Chapter 267. Studying
Taking in their behavior, Lin Qing He said: "Sure, let them come over at four in the afternoon. I will teach them till five o'clock in the afternoon."
At this time, she needed to start preparing dinner. It wasn't much trouble to guide her nephew and niece.
Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law were delighted. They insisted on leaving the eggs behind. When they went back, they sent Wu Ni and Zhou Yang to bring over soybeans and sesame seeds.
Lin Qing He had the two take the eggs back. If they didn't take them back, she won't teach them. So they obediently took the eggs back.
Both got scolded by their mother.
"It's no problem to keep the eggs." Mother Zhou spoke.
Lin Qing He didn't want to take advantage of others. Her family didn't lack this bit of things. She replied, "Give it back to supplement Eldest Brother's and Third Brother's body."
The three families didn't have it easy. She was just giving pointers. Not a big deal.
When Mother Zhou heard her respond, she didn't say anything. She just gave Fourth's wife a higher rating in her heart.
Lin Qing He let Zhou Qing Bai know: "Rest at home. I will go to Sister Mei's first."
"Alright." Zhou Qing Bai agreeably nodded.
Lin Qing He took the bike and came over to look for Sister Mei. She had also brought a few scarves with her. It was currently summer, but she can save it for winter.
Sister Mei happily said, "I really trouble you."
"What trouble? Sister Mei, I want a few jins of pork." Lin Qing He responded.
"Tell me." Sister Mei nodded.
Pork belly, ribs, big bones, a pork stomach, and a large intestine.
Sister Mei promised her: "Go over to the pig farm in the early morning tonight."
"Okay." Lin Qing He nodded.
Then she returned. When she got home, Zhou Qing Bai had already washed up.
As for Er Wa and San Wa, they went fishing for eels with the children of their age.
"Go nap a bit. Collecting pork at night." Lin Qing He picked up and munched on the watermelon left for her as she said.
"Go take a bath." Zhou Qing Bai stared at his wife.
Lin Qing He's face reddened. Then she gave him an eye roll and remarked, "You're exhausted from a day's work."
"Not tired." Zhou Qing Bai looked at her calmly.
In the beginning, he was drained. But his wife's return today had him feeling rejuvenated. Not a bit tired.
"Have it." Lin Qing He gave him her leftover half of the watermelon and then went to take a bath.
Zhou Qing Bai ate the melon and washed the clothes his wife had changed out of.
At the beginning of their relationship, Lin Qing He was embarrassed about him washing all her clothes. But now she was unperturbed.
It's just her heart melts when she came out and saw him washing her clothes.
Lin Qing He had washed her hair while she was at it. She was in the middle of rubbing her hair dry. Zhou Qing Bai soon finished with the clothes and came to help his wife dry her hair.
Only the two of them were at home. Eldest didn't come back. The two younger ones went out to catch the loach and rice eel.
As for Father Zhou and Mother Zhou, they returned after having the watermelon. Not wanting to be in the way at all.
Lin Qing He let Zhou Qing Bai dry her hair.
Don't know if it's because of the environment in the big city like the capital, Lin Qing He's skin became a shade light each year ever since she went over there to study.
She used to be considered quite fair in the countryside. Now she was even fairer.
Zhou Qing Bai had just finished his farm work. His whole body was like he was painted with a layer of paint. Compared with his wife, it was a stark contrast.
On the contrary, Lin Qing He particularly enjoyed the service of her own man, and said, "If you keep getting tanned like this, to the someone unfamiliar, they would think you're from Africa."
"It will turn whiter again in winter." Zhou Qing Bai replied.
He didn't mind this at first. He thought it was normal for a man to be darker. However, he wasn't stupid. Although his wife didn't dislike him at all, the man didn't want to look unworthy of his wife.
So he cared now.
But it can't be helped in the current situation. He had to wait for winter to regain a lighter tone
Lin Qing He let him rubbed her hair into a half-dry state. Then she closed the door and pulled him back into the room.
What they'll do back in the room needn't be said. Her Qing Bai's refreshing smell of his recently washed body kept seducing her when he dried her hair. She missed him too.
After a round of business, she went to sleep with him.
Er Wa and San Wa came back and found that their parents’ room door was closed. They knew they were sleeping. The two of them poured the loach they had caught into a basin. Then they went to wash up and washed the clothes by themselves. Afterward, they went back to the room to turn on the light and study After a while, they blew the lamp and went to bed.
Both brothers were quite self-disciplined.
In the early morning, Zhou Qing Bai went to collect Lin Qing He's reservation.
Lin Qing He didn't get up. She was very tired after a few days of traveling.
