RSMFH 12

Chapter 12

I Am Jealous

Zhao Ergou flashed a cheeky grin. “Educated Youth Ma, you’ve wronged me. I just saw that you had no more seedlings behind you, so I threw a few your way to help.”

As he spoke, he picked up a few more seedlings from around his feet and tossed them at her in quick succession. Ma Huijuan scrambled to dodge, but one of her feet got stuck in the muddy field; she stumbled and landed squarely on her backside in the mud. She was so furious her whole body shook, and she called out to the brigade leader to settle the score. But Brigade Leader Gao Qiang was busy working and ignored her completely. Under the watchful eyes and mocking laughter of the crowd, she had no choice but to head back to the Educated Youth Point, covered in mud and water.

By dusk, Lin Chen had completed his ten work points and finished his day early. Luo Guangming and the others arrived at his house one after another to continue their work. Although they were only building a kitchen, they were constructing it to the standard of a fifteen-square-meter room. They dug out the foundation extending south from Wang Xiufen’s room. While they sweated through their clothes outside, Jiang Ning stayed indoors with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law to prepare dinner.

They had yielded the main hall’s stove to Lin Zhou-shi’s family for the time being, doing all their prep work in their own room. The sweet potato vermicelli was soaked in cold water, the cabbage was chopped into segments, and the meat was sliced. The pork Lin Chen had bought was perfectly marbled with fat and lean, making the slices look especially appetizing. Because the breakfast had been so spectacular, Zhao Ergou was highly expectant of dinner, finding excuses to wander over and peek inside several times. When he saw the pork belly, he hopped over to tell Luo Guangming and the others that it was “pork stewed with vermicelli” for dinner. The men worked even harder after that.

Next door, Yu Xiaofeng had prepared dinner and called her family to eat. Looking at the dish of greens on the table—completely devoid of oil—a bowl of pickled radish strips, and the watery sweet potato porridge in his bowl, Lin Tao complained, “Don’t we have money? We’ve been working all day and this is what we eat?”

With Lin Chen no longer acting as their dupe, Lin Tao had to work in the fields; after a full day, his bones felt like they were falling apart. “Mom, Tao-tao is right. Take some money out; let’s have a meat dish for once!” Lin Baojia chimed in.

Lin Zhou-shi’s face fell. “I think you’re all dreaming! If you have the nerve, go beg for scraps at their place!”

Just then, the meat Jiang Ning was stewing was nearly done. Even through the lid, the rich, meaty fragrance wafted out. Without a word, Lin Tao put down his bowl and headed toward Lin Chen’s side.

“Xiao Chen, let me give you a hand.” His expression was one of profound sincerity, exactly as it had been back in the day when he used to say, “Xiao Chen, I’ll protect you.”

Lin Chen paused, remembering his wife’s warnings. “Big Brother, no need. We have enough people here.”

“Who refuses extra help when there’s work to be done? Don’t be so formal!” Lin Tao jumped into the foundation trench and picked up a shovel to start clearing dirt.

After half an hour of digging, his clothes were soaked with sweat, yet Jiang Ning still hadn’t called them to eat. She really doesn’t know how to treat people. We’re nearly collapsing, and she doesn’t even suggest a break.

Zhao Ergou, watching Lin Tao’s lazy, half-hearted digging, began barking orders at him: “Brother Tao, get over here and dig this part!” “Brother Tao, you’ve got so little strength—I bet you couldn’t even lift a young girl!”

Fortunately, Wang Xiufen soon called them for dinner. Lin Tao rushed into the west wing, ready to feast, but there was no food on the table. Jiang Ning and the others each held a large bowl and handed them directly to the men who had been working.

When Zhao Ergou received his bowl and saw a mountain of fluffy white rice, his face lit up. He had never eaten so much rice in a single sitting. When he dug into the rice and discovered the glistening, oil-slicked pork stewed with vermicelli hidden underneath, he nearly burst into tears. Sure enough, where Brother Chen is, there’s meat to eat.

Lin Tao smiled expectantly, took the bowl Wang Xiufen handed him, and couldn’t wait to dig past the top layer of rice. There was only a thin layer of rice, and underneath was nothing but sweet potatoes. He kept digging, desperate—he pushed aside the radish pickles until he hit the bottom of the bowl, but he didn’t find even a speck of meat.

“Aunt, is this all we’re having for dinner?” he asked, frowning.

Wang Xiufen looked completely innocent. “That’s right. When we split the household, we didn’t take a single cent, so this is all we can afford.”

He asked the others, “Are you all eating this too?”

Zhao Ergou clutched his bowl and moved eight yards away. “Obviously! Meat is expensive—you expect to eat meat too?”

But I clearly smelled pork! After Lin Tao left, cursing under his breath, the rest of the group burst into laughter.

“I knew he had ulterior motives! He only worked for an hour and thought he’d get meat? He’s dreaming!” Zhao Ergou scoffed, chewing his meat with great enjoyment.

Luo Guangming’s expression darkened; he pulled Lin Chen aside and suggested he shouldn’t be so extravagant in the future. They hadn’t even done a full day’s work, and the meal alone cost several yuan. Lin Chen clapped him on the shoulder, telling him to relax. “Guangming, you guys are busy with the planting and still come to help us—if you don’t eat well, your bodies won’t hold up. Don’t worry, money is meant to be earned, not saved to death. I can handle this.”

Zhao Ergou bumped Lin Chen’s shoulder, eyebrows raised. “Guangming, Brother Chen is a man of talent. He managed to marry a sister-in-law as good as Educated Youth Jiang; you think he’s worried about not having money? I’m afraid he won’t be able to spend it all!”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning added another scoop of pork and vermicelli to his bowl. In her previous life, Lin Chen started a business after the Reform and Opening-up and succeeded in many industries; it was only because of Lin Tao’s sabotage behind the scenes that he never saved much. But his sensitivity to the market and his raw ability were unquestionable. She believed that in this life, with her help, he would definitely carve out a successful career.

After the meal, they chatted for a bit longer before heading home. As he crossed the threshold, Luo Guangming didn’t lift his leg high enough and nearly tripped; Lin Qiao reached out and steadied him just in time. Luo Guangming looked at her, quickly turned his face away, and left with hurried strides.

That night, after freshening up, Jiang Ning lay in bed, pressed against Lin Chen’s chest. “Did you notice? I think Luo Guangming has a thing for your sister.”

Lin Chen’s large hand wandered over her body. “Does he?” As long as his wife was in the room, his eyes were glued to her; he hadn’t paid much attention to others. Luo Guangming didn’t have any major flaws—aside from a slight limp and a stutter—and was actually very intelligent. If they truly liked each other, Lin Chen wouldn’t object. But his sister was only fifteen; she would have to wait at least three years before getting married.

“Let nature take its course. If they love each other, I won’t stand in their way,” Lin Chen said. Suddenly, his grip on her slender waist tightened, and his eyes turned playfully menacing. “During the day, why did you give so much water to Ergou?”

Jiang Ning had a ticklish spot on her waist and couldn’t stop squirming. “Ah, don’t tickle me! You’re not actually jealous over giving someone a drink of water, are you?”

“Yes, I am jealous! You are only allowed to smile at me, feed me food, and give me water…” He flipped her over in a single motion, pinning her beneath him.

“I only gave him some because he’s your friend! In this lifetime, I only like you!” Jiang Ning cupped his face, blinking up at him.

How could anyone be this adorable? “No good, I still have to punish you!” Lin Chen laughed and kissed her.