"Do you have everything ready? Your gifts shouldn't be too meager for your first visit."
Gu Xingdong nodded, "Bought them in town today. Two pounds of meat, two bottles of white liquor, two cans of preserved fruit, and two cans of malted milk essence." A total of four gifts.
Li Xiulan thought for a moment, then got up and went to the kang, taking out the key. She divided half of the biscuits, milk candies, and chocolates Gu Xingdong had brought back.
"Your in-laws have many children, so bring more food."
Liu Yuemin, seeing the large bag of food, felt her face fall as half of it was about to be given away before her two sons had even had a bite.
Holding her son, she secretly pinched his buttocks. Gu Ming, barely over a year old, was happily tasting the vegetable juice his father Gu Xingmin was feeding him. Suddenly, his bottom hurt, and he immediately opened his mouth and cried loudly.
"Mom, look, he knows the food is being taken away and is crying."
Li Xiulan disliked her words and frowned. "What food is being taken away? The third one bought the food, and it's perfectly normal to take half to your in-laws. Mingming is just a child, what does he know? Don't change the subject. Hurry and comfort the child."
Liu Yuemin hugged the child and patted him perfunctorily. "Mom, this child is very clever. Look, he's been crying non-stop since he saw the food."
"Grandma, I want good food too," three-year-old Gu Lin, seeing his younger brother cry, also started crying loudly.
Li Xiulan's head began to ache. With no other choice, she gave each child two milk candies and one chocolate.
Liu Yuemin was not satisfied with just this small amount. "Mom, Mingming is your grandson, and I heard about the malted milk essence..."
"The malted milk essence has nothing to do with you. If you want to sit here, comfort the child. If not, take the child back to your own room. We're discussing adult matters, and his crying is giving me a headache."
Liu Yuemin was not willing to go back to her room. If she didn't watch, who knew what else her mother-in-law would give to the Chen family.
When she and Gu Xingmin returned to her maiden home, they only had two gifts. But the third son's room had six gifts.
"That's right, a boy isn't as cherished as someone else's daughter. Let alone a child, I've never even tasted malted milk essence in my life. Eldest sister-in-law, have you ever had it?"
Zhang Qin, who was sitting nearby, was surprised when Liu Yuemin called her name. Although she hadn't had it either, if she answered truthfully, her mother-in-law and third sister-in-law would surely be more embarrassed.
After thinking for a moment, she smiled and said, "I'm already this old, so I don't care about so many things. Eating anything is the same."
Seeing her weak nature, unwilling to stand up for herself and afraid of offending Liu Yuemin, Liu Yuemin angrily twisted her body and shoved the child into Gu Xingmin's arms, who was still eating.
"What's the use of eating so much? You only grow taller, not smarter." Liu Yuemin said resentfully.
Given the parents' favoritism, if the family continued to be troublesome, all the good things would eventually end up in the hands of the third son and his wife.
Don't think she didn't know how much they bought in town today. Especially that watch and those two pieces of polyester silk. The price was definitely not cheap.
They were both daughters-in-law, so why did Chen Lishu have them and she didn't? The more Liu Yuemin thought about it, the angrier she became.
Li Xiulan gave her a glare and turned to Chen Lishu, "It's getting late. Leave the dishes for me and your eldest sister-in-law to clean up. You and Xingdong take the gifts and go earlier."
"Thank you, Mom."
Chen Lishu nodded, and with Gu Xingdong, they took their gifts and returned to her maiden home.
Chen Mantun and Wu Chunmei, having heard the news of Gu Xingdong's return, were eagerly awaiting their son-in-law's arrival. At the same time, they were constantly worried about their daughter.
Now, as soon as their son-in-law entered the courtyard and they saw him with a clear and upright gaze and a tall, straight posture, they felt very happy for their daughter.
"Look at his clear and honest eyes, he's someone worth entrusting your life to. Live well with him from now on. Xingdong is away from home for long periods, try to get pregnant early..."
Wu Chunmei held Chen Lishu's hand and chattered on, even wiping the corners of her eyes. While she was happy for her daughter's return, the thought of them being separated for long periods made her worry about her daughter again.
Chen Lishu, fearing her worry, nodded in agreement to everything she said.
Since they arrived after dinner, they didn't stay for a meal. The family chatted for a while, and as the sky outside had already darkened, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong got up to leave. Before leaving, Chen Mantun specially gave them two rabbits.
Now, he set traps in the mountains in his spare time at night. In ten days to half a month, he could trade them to Liu Yong in town for eight to ten yuan.
Upon returning home, everyone had already gone to rest. Chen Lishu had just finished washing up and entered the house when she saw Gu Xingdong take out something. Chen Lishu received it without knowing why, and when she saw it was a passbook, she felt it was a bit hot to hold.
"This is my salary from the past few years. I've already given my parents their share. This will be in your care from now on."
Gu Xingdong paused before speaking. "My monthly salary, including subsidies, is 168 yuan. There aren't many expenses in the military, and I'll transfer money regularly each month. If you want to buy anything, you can tell me, and I'll mail it to you from the provincial capital. When I go back this time, I'll submit a marriage report to my superiors. As for accompanying the army..."
Gu Xingdong looked at his young wife, who had her eyes downcast and seemed rather demure, and then thought about the house he had given to Wu Zheng. He felt a pang of regret.
However, since it was already given away, he could only urge those in the logistics department to do their jobs quickly.
"Because it's a newly built base, the facilities are not yet complete, so you might have to wait."
When Chen Lishu heard the word "wait," her shoulders slumped slightly, and she felt relieved.
After putting away the passbook, they washed up and went to bed on the kang.
Although Gu Xingdong still held her possessively and tightly, he did not make any further advances. Chen Lishu, though shy, was moved in her heart.
...
"Third Aunt, have you heard? The film projectionist from above is coming to our brigade to show a movie today. It's at the village entrance threshing ground at five in the evening. 'Tunnel War.' Are you and Third Uncle going? I'll go after school to save you a spot."
Gu Zhao ran into the courtyard like a gust of wind. It was the afternoon break, and because he ran so fast, his dark and shiny forehead was covered in glistening beads of sweat.
Chen Lishu was washing clothes in the courtyard, and Gu Xingdong was chopping wood beside her. They exchanged glances, and Gu Xingdong spoke first, "We'll go."
Chen Lishu pointed towards the kitchen. "The food is still warm in the pot. Just take it out directly. Be careful not to burn yourself."
Gu Zhao nodded and darted into the kitchen.
During dinner, everyone in the house knew about the movie showing in the village. Such entertainment was rare in the village, and adults and children were all very happy.