"Sis, I'm back."
With a crisp shout, Gu Xiaojie, covered in sweat and mud, rushed in and threw himself into Gu Xiaoqing's arms, his face so dirty it was hard to make out his features.
He looked just like a little cat with a dirty face.
Gu Xiaoqing felt a softening in her heart. As she scolded him, she still hugged Gu Xiaojie's soft body tightly. Her five-year-old brother was still a lively and mischievous little boy at this time, not yet the thin, sickly child tormented by illness.
She scooped a ladle of water from the basin, which had been heated long ago on the stove, and poured it into their almost patchwork iron basin.
Then added some cool water.
"You little rascal, why are you back so late? Be careful Dad doesn't catch you and give you a beating."
She gently washed Gu Xiaojie's hands and face, and when his face was clean and fair like a person's, the basin of water was as black as if it had been used to wash coal balls.
Gu Xiaojie wasn't afraid of his father at all. He stuck out his tongue and playfully said, "Dad won't hit me. It's Grandma who'd do that. And I'm not afraid either."
Then he obediently sat by the hearth, inhaling the aroma from the big pot, and resignedly added firewood.
"You, stay away from Grandma. Ever since she broke her leg trying to chase you down last time, she can't stand the sight of you. Don't bring trouble on yourself," Gu Xiaoqing said as she lifted the pot lid, taking out the black mantou, placing them on the rack to cool so they could eat when Mom and Dad got back.
She poured out the hot water from the large pot, cleaned it, and boiled some hot water so Mom and Dad could have a good wash when they returned, as there wasn't enough water in the basin on the stove for three people to use.
The porridge in the small pot had been simmered and was ready. Gu Xiaoqing poured it into a bowl, covered it, and cleaned the small pot.
She added a bit of oil and began to stir-fry shredded turnip.
The aroma of the fiery red peppers was enticing. She added the shredded turnip to the pan, stirring it, then added a bit of salt and soy sauce, and after a quick stir-fry, served it into a porcelain dish.
This was the dish used at Gu Ruhai's family for serving food.
Gu Xiaoqing placed it on the table in the parents' room, which was relatively spacious, where the family gathered to eat.
Gu Xiaojie followed Gu Xiaoqing, sniffing the aroma eagerly and asked, "Second sister, second sister, what delicious food did you make today? It smells so good. I'm hungry."
Despite his pitiful expression, Gu Xiaoqing knew how well this kid could act. He was hoping she'd go soft.
She broke off a piece of black mantou, split it in half, filled it with a chopstickful of shredded turnip, pressed it tightly, and handed it to Gu Xiaojie. After all, he was the youngest brother in their family.
Besides, it wasn't exactly a luxury. Compared to the meat-filled feasts at their uncles' homes, how could they deny the little brother a taste of shredded turnips?
Gu Xiaojie happily took the mantou from his sister, took a big bite, and sighed with satisfaction, "Second sister, your cooking skills have really improved today. It's so delicious."
He plopped down onto the door frame.
Gu Xiaoqing was about to scold this mischievous boy for teasing her when she heard a voice at the gate.
"What's so delicious?"
Gu Xiaoqing walked quickly out and saw her mother, Li Xuemei, whom she hadn't seen in nearly a decade. At this moment, Li Xuemei hadn't been bent over by the burdens of life nor was her hair white and face lined. She was a slender, mature woman in her prime from the countryside.
She was lowering the hoe from her shoulder, kindly asking her son who sat on the door frame.
"Mom, Dad, you're back."
Gu Xiaoqing quickly greeted them but her voice choked with emotion. She turned swiftly into the kitchen, scooping hot water from the pot into the previously large basin.
A tear rolled down her cheek and disappeared into the steam.
She wiped her eyes dry.
Gu Xiaoqing brought out the basin, now mixed with cool water, and placed it on the step under the eaves, perfect for washing faces.
"Dad, Mom, Sis, wash your faces. Dinner's ready. Hurry up and eat, or this little glutton will finish it all."
Her light tone masked the heartache and sorrow of reuniting with her family after so long.
"Ah, Xiaoqing, why didn't you wait for your mom and sister to cook? You're just a child, having to husk corn, clean the yard, and then cook. It's too tiring."
Gu Ruhai, the honest rural man, was pained seeing his daughter do so much work.
"Yes, Qing'er, why didn't you wait for me and your sister?"
Li Xuemei looked on with reproach, feeling bad seeing her youngest daughter being so thoughtful to have prepared the meal.
It's said that children from poor families grow up early, but her children hadn't enjoyed a day of happiness, bearing responsibilities early because of their unskilled parents.
A sigh escaped Li Xuemei's heart.
The thundering sound lifted the family's low spirits back into warmth.
Gu Ruhai called to his eldest daughter, "Xiao Ying, quickly find the plastic sheet. I'll climb up to cover us, or we won't even be able to eat in peace."
Before Gu Xiaoying could take a step, Gu Xiaoqing cut in, "Dad, don't worry, I already covered it. Quickly wash up and eat, or we'll need to wash our faces indoors in a while."
Then she hurriedly moved into the kitchen, took the cooling mantou off the rack, and placed them on the table, then moved to get the bowls.
Li Xuemei had quickly washed up, dropped her towel, and followed Gu Xiaoqing to the kitchen, carrying the bowl of warm corn porridge and a stack of bowls, smiling at the father and daughter at the door, "Look at Qing'er, she managed so well, not only husking the corn but also cooking so many dishes, even covering the roof. She's as diligent and skilled as I was as a girl."
Gu Ruhai laughed heartily, washed his face, walked into the main room, and sat at the table, beaming, "Well done, Xiaoqing, the food looks delicious and smells great."
Gu Xiaojie had already run to Gu Ruhai, waving the mantou in hand, mumbling, "Good... sister, … made… good… food."
The whole family roared with laughter.
This kid!
Gu Xiaoqing wanted to cover her face.
The family sat at the table while outside, heavy rain poured down, but inside the main room, there was a warm, harmonious happiness.
Gu Xiaoqing's eyes reddened, silently swearing that this time no one could easily take away her family's happiness.