Chapter 115 Reunion

After hearing everything, Grandma Li burst into laughter. “Alright, go wash your face quickly and come eat.”

Though the hottest days had passed, the lingering heat of early autumn still flared up from time to time. Zhenzhen came back drenched in sweat after just a short outing. She washed up briefly in her room, then headed to the main hall. As the former reception area of the royal residence, the hall was spacious enough to accommodate four or five round tables with no problem.

Worried that the old furniture originally placed here might get damaged, Zhenzhen had already moved it to a side room before everyone arrived. Instead, she had the furniture factory deliver two large dining tables and solid wood benches, so there was no need to move things around when it was time to eat.

Liu Xiulan and the two maids brought out the last dish, and Grandma Li and Zhenzhen entered just then. Liu Xiulan smiled and called out, “Zhenzhen’s back, come eat!”

Zhenzhen smiled and greeted everyone, nodding to her peers before sitting at the inner table with Grandma Li. It had been a long time since the family had gathered, and every meal now was lively and cheerful. There was baijiu on the table for the adults, soda for the kids, and Zhenzhen drank her homemade wine—just a small glass a day was enough.

Using a pair of unused chopsticks, Liu Xiulan picked some food for Zhenzhen. “Just like that, Zhenzhen’s all grown up and about to get married. Every time I think about it, it feels like a dream.”

Wang Sufen laughed. “Isn’t that the truth? It feels like just yesterday when you helped deliver her.”

Looking at Wang Sufen, Liu Xiulan couldn’t hide her envy. “Your family really has the most promising children. All five of them went to college, even Roubao and Doubao are in university. In Beicha, everyone gives your family a thumbs up. People can’t help but admire you.”

Wang Sufen tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s all the kids’ own hard work. We’re illiterate—we couldn’t help them much.”

Liu Xiulan’s gaze skipped over her own two sons and landed on her grandson’s face. “Dabao, you need to study hard, understand? If you do well, you can come to the capital for school too, and live in a big house—it’s wonderful.”

Li Mingrong’s son nodded. “I know. Just like Auntie. You say it eight times a day—I’ve memorized it.”

At the other table, Zhang Chunhua was visibly envious. She had known Zhenzhen traded that big yellow croaker to Li Muwen for a large house, but she hadn’t realized how big it actually was until this visit. The tiered courtyards were one thing, but even the garden in the back was the size of a small park. Flowers, vegetables, chickens, ducks, fish, crabs—they had everything. Except for buying a bit of pork, nearly all the food these days came from the garden. It saved so much money.

Looking at Wang Sufen, who was more than ten years older than herself, yet now had jet-black, shiny hair, fewer wrinkles, and soft, delicate hands—not to mention housekeepers for cooking and cleaning, and a washing machine for laundry—Zhang Chunhua thought this life was even more luxurious than that of old-time landlords.

She poked at the fish in her bowl, about to speak, but was silenced by a glare from Li Mulin. Glancing at her two sons watching her intently, she reluctantly swallowed her words. She just couldn’t understand what was going on in those three’s heads. Grandma Li lived in such a huge house with so many empty rooms. Zhenzhen was about to get married and move out. What was wrong with them staying here for a while? Free food, a place to stay, and even someone to serve them—how could they not enjoy such blessings?

After dinner, the family watched some TV in the courtyard before going back to their rooms for the night. As soon as the door closed, Li Mulin glared at Zhang Chunhua. “I told you before we came—keep your damn mouth shut once we’re here. Remember that.”

Zhang Chunhua couldn’t help but mutter, “What did I even say? I just wanted to talk to Mom about us staying here too. Look at all those empty rooms—such a waste!”

“Wasted or not, it’s none of your business,” Li Mulin said, enunciating every word. “This house belongs to Zhenzhen. Her four biological brothers all moved out after graduation. What makes you, her aunt by marriage, think you have the right to live here?”

“That’s just stupid of her family,” Zhang Chunhua couldn’t hold back anymore in the privacy of night. “They gave this whole estate to a little girl? What a waste. She’s just going to marry into someone else’s family, and our sons and grandsons get nothing?”

Li Mulin started pacing furiously, finally pointing at her and shouting, “Zhang Chunhua, say one more word like that and I swear I’ll beat the crap out of you!”

Zhang Chunhua instantly shut her mouth, though her expression clearly showed defiance. Ming Shu and Ming Xin, who were in the next room, came over after hearing the commotion. “Dad, Mom, what are you two arguing about this late at night? This isn’t even our own house. Keep it down.”

