Chapter 5: In all my life, I've never seen so much money.
Huang Weiguo declined politely, "Third Uncle, there's no need to trouble yourself. My mother will take care of that fish."
Huang Weiguo returned home with Hua Hua and Qing Qing and immediately saw Huang Liying standing in the courtyard, her hands submerged in the icy water as she washed clothes. Her hands were already bright red from the cold, with several cracks visible.
Seeing this, Huang Weiguo hurried over, pulled Huang Liying to her feet, and said, "Mom, you shouldn't be doing laundry chores like this anymore!"
But Huang Liying replied, "Weiguo, don't meddle. I had to plead with Director Wang just to get this job. Once I finish washing these clothes, I can exchange it for five mao worth of sweet potatoes. That'll barely keep our family going for two days!"
Hua Hua and Qing Qing, holding bags of popcorn, ran over excitedly and told Huang Liying, "Mom, Big Brother caught a fish! He even used the money he earned to buy us popcorn. Big Brother says our family will never go hungry again!"
Qing Qing added, "Mom, an old grandpa gave us a lot of money. In all my life, I've never seen so much money."
Huang Liying said with a smile, "Silly child, you're so young to be talking about a lifetime! Weiguo, what is this..."
Just as Huang Weiguo turned, he happened to see Liu Haizhong peering through his window, looking towards their house.
He quickly pulled Huang Liying, Hua Hua, and Qing Qing inside and closed the door.
He said to Huang Liying, "Mom, here is fifty yuan in total. I earned it today from fishing. I originally earned sixty-seven yuan and fifty fen, but I used some of it to buy grain and seasonings. Mom, I'm fully recovered now. I can go hunting in the mountains. Please don't do laundry work anymore. From now on, I'll support this family!"
Looking at the money on the table, Huang Liying's eyes grew red.
She had been a widow for many years, supporting the family alone, always dreaming of someone to share the burden.
Now, not only had Huang Weiguo brought back fifty yuan, but he had also spoken such words. How could she not be deeply moved?
"Did you really earn all this money from fishing?" Huang Liying asked doubtfully.
Hua Hua hurriedly chimed in, "It's true, Mom! The fish Big Brother caught was huge. So many people were amazed!"
Huang Weiguo put his arm around Huang Liying's shoulders and said, "It's true, Mom. This fifty yuan is enough for us to have a good New Year!"
"But, your Third Uncle from the front courtyard goes fishing too, and I've never heard of him earning this much. Weiguo, besides hunting, you know how to fish too?"
"Hunting and fishing work on similar principles!"
"Good! I believe you, son. I'll leave this family in your hands from now on. You keep this money and save it for when you take a wife. I refuse to believe my capable son can't find a good wife!"
"Mom, getting married isn't urgent right now. The most important thing is earning money first. Hua Hua and Qing Qing are both seven, the right age to start school. I want to send them to study!"
Hua Hua and Qing Qing's eyes shone with anticipation as they looked at Huang Weiguo and asked, "Big Brother, can we go to school like Sister Yushui?"
Huang Liying said, "Weiguo, schooling costs too much. Tuition and fees for one semester alone are two yuan and fifty fen. Let's just forget it!"
"No, they must go to school. Only by studying can Hua Hua and Qing Qing find good jobs in the future. Mom, since you said you're leaving the family to me, then listen to me!" Huang Weiguo said firmly.
Huang Liying nodded. "Alright, when spring comes, I'll ask your Third Uncle how to handle the enrollment procedures. For now, let's have a good meal as a family. I'll go prepare the fish!"
"Mom, we'll help you!" Hua Hua and Qing Qing happily circled around Huang Liying.
Standing inside, Huang Weiguo watched this warm scene before him, his eyes filled with warmth. Although he hadn't found his real family yet, this place felt like home.
Soon, Huang Liying had cleaned the fish and stewed a large pot. Since Huang Weiguo hadn't bought any coarse grains, the house only had rice and flour, so Huang Liying steamed a large pot of rice.
Before long, the aroma of Fish with Pickled Cabbage and steamed rice wafted throughout the entire Siheyuan... Liu Haizhong sat in his room, eating fried eggs and drinking Niulanshan Brand liquor. He sniffed the air, his face full of confusion, muttering, "The Huang Liying family should be at the point of having no food left. Yet they have fish and rice... Are they planning to stop living altogether?"
Aunt Liu snorted disdainfully and said, "Who knows? That Huang widow might have done something shameful outside again. That money definitely didn't come from a proper source!"
In the Middle Courtyard, Qin Huairu had just finished preparing the meal when she quickly called out to Jia Dongxu, "Dongxu, you're back? Take off your coat, I'll wash it for you."
Jia Dongxu lay down on the kang and asked, "I heard Huang Weiguo woke up?"
Qin Huairu replied, "Yes, he woke up, but the Huang Family's money is all spent too. Today, Huang Liying pleaded at the Sub-district Office for an hour just to get a laundry job. I heard they don't even have a single grain of rice left at home!"
Jia Dongxu smiled smugly and said, "That's exactly why I said you made the right choice marrying me. What could Huang Weiguo give you? No job, no income, destined to starve sooner or later."
Qin Huairu agreed wholeheartedly, "Yes, being able to marry Dongxu is my good fortune!"
Jia Dongxu was very satisfied with Qin Huairu's attitude.
Jia Zhangshi entered the room, sniffed the air, and asked, "Whose family is making Fish with Pickled Cabbage and steaming rice? Don't they want to live properly anymore?"
Qin Huairu also smelled the aroma and couldn't help but swallow her saliva.
Everyone thought she married into the Jia Family for a life of ease, but in the year since the marriage, she hadn't eaten meat once. Her life was just a bit easier than back in the countryside.
Jia Dongxu walked to the door, sniffed, and said, "Seems to be coming from the Rear Courtyard. Probably Xu Damao's family. Huairu, go to Xu Damao's house and ask for a bowl. Say the baby in your belly wants to eat it!"
"Alright!" Qin Huairu, who also wanted to eat it very much, took a bowl and headed towards the Rear Courtyard.
But when she reached Xu Damao's house, she realized the aroma was coming from Huang Weiguo's Home.
Qin Huairu felt very conflicted. She actually quite liked Huang Weiguo. He was tall, strong, and handsome. But liking someone doesn't put food on the table, which is why she chose Jia Dongxu.
But now, the Huang Weiguo family was eating Fish with Pickled Cabbage and rice, while she, pregnant at home, couldn't get a bite of meat. Qin Huairu looked dejected, turned around, and returned to the Middle Courtyard.
In the Middle Courtyard, she ran into Yi Zhonghai.
Yi Zhonghai asked, "Huairu, were you in the Rear Courtyard?"
Qin Huairu explained, "First Uncle, my mother-in-law smelled the fish and thought it was Xu Damao's family cooking fish, so she sent me to ask for a bowl. Turns out it's Huang Weiguo's family. I..."
Yi Zhonghai said, "What about Huang Weiguo's family? We're all neighbors; we should help each other. Come on, First Uncle will take you to the Huang Family. You're pregnant now and need nutrition." Actually, Yi Zhonghai also wanted to go to the Huang Family to inquire about the situation.
Qin Huairu was very happy inside. She could finally eat some fish. She followed Yi Zhonghai towards the Huang Family.