The 13th day of the seventh lunar month has arrived, and the weather is still hot and humid, which is significantly different from the rainy weather in previous years. There are some dark clouds in the sky, but no sign of rain.
When Su Jin went to the foot of the mountain to find Wang Dahong, he found that some old masters were burning paper and praying for rain in a secret place at the foot of the mountain, hoping that the ancestors could ensure good weather this year.
"Sister, has the village replanted the autumn crops?" Su Jin and Wang Dahong went back to their former home, where her three sisters lived. The high walls kept out many people with ulterior motives.
Wang Dahong shook his head: "We've been screwed this time. My family has written letters asking if we have any extra food!"
Wang Dahong, Liu Ying and Lu Shan all shook their heads. Wang Dahua and his wife came to the farm to join the army due to work transfer, and the two sisters had more frequent contact.
"It's the same with us," Lu Shan told Su Jin. "My parents wanted food, but they didn't consider whether we were short of food."
All three of them went to the countryside and could only communicate with their families through letters. Therefore, their relationship with their families was not as good as that with the educated youth.
"My three sisters, why don't you plant sweet potatoes and potatoes in your private plots? The walls of our house are high enough, so they should be able to grow." When Su Jin came in, she deliberately took a look at the well and found that the water level in the well was still quite high.
The three nodded: "That's what Sister Dahua suggested too."
"Xiao Jin, let's plant more. When the harvest comes, you can help collect it and take some to the farm to share with Sister Dadahua." Liu Ying looked at Su Jin and pointed at the land in the backyard. "Zong Li and Wang Yuan said they helped tidy it up according to their brother-in-law's orders. We thought we'd use their free time to plant some crops."
Su Jin looked at her three sisters in surprise. Zong Li and Wang Yuan actually came down the mountain to help. She thought that they were busy in the armed forces department those days.
"No need. I planted it in my private plot at home. Big sister should give it to Big Sister Dahua." Su Jin heard on the farm that Big Sister Dahua's in-laws had a heavy burden on their shoulders, and that Big Sister Dahua worked hard to take care of the household.
"I'm glad my elder sister isn't bothered by her family. My parents' home is a bottomless pit." Wang Dahong looked up at the sky helplessly and said, "I don't know if I can escape the schemes of my family in this lifetime."
"Sister, you will definitely be able to get rid of it. In a few years, when your brother gets married, you can send money home and say that you sold yourself." Lu Shan gave Wang Dahong a suggestion.
Wang Dahua came to the village and told about her experience that year. Liu Ying and Lu Shan suggested that Wang Dahong save more money so that he could buy out the relationship in a few years.
When Su Jin supplied goods to the black market, she specially helped Wang Dahong sell embroidery pieces. Wang Dahong was from Yunnan Province and had good Miao embroidery skills. She used her spare time to make embroidery pieces and sold them on the black market for nearly 100 yuan.
It only costs 300 yuan to marry a bride in Yunnan Province. With a little more effort, Wang Dahong can do as her sisters suggested.
"Old Third is right. You can pay half the money first, and then settle the other half after the advertisement is published. Or you can find a trustworthy person to act as a third party." Liu Ying told Wang Dahong, "I used this method in April to sever ties with my family's advertisement."
Su Jin looked at Liu Ying in surprise. She was taking care of Hanhan on the farm and she didn't expect these things to happen to Liu Ying.
"The second sister's family asked for 200 yuan, saying it was for her younger brother to get married. The second sister went to the post office and called. The street director helped write a document to sever ties. The second sister sent 100 yuan back. The street director helped to send the newspaper over, and she sent another 100 yuan back." Wang Dahong told what happened in April.
The four people were talking in the yard, and the postman from the post office called Wang Dahong's name at the door.
Wang Dahong walked out directly, opened the door and watched the postman hand over the autograph book.
"Your telegram!" The postman took the telegram out of the mail bag and handed it over directly.
After Wang Dahong signed, she opened the telegram and looked at it while the postman rode away from the gate on his bicycle.
She looked at the telegram and sneered. Are the four of them blessed?
"Sister, is there anything wrong?" Liu Ying walked behind Wang Dahong and asked.
Wang Dahong handed over the telegram with a wry smile. Liu Ying looked at it and saw that it only said "200 betrothal gifts for my brother's marriage" and "Send quickly".
Just a few words, but they made Liu Ying feel cold all over.
"Sister, why don't you follow my second sister's advice?" Lu Shan looked at the two of them standing at the door and came over with Su Jin.
"I only have 100 yuan." It's not that Wang Dahong doesn't want to deal with it, but he doesn't have enough money.
"Sister, I have some here. Pay me back when you have money!" Su Jin quickly told Wang Dahong, "I'll go back and get it for you right away. You can go to the county town tomorrow to finish the matter."
"I'll ask for leave from the village chief!" Lu Shan turned and walked out the door.
"Don't be in a hurry!" Wang Dahong looked at Lu Shan and Su Jin, "I'll call the brigade tomorrow to ask, and I remember to ask the street office."
When going to the countryside, Wang Dahong specifically took the street office's phone number, fearing that something might need to be resolved by the street office.
"Sister, I'll send you 100 yuan tomorrow. What time will you be back tomorrow?" Su Jin put the money in Wang Dahong's hand first. "It would be better if I send it in advance. Sister, you can send the money anytime."
"Xiao Jin, I will return it to you as soon as possible." Wang Dahong told Su Jin.
Su Jin waved her hands repeatedly: "Sister, you should take care of your life first. You will be here for a few more years, and you will probably need to save money to buy a quilt or thick clothes."
"Second sister, third sister, you should also prepare first. I heard from Elder Song and the elders that it will get colder every year in the next two years." Su Jin suggested to the three of them, "While the weather is not cold, hurry up and collect more firewood. This year's weather may be even colder than last year."
After hearing Su Jin's words, the three of them nodded and prepared to get firewood in advance.
"Xiao Jin, does your family have coal tickets? We can buy them from you." After discussing, the three decided to ask Su Jin for help.
Su Jin's husband gives her coal coupons every month. She is worried about being too cold, so she often buys some coal coupons from the black market and buys coal in October.
"Here are 50 kilograms of coal tickets. You don't have a coal stove here!" Su Jin used her bag as a cover and took out the coal tickets from the space. "You can buy a second-hand coal stove with money, but you must ask someone to help install it."
Liu Ying reached out and took the coal ticket: "How much is a second-hand coal stove? We don't have much money."
"Go to the supply and marketing cooperative and ask while the weather is hot. It should be cheaper." Su Jin told the three people.
"I asked, and they're 10 yuan each. For the three of us, that's 30!" Liu Ying whispered, "I want to discuss with you. If we can't afford one for each room, even if we can just burn firewood."
"Let's go buy it in a few days. A second-hand one will definitely work!" Lu Shan nodded immediately after hearing what Liu Ying said.
"I'll work hard on the embroidery pieces. If I have three more, I can buy them!" Wang Dahong said, looking at the two of them.
Su Jin didn't say anything, just put the coal ticket on the table.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com