Chapter 269 - 210: Want a Job or Not?
A short while later, Zhao Wendong emerged from the west room. He didn’t even go into the east room, instead taking Lin Zhiyin straight next door to Granny Liu’s house. On the kang in the east room, Zhao Dahai’s family of three lay silently, pretending to be asleep, as if they hadn’t heard Zhao Wendong come and go.
"Wendong, are your uncle and aunt angry with you?"
Lin Zhiyin pointed this out to Zhao Wendong after they left. She had noticed something was amiss too. By all rights, since they had come to visit, his aunt Wang Jinzhi should have at least made an appearance. It was too coincidental for her to be asleep at that moment. In the countryside, people didn’t have the habit of napping during the day in winter, as the nights were long and they all got more than enough sleep.
"Don’t mind them. That’s just how they are. You’ll find out soon enough."
Zhao Wendong replied nonchalantly. ’In my previous life, Zhao Dahai’s family were my only remaining relatives, so I interacted with them more than with the other villagers. Zhao Dahai and Wang Jinzhi are the type of people who only remember when you’ve done them wrong and never recall the good. A pair of incredibly selfish people, they were drawn to each other and actually get along quite harmoniously. As for Zhao Wenhua, I’ve always felt he isn’t a bad person at his core—just spoiled rotten and led astray.’
When they entered Granny Liu’s house, the whole family of four was gathered around a brazier on the kang, weaving mats.
"Oh my, Dongzi and your wife are here! Quick, come up on the kang where it’s warm."
The moment Granny Liu saw Zhao Wendong, she immediately put down the mat she was weaving and welcomed them. The rest of the Liu Family also stopped what they were doing, bustling about to grab stools and pour water.
"It’s alright, we’re not cold. We just came from my grandparents’ house."
Baozhu’s Sister remained as quiet as ever, not saying a word. She glanced at Zhao Wendong, then at Lin Zhiyin, before getting up to go wash up in the outer room.
"Brother San, Sister-in-law, have some hot water."
Baozhu brought over the hot water, greeting them warmly. ’It’s a good thing this kid doesn’t take after his mom and sister,’ Zhao Wendong thought. ’Otherwise, the whole family would be as quiet as church mice. I chose to consider Baozhu’s Sister for the last spot not only because Granny Liu has always been so good to me, but also because of my bond with Baozhu. In my past life, I lived alone for sixty years, and he was the only friend I had to talk to. For that reason alone, I have to give his family a helping hand now that I’m able.’
𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
"Granny Liu, how are the dentures working out?"
"Great! They’re great! Everything tastes delicious now. I can even eat meat!"
Granny Liu beamed, revealing her toothless gums. She only wore the dentures when she ate, and afterward, she would treat them like a treasure, rinsing them several times in a bowl before carefully putting them away. The old woman took Zhao Wendong’s and Lin Zhiyin’s hands and wouldn’t let go. Baozhu sat nearby, joining the conversation, while his mother and sister quietly returned to the kang to continue weaving their mats, their ears tuned to the lively chat.
"Hehe, as long as you can eat, that’s what matters. I got my hands on something special and brought it for you to try. You don’t even need dentures to eat this."
With that, Zhao Wendong took out an orange and pressed it into the old woman’s hand.
"Oh! An orange?"
The old woman let out a cry of surprise, then glanced out the window to confirm the season.
"An orange in winter!"
"Hehe, you’re pretty worldly, Granny Liu. How about that? A real novelty, isn’t it?"
"More than a novelty! In the old days, even the emperor would have had a hard time getting one of these in winter. No, Dongzi, this is far too precious. Granny Liu can’t accept this."
No matter what she said, Granny Liu refused, trying to press the orange back into his hands. Zhao Wendong simply wouldn’t take it back, smiling as he spoke.
"Well, if you don’t want it, I’ll just give it to Third Master. I’m sure he’ll take it."
"Fine, then. Better I eat it than you give it to him."
Granny Liu took back the orange, placing it carefully on the edge of the kang. Her eyes were filled with delight, not so much from the orange itself, but from the deep care Zhao Wendong showed for her. It made her feel that doting on him, sometimes even more than on her own grandson Baozhu, was not in vain. For instance, when Zhao Wendong had been unconscious with a high fever, Granny Liu, despite her bound feet, had performed a shamanistic ritual for an entire morning to call his soul back.
"Dongzi, I heard you two are getting married on the third day of the New Year?"
"Mhm, that’s right. Granny Liu, you all have to come. We’re holding it at the communal canteen."
"Alright, we’ll definitely be there. Only you, Dongzi, could afford such a grand celebration. It’s been years since anyone’s had such a lively wedding feast."
Zhao Wendong nodded, a wide smile on his face, as Granny Liu sighed with emotion. On the kang behind them, Baozhu’s Sister, who was listening in, suddenly jerked her hand, slicing her finger on the edge of a mat. Blood welled up immediately. She silently put the finger in her mouth to suck on it. Her mother glanced at her, let out an internal sigh, and then lowered her head to continue weaving.
’These mats were a task her family had taken on from the brigade,’ the mother thought. ’Once they were woven and passed inspection at headquarters, they would earn work points, and work points could be exchanged for grain. She’d heard the exchange was opening in a few days. Everyone in the village knew about the two thousand jin of grain in the brigade warehouse, heavily guarded by the militia. They also knew that Zhao Wendong was the one who’d procured it all, just so every family could have some proper food to eat for the New Year. Dongzi was so capable and kindhearted now; he was like a great hero. It was no wonder her daughter was so smitten with him. What a pity that Lin Zhiyin had appeared, a beauty who outshone all the rest.’
"Oh, right. Granny Liu, there’s one more thing. I found a job for Baozhu’s Sister."
"What was that? For who? For Baolian?"
Zhao Wendong then remembered that Baozhu’s Sister was named Zhao Baolian.
"Yes, I found a job for Baolian."
Granny Liu’s family was completely dumbfounded. All four of them stared blankly at Zhao Wendong. The word "job" was so foreign, so remote. It was like spending every day playing games at an internet cafe when suddenly someone runs up and says, "I found you a government job. You should go give it a try."