Chapter 339: Showing Piety at the In-Laws' Home

Chapter 339: Showing Piety at the In-Laws' Home

The next day.

Deng Shirong's family and their relatives and friends all boarded a bus to return home for the New Year.

Deng Yunzhen, now a married woman, naturally returned to Songwang Township's Shanzhixin Village with the Zhu family for the New Year.

There are many things to do during the New Year, such as cleaning the house, making various types of glutinous rice cakes like sweet cakes, ash water cakes, and rice heart cakes, and offering sacrifices to various deities.

In Songwang Township, the most commonly worshiped deities are usually Guanyin Bodhisattva, Huaguang Dadi, and Tudi Gong. These are worshipped by every household.

In addition, they also worship Qiye.

Qiye, in the southern regions of Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as Hong Kong and Macau, is a term used to refer to a godfather.

According to superstition, people with deficiencies in the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) need to eat Qiye or Qiniang's food to make up for these deficiencies, ensuring healthy growth and a long life.

So, families with children often consult fortune tellers to identify any imbalances in the five elements. If found, they would quickly seek a Seventh Master or Seventh Miss to compensate for the deficiency.

Recognizing a Qiye or Qiniang is commonly referred to as "entering the qi."

There are specific customs for eating Qiye or Qiniang's food: boys must recognize a Qiniang, and girls must recognize a Qiye. First, suitable adult men or women with compatible "fate signs" are found, and then gifts are brought to request rice. If they agree, the relationship of Qiye, Qiniang, Qier, and Qinv is established, and they must maintain this relationship for life.

Of course, the above is the way of recognizing Qiye in Guangdong and other places.

In Songwang Township, however, recognizing Qiye is quite different. Besides recognizing humans as Qiye, there is also recognizing deities and objects.

Recognizing deities means recognizing various gods, such as the author recognizing Huaguang Dadi. Recognizing objects can be quite varied, such as recognizing a stone or a tree.

Recognizing humans as Qiye has some differences from other places, but overall, it is similar.

Recognizing deities and objects, on the other hand, requires offering sacrifices annually, usually until the child grows up and gets married, at which point the relationship is dissolved.

Dissolving the Qiye relationship is also a significant ritual, requiring a specialist to oversee it. Some people need to prepare the three sacrificial animals (chicken, fish, meat), while others need to prepare a complete set of pig parts (four claws and all). It is a rather complicated process.

Besides offering sacrifices to Qiye, there is also the practice of "repaying the blessings."

At the beginning of each year, the villagers in Songwang Township start by seeking blessings, and at the end of the year, they repay these blessings, repeating this cycle annually.

Seeking blessings is not uniform; some people seek blessings at the Ahuzhu Gong hall, some at the Tudi Gong shrine, some at the Huaguang Dadi shrine, and even some seek blessings from "masters."

In simple terms, you seek blessings from the deity you believe in, asking them to protect you.

At the end of each year, it is the time for villagers to repay their blessings.

With so many things to do, it is impossible not to be busy at the end of the year.

Besides these activities, there is also the annual scholarship and clan meeting to be held.

Originally, Deng Shirong had planned to propose the reconstruction of Naye Primary School at this year's clan meeting. However, considering that the clan had just spent a significant amount on rebuilding the ancestral hall, it was best to let the clan members rest for a while and wait until the Spring Festival transportation dividends were distributed.

This was not because Deng Shirong was in a hurry, but because he remembered that in 1987, for some reason, a wave of fundraising for school construction swept through the county, with a total fundraising amount exceeding ten million. This led to the construction of numerous school buildings and dormitories in the county and various townships.

Once this wave of school construction began, the Naye Deng clan, as the most prominent clan in Songwang Township, would certainly have to contribute significantly.

The primary target of the fundraising would naturally be Naye Primary School, and Deng Shirong planned to make it one of the best-equipped primary schools in the county.

Only in this way could the Naye Deng clan keep up with its development.

If there were any remaining resources, they would also contribute to the construction of Songwang Junior High School.

There were also projects such as road construction, bridge building, and river dam construction that needed to be put on the agenda.

Even if conditions allowed, Deng Shirong wanted to build a uniform style of villas in the village.

However, one must take things step by step. These major projects did not need to be rushed. At least, the villagers needed some time to develop, and they should not be drained of their resources by starting another project as soon as they had some money.

...

Amidst the busyness, it was soon New Year's Eve.

