Chapter 49: Xiao Weidong

After dealing with Xiao Weijun, Xiao Weiguo glanced at the half pot of meat still left in the pot and said to his grandfather, “Grandpa, should we send some of the remaining meat to our elders?”

Grandfather was just calling Xiao Hongmei and Xiao Zhaodi over, instructing them to return the two bowls of meat. Turning at Xiao Weiguo’s words, he replied, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll dish out all this meat and take it to your Second Granduncle’s house. I’ll also take the opportunity to tell the Xiao family elders about your situation.”

“We cooked plenty of rice too. We can send that over as well.” Xiao Weiguo had overestimated the appetites of his sisters; after all, girls never eat as much as boys.

Suddenly, Xiao Weiguo thought of something and said to his siblings, “Hongmei, Zhaodi, Weijun, Lianxin, Pandie, Laidi, Yingdi, all of you need to pay attention. You’ll definitely get an upset stomach later.

Remember to pick which outhouse you want to use and have some toilet paper ready. The moment your stomach hurts, go right away.

And split up—don’t all crowd into the same outhouse. When you get back, eat some plantain, it’ll help your stomachs.”

Plantain was actually a common weed, but it was effective for treating diarrhea.

After hearing this, Xiao Weijun nearly cried, “All that meat I just ate, am I really going to lose it all? I don’t want to, I want to keep that braised pork in my belly for three days!”

“Haha, then good luck.” Xiao Weiguo couldn’t help but laugh, picturing the misery that would soon befall Xiao Weijun.

Life in the countryside was usually so lacking in oil and fat that whenever there was a rich meal, everyone’s stomachs simply couldn’t handle it and diarrhea was inevitable.

When the communal canteen first opened, everyone in the brigade was forced to frantically look for outhouses. The less fussy simply went in the fields, the woods, or any corner of the brigade, leaving behind countless “landmines.”

Those few days, the production of manure was enough to match what they’d collected in the previous two months. The members in charge of gathering manure in the brigade could not stop grinning from ear to ear.

“Grandpa, Grandma, you two must be careful as well,” Xiao Weiguo reminded the elders.

“Don’t you worry about us. You’ve been on the road all morning, Weiguo. Go get some rest now. Your bed is clean—your grandma dusts it every day,” said Xiao Tieniu, waving a hand and signaling Weiguo to go rest in the other room.

“Alright, I am tired. I’ll go lie down a bit. If you need me, just call. After dinner tonight, I’ll have to head back to the city,” Xiao Weiguo said, explaining his plans.

He wasn’t worried about getting an upset stomach himself. After all this time, his body was used to having some oil, and he wouldn’t react like the others.

Xiao Hongmei and Xiao Zhaodi each carried a bowl of meat back to their homes.

The rest of the children, with nothing else to do, rushed out to brag to their friends, puffing out their cheeks with pride and letting their friends sniff the aroma of braised pork, so they could at least savor the scent.

The girls brought out their jars of snow cream, instantly becoming stars among the village girls, who followed behind, gazing enviously at the fragrant lotions in Lianxin’s hands.

As they played, they never forgot their elder brother’s warning and stayed close to the outhouses.

Sure enough, Xiao Weijun already had to make his second trip. His friends followed him in; the little outhouse was instantly packed.

“Go away! I’m trying to do my business here. Why are you all coming in?” Xiao Weijun complained.

“We just want to see if braised pork makes different poop from usual. Hmm, even the smell seems richer,” one friend said.

“That’s disgusting! Get lost!” Xiao Weijun shouted in frustration.

Reluctantly, his friends left the outhouse, leaving Weijun alone. When he finally came out, one friend declared, “Next time, I want to poop like that too!”

Xiao Weiguo had barely lain down when loud noises outside reached his ears. He listened carefully and heard someone shouting, “They’re back!”

Too curious to sleep, Xiao Weiguo got up to see what was happening.

He found only his grandmother at home and asked, “Grandma, where’s Grandpa?”

“He went to your Second Great-Uncle’s with the meat and rice,” Grandma replied, tidying up her cloth after having hidden away all the food right after the meal.

“Grandma, I’m heading out for a bit. Seems like something’s going on,” Xiao Weiguo said, then made his way toward the brigade’s central area, partly to see what was happening, and partly to show off a bit for his family’s honor.

“Well, Weiguo, you’re here! Come, sit in the center. Tell us how you became a worker. You’ll be a city man now! Don’t forget us villagers,” a young brigade member called out as soon as Weiguo arrived.

Weiguo grinned and responded cheerfully, finding a seat among the crowd.

“You should all give it a try. The city is building on a grand scale and hiring lots of temporary workers. Right now, it’s the easiest time to become a worker in the city,” he advised earnestly.

“Temporary worker? So, Weiguo, are you a permanent or a temporary worker?” someone else asked.

“I’m a temporary worker too. No matter who you are, even city folks, everyone starts as a temp or on probation,” he replied.

“So after all that, you’re just a temp, just like those who went from our village recently,” someone remarked sourly.

“That depends on the position. They’re all workers, but do you know my position?” Weiguo retorted, not willing to back down. “I’m a procurement officer. See that bicycle? I was assigned one my first day on the job.”

“I saw your bicycle too, it’s really something! Your factory must be generous, giving out bikes. Weiguo, could you bring it out later and teach us to ride?” someone asked excitedly.

“I’ll show you later, but teaching you would take time. Maybe next time,” Weiguo replied.

“By the way, what’s the big commotion? Why’s everyone gathered here? Are we having a big meeting?” Weiguo asked, recalling the noise at home.

“Haven’t you heard? The support team is coming back soon. They were spotted two miles out, so someone ran back to let us know,” someone explained.

Just then, Xiao Weidong, the son of the commune secretary and Weiguo’s childhood friend—nicknamed Ironhead—arrived.

Seeing Weiguo in the center of the crowd, brimming with confidence, Weidong gave a wry smile. Usually, he was the center of attention, but lately, several others who’d gone to the city as workers were sharing the spotlight.

He wondered if he should stay in the brigade, waiting his turn to succeed his father.

Thinking of this and making his way over, he said, “Weiguo, I was just going to find you. I heard you became a city worker—congratulations!”

Weiguo stood up and greeted him, punching him twice on the chest in jest. “Come on, don’t act like a stranger. Later, come by my grandpa’s—I brought back a chicken for you. Take it home.”

Among all his village friends, Ironhead—Xiao Weidong—had always been his closest. He’d already decided to give one of the chickens he’d brought home to Weidong.