Chapter 185: Upstairs and Downstairs, Electric Lights and Telephones
Chapter 185: Upstairs and Downstairs, Electric Lights and Telephones
Midday.
After finishing two bowls of plain porridge at his in-laws' house, Deng Yuntao looked at his mother-in-law and asked, "Mom, have you packed your things?"
Zhang's mother replied, "I just brought a few changes of clothes; they’ve been packed for a while now. Are you sure you don’t need some diapers?"
Deng Yuntao smiled and said, "No, we really don’t need any. We have plenty at home."
Zhang's mother nodded. "Alright, as long as you have them."
Deng Yuntao then turned to his father-in-law and said, "Dad, it’s getting late. I’ll head back now. I’ll come back with good news once Pingmei gives birth."
Zhang's father responded with a nod. "I’ll be waiting for your good news."
After that, Deng Yuntao said goodbye to his two brothers-in-law and rode his bicycle back to Naye Village with his mother-in-law.
As they left Poxin Village, Deng Yuntao asked while pedaling, "Mom, when we get to Longtan Street, do you want to stop by the store and say hello to the sisters-in-law?"
Zhang's mother replied, "Sure, we can stop by. You’ve never seen the store, so it’s a good idea to take a look."
Deng Yuntao acknowledged and focused on cycling. With his mother-in-law on the back, he had to be careful not to go too fast, unlike when he rode with his wife, who enjoyed the bumpy rides. He also couldn’t go too slow, as it would be tiring.
Finally, they arrived at Longtan Street, and with his mother-in-law’s guidance, they found the small store selling agricultural products.
It wasn’t market day, and it was midday, so the store was empty. Zhang’s eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law were chatting and eating sunflower seeds.
Seeing their mother-in-law and brother-in-law enter, Zhang’s eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law were surprised but quickly stood up to greet them.
Zhang’s mother wasted no time. After the greetings, she explained the situation to her daughters-in-law, concluding with, "I’m going back with Yuntao today, and we’ll head to Bobai tomorrow. I’ll be away for a month, so I’ll leave everything to you two."
Zhang’s eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law were envious of their younger sister. Not only was she married into a good family, but her in-laws were so considerate that they were sending her to the county hospital a full half-month before the due date. Such treatment was unheard of in the countryside.
The plan for Zhang’s mother to help with the birth had already been discussed the previous day, but the duration was longer than initially expected.
In front of their brother-in-law, Zhang’s eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law reassured their mother-in-law that they would take care of everything at home, so she could focus on her youngest daughter.
Satisfied, Zhang’s mother nodded and didn’t stay long in the store. She called for her son-in-law, and they left together.
After watching their mother-in-law and brother-in-law leave, Zhang’s eldest sister-in-law couldn’t help but comment, "Our youngest sister is so lucky. Not only did she marry into a good family, but her in-laws are so kind. They’re sending her to the county hospital a full half-month early. The level of care is really unmatched!"
Zhang’s second sister-in-law nodded. "Yes, a half-month in Bobai must cost a fortune. In other families, even if they could afford it, they wouldn’t be so generous. Our youngest sister really found a golden nest."
...
While Deng Yuntao was bringing his mother-in-law, Zhang Xiuping also told her two close friends about her plan to go to Bobai early for the birth.
Unsurprisingly, this news elicited exclamations of surprise from her friends. Going to the county hospital a full half-month early was unheard of in the countryside. Even those who went to the county hospital for childbirth usually did so only when there were complications.
...
The Next Day.
After breakfast, Deng Shirong, Zhang’s mother, Deng Yuntao, Zhang Xiuping, Deng Yunzhen, Bu Dafang, and Bu Dashan, a total of seven people, headed to Tanlian Road.
Bu Dafang and Bu Dashu, the sister and brother, naturally wouldn’t be going all the way to Bobai. They were only following the group to Tanlian Intersection to ride their bicycles back home.
Originally, Deng Shirong could have taken a bus right at the village entrance, without needing to walk all the way to Tanlian Intersection, as the bus from Shabu Commune to Bobai passed through the village entrance.
However, the road from the village to Tanlian Intersection was in such poor condition that Deng Shirong was worried about the rough ride affecting his eldest daughter-in-law. So, he suggested they all go to Tanlian Intersection, where the road to Bobai was much better.
At that moment, Zhang Xiuping was sitting on the back of the bicycle, while Deng Yuntao was pushing the bicycle and walking with the group.
Bu Dashu, on the other hand, was riding the bicycle loaded with their luggage. He would ride for a while, then stop to wait for the others to catch up, and then continue riding.
After more than an hour, the group finally reached Tanlian Intersection.
Once they had unloaded the luggage from the bicycles, Deng Shirong said, “Alright, Dafang and Dashu, you two can head back now!”
The Bu siblings nodded and said their goodbyes to everyone before each riding a bicycle back home.
Tanlian Intersection was on the main road of Bobai County, with much more traffic than the mountain village of Shuangwang.
Therefore, the group only had to wait for less than half an hour before a bus heading to Bobai County arrived.
...
Midday.
On the streets of Bobai County.
Deng Shirong led his son, daughter-in-law, and mother-in-law to the two-story building he had rented.
Seeing the two-story building, Zhang’s mother was filled with surprise. She had thought her in-laws would rent a single room, not an entire two-story building.
The building was somewhat old, but after renovation, it looked quite nice.
Especially when she saw the light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, Zhang’s mother couldn’t take her eyes off them.
In this era, only a small portion of the rural areas in Bobai County had electricity, while most did not. Poxin Village, naturally, hadn’t been electrified yet.
Now, living in a two-story building in the county and using electric lights, even if the house was rented, Zhang’s mother felt extremely excited.
After all, in this era, the greatest aspiration for rural people was a phrase popular since the 1950s: "Upstairs and downstairs, electric lights, and telephones."
This house already had the upstairs and downstairs, and the electric lights. Only a telephone was missing, which was the dream life for rural people.
...
Deng Shirong introduced the layout, “Mother-in-law, the first floor has only this one room, with a bathroom and a kitchen next to it. The second floor has four rooms, three of which have beds. Two of those rooms also have wardrobes. Mother-in-law, you can choose a room with a wardrobe, and the other room will be for Yuntao and Aiping.”
Hearing this, Zhang’s mother quickly declined, “In-law, I only have a few changes of clothes, I don’t need a wardrobe. I can just put them on the bed. The room with the wardrobe should be for your daughter.”
Deng Yunzhen quickly waved her hands, “Auntie, I also only have a few changes of clothes, so I don’t need a wardrobe. You can stay in that room.”
Deng Shirong laughed, “Mother-in-law, don’t decline. You’ll need the wardrobe for the baby’s diapers and other things. It will definitely be useful.”
Deng Yuntao and Zhang Xiuping also chimed in to persuade her.
Finally, Zhang’s mother said, “If that’s the case, I won’t decline.”
Soon, the rooms were assigned.
Deng Shirong took the room on the first floor, while Zhang’s mother and Deng Yuntao’s couple got the two rooms with wardrobes on the second floor. The remaining room with a bed was left for Deng Yunzhen.
After settling in, everyone unpacked their luggage, and then they went out to eat with light hearts.
(End of Chapter)
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