Chapter 36: The Art of Being a Guest

"Wen Zhiqing is back," Accountant Hu, with his sharp eyes, spotted the pair approaching together and called out loudly.

Xia Hongzu turned to look and, upon seeing them, broke into a smile. "Mubai, Mubai's wife—what a coincidence."

Wen Mubai curled his lips into a practiced smile. "Comrade Xia."

Tang Banxia nodded politely. "Comrade Xia, we meet again."

Xia Hongzu, undeterred by the resistance in Wen Mubai's eyes, insisted on lingering and exchanging pleasantries with the group from Guyue Village.

Seeing that their station chief was present, the staff at the grain station didn’t dare slack off. They hurried their work, and before long, it was Hu Dashan’s group’s turn.

With Xia Hongzu there, the grain from Guyue Village was, unsurprisingly, rated as top quality. Accountant Hu and Hu Dashan, two old men, were so delighted that the wrinkles on their faces deepened several layers.

"Mubai, why don’t you bring little Tang to my home for lunch today? It’s a good chance for you to get acquainted. Your Aunt Wu has just transferred here as well," Xia Hongzu suggested at just the right moment after the grain was delivered.

Wen Mubai’s mouth lifted in a polite arc, but his eyes remained cold. "No, we still need to divide the grain back at the village. It wouldn’t be right for me to be absent."

But Hu Dashan immediately cut in, dismantling his excuse, "No problem, no problem, Wen Zhiqing. You and Station Chief Xia go ahead. Your accountant uncle and I will sort the ledgers this afternoon; we can divide the grain tomorrow."

Accountant Hu nodded in agreement.

Wen Mubai shot both old men a disgruntled glare.

"Banxia, do you want to go?" Wen Mubai turned to ask Tang Banxia.

Xia Hongzu also looked at Tang Banxia with anticipation.

Tang Banxia made it clear she wouldn’t decide for Wen Mubai. "It’s up to you. If you want to go, we’ll go."

Xia Hongzu was a bit disappointed but pressed on. "Mubai, your Aunt Wu has been thinking of you. Now that you’re married, you should let the family meet your wife at least once."

"Your mother even asked your Aunt Wu to bring you some things. You can come home with me and pick them up—saves your aunt a trip out to the countryside," Xia Hongzu added.

No one could say which of Xia Hongzu’s words swayed Wen Mubai, but he suddenly relented and agreed to visit the Xia family. "Then we’ll trouble you, Comrade Xia."

Xia Hongzu’s eyes crinkled with delight. "Not at all! Your Aunt Wu and I have been looking forward to your visit."

Wen Mubai nodded perfunctorily, then turned to Tang Banxia. "At least we’ll save one meal this noon."

Tang Banxia shot him a sidelong glance. "Look at you, so easily contented."

Rather than being irritated, Wen Mubai’s smile became more genuine.

Seeing their decision, Hu Dashan didn’t waste time. "Little Tang, Wen Zhiqing, we’ll be heading back then."

"Safe travels, Captain, Uncle Accountant," Tang Banxia said, setting her basket on the donkey cart. "Captain, could you please take these herbs to the clinic for me? I’ll tend to them when I return."

Hu Dashan agreed readily.

After placing the basket, he exchanged a few words with Xia Hongzu, then cracked his whip and drove the donkey cart back to the village, the villagers of Guyue trailing behind in a lively procession.

Once they’d left, Xia Hongzu brought Wen Mubai and Tang Banxia into his office at the grain station and explained, "Mubai, I have some things to finish up. Wait here with your wife. When I’m off work, I’ll take you both home."

Wen Mubai made himself comfortable, pulling Tang Banxia to sit. "Go ahead, Comrade Xia."

Xia Hongzu, with a helpless smile, had to leave as someone called for him outside.

Left alone in the office, Tang Banxia finally asked, "What exactly is your relationship with Station Chief Xia?"

Wen Mubai’s expression darkened instantly. He glanced at Tang Banxia, clearly reluctant to speak.

But this time, Tang Banxia wasn’t going to let it go. "In the past, you didn’t want to say and I didn’t insist. But now we’re actually going to their home as guests—don’t you think you owe me an explanation? I at least need to know what to expect."

Before, she might not have pressed the issue, but since they were going as guests, she had to make sense of Wen Mubai’s connection to this family.

Wen Mubai understood her concern, and finally said, "Comrade Xia is my mother’s comrade-in-arms. His wife, Aunt Wu, is also a close friend of my mother’s. When my mother heard I was posted here, she asked them to look after me."

He spoke without a hint of emotion, as if describing an outsider.

But what caught Tang Banxia’s attention was, "Your mother?"

Wasn’t he supposed to be an orphan of a martyr?

"Yes. We’re not close," Wen Mubai summarized curtly, then refused to elaborate. "Just treat the Xias like ordinary relatives, that’s all."

Seeing he truly didn’t want to talk more, Tang Banxia let it drop. "Then you wait here. I’ll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things—we can’t show up empty-handed."

Regardless of the relationship, it would be rude to arrive with nothing.

Wen Mubai considered it, then agreed. "I’ll go."

Tang Banxia thought for a moment. "Let’s go together. On the way, you can tell me about Comrade Xia and his wife’s personalities."

Going to someone’s home in complete ignorance was not Tang Banxia’s way.

Wen Mubai agreed.

The two went together to the cooperative store. After some consideration, Tang Banxia bought two cans of preserves, a pound of sponge cake, and half a pound of sugar cubes that required no ration tickets—altogether costing one yuan and twenty cents, plus two canning tickets and a pastry ticket.

At that time, such gifts were considered very proper for a visit.

When they left the store, Wen Mubai, carrying the items and pursing his lips, looked somewhat unhappy. "Banxia, isn’t this a bit much?"

They were just ordinary acquaintances and unlikely to visit often. Wasn’t this too generous?

Tang Banxia gave him a look, sorted the purchases into a net bag, and seized the opportunity for a lesson in being a husband.

"I actually think it’s too little. I don’t know what issues you have with your family, but Comrade Xia has taken care of you, and he’s your mother’s comrade-in-arms. Whether as juniors visiting for the first time or to thank them for looking after you over the past year, these gifts are entirely appropriate."

"Even if you don’t like dealing with them, the fact remains that you’ve been cared for. When it comes time to reciprocate, you can’t be stingy—relationships are built on mutual give and take."

Wen Mubai turned to look at her calm profile, momentarily lost for words.

Not getting a response, Tang Banxia looked back in puzzlement. Wen Mubai finally shifted his gaze and offered a genuine smile. "Alright, I’ll listen to you."

Satisfied, Tang Banxia continued, "Also, since you’ve agreed to go as a guest, don’t keep a stern face. You’re not alone anymore—you should consider my position too."

"We’re husband and wife now; if you act improperly, people will gossip about me as well. You wouldn’t want to see me criticized, would you?"

Wen Mubai shook his head quickly.

Seeing how pliant he was, Tang Banxia took the opportunity to instill more etiquette about visiting, only stopping when they returned to the grain station.

After waiting a short while in the office, Xia Hongzu returned. Seeing the extra gifts on the table, he chided, "Really, you two shouldn’t have bought anything. The house isn’t lacking in anything."

Tang Banxia smiled. "We can’t just show up empty-handed. If word got out, people would say we lacked manners. Uncle Xia, you wouldn’t want that for us, would you?"

Xia Hongzu was at a loss for words. "You two… Well, come on then."

With that, he turned and led the way out of the office.

Tang Banxia signaled for Wen Mubai to pick up the gifts and follow...