Chapter 56 Song Ru

On the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, just as dawn was breaking, the rooster's crow woke the two of them. They quickly got up and put on their thick, newly washed cotton-padded coats.

Zhang Liuyi took out a small cloth bag that had been prepared beforehand from the kang cabinet. Inside were dozens of small packets carefully wrapped in red paper, and a large bag of mixed sugar cubes bought in town, wrapped in oil paper.

The red envelopes weren't big, each containing only four or five copper coins. It wasn't much money, but it was all for the sake of good luck and celebration.

The candies are also colorful, including sesame, peanut, and rice candies.

"Is everything ready?" Xiong Zixiang fastened his belt and watched his wife check the contents.

"Okay." Zhang nodded after checking one last time. "Let's go. Since it's still early, let's go and wish the village elders a Happy New Year first, so it won't be too crowded later."

The two locked the courtyard gate and stepped into Zhuohe Village, which was still immersed in the festive atmosphere of the New Year, stepping into the slightly chilly morning air.

The newly pasted Spring Festival couplets on the doors of every household are dazzlingly red, and the smell of firecrackers from yesterday has not yet dissipated.

After discussing it, the couple decided to first visit Grandpa Li, the oldest man in the village. Grandpa Li smiled as the newlyweds came in to kowtow and offer their New Year's greetings.

"Grandpa Li, we'd like to wish you a Happy New Year! May you live a long and healthy life, as bright as the sun and moon!"

Zhang Liuyi and Xiong Zixiang uttered auspicious words in unison and respectfully kowtowed.

"Get up, get up quickly." Old Master Li was all smiles and quickly told them to get up: "Zixiang has grown stronger and his eyes have become rounder. Seeing you two so happy and harmonious makes me very happy!"

As he spoke, he had his grandson, who was serving them, bring them steaming hot tea.

Zhang Liuyi took out the prepared red envelope and presented it with both hands: "Grandpa, this is a small token of my appreciation to wish you a long and healthy life."

Grandpa Li happily accepted the gifts, and then had his grandson grab a handful of homemade roasted peanuts and give them to the two of them.

At this moment, Li Taiye's great-grandson, a chubby-faced little boy of seven or eight years old, peeked out from the inner room and looked on curiously.

Zhang Liuli smiled and waved, then pulled a small red envelope from his pocket and handed it over: "Here, take this and use it to buy some firecrackers!"

The little boy's eyes lit up. He glanced at the adult, and seeing the adult nod, he timidly took the item and quickly ran back into the inner room.

Grandpa Li's smile deepened as he watched his great-grandson interact with Xiaoyu.

Then they went to the homes of several village elders, including Granny Zhao and Grandpa Sun.

The elders were all smiles at the lively scene, especially when they saw the couple, they would say things like "May you have a son soon" and "May you be of one heart and mind."

When she encountered elderly people with teenagers or young children, Zhang would hand them a red envelope. When she encountered even younger children, she would smile and grab a handful of colorful candies and stuff them into their little hands.

By the time we finished walking around, the sun was already high in the sky.

The village gradually became lively, with a constant stream of people exchanging New Year's greetings and visiting each other's homes, filled with laughter and joy.

Zhang Yili and Xiong Zixiang carried bags full of snacks given as gifts from various families, and also distributed many red envelopes.

"Let's hurry over to Grandpa Song's house," Xiong Zixiang said. "My mother told me yesterday that we're having New Year's Eve dinner there too."

Zhang nodded, and the two walked briskly toward Master Song's house.

As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the Song family compound, I could hear a lively commotion inside.

Old Man Xiong, Mrs. Song, and Xiong Zijuan, holding the baby, along with several relatives from the Song family, had all arrived early.

Song and several of her old friends were sitting around a charcoal brazier in the main room, chatting enthusiastically about this and that while eating melon seeds and peanuts.

Old Man Xiong and the men of the Song family gathered in the courtyard. Some squatted by the wall smoking their pipes, while others chatted about this year's harvest and their plans for next year. As soon as Xiong Zixiang arrived, he was immediately drawn into the conversation.

Zhang Liuli entered the main room, first paying New Year's respects to the elders of the Song family and presenting them with red envelopes, and then greeting her mother-in-law, Song Shi, and her sister-in-law, Xiong Zijuan.

When Xiao Bao saw her, he stretched out his little hands and said he wanted his aunt to hold him. Zhang Liuli smiled and took him in, playing with him for a while, and then gave Xiao Bao a red envelope that was thicker than the others.

When Xiong Zijuan saw this, she quickly refused: "No need for this, the child is still young, why are you wrapping him in such a thick red envelope? Take it back quickly, okay!"

Zhang Liuyi quickly replied, "It was given by my aunt. Sister, please keep it for Xiaobao so he can use it when he grows up."

After some back and forth, Xiong Zijuan finally accepted it.

Her gaze swept around the room and she noticed Song Ru sitting alone on a bench a little further away, watching everyone chatting and laughing. However, there was no smile on her face, and her eyes were somewhat unfocused, as if she was preoccupied with something, which was out of place with the festive atmosphere in the room.

Zhang Liuyi handed Xiaobao back to Xiong Zijuan, walked over, sat down next to Song Ru, took out a red envelope from his pocket, and gently put it into her hand: "Sister Ru, here, may this bring you good fortune in the New Year."

Song Ru came to her senses, somewhat surprised, and quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Sister Liu."

She held the small red envelope, her hand twisting unconsciously.

