Reborn in a small mountain village in 1991

Chapter 42 The Relatives Are Too Enthusiastic

Xu Chunsheng glanced at his father, a troubled look on his face.

It was a thick, faux-leather black hard-shell bag, the kind that would sell for fifty or sixty yuan in town.

Even if it was brought back from Guangdong, it would still be worth forty yuan.

It can be considered a luxury for rural people.

Xu's father spoke up to refuse on Xu Chunsheng's behalf:

"Brother, this was brought to you by your sister-in-law's younger brother. It's probably not appropriate to give it to Chunsheng."

Before Xu's father could finish speaking, his aunt interrupted him, saying, "It's not for you, it's for Chunsheng."

"Chunsheng, just accept it. Although it's been in the cupboard for a long time, your uncle hasn't used it yet; it's still brand new."

The eldest uncle chimed in, "That's right. Have you ever seen me carrying a 'Langchao' bag? You've helped us so much; this is just a small token of our appreciation."

After saying that, the uncle stuffed the bag into Chunsheng's arms.

Auntie was also smiling broadly, urging Xu Chunsheng to continue, while saying repeatedly:

"You young people are good-looking. You'll have face when you become a big boss in two days."

After some back and forth, Xu's father finally let Xu Chunsheng take the bag.

"Yes, thank you, Uncle and Aunt."

"Let's not stand here anymore. We should hurry up and cut down the Ophiopogon japonicus. I'll find someone to come and collect it in a couple of days. The sooner we sell it, the sooner we can have peace of mind."

"Hey, you're right."

Uncle Xu lit the kerosene lamp in the main room, and Xu Chunsheng and his father also found a low stool to sit down and help cut the ophiopogon japonicus.

The entire Xu family pitched in, including the seventy-something-year-old grandmother and her ten-year-old son "Little Erwa" (Xu Chunsheng is the eldest Erwa).

Seven people, young and old, worked until 11 o'clock to pick all the Ophiopogon japonicus.

Uncle Xu wanted Xu Chunsheng and his companion to stay for the night, but Xu Chunsheng refused.

"We're not staying overnight. There's still a lot of Ophiopogon japonicus at home, and it's not safe for Mom and my eldest sister to be here. They're probably still awake and waiting for us."

Hearing Xu Chunsheng say this, Uncle Xu stopped offering the two a place to rest and then gave them a bamboo pole:

"Take care on the road, and call out if anything happens."

"Yes, I'll take it."

"Uncle, once the water on the Ophiopogon japonicus has dried, use charcoal to slowly dry it, turning it over frequently. Don't let the temperature get too high, and it will be dry in two days."

"Okay, I'll get it done tomorrow morning."

After the two left, Uncle Xu said to his family:

"Mom, and Erwa, you two go to sleep first."

"Fangfang, and Da'er, the three of us will wash the Ophiopogon japonicus and let it dry. We can dry it directly tomorrow morning."

Uncle Xu's family was busy again.

……

When Xu Chunsheng and his father arrived home, they indeed saw a faint light shining through the cracks in their window.

As expected, Xu's mother and eldest sister were still awake.

"Mom, sister, open the door, we're back."

"Crunch."

It was the sound of a wooden door opening inwards.

"Shh, keep your voice down, your little sister is asleep. Don't wake her; she has school tomorrow."

Xu's mother and eldest sister came out of the house, and the group sat under the eaves talking.

Mother Xu asked sleepily:

"You guys are up so late? Have they finished picking their Ophiopogon japonicus yet?"

Xu Chunsheng nodded: "I came back after I finished picking them."

Mrs. Xu was relieved: "It's good that you helped them finish picking them. So many were stolen last night, it's safer to bring them all home."

Seeing Xu's father come out of the thatched hut, Xu's mother said to him:

"My sister-in-law even brought us a bowl of chicken today, which made us feel a little embarrassed."

Mr. Xu washed his hands hastily in the bucket and said:

"I'm a little embarrassed, you're too enthusiastic. I even went back to kill it specifically at noon."

The older woman whispered to Xu Chunsheng:

"If you don't come back, Mom and I don't dare to sleep, for fear of robbers."

Xu Chunsheng soaked his feet, reached up to rub the dirt between his toes, and said to his older sister:

"Uncle wanted us to stay the night, but he was worried about you two being home. We'll come down as soon as we're done."

Sister Xu pointed to the black leather bag on the stool next to her and asked:

"Hey, where did you get this bag?"

Hearing her eldest sister's words, Xu's mother turned her head curiously. She had seen it earlier, but hadn't had a chance to ask.

Xu Chunsheng put his feet up on the foot bath tub and answered:

"It was given to me by my uncle. My maternal uncle gave it to him. He had never used it before, and it was still brand new when he gave it to me."

Sister Xu was somewhat surprised: "Didn't your aunt say anything? Why are you being so generous today?"

Upon hearing this, Xu's mother gently tapped her daughter's head:

"Don't say that outside, your aunt will be angry if she hears it. She often helps us, but sometimes she says things that aren't nice."

You Fang is that kind of person. She is always very enthusiastic when she comes to help with the work, but after the work is done, she will always say things like, "I helped your family with this or that."

The eldest sister then began to have some complaints about her aunt, feeling that she was always nagging, and that her own family would help them with chores, and that her own family members didn't nag like that all the time.

Mr. Xu continued:

"Today she also cooked sweet eggs for the two of us. The meat that was given to their family for the New Year is probably all gone. When you have time, take a piece of cured meat to your brother and his family."

These days, sweet eggs in syrup are considered a delicacy. It's usually only served during holidays or festivals, with just two boiled eggs and two spoonfuls of sugar, as a very generous gesture of hospitality.

Xu Chunsheng swung his feet a couple of times, put on his sandals, and asked:

"Sis, have you gotten in touch with Li Da yet?"

"I couldn't get in touch with him. He had already left when I arrived. It seemed like his wife answered the phone."

"She said that Boss Li has been busy harvesting Ophiopogon japonicus these past few days, leaving early and returning late."

"However, she said that Boss Li had instructed her that if you contacted him, you should call him again the next morning, and he would stay home and wait for your call."

"Okay, I understand. I'll call the brigade again tomorrow."

After they had finished speaking, Xu Chunsheng called out:

"Okay, that's enough, Mom. You and your sister go take a nap."

"Dad, why don't you and I sleep on a makeshift bed on the floor in the suite?"

The "taowu" was the room where Xu Chunsheng's family stored Ophiopogon japonicus. It was originally intended to be a storage room, but the storage room was filled with corn and sweet potatoes. Although pesticides had been applied, there were still "earthworms" and rats in it.

That's why they put a few planks on two high benches in the inner room and placed the Ophiopogon japonicus on them, so that there would be no mice and the ground wouldn't get damp.

Mr. Xu nodded:

"Okay."

"I was prepared to tell you even if you hadn't mentioned it. I can't sleep peacefully without looking at the Ophiopogon japonicus."

Xu Chunsheng also found a knife and hid it under his pillow. Robbers these days are very fierce, so he had to be prepared.

Perhaps because the commotion last night was a bit too loud, some people temporarily gave up their thoughts of stealing, which allowed Xu Chunsheng and his companion to get a good night's sleep.

The next morning, Xu Chunsheng ate a bowl of noodles in a few bites and then went to the brigade to call Li Da.

Before Xu Chunsheng could speak, he heard Li Da's excited voice from the other end:

"Brother Chunsheng, it's gone up! It's gone up again!"