Chapter 356: 356
As Yang PeiMin entered the courtyard, it was only then that she remembered what Shen Yiguang was holding in his hand. She lowered her head to take a closer look and felt quite pleasantly surprised, "Where did you get this from?"
"A comrade sent it over, it just arrived today. I picked it up from the town and came straight here."
While they were talking, people from inside came out to greet them. Bai Hehua said with a smile, "Oh my, our brother-in-law is here, you really couldn’t wait."
"There wasn’t much happening at home, I came over to chat with dad and mom."
"Oh, I see I was mistaken... What’s that in your hand, that’s a rare treat!" Bai Hehua was beaming so much that her eyes disappeared, gazing intently at the basket Shen Yiguang was carrying, she couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.
Yang PeiMin, who was watching from the side, felt almost unable to look directly.
However, it was understandable, because in this era of material scarcity, fruit was extremely rare, especially apples. Some people might not have a taste of fruit for the whole year, although wild fruits from the mountains could satisfy their cravings occasionally.
Bai Hehua was so excited she could have danced with joy. She had just watched a wonderful drama at noon, and now she had apples and oranges to eat.
When Second Aunt Yang went to the home of the Third Uncle, Bai Hehua had sneakily followed. She knew the layout of the Yang Family brothers’ houses very well. She knew that if she went around to the back courtyard wall, there would be a window there. That window looked directly into the main house of the Third Uncle’s family, and she used the excuse of looking for something to squat under that window and eavesdrop on the conversation inside.
Sure enough, inside she heard Third Aunt mentioning Yang Peidi’s issue with the Yu Family, "Yingzi told Peidi, that Yu Aiguo has a slovenly appearance, not very spirited-looking. She doesn’t like that... We all know, Yingzi usually doesn’t talk much, but she’s stubborn to the point no one can hold her back. Take the time when she was a child going to school for example, her eldest sister almost whipped her, but she still wouldn’t go. In the end, she didn’t attend. What is this child thinking? She met with the family for an arranged marriage, and they are city folks, yet she is nitpicking. Isn’t this just asking for trouble? So, we thought, since we’re all brothers and sisters, isn’t it about who can take charge when something happens? Normally Peidi is very close with Yingzi, our Peidi has the softest heart and loves her sister dearly..."
Second Aunt Yang frowned, clearly impatient, "What exactly are you trying to say? Stop beating around the bush."
Bai Hehua, listening by the window, snorted along, thinking that Third Aunt was indeed too cunning.
"I mean, since it’s not working out between Yingzi and the Yu Family, let’s have our Peidi meet with the Yu Family, shall we? Our Peidi is not a bit inferior to Yingzi, in some ways, Yingzi doesn’t even compare to our Peidi. Second Aunt, they’re both your nieces, you can’t play favorites."
Then Bai Hehua heard Second Aunt Yang angrily say, "Have you lost your mind? Do you want outsiders saying that two sisters are fighting over a man? Third Brother, why don’t you take care of your wife? Is this her own idea or do you both think the same?"
Yang Dahu whispered something that Bai Hehua couldn’t hear clearly.
All she heard was Second Aunt Yang’s voice, even more upset, "Fine, if you’re so capable, go ahead and do it yourself. Don’t involve me in this! What kind of behavior is that? Can’t you take a look at yourself in the mirror? The Yu Family was only interested in Yingzi because of her sugar candy recipe. What can your Peidi offer? Can she take care of her younger brothers or earn work points?"
Second Aunt Yang’s sarcasm was music to Bai Hehua’s ears.
In the end, Third Aunt even dragged Grandma Yang into the argument, but Second Aunt Yang still disagreed, claiming she couldn’t afford to lose face. Eventually, after becoming annoyed, she hastily said she had to rush back home due to urgent matters.
She disregarded Third Aunt’s wailing behind her.
When Second Aunt Yang came out, Bai Hehua also held back her laughter and quietly slipped away.
As soon as she got home, she couldn’t wait to share the news with everyone, as ecstatic as if she’d found money.
Even Chen Minghua showed a hint of a smile upon hearing it and said, "Your Second Aunt is the sharpest one. Why would she get involved in such an unrewarding situation?"
When they were cooking lunch, they even specially instructed their daughter-in-law to slaughter two extra chickens. Ever since they learned that their eldest daughter was pregnant, they raised sixty to seventy more chickens, saying they weren’t fully grown yet. But the chickens that were raised and could be slaughtered were now to be eagerly consumed.
Now that Shen Yiguang had arrived, Zhang Minghua was happily having her daughter-in-law kill three chickens.
Yang PeiMin quickly stopped her, "Mom, there’s no need. I’ll eat dinner back at my in-laws’ place tonight, they’ve also prepared a meal and are waiting for me."
Zhang Minghua became a bit anxious, "Why are you in such a hurry to go back? Look, you haven’t even been here for a while."
Yang PeiMin knew she didn’t want her to leave. She spread her arms wide and hugged her mother’s arm, "Ah Guang’s leave is up, and he has to leave the day after tomorrow. We’re going back to pack up. When your grandson is born, I’ll find an opportunity to come back and see you, and by then, you’ll have a grandnephew to look at!"
Zhang Minghua then smiled, but she still didn’t agree with her daughter’s plan to come back on her own after giving birth, "Better wait until the child is a bit older. You and Ah Guang come back together then, so someone can look after you. Your grandson’s clothes and shoes are almost ready. I’ll mail them to you. Don’t be headstrong and come back by yourself, otherwise, Mom will be angry." The more she talked, the more frightened she felt; her daughter could be too headstrong sometimes.
After this conversation, Shen PeiMin and Shen Yiguang returned to the Shen family. The ten-day leave had already included four days on the road, so now they were getting ready to head back to the military unit.
Before they left, Chen Guizhi had caught a cold and was lying in bed again. Previously, it was discussed that Shen Yixiang would go back with them to the military unit, but now Shen Yiguang disagreed. Chen Guizhi’s immunity was clearly weaker, and having a young person at home was indeed necessary. You need hot meals no matter what, and even though she wasn’t always at home to serve, she could be there quickly if needed. Although her married sisters living nearby could do so, they all had their own families and couldn’t be called upon at any time. It wasn’t that they were unfilial,
Now they would miss the convenience of unmarried Shen Yixiang.
"I’ve contacted a comrade to arrange a teaching position for you in the township. Fourth Sister has returned to the He family. She realized her immature actions from before and prepared to get along with everyone when she went back, so she won’t be staying with us for a while. Come over after some time."
Shen Yixiang’s mood fell a bit. Things were well planned out and her younger relatives had all agreed.