Chapter 121

After watching Yu Huifang and the others leave, Zhou Jiani looked at his reddened ears and said with a smile, "Are you still shy?"

I really can't tell.

Qiu Zeming said uncomfortably, "Who's shy?" and blushed.

Zhou Jiani smiled, she really didn't expect this.

It was already getting dark when we came out of the movie. Qiu Zeming said, "Go back to the guesthouse and get the basket of samples. I also brought a bag of vegetables. I'll take you downstairs and then to the transport team."

Zhou Jiani asked, "By the end of the year, all the ones that can be picked have been sold out, right?"

Qiu Zeming nodded. "They're all sold out. On the 29th, someone came all the way from the city to buy vegetables. They didn't come to learn how to grow greenhouse crops, they just wanted to buy some fresh vegetables."

Seeing that they came from so far away, I gave them about 20 kilograms and didn't sell more.

There is no worry about selling, just not enough to share.

By the end of the year, the villagers were willing to spend money, especially to buy leeks. The second crop that had been harvested earlier in the first greenhouse was ready to be eaten. The leek fields on both sides together accounted for almost three mu of land. One ridge was left for Zou Bin and one for the commune, and most of the rest were bought by the villagers.

Some are given by the new son-in-law to his mother-in-law; some are bought by the daughter-in-law in the village for her family.

Not to mention the people from other villages who worked in the factory. They had been thinking about it for a long time. Before going on holiday, they even ran to give Qiu Zeming cigarettes and talk to him, asking him to help save some bundles of leeks or other vegetables.

People from surrounding villages who had no connection with this village came to buy, but they were late. Those who came early could buy some other vegetables, but those who came late could not buy anything.

The Donghe Commune Office also came to purchase, and the county's state-owned restaurant...

Not enough points, not enough points at all.

Qiu Zeming smiled and said, "Captain Zhang is worried that next year, when all the villages start planting, it might affect our business."

Zhou Jiani smiled, saying that even a nationwide promotion would not have an impact, let alone a city.

He went back to get his things and sent Zhou Jiani to the second floor stairs. He watched her knock on the door and enter the house before turning around and leaving.

Yu Huifang wanted her daughter to bring food to Qiu Zeming, but after asking, she found out that he really had something to do.

When Zhou Jiani opened the bag and saw what was inside, she felt refreshed.

Each dish was wrapped in newspaper and neatly arranged in the bag.

Even Yu Huifang couldn't help laughing: "Comrade Xiao Qiu is so meticulous in his work. He's much better than your dad."

Zhou Wanli laughed beside him.

Zhou Jiani went over and unpacked the bags with her mother. There were two bags of leeks, two bags of eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. The quantities were not large, but he made the most of the space in the bag and stuffed it full without them getting squeezed at all.

Zhou Jiani said, "Send some to my aunt."

"Okay, I'll put it in a net bag." Yu Huifang said as she divided the food. "We'll make fried leek and eggplant dumplings for tomorrow night. Xiao Qiu isn't leaving tomorrow, right? Let him eat it tomorrow night before returning to the guesthouse."

All the dishes were divided into two parts and Zhou Wanli rode his bicycle to deliver them to Zhou Peilan's house.

The next morning, Yu Huifang got up early, cooked some breakfast, and changed the twins into clean clothes. She didn't let them go out and said, "I'll have a task for you two later."

The two little ones are waiting at home for their mother to assign them tasks.

At around eight o'clock, Zhou Peilan and her family came over. Jingdan seemed much more lively than in the first few days. She would smile and call people when she entered the door. She still looked a little unfamiliar in the first two days.

Zhou Peilan said, "Sister-in-law, if there's anything that needs to be cleaned up, I'll take care of it first."

Yu Huifang said, "There's not much to do. At noon, have Guangwei and your brother go to the restaurant to get the food. I'll make fish stewed with tofu, or frozen tofu. It's delicious when cooked with the fish soup. Then I'll make stir-fried pork with peppers and tomato and egg soup..."

