Chapter 180 The Person in Charge Has Arrived

"No, I'm talking to Zhao Dalan. I'm not trying to be mean, but you have seven sons, and you're still afraid? You have so many able-bodied men in your family. If I were you, I'd be overjoyed!"

Looking across the entire Hongqi Village, whose family has as many able-bodied men as yours?

Not to mention, they're all incredibly capable!

"Yes, even the village chief's family has more work points than yours! You're lucky too, during the flood, your house was the only one that was empty."

"Yes, your family has plenty of grain, and it hasn't been washed away yet..."

"Oh dear, please stop talking. Isn't it because there are many people in the family that we can only build houses in high, unpopulated places?"

As you all know, my house is built of stone. Although it's sturdy, it was incredibly difficult to build!

Carrying stones back and forth, even the eight strong men in the family were exhausted!

When this was mentioned, everyone was speechless. The house was indeed sturdy, but it was not something an ordinary person could build!

It's huge, but it's exhausting!

Even so, it took more than half a year to build!

I can't help but be envious!

"That's true... Never mind, I'm going home to cook!"

After everyone left, Zhao Dalan carried her basket and walked along, picking some scattered wild vegetables along the way. The weather was getting colder and colder, so she wanted to pick as many as possible.

There are many able-bodied men in the family, but there are also many people to feed!

They're so delicious, one by one!

All seven sons were honest and simple. When it came time to find a wife for the eldest son, the plan was to marry a gentle and virtuous woman. In the end, she was indeed virtuous and gentle, but she was too gentle!

They always speak in a soft, gentle voice!

I was afraid that if it were a little bigger, it would scare people.

Sigh... I was so glad back then that a woman like that wouldn't bully the eldest son!

They won't bully the eldest anymore; now it's others who are bullying the couple!

Why……

What a terrible thing!

The second son is quite something. He's supposed to marry a city girl, who's probably arrogant and domineering. If she can bully the second son, she can bully others too. There has to be someone strong in the family, right?

In case of any major events at home, there will be someone to make the decisions!

And what was the result?

The woman I married was more capable than anyone else in the village, but she was as thin as a bean sprout and malnourished! It took her a year to get pregnant after she arrived home!

Her family disliked her the most and abandoned her in the countryside.

Why……

He's useless!

The third son spends his days reading and working. He knows a few words, is timid and shy, and still doesn't have a girlfriend.

She's the best-looking, but what good is that?

Actually, others may not know, but the mother knows perfectly well. The third son may look frail, but he's incredibly capable at doing chores.

He followed the village chief's family's construction project from a young age, always following them around.

He was incredibly timid; if it weren't for Jianshe protecting him, who knows how badly he would have been beaten.

Ugh... this is so worrying!

The fourth brother, like the eldest, was a quiet, reserved person who loved tinkering with wood. He could sit there all day long!

He made all the tables and chairs in the house!

But now we can't sell it or do anything with it, so what's the use?

The fifth, sixth, and seventh children are triplets! All three are exactly alike, not in appearance, but in personality!

He's thirteen years old, and this grown man likes to make clothes.

All three share the same personality!

They talk so much like women, it's annoying to watch!

After that, it's no wonder he'll never be able to get married when he grows up!

Oh dear, Mother... When will there be any hope for the future?

In the field, Huang Ying looked at the sun and muttered, "The weather is getting colder, when will we harvest the grain?"

In previous years, these would have been collected by now, right?

Ugh... I'm exhausted. When will I ever be able to stop working?

"Oh God, have pity on me!"

Huang Ying has been a sent-down youth here for several years. Now she is over 20 years old. She has thought about getting married, but who should she marry?

I don't want to marry someone with many brothers; they're all too good at causing trouble!

There are so many troubles between sisters-in-law!

It's so annoying how everyone's vying for my favor!

There was one family in the village with seven sons—it's terrifying to think about!

Chen Lan called out, "Huang Ying, we should go back and cook!"

"Okay, coming!"

Huang Ying struggled to get up and rubbed her aching lower back.

"Chen Lan, help me up, oh... I'm getting old, I'm no good anymore, oh dear, it hurts so much!"

Chen Lan's expression changed slightly, and she whispered, "You...is your period coming soon?"

"Yes, that's right, it was supposed to be in the next few days! But it's been postponed this time, probably because I'm too tired."

