Chapter 37: The Xia Family Pays a Visit

Xia Hongzu’s house was not far from the grain station. He led the two of them for about five minutes before stopping in front of a residential building.

“We’re here,” Xia Hongzu said, glancing back as he skillfully took out his keys, opened the door, and motioned for them to enter.

Wen Mubai didn’t stand on ceremony, pulling Tang Banxia along as they went inside. Xia Hongzu followed last, closing the door behind them.

“My house is a bit messy, I hope you don’t mind,” Xia Hongzu said apologetically, noticing the cramped courtyard.

Tang Banxia shook her head. “Not at all.”

Xia Hongzu smiled gratefully. “Old Wu, look who I’ve brought home.”

A person emerged from the house in response, her hair cropped neatly short, wearing a blue cross-collared blouse and straight black trousers, with a pair of army-green rubber shoes. Her gaze was sharp as she looked over, but when she saw Xia Hongzu, the sharpness melted into a hearty smile. “Old Xia, who’s this?”

“This is Mubai,” Xia Hongzu introduced, gesturing toward Wen Mubai.

The woman turned her attention to Wen Mubai, and in that instant, her eyes reddened. “He looks so much like Brother Yuan, as if carved from the same mold.”

She rushed forward, scrutinizing Wen Mubai’s delicate features, her eyes growing redder the longer she looked, her hand unconsciously reaching out.

Wen Mubai quickly sidestepped behind Tang Banxia, his brows knitted.

Seeing this, Xia Hongzu hurriedly intervened. “Old Wu, let’s talk inside.”

His words reminded the woman of herself; only then did she realize there were others present. She looked at Tang Banxia with a hint of confusion. “And who might you be?”

Tang Banxia smoothed her hair and smiled gently. “Hello, I’m Tang Banxia, Wen Mubai’s wife.”

“Wife?” Aunt Wu’s eyes were full of puzzlement as she glanced between them, finally saying, “Come inside.”

They followed her into the house. Aunt Wu poured water for Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai, and by the time she sat down, she had regained her composure. She smiled apologetically at the couple. “I was a bit rude earlier, please don’t take offense.”

Since arriving at the Xia household, Wen Mubai had turned into a mute gourd, not uttering a single word.

To avoid awkwardness, Tang Banxia stepped in. “Aunt Wu, it’s nothing. We’re the younger generation; we should have come to visit sooner.”

As she spoke, she took the gifts from Wen Mubai’s hands and placed them on the tea table. “Just a small token, Aunt Wu, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Are you... Little Tang?” Wu Shengnian shifted her gaze to Tang Banxia. “Mubai is my nephew, it’s enough that you both came, there’s no need for gifts. If you bring things again, Auntie will be upset.”

Tang Banxia pursed her lips into a smile, playing the part of a newlywed bride. “Aunt Wu, you’re too kind. Mubai told me you’re his mother’s best friend. This is my first time meeting elders from my husband’s family since our marriage—I can’t tell you how nervous I am.”

“But now that I see you, I’m not nervous at all,” Tang Banxia said with a radiant smile, charming as ever.

Wu Shengnian looked at the girl who claimed to be nervous. Her eyes were clear and unrestrained, and the way she sat exuded poise—she certainly didn’t look nervous. She realized the girl was just trying to please her.

She immediately took Tang Banxia’s hand. “Little Tang, you must have been wronged. You and Mubai are married, and we elders haven’t prepared anything. This is all Mubai’s fault. How could he not tell the family about such an important event?”

She cast a reproachful look at Wen Mubai.

“Mubai, you too. Little Tang is such a good girl, and you married her so quietly. Isn’t that unfair to her?”

Wen Mubai kept his head down throughout.

Tang Banxia just smiled, saying nothing.

She still didn’t fully understand Wen Mubai’s family situation, so the less she said the better; a hint of shyness was necessary.

“Alright, Old Wu, the kids haven’t eaten yet,” Xia Hongzu interjected.

“Yes, yes, I got so happy I forgot,” Wu Shengnian slapped her thigh and stood up. “Today Aunt Wu will show you what she can do.”