Turn around and clean up.

Zhou Peilan smiled and said to Zhou Jiani, "You said you had nothing to do, but you're busy all the time. I think your mother is a little dizzy." She followed into the kitchen to help clean up. "The new son-in-law is coming, and I'm so excited I don't know what to do."

The sound of Yu Huifang's laughter came from the kitchen.

I ordered a meal from a restaurant and brought the food home in a lunch box at noon. The restaurant was far away, so it was inconvenient to go there.

However, there were not many dishes in the restaurant at that time, so Yu Huifang planned to add a few more.

Pasta is rice.

Around nine o'clock, Jiaping and Jiaan gradually became restless and began to persuade their cousin Mingming to accompany them downstairs to set off firecrackers. Yu Huifang came out and said, "Don't set off firecrackers. Remember that brother we met at the cinema entrance yesterday afternoon?"

Jiaping said: "Remember, my sister's boyfriend."

Yu Huifang: "Go to the dormitory gate and wait. If you see that older brother coming, come back early to report the news. Don't run out to play, stand guard at the gate."

Hong Ming said, "Aunt, I'll take them there."

While the family was busy, a nosy neighbor asked about it, and Jiaan said loudly, "My sister's boyfriend will be here soon."

Zhou Jiani held her forehead and patted his head: "Do you know what the object is?"

The twins understood a little, but not completely.

The adults didn't avoid talking to them, and they could only vaguely understand what they were saying just by listening.

The neighbor exclaimed in surprise and came in to ask, "Has Nini found a boyfriend? Where is he from? How old is the child..."

Jiang Xinfeng has to talk about the last scene.

As a result, all the neighbors on this floor knew that Zhou Jiani was looking for a partner.

Everyone is waiting to see Zhou's son-in-law arrive.

At half past nine, Jiaping came running back. Before her brother could speak, Zhou Jiani said, "Don't shout. Take a breath and talk slowly."

Jiaping's face flushed from running. "The big brother from yesterday is here," she said.

At this time, the family heard a lot of noise downstairs.

The neighbors in the corridor also laughed: "Oh my!"

Someone called out to Yu Huifang: "Huifang, is this your guest?"

Zhou Jiani went out to look, glanced down, and when she saw the situation below clearly, she took a deep breath.

Yu Huifang and Zhou Peilan also went out to look down. Yu Huifang was also startled and whispered "Ouch!", and asked with a puzzled look: "What is Xiao Qiu doing?"

Hong Ming originally just went to pick someone up, but now he is helping to carry things.

Four people were carrying two slaughtered sheep, a rack of ribs, a large piece of meat, and two bottles of Moutai liquor, followed by a group of onlookers.

All the people in this building and those not in this building came up.

Zhou Jiani heard her father couldn't help but gasp, and hurried forward to help, saying, "Xiao Qiu, just come, why bring so many things?"

"Happy New Year, Uncle!"

Qiu Zeming, wearing a military coat, a thick felt hat, and carrying an army green messenger bag, greeted with a smile, "Happy New Year, Auntie, Happy New Year, Auntie."

"Come in, come in..." Zhou Wanli hurriedly let the person into the house, "Come in and warm up."

Jiang Xinfeng was a step too slow, and saw a group of young men carrying two sheep in. She was so frightened that she stood there without moving.

Qiu Zeming smiled and said, "Happy New Year, Grandma!"

"Oh, okay, okay!" Jiang Xinfeng was still not reacting. She looked at the two sheep again and realized that she was not dazzled. Comrade Xiao Qiu really carried two sheep in.

There is also a large piece of ribs with meat.

She said, "Oh, kid, what are you doing with these things?"

Not to mention the money, how many meat tickets would I have to save up?

And there’s Moutai, I heard that it’s drunk by cadres.

Yu Huifang felt that the gift was a bit too expensive, but Xiao Qiu's move also showed that he valued Jiani and the etiquette of visiting her, and earned her enough face in every way.

