1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 174 A box of Pu'er tea leads to trouble

"Why are you so anxious?"

Grandma Fu was annoyed by what she heard and, not one to tolerate it, retorted irritably, "It wasn't you who did it, so why are you pointing fingers here?"

"What bottled tomatoes?"

Gu Bin was both amused and exasperated, and tried to smooth things over with a laugh: "When did Grandma acquire this skill, the ability to preserve tomatoes until winter?"

"I learned it from Grandma Huang next door."

Grandma Fu turned to look at her grandson, her expression immediately changing to one of utmost kindness and warmth: "Lift up that straw mat, and you'll find bottled tomatoes underneath."

"okay."

Gu Bin smiled and agreed, then lifted the straw mat and saw a long row of neatly arranged bottled tomatoes.

The bottle is a medical saline bottle with a rubber cap that is well sealed. It is filled with finely chopped tomatoes.

The tomatoes were well preserved; they were bright red, fresh, and juicy, and looked very appetizing.

-

"Grandma, what happened to you?"

The erudite provincial champion was unusually surprised: "This is the first time I've ever seen tomatoes stored in bottles and kept until winter."

"Rare, isn't it? You've never seen anything like it before, have you?"

Grandma Fu took the bottle from his hand, like a child who had returned to youth, holding up her masterpiece to present it as a treasure.

"Rare."

"never seen it."

Gu Bin and Lin Xiyu spoke in unison, showing their strong support.

"Hahaha"

Grandma Fu was delighted and couldn't stop smiling: "I knew you hadn't seen this before, so I specially invited you to the vegetable garden to show you some new and interesting things."

"Grandma, stop being so mysterious and tell us quickly, how did this happen?"

Lin Xiyu piqued Grandma Fu's curiosity, and she shook Grandma Fu's arm playfully, eager to know the answer.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you."

Grandma Fu thoroughly enjoyed his affectionate gestures and was overjoyed.

"Actually, it's not difficult. To store tomatoes, you have to use a glass jar with a rubber lid. After putting the ripe tomatoes in, add some salt, tighten the lid, insert a needle, put it in a pot and cook it. Then, remove the needle while it's still hot."

"Oh, I understand."

Gu Bin, as expected of the provincial top scorer, with his high IQ, immediately grasped the principle: "This is to use the principle of thermal expansion and contraction to create a vacuum and preserve the tomatoes."

"Won't the bottle explode if I boil it in water?"

Lin Xiyu's focus was different from his; he looked incredulous at the thought that his glass bottle would explode nine times out of ten when filled with hot water.

Grandma Fu gave an awkward laugh: "The saline solution bottle is sturdy, but it does occasionally explode once or twice."

"The noise was like thunder, earth-shattering."

Grandpa Fu picked up where he left off and took the opportunity to chime in.

"What's it to you now?"

Grandma Fu blushed and said, "Do you need to be so nosy?"

"Grandma, you've worked so hard."

Gu Bin promptly offered flattery to ease his grandfather's embarrassment: "Just this thought alone is enough to make sure the whole family can have fresh tomato and egg soup on New Year's Eve, and it's already very touching."

"My grandson knows how to talk."

Grandma Fu was secretly pleased, and gave her husband a disdainful look: "Unlike you, you can shut people up with just one sentence, even during the New Year."

"Grandpa, that's called humor."

Gu Bin came to his grandfather's rescue: "He said that on purpose to support Grandma."

"Ah."

Grandpa Fu found it agreeable and nodded very seriously.

"Don't try to speak well of him; I know him too well."

Grandma Fu laughed in exasperation, then scolded her grandson as well: "He's been like this since he was young, he can't stand to see me do well, he's always arguing with me."

"Grandma, you're wronging Grandpa."

Gu Bin smiled and advised, "They say that young couples become companions in old age. Grandpa just doesn't want you to be lonely, so he's just teasing you to make you happy."

"Uh-huh."

Grandpa Fu was pleased to hear this and nodded vigorously again.

Don't try to fool me.

Grandma Fu said she was disgusted, but she was secretly overjoyed.

"I wouldn't dare to fool you, sir."

Gu Bin protested with a bitter face: "I really envy you two old folks. You've had your ups and downs, your arguments and bickering, but you've managed to get through your whole lives. Now you're enjoying the blessings of your children and grandchildren, a harmonious family, and a peaceful old age."

"Divorce was not common in our time."

Grandma Fu gave her husband a disapproving look: "Otherwise, I would have..."

"Cough cough."

Grandpa Fu coughed twice, interrupting Grandma's words that were about to come out.

Why are you coughing?

Grandma Fu couldn't say a word; she was feeling very uncomfortable holding it in.

"Grandma, you absolutely mustn't have such thoughts!"

Gu Bin found it amusing and said, "Xi Yu and I want to follow in your footsteps and Grandpa's footsteps."

"Xi Yu has such a good temper, as long as you don't act recklessly, you won't be able to start an argument even if you want to."

Grandma Fu is finding her granddaughter-in-law more and more pleasing to the eye these days.

"Grandma, how can you be so sure that I'm the one who's being foolish?"