Forget it, I don't care anymore!

"Then let's go home early. Don't drink cold water today, or you'll get a stomachache! Come on, let me help you!"

Huang Ying used to have a bad temper and was always jealous of others, but now she's better, everyone knows her!

We've all become friends!

Huang Ying and Chen Lan also became best friends!

The two people were walking ahead when suddenly someone shouted from behind!

"Comrade!"

The two turned around and saw a man dressed in a fairly neat manner, blushing as he looked at them.

"What is it?" Huang Ying asked impatiently.

My stomach is upset, what could be wrong?

This person looks familiar...

Ah... isn't this the Song family? The one with seven sons?

I don't know which number it is!

The man walked over slowly, looked around, and after a long pause, finally said hesitantly, "Um..."

After doing that for a while, he suddenly started taking off his clothes.

This startled Huang Ying and Chen Lan.

"Hey...you're being a pervert! I'll beat you up if you don't!"

Huang Ying shouted.

Chen Lan took a few steps back in fright and stammered, "What do you want to do in broad daylight? Let me tell you, I know whose family you belong to."

ah……

Besides, do you think you can beat the two of us?

The man, terrified, took a few steps back: "I...I won't fight, I can't win! I...I...I..."

As they were talking, the man stammered, and his eyes even reddened...

This is so sad!

Huang Ying's jaw almost popped out in surprise!

"What's wrong with you? Say something!"

Huang Ying was getting impatient!

The man quickly said, "Here are your clothes, your pants are dirty!"

Finally, I managed to get the words out!

Chen Lan rushed over to check, and sure enough...

There's a red patch on the back of my pants. Oh no, I'm on my period!

this……

Chen Lan pulled Huang Ying along: "It's...it's that..."

Even Huang Ying, who had a bad temper, blushed at this moment!

She pulled his clothes over his shoulder and said, "Thank you. Um... I'm sorry about earlier, please don't feel wronged!"

I know you meant well!

The man then smiled!

"I'll wash these clothes and return them to you another day!"

Huang Ying, unusually shy, said something!

"Okay, no rush!"

The man scratched his head and said, blushing.

Huang Ying, with a man's shirt wrapped around her waist, exclaimed, "Is he from the Song family?"

"Yes, I think so too! Which one are you?"

"I don't know, he has too many sons, I can't tell them apart!"

The two shook their heads and hurried back to change their clothes!

Chen Lan looked at Huang Ying and suddenly asked curiously, "Sister Huang Ying, are you twenty-three this year?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

Chen Lan sighed, "Actually, you're already at the age to get married. If you get a few more years older, it will be harder to find someone later!"

Why……

It was tough being a sent-down youth like us!

"What's so difficult about it? We can just not get married, there's no one suitable anyway!"

"What do you think of Zhou Zhiming?" Chen Lan asked.

Huang Ying thought for a moment: "You like it? I don't like this kind of person! Not only is he younger than me, but he's always spouting high-sounding principles. I don't like it!"

"I don't like it either, sigh... I'm just lamenting, who knows how many years I'll have to be a sent-down youth?"

My family had no other choice but to send me to the countryside!

Bringing me back to the city is almost impossible!

So, I guess my future is going to be ruined here! But I don't want to marry a country bumpkin.

I really admire Zhou Ye!

However, Xie Jianshe is no ordinary country bumpkin; at the very least, he can protect Xiao Ye!

"That's right, at least he can protect his woman! Sigh... I'm too old for Hongqi Village!"

Besides, I don't have a good reputation!

Arrogant and domineering!

Who would like that? Not only is he bad-tempered, but he's also lazy!

Why……"

Chen Lan burst out laughing.

"How can you talk about yourself like that!"

Huang Ying rolled her eyes: "What can't you say? You know what kind of dog you are!"

Why……

With my temper, if I were to find someone with a similar temper, we'd be at each other's throats. We'd be arguing every day and fighting every three!

I can't even imagine what that scene would be like!

If I were to choose a weak one, I'd be furious!

He looks so pathetic, I want to punch someone!

Chen Lan said with a grin, "Then you'll be in big trouble! Let me introduce you to someone."

Xie Jianshe's brothers seem pretty good too!