Didn’t you see that the people gathered at the door haven’t left?

I guess the topic of conversation in the past few days after the New Year has been that her son-in-law came to her house and gave her two sheep and two bottles of Moutai.

Li Yan from next door also came over to see, but she came out late, so she could only stand at the back of the crowd, standing on tiptoe to look inside, and said, "Who is Nini's boyfriend?"

The object is no longer important, the two sheep are the hot topic of discussion.

The Liu Jiefang family next door was choking with jealousy. Lü Cuilan, having heard that Zhou Jiani's boyfriend was coming over today, was gloating at home: "They've only been in the countryside for half a year and they're already looking for a partner and planning to get married? It seems they're planning to stay in the countryside and not come back. I heard they went there too. Let's see what they'll do when they return to the city."

But there are those who abandon their wives and children just to return to the city.

Lu Cuilan was looking forward to the day when Zhou Jiani, her educated youth partner, would abandon her in the countryside in order to return to the city, and then she would see how Yu Huifang would cry.

Liu Aifang peeked in and then said to her mother after she came in, "Zhou Jiani's boyfriend is really good-looking."

Lu Cuilan said, "Even if she's pretty, can she eat and drink? When choosing a partner, you have to consider their family background. If the third girl had listened to me then..."

Liu Aifang interrupted her and continued, "They brought in two sheep, a huge rack of ribs, and a huge piece of meat..."

Lu Cuilan's eyes widened. "What? Two sheep?"

Her son ran in from outside and said, "Mom, Zhou Jiaan has so much meat at home. I want to eat meat."

Lu Cuilan opened the door and went out to yell, "We can't raise sheep upstairs. We can't agree to raising sheep in such a nice dormitory..."

Fortunately, it was noisy outside and no one heard her talking, otherwise it would have been embarrassing.

Liu Aifang quickly said, "It's mutton. Two whole muttons, not live sheep."

Lu Cuilan shut up and looked over there. She saw a crowd of people gathered at the Zhou family's door. Just as she was about to stand on tiptoe to look inside, Yu Huifang came out and handed out candies to everyone. She said with a smile, "Come on, have some candy to sweeten your mouth. We have guests at home, so we won't entertain you."

Everyone laughed and joked a few words, then took the candy and left.

Everyone was wondering what the Zhou family's son-in-law's background was and how much money his family had. He bought two sheep and ribs, and the big piece of meat was said to be beef.

Not to mention the meat, those two bottles of Moutai are hard to buy.

As soon as everyone left, Lu Cuilan looked at Yu Huifang dryly. Yu Huifang frowned and turned to go into the house.

Lu Cuilan turned around, muttered a few curses under her breath, and went back home, feeling jealous and sour.

At the Zhou family's side, several of Qiu Zeming's friends helped deliver the things and left. Yu Huifang originally wanted to keep them for dinner, but they had other tasks to do and the motorcade was waiting for them, so they said goodbye and left after wishing a happy new year.

In the room, Qiu Zeming sat upright, talking and chatting with his future father-in-law.

There were a row of little kids sitting next to them, each holding a candy in one hand and dried meat in the other, and no one wanted to run away.

Yu Huifang laid out melon seeds, peanuts, walnuts, and dates, served tea, and went into the kitchen to prepare the meat.

Looking at the two whole sheep, the large piece of ribs, and the beef, Yu Huifang was both happy and distressed for her son-in-law. She whispered to Zhou Peilan, "How long will it take to save up the meat coupons and money? What do you think of this child..."

Zhou Peilan smiled and said, "Your son-in-law's kindness, just be happy about it."

Without looking at anything, just chatting with this niece's husband for a few minutes, you can tell that he is a motivated young man with ideas. He speaks well and the respect and patience he subconsciously shows to the elderly and children shows that he has a good upbringing.

Outside, Qiu Zeming said, "I want to join the army and develop my career. I've mentioned this plan to Jiani. We're thinking of taking some time after the spring to bring Jiani to visit my home. Then we can meet at our respective homes for dinner and get engaged first."

