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Chapter 47: Energetic Young Men and the Desire to Marry
Chapter 47: Energetic Young Men and the Desire to Marry
After returning from Dai Chunqing’s house, Deng Shirong went straight to Deng Changwang’s place.
Deng Changwang was sitting at the door, weaving chicken and duck coops. Although his chickens and ducks wouldn’t be ready for sale until the end of the year, he needed to weave these coops now while the fields were less busy, to avoid running out when he needed them.
Seeing Deng Shirong, Deng Changwang looked up and smiled, “Ah, Uncle Jiugong, you’re here. Where have you been?”
Deng Shirong sat down on the stool in front of him and replied, “Nowhere special, just came to see you.”
Deng Changwang was a bit surprised, “Uncle Jiugong, is there something you need from me?”
Deng Shirong countered with a question, “If I remember correctly, you’re 22 this year, right?”
Deng Changwang nodded, “Yes, I’m 22.”
Deng Shirong continued, “You’re not getting any younger. I saw a very nice young woman at the food station today, and I think she’d be a good match for you. If you’re thinking about getting married, I can help set you up.”
Deng Changwang hadn’t expected Uncle Jiugong to be here as a matchmaker. But on second thought, it wasn’t that strange. The whole village knew that Uncle Jiugong had recently taken up matchmaking, and his success with Deng Changfu, who was now in the bliss of newlywed life, had made many envious. Even Deng Changmei, though not yet married, had already met her potential husband and was waiting for the production team to allocate the land before getting married, all thanks to Uncle Jiugong’s matchmaking.
So, hearing that Uncle Jiugong wanted to set him up, Deng Changwang felt a bit of excitement.
After all, young men in their twenties, full of energy, often found themselves changing their underwear in the middle of the night. How many of them wouldn’t want to get married?
Deng Changwang put down the half-finished coop and fetched a pipe for Uncle Jiugong, grinning, “Uncle Jiugong, who wouldn’t want to get married? Tell me more about this young woman. If she’s a good match, I’d love for you to help set us up.”
Deng Shirong took the pipe, pulled out a pack of tobacco and a box of matches from his pocket, and said, “Where are your parents? Call them over to listen too.”
Deng Changwang replied, “My father is fixing the embankment, and my mother just went to the vegetable garden to pick some vegetables. I’ll go call her.”
Deng Shirong nodded, “Go ahead, I’ll have a couple of pipes while you’re gone.”
With that, he tore a small piece of tobacco from the pack, lit it with a match, and started smoking, the smoke curling up as he drew deeply.
The family’s reserved land wasn’t far away, and after Deng Shirong had smoked a few pipes, Deng Changwang returned with his mother.
“Uncle Jiugong,” Changwang’s mother greeted him as soon as she arrived.
Deng Shirong acknowledged her with a nod and got straight to the point, “The young woman I want to introduce to Changwang is from Duodong Village in Hanhe Brigade. She’s 20 years old, about 1.58 meters tall, and quite attractive. She’s skilled in both farming and household chores.
Although she only went to school for a few years, she’s not someone who can’t adapt. When I talked to her, I could tell she’s a thoughtful person, not content with just farming. She’s interested in livestock breeding, which aligns well with Changwang’s interests.”
Deng Changwang was intrigued. Although the country had been undergoing reforms for two years, the idea of starting a livestock business still carried significant risks, and most people were hesitant to take that step.
This year, the few dozen chickens and ducks he had raised were a test. If everything went smoothly and he made some money, he planned to expand his livestock next year. Having a wife who shared his vision would definitely help his “business” grow.
After all, the title of "virtuous wife" isn't just a hollow phrase.
Deng Shirong continued, "She has five siblings: one older brother, two younger brothers, and one younger sister, none of whom are married yet. Her family is also not in the best financial condition, so if we were to marry her, the dowry might be a bit higher."
Upon hearing this, Changwang's mother expressed some concern, "Uncle Jiu, everything else is fine, but I'm worried that after she marries, she might still think about helping her family. That could be a big burden."
Deng Shirong smiled, "It's inevitable for a married daughter to help her family, but this help should have limits. She will assist her family without affecting her husband's family. I will make sure to clarify this with her family beforehand."
Changwang's mother sighed in relief and nodded, "We are reasonable people. If we become in-laws, it's only right to offer some support, as long as it's not to the point where they take everything good from our family to give to their own."
Deng Shirong turned to Deng Changwang and asked, "Changwang, what do you think? If you have no objections, I'll arrange for you to meet her at the Twenty-Eighth Market."
Deng Changwang glanced at his mother and said, "If you think we're a good match, Uncle Jiu, I definitely want to meet her."
"Changwang's mother, what do you think?"
"Uncle Jiu, let's meet her first and see how it goes."
"Alright, it's settled. We'll meet at the Twenty-Eighth Market."
"Okay."
...
After returning from Deng Changwang's house, Deng Shirong saw his eldest daughter filling the water barrel. He couldn't help but sigh. In this era, not only did Yeg Village lack electricity, but even Shuangwang Market wouldn't get it until 1989. Without electricity, the only way to get water was to fetch it from the well.
The current well didn't even have a manual pump. They had to use hemp ropes or specially designed poles to lower buckets, fill them with water, and then pull them up with strength and skill.
Next to Deng Shirong's old house was an ancient well from which the family drew water daily.
Nowadays, the young women were accustomed to such physical labor. If a modern girl were to do this, not only would they find it impossible, but even if they managed, their shoulders would likely ache so much at night that they couldn't move.
Since the blue bricks weren't due to arrive for another two days and the foundation of the new house was already built with stones, no one came to help with the work today. The family had a simple dinner of plain porridge and pickled vegetables.
Lately, the family had been eating meat every day, so having a meal of plain porridge and pickled vegetables was a welcome change.
After dinner, as the family chatted at the door, Deng Shirong noticed a patch on his eldest daughter's pants. He said, "Aizhen, tomorrow is Longtan Market. Take all the cloth coupons we've saved over the past two years and buy some good fabric to make new clothes."
Deng Yunzhen was taken aback and said, "Dad, weren't those coupons saved for my future sister-in-law? If we use them now, what will we do when my brother finds a wife, and there are no coupons left to make clothes for her?"
Deng Shirong waved his hand, "Don't worry about that. I'll figure something out."
To Deng Yunzhen, her father was omnipotent. If he said he would find a way, he would. She excitedly agreed.
Seeing this, Deng Yunzhu looked at her father with pleading eyes and said, "Dad, can I go to Longtan Market too?"
Although it would be a bit of a strain to take two people on one bicycle, seeing his youngest daughter's hopeful expression, Deng Shirong couldn't bring himself to refuse. He nodded, "Alright, we'll all go tomorrow."
(End of Chapter)
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