Tang Banxia quickly stood as well. “Let me help.”

Wu Shengnian didn’t refuse, leading Tang Banxia to the kitchen. “I was lucky today—the vegetable market had fish. Auntie will make sweet and sour fish for lunch.”

Tang Banxia didn’t make decisions, simply followed Wu Shengnian, helping with small tasks like peeling garlic.

Wu Shengnian, with her bold temperament, was also formidable in the kitchen. A two-pound grass carp in her hands was gutted, scaled, and de-gilled with every movement just right.

Once prepared, the fish was scored, marinated with scallion, ginger, garlic, and oil for half an hour, then pan-fried.

As she cooked, Wu Shengnian chatted with Tang Banxia. “A Shu—that’s Mubai’s mother—loved the sweet and sour fish I made.”

Tang Banxia silently peeled potatoes beside her. Hearing Wu Shengnian mention Wen Mubai’s mother, her curiosity got the better of her. “Aunt Wu, what happened between Mubai and his family?”

Wu Shengnian paused in frying the fish, silent for a long time before she spoke with difficulty. “It’s all old grudges from the previous generation. Mubai is a pitiful child, Banxia, you must take good care of him.”

Tang Banxia was a bit disappointed—she thought she’d hear some big secret, but that was all?

“I understand, Aunt Wu,” Tang Banxia replied.

After all, from the start, it was Wen Mubai’s face and status she fancied; everything else was both important and unimportant.

Wu Shengnian sighed, took a clean bowl to mix the sweet and sour sauce, then said, “Little Tang, if you and Mubai ever run into trouble, don’t hesitate to come to me or Uncle Xia. There’s no need to stand on ceremony with us.”

Tang Banxia sliced the washed potatoes into strips, smiling as she turned her head. “Alright.”

An hour later, the meal was ready.

Xia Hongzu and Wen Mubai helped serve the food.

“Old Wu, your sweet and sour fish is top-notch,” Xia Hongzu praised, giving a thumbs-up.

Wu Shengnian shot him a look, and Xia Hongzu sheepishly rubbed his nose and fell silent.

At the table, Xia Hongzu, as the elder, raised his teacup. “Mubai, Little Tang, Uncle Xia will use tea instead of wine to congratulate you on your marriage.”

Wu Shengnian raised her cup as well.

Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai exchanged a glance, then raised their cups together. “Thank you, Uncle Xia. Thank you, Aunt Wu.”

After setting down the cups, Wu Shengnian spoke. “Mubai, you’ve grown up and gotten married. The responsibility on your shoulders is heavier now; you can’t be like before.”

Wen Mubai, expressionless, served Tang Banxia a piece of fish belly, nodding perfunctorily.

Wu Shengnian felt a pang in her heart seeing him like this, but she pressed on. “If you and Banxia ever face difficulties, come to me or Uncle Xia. We may not have much ability, but as long as we’re here, we won’t let anyone bully you.”

Wen Mubai smiled faintly. “Alright.”

The meal passed with Wu Shengnian constantly reminding the couple, Xia Hongzu chiming in support. Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai nodded and smiled throughout, eating, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

After the meal, they helped clear the dishes, and Wen Mubai announced their departure. “Comrade Xia, we won’t trouble you any longer. There are still things to attend to in the village.”

Wu Shengnian wanted to keep them, but just opened her mouth and said, “Alright, but you and Banxia must come visit when you have time.”

Wen Mubai smiled gently and walked out of the house.

“Wait!” Wu Shengnian suddenly called after them. “Mubai, your mother asked me to bring you some things. Wait a moment.”

She hurried into the inner room and soon returned carrying a wicker box, handing it to Wen Mubai. “Sister Qing asked me to give this to you. I was going to bring it over myself, but since you came today, that saves me the trouble.”

Wen Mubai showed no extra emotion as he looked at the wicker box. “Alright.”

He took the box, and with Tang Banxia, left the Xia house, turned a few corners, and their figures disappeared.