Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Yan Lijun, The Meeting

The meat coupons and biscuits Xu Meiling brought over instantly lifted the gloomy mood in the Xu household, bringing back a cheerful atmosphere.

Lin Xiaomeng had already prepared breakfast. Since there was business to attend to at home today, she kept it simple and made some coarse grain pancakes.

Liu Guifang instructed her youngest son to hurry into town and buy back half a jin of meat to make up for what was missing, stuffing two pancakes into his hands as he left.

Xu Meiling not only ate two pancakes herself, but also snuck two more home for Chen Jianghe’s breakfast. Not having to get up early to cook—what a treat!

After breakfast, Lin Xiaomeng took charge of preparing lunch, with Liu Guifang and Xu Meiling helping out as assistants.

Xu Mingshan went out, who knows to do what; he never bothered with these household chores and would only show up at mealtime.

Xu Huaizhi helped the women clean and gut the fish.

Lin Xiaomeng didn’t bother to put on a pleasant face for the mother and daughter duo, keeping a sour expression the whole time.

After being wrongly accused early in the morning, she didn’t feel like doing anything at all.

It was only after Xu Huaizhi spoke to her privately, promising that once their third brother’s marriage was settled and he got married, he would insist on splitting the household with their parents—this time, for sure—that Lin Xiaomeng reluctantly agreed to help.

Liu Guifang didn’t dare provoke her either. After all, out of everyone in the family, only Lin Xiaomeng’s cooking was truly delicious.

With such good fish and meat, it would be a shame to ruin them, and the guests wouldn’t be happy either.

Xu Meiling was also ordered not to say a single extra word today. If the sisters-in-law started fighting again, it would be a real spectacle.

Lin Xiaomeng, rarely getting the chance to boss the two around, made the most of it.

“Mom, help me peel the garlic, and pick a handful of scallions and garlic shoots from the yard. We’ll need a lot today.

Meiling, wash these vegetables.”

Xu Meiling was unhappy. “Why don’t you wash them? The water’s freezing—what if my baby gets cold?”

Lin Xiaomeng wanted nothing more than to slap her.

“Can’t you see I’m cutting the meat? Or do you want to do it?”

Xu Meiling actually did want to, but Liu Guifang quickly pulled her back. “Have some sense, will you? With your knife skills, who could eat the meat you cut? You’d better behave yourself today. Don’t cause trouble, or even I won’t be able to protect you.”

Only then did Xu Meiling quiet down. She’d wanted to trade chores with her mother, but thinking of her new cotton shoes getting muddy in the yard, she resigned herself to washing the vegetables.

Lin Xiaomeng curled her lips in satisfaction. “See if I can’t handle you.”

She gave orders while her hands moved swiftly, slicing the pork belly into thin, even pieces.

This was the three taels of meat Xu Huaiyu had brought back from Xu Meiling’s house. Not much, but sliced thin, it would be enough for a small plate of twice-cooked pork.

Xu Meiling grumbled as she washed the vegetables.

Ever since she moved out, her life had become miserable.

She had more freedom, sure, but from then on, if she didn’t cook, no one would; every pair of stinky socks had to be washed by her.

Her once-comfortable pregnancy had turned into a daily grind—fetching water, gathering firewood, cooking, washing clothes, cleaning, and even waiting on Chen Jianghe hand and foot...

In short, endless chores.

She finally understood how hard it was to be someone’s wife. But since she was serving Chen Jianghe, she was still content for now—love really does make you feel full.

Xu Huaizhi walked past with the cleaned fish, the fishy smell making Xu Meiling gag and nearly vomit.

But the moment she saw the fish, her eyes lit up. There was fish and meat today—she’d have to sneak some back for Jianghe.

Xu Huaiyu pedaled his bike like the wind and finally returned with the extra meat.

He was still angry at Xu Meiling, his face long and sullen.

Xu Meiling didn’t dare provoke him.

Once the food was prepped and the time was right, Xu Huaiyu went to the village entrance to meet the guests.

Xu Mingshan returned home as well. The old couple changed into their cleanest, newest clothes and sat in the main room, waiting for the guests.

