Chapter 36: I Don’t Smoke, So Don’t Offer Me Cigarettes

Liu Xing's answer was completely at odds with her expectations. "Didn't you want me to make a pair of slippers for Second Sister? I'll head down to the city in a bit to buy some tools—that way, I can work faster."

"Are you really just going to buy tools?" Zhou Qiuxiang asked.

"Of course," Liu Xing replied.

"Alright then." Zhou Qiuxiang knew Liu Xing was steady and reliable, so she didn't press further.

Liu Dazhao, however, was puzzled. "Liu Xing, what are you talking about? Do you actually know how to make slippers? If just anyone could make them, slippers, sandals, cloth shoes, and running shoes wouldn't be so scarce. Straw sandals wouldn't be selling for eighty cents a pair at the market—almost the same price as pork."

"Dad, that's not right," Guazi chimed in. "Look at the slippers on my feet—my brother made them for me." To show off the slippers fashioned from old tires, Guazi climbed down from her chair, twirled twice in front of Liu Dazhao, then propped her foot up on his straw sandal.

It was immediately obvious which was superior: the straw sandal or the tire-made slipper.

Liu Dazhao's mouth twitched. "You little rascal, those really are your brother's handiwork?"

"Do I have any reason to lie to you?" Guazi retorted, holding her little head high.

"When did you learn to do this?" Liu Dazhao looked at Liu Xing with bated breath.

"What's there to learn? As long as you have hands, you can do it," Liu Xing replied nonchalantly.

"You'd die if you didn't brag for a minute, wouldn't you!" Liu Dazhao wanted to probe further, but Zhou Qiuxiang pinched his ear. "What are you asking for? No skills of your own, and yet you want to pick on your son! I saw Liu Xing make those slippers for Guazi with my own eyes—there's no faking that. Unlike you, running around all day and still can't even afford shoes."

"Wife, can you stop crushing my spirits? I'm already having a rough day," Liu Dazhao said with a wry grin, shielding his ear.

"Then stop asking things you shouldn't. Don't you know what Liu Xing's like? He's not the sort to stray from the right path." Zhou Qiuxiang, seeing his ear had turned red, let go with a touch of sympathy.

The children all snickered quietly, prompting her to say sternly, "What are you laughing at? Whoever's finished eating, go wash the dishes. Fourth, go cut pig grass. Second, you'll take the cows out later. And don't ask why—third's busy, so there's no need to spell it out every time."

"Mum, what about me?" Guazi asked softly.

"Since you have shoes now, you'll come with me and Second to the Wang family's banquet later," Zhou Qiuxiang said gently after seeing Liu Ye and Liu Ziran had already run off.

"Okay, okay!" Guazi was elated.

Seeing his mother had everything arranged, Liu Xing yawned and said, "I'll get an hour's sleep first, then head to the city."

"Go ahead—I'll wake you later," Zhou Qiuxiang said, brushing the dust from his clothes.

Liu Xing nodded and walked into the main room, and soon his snores could be heard.

Liu Dongju had intended to help clear the table, but suddenly she froze, having heard Zhao Dongkui calling her name. Coming to her senses, she scooped up Little Dot and dashed outside.

Liu Dazhao seemed to have heard Zhao Dongkui too. After exchanging a look with Zhou Qiuxiang, he quickly got up and went out.

Seeing it was indeed Zhao Dongkui riding his bicycle along the country road, calling for Liu Dongju, the couple shook their heads and retreated to their own chores inside.

Although they deeply disagreed with Zhao Dongkui's parents, after all, those were his parents' actions. No matter what, they couldn't blame Zhao Dongkui himself.

Even a fool could see that Zhao Dongkui was good to Liu Dongju.

But, being part of such a family, Zhao Dongkui didn't know what to do. He didn't want to have a falling out with his parents—that would be seen as unfilial, and he would be condemned by everyone.

Yet, divorcing Liu Dongju wasn't an option either. Now that they had Little Dot, the child would suffer most if they separated.

So, for now, as long as Liu Dongju and Zhao Dongkui were well, nothing else needed to be said. Life was something one had to endure—the hard days would pass eventually. Nothing stays smooth forever.

...

An hour later.

Zhou Qiuxiang did not wake Liu Xing—he woke up on his own. After washing his face and greeting his brother-in-law, he rode off on his bicycle.

Zhao Dongkui had wanted to go with him, but Liu Xing refused. What he was doing now wasn't something just anyone could accompany him on. It wasn't that he didn't trust his brother-in-law, but for his own safety, caution was best.

Yet Liu Xing didn't know that as soon as he had left, his aunt arrived at the house with her entire family of five.

Liu Xing's father had eight siblings in total. He was the second eldest, with three younger brothers and three younger sisters, all of whom were now married with their own lives.

The eldest was Liu Xing's aunt, Liu Wanqiu, currently the most successful among the siblings. Not only did she have an urban household registration, but she had also been allocated a fifty-square-meter staff apartment by her work unit, permanent ownership.

But doing well in life didn't mean she was of the best character. Since marrying into the city, her urban status made her look down on Liu Dazhao and the other siblings who farmed in Xiaoshi Village.

