Chapter 23: Grandfather's Family

"Mom, Mom, Cousin Yanchu is here!" Qin Xiangya called out toward the house.

Yu Xiuxiu, who was inside, came out immediately upon hearing the voice.

"Chuchu is here!"

"Eldest Aunt." Su Yanchu greeted her, then took the large iron pot off the back of her bicycle.

Yu Xiuxiu was married to Qin Baonan, and the couple had a son and a daughter.

"Eldest Aunt, this is the large iron pot my mom asked me to bring for you." Su Yanchu handed the wrapped pot to Yu Xiuxiu.

"You shouldn't have brought anything! Just coming to visit is enough!" Yu Xiuxiu was very surprised. Iron pots were hard to come by; they required both ration coupons and a significant amount of money. "Come inside quickly."

"Where is Grandfather?"

"Now that the autumn harvest has just finished, he took your eldest uncle and second uncle up the mountain to hunt wild boars," Yu Xiuxiu replied. "Your second aunt took Xiangya back to her maiden home."

"Oh," Su Yanchu acknowledged.

"You’ve finished your exams, haven't you? Will you stay at home for a while this time and play with Xiangya?" Yu Xiuxiu poured Su Yanchu a cup of tea.

"My parents and I have moved into the city now. My dad is working at the machinery factory, my mom is at the neighborhood office, and my dad’s workplace even allocated us a house," Su Yanchu explained the current situation of her family. "I’m mainly here to invite Grandfather, Eldest Uncle, and Second Uncle to come to the city for a housewarming so our family can have a good get-together."

"You’ve all moved into the city!" Yu Xiuxiu exclaimed. "That’s wonderful! You can finally get away from your grandfather and grandmother. Everyone in our production team knows how biased they are."

"Please pass the word along to Grandfather and my uncles, Eldest Aunt." Su Yanchu smiled and gave Yu Xiuxiu the address of their new courtyard house. "I have to head back now."

"Cousin, you’re leaving so soon?" Qin Xiangya was only five years old. She looked small, but her cheeks were chubby. Since the famine years had passed not long ago, a child who wasn't favored at home would usually look sallow and thin, like a refugee. Although Su Yanchu, Qin Jiuhong, and Su Dawei had been transmigrated for some time and were eating well from their private space every day, their complexions had only just begun to look a bit healthier.

"Yes." Su Yanchu slipped her a few White Rabbit creamy candies and a small bag of peach blossom cakes. "Xiangya, share these with your brothers and sisters at home. Don't eat them all by yourself."

"I won't, Cousin, thank you!" Qin Xiangya’s eyes crinkled into crescents as she received the sweets.

"You're welcome." Su Yanchu patted her head, then said to Yu Xiuxiu, "Aunt, I'm heading back."

"Be careful on the road," Yu Xiuxiu urged.

"I will." Su Yanchu rode off on her bicycle.

...

The next day, Su Yanchu, Qin Jiuhong, and Su Dawei were up early. After a simple breakfast, the family began working in the outdoor kitchen. Qin Jiuhong took the lead at the stove, while Su Yanchu and Su Dawei assisted. The radio, repaired by Su Dawei, was playing the morning news, and the neighborhood children had pulled up stools to listen.

Qin Jiuhong didn't try to shoo them away. Today, she planned to make candied sweet potatoes, sweet and sour pork, braised pork with vermicelli, stewed chicken with mushrooms, and sticky bean buns. Since their closest family members were coming, they naturally brought out the best to entertain them. The wine was Xifeng liquor that Su Dawei had managed to source.

Smelling the savory scent of meat wafting from across the way, Tan Yuhua was green with envy, muttering, "Making so much good food and not even thinking about inviting us over for a meal."

Near noon, Qin Tiezhu arrived with Qian Baoshan, Qian Baonan, Yu Xiuxiu, and Qin Xiangya. They brought thermos flasks, enamel basins, and enamel mugs, along with ten pounds of wild boar meat.

"Grandfather!" Su Yanchu went to greet them.

"Chuchu has become even prettier." If his hands weren't full, Qin Tiezhu would have liked to pat her head.

"How has your health been lately, Grandfather?"

"I'm fine. Why didn't you tell us sooner that you were moving? And the large iron pot you sent yesterday—that was too extravagant." Qin Tiezhu complained, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Chuchu is getting prettier by the day," Qin Baoshan added.

"Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle."

"How did you do on your middle school entrance exams, Chuchu?"

"I think I did okay." Su Yanchu didn't dare to guarantee that she would get into vocational school.

"I’m sure Chuchu will get in; her grades have always been so good," Yu Xiuxiu said with great certainty, then turned to Qin Xiangya, "Xiangya, you must study hard like your cousin, understand?"

"I know! Cousin is the best, the best in the whole world!" Qin Xiangya said with pride. "I will definitely learn from her."

"Who is the best in the whole world?" Su Yunzhi and Lin Hong arrived, carrying gifts of their own, followed by Lin Wensen and Lin Sisi.

"Wow, Auntie Yun, Uncle Lin!" Qin Xiangya ran over to Su Yunzhi and greeted the others.

"Xiangya, we haven't seen you in a while, you've grown taller!" Su Yunzhi poked her cheek and pulled a handful of fruit candies from her pocket. "Auntie Yun has some candy for you."

"Thank you, Auntie Yun!" After receiving the candies, Qin Xiangya didn't eat them alone but shared them with Lin Wensen and Lin Sisi. "Brother Wensen and Sister Sisi, you have some too!"

"What a good girl." Su Yunzhi patted her head.

"Little Aunt, Uncle-in-law." Su Yanchu greeted them, then said, "Grandfather, Uncles, Aunt, let’s go inside and eat! The food is ready!"

"Coming!" Qin Tiezhu followed them inside. He noticed that all the necessary furniture and household items had been fully equipped, save for the traditional "three rounds and a sound" (a bicycle, a watch, a sewing machine, and a radio).

"Dawei, this is a nice house," Qin Tiezhu remarked after looking around.

"It is, Dad. It’s all thanks to Xiaohong. Without her, I wouldn't have such a nice place to live."

"The three of you should live well together. Xiaohong has a quick temper, Dawei. Whenever something comes up, don't hold a grudge; just be patient with her," Qin Tiezhu advised. He was satisfied with his son-in-law because he knew Su Dawei truly cared for his daughter from the bottom of his heart.

"Dad, why are you saying all this now? Let's eat!" Qin Jiuhong brought out the final dish.

"Yes, Dad, the food is truly abundant today." Qin Baoshan saw the feast on the table and knew Su Dawei and Qin Jiuhong had spared no expense.

"Uncle Qin, Brother Baoshan, Brother Baonan, today you must let my brother-in-law drink a few cups with you." Su Yunzhi was genuinely happy that Su Dawei and Qin Jiuhong had a home of their own. When Su Dawei had invited her and Lin Hong over yesterday, he had even prepared two bottles of fine liquor.