The dinner was as sumptuous as ever. As they started eating, Xiaodong'er asked with a puzzled look, "Grandpa, where is Auntie? We are having the New Year's Eve dinner, but why hasn't she come back yet?"

The person who had taken care of Xiaodong'er the most from childhood was not her parents, nor her grandparents, but her aunt. Therefore, it was natural for Xiaodong'er to have the deepest bond with her aunt and to ask this question.

Deng Shirong reached out to pat his granddaughter's little head and said with a smile, "Xiaodong'er, your aunt has already married. From now on, she will have her New Year's Eve dinner with her in-laws and not come back to our house for the New Year's Eve dinner!"

Upon hearing this, his daughter and daughter-in-law sighed deeply. Once a woman marries, many things indeed change.

Xiaodong'er asked somewhat gloomily, "When will Auntie come back?"

Zhang Xiuping comforted her, "Just eat your meal, dear. Auntie will be back the day after tomorrow!"

Xiaodong'er responded with an "Oh" and obediently continued eating.

As for the "heartless" Dongzi, he was happily gnawing on a braised pig trotter with both his little hands!

...

At the same time.

Songwang Township, Shanzhixin Village.

Since the family split, the Zhu family had always celebrated the New Year separately, never gathering together.

However, this year was different. Zhu Dage's family and Zhu Ergo's family brought chickens, ducks, fish, and meat to the old house to celebrate the New Year with their elderly parents.

This year's reunion dinner was cooked by the new daughter-in-law, Deng Yunzhen. Zhu Dage's wife, Zhu Ergo's wife, and the younger female relatives all helped, preparing a table full of delicious dishes.

After finishing cooking, Deng Yunzhen was washing her hands at the sink when Zhu Junjie eagerly came over, helping her take off her apron and grinning, "Honey, you've worked hard today!"

Deng Yunzhen shook her head, "It wasn't hard. The washing and cutting were all done by the older sisters, I just did the stir-frying."

Zhu Junjie put the apron aside and praised her with honeyed words, "That's not just stir-frying; you turned ordinary ingredients into exquisite dishes. We are truly blessed this year. I've grown up for over twenty years, and this is probably the best reunion dinner I've ever had."

Deng Yunzhen glanced at him and smiled, "Keep your voice down, or Mom will be unhappy."

"I'm just speaking the truth, Mom isn't that petty!"

Saying this, Zhu Junjie took her hand and said, "Come on, let's eat. The food will get cold otherwise!"

Without a doubt, when the meal started, Deng Yunzhen's cooking received high praise from all the Zhu family members.

Compared to Deng Yunzhen, the culinary skills of Grandma Zhu, Zhu Dage's wife, and Zhu Ergo's wife were far inferior. It was indeed the first time the Zhu family had tasted such delicious reunion dinner.

During the meal, Deng Yunzhen naturally thought of her own family. In previous years, she would always have the reunion dinner with her family, but from this year on, the family she would be with would no longer be the Dengs, but the Zhous!

Zhu Junjie was a very considerate person. While drinking with his older brother, younger brother, and nephews, he kept an eye on his wife. Seeing the subtle change in her expression, he guessed she was missing her family.

He didn't say much, just reached under the table to hold her hand.

Deng Yunzhen was just experiencing a temporary emotional shift. Her husband's attentiveness quickly cheered her up, and she enjoyed the meal and drinks with her in-laws, making for a lively and joyful gathering.

After a few rounds of drinks, seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Zhu Dage's wife asked, "Ahzhen, we've been farming for so many years, and life has been tough. You've seen the world and have great abilities. Can you help the children find jobs in the county town?

Anything would do, it's better than staying here and enduring a hard life with us."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Junjie couldn't help but frown. He felt that his older sister-in-law shouldn't have said such a thing at this time and place. Ahzhen had just married into the family, and making such a request was neither appropriate nor considerate, putting her in a difficult position.

Zhu Dage also gave his wife a stern look. He had originally planned to discuss this matter privately with his brothers after the reunion dinner, but he hadn't expected his wife to be so impatient, and to directly ask his newly married sister-in-law. This was truly inconsiderate.

Zhu's grandmother's expression also changed slightly. She, of course, hoped that her grandchildren would have a better future and not have to stay in the village to farm, but her eldest daughter-in-law lacked tact. Couldn't this matter wait a bit longer, or at least be discussed with Ahjie first?

Directly asking the newly married daughter-in-law put a bad impression on her.

Zhu Ergo had the same thoughts as his older sister-in-law. Seeing her take the lead, he was no longer in a hurry.

