Help others? It's better to help yourself - Chapter 26

The children in the Xu family cried one after another—one hadn’t stopped crying before another started. The birth of the triplets had transformed the family from initial excitement to exhaustion and indescribable irritation within just a month.

It had been years since a new child had been added to the family. Xu’s parents had long grown accustomed to the quiet atmosphere at home. The sudden noise from three babies was more than they could handle.

Xu Jianguo had long since moved into the fourth child’s room, sleeping separately from Doudou, under the pretense of not disturbing his wife during her confinement period.

When they first had three sons, Doudou felt elated seeing the envious looks from others, believing that the sky seemed bluer and she felt more energetic, a real boost to her spirits.

But after returning from the hospital, with the children crying heart-wrenchingly and no one in the family offering any help, she was left alone.

She only had two hands, washing the diapers herself, let alone managing everything else. Although Doudou was pained by the children’s distress, her feelings were mostly frustration and irritation, with anger growing more each day.

“Xu Jianguo, the baby is crying. You should help out,” Doudou shouted angrily.

Xu’s mother, feeling sorry for her son, said, “You’ve been resting all day. He’s been working all day and isn’t tired?”

“Then, Mom, why don’t you help me?”

Xu’s mother was even more irritated. “I’m not working, am I? When I had four children, I took care of them all by myself. No one helped me. Why are you making such a fuss? Are you that delicate?”

“There’s no end to the tasks every day. We’re all women, all wives of the Xu family. Why should you be any different?”

“I buy groceries, cook, do the laundry, and handle the housework. Do you think I’m idle? You’re just taking care of the baby and making a fuss about needing help?”

Xu’s mother, full of complaints, added, “You’re useless too. You don’t even have enough milk. Having three babies at once sounds impressive, but how are you going to support them?”

“Only eating meat and eggs will produce milk. You’ve consumed the entire month’s supply, and it still doesn’t produce much milk. Should I support you or the babies? Can you even afford formula? Even if you’re willing to spend, you can’t get the coupons.”

“With the little money you two contribute, I still have to cover the rest. Useless!” After venting her anger, Xu’s mother turned around and slammed the door behind her.

Doudou was at a loss for words, holding the baby and crying uncontrollably. Xu Jianguo didn’t show up at all.

With no other choice, Doudou finally got up to feed the baby some rice soup and changed each diaper. While the baby slept, she washed the used diapers and hung them on the rope by the coal stove to dry, otherwise, they would be useless.

By the end of May, schools began suspending classes, leading to a complete shutdown of school activities. In June, the sports school also had to stop training, and Xu Jianshe returned from the sports school.

During the vacation, Xu Jianshe only came home for meals. Knowing that Xu Jing’an was working elsewhere, he didn’t mention her again.

After being back from school for so many days, Xu Jianshe had heard enough criticism of Xu Jing’an.

Even he, though not the sharpest, realized he had been misled by his third sister. Fortunately, his own sister hadn’t deceived him, and he had indeed learned something useful at the sports school.

At the end of May, Tsinghua University Affiliated High School established the first Red Guard organization, which quickly spread nationwide.

During his time at home, Xu Jianshe joined this organization along with his classmates.

Every day was filled with zeal and he was busier than anyone. The key issue was that not only did he not earn any money, but his appetite also increased.

Xu Jianguo naturally had a lot of grievances.

As soon as dinner was served, Xu Jianguo walked in. “Fourth brother, if you…”

“Alright, eldest brother, just eat your meal,” Xu’s father quickly interrupted to deflect the conversation.

The whole family didn’t support Xu Jianshe’s recent activities, but while they might think this way, they couldn’t easily say it out loud. When someone is angry, any misstep in what is said can become a weapon against them.

He only had two sons and had never complained about having too many!

“Fourth brother, you’re not a child anymore. It’s time to tidy up the house. Clean the windows, sweep the floors, and wash the clothes for your father and me.”

“While the weather is hot, you should also dismantle and wash the quilts…”

Xu Jianshe had finished a bowl of porridge, but Xu’s mother hadn’t finished assigning him tasks.

