Wang Dahai took his three sons to ask for a favor from Grandma Wang Daju’s white tofu.
As for the children, Wang Zhaozhao definitely didn't want to go, and neither did Wang Xingwen and Wang Weiguo. Wang Xingwu was also fine... Only Wang Baojia wanted to go, but was ruthlessly rejected.
Quietly, people in all directions have picked up some funeral customs again.
There were mourning ceremonies, music, and rituals, making it a lively and exciting occasion.
Wang Dahai and his friends did not return that day because they had a funeral banquet the next morning.
It was summer and the sun was very strong during the day. Wang Zhaozhao had no intention of going out to play. In the evening, when the sun was about to set, she took Wang Weiguo to the river to catch crabs.
Not only them, many children in the village came out, many of them were shirtless and dressed in black monkey clothes.
"Wang Zhaozhao, are you here to catch crabs too?"
Although Wang Zhaozhao changed into his old clothes, he was still a bit eye-catching, as if the light would hit him wherever he went.
"Yeah, I haven't caught crabs in a long time."
"Your clothes are so nice, please don't get them dirty."
"Just wash it if it gets dirty."
Wang Zhaozhao automatically ignored the unkindness in the other party's tone and said nonchalantly.
The river flowing out of the mountains is not big or deep. There is only an occasional bubble, so there is no danger of flooding.
If you dare to go to the big river outside the village to catch crabs and shrimps, you might be able to eat "stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork".
A group of children were turning over stones in the river looking for crabs. Wang Zhaozhao did not deliberately keep a low profile, but it was soon discovered that she did not say much. Although many words were spoken to her, she did not actually need to answer.
"Wang Zhaozhao, my second sister will be back soon." Suddenly, Chen Zhaodi's sister Chen Pandidi ran over and looked at her straight.
"Oh, congratulations."
Wang Zhaozhao blinked her eyes and said, "Just come back, why tell her?"
After being sent to a juvenile labor camp, is it something to be proud of when you come back?
"Chen Pandi, why don't any of you sisters go to school?" Wang Weiguo asked unfriendly.
"Is it not okay if we don't want to go to school?" Chen Pandi's face changed.
Wang Weiguo wanted to say something, but Wang Zhaozhao pulled him.
In their Hebian Village, Chen Pandi and her sisters are considered to be the most poor children.
Don't go to school, do you really not want to?
The primary school of the Hebian Village Production Team has been established for two years, and the school attendance rate of school-age children is barely 80%.
Sisters like Chen Pandi are not among the 80%.
The old woman in their family who was extremely patriarchal and always tortured them was sent to labor camp and has not returned yet, so they did not go to school. It is not Old Woman Zhou's fault.
Whether it has something to do with poverty or gender discrimination, only their parents know.
Although Wang Zhaozhao didn't know why Chen Pandidi wanted to seek attention and told her that Chen Zhaodi was coming back, it was obvious that Chen Zhaodi's return was a hope for Chen Pandidi.
After all, the only reason they were able to be separated and live alone was because of Chen Zhaodi's crazy efforts.
Even though I still can't completely get rid of the bullying from those uncles and aunts, as long as I don't live with them and don't eat from the same pot, I will always be bullied less.
"Sister Zhao, shall we go back?" After walking a little further into the mountains and finding that the harvest was not good, Wang Weiguo looked at the sky and suggested going back.
"good."
For such a group of people, it would be considered lucky if they could catch a dozen crabs.
Add some chili peppers and stir-fry until it makes half a bowl.
Little Dudu had steamed egg custard, which was enough for Wang Zhaozhao and Xie Ailian to eat with rice.
The next morning, Wang Dahai and his friends came back, and Xie Ailian hurriedly asked about the situation.
In fact, she secretly felt relieved for Wang Daju.
"...It was done fairly well, but their debt has also increased." Wang Dahai couldn't help but sigh after he finished speaking.
"It doesn't matter if it's high. They are both hardworking, Qihua and Qi'an are sensible, and the debt can always be paid off." Xie Ailian was secretly happy in her heart.
The handcuffs of debt are much easier to bear than the old shackles that were physically and mentally exhausting.
Wang Zhaozhao listened with her rabbit ears perked up, and really wanted to ask Wang Dahai if they had to give a gift when they went to eat white tofu.
Don’t be too exaggerated, how about putting in ten or twenty dollars?
In the afternoon, when returning to the county town, Wang Zhaozhao asked the question on the way to the bus station in town.
"Normally it's a few cents or one dollar. I'll pay one dollar, and add three dollars for your fourth uncle." Wang Dahai said.
Wang Zhaozhao said "oh" and pondered it in his mind for a while. Finally, he asked, "Grandpa, is there any particular reason for giving this number?"
"Normally it's a few cents a piece. It was your eldest aunt's mother-in-law who died. We are not real relatives. Giving too much might hurt the reputation of your eldest brother-in-law's relatives.
Normal neighbors and distant relatives get 50 cents, closer relatives may get 70 or 90 cents, and the better ones only get one dollar.
We all go together because we are close relatives. This is basically the amount for your uncle's cousins.
As for the three-dollar gift on behalf of your fourth uncle, firstly, everyone knows that he is a worker now, and secondly, he didn't come in person and I am doing him a favor, so a little more is normal, but any more would be inappropriate and would put pressure on your eldest uncle.
After all, favors are always given and reciprocated. Next time your fourth uncle does something or holds a banquet, your eldest uncle will refer to the gift money your fourth uncle gave this time.
Normally, you have to add a little bit to the price people pay when they come to your house, like 3.20 or 3.80…”
Wang Dahai gave a serious explanation, aiming to teach her the etiquette of social interactions in their area.
Wang Zhaozhao was taught differently.
However, in the end, Wang Dahai gave a summary.
"If our conditions are better, for example, your fourth uncle becomes a big boss in the future, or you have great prospects in the future, if others give one dollar, you can give ten or a hundred dollars, it's up to you.
If it is included in the gift money list, it will save face for both parties, and no one will consider it as a lack of favor."
Xie Ailian glared at Wang Dahai, "Old man, I've noticed that the older you get, the more you talk. In the past, you couldn't even get a fart out of me even after three beatings, but now you're trying to teach a little girl about human relations. Aren't you afraid of getting the lesson wrong?!"
"How can this be wrong? Isn't this how it is here?" Wang Dahai glared back.
"She doesn't live in the village, what's the point of teaching her?"
"Why is it useless? It's always good to know a little bit, and after all, aren't all relationships the same? In the city, the most that matters is that the gifts are bigger."
"You old farmer, you don't know shit. It's definitely not the same."
“…”
The old couple started arguing with each other.
Wang Zhaozhao tried it and found that he couldn't get a word in, so he just shut up and quietly teased the little Dudu who was held by Wang Dahai.
The little guy grinned and his saliva flowed onto his grandfather's shoulder.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