Isn't that guy with the dark skin a hunter? I heard he's really good at hunting, marrying him would mean eating meat forever, haha…”

"What nonsense are you talking about? Xie Jianshe has a younger brother, and I heard he's a very good cook! He cooks at a factory in the county town!"

It's a secure job, too!

"Haha... let's just talk nonsense! Hahaha..."

"That's hilarious!"

"By the way, did you know? I heard Zhou is coming back too!"

Chen Lan finished laughing and said.

Huang Ying was overjoyed: "Really? That's wonderful! I'll be able to see my Xiao Ye soon! I want to see if my Xiao Ye has gotten fatter?"

Have you lost weight?

Oh dear, she must have lost weight!

My heart aches when I see this! I wonder if she brought me any gifts this time? I would be so happy if she could bring me a cotton coat! She said, thinking of the old cotton coat in her bundle.

Chen Lan said speechlessly, "You just want to take advantage of others! I won't hold it against you since you're young."

"You still don't care? You didn't kill me before!" Huang Ying patted her chest in lingering fear. Luckily, I've reformed now!

"Let me tell you, Xiao is terrifying! She can kill by destroying one's spirit, and she's ruthless in her actions. I've seen her practice martial arts, and that's when I realized she didn't intend to kill me!"

Oh my god!

That scared me to death!

She could snap my neck in one go!

My life is in danger!

"Hahaha...haha...I'm dying of laughter! I've never offended Xiao Ye! Hahaha..."

You were really bad before!

That's so mean! Hahaha..."

"I'll let you talk, I'll let you talk..."

Two days later, they heard that Zhou Ye's train would arrive in another day, and the female educated youth at the settlement were overjoyed.

The harvest is about to begin, which is great news for the educated youth who are facing a food shortage!

"you……"

After finishing her work in the morning, Huang Ying took a day off early, went back to the educated youth settlement to get her coat, and then went out!

He walked and complained all the while!

The Song family lives too far away!

Everyone else builds their houses on flat ground, but theirs is so high up and so far away! Ugh... I'm exhausted after a whole day's work!

I'm still hungry, I haven't eaten yet!

"ah……"

Looking at the tall, imposing stone house in front of me, it was a rough but very authentic house!

The main gate is made of wood, and the diameter of just the two doors is more than two meters. This is a wealthy household!

Huang Ying patted her face and said, "So what? They have many sons, so they must be a wealthy family."

Seven sons, not enough room in a big house!

Not daring to go over, Huang Ying waited on a stone block not far from the door. This family knew how to manage their money. Look at this little vegetable garden; even though it was October, they were still growing chili peppers.

If I could just grab this and take it back, I could have some stir-fried pork with chili peppers!

Why……

There's no meat at home!

never mind!

Just think about it!

Waiting...waiting...

Soon, several figures approached from a distance, and Huang Ying was dumbfounded!

What's going on? A group of people have arrived?

What are we doing here? Wait a minute, aren't these members of the Song family?

Goodness, they're all working together, if they were to fight, none of them could beat them!

As I was thinking this, the people came over!

only……

When the group of people got within five meters of Huang Ying, they stopped and just stared without saying a word!

Huang Ying looked at the group of burly men in front of her, speechless, and gazed at the sky.

The Song family...

They really have a lot of people and a lot of influence!

"Forehead……"

Huang Ying stammered for a moment, then looked closely. The Song brothers really did look alike…

"you……"

Song Chengxue, the third son of the Song family, blushed with embarrassment!

"Huang Zhiqing, is there something you need?"

The sound was about the same as a mosquito's buzz!

Huang Ying frowned: "What...what did you say? Speak louder, I didn't hear you!"

Huang Ying had a loud voice, and the Song triplets glared at her, their eyes reddening: "Third brother, it's for you, we're going back now!"

They ran away in a flash!

The eldest son of the Song family looked at the third son and said, "Um... I'm hungry!"

"Third brother, I'm going back to change my clothes!" said the second son of the Song family.

In the end, only Song Chengxue and the old man of the Song family were left!

The old man probably felt it wouldn't be right to remain silent, so he said, "Okay!" and then left.

Huang Ying was dumbfounded!

Good? Good for what? What does that mean?

Approaching Song Chengxue: "Well, I was saying I'd return your clothes, so I washed them and hung them out to dry. Since I couldn't dry them in the yard, they might be a little damp. You can air them out some more!"

"Um!"

