frightfiction 242nd Dilemma
242nd Dilemma
Zheng Xiangqian had good hearing and understood immediately. He realized their predicament. It was only the sixth day of the first lunar month, and the family had only prepared some food... "Auntie, we brought some cured fish and cured meat. The fish in our ponds this year are big and fat. My mother cured a lot of them and specially brought you two grass carp. We also made some pig blood dumplings that you like. I'll go and bring them in right away."
Zheng Xiangqian followed Zheng Ruidong's advice—to pretend to be poor. He hid all his belongings before entering the village, which is why Pan Yifeng saw the 'poor relative' with empty hands. Didn't she realize that after not visiting for so many years, even if he was poor, he should at least bring something?
Zheng Shujuan and Gu Xiaomin were stunned as they watched Zheng Xiangqian take things out one by one. The two children thought their uncle was performing magic—how could his basket have all sorts of things? Candy, cookies, and even cake! It smelled so good!
Zheng Shujuan asked incredulously, "Sister-in-law, why did you bring so much stuff? Not only food, but also clothes and fabric! How much did all this cost?"
“It didn’t cost much, it was all from home. Your nephew Ruidong made those clothes for you. He’s a designer at a clothing factory now, so it’s convenient for him to make clothes.” Zheng Xiuying took out two sets of women’s clothing and held them up to her sister-in-law. “I don’t know if they’ll fit. Ruidong has never met you, so he made them based on my description. He said there’s a waistband to adjust the fit.”
Zheng Shujuan burst into tears. She hadn't worn new clothes in years, but her little nephew, whom she had never met, was thinking of her. "This child is so clever! This fabric is really nice!"
"Shujuan, why don't you come inside and try it on?" Song Xiuying understood her sister-in-law's feelings. She used to be a rich heiress, but now she's fallen on hard times... "Minmin, I'm sorry, we don't know your and the children's sizes, so we only brought some fabric. You can find a local tailor to make them for now. Later, we can have your cousin make them; he's very skilled." Song Xiuying explained to Gu Xiaomin.
"Aunt, no need, no need. You're too kind, thank you! Thank you!" Gu Xiaomin hurriedly thanked her. This aunt and cousin of hers weren't dressed very well, yet they were so generous? Why wasn't Ming-ge back yet? She didn't know what to say. "Mom, I... I'll go cook." Gu Xiaomin hurriedly went to the kitchen.
Seeing that everything else had been taken out, and the cured fish and meat were still in the basket, Zheng Xiangqian carried the basket into the kitchen. "Sister-in-law, after you slice these pig blood sausages, you need to soak them in water. When you stir-fry them, add more garlic leaves or something, as they are a bit salty."
Zheng Xiangqian was afraid that Gu Xiaomin hadn't done it before, so he gave her some instructions, but judging from her expression, she seemed to be shocked and quickly retreated from the small kitchen.
He felt something was off about his aunt's house, but he didn't know why. Urged on by Song Xiuying, Zheng Shuzhen changed into new clothes, which fit her quite well. She gently stroked them, quite pleased with them: "That boy Ruidong, he really has excellent craftsmanship! How old is he?"
The two families had little contact after Zheng Yueqiang went to the front line. When Zheng Yuejin and her mother passed away, she only went home briefly and didn't pay any attention to the little child.
"Sixteen, he's loved making clothes since he was little, he's very skillful. I told him your height, and he made these two outfits, and they fit you quite well. Shujuan, come here, let me put your hair up." Song Xiuying was also very proud, and the two sisters-in-law chatted happily.
The twins took the candy and cookies that Zheng Xiangqian handed them and ran into the kitchen.
Zheng Xiangqian sat there awkwardly. His eyes darted around, and he took out a bottle of wine from the gifts he had brought. He had to go out and find someone to help him out, otherwise he would definitely have insomnia tonight.
The weather was strangely cold, and it was already dark. The red brick house was spacious and bright, while the mud-brick house behind it was dilapidated and dim, yet laughter could be heard intermittently. Zheng Xiangqian inexplicably thought of the year Xiao Tingnan found herself again. Did she see the same bewildered and distressed relatives as he was seeing now? He should lend a hand!
Zheng Xiangqian tightened his cotton-padded coat. He hadn't worn this old coat for several years—three? Four? Luckily, his mother still had it. Rural people go to bed early, so Zheng Xiangqian's search for his target was proving difficult.