Liu Guifang even brewed a pot of tea, set out the biscuits Xu Meiling had brought, and the White Rabbit candies Xu Huaizhi had bought the day before.

There were also small plates of home-roasted pine nuts and hazelnuts on the table.

Everything was ready. Dacheng came running, wanting a White Rabbit candy, and his grandma gave him one to keep him quiet.

Soon, the guests arrived.

Xu Huaiyu greeted his future father-in-law with a big smile and a deep bow, took out the cigarettes he’d bought specially, and warmly invited his future mother-in-law and fiancée to sit, have some candy and biscuits, chatting enthusiastically—he looked every bit the model young man, a far cry from his morning self.

The Xu family was used to Xu Huaiyu’s tendency to put on a show.

His fiancée, Yan Lijun, was quite pretty, fitting the era’s standards—tall and attractive.

The two had been classmates, and by chance, ran into each other in the county recently.

Xu Huaiyu knew Yan Lijun’s family lived in the county, that she was a city girl and had a temp job, so he set his sights on her and began his pursuit.

He often invited her to movies, treated her to snacks, showered her with attention and care.

Yan Lijun was taken in by his looks—after all, who could resist a handsome guy chasing after you? Anyone would want a sweet romance.

All three Xu brothers were known for their looks—the most handsome lads in Xujiatun.

The eldest was the strong, honest type; the second was upright and proper, a model worker; the youngest, Xu Huaiyu, was a fair-skinned pretty boy with delicate features.

Only Xu Meiling was the odd one out, inheriting none of the good genes.

But back to the story.

Yan Lijun was, of course, being deceived by Xu Huaiyu. Her family, being city folk, had no need to “marry down” into the countryside.

On one hand, Xu Huaiyu was persistent and charming, and Yan Lijun liked him.

On the other, Xu Huaiyu painted a rosy picture—claiming his brother was a senior technician at the steel factory, and could easily get her a temp job.

He even promised that if she married him, he’d provide the “three rounds and one sound” (a bicycle, sewing machine, wristwatch, and radio).

To boost his own value, Xu Huaiyu even used his “crazy” second brother, turning him into a war hero with a first-class merit in his stories.

Yan Lijun was completely taken in. People in this era were naïve and, being in the thick of it, couldn’t tell truth from lies.

She discussed these conditions with her family, and seeing it all laid out, it didn’t seem so bad—almost on par with marrying a city boy.

Most importantly, Yan Lijun was head over heels for him.

That’s why her parents came today to check things out.

Xu Mingshan, being the village secretary, and Liu Guifang, a smooth talker, took turns singing Xu Huaiyu’s praises, impressing the Yan family for now.

Xu Huaiyu even took the chance to secretly slip Yan Lijun a White Rabbit candy, exchanging flirtatious glances.

The atmosphere in the main room was just right, and Lin Xiaomeng started preparing lunch.

With all the ingredients ready, it was time to cook.

A big fish stew simmered in the iron pot, surrounded by corn pancakes, filling the air with a delicious aroma.

A small plate of twice-cooked pork.

A plate of stir-fried river shrimp.

The half-jin of meat Xu Huaiyu brought back was lean, not much fat. Lin Xiaomeng used most of it for sweet and sour pork, and minced the rest for a pot of pork and vermicelli stew—at least there’d be some oil.

She finished with a bowl of scrambled eggs with sauce, served with fresh vegetables.

The main course was big steamed buns made from mixed flour, prepared earlier.

Altogether, it was an impressive spread.

The Yan family’s first impression of Xu Huaiyu and the Xu family was quite good.

Xu Huaiyu looked like a lively, capable young man, always smiling.

Though the Xu family were rural folk, Xu Mingshan was the village secretary—practically a local king in Xujiatun.

And the Xu family’s spacious brick house spoke volumes about their financial standing.

After a pleasant chat with Xu Mingshan, Yan Lijun’s parents were even more satisfied.

The Xu family was a good match.

Liu Guifang, though usually a troublemaker, was generous and sensible when it came to her son’s marriage.

In front of the Yan parents, she praised Yan Lijun to the skies, saying how much she hoped Yan Lijun would become her daughter-in-law.