Zhang Liuyi asked gently, "What's wrong? You seem a little unhappy, especially during the New Year."

Song Ru raised her head, her eyes slightly red. She glanced at the aunties and grandmas chatting happily around her and lowered her voice.

"Sister Xiaoxiao...my...my parents...have been even more attentive than before since that incident, afraid that I'll suffer any more injustice..."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Zhang Yi asked, somewhat puzzled.

“It’s good…” Song Ru’s voice was even lower, with a hint of bitterness: “But they are so eager to find me a husband, asking around everywhere, grabbing any matchmaker they see and asking them questions, wishing they could marry me off tomorrow.”

"It's like once I'm married, everything will be fine, and no one can hurt me anymore... But the families they're asking about, I... I don't like them at all. With everyone gathered together for the New Year, my mother is starting to inquire again. I really don't want to..."

She remembered being tricked by her own brother last time, so she wasn't very enthusiastic about these things.

Zhang Yili understood and sighed inwardly.

She held Song Ru's slightly cold hand and softened her voice even more: "Ru'er, your parents are worried about you, and their intentions are good. But you are right, marriage is not the only path. We women have to stand on our own two feet."

"Stand up?" Song Ru looked at her blankly. "How do I stand it up? What... what can I do?"

“Look,” Zhang Liuyi said, using herself as an example, “You’re like me. I have a skill, and I set up a stall at the county dock. It’s tiring and hard work, but I can make money, and my husband’s family won’t stop me. Think about what your strengths are.”

Song Ru nodded: "Yes, I learned some accounting from my father, and I'm not bad at work."

"Isn't that a skill?" Zhang Liuyi encouraged. "Let me ask you, have you ever been to the county yourself?"

Song Ru shook her head: "No... I've never dared to go alone. Before, I was either with my parents, or... I was always..."

She recalled her previous experience of being sold to the town, her face paled, and she didn't continue.

"Don't be afraid." Zhang Xiaoyi patted her hand. "Next time I go to town to set up a stall and buy goods, I'll take you with me. We'll look around first and see what it's like outside. The county is different from our village; there are so many more opportunities there!"

"Do you know? There's that famous Fumanlou Restaurant in the county. The owner is open-minded and hires female workers. My sister-in-law worked there when she was a young woman. She helped in the kitchen by washing and chopping vegetables, serving dishes, or doing light work in the front, like wiping, washing, and greeting customers. As long as you're diligent and have clean hands, you can do it. The pay is fair, and they even provide a meal!"

Song Ru's eyes lit up immediately: "Really? Fu Man Lou... is hiring female workers?"

"Of course it's true!"

"Why don't you come and meet my sister-in-law tomorrow and ask about the details? If you're willing, after the New Year, when the weather is warmer, I'll take you to see her. Let's check out the environment and chat first, there's no rush to settle. You'll feel more at ease once you see it for yourself, right? If you don't want to choose a family whose background you don't know, then you should have some money on hand first, so you don't have to ask your parents for it."

Song Ru clutched the red envelope tightly, nodded vigorously, and finally showed her first genuine smile of the day: "Yes, Sister Xiaoyin, I'll ask Sister Xiulan tomorrow. I want... I want to give it a try!"

“That’s right!” Zhang Liuyi smiled as well: “We women have hands and feet, and the county has good public security, so what are we afraid of? First, broaden your horizons and make up your mind. Then, talk to your parents slowly, and they will understand eventually. It’s your life, so you have to take control of it.”

The two were whispering intimately when the head of the Song family, who was also one of the village elders, cleared his throat and called out in a loud voice, "Alright, alright, stop chatting. The food is on the table. Everyone, sit down and get ready to eat."

Everyone responded with laughter and took their seats.

Two large tables were pushed together, and the table was packed full of food.

As the host, Old Master Song raised his wine glass, his kind gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Zhang Yili and Xiong Zixiang, whom he specifically invited.

"Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and it's a rare occasion for our whole family to gather together like this! Especially since we have a new daughter-in-law this year. Listen up! Come on, stand up, everyone get to know her! She's a good girl, hardworking, capable, and honest! Our Song family has a wonderful daughter-in-law!"

Everyone turned their friendly gaze toward Zhang Yili.

Zhang Liuyi quickly stood up. Having experienced the effects of drinking on an empty stomach, she dared not drink again. She picked up her teacup and smiled gracefully, replying, "Grandpa Song, you're too kind. I only got into such a wonderful family because of my mother-in-law! I'm so happy to celebrate the New Year with everyone. Thank you all! I'll toast you with tea instead of wine!" As she spoke, she looked at Madam Song, and the two women smiled at each other.

"Good! Well said!" Everyone cheered and raised their glasses in agreement.

Song Ru also picked up her cup and took a sip of tea. The gloom on her face was greatly relieved by the lively atmosphere and her conversation with Xiao Yu.

"Dinner's ready!" With this shout, after Grandpa Song started eating, everyone else started eating as well, laughing and chatting.

Everyone helps each other pick up food they can't reach, praising how delicious the food is and saying auspicious words.

The tenderness of braised fish, the soft and glutinous texture of pork knuckle, the crispy aroma of meatballs... all kinds of flavors bloom on the tip of the tongue.

As Zhang Yili ate her meal, she glanced at her husband who was picking fish bones from her bones, then at her smiling in-laws and sister-in-law, and finally at Song Ru, who was enjoying the lively atmosphere. She thought to herself, "This year's New Year is really good."