C33 Returning to the 1960s: Starting with Digging for Fo-ti

Hearing Su Xiaomei’s words, Du Daqiang opened his mouth but stood frozen, making no sound.

Seeing this, Du Daqiang’s wife hurriedly tried to smooth things over: “Husband, don’t listen to her nonsense. The second son has just started to turn things around and manage to save some money. Those bear biles and bear paws must be kept to exchange for money to make up for the family’s deficits over the years. He used to ruin things by gambling, but now he is finally living properly. We need to understand.”

Du Daqiang finally snapped out of it, took a breath, and nodded: “That’s right! This kid remembering me and bringing back some bear meat is already good enough. What more could we ask for? I have hands and feet and can still work. Relying on my son to support me would make the villagers laugh at me!”

Du Qiangjun also nodded, speaking sincerely: “Father is right. The second brother is still living a hard life. Even though he managed to hunt a bear, this bear meat and bear products won’t last a lifetime. He needs to plan for the future. As the heads of the family, we cannot drag him down.”

Du Qiangjun had a soft personality, usually lacked his own opinions, and was often controlled by his wife Su Xiaomei, but he was not unkind. He knew Du Jianguo was his biological younger brother and felt he should speak up for him.

Although he was usually tormented by his wife, he was still the eldest brother and clearly understood he could not blame his younger brother without reason.

“You talk too much!” Su Xiaomei saw that neither the father nor the son were on her side and were actually helping Du Jianguo. Her expression darkened instantly, and she glared fiercely at Du Qiangjun with great dissatisfaction.

“Enough, eldest daughter-in-law! Stop talking nonsense here!”

The old matriarch did not follow Su Xiaomei’s lead. Instead, she gave a direct order: “Come with me to clean up this bear meat. Tonight we will use some to make meat dumplings. The rest will be rubbed with salt and dried into meat jerky for storage.”

“Mother, I am pregnant! How can you make me work?” Su Xiaomei was unhappy at the thought of working and took half a step back.

Du Daqiang immediately glared at her: “How many months pregnant are you? Why can’t you help your mother? Women in their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy still work around the house. You act as if handling a bit of meat is killing you!”

Su Xiaomei turned pale from the scolding but stubbornly retorted: “I am carrying the Du family’s bloodline! If you are not afraid this child will suffer some kind of trauma later, then go ahead and make me work!”

Seeing this, the old matriarch sighed and pulled Du Daqiang’s arm: “Forget it, husband. I can manage alone. It won’t take long. Don’t argue with the child.”

Just then, the courtyard gate open with a “creak” sound, and Du Jianguo walked in.

He first rolled his eyes at the still-sulking Su Xiaomei, then turned to the matriarch: “Mom, if she won’t help you, I will.”

“Second son?”

Everyone in the room was stunned. The matriarch was overjoyed, walking quickly to take Du Jianguo’s hand. She rubbed his hair as if he were a small child, and her eyes quickly filled with tears.

“You’ve succeeded, you have truly succeeded! You were able to hunt a bear for your mother! But you must be careful in the future. You can never do such dangerous things again!”

“Rest assured, your son does not fight battles without preparation now,” Du Jianguo said with a smile to comfort her. He then turned to look at the complex expressions of Du Daqiang and Du Qiangjun, speaking with a touch of awkwardness: “Father, Big Brother.”

Du Daqiang and Du Qiangjun each responded with a sound, and the room fell silent for a moment.

Although they were father and son, brothers by name, Du Jianguo had caused many conflicts with Du Daqiang when he was living a wild life in the past, and they usually did not speak much.

Especially last time, when Du Jianguo tried to steal the family’s heirloom jade pendant to sell and almost had his leg broken by Du Daqiang. At that time, Du Daqiang had threatened to cut off all family ties. This rift could not be healed in a short time.

“By the way, Mom,” Du Jianguo suddenly remembered something. He picked up the cloth bag at the door. “I brought some rice and flour for our home. You and Dad keep it to eat.”

“Rice and flour?” The matriarch immediately grew anxious and shook her head refusing repeatedly. “Child, this refined rice and flour is so expensive! Our family is not like those in the city. We usually eat cornmeal, which is enough. How can we use this? You take it back. Give it to Xiuyun. I see she is very thin and needs something to supplement her health!”

Du Daqiang also nodded: “Second son, listen to your mother. Take it back. We do not lack this.”

“Mom, Dad, rest assured. I have kept enough for myself,” Du Jianguo’s voice lowered, carrying a touch of shame. “This rice and flour is my special tribute to you two elders. Over the years, I have taken and stolen so much from you. Returning a few jin of rice and flour now counts for very little. I still owe you much more.”

Before Du Daqiang and the old couple could speak again, Su Xiaomei, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward, snatched the bag of rice and flour, and plastered a fake smile on her face.

“Yes, Dad, Mom. Since this is the second son’s filial piety, you should accept it. I will take these things to the kitchen for you so they don’t take up space.”

Du Jianguo’s eyes cooled instantly. He reached out and pulled the rice and flour back, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: “Eldest sister-in-law, this gift is for Mom and Dad. Naturally, they should keep it. You do not need to trouble yourself.”

Su Xiaomei immediately panicked, raising her voice: “Second son, what do you mean? Do you think I am not part of the same family as Mom and Dad?”

“I do not mean that,” Du Jianguo said calmly but with a firm attitude. “I just feel that it is better for my own parents to hold these things. My heart would be more at ease.”

Du Qiangjun, watching from the side, hurriedly advised: “Yes, wife. This was specially given to Mom and Dad by the second brother. What are you doing holding it? Don’t make a scene.”

“Don’t interrupt!” Su Xiaomei glared fiercely at Du Qiangjun, then turned her cold gaze to Du Jianguo, full of unwillingness. “Second brother, you wouldn’t listen to me before and refused to share the bear paws with Mom and Dad. Now you even want to argue over this little bit of rice and flour? Then I must settle the score with you today!”

She stepped closer, deliberately raising her voice as if to make everyone on the street hear.

“Over the years, hasn’t it been me, the daughter-in-law, who supported Mom and Dad right here? What about your wife, Liu Xiuyun? When has she ever come to help Mom and Dad or offered a hand?”

“You are talking nonsense!” Du Daqiang immediately scolded Su Xiaomei, his tone filled with anger. “The second daughter-in-law has to clean up the mess the second son makes every day. Her own life is so tight that she has never once asked us old couple for anything. What does this have to do with her?”

“At least I have not seen her come to our house to help,” Su Xiaomei said stubbornly, letting out a snort and refusing to yield even a bit.

“Who said that?” Du Jianguo suddenly let out a cold laugh. His gaze swept over Su Xiaomei, and he raised his voice: “Look, here she comes now. Wife, come in.”

No sooner had he spoken than Liu Xiuyun walked in from outside the courtyard gate, carrying two gift boxes wrapped in red cloth.

She took a deep breath, walked to Du Daqiang and the matriarch, bowed properly and respectfully, and said softly: “Dad, Mom, the eldest sister-in-law is right. Over the years, I indeed have not been able to help you much.”

…