Zhou Qing Bai brought the things back and put them in the kitchen. Knowing that his wife couldn't clean up the pig stomach and intestine, he handled it first. Then he went back to continuing to hug his wife to sleep. Not at all bothered with the heat.
Despite being tired, Lin Qing He woke up early in the morning, about four o'clock.
They (the men) set off around 4:30a.m. Lin Qing He lighted the lamp and started cooking.
In addition to the cornmeal mantou, she also fried two dishes; fried diced pork belly and cucumber and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. There was a shrimp soup too.
Zhou Qing Bai slept a while longer and then got up. Father Zhou came over at this time.
The father and son had a hearty breakfast and set off.
"Go back and sleep again." Before heading out, Zhou Qing Bai rubbed his wife's hand and said.
"En, I'll make something good for you and deliver it at noon," Lin Qing He replied.
"Okay." Zhou Qing Bai nodded.
Then the father and son departed. Mother Zhou headed out after five o'clock. The two boys woke up early.
Er Wa remarked: "My eldest brother is really getting lazy now. He's not coming back during summer vacation."
"Mother, are there so many fun and delicious foods over there? From I see, my eldest brother doesn't want to come home anymore." San Wa said.
"Compared with this side, that side is indeed better." Lin Qing He answered honestly.
In the end, the capital was the capital. Even at this moment, it was developing very well. Changes happened day by day.
"If you two work hard, you can also go to university there in the future. I had found time at school to write revision questions for you. You two get a set each. This summer vacation, you two better do it properly." Lin Qing He stated.
"Mother's question." Er Wa wrinkled his face. The question from their mother was really difficult.
Lin Qing He said in a huff: "Others want it yet can't have it."
"That's right." San Wa nodded: "Let's get Yang Yang and Wu Ni to join in."
"Their foundation isn't solid enough. This question is too difficult for them to do. Just do your own parts." Lin Qing He said.
The two brothers first studied for more than an hour before going out to help out where their father was.
As for Lin Qing He, she started to clean up the backyard. After she finished cleaning, she grabbed a book and read it. When she was in Hai City, she bought a good few books.
Taking in their behavior, Lin Qing He said: "Sure, let them come over at four in the afternoon. I will teach them till five o'clock in the afternoon."
At this time, she needed to start preparing dinner. It wasn't much trouble to guide her nephew and niece.
Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law were delighted. They insisted on leaving the eggs behind. When they went back, they sent Wu Ni and Zhou Yang to bring over soybeans and sesame seeds.
Lin Qing He had the two take the eggs back. If they didn't take them back, she won't teach them. So they obediently took the eggs back.
Both got scolded by their mother.
"It's no problem to keep the eggs." Mother Zhou spoke.
Lin Qing He didn't want to take advantage of others. Her family didn't lack this bit of things. She replied, "Give it back to supplement Eldest Brother's and Third Brother's body."
The three families didn't have it easy. She was just giving pointers. Not a big deal.
When Mother Zhou heard her respond, she didn't say anything. She just gave Fourth's wife a higher rating in her heart.
Lin Qing He let Zhou Qing Bai know: "Rest at home. I will go to Sister Mei's first."
"Alright." Zhou Qing Bai agreeably nodded.
Lin Qing He took the bike and came over to look for Sister Mei. She had also brought a few scarves with her. It was currently summer, but she can save it for winter.
Sister Mei happily said, "I really trouble you."
"What trouble? Sister Mei, I want a few jins of pork." Lin Qing He responded.
"Tell me." Sister Mei nodded.
Pork belly, ribs, big bones, a pork stomach, and a large intestine.
Sister Mei promised her: "Go over to the pig farm in the early morning tonight."
"Okay." Lin Qing He nodded.
Then she returned. When she got home, Zhou Qing Bai had already washed up.
As for Er Wa and San Wa, they went fishing for eels with the children of their age.
"Go nap a bit. Collecting pork at night." Lin Qing He picked up and munched on the watermelon left for her as she said.
"Go take a bath." Zhou Qing Bai stared at his wife.
Lin Qing He's face reddened. Then she gave him an eye roll and remarked, "You're exhausted from a day's work."
"Not tired." Zhou Qing Bai looked at her calmly.
In the beginning, he was drained. But his wife's return today had him feeling rejuvenated. Not a bit tired.
"Have it." Lin Qing He gave him her leftover half of the watermelon and then went to take a bath.
Zhou Qing Bai ate the melon and washed the clothes his wife had changed out of.
At the beginning of their relationship, Lin Qing He was embarrassed about him washing all her clothes. But now she was unperturbed.
It's just her heart melts when she came out and saw him washing her clothes.