She also said they’d already prepared the “three rounds and one sound” for Xu Huaiyu, just waiting for the new bride to join the family.

These words made Yan Lijun blush, and her parents, hearing her attitude firsthand, felt reassured.

To be honest, they were here for the “three rounds and one sound.”

The Yan family had four children—Yan Lijun was the eldest, with two younger brothers and a younger sister.

The eldest brother’s girlfriend was already pregnant, so they had to get married right away. But the girlfriend’s family was using the baby as leverage, demanding the “three rounds and one sound.”

The Yan family couldn’t bear to lose the grandchild, so they had to find a way to come up with the goods.

For years, Father Yan’s single salary supported the whole family, and money was tight. There was no way they could afford the “three rounds and one sound”—they didn’t even have enough ration coupons. At best, they could buy a sewing machine, since they had the coupons and enough money for that.

No matter how they tried to negotiate, the other family wouldn’t budge, even threatening to abort the baby.

So Father and Mother Yan set their sights on their eldest daughter, who was also in a relationship.

If her fiancé could provide the “three rounds and one sound,” they could borrow it for the younger brother’s wedding.

At first, Yan Lijun was strongly against her parents sacrificing her for her brother. She wasn’t stupid—“borrowing” was just an excuse to take her dowry for her brother’s marriage.

Even the best sibling relationship would crack under this.

Normally, the groom’s family’s gifts were for the newlyweds, and the bride’s family might add a few things, but rarely would parents take the dowry for themselves—that was unheard of.

But Father and Mother Yan begged her on their knees, threatened to starve themselves, even threatened suicide.

In the end, Yan Lijun gave in. As the eldest sister, this was her fate—there was nothing she could do.

So, once her parents confirmed she’d get the “three rounds and one sound” as a dowry, they felt relieved. They couldn’t find a better match right now, and their daughter liked the young man, so they decided to go ahead.

Both families had their own agendas, each playing their own game.

Lunch was served.

Xu Mingshan, Liu Guifang, Xu Huaiyu, and Xu Huaizhi ate with the Yan family in the main room.

Lin Xiaomeng, Dacheng, and Xu Meiling had a separate table in the kitchen.

Since there wasn’t much sweet and sour pork or twice-cooked pork, those dishes weren’t served at their table.

But there was plenty of fish stew, corn pancakes, and pork and vermicelli stew.

Dacheng, just a child, didn’t complain.

Xu Meiling grumbled about not being allowed to eat at the main table, but still ate her fill and packed a lunchbox full of food—no doubt to take back for Chen Jianghe.

A grown woman, picking through the food for meat—how disgusting.

Lin Xiaomeng served some dishes for her son and herself and ate quietly.

Once Xu Meiling had picked out most of the meat and stuffed herself with pancakes, she put down her chopsticks in disgust. “This is awful. I’m leaving!”

She didn’t forget to take her lunchbox with her.

Lin Xiaomeng’s patience was remarkable.

Whenever she was about to lose it, she’d remind herself of the promises Xu Huaizhi made—once Xu Huaiyu got married, they’d split the family.

Everything would get better."

"Chapter 127: Work

After Xu Meiling left, she finally took out a small plate of sweet and sour pork she’d hidden in her space and shared it with Dacheng.

Meanwhile, at the dining table in the main room, everyone was eating to their heart’s content.

With fish, meat, and shrimp on the table, it was clear how much the Xu family valued this meal. Add to that Lin Xiaomeng’s cooking skills, and it was the icing on the cake. The Yan family of three were all very satisfied.

Smiles appeared more frequently on Father Yan and Mother Yan’s faces as they praised how delicious and authentic the food was today.

Seeing that things were going well, Xu Huaiyu finally felt relieved. Under the table, he quietly gave Yan Lijun’s hand a gentle squeeze.

The two exchanged a smile.

After the meal, it was time to lay their cards on the table. Since this was a relationship formed freely, without a matchmaker, the next steps would be discussed directly by the elders of both families.

Father Yan and Mother Yan made their stance clear: Xu Huaiyu was a good young man, but he was currently unemployed and staying at home. That wouldn’t do. Yan Lijun had a job in the city—after marriage, it wouldn’t be possible for the couple to live apart, would it?

