Chapter 227
Jiang Ning's crisp "Thank you, Dad" made Jiang's father smile even more. He glared at her and said, "You're still saying thank you at home! What's there to thank for in a family!" He called Song Peifeng, "Then you sit down. I'll make you a bowl of noodles. It will be ready soon. Ningning, you can have one bowl too."
At the banquet tonight, Uncle Jiang's mother's family stewed local chicken soup for eight chickens. The chicken soup filled a whole steel bucket, and it was golden and fragrant. Unlike the chicken soup that was torn into pieces and only the chicken heads were left when it was served on the table, this chicken soup had never been eaten by anyone. It was brought back by the people helping in the kitchen, each of them with a teapot.
It’s cold at the end of the year and it won’t go bad. It tastes delicious when used to make noodles in the morning.
It had only been two days since Jiang's father and mother came back. The conditions at home were very simple. Apart from some cilantro, bok choy, radishes, and garlic that Aunt Jiang helped to grow in the back, there was only pork.
This year, all the lotus roots were drowned, so we couldn’t make lotus root balls like in previous years, so we had to use radish balls instead.
Father Jiang used the chicken soup he had just made that afternoon and picked some winter vegetables, and asked Song Peifeng if he wanted to eat coriander.
The coriander they grow at home is different from the one bought at the market. It tastes sweeter and has a stronger aroma.
Song Peifeng's taste is basically the same as Jiang Ning's, he also likes what Jiang Ning likes.
Dad Jiang blanched some greens and cilantro, put a poached egg on top, sprinkled some garlic leaves on top, and served a bowl of freshly-made chicken noodle soup. It was indeed fragrant and Jiang Ning couldn't help but eat a small bowl as well.
After they finished eating, Jiang's father asked about Song Peifeng's situation, such as what his family did, where he went to school, what direction he wanted to pursue in the future, etc.
Even though he had heard it from Jiang's aunt before, when he heard Song Peifeng say with his own ears that his father was a secretary, his mother quit her job to go into business, and he himself was now a freshman at Tsinghua University, Jiang's father, who had always had some regrets and feelings about college, couldn't be more satisfied.
Especially Song Peifeng's height, appearance, conversation, education, and family background were all outstanding and there was nothing wrong with him. Even Jiang's father himself couldn't help but sigh that his daughter was very picky. She found such a good partner for herself in just her second year of college.
Unlike many people who think that Jiang Ning is looking for a partner too early, Jiang's father believes that when looking for a partner, you have to choose one early and grab it quickly and accurately!
Good objects are always scarce resources. If you are a step slow, they may be snatched away by others.
Father Jiang asked him about his future work plans, whether he wanted to stay in Beijing or come back, etc. He asked a lot of questions and also asked him if there was any urgent matter that brought him here so late.
Song Peifeng smiled and said, "A few days ago, Ningning gave my dad a feasibility report on Wucheng's economic development and local economic development. These plans will be fully implemented in Wucheng after the new year, and are now in the preparation stage. If there are some questions that you don't understand, let me ask Ningning."
"You can't come over so late at night. Give us a call before you come so we can pick you up at the ferry!" Father Jiang said with an eager smile. Looking at Song Peifeng now, he felt like he was looking at his own son.
If this man becomes his son-in-law, then Jiang Guoping, not to mention in the Linhe Brigade, even if he walks to Wucheng, others will respect him. That means he will become a relative of the official. This dream has come true now. He never dared to think about it in the past.
In the past, Jiang's father's highest expectation for Jiang Ning was to get into university, become a teacher, have a stable income, and have winter and summer vacations. If she could be like her aunt, marry into a town and own a shop, he would be very satisfied. Who would have thought that his daughter would be so successful, not only was she admitted to Peking University, but she also found a partner who was the son of an official. My goodness, he will be so impressive when he goes out from now on!
When Dad Jiang thought of that scene, he was so happy that he almost lost his mind. He was so enthusiastic towards Song Peifeng!
It's more than an hour from here to the ferry. The wind is biting and the river wind is icy. This young man actually ran such a long way by himself and came to Jiangjia Village alone. Thinking of this, he was even more satisfied and said, "Okay, okay, you guys can talk if you have anything to say. I'll go prepare a room for you and you can sleep at your uncle's house tonight!"
The Jiang family now has a total of eight rooms. Even though there are guests at home now and they occupy two rooms, there are still several rooms that are empty.
Jiang's father originally wanted Song Peifeng to sleep in Jiang Song's room, but Jiang's mother sternly refused: "Songzi hasn't even slept in this room yet, how can we let outsiders sleep there first?"
Father Jiang was startled and glared at Mother Jiang: "Can you lower your voice a little? What nonsense are you talking about? What outsider? He is Ning Ning's boyfriend, our son-in-law, how can he be an outsider?"
Jiang's mother rolled her eyes in annoyance and said impatiently: "Enough! Why are you rushing to do something that hasn't even started yet?" Jiang's mother frowned and said unhappily: "Why don't you think about how to deal with the situation when your good daughter brings her boyfriend back home!"
