Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 211 Shen Yiqiu

Chapter 211: Chapter 211 Shen Yiqiu

Going to Shen Yiqiu’s house, Chen Guizhi was even more enthusiastic than Yang PeiMin, getting up early in the morning to pack the gifts for her.

Their third daughter lived in the county, where even buying vegetables was a hassle, not as convenient as it was in the countryside, so she harvested nearly half of the vegetables from their own garden and also prepared twenty eggs and other foodstuffs.

Shen Yiyue was astonished by the large sack on the ground, "Mom, what are you doing?"

Chen Guizhi laughed, "What’s wrong? Your sister loves tomatoes the most, and just today our garden had some ripe for picking, I’m not even sure if they have any to eat today, if I had more time I’d also make some buns for my grandchildren. Dahua and the others love the pork buns I make..." Clearly, she didn’t understand the disdain in her words.

Shen Yiyue and Yang PeiMin exchanged a helpless look.

Yang PeiMin understood her mother’s tender heart, Zhang Minghua was the same, but to have herself and Shen Yiyue, who were not strong, carry so much was too much; she then said, "Mom, there’s no rush. I’ll be back here on my days off from cram school, and I can bring them then. It’s hard for Yiyue and me to carry so much, and besides, I was planning to bring some pastries, which would also look nicer."

Chen Guizhi nodded in agreement, "Right, you think of everything. Her mother-in-law and younger sister-in-law live with her, it’s proper to give a full courtesy. Here, let me give you some money."

Yang PeiMin quickly stopped her, "Mom, no need, I have money. Now I’m the one asking for my sister’s help, it’s right for me to pay. Please don’t block my filial piety."

Chen Guizhi smiled, "Alright, I’ll listen to you."

Shen Yiyue discreetly gave Yang PeiMin a thumbs up.

Shen Yixiang turned her face, pretending to have seen nothing.

Shen Yiyue then went up to her side and asked, "Are you really not going?"

Shen Yixiang’s mouth twitched, sneaking a look at Yang PeiMin.

Yang PeiMin pretended to see nothing, then took another bag and picked some of the items Chen Guizhi had packed.

She took about half, called over Shen Yiyue, and hurried out to catch the bus, as the bus from the town ran every two hours, and missing it meant another hour’s wait. So with still half an hour left, they had to hurry.

They decided against cycling because it wasn’t far and it was just the two of them walking.

Shen Yixiang originally wanted to agree under Shen Yiyue’s repeated encouragement, but upon seeing Yang PeiMin’s disinterested demeanor, she swallowed back the words she almost blurted out.

In the end, Shen Yiyue couldn’t do anything about her and stopped persuading her. Although she knew Shen Yixiang wanted to go, she couldn’t let go of her pride.

Shen Yixiang really wanted to head to the county, and Yang PeiMin could tell, but why should she persuade her? She wouldn’t make herself uncomfortable.

Shen Yiqiu lived in the textile factory staff quarters in the west of the city.

Although Shen Yiyue had visited when she was young, she didn’t quite remember it and had to ask around to find it again.

Knowing she lived in these quarters and without a phone to give advance notice, Shen Yiqiu didn’t know they were coming. She was surprised when she saw them entering the courtyard during her lunch break, warmly calling out, "Yiyue, my dear, what brings you here? Come inside quickly."

Yiqiu, dressed in a grey work uniform and sporting a bob haircut, looked spirited and competent. She smiled upon seeing them and quickly approached.

"Come inside, it’s rare for you guys to visit me."

Yiyue and Pei Min called out to her and followed Yiqiu into the courtyard.

As they entered the courtyard into a two-story building’s ground floor, Yiqiu said, "This is the house allocated to us by the factory. It’s a little small, but compared to many who didn’t get a room or only got a single room, we’re already very satisfied."

She talked about the house and then turned to shout into the house, "Dahua, Erhua, come out quickly, your Sixth Aunt and Aunt are here."

Dahua and Erhua were Yiqiu’s two elder sons, who were also off from school today and were at home helping take care of their grandmother who had injured her foot a few days earlier. Yiqiu was also using her time off work to help cook.

Her two elder children, one ten and the other eight, ran out promptly upon hearing Yiqiu’s voice and loudly greeted their Sixth Aunt and Aunt.

As they went inside, Yiqiu asked them to sit down in a small room separated by wooden panels. An old lady’s voice came from inside, "Which daughter-in-law is here?"

Yiqiu walked into the room and said to her, "Mom, it’s my sixth sister and brother’s wife who have come."

Yiyue and Pei Min, who had also learned from Dahua about their grandma’s condition, followed them inside, greeted her, and inquired about her foot.

Mrs. An, sitting on the bed and preparing to get up, was assisted by Yiqiu who urged her, "Both are family, no need for formalities, just sit on the bed."

The old lady waved her hand and said to Pei Min, "Just because it’s your maternal family, you don’t need to be impolite, I’m not that hurt."

The stubborn old lady was beyond Yiqiu’s persuasion, so she helped her to sit outside.

Yiqiu’s home was not like what Yixiang had described as a two-bedroom house. It merely had two rooms divided by wooden panels, making the dining area quite small. Once a table was placed, there was hardly any room left.

Yiqiu then inquired if there was a specific reason for their visit since it was rare for them to visit if not during festivals or new years, prompting her curiosity.

Pei Min then shared the purpose of their visit today with her.

Yiqiu was surprised, as was her mother-in-law, and asked, "I didn’t expect your sister to also be preparing for college entrance exams. How can your parents be at ease with you staying alone elsewhere?"

Mrs. An also added, "Indeed, you still look like a young girl, it’s really worrisome for you to live outside."

She then turned to her daughter-in-law, "Let’s see if we can make some space, squeeze in with Ah Li."

The Ah Li she mentioned was her youngest daughter, Yiqiu’s younger aunt, who had also started working in the textile factory and was still living squeezed with her parents and siblings.

Pei Min quickly said, "It’s not necessary, Third Sister. I’m thinking of renting a small room on my own. I’ll need your and brother-in-law’s help to keep an eye out for any suitable ones nearby."

Yiqiu thought for a moment, then turned to ask her mother-in-law, "Mom, doesn’t the Fan family have a room vacant, ready to rent out?"

Mrs. An slapped her thigh, "Right, right, they have one. It’s also in our compound, convenient for looking after each other. It’s just the widow with two daughters who have already married off, leaving only her young son. She separated a small room to rent out, hoping to supplement the family income, it’s perfect indeed."