In short, Xu Huaiyu had to have a job to support a family—even if it was just a temporary position. They couldn’t have Yan Lijun earning the money to support the household after marriage, could they?

Xu Huaiyu forced a smile, but his expression was a bit sour. These old folks still looked down on him for not having a job.

Of course, Xu Mingshan wanted to find his son a decent job, but he just hadn’t managed it yet! Besides, Huaiyu was used to loafing around with others and couldn’t settle down.

Liu Guifang was also a bit embarrassed. In her eyes, her son was perfect, but being subtly looked down upon made her unhappy too.

Still, what the other side said was true. The third son really did need to settle down with a job—they couldn’t support him forever.

All in all, Father Yan and Mother Yan’s meaning was clear: the young man was good and could be considered, but he needed a proper job before they could discuss anything further.

Once everything had been said, Father Yan and Mother Yan got up to leave with Yan Lijun.

Xu Huaiyu walked them to the entrance of the village. Father Yan had come by bicycle and left with his wife and daughter. Before leaving, he even patted Xu Huaiyu on the shoulder and said he had high hopes for him.

Xu Huaiyu felt a new surge of hope.

To be honest, he wasn’t all that deeply in love with Yan Lijun. What he really wanted was a wife from the city—someone who would be a good match for him.

His eldest brother’s wife was an educated youth from the city, even his crazy second brother had married an educated youth. He couldn’t fall too far behind.

Yan Lijun was good-looking, had a job, and was easy to handle—she was the best he could hope for.

Thinking this, he hurried home to discuss things with his parents.

When Lin Xiaomeng saw the family’s gloomy faces, she thought the matchmaking had fallen through. Her heart sank—if Xu Huaiyu’s marriage plans were off, would she have to wait ages to split the family up?

All that effort cooking today had gone to waste.

When Xu Huaiyu came back and Xu Mingshan called the family together for a meeting, Lin Xiaomeng finally learned it wasn’t that the match had fallen through—it was that the other family disliked Xu Huaiyu’s lack of a job and insisted he find one before the marriage could go ahead.

She was secretly delighted—Xu Huaiyu, that little punk, finally got put in his place!

But the next second, Liu Guifang turned her attention to Xu Huaizhi.

“Eldest, you’re a technician at the steel factory. Can’t you help your brother get a temporary job there?”

Xu Mingshan looked over too—he had the same idea. Right now, only the eldest might be able to help.

Xu Huaizhi’s face darkened. “Didn’t I try last time? He was too picky and refused to go!”

“Big brother, what kind of job did you find me? Shoveling coal slag? Does that match my education and status? I’m a high school graduate, and you want me to shovel coal?” Xu Huaiyu protested.

Xu Huaizhi wasn’t happy either.

“So what if you’re a high school graduate? When I first started working, I was just an ordinary laborer. Only after working hard did I get recognized by the leaders and eventually pass the factory’s assessment to become permanent staff.

I’m a senior technician now, but I went through a lot to get here. You can’t expect to become successful overnight! Aiming too high leads nowhere!”

“Then at least find me a regular worker’s job. What future is there in shoveling coal slag?” Xu Huaiyu argued.

“Every position is filled. The factory hasn’t hired anyone new in years. If it weren’t for my good relationship with my mentor, I couldn’t even have found you the coal-shoveling job. Don’t be ungrateful!

The job you turned down was later given to a young guy who’s doing great—he’s about to become a permanent worker.” Xu Huaizhi was frustrated.

“So what if he becomes permanent? I’m not spending my life shoveling coal. Whoever wants to do it can do it!” Xu Huaiyu pouted.

Lin Xiaomeng sneered. With Xu Huaiyu’s attitude, he’d be a loafer all his life.

In her previous life, when she left, he still wasn’t married. She didn’t know what happened to him after that, but he probably just coasted along behind Xu Huaizhi, picking up scraps of good fortune.

This time, he’d better not expect to take advantage of them at all.

Luckily, Xu Huaizhi wasn’t as blindly loyal to his parents as he’d been in the past.