Gu Bin feigned a complaint: "Your favoritism is outrageous! I'm your real grandson!"

"I just think Xi Yu is better."

Grandma Fu waved her hand dismissively and ordered him to do something: "Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and go to the kitchen to get a plastic bag, pack some tomatoes for Xiyu to take home, so that her in-laws can have a taste too."

"okay."

Gu Bin readily agreed and turned to leave.

Lin Xiyu grabbed him and said, "Bring the gift I gave to Grandma along with you."

"Ah."

Gu Bin understood immediately, smiled and agreed, then strode out of the vegetable shed with his long legs.

-

He was tall with long legs and walked quickly. He returned in no time, carrying a bag containing a gift box that Lin Xiyu had carefully packaged.

"Grandma, it was my oversight."

Lin Xiyu opened the gift box and smiled sheepishly, "I didn't expect so many aunties to come, and I only brought a gift for you. I was too embarrassed to take it out in the living room because there were so many people."

"Grandma is so happy that you could come. What gift should I buy?"

Grandma Fu tried to decline, but her eyes were glued to her clothes, unwilling to look away.

Lin Xiyu picked out a bright red cardigan for Grandma Fu, embroidered with blooming peonies, a beautiful and eye-catching design.

"As people get older, they just like to wear red; it's festive."

Grandma Fu liked it more and more as she looked at it, and took out a wool sweater to try it on.

"nice."

Lin Xiyu deliberately tried to cheer up her grandmother: "Grandma looks especially energetic in that bright red outfit. At first glance, she really looks like a veteran artist, with a real star quality."

"Hahaha."

Grandma Fu was delighted to hear this and couldn't stop smiling.

"grandmother."

Gu Bin took the opportunity to coax his grandmother: "This sweater is a new style this year. Xi Yu specially bought it for you from Shanghai. Just for this filial piety, you can't not show some appreciation, right?"

"You're so cunning."

Grandma Fu smiled and scolded, "Look how honest Xiyu is, unlike you, who even tries to squeeze some money out of your grandma when giving her a piece of clothing."

"Grandma, don't listen to him."

Lin Xiyu quickly stated, "He was just joking, trying to make you happy, he didn't mean anything else."

"You only give gifts to Grandma, not Grandpa?" Grandpa Fu looked on with envy and jabbed his cane a few times to assert his presence.

"Grandpa absolutely has to have one."

Gu Bin pulled a Zippo windproof flip lighter from his pocket and flicked it a few times as if by magic.

The lighter's cap flipped up and down with his movements, the flame igniting and extinguishing in turn. The fluid movements were quite pleasing to the eye.

"Hey kid, stop showing off and hurry up, bring it over so Grandpa can take a look."

Grandpa Fu's eyes lit up, and he became interested. He grabbed the lighter and flicked it a few times.

The lighter cap remained completely still, not even a spark appeared.

"Uh."

Grandpa Fu was embarrassed, and his old face visibly turned red.

"Hahaha."

Grandma Fu found it hilarious and laughed so hard she almost fell over.

"Humph."

Grandpa Fu was unconvinced: "I refuse to believe I can't play well."

"Grandpa, I'll teach you how to play like this."

Gu Bin personally demonstrated how to use a lighter for Grandpa Fu.

Grandpa Fu gradually figured it out, and like a playful old man, he kept swinging it tirelessly, over and over again.

"Well, he's really hooked on it now."

Grandma Fu stopped laughing; the static from the lighter was giving her a headache.

"Grandma, it's almost lunchtime, let's go home."

Lin Xiyu suppressed a laugh and helped Grandma Fu out of the vegetable shed.

An old man and a child walked ahead, followed by the clicking sound of a lighter.

Grandma Fu rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. For the sake of her granddaughter-in-law, she gave up the idea of ​​arguing with her husband.

-

Before the banquet began, my second cousin took the lead in setting off firecrackers in the yard.

Uncle Si's two sons were at the lively and active age. The two brothers ran around having a great time, and after setting off a few strings of small firecrackers, they were not satisfied. So they took out a thick and long string of firecrackers and hung it on a tree branch outside the yard.

“Bang, bang, bang”

Firecrackers were lit, and like thunder, they fell from the trees one after another, with two loud bangs that made people's eardrums hurt.

"Wow, those firecrackers were really loud!"

My older cousin stood at the door watching the commotion, rubbing his ears and taking a few steps back.

"Ouch."

Lin Xiyu was standing not far behind him when he bumped into her, causing her to stagger and fall backward.

Gu Bin reacted quickly, catching her and pulling her into his arms to cover her ears.

"Tsk, tsk."

My older cousin's teeth ached from watching, and he swallowed back his apology.

"Brother Lei."

Gu Bin teased him with a smile, "You're not getting any younger, it's time to get married."

"What? What did you say?"

My older cousin pretended not to hear the firecrackers.

"If you don't get married soon..."

Gu Bin smiled slyly and continued to provoke him: "After you have a child, you'll have to call my son 'brother'."

"Stop spouting nonsense, kid."

