Chapter 12. Need to buy it sooner or later.
“Fourth Sister-in-law given it.” Third Sister-in-law explained.
It was almost six o’clock at this time, but the sky was still bright. Now the sky can start to dim around half past six.
So Third Sister-in-law took out the cloth and cotton.
Zhou Qing Sen understood then. Fourth’s wife wanted to make clothes: “Isn’t she able to make clothes by herself? How can she bear to give you two pounds of brown sugar for you to make it?”
“She doesn’t know how to make it for Da Wa and the others. So naturally, it can only be brought to me to make it.” Third Sister-in-law’s hands started moving as her mouth clarified.
Toward her own skill, she was still very confident.
“She is using such a good cloth and cotton to make winter clothes for Da Wa and others?” Zhou Qing Sen was really surprised.
“In the end, she’s their biological mother. And what’s more, the brothers really don’t have any cotton-padded clothes this year,” continued Third Sister-in-law.
“Mother, when do I have new clothes to wear?” Zhou Wu Ni looked at the cloth and cotton with an envious face.
She actually wanted to be Fourth Auntie’s daughter, because Fourth Auntie’s life was really good. Da Wa and the others didn’t need to pick up cow dung to earn work points or even collect wheat ears in the field. Every day they got to play.
“Mother had looked for you. These cloths and cotton will have leftovers after I finished the brothers’ set. And Mother still has some leftover cloth saved. When the time comes, add that bit, and I’ll have enough to make you a new jacket.” Third Sister-in-law said.
“Then Mother, hurry up,” Zhou Wu Ni excitedly cried.
Then Zhou Qing Sen remarked: “You have such a big belly, she still makes you make clothes.”
“It’s cause she saw I got a big belly, otherwise why can she bear to give me two jin of brown sugar? It looks top-quality. The last set I was asked to make it for Da Wa and his brother is what the brothers are currently wearing for autumn. She gave me three eggs then,” said Third Sister-in-law.
Mother Zhou didn’t confiscate the two jin of brown sugar, instead, let her store it. So Third Sister-in-law was especially satisfied with this.
Brown sugar was a scarce product. And it was two jin.
Zhou Qing Sen didn’t say anything. His wife wasn’t afraid of getting tired, instead, she was delighted.
People in this era were keen on saving kerosene. After all, the supply was limited every month. So they went to bed early.
It was only eight o’clock, and Mother Zhou and Father Zhou went to the Kang to sleep.
Mother Zhou mentioned about today’s affairs: “Fourth’s wife invited me to eat a bowl of egg and lean pork today.”
“Since she gave it, eat it.” Father Zhou was tired. He earned ten points and was very exhausted.
“Those fabrics and cotton are good conditions. I thought she was going to make it for herself. Didn’t expect it is for Da Wa and his three brothers,” Mother Zhou continued.
Today, she didn’t work, so she just heard the villagers said fourth’s wife went to the market again. Only then did she go to see the brothers. She heard that she came back with a big package.
Two jin of cotton and fabric were really enough for a big package. She never expected it was bought for her three grandsons.
“She’s the brothers’ mother. No matter how bad she can get, they all are meat that fell from her stomach.” Father Zhou was sleepy but still responded.
Although he had some opinions on the Fourth Daughter-in-law, there was nothing to complain, now that she was happy to make winter coats for his grandsons, and also make egg and lean pork congee to eat.
“It’s just she is too spendthrift. Fabric, cotton, egg, lean pork, and two jin of brown sugar. From her look, I think she is familiar with the black market. There’s definitely not much left of the monthly allowance sent by Fourth Son. There is certainly not much money left. I told her to save a little money, and she found me nosy.” Mother Zhou said.
Father Zhou had already snore. It was clear he fell asleep.
Mother Zhou said nothing and soon fell asleep.
The rest of old Zhou family was in a similar state.
As for Lin Qing He’s side, she was tossing around, unable to sleep.
It was too early to sleep at eight o’clock. It was modern-day her night-life hadn’t started yet.
However, she entered the countryside, so she can only follow the custom. The two big ones in the next room were already sound asleep. As Zhou San Wa was still young, he slept with her.
Before going to bed, Lin Qing He warmed the bowl of leftover congee from the dinner with boiling water and split it between the brothers.
Of course, before going to bed, she gave them three baths. The three brothers washed and turned all the water black. Then she shooed them to go to Kang and sent them to sleep.
Lin Qing He also scrubbed herself in the dark. It wasn’t good to be without a separate bathroom.
Lying in bed, her mind wandered. Don’t know when she fell asleep. In the middle of the night, according to the original owner’s instinct, she got up and shuued her three sons to pee so she can avoid them peeing on the Kang and she had to clean up…
Because she slept too early last night, Lin Qing He got up very early the next day. As soon as she saw the three boys were still asleep, she freshened herself first.
Then she busied away in the kitchen.
This morning she cooked millet porridge, but there was no meat, just plain rice porridge. Besides the millet porridge, there were two white buns.
Thinking of the white bread, she recalled the 500 bun reservations with the breakfast shop’s aunt. That really hurt …
Soon the porridge was cooked, and the big white bun was also hot and fragrant.
She shouted into the room. Zhou Da Wa and Zhou Er Wa got up, quickly dressed themselves and then climbed off the Kang. Underneath was a tall and short set of wooden stumps, almost like the role of a ladder so the brothers could get up and down more conveniently.
Lin Qing He then went in, wake San Wa, washed the little boy’s face, and then carried him out.
“Mother, there are big white buns!” Zhou Da Wa washed his face and ran over. His eyes brightened.
“Go brush your teeth.” Lin Qing He instructed.
“Mother, you didn’t buy a toothbrush for me!” Zhou Da Wa pointed out.
Lin Qing He could only let him eat, and then she started thinking about when to make a trip out again?
She had just visited yesterday, so to go over there today was a bit overboard. The most important part was what to do with the three children in the family. Going from the village to the town ’s supply and demand cooperative, was easier for her than the original owner, who spared no effort to run to the county town to buy cotton and fabric. But still, it needed at least an hour to travel from here to the town’s supply and demand cooperatives.
But if she didn’t go, there were still many things to buy at home.
In fact, according to the original owner’s ideal living standard, the family’s items were quite complete compared to other people’s families. But in Lin Qing He’s view, there are still many things needed.
The original owner had only taken care of herself. Toothbrushes, other hygiene essentials, the foot bath bucket, there was only her share. The children do not have any. they shared one washbasin.
Now they were young, but it won’t do when they grow up.
Anyway, it was necessary sooner or later, so why not buy it early.
Although she planned to go again, Lin Qing He didn’t go now. She decided to leave it a few days later.
In a few days, the autumn harvest in the village will be completely over. Then, she can leave Er Wa and San Wa in the old Zhou’s house to help her take care of them.
As for Zhou Da Wa, she didn’t have to worry about it. He can go off and play by himself.
In the morning, they ate millet porridge, accompanied by a delicious white bun. The stuffing in this bun was particularly sufficient. The meat, half of the egg, and cabbage were enough for them to eat as a dish with the porridge.