"I said let's put it in the sun, understand?"

Song Chengxue was startled and stared wide-eyed at Huang Ying!

Huang Ying was stunned!

"What...what...what do you mean? I didn't bully you, are you going to cry?"

Song Chengxue panicked: "No...no..."

I took the clothes and was about to go home!

"Thank you..."

He even said thank you when he left!

Huang Ying: ?

Just as Song Chengxue reached the door, it opened! Zhao Dalan came out. Heaven knows, a girl was waiting for Lao San at the door; her excitement was unstoppable!

They ran out quickly!

"Third brother, why are you running?"

What she didn't actually say was, "You good-for-nothing! A girl finally comes to visit, and you don't even know to invite her into your home?"

No wonder you don't have a wife. Serves you right! You're driving me crazy!

"Young lady, are you one of the educated youth sent to the countryside?"

Zhao Dalan looked Huang Ying up and down, and she looked somewhat familiar!

Although they had been in the same village for several years, most of the educated youth considered themselves superior and were unwilling to be with the villagers!

When it's time to work, there are separate areas!

She had heard of Huang Ying's reputation; she had a bad temper and... couldn't distinguish between good and bad!

But it doesn't look like that now!

She's not particularly pretty, but she has a loud voice! I heard she's on good terms with the village chief's daughter-in-law.

If Zhou, the educated youth, was so good, Huang, the educated youth, shouldn't be any less capable, right?

She pursed her lips and said with a smile, "You must be Huang, the educated youth? What brings you here?"

Huang Ying pointed to the clothes in Song Chengxue's hand and said, "He helped me once before and lent me these clothes!"

I've already washed it clean!

I'm here to return the clothes!

"Oh, is that so! This kid can't talk properly. You've come to return the clothes, but he didn't even say he wanted to come in and sit down!"

"Come in with me! Sit down and rest for a bit!"

"No!"

Zhao Dalan's heart skipped a beat. How could she not sit down? But this Huang Zhiqing looked so formidable.

I'm a little scared, what should I do? Will they hit me?

Looking at the worried-looking old woman in front of her, Huang Ying hesitated and asked, "Is there... something wrong?"

I'm going back to eat now!

"Ah...ah...something's wrong, something's wrong!"

"By the way, you used soap to wash your clothes, didn't you? That soap is too expensive. Why don't you come inside and have a glass of water?"

Is that okay?

Looking at the old woman's expectant eyes, this...

Does this old lady not have a daughter? Does she just adore everyone she sees?

Never mind, it's all a small matter. It's just a glass of water, what's the big deal?

What if it's just sugar water? Hehe...

Hoping to get a good deal, Huang Ying followed her inside! But when she glanced at Song Chengxue at the door, Song Chengxue blushed all the way to his neck!

Okay...

Just a little brother!

I was really surprised when I got inside! My goodness, this house is so spacious!

This courtyard is huge...~

The main house has three large rooms, but they are not ordinary three rooms. The large table in the main room alone is round and too big!

It can comfortably seat more than ten people!

The wood used is thick and sturdy, which makes it very appealing!

Behind the main room is the kitchen, which connects to the backyard! I don't know how big the backyard is, but I can vaguely see the vegetable garden and fruit and vegetable fields behind it!

There are two large houses on the left and right.

I can't see inside clearly, but I know it's huge!

There are three rooms on each side, they're huge...

It's much bigger than two courtyards in an ordinary house...

Huang Ying pursed her lips. This big house must be more comfortable than the one the educated youth lived in! It's a pity it's not hers!

Why……

The men in the courtyard immediately looked over, all appearing somewhat shy and embarrassed...

Zhao Dalan laughed and said, "You've already seen them, they're all my good-for-nothing sons! Don't mind them!"

hehe……

Come on, let's go inside with the old lady!

Actually, she was very panicked! She didn't know how to entertain guests at all, sob sob... Someone please save her.

My daughter-in-law, come quick!

Just then, the eldest son's wife, Wang Hongmei, came over and said gently, "Mom, dinner is ready! Do you want to eat now, or later?"

Zhao Dalan looked at Huang Ying: "Girl, since you're here, why don't you have dinner together?"

"Huh? I don't want to eat... I don't want to eat! My meal at the educated youth station is already prepared! Hehe... I'm going back soon!"

Huang Ying dared not eat at someone else's house!