He was inclined to refuse. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Xu’s mother and father staring at him intently.

Realizing the situation was unfavorable, Xu Jianshe immediately swallowed his words. He nodded quickly and said, “I understand.”

Reading the room and recognizing the situation had always been Xu Jianshe’s strong suit.

In August, with students participating in the “National Revolutionary Mass Movement,” Xu Jianshe was also actively involved.

He had no choice but to be active; he had done enough housework already!

With the slogan “Travel across China without spending a penny” shouted, the young and passionate students joined in without any hesitation, full of bravery.

Hearing that food, lodging, and travel for the mass movement would be free for students, Xu Jian’s son could no longer contain himself and left the house with his friends.

“Mom and Dad, I’m leaving!”

“Fourth brother, listen to your mother. We’re not going—” Despite Xu’s father and mother’s repeated attempts to persuade him, Xu Jianshe dashed off and disappeared from sight!

In less than two months, the entire national railway transportation system had collapsed.

During this time, Xu Jianshe had seen the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen, climbed the Great Wall, and visited all the famous places in Beijing.

But when he wanted to take a train back, there were no trains available. The entire station was filled with Red Guards in green military uniforms.

Xu Jianshe realized the situation was serious.

At that moment, the train station’s broadcast came on:

“The Red Army is not afraid of the long and difficult journey; rivers and mountains are mere trifles.

The Wuling Mountains stretch with fine waves, the Wumeng Mountains are grand and the mud is like pearls.

The Jinsha River’s waters warm the cliffs, the Dadu Bridge stands cold with iron chains.

We are even more delighted by the thousand-mile snow on the Min Mountains; after the three armies pass, they all smile.”

“Comrades, hold your heads high and display the spirit of hard work and never giving up. Learn from the revolutionary predecessors! Let’s use our feet to personally measure the great mountains and rivers of our motherland!”

When Xu Jianshe heard this, he felt faint and his legs went weak. He was also surrounded by a chorus of cheers!

By the time he limped home from Beijing, the New Year was just around the corner.

After lying in bed for only a few days, Xu Jianshe couldn’t stand it anymore. He never knew that such small children could make such a loud noise.

There was no peace throughout the day. With the house in such chaos, who could stand being there?

Looking at his poor, aching legs, he gritted his teeth, pulled out two pieces of cotton from the quilt, and stuffed them in his ears. Then he collapsed back into bed and covered his head to sleep!

“Mom, why don’t we write a letter to the third one?” Xu Jianguo suggested during dinner.

Times are tough, and we need someone to bear the brunt!

“What do we need to say to her? Ungrateful wretch!” Xu’s mother became angry at the mention of this. She had initially thought the third one was honest and hadn’t guarded against her. Who knew she’d take off as soon as she left? The monthly wage she promised was a load of nonsense!

The letters came every month, though, full of concern for family health and greetings to everyone. But there was not a single penny!

The letters were all about how poor she was and how hard her life was. To be honest, the third one had a good writing style. Over the past six months, each letter was indeed different, but with the same message—no money.

“If we had her household registration, we wouldn’t worry about the third one not coming back. Who knew that wretched girl would secretly transfer it away!”

Thinking of this, Xu’s mother became even angrier. “What to write? We don’t even have enough for postage!”

“Then let’s ask the second one tomorrow. The family is in such difficulty; the second one can’t just ignore everything!” Xu’s father said firmly.

Seeing Xu’s mother’s expression, Xu Jianguo tentatively said, “Mom, the unit only provides 40 days of maternity leave. Duoduo will need to return to work once her confinement period is over. What about the baby?”

Xu’s mother laughed dismissively. “A temporary worker wants to go back to work after her confinement? What’s the situation now? Because of a job, people’s heads are almost turned into mush. Who would keep a temporary worker around?”

“Do you think your mother knows nothing?” Xu’s mother shouted toward Doudou’s room, “That child isn’t born by me, nor for me. What should we do? You all figure it out and stop making plans with me!”

Doudou clenched her teeth tightly and didn’t say a word.