Zhou Jiani glared. When did they mention getting engaged first?

Qiu Zeming didn't look at her, and said in a humble manner, "Before I go to the army, I will take some time to take my uncle, aunt, and grandma to the capital to play for two days and come to my house to stay..."

What this means is that he not only plans to take Jiani to visit his home in the capital, but also wants Zhou's father and mother to find an opportunity to go there as well, so that they won't worry.

To do this is very sincere.

Hong Guangwei asked, "Is your grandfather in the army?"

Qiu Zeming: "Yes, uncle, my grandfather and my father are both in the army, and my mother is a doctor in the military hospital..."

His family is well off, quite well off. I didn't expect that children from such a family would go to the countryside.

It's just that his family is a little too well-off. Zhou Jiani is considered to be marrying into a wealthy family. Being a wife of a wealthy family is not easy. He glanced at Zhou Wanli and saw that his brother-in-law was nodding slowly. He probably didn't think about the problem he was worried about.

Forget it, today he will be his brother-in-law's mouthpiece. His brother-in-law is not in a position to speak up, so when he asks, he smiles and says, "Xiao Qiu, does your family know about your relationship?"

Qiu Zeming smiled and said, "I know. I told my family when I went home for my grandfather's birthday before the Lunar New Year. My mother asked someone to buy the beef and ribs, and my grandfather asked someone to bring the two bottles of Moutai. Comrade Jiani is very outstanding, and my family likes her very much."

This indirectly tells everyone that his family not only agrees, but also strongly supports it.

Hong Guangwei felt relieved and a smile appeared on his face unconsciously.

Zhou Wanli said: "I'm sorry to trouble your family."

Qiu Zeming smiled and said, "Uncle, this is as I should."

Jiang Xinfeng watched from the side and nodded with satisfaction.

At eleven o'clock, Zhou Wanli and Hong Guangwei went to the restaurant to get food. Qiu Zeming chatted with his grandmother for a few words. Seeing Yu Huifang go outside to prepare the stove, she was carrying the cut vegetables. He hurriedly followed her out and said, "Auntie, let me wash my hands and I'll cook."

Yu Huifang turned and looked at him in surprise.

Qiu Zeming noticed which one was the wash basin, went over to add water to wash his hands, and said with a smile, "You can try my cooking skills, then you can feel at ease to leave Jiani to me."

Zhou Peilan also raised her eyebrows and said, "Xiao Qiu, can you cook?"

Zhou Jiani said: "Yes, he is a good cook."

After she finished speaking, she saw her family members looking at her. Fearing that everyone might misunderstand, she said, "A large group of us educated youth had a meal together, and he cooked a few dishes."

Nowadays, there are not many men who can cook or even help with housework at home. I didn’t expect that this young man can cook?

Zhou Peilan said, "Your uncle Zhou and your uncle should also listen to this. These two adults are worse than a child."

Yu Huifang was extremely happy. Although she would never let her new son-in-law cook for the first time, she felt very happy that he had done so.

Qiu Zeming wanted to take it, but Yu Huifang stopped him and said with a smile, "When you and Jiani get married in the future, I will try your cooking skills. Today you are the guest, so go back to the house and talk to grandma."

There are always neighbors on the corridor, either sitting there basking in the sun or coming in and out, busy preparing food.

Seeing this scene, they were all a little surprised, and turned around to chat in a low voice: "Oh, what good deeds did the Zhou family do in their previous life? This son-in-law is so handsome. It's okay that he came to the house and brought so many things the first day... He just said he would help Huifang cook. Oh, how can he be so nice!"

"Nini is such a blessed girl. Look at any other girl who's been treated so badly at home. She's only been in the countryside for half a year, and look how well she's doing. She's giving speeches to the government and helping sell things locally. She deserves such a good guy!"

"yes!"

