Chapter 18: Back to the Fu Family Again

Chapter 18: Returning to the Fu Family

Lu Xiang and Fu Qinhui stayed at the Lu family home until evening.

They waited until dark to pick up the grain. It was said that after Grandma Lu left their place earlier, she went home and spent a long time making thinly veiled criticisms, but no one paid her any mind anymore.

At night, every household turned off their lights early to save on electricity, and the streets were empty. Fu Qinhui and Lu Danian went out with a cart, and after a long while, they returned with the goods.

Lu Xiang’s mother was both surprised and delighted at the sight of the large cart of grain: "How did you get so much?"

Rice, fine flour, coarse grains, and soybean oil were all high-demand items. She insisted that Lu Xiang take more than half, saying they couldn’t finish it all themselves.

Fu Qinhui said, "We have enough grain at home. You keep these for yourselves."

Lu Xiang added, "Set aside some to eat, and store the rest in the cellar." With two months left until the autumn harvest, they’d need around fifty catties of grain during that time. The rest could be bartered for other things after the harvest.

Lu Xiang’s mother replied, "Understood."

Lu Xiang said, "Then we’ll head back now."

For some reason, tears welled up in Lu Xiang’s mother’s eyes as she said, "Take care of each other from now on." Though she was happy her daughter had married Fu Qinhui, she still found it hard to let go.

Without lingering further, the two returned to the Fu family. The other rooms in the Fu household were already dark, except for Xiao Cailian’s room, where a light was still on. Hearing the door, she came out and saw Fu Qinhui and Lu Xiang returning together. "Don’t stay out so late next time," she said before going back inside.

Once inside their room, Lu Xiang swallowed nervously, feeling on edge.

Fu Qinhui looked at Lu Xiang and said, "Let’s sleep." He took off his outer clothes. Lu Xiang quickly removed her outer garments, slipped under the covers, closed her eyes, and pretended to sleep.

Fu Qinhui seemed to notice Lu Xiang’s nervousness and fear and didn’t press her. He pulled the light cord, plunging the room into darkness.

Fu Qinhui lay down beside her; he slept properly and motionlessly.

Lu Xiang had thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep with a stranger next to her, but she was exhausted. The moment her head touched the pillow, exhaustion took over. Soon, her breathing became even and steady.

Fu Qinhui couldn’t help but think how fitting Lu Xiang’s name was—she carried a faint, clean scent of soapberries, warm and soothing, yet captivating.

Just as Fu Qinhui was about to close his eyes and sleep—his wedding leave was only three days, and he had to return to work the next day—he felt the young woman beside him suddenly hug him. He jolted awake, all drowsiness gone.

Lu Xiang slept soundly, dreaming that she was holding someone. When she woke up, she found herself alone.

The space beside her was still warm. As she took in her surroundings, she realized she was no longer at home and quickly became fully awake. Lu Xiang dressed and went outside, but the courtyard was empty. The sky was just beginning to lighten. She washed her face with cold well water, which helped clear her mind a little.

In the Fu household, she was only familiar with Fu Qinhui, but after looking around, she couldn’t find him.

Xiao Cailian’s voice came from behind: "Fu Qinhui has gone to work." He had to travel over ten miles to the brigade’s supply cooperative and had left before dawn.

"Oh," Lu Xiang replied softly.

Xiao Cailian hadn’t spoken to Lu Xiang until now. Their relationship as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had come about by chance. If not for Lu Xiang’s quick wit, she would have preferred to swap her for someone else.

Now, facing Lu Xiang, she said, "Fu Qinhui has explained the matter with Lin Mu to me. As the daughter-in-law of this family, you should know better than I what is and isn’t appropriate to do."

Xiao Cailian admonished her briefly.

Lu Xiang remained silent.

Xiao Cailian’s stern expression gradually softened. She said to Lu Xiang, "By the way, how did you make that bread last time? Make it for us again!"

The bread Lu Xiang had steamed in an iron pot last time had won everyone over. The grandchildren had been asking for it every day since. Xiao Cailian was puzzled—how could ordinary ingredients be transformed like that?

Lu Xiang said, "If you want to learn, it’s simple." She washed her hands again and followed Xiao Cailian to the kitchen.

She scooped some flour, added a little oil and sugar, and began kneading.

Xiao Cailian was also skilled at making dough and had never met her match in this area. With one glance, she could tell Lu Xiang’s technique was exceptional. Dough with add-ins was often difficult to shape, but Lu Xiang handled it with ease. She didn’t just knead it—she also slapped and stretched it, forming a thin membrane.

She then placed the dough in a bowl, covered it, and let it rest.

Lu Xiang’s skill alone left Xiao Cailian in awe. She hadn’t expected Lu Xiang to be not only quick-witted but also highly capable. Her technique was truly impressive!

Xiao Cailian asked, "Is that all?"

Lu Xiang replied, "We’ll knead it a few more times after it rises." No other ingredients were needed—the natural fragrance of the grain was enough to make the bread soft and sweet.

Lu Xiang had always been good at cooking, but she’d never had the chance to showcase her talent in the Lu family.

The Fu family, with all its working members, was better situated. There were plenty of ingredients in the kitchen.

As the bread steamed, a sweet aroma soon filled the air. For breakfast, everyone not only enjoyed the soft, fragrant bread but also a side of dressed green radish strips. The yard was full of green radishes, which were usually used in stews or cold dishes.

Today’s dressed radish dish was exceptionally delicious. Even this simple side had everyone unable to stop eating.

The three older daughters-in-law in the Fu family tended to cook perfunctorily—their dishes were neither bad nor particularly good. Xiao Cailian was the best cook among them, but she still couldn’t compare to Lu Xiang.

"Fourth Brother’s wife, your cooking is amazing!"

"How do you make even the simplest things taste so good?" It was incredible—even plain radish strips were refreshing and tasty.

"Absolutely," Third Brother Fu chimed in, eating eagerly without looking up. He praised briefly, as if worried that talking too much would mean missing out on food.

Third Sister-in-law Fu also ate heartily and said, "Mom, why don’t we let Fourth Brother’s wife take over the cooking from now on?"

Lu Xiang, pleased by the enthusiastic response to her cooking, smiled as she watched everyone eat.

Xiao Cailian put on a stern face and said, "No." Then she laughed. "Lu Xiang’s cooking is too good. If you all eat like this, we’ll run out of supplies in no time. We can’t let her cook anymore!"

On average, each person had eaten two large bowls of porridge, a big piece of bread, and finished off a large plate of pickles. They never ate like this on ordinary mornings.

Hearing this, everyone grumbled, "Mom..." dragging out the word in dissatisfaction.

After the meal, the second sister-in-law hurried to do the dishes, while the other brothers and sisters-in-law went to work in the fields. Xiao Cailian asked Lu Xiang to stay and help with household chores and looking after the children. Compared to working in the fields, this was much easier.

Lu Xiang was slight and had never done farm work. Besides, the money Fu Qinhui earned was turned over to the household, so she could stay home.