It was just past 12:30 when Zhao Youcai and Zhou Jianjun got home. Their return startled the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who were clearing the table.
Seeing her son walk in first, Hu Sanmei quickly asked Zhou Jianjun, "Son, how come you two are back so early?"
As soon as Hu Sanmei finished speaking, Zhao Youcai came in, carrying a burlap sack on his back. The ten jin of mutton in the sack Zhou Jianjun had brought back yesterday had barely covered the bottom.
But today, Zhao Youcai was carrying a sack that was more than half full, looking like it weighed at least forty or fifty jin.
"Ah, Dad, what are you carrying?" Zhao Chun hurried forward to help Zhao Youcai lower the sack from his shoulder.
Just then, Hu Sanmei gave Zhou Jianjun a gentle push. "Why aren't you carrying it? You're making your father-in-law carry it."
"Mom, I'm not feeling well today."
"Drank too much, didn't you?" Hu Sanmei said irritably. "Chun'Er told you not to drink, but you wouldn't listen."
