Chapter 58: The Greatest Torment

This subject truly wasn’t easy to delve into, especially since the current policies, at least officially, still prohibited such matters. The two of them tacitly dropped the conversation, but Tang Xin couldn’t help noticing that Li Kai was riding the bicycle at an astonishingly slow pace.

Tang Xin urged him, “You can ride a bit faster, you know. Look, even the cows beside us are moving quicker.”

Li Kai replied, “Sister-in-law, we’re riding a bike, not walking. We have to be cautious and prioritize safety.”

Safety, indeed. Tang Xin knew full well that Li Kai, carrying her on the bike, was barely any faster than if she’d walked herself.

The truth was, Li Kai was aware of the treasures stowed away in her big bag. He wouldn’t dare ride fast, so their journey back took much longer than the trip out.

Because Li Kai was so slow, by the time they returned to the team, the sun was already setting and smoke curled from every household’s chimney.

At that moment, Madam Fang stood at the crossroads with the two younger children, ceaselessly scanning the distance. Her eldest son had gone to town with the team leader, saying he’d return after dark. The second son had taken his sister-in-law to the commune, and now, after so long, they still hadn’t returned?

Apparently, they’d gone to the county, and her daughter-in-law had mentioned treating the second son to a meal in town. Madam Fang hadn’t minded. But so much time had passed, and they hadn’t come back—of course she was worried.

She wasn’t concerned about Li Kai, that thick-skinned rascal; what worried her was her gentle, beautiful, sensible daughter-in-law.

Finally, she spotted the bicycle approaching and hurried forward, “At last you’re back! You must be exhausted after a whole day out. Xiao Jiang, go prepare a bowl of sweet soup for your sister-in-law to drink.”

Tang Xin quickly shook her head, “Mother, I don’t want sweet soup. The more I drink that syrupy stuff, the thirstier I get.”

Plain boiled water quenched thirst much better.

Madam Fang smiled, “Alright, there’s cooled warm water inside. We’ll drink that when we get home.”

Li Kai wore a mournful expression, “Mother, I don’t mind sweet soup. Please let Xiao Jiang make some for me.”

Madam Fang turned, glaring at him, “You’re a grown man, what do you need sweet soup for? Go fetch water from the well yourself.”

Li Kai’s heart was shattered. He’d wanted to make a scene, but his hands were occupied pushing the bike, leaving him no time.

So he could only express his grievance through his voice, “Mother, mother, am I not your real son? Sister-in-law must be your true child, and I was picked up from a pile of straw, wasn’t I?”

“You know it, yet you still say it?”

Now that they were back and Li Kai wasn’t riding anymore, Tang Xin handed him her basket.

“Li Kai, a real man should do more work.”

Thus, Li Kai, pushing the bicycle and carrying the basket, followed behind Li Jiang, who then said he wanted to try sitting on the back. To prove his manliness, Li Kai gritted his teeth and endured.

Heavens, so this is the hardship of being a man! Li Kai puffed and panted, managing to drag the bike, the basket, and the person home and into the courtyard.

He was utterly exhausted, and worse yet, halfway there, Li Jiang swapped seats with Li Hai, who took his place on the back.

Oh mother, this was pure torment.

As soon as Tang Xin entered the courtyard, she saw Father Li sweeping up fallen leaves and dust with a broom. She hurried forward to greet him, “Father, I’m back.”

Father Li merely grunted and continued his work.

Tang Xin smiled. Her father-in-law was this kind of man—always quietly working, rarely indulging in idle chatter.

He went out to labor every day, honestly busy from dawn to dusk, but whenever he had a moment, he’d help out at home. Even chores like sweeping and washing vegetables—he did them all, never thinking such tasks were only for women and that a man should abstain.

During idle moments, her mother-in-law had told Tang Xin, a man shouldn’t be judged by appearances alone.

For example, Father Li didn’t know how to sweet-talk or make people happy, and the family’s condition was indeed poor, especially after that incident, leaving him the most inconspicuous member of the team.

But her mother-in-law was still glad to have married him, because he was dependable and kept her in his heart.

When Madam Fang gave birth, there were no in-laws to help; it was her husband who managed the household, inside and out.

Throughout their lives, Li Zhirong had never quarreled with her; the couple always lived harmoniously, discussing everything together.

Madam Fang felt that marrying Li Zhirong was the greatest blessing of her life.

Just then, Li Xiyue ran out from the house, peering curiously, “What did you buy?”

Honestly, they’d gone out to play without her, and after work, her mother made her wash vegetables first.

Li Xiyue truly felt she’d suffered a loss. If her sister-in-law didn’t bring her a gift, she would absolutely not forgive her brother and sister-in-law.

She’d even want to smack Li Kai’s head!

Father Li was sharp, and reminded them, “Let’s talk inside.”

The gate was still wide open, and since everyone knew their daughter-in-law had gone to town, some neighbors were already peeking in.

So the whole family went inside, and as soon as they entered, Li Kai quickly shut doors and windows.

He locked everything so tightly not even a mouse could get in, then let out a deep sigh and collapsed onto the floor, unable to get up.

He was both frightened and exhausted.

The bicycle was locked in the courtyard; he’d return it to the team tomorrow, but for now, Li Kai had lost all interest in that beast.

Madam Fang cast him a disdainful glance and then, with difficulty, turned to her daughter-in-law, smiling, “What did you buy?”

Li Kai felt bitter—he really must have been picked up… picked up, right?

Not only Li Xiyue, Li Jiang, and Li Hai, but even the usually taciturn Father Li was unusually curious, watching his daughter-in-law.

That big basket was simply too conspicuous, looking heavy and full. Li Kai had carefully set it down before collapsing.

“I bought some things,” Tang Xin said with an awkward laugh, lifting the coarse cloth covering the basket. “I had some ration coupons about to expire, so rather than let them go to waste, I used them all up.”

She explained calmly, “If I didn’t buy them, it would’ve been a waste. Only later did I realize I’d bought a bit too much.”

Good heavens, this wasn’t just a bit too much—this was a lot, far too much!

Madam Fang could see that the basket was stuffed full, and it was all good things, most of them household necessities.

She couldn’t help feeling both heartache and annoyance. “Child, how could you be so extravagant? This is your own money; you should save it for yourself, for private use. There’s no need to buy so much.”

The family hadn’t divided yet, so things weren’t kept separate. What Tang Xin bought wasn’t just for her and her husband, but for the whole household to share. Madam Fang could tell at a glance that her daughter-in-law had bought good things and spent quite a bit, hence her sigh and lament.