Chapter 321: The Eldest Daughter's Dowry

Chapter 321: The Eldest Daughter's Dowry

  New Year's Eve.

  Na Ye Village.

  Deng Shirong prepared a large feast again. This year would likely be the last time his eldest daughter would celebrate the New Year at home. After she married next year, she would have to stay at her in-laws' place for the holiday.

  In other parts of the country, it is quite common for daughters to bring their husbands back to their parents' home for the New Year. However, things are different in Bobai.

  If the parents' home is nearby, daughters can bring their husbands back for a family dinner, which many couples do in modern times. The husbands often joke about it as "annual inspection."

  However, while having a family dinner is acceptable, staying overnight is not. Both now and in the future, unless there are special circumstances, daughters and their husbands do not stay overnight on New Year's Eve and must return to their in-laws' home, no matter how late it is.

  Of course, this is in rural areas. In the city, such customs are not as strict.

  During the meal, Deng Yuntai, Zhang Xiuping, Deng Yunzhen, and Deng Yunzhu accompanied Deng Shirong for drinks.

  Since his rebirth, Deng Shirong has enjoyed a couple of drinks with his meals every day. However, he drinks responsibly and has never truly gotten drunk, unlike those who won't stop until they are completely intoxicated.

  For Deng Shirong, drinking is merely for enjoyment. Under his influence, his children and their spouses also join him for drinks during holidays or other celebratory occasions.

  As for Deng YunSong, Deng YunHua, and Deng YunHeng, who are all under eighteen, they can only drink Jianlibao for now.

  Mentioning Jianlibao, those from the 70s and 80s would have a deep impression of it, and even some from the 90s would have had their fair share of it as children.

  This domestic beverage dominated the market for over a decade, becoming the undisputed leader in the domestic beverage industry. No other beverage could match its dominance. However, despite its advantages, it ultimately fell not to its competitors but to internal strife, which is truly a pity.

  As the family ate and chatted, the conversation naturally turned to Deng Yunzhen's marriage.

  Deng Yunzhu asked, "Sister, Second Brother said he can't determine his holiday schedule in advance. When do you plan to have the wedding?"

  Deng Yunzhen put down her chopsticks and looked at her father, saying, "Let Dad decide. I'm fine with any date."

  "The house in the county town is already being renovated. I plan to use it as your wedding house, so the wedding date will depend on the renovation progress next year," Deng Shirong said, then picked up a sandworm and slowly chewed it.

  He had specially stir-fried the sandworms for his drinks. He poured a large bowl of raw salt into the wok, heated it, and then added the dried sandworms, stir-frying them on medium-low heat. The result was a fragrant, sweet, and chewy dish, an excellent accompaniment to drinks, though it was quite expensive and not something most families could afford.

  Deng Yunzhu remarked, "Sister, your future husband is truly blessed to have you!"

  Zhang Xiuping also laughed, "Indeed, with a restaurant and a house, your dowry, Yunzhen, is probably unmatched in the entire county."

  Deng Yunzhen couldn't help but smile. She wasn't greedy for her dowry, but her father's efforts to prepare such a good dowry for her showed how much he valued her as a daughter, which made her very happy.

  Deng Shirong took a sip of his drink and added, "I have made arrangements for all seven of you. Even if you just follow the plan, you will have a prosperous life. If you have the ability to expand the businesses I have set up for you, that would be even better."

  Deng Yunzhu's eyes lit up, and she asked, "Father, you have made arrangements for me too?"

  She was currently in her second year of high school, still a year and a half away from graduation. She hadn't been in a rush to think about her future, and her second cousin's wife had suggested she attend a teacher training school after high school.

  While she wasn't particularly interested in further education, becoming a teacher was a decent job, so she hadn't outright rejected the idea, planning to decide later.

  Now, hearing her father's words, she was naturally very interested.

  Deng Shirong said, "Don't worry, whatever your sister has, you will have too. We'll discuss the specifics after you graduate."

  Deng Yunzhu scratched her head, saying, "Father, you're leaving me in suspense! This is just making me anxious!"

  Deng Shirong sighed, "Your grades aren't great. If I tell you now, you might lose even more focus on your studies. I don't expect you to get into university, but you must finish high school seriously."

  Deng Yunzhu's eyes twinkled, and she said, "Father, don't worry. I promise to finish high school seriously."

  Seeing her intense curiosity, Deng Shirong knew that not telling her would only make her think about it all the time. He reluctantly revealed, "You've seen the hotpot restaurant your eldest cousin runs. After you graduate from high school, if you don't get into university, you can open a hotpot restaurant."

