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Chapter 15: The Matchmaker Arrives
Chapter 15: The Matchmaker Arrives
When Deng Shirong replied, the eyes of Deng Yunjin and his family all lit up.
Deng Yunjin quickly asked, "Uncle Nine, where is the young man you mentioned from?"
Deng Shirong gave a brief introduction: "He's from Captain Tian's village in Baping, and his name is Zhang Kangmei. He is one year older than your youngest daughter, and he is the eldest son and the most beloved grandson by his grandfather. His family has been in the carpentry business for three generations, and they are among the wealthiest in the village."
Upon hearing this, Deng Yunjin and his family were genuinely moved.
In this era, having a skill like carpentry was highly valuable.
With their interest piqued, Deng Yunjin and his wife began to ask detailed questions about the young man.
Deng Shirong was forthcoming with information. In his previous life, Zhang Kangmei had been a multimillionaire businessman, and every time he visited his wife's family, he was met with great admiration. Almost everyone in Naye village knew his name, and Deng Shirong was well aware of how he had built his fortune.
After a few minutes of discussion, Deng Shirong concluded, "That's the basic information. If you think it's a good match, I can help arrange it for your youngest daughter."
Deng Yunjin glanced at his wife, then nodded at Deng Shirong. "Sure, I trust Uncle Nine's judgment. Please help us set it up."
"You won't regret it. In a few years, you'll see just how excellent a match I've found for your daughter." Deng Shirong then looked inside the house and asked, "By the way, where is your youngest daughter? Is she not at home?"
Deng Yunjin's wife replied, "She went to the river with her eldest sister-in-law to do the laundry. She should be back soon. Ah Er, go bring your sister back."
Deng Changquan responded and hurried off toward the river.
Deng Shirong continued, "The young man I'm introducing is quick-witted and will surely have a bright future. And even if we're not looking too far ahead, if this marriage goes through, having a carpenter as a son-in-law means you'll have someone to make all your cabinets, tables, and chairs!"
Although the marriage was still in its early stages, Deng Yunjin and his wife couldn't help but smile at Deng Shirong's words.
In this era, cabinets and furniture were like luxury items for a household. A clear example was the family in Jimapo village who managed to marry off three daughters-in-law with just one cabinet. The value of such items couldn't be overstated.
As a matchmaker, Deng Shirong knew he had to speak well of the young man to the family and vice versa. Since Zhang Kangmei was already an excellent candidate, Deng Shirong had no trouble praising him.
Deng Yunjin and his wife nodded in agreement, their satisfaction growing.
Soon, Deng Yunjin's youngest daughter, Deng Changmei, returned with her brother. She blushed slightly when she greeted Deng Shirong, clearly aware that he was there to arrange a match for her.
Although marriage decisions were still largely made by parents in this era, Deng Shirong still gave a brief introduction of the young man to Deng Changmei and said, "If you have no objections, I will borrow a car and head to Changtian to see if the young man's family is interested in the match."
Deng Changmei looked at her parents and said, "Nine Grandpa, I'll follow what my parents decide."
Deng Shirong smiled and nodded. "I understand. Time is of the essence, so I'll go borrow a car and set off right away. I'll bring you good news soon."
...
While Deng Shirong was borrowing a bicycle to go to Changtian Village to arrange a marriage, his childhood friend Deng Changyuan accompanied Deng Yuntao to a distant hill.
Deng Changyuan wore a straw hat and had a blade of dogtail grass in his mouth. Basking in the sun, he looked somewhat listless as he said, "Ah Tai, we used to have endless work every day. Now that we finally have a couple of days off, you drag me out to climb a hill and burn a hornet's nest. Aren't you tired of it?"
Deng Yuntao, also wearing a straw hat, laughed and scolded, "You lazybones, how can burning a hornet's nest be tiring? Where did all that energy go when we used to chase pheasants all over the mountain?"
"Are you serious?" Deng Changyuan rolled his eyes. "How can hornets be compared to pheasants? Pheasants taste so good, while hornet larvae can only be used to make porridge, and it's not even that great. If we happen to come across them, that's one thing, but to go out of our way to find them? That's just something kids do."
Deng Yuntao poked the grass ahead with a stick and said, "You don't know the best part. Hornet larvae aren't just for porridge. When fried in oil and served with wine, they are absolutely delicious."
Deng Changyuan was surprised. "No way! You can fry hornet larvae and drink wine with them? Who told you that?"
Deng Yuntao replied, "My dad told me. Stop complaining and start looking. If we find a hornet's nest today, you can come to my place tonight and try the fried hornet larvae!"
Hearing his friend say that, Deng Changyuan suddenly perked up. In this era, nothing was more enticing than good food, especially when he heard the words "fried" and "oil."
"Alright, let's split up and look. I really want to try what fried hornet larvae taste like."
"Sure, we'll meet up at the top of the hill. Whoever finds a hornet's nest should shout out."
"Deal, I'm counting on this. I'm definitely going to eat those fried hornet larvae tonight!"
...
Changtian Village in Bai Ping Brigade was quite a distance from Nayue Village in Bangjie Brigade. The road was steep, and even though Deng Shirong was riding a bicycle, it took him over an hour to reach his destination.
In his previous life, Deng Shirong had actually visited Zhang Kangmei's home, but it had been decades ago, and he no longer remembered where it was located.
Seeing a middle-aged man chopping wood ahead, Deng Shirong rode up and asked, "Excuse me, do you know where Zhang Jiefang's house is?"
Zhang Jiefang was Zhang Kangmei's father.
The middle-aged man put down his axe and wiped his sweat with a towel hanging from his shoulder. He then asked, "Where are you from, young man? What do you need with Zhang Jiefang?"
People in this era were still cautious around strangers.
Deng Shirong smiled and said, "I'm from Nayue Village in Bangjie Brigade. I'm here to arrange a marriage for Zhang Jiefang's eldest son, Zhang Kangmei."
"Ah, a matchmaker! I see."
The middle-aged man suddenly understood and pointed the way. "Go straight ahead, turn left at the intersection, and then walk a few dozen meters until you see a lychee tree. That's where Zhang Jiefang lives."
Deng Shirong thanked him and rode his bicycle along the directions given.
Soon, a tall lychee tree came into view, and there stood a new mud-brick house. It must be Zhang Jiefang's home.
(End of Chapter)
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