Lin Qing He had washed her hair while she was at it. She was in the middle of rubbing her hair dry. Zhou Qing Bai soon finished with the clothes and came to help his wife dry her hair.
Only the two of them were at home. Eldest didn't come back. The two younger ones went out to catch the loach and rice eel.
As for Father Zhou and Mother Zhou, they returned after having the watermelon. Not wanting to be in the way at all.
Lin Qing He let Zhou Qing Bai dry her hair.
Don't know if it's because of the environment in the big city like the capital, Lin Qing He's skin became a shade light each year ever since she went over there to study.
She used to be considered quite fair in the countryside. Now she was even fairer.
Zhou Qing Bai had just finished his farm work. His whole body was like he was painted with a layer of paint. Compared with his wife, it was a stark contrast.
On the contrary, Lin Qing He particularly enjoyed the service of her own man, and said, "If you keep getting tanned like this, to the someone unfamiliar, they would think you're from Africa."
"It will turn whiter again in winter." Zhou Qing Bai replied.
He didn't mind this at first. He thought it was normal for a man to be darker. However, he wasn't stupid. Although his wife didn't dislike him at all, the man didn't want to look unworthy of his wife.
So he cared now.
But it can't be helped in the current situation. He had to wait for winter to regain a lighter tone
Lin Qing He let him rubbed her hair into a half-dry state. Then she closed the door and pulled him back into the room.
What they'll do back in the room needn't be said. Her Qing Bai's refreshing smell of his recently washed body kept seducing her when he dried her hair. She missed him too.
After a round of business, she went to sleep with him.
Er Wa and San Wa came back and found that their parents’ room door was closed. They knew they were sleeping. The two of them poured the loach they had caught into a basin. Then they went to wash up and washed the clothes by themselves. Afterward, they went back to the room to turn on the light and study After a while, they blew the lamp and went to bed.
Both brothers were quite self-disciplined.
In the early morning, Zhou Qing Bai went to collect Lin Qing He's reservation.
Lin Qing He didn't get up. She was very tired after a few days of traveling.
Zhou Qing Bai brought the things back and put them in the kitchen. Knowing that his wife couldn't clean up the pig stomach and intestine, he handled it first. Then he went back to continuing to hug his wife to sleep. Not at all bothered with the heat.
Despite being tired, Lin Qing He woke up early in the morning, about four o'clock.
They (the men) set off around 4:30a.m. Lin Qing He lighted the lamp and started cooking.
In addition to the cornmeal mantou, she also fried two dishes; fried diced pork belly and cucumber and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. There was a shrimp soup too.
Zhou Qing Bai slept a while longer and then got up. Father Zhou came over at this time.
The father and son had a hearty breakfast and set off.
"Go back and sleep again." Before heading out, Zhou Qing Bai rubbed his wife's hand and said.
"En, I'll make something good for you and deliver it at noon," Lin Qing He replied.
"Okay." Zhou Qing Bai nodded.
Then the father and son departed. Mother Zhou headed out after five o'clock. The two boys woke up early.
Er Wa remarked: "My eldest brother is really getting lazy now. He's not coming back during summer vacation."
"Mother, are there so many fun and delicious foods over there? From I see, my eldest brother doesn't want to come home anymore." San Wa said.
"Compared with this side, that side is indeed better." Lin Qing He answered honestly.
In the end, the capital was the capital. Even at this moment, it was developing very well. Changes happened day by day.
"If you two work hard, you can also go to university there in the future. I had found time at school to write revision questions for you. You two get a set each. This summer vacation, you two better do it properly." Lin Qing He stated.
"Mother's question." Er Wa wrinkled his face. The question from their mother was really difficult.
Lin Qing He said in a huff: "Others want it yet can't have it."
"That's right." San Wa nodded: "Let's get Yang Yang and Wu Ni to join in."
"Their foundation isn't solid enough. This question is too difficult for them to do. Just do your own parts." Lin Qing He said.
The two brothers first studied for more than an hour before going out to help out where their father was.
As for Lin Qing He, she started to clean up the backyard. After she finished cleaning, she grabbed a book and read it. When she was in Hai City, she bought a good few books.
Thanks for the update~!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update <3
ReplyDeleteThey might think you're from Africa... because all Africans are dark and being dark is bad and we can't have that... you'd magically become unworthy and you're light-skinned wife and then... probably turn into bubbles and disappear like the Little mermaid T.T
ReplyDeletehold on... that skin color remark sounds problematic to me...
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't know about the Indian subcontinent, but East and Southeast Asians get their preference for lighter skin natively through the course of their history. The upper classes can afford to stay mostly indoors, and hence they have lighter skin compared to the farmers and labourers who have to work outdoors all year.