His older cousin glanced at the hand he was using to cover Lin Xiyu's ear and turned the tables on him: "You want to have a son as soon as you start college? If you're so capable, take your hand off and say it in front of your sister-in-law."

She's timid.

Gu Bin continued slyly, "The firecrackers are too loud, I'm afraid they'll scare her."

My older cousin laughed in exasperation: "Are you afraid the firecrackers will scare her, or are you afraid your shamelessness will scare her?"

"Firecrackers, of course."

Gu Bin, speaking from experience, advised: "You don't need to be shameless to pursue a girlfriend. If you're not thick-skinned, you won't get one."

"You can do it."

My older cousin was defeated by his shamelessness and had no choice but to admit defeat.

-

With her eldest son by her side, Gu Yuelan, unusually, didn't put on airs, and the family reunion dinner was quite harmonious.

After the banquet, she gave Gu Bin a gift box, saying that someone had asked her to give it to her grandfather and to take it home for her.

Gu Bin felt it was a bit heavy when he picked it up. Seeing that the outer packaging said "Puer Tea," he figured it was a gift for his grandfather, so he didn't ask any more questions. He smiled and agreed, and he and his older brother saw her off. Only after watching the car drive away did he turn back.

Without the pressure from her future mother-in-law, Lin Xiyu was even happier. She spent the afternoon playing mahjong with Grandma Fu and several aunts until dusk, when she finally said goodbye to Gu Bin and left.

Grandma Fu was reluctant to part with her obedient and sensible granddaughter-in-law, and she harbored a great deal of resentment towards her maternal grandfather.

If it weren't for his interference, her beloved grandson and granddaughter-in-law should have stayed home for New Year's Eve dinner before leaving.

Gu Bin took the blame for his grandfather again and spent a long time coaxing his grandmother to make her happy before he was able to get away and return to his grandfather's house before the New Year's Eve dinner began.

-

Wangfuchizi West Street.

On Lunar New Year's Eve, Gu Bin's maternal uncle also returned from Guangdong with his three cousins ​​to spend the New Year with his parents.

All three women are older than Gu Bin. The oldest, Gu Xiaohua, is 28 years old and is already married with a son.

The second daughter, Gu Xiaoyan, is 25 years old and recently got married. She brought her husband back home to meet her parents.

The third daughter, Gu Xiaohui, is 21 years old, two years older than Gu Bin. She is studying in the UK and speaks with a perfect British accent. She has a perm, wears a woolen mini-skirt and leather boots, revealing half of her fair and delicate thighs, looking very avant-garde and fashionable.

My maternal uncle has three daughters. The eldest is shrewd and calculating.

The second child is introverted, good-tempered, and doesn't like to talk.

Having lived abroad for a long time, the third brother inevitably developed a bit of a bourgeois mentality. He likes to play guitar, drink coffee, and occasionally throw in a few English words when he speaks, thinking that he sounds very sophisticated.

My maternal grandfather was an old revolutionary who disliked those foreign things. He was already sexist and preferred boys to girls, so he disliked the third son more and more.

When Gu Bin and Lin Xiyu entered the door, the grandfather was getting angry because of a remark made unintentionally by his third granddaughter.

The incident started when Gu Xiaohui was joking with her grandmother, imitating a female classmate from Shanghai who had gone abroad to study with her, and making fun of people from Shandong.

"We Shanghainese smell like coffee, you Shandong people smell like corn on the cob."

"What's wrong with the taste of corn on the cob? I just love eating corn on the cob!"

Before his third granddaughter could finish speaking, the grandfather became displeased and slammed his hand on the table, startling everyone and causing their expressions to change.

"Keep your voice down."

Grandma scolded irritably, "Why are you yelling during the New Year?"

"These days, how many young people who go abroad are truly patriotic? They've all been assimilated by foreigners and look down on their own compatriots."

Grandpa was in a bad mood and began to lecture him sternly.

The living room was completely silent, the previous liveliness gone.

-

"What's going on? It's so deserted during the Lunar New Year, not even a single person is setting off firecrackers."

When Gu Bin and Lin Xiyu returned home, they immediately sensed something was wrong. Other families were celebrating the New Year with great fanfare, with firecrackers and fireworks going off everywhere.

Only my maternal grandfather's house was deserted, like a funeral, filled with a suffocatingly low atmosphere.

"Xiao Bin is back?"

When Grandma Gu heard her grandson's voice, she breathed a sigh of relief and came out to greet him personally.

"My mom asked me to bring back some tea, saying it was a gift from someone to my grandfather."

Gu Bin held up the gift box in his hand, emphasizing the words "my mother" in his voice.

"Put the tea aside for now, hurry inside and put in a good word for your third cousin."

Grandma wasn't in the mood for tea leaves and urged him on, pushing him into the house.

After entering the room, Gu Bin casually put the gift box in the corner and forgot about it.

After the New Year, Grandma saw that the tea was unopened, so she casually put it in the cupboard and didn't pay any more attention to it.

At this moment, none of the family members could have imagined that this very box of tea would soon bring about a terrible disaster, leading to unforeseen changes, the destruction of their family, and their deaths.