Chapter 27 Introducing You to Someone

Jiang Zhizhi accompanied Dong Xinguo for a walk along the river, and explained the installation of each point and the characteristics of each bay in detail with the blueprints.

After hearing this, Dong Xin praised it repeatedly and said to Old Man Liang, "I didn't understand what you said the other day, but after Xiao Jiang explained it today, I understand completely. Her method is very good. We can use your village as a pilot project, and after it succeeds, we can promote it on a large scale."

Jiang Zhizhi stood to one side, smiling with her eyes crinkling. At this moment, she didn't want to be too modest.

We ate lunch at Old Liang's house. We also called the village accountant and cashier, Yang Fengmei, to make fried pancakes and stew a pot of radish stew with meat. Actually, it was just a pot of radish with only a few thin slices of meat.

On average, each person gets only one slice of meat, about the size of their palm, a thin, translucent slice of fatty meat.

I also made another bowl of pickled vegetable shreds.

After the meal was finished, each person was given a bowl of radish, topped with a slice of meat, and served with a golden-brown scallion pancake. Everyone ate to their heart's content.

Jiang Zhizhi noticed that Yang Fengmei never ate at the table whenever guests came. After sitting for a while, she told Dong Xinguo and then took her bowl to find Yang Fengmei.

Dong Xinguo didn't mind. He and a few other men were drinking, and it would definitely be awkward for a young girl to sit there.

Jiang Zhizhi found Yang Fengmei in the kitchen and saw that there were only a few pieces of radish in her bowl, not even a piece of minced meat. She put the bowl on the table and then put a piece of meat on Yang Fengmei's plate: "Auntie, I don't like to eat fatty meat, you can have it."

Yang Fengmei was quite surprised: "Why don't you like fatty meat? It smells so good. Are you reluctant to give it to me? I secretly ate some while I was cooking. You can have it."

He was about to put it back on Jiang Zhizhi when he said that.

Jiang Zhizhi quickly covered the bowl with one hand: "No, no, I really don't like to eat it. I always have to pick out the fatty meat in the city."

She genuinely disliked fatty meat, and she knew Yang Fengmei was lying; she wouldn't sneak a bite while cooking.

Seeing that Jiang Zhizhi was serious, Yang Fengmei believed her: "You city people have more meat coupons than us. In our village, each person only gets two catties a year. During the New Year, we like to buy some fatty meat to render some lard, and then use the cracklings to make dumplings and buns."

"Life has been much better these past two years. In the past, when we entertained the work team, we would only have cornmeal and sorghum pancakes. Now we can even eat wheat flour."

As he spoke, his eyes were filled with satisfaction and anticipation for the future.

Jiang Zhizhi looked at the radish in the bowl, which was made of clear broth with a pitiful layer of oil floating on top. Years later, no one would even look at this kind of food, but Yang Fengmei ate it with such satisfaction.

She smiled wryly and said, "Auntie, things will definitely get better and better from now on."

Yang Fengmei also believed it: "Yes, I think so too. I heard that the electricity used in the city is so bad that you can see a pin drop on the ground when the lights are on at night. Is that true?"

Jiang Zhizhi nodded: "It's true, soon our rural area will also have access to electricity."

Yang Fengmei laughed heartily: "If that's the case, that would be wonderful! My goodness, I can't even imagine what it would be like if the night were as bright as the day. I'm not afraid to tell you, but I've never been to the city. Da Zhuang's dad never takes me with him when he goes, because he's afraid of spending money."

After finishing his sentence, he felt that the topic was a killjoy, so he quickly urged Jiang Zhizhi: "You should eat more, eat more and gain some weight. It's better for a girl to be a little chubby, because a big bottom is more likely to give birth to a son."

Jiang Zhizhi gave an awkward smile; how did the topic suddenly turn to this?

Yang Fengmei suddenly thought of Zhou Xiye, but Zhou Xiye looked much older than Jiang Zhizhi. Just from an age perspective, Zhou Xiye was not a good match for Jiang Zhizhi: "By the way, Xiao Jiang, what do you think of Captain Zhou?"

Jiang Zhizhi was surprised; why would she suddenly ask her this question? "It's fine."

Yang Fengmei nodded repeatedly: "I also think Captain Zhou is quite good. He's good-looking, has a high position, and is from Beijing. It's just that he's a bit old. But if you marry Captain Zhou, you'll be an official's wife, living in the family compound, eating and drinking well. Wouldn't that be great?"

Jiang Zhizhi almost choked on a piece of radish. Why did Yang Fengmei suddenly arrange a marriage for her, and with Zhou Xiye no less?

Just based on the lies she told Zhou Xiye, I wonder how he'll handle things once he finds out.

She plans to play dead. As long as she doesn't show up, Zhou Xiye won't be able to marry her, and she can go find the girl he likes. Once they're married, even if he recognizes who she is, she thinks Zhou Xiye won't mind.

Seeing that Jiang Zhizhi was coughing and unable to speak, Yang Fengmei quickly reached out to pat her back: "Slow down, slow down, why are you choking? I think Zhou Xiye is pretty good, and I feel like he's interested in you. You can consider it."

After coughing for a while, Jiang Zhizhi waved her hand and said, "No, he has someone he likes, and I heard they're getting married. I'm not planning to think about personal matters yet."

Yang Fengmei was surprised that Zhou Xiye actually had someone he liked. Then why was he still so nice to Jiang Zhizhi, sending her chickens and malted milk powder?

However, he saved Jiang Zhizhi this time without letting her know. Was it because he was afraid of misunderstandings? After all, he is a man who is about to get married, and it wouldn't be good if word got out.

This explanation makes sense for Zhou Xiye's behavior.

Yang Fengmei felt a pang of regret. She had just thought Zhou Xiye was not good enough for Jiang Zhizhi, but now she felt that the two were quite well-matched, just not destined to be together. She said with great regret, "Later, I'll help you find a good match."

Jiang Zhizhi smiled and said, "Okay."

...

Old Liang was very efficient. The next day, he vacated a dormitory room for Jiang Zhizhi at the village committee. There were guards on duty at the entrance of the village committee, and the militia company was right behind it, so it was absolutely safe.

The room was large, but there wasn't much stuff in it, so it felt very empty.

Seeing that there wasn't enough time to build a kang (a heated brick bed), Old Liang found some wood and built a wooden plank bed.

They also brought over a cabinet and a kang table from home.

Although it was very simple, Jiang Zhizhi was still very satisfied. She was about to live a life like someone who had retired.

As he tidied up, Old Man Liang said, "When I have some free time, I'll come over and make you a kang (heated brick bed). It's cold here in winter, and you won't be able to get through it without a kang."

Jiang Zhizhi agreed, saying that even without central heating, a heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) should be warm enough: "We'll have to trouble Uncle Liang then."

Old Liang waved his hand: "No trouble at all. I'll have your aunt take the quilts to the cotton-fluffing place to fluff them up in a bit, so you can sleep more comfortably."

As they were talking, someone came into the village committee courtyard, calling out as they walked in, "Secretary Liang, are you there? I'm Sun Xiaoyue from the educated youth settlement. I want to talk to you about something."

Jiang Zhizhi couldn't help but grin, and Sun Xiaoyue finally couldn't hold back any longer and showed up!

She was eager to know what Sun Xiaoyue wanted to say to Old Man Liang, so she urged him, "Uncle, someone is looking for you. You should go out first, I'll take care of things!"