There's a serious food shortage right now!

Zhao Dalan felt a pang of panic. Had she... made someone dislike her?

Oh dear, I knew it! What's the use of such a big house?

He swallowed hard and looked at his eldest son's wife, hoping she would say a few more words, even just one!

But the eldest son's wife just stared at her, speechless!

He sighed. Relying on his second son's wife was out of the question!

I have to do it myself!

"You washed the third son's clothes and even used soap, which is quite wasteful. Why don't you just have a meal at home?"

Thank you!

"No need, I should be the one thanking you!" Huang Ying tried to refuse.

The second son's wife opened the door, holding a plate of fried meatballs.

"Mom...Mom, did I come in at the wrong time? These meatballs were just tied up, and I was just saying I wanted to put them down..."

As he spoke, he lowered his head.

Zhao Dalan immediately laughed and said happily, "Huang Zhiqing, look, our family only fries meatballs once in a long while. Why don't you try some?"

It's deep-fried inside!

It smells so good!

When Huang Ying saw Wanzi come out, her eyes widened in surprise.

It's been so long since I've had this!

No, it's because I haven't eaten here since I arrived!

I swallowed hard, wanting to say I didn't want to eat anymore, but I couldn't bring myself to say it!

Why……

Zhao Dalan, being quite perceptive, immediately beamed and said to everyone, "Go to the kitchen and get the food, it's time to eat!"

"Why……"

Everyone's busy!

Zhao Dalan pulled Huang Ying to sit down next to her: "This is to thank you for washing the clothes, eat more! Ah!"

Song Chengxue sat next to Huang Ying, too nervous to speak!

Even... I was trembling a little!

this……

Huang Ying was puzzled! Why wasn't anyone looking at her? Did they think she was eating? Whatever, only a fool wouldn't eat when there's good food!

snort!

I'll eat it!

The food was just ordinary food, and while everyone was eating, they all stared at her and didn't touch their chopsticks!

Zhao Dalan rolled her eyes at everyone, "What a spineless good-for-nothing!"

If you didn't know better, you'd think they had a problem with the meal, but actually they were just embarrassed because there were strangers around!

What a spineless wretch!

I'm so angry!

Why……

"Huang Zhiqing's meal was just a simple mixed stew, and the tofu in it was made at home."

It smells so good!

Would you like to try some?

There was a large bowl of meatballs and a large bowl of mixed vegetables on the table.

Huang Ying's mouth was watering just looking at it!

"Okay, I'll try it!"

Without any hesitation, she scooped up a large spoonful and ate it in big mouthfuls!

After taking a couple of bites, seeing that everyone else hadn't eaten yet, she asked in confusion, "Hurry up and eat, why are you looking at me?"

"Oh, eat..."

"good……"

"Have a meal!"

Everyone then quickly started eating!

Zhao Dalan watched from the side, truly satisfied. This was exactly the feeling—the feeling of being in charge!

I'm such a gentle and virtuous woman, yet I've been forced to be the head of the household for so many years. It hasn't been easy for me!

It's so hard for me! If Huang Zhiqing could marry into our family, that would be wonderful!

After eating and drinking her fill, Huang Ying wiped her mouth and exclaimed, "Wow, that was delicious!"

"Is it tasty?"

"tasty!"

"Really?"

"Um!"

See? That's the kind of generous spirit I'm talking about!

Zhao Dalan was overjoyed. How come she hadn't noticed before! She always thought this educated youth had a bad temper and was very formidable! But now she seemed so sensible!

"Girl, wait a minute!"

Zhao Dalan called the triplets aside: "What happened to those white shirts you made before?"

"Inside!"

Zhao Dalan had previously tried to get a bargain by buying a batch of white cotton cloth!

These triplets, on the other hand, secretly cut off several pieces and made several white shirts! And they were women's shirts!

Zhao Dalan wearing that? It wouldn't be appropriate.

The eldest and second son's wives both refused to accept it, saying they would get it dirty! So they just left it there!

Now it's useful, isn't it?

"Go get it quickly!"

When Zhao Dalan came out, she was holding a white shirt in her hand!

Huang Ying's eyes lit up!

"Huang Zhiqing, thank you for washing our third son's clothes. We've all eaten, so this isn't really a thank you!"

This is a gift from your aunt. Do you like it?