the pig farm where He Songbai works is always stocked with high-concentration spirits, which are strong and spicy. The butchers can get a refreshing drink every day after working hard to kill the pigs.

After He Songbai have been drinking for one summer, his tolerance of wine surged.

Daniu got a helping hand and was very happy to push He Songbai forward.

"Introducing, this is my sister-in-law's brother, everyone let me go and just come to him!"

He Songbai honestly took one drink after another. It was probably that his skin is too dark and the wine did not make his face red, the members did not make him drunk after a round of drinks. He drank gently, drank and drank, and accept the drinks from all the people. After the members were drunk, He Songbai was relieved.

Unlike the cynicism he expected, the people are a little more sincere.

He happily drank a few more glasses with Li Daniu, forcing them to squat in the latrine and reluctant to come out.

Zhao Lanxiang looked at He Songbai from a distance, and she couldn't help but lower her head, pursed her lips, and smiled.

The wedding banquet lasted from noon to afternoon, and they returned home contentedly until the sun went down.

Sister He has to spend the first night at her husband's house, because the next day she had to cook a meal and tea for her in-laws, and the couple would return to the He family's house tomorrow.

Zhao Lanxiang specially taught her to make potato and egg omelet, which is fragrant and delicious, and it is not difficult to make. It is very suitable to be used to please in-laws.

Grandma didn't go out for the wedding feast but ate alone in the house. Although she was deserted she is at ease. After He Songbai finished drinking, he went to the room to carry his old grandmother on his back and walked around the He family's house.

This is about the first time she has gone out in the past ten years. The grandmother looked at the blue waters and green mountains of Hezi village, with past events flashing in her eyes.

She couldn't help but stretch her neck and looked at these mountains and rivers coldly, timidly, and nostalgically.

He Songbai said, "Grandma, the gang of four is down!"

The grandmother replied, "It's good that they fell, it's good to fall..."

"I will stay a bit longer and see with my own eyes what will happen to the country."

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"Your sister got married today, and I have fulfilled my wish. I am very relaxed and happy. Songbai... You are left."

He Songbai subtly sensed that this topic could not go any further, and quickly changed the conversation.

"When I went to the hospital, grandma, your old friend was particularly sorry that elder sister is deaf and gave her a check."

"He said that she could be treated with surgery. It might be a little expensive to restore her hearing... And, maybe it's useless. After all, Elder sister is getting older. But I want to treat her."

Grandma uttered a word and went silent, her head is snuggling on her grandson's shoulders, her turbid eyes showing guilt.

"When your eldest sister became deaf, it was exactly when our family was in trouble. The adult did not take good care of her and she had a high fever for a few days."

He Songbai said lightly, "Eldest sister will not blame you. I will work hard to save money for Eldest sister to treat her illness.

Grandma hugged her grandson's neck, "Grandma's good Songbai... I made you suffer."

The gold in the family has been used up, not much could be saved. The remaining stash was buried under Niujiao Mountain, but it is so chaotic that it can't be found.

"Your daddy and grandpa are all pure and noble people who don't know the value of money, and they have made you suffer."

Before the accident, their beloved treasure was buried in a big box, which is all useless waste. Painting, calligraphy, literature, porcelain, and jade are all hot and troublesome, so Grandma Li can't wait to burn them all up, so they can't be seen again. If they could be exchanged for some money, Songbai doesn't have to work so hard.

The grandmother repeated her misery twice, but He Songbai did not feel bitter but instead feels alive.

There is hope in his heart. No matter how hard it is, no matter how tired it is, he will feel that it is happiness, and his whole body is full of energy.

...

The next day, Zhao Lanxiang took a rest on the weekend.

Sanya led a few friends to catch loaches by the river, but they didn't get many loaches and came back after catching many frogs. Originally they intended to roast it, but Zhao Lanxiang stopped them.

She said, "Don't spoil it, it is such a good thing. Wait until the evening and I make something delicious for you."

Sanya cheered. Zhao Lanxiang took out Sanya's new schoolbag and said, "Sanya quickly wash your hands and write some big characters for grandma to see."

Sanya has reached the age of reading and literacy. Although the He family is poor, they can still pay two yuan in tuition. As soon as autumn passed, Sanya carried her school bag and went to the school in the village to study.

The little girl threw frogs tied with grass into the water tank and happily went to Grandma's room to read the book.

Zhao Lanxiang cast a quick glance. The old woman tremblingly took out a dull pencil from the cabinet, held his granddaughter's hand, and taught her to write.

Although her legs and feet are inconvenient, her waist is as straight as possible and her expression is serious.

He Songbai returned from work outside and wiped his sweat.

Not sure where he found two tattered books and handed them to grandma.

"Grandma teaches her arithmetic. Girls should learn more about this."

Zhao Lanxiang glanced, and what He Songbai took out was clearly a classical document, as well as retro poems.

Grandma pushed these books away and said with a straight face, "Take it and burn it, wasting money to buy these banned materials. What to do with these books, I'm so confused that I can't remember this thing."