Liu Guifang couldn’t stand to see her sons argue and quickly stepped in to mediate.

“Huaiyu, enough. Your big brother is just trying to help you.

Huaizhi, look, the other family said they won’t let the two kids get married unless your brother has a job. He’s set on that girl, and your dad and I can’t do anything about it. As the eldest, can’t you help your brother out one more time?”

Xu Huaizhi frowned and said nothing.

Xu Mingshan added, “Huaizhi, if you can pull some strings to get your brother a job, then next spring when the commune elementary school is hiring, I’ll let your wife take the job.”

This was a kind of exchange.

Lin Xiaomeng cursed inwardly. The old man had clearly promised to help her get the job before, but now he was making it a bargaining chip.

Truthfully, Xu Mingshan wasn’t sure he could secure the job. Otherwise, why would he promise it to his daughter-in-law instead of his own son? After all, being a teacher was a decent job.

Xu Huaizhi knew his wife was desperate for a job to change her current situation.

The steel factory was full of men, and it was hard to find suitable work for her. The commune elementary school job was perfect.

After thinking for a while, he said, “I’ll do my best! But whatever job I find this time, you have to take it. If you refuse again, don’t expect me to help you in the future!”

Xu Huaizhi’s tone was stern. Liu Guifang quickly nudged her third son. “Go on, promise your brother you’ll work hard this time.”

Xu Huaiyu thought that having a job—even just for appearances—would let him get married, so he agreed readily.

“Big brother, I’ll trouble you for this. No matter what job you find, I’ll do it seriously this time.”

Xu Huaizhi’s expression softened a bit.

Lin Xiaomeng didn’t believe a word of it.

But at least the issue was settled for now.

—

On the way home, the Yan family of three discussed things as well.

“Dad, why did you suddenly raise the bar? I thought they were pretty upset.” Yan Lijun was confused. Hadn’t they agreed beforehand that as long as the conditions were acceptable, they’d say yes?

Now her father was making things difficult for the other family. She was worried that if she married over, they’d resent her for it.

Actually, she was quite satisfied. The Xu family seemed decent, and they could afford the “three rounds and one sound” (bicycle, watch, sewing machine, and radio), which showed they were well-off.

Most importantly, Xu Huaiyu was good-looking and sweet-talking.

“Silly girl, your dad is doing this for your own good. You only see the surface. Young people just want to be happy in the moment, but you don’t think about the long term.

Huaiyu seems nice, but he doesn’t work. After marriage, wouldn’t all the burden fall on you?

And besides, you work in the city and he’s in the countryside—how would that work?

Didn’t he say his brother could help him find a job anytime? This shouldn’t be a difficult condition.

If both of you work in the city, you can rent a place and live there. We can look after you from time to time. If you stay in the village, you’ll have to live under your in-laws’ thumb—it won’t be easy.”

Mother Yan patiently explained everything to her daughter.

They really did care about their daughter. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have let Yan Lijun finish high school. But there was no other way.

They also worried that if they took the bride price and their daughter suffered at her in-laws’, it would be awful. That’s why they insisted Xu Huaiyu get a job—so the couple could live in the city, where they could keep an eye on her.

Yan Lijun understood her parents’ intentions and agreed it was for the best. She just wasn’t sure if Xu Huaiyu could find a job—these days, every job was already filled and it was tough.

Father Yan sighed, “Who knows when they’ll sort out the job? Your younger brother can’t wait much longer. If the bride gets pregnant before the wedding, the neighbors will laugh their heads off.”

Mother Yan sighed too.

“How did I end up with a son like this! Who knows what life will be like after this daughter-in-law comes in.”

Thinking of her troublesome younger brother made Yan Lijun angry. If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have to rush into marriage or give up half her bride price.

She could already imagine how angry her future husband’s family would be when they found out. They’d definitely look down on her.

On one side was her own future, on the other, her brother’s life. She felt like she was being roasted over a fire.

Sometimes she just wanted to run away from home. Did being the eldest sister mean she had to be responsible for her brother’s life? She really felt unwilling, but thinking of her parents’ twenty years of raising her, she could only grit her teeth and accept it."

"Chapter 128: Kitchen Odd Jobs