  Deng Yunzhu was surprised, "Open a hotpot restaurant?"

  Deng Yuntai, Zhang Xiuping, Deng Yunzhen, and others were also surprised. They hadn't expected that Father (or Father-in-law) had arranged for Yunzhu (or Second Sister) to open a hotpot restaurant.

Although Cousin Bu Dashu's mutton hotpot restaurant seemed to be doing well, it still had a significant gap compared to the Shuifeng Restaurant.

Deng Shirong smiled and asked, "What? You all think a hotpot restaurant is worse than a regular restaurant?"

Zhang Xiuping said, "Dad, our vision can't compare to yours, and our understanding of hotpot restaurants is limited. It was only after Cousin Bu followed your advice and opened that mutton hotpot restaurant that we realized what a hotpot restaurant is like."

Deng Yunzhu also nodded and said, "Yes, Dad. Cousin Bu's mutton hotpot restaurant is the first one we've seen. We don't really understand it well."

Deng Shirong picked up a peanut and tossed it into his mouth, chewing as he spoke, "Due to our vast territory and diverse ethnic groups, there are significant differences in customs and dietary culture across different regions. Therefore, in the catering industry, it's very difficult to unify tastes across the country.

What we find delicious might be considered average or even inedible by people from other provinces, and what they find delicious might be considered inedible by us.

There are very few dishes that can be universally recognized as delicious by people all over the country, and hotpot is one of them."

Deng Yunzhu listened with wide eyes, "Dad, hotpot is that amazing?"

The others were also greatly shocked. In this era, with limited information and few people traveling far, their understanding of hotpot was indeed limited.

Seeing the amazed expressions of his children and their spouses, Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Of course it's amazing. Apart from a few exceptions, most people across the country enjoy hotpot. Think about how big the market is.

If a hotpot restaurant is well-managed, it can open branches like a supermarket. If you have the capability, you can open hotpot branches all over the country. The profits from a chain of hotpot restaurants would likely exceed all of our imaginations."

Deng Yunzhu felt a surge of excitement, wishing she could open hotpot restaurants all over the country immediately.

Deng Yuntai was also greatly shocked, but his steady personality quickly calmed him down. He said, "Managing one hotpot restaurant is already difficult, let alone opening them all over the country. This isn't something that can be achieved overnight. Yunzhu, you should focus on finishing high school first. When the time comes, you can start from scratch and prepare for your hotpot restaurant. Once you have accumulated rich experience and earned some money, then you can consider opening branches."

Deng Yunzhen agreed, "Yes, Dad is just telling you about the market potential of the industry. Business isn't that easy!"

Deng Yunzhu was still quite clear-headed. She knew that opening hotpot restaurants all over the country was a distant goal. She responded, "Big Brother, Sister, I understand. I'm not that naive. I know that you can't achieve everything at once."

Deng Shirong was pleased to hear this and said, "That's good to hear. Opening hotpot restaurants all over the country is your ultimate goal. In practice, you should take it one step at a time. But that's for the future. For now, your goal is to study hard and learn as much as you can. This will be beneficial for your future development."

Deng Yunzhu nodded, "Dad, I understand. I will study hard."

Hearing this, Deng Yunhua couldn't help but ask, "Dad, what about me? What business have you arranged for me?"

Deng Shirong looked exasperated and said, "You're only in your first year of high school. What's the rush?"

Deng Yunhua retorted, "Second Sister is only one year ahead of me."

Deng Shirong glanced at him and said, "Your second sister is only one year ahead of you, but she is four years older than you and is already an adult. That's why I told her in advance. You are still far from adulthood, and telling you now would be pointless.

Your grades aren't good to begin with. Don't daydream. Finish high school first."

Deng Yunhua reluctantly responded, "Okay!"

Deng Shirong thought for a moment and decided to reveal a little bit more. He said, "I have arranged businesses for all of you in Nanning. After all, Bobai is just a county, and its prospects for development can't compare to Nanning, the capital."

Deng Yuntai and Zhang Xiuping already knew that their father had bought land and built a building in Nanning, so they were very calm. However, Deng Yunzhu, Deng Yunhua, and the others were hearing this for the first time. They were surprised and naturally felt some trepidation.

Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, is indeed not comparable to Bobai.

However, leaving the familiar environment of Bobai to develop in Nanning would naturally cause them some stress.

Of course, that's for the future. Thinking about it now is premature.

After that, the family didn't dwell on this topic and instead discussed the most popular topic in the clan recently—the reconstruction of the ancestral hall.

...

County Town.

County Government Compound.

County Chief Song's family was also having their New Year's Eve dinner.