Zhu Ergo's wife glanced at her older sister-in-law. She didn't have such a thick skin, and she thought it was really inappropriate to make such a request to someone who had just married into the family a few days ago.

Zhu Wang and Zhu Sheng, the brothers, were both hopeful yet embarrassed. They also felt that their mother's approach was a bit rushed, and the person to ask should be Uncle Man rather than Aunt Man.

All these thoughts flashed through their minds in an instant.

Although Deng Yunzhen found her older sister-in-law's request a bit abrupt, she had only been married for a few days and didn't fully understand Zhu Dage's wife's character and behavior. So far, Zhu Dage's wife had been quite warm to her.

Therefore, Deng Yunzhen didn't overthink it and replied, "Older sister, it's not difficult for me to help the nephews and nieces find jobs, but I actually don't recommend they work in the county town. The wages in the county town are not high, only about twenty to thirty yuan a month."

It could be said that in the late 1980s, more and more people from Baise County were heading to Guangdong to work. Although not every village had someone go to Guangdong, there was definitely someone from each town who did. However, due to many people keeping their income hidden, not everyone knew about the high wages in Guangdong.

It wasn't until the 1990s that the high wages in Guangdong were widely known in Baise, leading to a large influx of people to work in Guangdong.

It could be said that in the 1990s, any young, unmarried person from Baise's countryside, regardless of gender, would go to Guangdong to work if they were not in school. Even those who were married and had no children would go to Guangdong to work.

A few years before the large influx, the people in Shanzhixin Village were unaware of the high earnings from working in Guangdong.

Therefore, when Deng Yunzhen said this, Zhu Dage, Zhu Dage's wife, Zhu Ergo, Zhu Ergo's wife, and the rest of the Zhu family were shocked.

Zhu Dage's wife asked with a face full of surprise, "Ahzhen, are you serious? Working in a factory in Guangdong, you can earn over a hundred yuan a month?"

Deng Yunzhen smiled, "Of course, it's true. Our clan in Naye has a passenger transport company with several large buses running to Guangdong. We know the situation there. More and more people are going to Guangdong to work because of the high wages."

Zhu Ergo said, "The wages in the factories are high, but it's not easy to get a job, right? If you can't get a job, then the high wages are no use!"

Deng Yunzhen replied, "New factories are opening every day in Guangdong, all looking for workers. If you have the will, getting a job shouldn’t be hard, but there are all kinds of people, and safety isn’t guaranteed."

Zhu Dage's wife looked troubled, originally just wanting Deng Yunzhen to help arrange jobs for her children in the county town, even as waitresses in restaurants, which would still be better than farming. But the news from that that the wages in Guangdong were so high, it made her heart race. Who would choose a job that pays thirty to forty yuan a month when they could earn over a hundred a month in Guangdong?

However, as she was elated, her sister-in-law mentioned the mixed crowd and lack of safety, making her hesitate.

Deng Yunzhen paused for a moment, then continued, "Whether working in the county town or going to Guangdong, it’s just a dead wage. To become rich, it’s very difficult. It’s better to start a small business, gain experience, and slowly expand. Perhaps one day, you could become a big boss, which would be more promising than working."

Seeing her husband casually defuse the somewhat "difficult" request, Zhu Junjie's lips couldn't help but curl slightly.

Seeing the conversation reach this point, Zhu Dage also dispelled his worries and asked, "Ahzhen, when it comes to business, no one in our family can match you. What small business do you think they would be suitable for?"

This statement received nods of agreement from the rest of the Zhu family.

Speaking of business, not just their family, but probably the entire Songwang Township couldn't find a better entrepreneur than Deng Yunzhen.

Not being modest, Deng Yunzhen smiled slightly and said, "I do have a very good small business, with low investment and quick returns. A conservative estimate would be making two to three hundred yuan a month, which should be no small feat."

This statement left the Zhu family in awe, even Zhu Junjie showing a surprised expression.

At this moment, Zhu Dage's eyes were like Sun Wukong's fiery eyes, shining with eagerness. She couldn't wait to ask, "Ahzhen, what business are you talking about? Can you really make that much in a month?"

The others also looked at Deng Yunzhen with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

In the future, even for the lowest-ranking migrant workers, earning two to three hundred yuan a day was no great feat, but in this era, making two to three hundred yuan a month was a true big deal for rural people.

Deng Yunzhen didn't hold back, directly saying, "The business I'm talking about is selling fried shrimp fritters."