Li Mulin, red in the face, pointed at Zhang Chunhua. “Your mother and her big mouth—can’t stop thinking about someone else’s house. Can’t she just stop being so jealous?”

Ming Shu glanced at Zhang Chunhua, then turned to Ming Xin. “Maybe your sister-in-law should take Mom back first. She’s stirring up trouble here.”

Hearing that, Zhang Chunhua almost cried. “I was just chatting a little, and now you’re trying to send me home? Fine, I won’t say anything anymore, okay?”

Ming Shu looked at her. “You really won’t say anything?”

Zhang Chunhua nodded pitifully. “I’m just looking out for our family’s property. You guys don’t even appreciate it.”

Ming Xin sighed and pressed her down into a chair. “Mom, ever since Dad married you and moved to Bingcheng, he’s had his own household. Our family’s property is that old house in Bingcheng and everything inside it. The stuff back home and in the capital has nothing to do with us, you understand? Put simply, even if Second Uncle’s family gets rich enough to buy several airplanes, you still can’t ask them for a bicycle. Got it?”

Zhang Chunhua pouted and nodded reluctantly. After all these years, the two brothers knew their mom had a habit of taking advantage where she could. Back in Bingcheng, they could keep her in check with sweet talk and scolding. But coming to the capital and seeing how well-off Zhenzhen’s family was, Zhang Chunhua couldn’t help but revert to her old ways.

Ming Shu, worried that gentle persuasion from his brother wouldn’t work, decided to drop a heavier warning. “Mom, we’re here as relatives for a wedding. You can eat more, but you have to talk less. Don’t let Grandma fool you—she may be old, but she’s stronger than you. If you really piss her off, she’ll whack you with her tobacco pipe and send you flying back to Bingcheng. Believe it or not.”

Zhang Chunhua immediately backed down. “Why hasn’t your grandma mellowed out after all these years?”

“Why should she? Auntie never upset her, and they’ve gone their whole lives without a single fight. If it weren’t for you, would she even lift that pipe?” Ming Shu rolled his eyes. “We’re only here for a few days. Once Zhenzhen returns home three days after the wedding, we’ll go back. It’s just a week. Can you behave yourself for that long?” Reining in his temper, Ming Shu forced a smile. “Be good, and I’ll take you to the Great Wall tomorrow.”

“How much is that going to cost?” Zhang Chunhua blurted out. “Why not ask your second uncle to—” But when she saw the cold expressions on Li Mulin, Ming Shu, and Ming Xin’s faces, she bit her lip in anguish. “Fine, we’ll pay for it ourselves.”

Ming Xin shook his head and sighed. “Even Grandma wasn’t this stingy. I don’t know who you take after.”

Zhang Chunhua snorted. “Of course she wasn’t stingy—with you. You’re her first grandson.”

In truth, after all these years under the influence of her husband and sons, Zhang Chunhua knew her greedy nature wasn’t well-liked. But when she didn’t think things through, these thoughts and actions came instinctively from deep inside. Without deliberate restraint, she just couldn’t help herself.

“Actually, my personality really does have something to do with your grandmother,” Zhang Chunhua sighed as she sat on the stool. “I was the only child your grandma and grandpa had. Although they arranged for a live-in son-in-law early on, deep down they were never at ease. They were afraid of having no one to rely on in their old age, so they tried to save every penny for retirement. In truth, your grandfather’s salary wasn’t low. In those days, not to mention raising just me, he could have supported ten kids. But each month he only spent about eight or nine mao, and he’d rather sell meat coupons than buy a piece of meat to satisfy a craving at home. We had the same salary, but when I was a kid, the meals we ate at home weren’t even as good as those next door who were raising seven sons.”

Ming Shu and Ming Xin hadn’t expected that. The two looked at each other, unsure how to comment on their grandfather’s behavior. On one hand, it made sense to plan for the future, but this was clearly over the top.

Zhang Chunhua ended with, “I’ve been scared of poverty since I was a child. When I saw something good at someone else’s house, I just couldn’t help but want to take advantage. If there was a chance to eat or drink for free, I’d stuff myself silly. No wonder people found me annoying.”

Li Mulin said gloomily, “How many families back then were actually well-off? Everyone lived like that. In the end, it’s just bad parenting. No point making useless excuses.”

