Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 140: Our Dignity Oh

Cai Ming knew that since he was coming today, his sister would definitely have to host him, but looking at the dumplings filled with meat and the chicken stewed with mushrooms, he really didn’t know what to do.

"This is a bit too lavish, isn’t it?" Cai Ming quietly pulled Cai Meina aside.

Cai Ming really worried that his brother-in-law’s friends might have opinions. "We don’t even have such feasts at home during the New Year."

Even though their parents loved their older brother dearly, they never had so much meat. It may even be more than what they’d have in months.

"Don’t worry, we’re all going to eat. And I told you, eating well helps us keep healthy and strong for work in the fields," Cai Meina said, indicating that since Zhao Gang and the others had no complaints, they should let her brother stay for a few more days.

"And don’t think we eat like this all the time. We only killed the chicken because you came today, so there won’t be this treatment every day." Cai Meina reassured Cai Ming not to worry.

"Alright, go and have dinner." Cai Meina gave Cai Ming a push. If the guest doesn’t sit at the table, no one dares to start eating.

Helplessly, Cai Ming carefully sat down by the kang table, looking around and noticing that his brother-in-law’s friend’s wife wasn’t there, which made him anxious.

Even though they say men are the breadwinners, you can’t underestimate women. He worried she might dislike him or have opinions about his sister, keeping Cai Ming from daring to reach out for any dishes.

"Mei Na, Zhan Jing isn’t feeling well today, why don’t you fix her a plate," Zhao Gang said excitedly, pouring three bowls of liquor.

Without the wives around, they could enjoy a bit of alcohol, otherwise Zhao Gang wouldn’t dare because his wife could not bear the smell of it.

"Cai Ming, let’s have some drinks, then go for a soak and have a nice sleep afterward."

"My wife is heavily pregnant and not feeling well today, so she’s not coming for dinner. Tomorrow, why don’t you have your sister-in-law check your pulse? You look a bit frail to me," Zhao Gang was fulfilling a request from his good buddy.

His good friend was worried this little brother-in-law seemed too weak and might not be able to do farm work properly during the spring plowing, which could earn him disdain from the villagers.

Checking the pulse? Cai Ming’s hand trembled, "I’m very healthy."

For Cai Ming, checking the pulse always meant herbal medicine, and the taste was simply indescribable.

"It’s no big deal taking a pulse. If you’re unwell, we can find out," Cai Meina said as she picked out some food to take to Zhan Jing.

Seeing that Cai Ming didn’t want his pulse checked, she wielded her sisterly authority, "Even Ni Zi drinks herbal medicine better than you now."

"You’re not trying to avoid drinking herbal medicine, are you? You’re a grown man now." Cai Meina knew her little brother didn’t refuse because he was healthy, but simply because he didn’t want to drink herbal medicine.

Clearly a grown man but still so headstrong, "Remember, you must have your pulse checked tomorrow."

"If it requires medicine, your brother-in-law will get it for you."

"You’d better listen, Ni Zi is already more sensible than you." Cai Meina was fixed on not letting her brother avoid the issue, not worried about Cai Ming’s pride at all.

Gong Ruini listening to Cai Meina not caring about Cai Ming’s pride and criticizing so openly, found it hilarious. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

To know that before, uncle always pretended to be mature, like an elder, yet none of them were even twenty.

And now, getting told off like this by Cai Meina to the point where she spoke of them as being her age, Gong Ruini could imagine how much Cai Ming wanted to cry inside.

"Sis." Cai Ming knew his big sister meant well, but he noticed how the kids around laughed so heartily, especially Gong Ruini.

Even though she wasn’t laughing, her lips were pressed so tight; if it wasn’t for trying not to laugh, would she be like this?

Cai Ming could imagine how Gong Ruini would think of him next time—an adult who let them see their uncle as someone who doesn’t like to take herbal medicine.

"I’m not trying to trouble anyone. Rest assured, if I really need to take herbal medicine, I definitely can finish it." Cai Ming felt he was just a bit skinny, no other problems.

And since the issue of being skinny could be solved just by eating more, it wasn’t a problem at all.

Her little brother had reached the age where he cared about saving face, so Cai Meina said this on purpose, otherwise, he would find ways to avoid taking medicine.

"Ni Zi, you’d better keep an eye on your uncle then." Cai Meina was always busy, the house needed cleaning, clothes needed washing, and chickens, quails, and even sheep needed feeding, keeping her hands full.

Although Zhao Gang and the others were somewhat free, they often went out, and then busy themselves making furniture when at home.

Cai Ming was already regretting having come at this moment to find his sister. If he had known it’d play out like this, he would have fattened himself up before coming, then he might have avoided pulse checking and herbal medicine.

What’s more, he wouldn’t have the kids staring at him non-stop. Oh, his pride. "Sis," Cai Ming said, displeased.

"I know, I know, as long as you behave, there will be no problems." Cai Meina, without much sincerity, picked up the food and went next door, "Oh, I’ll dine with Zhan Jing; you guys just eat."

Listening to the brother and sister chatting, Zhao Gang could tell the young man would be fine after all, "When did you get here?"

Zhao Gang had been here for a few years and had never heard of such a time to go to the educated youth spots.

Perhaps at the start of the educated youth policy, they had to follow the list’s deadline, whereas now, it was all about delaying as much as possible.

"Two days ago, I asked them about the route yesterday, and today, I came at the crack of dawn. I should have gotten here sooner but got lost." Cai Ming truly didn’t expect the northeastern countryside to feel so empty.

No signage, no people, Cai Ming was truly lost until he later met someone from the Red Flag Brigade, who warmly guided him once he mentioned he was looking for his brother-in-law.

Cai Ming was quite surprised at how well his brother-in-law had acclimated here, despite their short time in the place, a testament to his brother-in-law’s skills.

It turned out to be a villager; perhaps the gentleman just happened to be going in that direction, but one should still express gratitude. "Tomorrow, let’s go thank him together."

"Sure."

"Eat more," Zhao Gang noticed that Cai Ming only ate dumplings and didn’t reach for the dishes, so he served him some pieces of chicken, "We raise plenty of chickens at home, don’t hold back."

These days, Zhao Gang had been busy hatching quails, a little creature that, although small, breeds rapidly and starts laying eggs quickly.

"We’ll be having quail eggs tomorrow morning. If it’s convenient for you, you could raise some quails too." Zhao Gang initially dismissed quails for their minimal meat but grew to appreciate them.

The only downside being their limited number; otherwise, having a few each meal would be delightful.

Raising quails, he wasn’t entirely sure what they were, but they seemed edible.

Saying he wasn’t tempted would be a lie, but upon recalling the fellow residents at the educated youth spot, he wasn’t sure they were good company he wanted to engage with.

Cai Ming could only regretfully decline.

From Cai Ming’s expression, Zhao Gang understood that the educated youth spot might not be an easy place, so he stopped probing further.