Of course, Liu Wanqiu, being the eldest sister, disdained her siblings, and they, for their part, wanted nothing to do with her. Aside from the obligatory visits at New Year's, they hardly ever interacted.

It had even been two or three years since Liu Wanqiu had visited Liu Xing's family. Aside from despising their poverty, there was another reason: a few years ago, Liu Ziran had been admitted to the best secondary school in HY City, while Liu Wanqiu's precious son had only made it into a regular high school—Fourth High.

Fueled by envy, she started an argument with Liu Dazhao and Zhou Qiuxiang on the day of the village banquet, and since then, there had been no contact.

But today, unexpectedly, she arrived with her whole family. To say Liu Dazhao was surprised would be an understatement—Zhou Qiuxiang was equally shocked.

After recovering, Zhou Qiuxiang didn't bring out the good food or drink. Instead, she shot Liu Dazhao a glare, took Guazi inside, and immediately closed the door.

Liu Dongju also knew that Liu Wanqiu's family meant trouble. She soothed Little Dot and slipped into Liu Ziran's room.

Liu Dazhao had nowhere to hide. No matter what, Liu Wanqiu was his sister by blood. Awkwardly scratching his head, he took out the best cigarettes in the house and went to greet them.

Liu Wanqiu's husband was also surnamed Liu, named Liu Changsheng, one of the rare college graduates of the 1960s. Being from the north, he was very tall—at least 1.9 meters, a striking contrast to the barely 1.5-meter Liu Wanqiu.

But that didn't affect their relationship. Anyone who knew them knew they were inseparable—whether for good or bad, they always acted together.

Usually for worse, admittedly.

Seeing Liu Dazhao approaching with cigarettes, Liu Changsheng waved him off. "I don't smoke cheap stuff. Keep it."

Three years without contact, and he was as pompous as ever.

Liu Dazhao was used to it. Liu Changsheng had said worse in front of him, so he wasn't surprised. He put away the cigarettes and asked flatly, "So, what brings you here today?"

"We need a little favor," Liu Changsheng said with a grateful smile, seeing that Liu Dazhao hadn't thrown them out.

"Actually, it's a favor to yourself as well—it could improve your family's financial situation," Liu Wanqiu added.

"What is it?" Liu Dazhao noticed the white cloth in Liu Wanqiu's hand and instantly guessed why they were here.

Back when Liu Wanqiu and Liu Changsheng married, it was Wang Mazi who arranged it. Now that Wang Mazi had passed away, they'd naturally be invited to the funeral and the banquet.

Liu Changsheng pulled out one of his Changsha-brand cigarettes, not bothering to offer one to Liu Dazhao, and lit it himself. "I'm a team leader at Hengshui Distillery now. We're hiring lots of temps on the production line. I see your whole family is just messing around here, so I thought you could come work at the distillery. Don't worry—even as a temp, the pay is good. At least twenty yuan a month."

"We're only offering this because we're relatives. Otherwise, we wouldn't have made a detour," Liu Wanqiu added. "By the way, Fifth Uncle has already agreed, and so has Sixth Aunt. It just depends how many people from your family want to go."

Fifth Uncle was Liu Xing's fifth uncle, Liu Deqi, who also farmed in Xiaoshi Village and was struggling. Sixth Aunt was Liu Xing's sixth aunt, Liu Qiuyuan, who married into Daohua Village. Her husband had fallen ill two years ago and now worked odd jobs everywhere to scrape together money for treatment, though his condition hadn't improved.

Liu Dazhao knew all this. Even though his own family was struggling, he still tried to help them out when he could.

Hearing those names, Liu Dazhao felt a pang of distress. Without even thinking, he replied, "The distillery is too far from my home. If I have to work overtime, I won't be able to take care of the family, so I'll have to pass."

"What about Liu Xing and Liu Dongju?" Liu Changsheng pressed.

"Liu Dongju has to care for her child—she can't go," Liu Dazhao said with a nervous laugh. "As for Liu Xing..." He hesitated.

He couldn't keep Liu Xing at home tending cows and cutting pig grass forever. It helped Liu Ye and Liu Ziran concentrate on their studies and eased the family's burden, but if it continued, Liu Xing's future would be wasted.

So he considered for a moment. "How about this—since I know you won't be heading back tonight, after the banquet tomorrow, come by again. After all, this is something Liu Xing has to decide himself."

"Fair enough," Liu Changsheng said, tossing away his cigarette. After glancing at the room where Liu Dongju was, he left with Liu Wanqiu and their three children.

Liu Dazhao didn't see them out. Instead, he frowned and called out, "Wife, what do you think about Liu Xing becoming a temp at Hengshui Distillery?"

"No way. Not even if you beat me to death," Zhou Qiuxiang replied coldly.

Liu Dazhao covered his head in despair, at a loss for words.

At that moment, Guazi poked her head in through the gate. She wanted to tell her father about meeting Director Li while selling river snails at Hengshui Distillery, but in the end, she didn't dare.

The atmosphere at home was just too tense. It was best to slip away for now.

Once her brother returned, she'd let him handle it. She wouldn't have to worry about a thing.

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