Ming Shu patted Li Mulin on the shoulder and comforted Zhang Chunhua, saying, “We’re living pretty well now. My brother and I both give you money every month. Just eat and spend to your heart’s content. Buy whatever you want. No need to envy anyone.”

Zhang Chunhua immediately looked up at her two sons. “I want to buy a washing machine. I don’t want to wash clothes by hand anymore.”

Ming Shu and Ming Xin did a quick mental calculation. With their incomes, it was manageable. “Alright, as long as you behave this time and don’t make a fuss, we’ll buy you a washing machine when we get home.”

Zhang Chunhua was delighted and cheerfully ran off to the inner room to make the bed. Li Mulin looked at his two sons and sighed, “Your mom’s been like this all her life. Don’t take it to heart.”

Ming Shu and Ming Xin both smiled. “She’s our own mother—how could we mind? Just coax her a little and everything’s fine.”

Li Mulin nodded and added quietly, “Washing machines aren’t cheap. I’ve got enough in my private savings. You two have your own kids now. Besides the monthly money for our retirement and buying a few things for holidays and festivals, don’t go spending extra. It’s not easy supporting a family—save more for the kids’ education. Otherwise, your wives might not feel comfortable about it either.”

Ming Shu and Ming Xin quickly replied with a smile, “No way, Dad. What are you thinking?”

Li Mulin chuckled and patted Ming Shu’s shoulder. “I lived through that time too. I know how tough things are for you. Alright, it’s getting late. Go get some sleep.”

Early the next morning, just after breakfast, before Ming Shu even had time to head out, Guihua arrived carrying bags upon bags. Wang Sufen saw she was drenched in sweat and quickly poured her a glass of water. “Why are you here so early? Don’t you need to go to the shop?”

“It’s Sunday, not too busy. I let the shop assistants handle things,” Guihua replied, gulped down the water in one go, and then quickly greeted everyone.

When Li Mulin and the others arrived, the school term had just started. The students were back from home with money in their pockets, and the clothes in Guihua’s store were especially trendy. As soon as the students returned, they rushed to buy new clothes. Though Guihua had hired help, she was still run off her feet. She’d only managed to come have one meal with Li Mulin and the others on the day they arrived before rushing back, barely exchanging a few words.

Liu Xiulan had watched Guihua grow up and didn’t stand on ceremony. She handed her a towel with a smile. “What kind of store are you running that you’re so busy?”

“A clothing store,” Guihua smiled. “It started with Roubao bringing clothes from the south to sell on campus. But he got caught by his dad, and his aunt had to talk him down. When Ming Dong saw that Roubao wasn’t falling behind in his studies, he let it go. When I heard clothing sales made good money, I took over and opened a store. Better to have something to do than sit idle at home.”

“That’s really great,” Liu Xiulan gave Guihua a thumbs up. “Guihua’s always been capable. Now she can run her own store.”

Back in their hometown, Zhang Chunhua used to always get into spats with Guihua. The two of them couldn’t meet without arguing. Yet now, she surprisingly nodded and said, “Guihua’s a good kid.”

Guihua gave Zhang Chunhua a surprised look. This wasn’t the usual script—wasn’t she supposed to start asking for clothes? Had age mellowed her temper?

Still, as long as Zhang Chunhua didn’t upset Grandma Li, Guihua didn’t want to stir up any trouble either. Everyone prefers to talk happily, after all. She opened the bundles she’d brought—each stuffed full of clothes, already sorted and labeled.

“As soon as Zhenzhen’s wedding date was set, I went south to stock up. I bought these just for you all.”

Pulling out a bundle and checking the tag, Guihua handed it to Liu Xiulan. “Third Aunt, this one’s for you.”

Liu Xiulan glanced inside. There were at least five or six pieces. She couldn’t help saying, “Why are you giving me so many clothes? That must’ve cost you a lot!”

“Because I’m close to you, Third Aunt.” Guihua replied warmly. “Your niece-in-law just wants to show her respect. You just take them.”

Liu Xiulan smiled as she opened the bag. The clothes looked trendy but also perfectly suited to her age—not gaudy at all.

Guihua handed out all the clothes one by one. Li Mulin and Li Mulin got similar styles of jackets, sweaters, and pants. Even the younger cousins, their wives, and kids all received something. Though the designs differed slightly—mainly in pattern—there was no sense of hierarchy or status among them.

Finally, she pulled out the last bundle and looked at Zhang Chunhua, who had been quietly sitting without saying a word. With a smile, Guihua placed it in her arms. “Fourth Aunt, this one’s for you.”