Poetry is still relatively sensitive in this era and is considered do not advocate learning.

He Songbai silently gave the book to Zhao Lanxiang and asked her to use it as firewood.

As soon as Zhao Lanxiang burned the book, a loud and excited voice came to her ears.

"Ah, I have been injured for three months, and you have never visited me once."

Jiang Li's mouth curled up so much, it could hang a wine gourd.

She said, "If you make me a delicious meal, I will forgive you."

The board on her feet had just been removed and she came to Zhao Lanxiang as soon as she was able to move freely.

Jiang Li said, "I'm so unlucky. This broken mountain smashed my leg and made me miss the ideological and political evaluation. My workers, peasants, and soldiers university dream also broke down.

"Will you not cook a meal to comfort me?"

Zhao Lanxiang said, "Is it has anything to do with me?"

Jiang Li pouted, and said, "You are really annoying. Your purpose is too strong. If you don't get my brother, wouldn't you still able to follow me?"

Zhao Lanxiang turned over the collection of poems at the bottom of the stove to make the ashes burn more thoroughly. She ignored the thoughts of the little girl, Jiang Li, but just opened her hands and said, "Take it out."

"Your pocket is bulging, I saw it."

"For the sake of your sickness, I'll give you a share of that bag of pastry, so give it to me."

Jiang Li finally convinced, and she pulled out the three letters in her pocket.

Zhao Lanxiang raised her eyebrows. One letter per month, Jiang Jianjun is not bad.

But she hated Jiang Jianjun's self-assertive way of enclosing the letter written to her in Jiang Li's letter. He took himself for granted that in this era it was taboo for a relationship between men and women.

However, Zhao Lanxiang only feels disgusted.

This pretentious affection is even more offensive. Is it possible that he still wants to have a big show of the prodigal son coming back?

She asked, "Did you not write to your brother during this time?"

"No, I'm paralyzed in the hospital, how am I still thinking to write letters. But my mother came to see me once, it's a pity that you didn't come to see me."

"My mother really wants to meet you."

Zhao Lanxiang couldn't help being surprised, "Why did she look for me, I remember that I don't know her."

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Jiang Li couldn't help but knocking her crutches, "How do I know this, maybe my brother told her?"

"I believe in you. Can you do something nutritious for my body?"

Zhao Lanxiang asked Jiang Li for a pound of food stamp.

She cleaned the frog one by one and peeled it off, revealing white and tender muscles. Use cornstarch, egg white, and white wine to knead and marinate them for a while, then blanch it in a pot. Then she started to make the bone soup base. She set aside half of the soup, and poured the remaining half into the rapeseed, fried onion, ginger, garlic, dried pepper, red pepper, pepper, white sesame, and added the bones from the soup. The clear soup base suddenly became red and oily.

The stove is sealed which turned the fire into small.

Zhao Lanxiang stewed the clear soup bullfrog in a big pot, added mountain mushrooms, yam, red dates, and wolfberry, cut a few pieces of tofu, and stewed it. When the soup is boiled, add frogs, and the soup becomes milky white before it starts to cook.

She divided half of the frog in the clear soup for grandma to eat and left the other half for Jiang Li.

Jiang Li stretched her neck and said, "The red one looks so delicious, I want to eat it."

Zhao Lanxiang said coldly, "You want to eat everything, do you think you can eat it?"

Jiang Li really didn't care, rolled up her sleeves, and blanched a few frogs. She waited for them to be cooked and fished it to eat.

The hot and spicy taste suddenly invaded her tongue, until it was fresh and delicious. The meat was tender and smooth, the soup was spicy and the throat was hot, but it was exciting that people keep eating. Her brain was occupied by this domineering taste. At that moment, her scalp was so spicy that tears were swirling in her eyes. She couldn't help but hissing and inhaling, the spicy and rich soup wrapping the extremely tender and smooth frog meat. It was soaked so that the meat was so soft that it slid into the mouth while bitten. It tasted more tender than other meats, such as pork or chicken.

It's really painful but happy.

Jiang Li said, "It's delicious! This is really exciting!"

"After drinking porridge and side dishes for a few months, my mouth has faded. It was just right to eat some of this."

It's too delicious to stop. The hot pot soup gives people this feeling. After the first spicy taste is finished, the rest is the thick and long delicacy that belongs to the tube bone soup. The frog is tender and fresh, and it tastes better than chicken legs. Still fragrant and tender!

Jiang Li gobbled three frogs, and then she was willing to stop and drink the stewed frog and mountain mushroom soup.

She hiccuped and sighed, "You are having a great time."

"Eat such a good thing every day..."

"I think about it now, and I think it would be nice if my brother could get you back home. I will be able to drop by frequently in the future..."

Zhao Lanxiang, who was about to call for the He family's brothers and sisters, couldn't help but sink.

She wanted to correct Jiang Li, but in order not to expose the fact of her rebirth in front of Jiang Jianjun, she endured it. Let the man continue to mistakenly think that she is the little girl who was inexperienced, simple, and easy to control.

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