Lv Cuilan, who half-closed her door, curled her lips and whispered, "Whose son-in-law doesn't show off at the beginning?"

Liu Aifang curled her lips behind her mother's back, thinking that your son-in-law has been acting like a big shot since the first day he came to your house. It's okay that he's not as good-looking as Zhou's son-in-law, but he's not as generous or hardworking as him.

But maybe Zhou's son-in-law comes from a poor family.

Lu Cuilan felt the same way and scolded her third daughter again: "Your third sister is so heartless. I told her to marry the man from the soy sauce factory earlier, but she refused to listen and insisted on going to the countryside. Now she's been punished to go to the farm. She should just die on the farm and save the family from shame."

Otherwise, if there are more sons-in-law coming this year, wouldn’t she be able to receive more gifts?

Maybe it is not as much as the gift from Zhou's son-in-law, but the gift promised at that time was high. When Zhou's daughter gets married in the future, the son-in-law may not be able to give a gift of 200 yuan.

The Zhou family was very lively at noon.

Jiaping and Jiaan, who were bribed by toffee and dried meat, also started calling him "Brother Zeming".

After lunch, Yu Huifang sent Jiani and Qiu Zeming to the park to play.

Jiaping and Jiaan wanted to follow, but their aunt carried them back one in each hand, scolding them with a smile: "Can't you two go play someday? Go play with cousin Mingming and cousin Dandan."

The two of them went out on a date openly.

After leaving the house, Zhou Jiani asked Qiu Zeming jokingly, "You're so extravagant for your first visit. What are you planning to buy for your future engagement or wedding?"

Qiu Zeming looked at her, his eyes shining: "Have you agreed to get engaged this year?"

Zhou Jiani said speechlessly: "You also know that I didn't agree?"

What I say at home is like the real thing.

Qiu Zeming touched his nose and whispered, "I'm just afraid that my partner will run away!"

After the engagement, the two families had a clear path to each other, and they also had a clear path in the village, so he felt relieved when he left.

Zhou Jiani said, "Don't change the subject. I haven't finished talking yet... What can you buy in the future that can surpass this?"

She was shocked.

There's no need to be so grand when visiting for the first time. This is more appropriate for a formal proposal.

Qiu Zeming smiled and said, "Don't worry, I wouldn't come empty-handed." He then whispered, "I only brought two sheep originally, but my mother asked someone to get some pork ribs and beef, and I also asked the old man for two bottles of wine."

Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Did Auntie ask for the wine?"

Qiu Zeming: "The old man wanted to give two bottles when proposing marriage, but my mother said her daughter-in-law is not worth an extra bottle of wine. This time is for this time, and the future is for the future."

Zhou Jiani smiled.

The two went to the park to play for an afternoon, and then went home for dinner in the evening. Yu Huifang invited her sister-in-law and her family to stay, and asked Zhou Peilan to help her. The sound of chopping meat could be heard in the house. They cooked cabbage stewed with vermicelli, stewed lamb, baked leeks and eggplant boxes, and beef balls.

Qiu Zeming came over again on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year and stayed all day, helping with coal briquettes and other chores, always wanting to show off.

Go take a bus in the evening.

Yu Huifang also felt sorry for her son-in-law, so she made a lot of meatballs for him to take home. Qiu Zeming took one box and nothing else, saying, "I also left some meat over at the brigade, so we'll have something to eat when we get back."

Zhou Jiani sent the person on the train. The next morning, she picked up some things from home and took a basket of samples to Xiqi Lane where her aunt lived.

This side of West Seventh Lane is still a bungalow with five rooms in the north. Hong Ming's grandmother lives in two rooms, and his aunt's family occupies three rooms and a yard.

Seeing Zhou Jiani pushing the cart in, Grandma Hong Ming smiled and said, "Is this Zhou's niece? She's grown so tall now, she's become a grown-up girl."

"Happy New Year, Grandma Hong." Zhou Jiani said with a smile.