Song Yu was currently working in Nanning. It only took a few hours by bus to get home, so she naturally came back for the New Year's holiday.

Song Yu had three siblings. Her elder brother had no talent for studies, barely graduating from high school, and then, under their father's arrangement, he started working at a food company and had since become a small leader there, a position that was neither too high nor too low.

Her elder sister also worked at the food company, but as a regular employee.

Her younger sister also failed to get into university and was arranged by their father to work at the power Company.

Song County Chief, based on his work experience, gave his eldest daughter some advice and then asked, "Xiao Yu, have you been in touch with your classmate Deng Yunheng recently?"

Song Yu replied, "Of course, we write letters to each other often."

Song County Chief asked, "I heard from his father that he chose a political career after graduating from university this year. Where has he been assigned to work?"

Song Yu said with admiration, "He joined the State Planning Commission, and his work is going quite smoothly. He gets along well with his colleagues and superiors."

Song County Chief praised, "Joining the ministry, his future is truly limitless. After a few years of experience in the ministry, he could be transferred to a local position, and by then, he might be on par with me. That's really impressive!"

Song Yu's elder brother was shocked and said, "Dad, that's a bit exaggerated, isn't it? Just a few years and he'll be at your level?"

Song County Chief glanced at his eldest son and said, "When I told you to study hard, you didn't listen. The value of a Peking University degree is beyond your imagination. Xiao Yu chose to work in Nanning, and if everything goes well, she has a good chance of reaching my level within ten years.

As for Deng Yunheng, joining the ministry is even more impressive. With the right leadership support, his promotion will be much faster than in a local position. If Xiao Yu can reach my level in ten years, Deng Yunheng might only need five or six years."

This statement left Song Yu's mother, elder brother, elder sister, and younger sister speechless.

Song Yu sighed, "He was already outstanding in school, one of the most prominent students. Once he entered the workforce, he wouldn't be any worse than anyone else. It's quite normal for him to reach Dad's level in a few years.

After all, the starting point for Peking University graduates is something many people struggle their entire lives to achieve. There's no comparison."

Song Yu's elder brother and younger sister exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes. They, who couldn't even get into university, felt a huge gap compared to their sister, a Peking University graduate.

Song Yu's mother added, "Speaking of your classmate, your father owes his father a favor."

Song Yu looked at her father, question, "Dad, what favor do owe you owe Deng't favor?"

Song County Chief's father said, "This year, " Deng't told me, " Deng't father.

Song was affected by severe pests and pests this year. In June, your classmate's father Deng came to my office and a problem. He suggested we call a meeting with leaders from all the townships to promote planting sweet potatoes instead of late rice to avoid the same year of pests.. happened.. Deng.

county suffered a severe pests problem this year year, Deng to plant's the late's.

's planting sweet potatoes and a favorable his.

avoiding significant losses. had it not been for your classmate's father's advice, very valuable. If we handle it well, it could be a significant achievement for your father."

Song County Chief smiled, "When the opportunity arises, I'll return the favor."

...

...

On New Year's Eve, the clans from the upper and lower villages gathered at Deng Deng Deng Deng Deng Deng Shirong's house to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

Before the gala began, everyone gathered chatting and chatting. The topic eventually turned to the issue of electricity.

Deng YunGui said, "The three-tube power station at Tigerhead Reservoir has been completed this year. we don heard. heard whether whether we can be electricity. yet, Deng Deng been opportunity Deng power, been source is insufficient strong enough."

Deng Yunqiang shook his, ", ", "It's difficult. There's no news at all, so it's unlikely we'll get electricity soon."

Deng Yunfeng added,, "I heard someone from the power station say that the electricity from Tigerhead Reservoir will supply Longtan, Daba, NaBu, ShaPi, SongWang, XinTian, and our ShuangWang townships. The power supply is actually insufficient, so only the market must have electricity, but the villages will have to wait seen the.

's.

Deng electricity, Deng Deng electricity.

we get, it will be a significant achievement for the county."

Deng Yunkun said,, the prestige of, Deng Deng will of electricity's Deng Deng power.

Deng Deng.

Deng Yunkun added, "Not having electricity is indeed inconvenient. We can't use any household appliances."

Deng Yunfeng smiled, "If you want electricity, hurry up and the the the the houses in the's time to the the house in the county, electricity. Once you move to the county, you won no longer worry about electricity."

Deng Yunqiang added, "Of course, we will renovate the houses in electricity, the house in the county. But we mostly live in the village, so it would be best if the village could get electricity."

