After having a meal at Lin Zhen’s great-uncle’s house, Song Wei learned from great-aunt and several aunts about the events that had unfolded in the village while she was away.
It all revolved around Xu Laidi again.
Old bachelor Liu had caused a scene at the educated youth’s dormitory, demanding Xu Laidi return his family heirloom and threatening to report her to the police if she didn’t comply.
Although Xu Laidi knew there was no family heirloom, she was still terrified of being arrested since she couldn’t explain herself clearly.
In the end, she agreed to marry old bachelor Liu but insisted that the dowry and big items she’d requested had to be provided.
Lin Zhen’s great-aunt shook her head as she explained: “But old bachelor Liu’s mother claimed that Xu Laidi had stolen their heirloom and had no right or face to ask for any dowry. She said they wouldn’t give her a cent and just wanted her to move into their house.”
At the dinner table, two aunts eagerly discussed the drama with Song Wei.
“Of course, Xu Laidi wouldn’t agree and ended up getting into a physical fight with old bachelor Liu’s mother. It caused such a commotion that the brigade leader had to intervene. Most of the villagers went to watch the drama. They’re probably still waiting for the brigade leader to mediate things.”
Song Wei perked up, eager to see the spectacle herself.
She quickly finished her meal but couldn’t leave immediately. She rolled up her sleeves, preparing to help wash the dishes.
Lin Zhen chuckled and squeezed her hand under the table. “We’re going to have a drink. I’ll wash the dishes later. You take Heidan outside to play.”
Lin Zhen’s great-aunt beamed at the two of them, thinking how well-matched they were—handsome and beautiful, a perfect pair.
“How can we let you wash dishes when there are so many of us here?”
“Take Heidan to play. By the way, Song Zhiqing, didn’t you say you wanted to pickle some vegetables? My mother’s sauerkraut is the best in the village. Everyone says it tastes amazing. Tonight, we’ll come over and help you with the pickling.”
The village had just harvested cabbage and radishes, and everyone had been given a share. Some stored their share in cellars, while others pickled them. Pickled vegetables were a winter staple here.
Song Wei’s eyes lit up. “That would be great! I was just thinking about finding someone to teach me how to pickle vegetables.”
Lin Zhen’s great-aunt laughed heartily. “It’s no trouble at all.”
Grateful, Song Wei left with Heidan and the two wolf pups, heading toward the brigade leader’s house.
When she arrived, most of the drama had already played out.
Xu Laidi would indeed be marrying old bachelor Liu.
Unlike Su Fang, who had been forced into marriage by rumors and family pressure, Xu Laidi was marrying out of fear of being arrested.
However, the big items and large dowry she had hoped for were gone. Old bachelor Liu’s mother flatly denied ever agreeing to those terms, reducing the dowry to a mere 30 yuan.
Red-eyed and defeated, Xu Laidi returned to the dormitory.
When Song Wei arrived, the other educated youths who had witnessed the spectacle greeted her warmly.
“You’re back, Song Wei?”
“Did your brother leave? When will he visit again?”
Despite being Song Wei’s brother, Song Jing had left quite an impression with his handsome appearance.
Song Wei shook her head. “I don’t know. As a soldier, it’s hard for him to get leave.”
“That’s true. Look at Lin Zhen; he served for years before coming back.”
One of the elderly women chimed in, “You missed quite the drama today…”
They all eagerly recounted the events of the day. Song Wei listened attentively, slightly regretting not being there to witness it herself.
“I think Xu Laidi deserved it. She’s both greedy and foolish. If she hadn’t been so greedy or so naive, she wouldn’t have fallen into old bachelor Liu’s mother’s trap,” one of the women remarked.
Song Wei couldn’t help but agree.
Liu Linlin, another educated youth, chimed in: “If she marries old bachelor Liu, will she move out of the dormitory?”
Her tone was tinged with excitement. Xu Laidi’s unpleasant personality had made her unpopular.
“When’s the wedding?” someone asked.
“Old bachelor Liu’s mother said it’ll be at the end of the month. They’re skipping the engagement and going straight to the wedding. Are you all going to the banquet?”
Song Wei was the first to answer: “Of course.”
As night fell, Lin Zhen’s great-aunt and two aunts arrived to help Song Wei with the pickling.
Song Wei had received a substantial share of cabbage and radishes, including those from her own plot of land. Some were stored in Lin Zhen’s family cellar, while the rest were to be pickled.
Everyone worked together to wash the cabbage and cut it in half. The older women, with their nimble hands, took charge of the pickling process.
Heidan, eager to help, went to the backyard to feed the rabbits, with the two wolf pups following closely behind.
Hearing about Lin Zhen’s great-aunt’s renowned sauerkraut, other educated youths came over to watch and learn.
The great-aunt was happy to oblige, cheerfully explaining the process: “When pickling sauerkraut, make sure there’s no oil on the jar or your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly…”
The lively atmosphere outside only highlighted the despair inside the dormitory, where Xu Laidi sat alone.
Su Fang approached her.
“What’s there to be sad about, Xu Laidi? Your reputation is already ruined. Other than marrying old bachelor Liu, what choice do you have? He may be old, ugly, and poor, but at least he’s a man.”
Xu Laidi glared at her eyes dripping with venom. “You wretched woman! You’re just here to gloat, aren’t you?”
Su Fang laughed coldly. “Aren’t these the same words you once said to me? Now that I’m returning them, you can’t take it?”
She walked out of the dormitory, ignoring Xu Laidi’s curses.
“I’ll help too,” she said, joining the group outside.
Song Wei glanced at her and then at the closed dormitory door, faintly hearing the sounds of crying, cursing, and objects being thrown.
With so many people helping, the sauerkraut was pickled in no time.
After sending the women off, Song Wei helped Heidan wash his face and soak his feet in a wooden basin filled with hot water.
The two wolf pups retreated to their little den, quickly falling asleep.
The next day, it snowed again.
Song Wei began her morning routine of exercising, with Heidan joining her in practicing horse stance in the yard.
To her surprise, Su Fang also woke up early to join their workout. Despite her frail health, Su Fang pushed herself to keep up.
By the time the others lazily got out of bed, Song Wei had already finished her warm-up, her cheeks glowing red.
“It’s so cold, and you’re still exercising?”
Su Fang, pale and exhausted, wobbled slightly after finishing the session.
“Drink some ginger tea,” Song Wei said, pointing to the pot she had prepared earlier.
The three of them each drank a bowl of the spicy, warming tea, feeling the heat spread through their bodies and drive away the morning chill.
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