8: Chapter 8: Hosting a Banquet 8: Chapter 8: Hosting a Banquet The next day, Yang Dahai and his wife went to the door of the Shen family who were their benefactors, carrying gifts.
On the twenty-fifth of the twelfth lunar month, after sleeping for several days, I realized how close the New Year was.
There was nothing left to do in the fields, and there was no need for the household labor force to go to work, because today was a clear day.
Early in the morning, my sister-in-law took out the household bedding and cotton-padded clothes to wash.
Pei Min also lent a hand.
The eldest and second brothers were busy fixing the roof’s leaks and sorting out the kitchen firewood.
As for Pei Min, she had nothing to do; apart from her inability to do chores (the original owner couldn’t either), the family wouldn’t let her work.
Eventually, she volunteered to help look after the children.
In reality, Da Niu and Xiao Niu were very well-behaved.
They squatted in the yard, playing house with leaves.
They absolutely wouldn’t go places adults warned against and would return to their rooms when tired, thus requiring no supervision.
Nevertheless, to demonstrate her worth, Pei Min squatted nearby, watching them play.
“Da Niu, is this leaf acting as a bathtub?”
“Da Niu, I think this chamber pot could use a board on top so it’s not easy to fall off…”
“This leaf is too ugly and has wormholes; get another one…”
“Oh, is Sister Minmin looking after the children today?” A loud female voice rang above Pei Min’s head.
She looked up to see it was Peiyan.
They were children from her uncle’s family, seventeen this year, a year younger than her, and also Peiqiong’s younger sister.
They both had somewhat similar temperaments before, both being delicate and not approachable, so they didn’t get along very well.
She stood up, and the girl standing in front of her tilted her chin slightly, staring down with those arrogant nostrils.
Pei Min couldn’t help but size her up from head to toe.
Peiyan’s hair was styled with a black hair clip, parted in a 3:7 ratio, with strands tucked behind her ears and the rest flowing down her back; she wore a brand-new, stand-collar dark red cotton jacket over a white shirt collar, black trousers, and even small leather shoes—a true rarity in the village, as who there didn’t wear cloth shoes of their own making?
Her attire truly set the fashion tone for the village, no wonder she looked so smug.
Her appearance was much better than her sister Peiqiong’s, having the Yang family trait of a high nose and a round face with delicate features, she was quite a beauty herself.
“Who are you here to see, Yanzi?” Apart from showing off her new clothes, shoes, and notebook, she rarely visited her own family’s home.
“My dad is back,” Peiyan said proudly, casting a disdainful glance at her.
Then, she scrutinized Pei Min’s attire with some disgust, “Sister Minmin, I remember you’ve worn that outfit for three winters already, haven’t you considered giving it to Yingzi?
Look, it’s all washed out.”
Pei Min had often compared herself with this cousin before; her uncle’s family was better off, but Zhang Minghua, who doted on her, often indulged her antics.
Her uncle, Dajiang, had married a town girl, Peiyan’s mother, Sun Mei, more than twenty years ago.
Sun Mei’s family was substantially better off compared to the rural Yang family, as everyone in her family held secure jobs at the textile factory.
Usually, a city girl like Sun Mei would be out of Dajiang’s league.
However, Sun Mei had been born with a large brown birthmark on her face, covering half of her cheek, which led to people pointing fingers at her since she was young.
Not daring to hold her head up while walking, her family was nonetheless affectionate towards her.
Thinking that matching doors would be out of the question – since others would look down on her, laugh at her, and even if she married, the in-laws would disdain her—the chances would be slim.
So they sought a match from a lower-status family, and coincidentally, she met Dajiang.
Dajiang was a man of plans, and moreover, he was the most handsome and father-like out of the Yang brothers.
He seized the opportunity, brought Sun Mei home, and later, after Sun Min was laid off, he used the Sun family connection to get a temporary job as a cook helper at the textile factory, earning a monthly wage of 28 yuan plus rationed grain and oil.
In the village, he was considered a capable and successful man.
Since their household registration was still in Xiahe Village, Sun Mei, along with her four children, also worked in the collective farm, and Dajiang returned home monthly.
Thus, their children felt superior among their village peers, always wearing patch-free clothes and having their fill of fine flour meals.
Pei Min smiled, “As long as it’s warm.”
Peiyan looked at her doubtfully, as if wondering if the illness had muddled her brain?
“Did my uncle come back to see my dad?
My dad is out but will be home by noon,” Pei Min changed the topic, uninterested in engaging in petty comparisons with her cousin.
Peiyan nodded, and seeing no one else in the yard, she grabbed Pei Min’s arm and headed inside, “Is Brother Peiguo home?”
“He is,” Pei Min replied.
Could there possibly be some major issue?
They then saw Peiguo walking out of the woodshed, and Peiyan promptly called out, “Brother Pei Guo, my dad is back.”
Peiguo raised his face and smiled, “Did uncle come back for a holiday?
It’s always around this time every year, right?
Now the whole family is together.”
“Yes indeed, my sister got into the university in the provincial city, my dad is overjoyed.
It’s a great joyous event for our Yang family.
He’s discussing with my mom to invite our family brothers over for a couple of celebratory tables at our house.
I came over to let you know first.”
“That sounds good, we’ll come over to help when it’s time.”
After happily sharing the news, Peiyan turned her gaze back to Pei Min, “Sister Minmin, don’t feel sad.
If you didn’t pass this time, maybe you’ll get another chance next time.
We had the same books and materials, how come my sister passed and you didn’t?
It just goes to show, it’s better not to get distracted when you are working on something.”
Pei Min nodded, “Thank you, Yanzi.
Peiyan glared again, seemingly convinced that Minmin had indeed turned silly.