Returning To 1980 To Enjoy Prosperity Chapter 109: Returning Home - Novel Cool

Chapter 109: Returning Home

Chapter 109: Returning Home

After finishing their meal, Zhang Xiuping took a brief rest before leaving with her family.

Typically, a newlywed bride returns to her parents' home for three days before being escorted back by her relatives.

These three days might seem short, but for Deng Yuntao, who had just tasted the pleasures of married life, they felt incredibly long. He was truly reluctant to let her go and accompanied her all the way to the village entrance, insisting on walking further.

Seeing this, Zhang's mother felt completely at ease. Her daughter was well-fed and well-cared for at the Deng family home, and her new father-in-law was a reasonable and understanding man. With her new husband so devoted, she knew her daughter was truly living a life of comfort.

Not only was Deng Yuntao reluctant, but Zhang Xiuping felt the same way. After experiencing the most intimate moments, women often become even more attached than men. However, she maintained her composure and said, "Brother Tai, this is far enough. You should go back now."

Zhang's mother chimed in with a smile, "That's right, Yuntao. Don't send us any further. Go back home."

Deng Yuntao finally stopped and nodded. "Alright, I won't send you any further. It's still early, so if you get tired, take a rest. No need to rush."

After a few more polite exchanges, Deng Yuntao stood there, watching the group leave.

...

Three hours later.

Zhang's mother and her family arrived back in Poxin Village. The villagers greeted Zhang Xiuping warmly.

Regardless of the era, most people tend to favor the wealthy over the poor. When you are poor, few are willing to associate with you, but once you become successful, many are eager to be your friend. As a famous actor once said, "After achieving fame, everyone around you is a good person."

Zhang Xiuping had once been considered the village beauty, but in those times, beauty couldn't put food on the table. With her family's modest means, she was just another ordinary villager, not someone who warranted special attention.

But now, things were different. Everyone knew that Zhang Xiuping had married into a very well-off family, and her status had risen significantly in the eyes of the villagers. Even her parents and siblings enjoyed a higher standing in the community.

...

Zhang Zhenfa had five siblings. Excluding the two sisters who had already married, he had two younger brothers: the fourth, Zhang Zhenfei, and the seventh, Zhang Zhenyu.

At that moment, Aunt Zhang Four and Aunt Zhang Seven were cooking in the kitchen, while the three Zhang brothers sat at the door, smoking and chatting.

After a while, the fourth brother, Zhang Zhenfei, said, "Brother, I heard that in your in-laws' brick factory, even the lowest-paid mud carriers earn 45 yuan a month, and the mud treaders earn 60 yuan. Is that true?"

Zhang Zhenfa exhaled a puff of smoke and smiled, his face creased with wrinkles. "Of course, it's true. But the highest-paid are the master potters. My son-in-law earns over 200 yuan a month, which is better than many people with stable jobs."

Zhang Zhenfei said, "Brother, neither of your sons, Shouguo and Shoumin, have jobs right now. You should ask your daughter to see if her husband can arrange for them to work at the brick factory. Even as mud carriers, they could earn 45 yuan a month, which adds up to several hundred yuan a year. That's better than anything else they could do!"

Zhang Zhenyu agreed, "Fourth Brother is right. If Shouguo and Shoumin can work at the brick factory, they could earn nearly a thousand yuan a year. If they become mud treaders, they could earn even more, over a thousand yuan. That's really the best option for them."

---

When the two younger brothers mentioned this, Zhang Zhenfa regretfully said, "Sigh, I understand what you mean. It's all because I didn't think long-term. When my in-laws came to discuss Xiuping's marriage, I shouldn't have asked for such a high dowry. If I hadn't, they could have helped get the older boys jobs at the brick factory. How can I have the face to ask Xiuping or her in-laws for help now?"

Zhang Zhenfei replied, "Big brother, you did make a mistake, but you had your reasons at the time. I believe your in-laws can understand."

Zhang Zhenyu thought for a moment and said, "We can put this on hold for now. Xiuping just got married, and if we ask for too much too soon, it might make her new family uncomfortable. We should wait until she's settled in the Deng family, and ideally, after she has a son, then we can bring it up. That would be more appropriate."

Zhang Zhenfa set his pipe aside and nodded. "Seven, you're right. We'll wait until Xiuping has a son before we make any requests."

Zhang Zhenfei agreed. "That's a good plan, but the brick factory isn't always short of workers. We should still let Xiuping know to keep an eye out for opportunities."

Zhang Zhenfa nodded. "When Xiuping comes back, I'll talk to her about it."

---

While Zhang Xiuping was visiting her family, the Deng family also had a visitor.

This visitor was none other than Zhang Kangmei's aunt (younger aunt).

Zhang Kangmei and Deng Changmei had already gotten their marriage certificate, but their wedding was set for the 27th of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, which was the day after New Year's Day in 1981. So, in the eyes of the villagers, they weren't yet considered a true married couple.

Tomorrow was the Winter Solstice, and according to local customs, even if a couple had registered their marriage but hadn't yet held a wedding banquet, the man's family must send someone to invite the woman home for the holidays. Even though the woman usually wouldn't go, the man's family had to show the right attitude.

The Deng family understood this custom, so they prepared a meal to entertain Zhang's aunt.

After the meal, facing Zhang's aunt's invitation, Deng Changmei naturally declined.

Zhang's aunt was well aware of this and, after some polite exchanges, left satisfied with her task completed.

---

Since the village didn't have electricity, most families would close their doors and stay inside after dark, with few people wandering around.

At this time, the Zhang family had closed their front door, and the family was sitting in the hall chatting.

Zhang Zhenfa, recalling his afternoon conversation with his two younger brothers, asked, "Xiuping, does your father-in-law's brick factory still need workers?"

"Of course not. The wages at the brick factory are so high that even the toughest jobs, like carrying mud, have people lining up to do them. How could they possibly be short of workers?"

At this point, the clever Zhang Xiuping guessed her father's intention and asked bluntly, "Dad, are you thinking of getting Big Brother and Second Brother jobs at the brick factory?"

Let me clarify, the eldest daughter-in-law isn't a pushover who will help her family without limits. Don't worry about her going overboard.

(End of Chapter)

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