The Zhu family exchanged glances, Zhu Wang asked, "Sister-in-law, what are fried shrimp fritters?"

In the future, as long as one was from Baise, no one was unaware of fried shrimp fritters. Whether in the county town or the market in a town, one could find them. This snack was one of the most consumed by the 80s and 90s generation, a cherished memory from their youth that could never be erased.

However, at this point in time, shrimp fritters were still unfamiliar to most people in Baise County.

It was understandable; shrimp fritters were deep-fried, and in this era, most rural households lacked cooking oil. Who would indulge in using oil to fry shrimp fritters when they could barely afford it?

Therefore, even in the county town, let alone the rural markets, no one sold shrimp fritters.

Deng Yunzhen explained the ingredients needed for making shrimp fritters and then concluded, "To make shrimp fritters, apart from the oil, the rest is relatively inexpensive. The total investment is just a few dozen yuan, more than enough."

Zhu Wang continued, "Big Sister, we know the ingredients for shrimp fritters, but we have never seen or understood how to make them!"

Deng Yunzhen laughed and said, "You don't understand, but I do. If you are willing to do a small business, I can find time to teach you the method of making shrimp fritters. It's not complicated; you'll understand after watching once."

Zhu Dage, worried, asked, "Ahzhen, is selling fried shrimp fritters really that profitable?"

Deng Yunzhen didn't answer directly but said, "Big Sister, let's do the math. In the ingredients for shrimp fritters, the most expensive is the oil, followed by rice, sweet potatoes, and green onions. As for the shrimp, they are plentiful in the river, and you can catch them yourself. We won't go into the firewood cost."

"Oil can be reused, a pot of oil can last several days at least."

"The cost of rice, sweet potatoes, and green onions is not much either."

"One shrimp fritter can sell for two cents. Selling a thousand a day in the county town shouldn't be hard, which would be twenty yuan. Given the cost of the ingredients, it won't exceed ten yuan, so earning ten yuan a day is definitely no problem."

"If it's in the town, the business might not be as good on regular days, but on market days, selling a thousand or so should not be hard."

"So, making two or three hundred yuan a month is indeed hopeful."

These reasonable words stirred Zhu's family's hearts.

As Deng Yunzhen said, the production cost of the item was indeed not high, and the selling price was not expensive either.

It was already the late 1980s. Even though many farmers' living conditions were not great, the people in the countryside of Baise still placed great importance on market days. They usually stayed in the village and only swarmed to the town's market on those days.

This was the main reason why the number of people going to the county town for market days could exceed 40,000, to Songwang Township could exceed 30,000, and to Longtan Town could exceed 27,000.

Generally speaking, people going to the market would spend money, the issue was just how much.

Besides buying necessities for the household, parents would definitely buy some snacks for their children, such as fruits or candies, and they would not be stingy about spending a yuan or so on snacks for their children, but they would be reluctant to spend only a few jiao.

Zhu Junjie looked at his nieces and nephews and said, "You've explained it clearly, working is no good. If you want to make big money, you must work hard on this small business, and once you've earned enough capital, you can do a bigger business."

"Uncle Man, we understand!"

"Thank you, Uncle Man!"

"Thank you, Uncle Man!"

"..."

Deng Yunzhen smiled and said, "No need to thank me. If all of you want to do it, then you should first discuss and divide different places. For instance, who will go to the county town to set up a stall, who will set up a stall in the town, and divide it in advance. This way, siblings won't compete for business."

"Whether in the county town or the town, there's no need to compete. The foot traffic in the county town is the highest, but the town has its advantages too."

Zhu Junjie added, "For instance, Songwang Township's market days are on the third, sixth, and ninth, while Longtan Town's market days are on the first, fourth, and seventh, and Dongping Town's market days are on the second, fifth, and eighth. By setting up a stall in the town, you can catch a market day every day. This is a bit more tiring, but the foot traffic is the highest, and you will definitely earn more than setting up a stall in the county town."

These words made the younger generation nod their heads one after another, each starting to calculate in their hearts.

Old Zhu and Grandma Zhu listened without a word.

At this moment, seeing the problem raised by her elder daughter-in-law perfectly resolved by her younger daughter-in-law, Grandma Zhu felt a weight lifted off her heart. She smiled and said, "Ahzhen, let's not talk anymore. Hurry up and eat, or the food will get cold."

Deng Yunzhen responded and then continued to enjoy the various dishes she had personally prepared.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end