“For me too?” Zhang Chunhua was genuinely surprised. She’d wanted to speak up when Guihua gave clothes to Liu Xiulan earlier but remembered what her sons said last night and forced herself to stay quiet. Her relationship with Guihua had never been great, so she never expected her to prepare something for her too. She took the big bundle with some embarrassment and said, “All these years, Fourth Aunt hasn’t bought you anything. I shouldn’t have let you spend money on me.”

Hearing words like that from Zhang Chunhua’s mouth even Grandma Li glanced at her a couple of times. Guihua’s smile became even more sincere, her tone warmer. “What are you saying, Fourth Aunt? Back when Ming Dong was studying in Bingcheng, you and Fourth Uncle took great care of him. It’s only right for me to repay your kindness.”

Grandma Li nodded kindly as well. “It’s the child’s way of showing love. Don’t act like an outsider.”

In all her married life, this was the first time Grandma Li had spoken to her so gently. It was also the first time her niece-in-law had been so warm to her. Zhang Chunhua’s heart filled with warmth. Hugging the bundle of clothes, she turned and saw her sons and daughters-in-law smiling at her with kindness, and her eyes suddenly turned red.

“Mum, let’s go to the room and try them on,” Ming Shu’s wife came over and took her arm. She turned back to Grandma Li and said, “Grandma, I’ll go with Mum to try these on. We’ll be back soon.”

Grandma Li, sharp-eyed and understanding, realized Zhang Chunhua felt shy and nodded. “Go ahead. Nothing important going on here. Try them on properly. If they don’t fit, have your cousin Guihua exchange them. She’s got plenty of clothes in her store.”

Ming Shu’s wife helped Zhang Chunhua out. Grandma Li, in front of all the younger ones, didn’t mention anything about Zhang Chunhua’s past and simply chatted cheerfully about other family matters.

After two lively days, the day of Zhenzhen’s wedding finally arrived. At the break of dawn, Grandma Li and Wang Sufen were already up. They washed their faces, combed their hair, and changed into the new clothes they had prepared. Clutching her chest as she sat on a chair, Wang Sufen said, “Oh dear, Mom, why am I so nervous? It feels just like when I married Mu Wu.”

Grandma Li almost spat out the honey water in her mouth. She managed to swallow it and looked at her, laughing, “You’re excited to be a mother-in-law.” She pushed open the window and looked toward Zhenzhen’s room—it was still pitch dark. She couldn’t help stamping her foot. “What’s with this girl Zhenzhen? Doesn’t she know to be nervous? It’s already light out and she’s still sleeping.”

Wang Sufen checked herself in the mirror, smoothed her hair with a comb, then rolled up her sleeves and stepped out, saying, “I’ll go wake Zhenzhen up.”

In her dream, Zhenzhen was staring at a crispy, glistening, and aromatic roasted suckling pig, drooling. She picked up a knife and fork, cut a juicy piece of roast pork, and just as she was about to put it in her mouth, a thunderous banging came from the door: “Zhenzhen, wake up! Zhenzhen, get up!”

The pork on the fork vanished. Zhenzhen woke up, pouting, and ran barefoot to the door. She opened it and looked at Wang Sufen with deep grievance: “I dreamt of a delicious roast suckling pig. I didn’t even get a bite before you woke me up.”

“Roast what pig? You look more like a little pig yourself! Do you even know what time it is? How can you not be the least bit anxious?” Seeing Zhenzhen’s bare feet, Wang Sufen quickly fetched a pair of slippers and threw them at her feet. “I told you not to go barefoot, but you always forget. You’re getting married today—you have to start taking care of yourself.” As she spoke, Wang Sufen’s sadness welled up uncontrollably, and tears began to fall. “From now on, Mama won’t be here to wake you up and bring you slippers.”

Zhenzhen reached out and hugged Wang Sufen, her eyes reddening too, though she tried to keep her tone light: “Look at you, we’re all in the same big courtyard now, and you’re still getting all weepy. If I were marrying off far away like other girls, you’d probably cry down the whole house.”

Wiping away her tears, Zhenzhen changed the subject with a grin and pressed down on Wang Sufen’s shoulders. “Oh wow, my mom’s wearing new clothes today! Let me see? My goodness, so stunning—even prettier than the Queen Mother of the West.”