Grandma Hong Ming looked at the woven basket hanging on the handlebars of her bicycle and said with a smile, "Your village is full of talented people. I heard that the baskets you weave are selling very well. Your eldest aunt is just looking at them with envy..."

Zhou Peilan opened the door and called out, "Jiani, come into this room." She then said to her mother-in-law, "His aunt saw it and bought it because she was jealous. No one stopped her."

Grandma Hong Ming didn't say anything.

Zhou Jiani parked the car and walked around the house. Jingdan called her, "Sister!"

"Hey, are you going to play with Jiaping and Jiaan at home today?"

Hong Jingdan looked up at her father. Hong Guangwei said, "I asked you to stay at your grandmother's house for two days, but you didn't want to. Now you come back and keep nagging about going to your grandmother's house."

He smiled and said to Zhou Jiani, "I'll take her there later."

Zhou Jiani teased Jingdan: "Stay at grandma's house tonight. I'll hold you in my arms as you sleep, okay?"

Hong Jingdan nodded: "Okay!"

Zhou Peilan laughed: "It's no use agreeing to this. Who knows, she might not agree to it in the evening. Jiani, let's go. Let's go over there early and talk for a while. It takes at least 40 minutes to ride the bike."

After giving his son and daughter some words of advice, he left with Zhou Jiani.

On the way, Zhou Peilan reassured her niece, saying, "My classmate knows your product, so this is almost certain to work out... Just call her Aunt Su when you get there."

Zhou Peilan’s classmate is Su Meiqiao. Her boyfriend used to be the leader of the provincial enamel factory, and now he has been transferred to a nearby supply and marketing cooperative as director.

Zhou Jiani raised her eyebrows. She was familiar with the supply and marketing cooperative there and had purchased a lot of goods there, but she didn't expect there was this kind of relationship.

When they arrived at Su Meiqiao's house, the two old classmates were very cordial when they met each other. They exchanged a few pleasantries like "You have gained weight", "I have lost weight", and "You are still as beautiful as before". Zhou Peilan called Zhou Jiani to come and say hello.

Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Happy New Year, Aunt Su!"

Su Meiqiao looked her up and down and said with a smile, "Happy New Year! You look exactly like your aunt. Your aunt was so beautiful when she was young." She added, "She's still beautiful now, haha."

It is not obvious to family members, but it is easier for outsiders to see.

Zhou Peilan smiled and said, "Alright, stop talking about me. Where's your Lao Xiao? The child isn't home either?"

"I went to visit relatives, to visit Lao Xiao's uncle's house... I specially hosted you at home."

"Oh, I'm really arrogant."

"That's right, no one is more important than you..."

The two of them were joking around enthusiastically, and it was obvious that they had a good relationship.

"Nini... that's what your aunt calls you, right? I heard her calling you 'Nini' all the time on the phone." Su Mei smiled sweetly, "Come, have some candied dates."

Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Aunt Su, you can call me Nini or Jiani."

Su Meiqiao went to open the kitchen, took out two bottles of orange juice, and said, "It's too cold? Have a bottle of orange juice."

Zhou Peilan just frowned and said with a smirk, "Oh, look at you, you're so fashionable, drinking orange juice in such a cold weather."

Su Meiqiao rolled her eyes: "I won't give it to you, I'll give it to our niece... Nini, drink the orange juice to piss off your aunt."

Zhou Jiani was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

After the two old friends finished joking around, they got down to business.

Zhou Jiani asked, "Aunt Su, is our product import and export company qualified?"

Su Meiqiao didn't even look at it and said, "Why is it not enough? If your aunt doesn't bring you here today, I will ask the department store to help me after the New Year so that I can exhibit it at the exhibition."

She smiled and said, "Such a beautiful thing, I have been eyeing it for a long time."

Zhou Jiani suddenly smiled with her eyes curved.

However, Su Meiqiao continued, "From my perspective, I think every one of them is qualified, but we still need to discuss and vote. The final number of models that will be retained will depend on the final results."