"What do you mean by how to deal with it? Such a good son-in-law can only be found because of the excellence of our daughter Ningning!" Father Jiang smiled with his teeth showing. It can be seen that Father Jiang is extremely satisfied with Song Peifeng.
Dad Jiang had been oppressed too much in the past few years. Once he turned things around and his two children were so successful, all the depression he had felt for so many years was swept away. Thinking of the envious expressions of the villagers in the future, Dad Jiang felt like he had drunk a bottle of cold beer in the dog days of summer, feeling refreshed from head to toe.
Mother Jiang was speechless as she watched him daydream.
Before they even started thinking about it, the two of them were already daydreaming.
It’s not that Jiang’s mother can’t stand Jiang Ning’s good deeds, but she doesn’t like this son-in-law.
Of course she likes such a son-in-law with an outstanding family background and appearance, but her two older sons don’t have wives yet, and Jiang Ning’s younger sister brought her partner home first. Is this reasonable?
I didn’t tell them before bringing them back. If you don’t know, you might think that there is something wrong with the two brothers. The two brothers haven’t gotten married yet, but the younger sister brought her partner back home first. How much does she want to get married? It doesn't sound good to say it outside.
Also, thinking of her daughter's outgoing look, Jiang's mother was worried that Jiang Ning would run to the boy's room at night out of ignorance.
This is her son's house. According to their local customs, daughters and sons-in-law are not allowed to live in the same room.
But they lived downstairs at night, and Jiang Ning and Song Peifeng were both arranged to stay in south-facing rooms upstairs.
Jiang's mother originally wanted Song Peifeng to live in the room downstairs facing north and south, but Jiang's father, who attached great importance to Song Peifeng, refused: "It's not like there is no room for him to sleep. Why arrange a room facing north? I tell you, you must not be confused about this matter!"
Could Jiang's mother say that she was afraid that her extroverted daughter would sneak into another boy's room at night?
I could only hold my anger and watch Dad Jiang busying himself.
Unlike the old bedding and sheets that his relatives slept on, what Jiang's father got for Song Peifeng were all new.
Jiang's mother didn't say anything either.
But she never smiled and had a stern face. It was not until Jiang Ning took Song Peifeng to wash up that Jiang's mother took Jiang Ning aside and warned her with a serious face: "This is your brother's home from your mother's side. I don't care if you bring a girlfriend back. You have to sleep in separate rooms at night. If I find out that you two go out together at night..." Jiang's mother's eyes became harsh, and she said what she used to say: "I'll skin you alive!" ', although she didn't say it out loud, Jiang Ning already knew what she was going to say.
Jiang's mother said sternly, "There is one more thing you need to understand. I have no objection to you finding a partner. If you marry well, I will be proud of you. But you need to know one thing. In our place, brothers do not marry their sisters-in-law. Sisters get married first. You can find a partner, but study hard first. You can get married after your two brothers are married. Do you understand?"
She said it in a low voice, but her eyes were stern.
Jiang Ning listened to what Jiang Ma said to her with a cold face, and suddenly smiled and said, "It would be better if you didn't tell me this. After you told me this, I wanted to drag him to tear up the marriage certificate tomorrow."
Jiang Ning had never had a rebellious period in her past and present lives. She just passed her adolescence, but in this life she seemed to have suddenly become rebellious. The more Jiang's mother didn't want her to do something, the more she tended to do the opposite of what she did.
Mother Jiang felt a sense of depression in her heart.
If Jiang Ma from the past had heard Jiang Ning say this, she would have slapped her in the face. But now she saw that the man was taller than her, 1.72 meters tall, looking down at her with a cold look in his eyes and a bit of contempt for Jiang Ning. Jiang Ma did not dare to beat or scold Jiang Ning as she did in the past.
She knew that Jiang Ning was different from the past. She was no longer the little girl who she could hit at will and could not resist.
She was getting older day by day, but Jiang Ning was getting stronger and stronger day by day.
Not to mention, if she dared to hit her now, I'm afraid the spit of everyone in Jiangjia Village would drown her, and Mayor Jiang, Jiang Guotai, and Village Chief Jiang would not let her go.
Even if they don't do anything to her, what if they deal with her son Jiang Song?
She suddenly realized that she was powerless against Jiang Ning. This powerlessness was like a person who had always been oppressed and controlled by her, but suddenly one day he escaped from her control. All her previous methods no longer worked on him.
After Jiang's mother returned to the room, her face was still stern and looked very ugly.
Father Jiang said unhappily, "It's Chinese New Year, why are you making that expression? Your child has found such a good partner, as a mother, you should be happy."
Dad Jiang was increasingly unable to understand Mom Jiang's thoughts. It was hard to find such a good son-in-law even with a lantern, and she had a stern face the whole time.
Jiang's mother said angrily, "What do you know? Now that you have a promising daughter, you don't miss your two sons at all. Don't you think about it? If she brings her partner back now, what will happen to her two brothers? In our place, there is no sister who gets married before her brother. If she gets married before her two brothers, how will Songzi and Baizi find partners to marry in the future?"