Wang Sufen wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and playfully swatted Zhenzhen’s back. “Quit your sweet talk and get up to wash. The guests will start arriving soon.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the alarm clock rang. Zhenzhen went over to shut it off and gave Wang Sufen a kiss on the cheek with a grin: “My mom is always faster than the alarm clock.”

Wang Sufen gave her a look and wiped her cheek with a handkerchief. “You haven’t even brushed your teeth.”

Zhenzhen immediately protested: “I don’t stink! Mom, you’ve changed! You’re starting to dislike me now!”
—

With laughter echoing from Zhenzhen’s room, the whole Li family was up. The housekeeper made noodle soup, and the family ate a bit before quickly tidying up the house in preparation for the arriving guests.

Zhenzhen brushed her teeth again, then stood before the mirror with the makeup she had bought from Hong Kong, shaping her eyebrows and applying makeup. Wei Yujin, Xu Jiajia, and the others arrived first. Seeing Zhenzhen’s hair still down, they were all flustered: “Why haven’t you done your hair yet?”

Zhenzhen finished putting on her lipstick and turned around with a smile: “It’s still early, no rush.” As soon as she said that, she noticed her friends staring at her in stunned silence.

“Does it not look good?” Zhenzhen was puzzled and turned back to examine her makeup in the mirror. In the early ’80s, people liked to wear heavy white foundation and rouge, but Zhenzhen had used modern techniques, creating a very natural look. To her friends, it seemed like she wasn’t even wearing makeup, yet she looked especially beautiful.

“Don’t just stand there gawking.” Wei Yujin snapped out of it first. “Let’s get Zhenzhen’s hair done.” She grabbed a comb and helped Zhenzhen, looking around as she worked: “Where’s the red flower?”

“I didn’t prepare a big red flower.” Zhenzhen tilted her head with a smile. “I’m not going for that traditional style. My sister-in-law and I already discussed it—she’s going to give me a modern updo.”

As they spoke, Guihua came in from the main room, holding a box. Wei Yujin quickly made room. Over the past couple of days, Guihua had been practicing with Zhenzhen’s hair and was now quite skilled. In just half an hour, she completed a beautiful bridal hairstyle. She opened the box, which contained a dozen small hair rings inlaid with sparkling diamonds. Wang Sufen clipped them one by one onto Zhenzhen’s braid. Under the sunlight, they sparkled brilliantly.

Just as Zhenzhen finished getting ready, a stream of notable guests began to arrive—literary master Mr. Wangwo, painting virtuoso Mr. Su Weiran, revered traditional Chinese medicine doctors Mr. Zhang Renzhe and Mr. Cheng Xuewu, Peking Opera maestro Mr. Xie Shurang, and Kunqu opera grandmaster Ms. Yan Baozhu.

Ever since the Li family moved to the capital, Zhenzhen had regularly invited these gentlemen over every month or two. Since Grandma Li was very familiar with them, she welcomed them warmly and ushered them in without ceremony.

The gifts from these guests were especially precious. Mr. Su Weiran’s painting, created specifically for Zhenzhen, was priceless. After a brief greeting with Grandma Li, they carried the embroidered gift box straight into Zhenzhen’s room.

“Sir,” Zhenzhen was doing the final touch-ups on her makeup. When she saw the guests arrive, she quickly stood to greet them.

“You look beautiful,” Yan Baozhu said, holding Zhenzhen’s hand in admiration. After giving her a thorough once-over, she picked up the eyebrow pencil from the vanity. “Let me tidy this up a bit more.”

Wangwo and Su Weiran smiled and shook their heads. “Women just can’t resist makeup. Let them do their thing—we’ll go to the main hall for tea.”

Zhenzhen chuckled and nudged Xu Jiajia. “Help me entertain the gentlemen.”

Yan Baozhu was clearly delighted by the array of cosmetics on the dressing table. Her eyes lit up, and she smiled flirtatiously. “Come, let me give you a proper touch-up.”

At the gate, Mingdong was outside with a few brothers greeting guests. Yu Shoujing stood by the entrance with a group of colleagues, dumbfounded. “This is really where Li Mingzhen lives?”

“It says so right here,” the deputy editor replied, pulling out the address from his pocket and glancing at the bustling doorway. “It’s definitely the place.”

Still dazed, they were ushered inside. The moment they stepped into the main hall, they saw a row of masters sitting at the head, nodding and smiling at them. Yu Shoujing trembled as he extended his hand. “Give me that address again. I think we must’ve gone to the wrong house.”