ReplyDeleteFairer skin signifies that you don't have to work hard all day outside, so that signifies higher socioeconomic status. Unlike say, in the US, most of the time it's barely tied to any ethnic association.
Thank you for the explanation. As a black person, the remark kinda hurt though.
DeleteBefore they began colonizing and inventing the concept of race, Europe had the exact same classism-based preference for lighter skin tones (because only rich people didn't have to go outside and work for a living). It was only once they invented racism that disdain for darker skin tones became a matter of racism as well as classism.
DeleteThat being said, colorism, prejudice based on skin tone but within one ethnic community (so, the classism sort of thing I and the first commenter were talking about), is alive and well in all parts of Asia. I don't think it's very intertwined with racism, the way things are in the West, but it's just as crappy. Colorism is a huge problem everywhere in Asia, but probably nowhere more than in India, where they had the caste system, which was legally enshrined discrimination based on skin color. And while the caste system is no longer part of their laws, it is alive and well in practice, from what little I know. Think going from slavery to Jim Crow. Pretty sure it's illegal to discriminate based on caste in modern India, but... that doesn't do much if society itself doesn't change and courts don't punish it harshly.
I don't find the skin remark as disturbing as the fact that the son is reluctant to return home -_-
ReplyDeleteNo let's be fair the skin tone comment was not correct. I don't think it means you can't enjoy the story as it's a cultural thing for the writer but it has to be acknowledged.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chapter!
ReplyDelete"If you keep getting tanned like this, to the unknown, they think you're from Africa." -> to someone unfamiliar/to a stranger (I think) this part needs some change
Thanks, Dorai_O!
DeleteChanged!
me being a dark skin black woman reading this chapter ��
ReplyDeleteSame... Well I'm black, not dark skinned. But all the same it's disturbing asf... The colourism (which can bleed into racism at times) really makes me sick... I stopped reading FOG (Field of Gold) because of the comment made on African people/people of darker skin complexion and now I'm contemplating dropping this :/....
DeleteIt's
Delete"Lin Qing He particularly enjoyed the service .... "If you keep getting tanned like this, to the someone unfamiliar, they would think you're from Africa."
the man didn't want to look unworthy of his wife."
She's joking about him becoming another race (implying it's bad) and then further on his thoughts are that he would be unworthy of his wife, if he were to look like that....
This is the same kind of thoughts colonizers had before and when they started slavery and people expect me to sit down and think ohhh it's just their 'culture'..
It's not racism, it's colourism based on economic privilege. Lighter skin meant you worked indoors or had so much money you didn't work, were more educated and had more money. Darker skin from being tanned in the sun meant you were poor, lower class, uneducated.
DeleteI don't like knowing that people of darker skin tones get offended and upset by this because it's not a reflection on them. It's just that being outside, you get tanner and the skin darkens. There's no other way to visually describe someone that works in the sun lots than by saying they have tanned or darker skin. The Africa reference was based on him working so hard and getting so tanned that if he got any darker, he wouldn't look like he used to.
Darker skin tone isn't unattractive because it's dark. Its because it represents poverty. So it's more elitist than racist.
@rebecca 👍
DeleteI haven't considered this aspect before.
As an African, I really don't see anything wrong in that statement. Maybe it's because of my personality, but telling something as it is, is not wrong. It not hurtful. Saying someone might mistake you for an African because of dark skin is correct, because we Africans have dark skin. When we begin to be hurt by this harmless statement, it shows an inferior mentality, which ain't right.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the British Colonisation of my Country, many people have this inferior and victim mentality and it really makes me sad. I am Black and proud. If a white person gets too tanned, then I might mistake you for a light skinned African. Deal with it. 😏😏
I find the comment a bit funny above, as a fan of Asian novels, I got used to their obsessive love for white skin, I also realize that for them it is a matter of culture and tradition to the point of spending kilograms on makeup every year (mainly whitening cream), they speak of white skin, not the answer that we consider white (American / European / etc) but literally the white color of porcelain.
ReplyDeleteon the other hand I find it funny since on this side of the continent whites tend to prefer blacks and vice versa, to the point that brown skin and straight hair (quasi indigenous) correspond to the majority of our new generation, including my daughter and my niece l..o..l.
Although i know chinese culture about color was like that and they sometimes jokingly do that until now too, it's still sadden me everytime i heard it.
ReplyDelete��oooh casual racism��
ReplyDelete*eyeroll*
ah colorism, never fails to be off-putting.
ReplyDeleteI have grown to love my skin after yeaaars of putting up with that sht.