Chapter 86: Xiao Weijun’s Observations in the City

After entering the city through Desheng Gate, the three siblings, Xiao Weijun, Xiao Hongmei, and Xiao Lianxin, had stared in wide-eyed wonder at everything they saw. All they felt was that the great capital was simply too grand, too fascinating; they, too, wanted to live here, not in that shabby village.

Seeing the workers and common folk on the streets dressed so neatly, then looking at themselves, in clothes too long here and too short there, patched over and over again, they grew self-conscious and kept shrinking down inside the donkey cart.

Their grandmother had been busily sewing the cloth their elder brother brought back and had made several garments already, but she said the new clothes would only be worn at New Year’s. Yet New Year was still several months away.

Once their elder brother brought them into the courtyard house, the red gate looked so distinctive that they truly wished their own home were inside it. But the elder brother’s things were his alone; in time he would marry and set up a separate household, truly dividing from them.

Feeling the curious gazes of the children in the crowded compound, children of the same age as themselves, Xiao Weijun and the others could only lower their heads and bury the little spirit of village children deep in their hearts.

Xiao Weiguo had just led the group into the gate of Number 98 courtyard when he ran into Aunt Tian Guixiang, who was about to go out. Seeing such a large crowd, she was quite surprised. Where had all these country folk come from?

A moment later, she spotted Xiao Weiguo among them and understood at once that they must be his family. She greeted him, saying, “Weiguo, what brings you here?”

“It’s Aunt Guixiang. I brought my family to get familiar with the place. We’ve been living here for a while, but they’ve never come by before. You go on with your business, Aunt,” Xiao Weiguo said.

Tian Guixiang then looked toward the kindest-looking grandmother in the crowd and said, “So these are your family, then? This must be your grandmother. Your Weiguo really has made something of himself.

“He’s found a good job in the city, and he’s got a fine place to live too.

“He’s only missing a proper family now. Old sister, you just wait and enjoy life. To be honest, I have a distant niece of mine—plenty broad in the hips, good for bearing children, and a real worker besides. I’ll have a word with Weiguo about her another day.”

When Grandmother heard that this woman wanted to introduce a match for her grandson, her eyes lit up at once. She seized Tian Guixiang and was ready to launch into a long chat, eager to ask just how broad-hipped and hardworking that distant niece might be.

Seeing this, Xiao Weiguo quickly took Grandmother by the hand and led her inward, while saying to Aunt Tian Guixiang, “You go on with your work, Aunt. We’re a little pressed for time today. We’ll talk another day.”

After taking their leave of Aunt Guixiang, Grandmother was still somewhat dissatisfied that Xiao Weiguo had dragged her away. That broad-hipped granddaughter-in-law had practically been within reach.

Xiao Weiguo was drenched in sweat. The neighborly aunties in the courtyard were always passionately fond of playing matchmaker; whenever there was the slightest chance, they would rush to introduce someone to him.

Xiao Weiguo said that introductions were fine, but he did not care for broad hips.

He noticed that Xiao Weijun, Xiao Hongmei, and Xiao Lianxin had grown timid ever since entering the capital, scarcely saying a word. His heart softened, and he took them by the hand, leading them forward.

Passing through the central courtyard, they reached Xiao Weiguo’s lodgings in the back courtyard, where he introduced the place as his own house.

At first, Grandfather had only seen from outside that imposing room, and his satisfied smile had not left his face.

Xiao Weiguo opened the door and invited everyone in. Seeing how well arranged and abundantly furnished the room was, everyone nodded in approval.

Grandfather stroked the furniture and said to Xiao Weiguo, “Back home, when you said you’d set everything up, I didn’t really believe it. Now that I see it for myself, I know you were telling the truth. It’s arranged beautifully—good enough to be a bridal chamber right away.”

Grandmother walked over to the bed inside, felt the thickness of the cotton in the quilt and mattress, and when she discovered how thick they were, she too smiled in satisfaction. Then she helped Xiao Weiguo fold the quilt that had not yet been tidied.

In her heart she thought that a home without a woman in charge simply would not do, not even the bedding was being folded.

From the moment Xiao Weijun and the others entered the room, they seemed deeply interested in everything there, touching this and that, their eyes full of longing.

Their father, Xiao Pingle, had worn a foolish grin ever since stepping through the door. His son had achieved such success; he was proud. From now on, back in the production team, he could speak with his back straight. I may not have the ability, but my son does.

Xiao Weiguo stood by the doorway, looking at everyone’s satisfied faces as they admired the room he had arranged, and he felt happy too.

He said, “I’ve only set things up simply for now. Later I’ll add some larger furniture, like a sewing machine and a radio, and then it’ll be complete.”

Grandmother cut in, saying, “There’s no rush to buy a sewing machine or anything like that. Wait until it’s time to get married, then bring it up as a condition to the bride’s family. That would make a fine show of it.”

“All right, I’ll listen to Grandmother. We’ll buy it then,” Xiao Weiguo said with a smile.

At that moment, Liu Qingchang, the first elder in the courtyard, heard that the young procurement worker who did not often stay here, named Xiao Weiguo, had brought his family over to see the place today, so he came by as well, intending to greet them and, at the same time, observe what kind of situation this young man’s family was in.

Seeing the door open, the first elder called out to Weiguo before entering and said to everyone, “I heard that Weiguo’s family was coming today, so I came to see whether there’s anything I can help with.”

Xiao Weiguo quickly introduced him to his grandparents, saying, “This is the senior elder of our courtyard, Uncle Liu. He has looked after me a great deal since I moved in.”

“Thank you, Uncle. There’s nothing much going on here. If anything comes up, we’ll come to you,” Grandfather said at once, stepping forward to shake Liu Qingchang’s hand. “My boy Weiguo has been living alone in the city, and it’s thanks to the help of elders like you. If Weiguo ever does anything thoughtless in the future, feel free to scold or even beat him.”

Xiao Weiguo thought to himself that this was a bit much; Grandfather was exaggerating. He was only a senior in a residential compound, after all. Still, he did not say anything. It did him no harm, after all.

The first elder said, “Weiguo is very sensible. He gets along well with everyone in the courtyard. Brother, I see there isn’t any hot water in here, so I brought over a thermos. Everyone can have a warm drink.”

Xiao Weiguo hurried out and took the thermos from Uncle Liu’s house, thanking him repeatedly, realizing only then that everyone must have been thirsty.

They had set out from home before dawn that morning and had only eaten a bit of dry food on the road. Now it was already late morning, so they were probably hungry as well.

Xiao Weiguo went back inside, poured hot water for everyone, then pretended to reach into the cabinet for something and instead directly brought out a bag of peach pastries from his space, so they could have a little something to tide them over before lunch.

The moment the pastries appeared, Xiao Weijun was the quickest. He hurried over to his elder brother and stared up at him expectantly.

Xiao Weiguo found a plate, put the pastries on it, and let everyone take a piece, all while drinking hot water.

Then he closed the door, and the chatting resumed, turning to Xiao Weiguo’s future life and the layout of the house.

Seeing that noon was almost upon them, Xiao Weiguo said to everyone, “Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, it’ll be noon soon. Today let’s find a restaurant in the capital and eat out.”