Deng YunGui looked at Deng Shirong and said, "Uncle, after the New Year, why don't you talk to the township leaders about this? They? electricity? They could electricity? your, electricity, have's would, in."

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a significant milestone.

If things progressed as they did in his previous life, it would still be a long wait for their village to get electricity. In his previous life, except for a few well-off families, most of the villagers were indifferent to whether they had electricity or not. Even if they did get electricity, they would only install a light bulb and use it sparingly, keeping their monthly electricity bills at a level that would shock people from the future.

This was why, in his previous life, the entire village's electricity usage didn't even match half of his family's consumption. They were just too frugal.

But this life was different. Under his influence, the villagers' economic conditions had greatly improved, and they naturally yearned for the village to get electricity as soon as possible.

Thinking about this, Deng Shirong replied, "Alright, after the New Year, I'll talk to the township leaders about this and try to get our village electrified as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, the villagers couldn't help but feel excited. They had great confidence in their clan head. With him taking the lead, they believed that getting electricity for the village was only a matter of time.

Thus, they all started discussing what household appliances they would buy once the village got electricity, as if it was already a certainty.

Soon, amidst the chatter of the villagers, the annual Spring Festival Gala officially began.

Then, the villagers all fell silent, focusing their attention on the TV.

The gala was as captivating as ever. Especially the sketch "Lamb Skewers" performed by the golden duo, Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao, which had the villagers laughing uncontrollably. Chen Peisi's portrayal of the vendor was impeccable, living up to his reputation as the leading figure in the sketch comedy world of that era.

As for Uncle Benshan, he wouldn't make his debut on the gala until 1990, so his era hadn't arrived yet!

As the clock struck midnight, Deng Shirong felt a bit disoriented. Born in 1936, he was 44 when he was reborn in 1980. Now, in 1986, he was about to turn 50.

As the saying goes, at fifty, one knows the will of heaven. For most people, reaching this age meant their life was entering its final stage, and they should enjoy what they can while preparing to meet their ancestors.

However, Deng Shirong wasn't worried. After all, in his previous life, he had lived to be 88. Even if his lifespan remained the same in this life, he still had another 38 years to live!

...

The second day of the New Year.

Today was the day for married daughters to visit their parents. Every household in Poxin Village was busy slaughtering chickens and ducks to entertain guests.

Among the many married daughters returning to their parents' homes, Zhang Xiuping, Ou Guofang, and Ou Guohua, who had grown up together, were the most eye-catching.

There was no need to elaborate on Zhang Xiuping. She had married well. When she first got married, her father-in-law ran a pottery factory with a partner, earning several hundred yuan a month, while her husband was the master potter, earning over 200 yuan a month.

This income, even by today's standards, was considered very high, and five or six years ago, it was almost unmatched.

Moreover, this was just the beginning. Soon after, her father-in-law invested over 300,000 yuan to open the largest and most upscale restaurant in the county, shocking the villagers who heard about it.

What was even more unbelievable was that the income from the restaurant went directly into Zhang Xiuping's pocket...

Honestly, no one who heard this news could make sense of it. In that era, even the money one earned had to be handed over to their parents. Only after separating from the family would it go into one's own pocket. For her father-in-law to invest 300,000 yuan in a restaurant and then let his son and daughter-in-law manage and collect the profits was truly unconventional.

Following this, her father-in-law led the establishment of a passenger transport company in the clan, reportedly investing another 300,000 yuan.

Now, that transport company alone could earn over a million yuan during the Spring Festival.

Then, the clan pooled their resources to build a residential complex in the county.

Next, they opened a supermarket.

In just a few short years, various major projects came one after another, leaving the villagers of Poxin Village in a state of numbness.

Thus, when people mentioned Zhang Xiuping, they had only one thought—she had an incredibly good fate!

Apart from Zhang Xiuping, her cousins Ou Guofang and Ou Guohua were also envied by the villagers.

While they couldn't compare to Zhang Xiuping, they now not only had homes in the county but also ran clothing stores there, which were reportedly thriving, earning them at least a thousand yuan a month!

This income, looking across the entire Poxin Village, could only be matched by Zhang Xiuping's family. For other families to earn even a fraction of that amount would be considered excellent.

The success of the Ou sisters could naturally be attributed to Zhang Xiuping's good fortune. After all, their husbands were introduced to them by Zhang Xiuping's father-in-law, a fact that was no longer a secret in the village.

In short, Zhang Xiuping, Ou Guofang, and Ou Guohua, who had grown up together, had become the idols of all the young women in Poxin Village.

These unmarried young women all dreamed of marrying into such good families.

Unfortunately, dreams were just dreams. Turning them into reality was no easy task.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end