Father Jiang, who was too happy, didn't really consider this.
This is indeed an established custom here. The older brothers and sisters have to get married first before the younger ones can get married. Otherwise, people will think that since the younger ones in your family are married but the older ones still don't have a partner, there must be something wrong with you. In the marriage market, people will avoid such people.
However, Jiang's father did not think it was a big deal. He said, "Ningning is only a freshman. She still has three and a half years to graduate. Why are you in such a hurry? In three and a half years, Songzi will be 26 and Baizi will be 24. With their talents and looks, how can they not get married at the age of 24 or 25? You are really anxious for no reason." He asked Jiang's mother, "You didn't tell Ningning about this just now, did you?"
Mother Jiang said nothing.
Father Jiang said, "You are so stubborn. You are lucky to have met me." Father Jiang said, feeling pleased with himself. "Why are you and Ningning fighting? You two are both stubborn. Ningning is obviously the type who will respond to soft words and not hard ones. Yet you still have to fight her head against her."
When Jiang's mother heard Jiang's father say that Jiang Ning had the same temper as her, she was speechless. But then she thought, isn't this little girl's temper the same as hers? Jiang Guoping is a person who has always been able to comfort himself, otherwise he would not have accepted such a heavy debt and carried it on his own.
On the contrary, Jiang's mother, who has been both a sister and a mother at home since she was a child, was used to having her say. After she came to the Jiang family, Jiang's father felt sorry for her and had suffered so much with him for so many years, and never left her. He was also willing to give in to her. She also believed that she had given birth to two sons for the Jiang family, and her status was very stable. Naturally, her attitude in speaking and doing things became more assertive and tough, and she would not tolerate any refutation or doubt.
Father Jiang advised Mother Jiang: "We are getting older now. Even though we all look strong and can still work for a few more years, in the future, the three siblings will still have to support each other." Father Jiang said earnestly: "Among the three siblings, Ningning looks the most promising. Although Bozi looks good, he is still a little behind Ningning. Ningning was admitted to Peking University, and she will not be bad in the future. Her boyfriend's father is still the top local official, and he may even move up in the future. If Ningning can get into the system in the future, the road will be paved in advance." Father Jiang analyzed with Mother Jiang, "When Songzi comes back in the future, she will just let go of her hands. If Songzi wants to find a job or do something else, she may have to rely on Ningning. Why should you go against Ningning?" Father Jiang sighed: "You used to be heavy-handed and beat her when you lost your temper. I also know that life is hard and you are suppressing your anger in your heart. I didn't persuade you. In the end, you disappointed your daughter."
"If you don't soften your attitude now and continue to be tough with her like before, do you think she is still begging for food from you like before? From now on, it won't be her begging you, but us begging her." Father Jiang had a clear understanding of the situation and sighed, "You should be softer. Even if not for yourself, think about Songzi. We don't know how Songzi is doing now..." If he is in prison and comes out in a few years, he will probably still have to rely on his sister for help.
Jiang's father didn't say this unlucky thing, but Jiang's mother understood what she meant.
She then said dryly: "Do you think I don't understand this?"
Thinking of their eldest son, whose life or death was uncertain, the couple fell silent. Jiang's mother lay on the pillow, choking and wiping away tears, saying, "It would be great if Songzi could call back."
At least let them know where you are and let them know you are safe.
It’s not like now, they are so worried and there is no news about their eldest son.
"I don't know if Songzi will be able to come back for the New Year this year."
The next day, all the relatives knew that Jiang Ning had found a boyfriend, and his father was the local official in Wucheng.
They had always looked at Jiang Ning differently, and now they held her up high.
Jiang Ning did not bring Song Peifeng to the village to show off, but instead kept a low profile.
Jiang Guotai and Mayor Jiang both came back in the morning. Knowing that Jiang Ning was at home and her boyfriend was also here, they hurriedly brought their children to Jiang's house to look for Jiang Ning. However, Jiang Ning was not at Jiang's house. Instead, she was taking Song Peifeng to visit the land of their hometown. She pointed to the wild wolfberries that could be seen everywhere on both sides of the embankment and the ridges of the fields and said, "Look, there are wolfberries everywhere, but we are trapped in this poor mountain valley. The treasure is right in front of us, but in the past no one knew about it and thought it was a poisonous pepper."
If there was someone who knew about wolfberries before they were dried, they wouldn't have spent so many years without getting the treasure.
Wild wolfberries are different from the cultivated wolfberries. Wild wolfberries grow wildly, and they grow downward or horizontally. The branches are full of bright red and tender wolfberries, which are extremely beautiful. The cultivated plants are several times, even ten times, taller and larger than wild wolfberries.
This is why they need to find experts to cultivate artificially cultivated wolfberry varieties.
Although wild wolfberries are everywhere, if we want to develop a system and scale it up, we have to increase the production of wolfberries.
"However, this kind of wild wolfberry can also be used as a publicity strategy. After Uncle Cathay develops this place, wild wolfberries can also be used as a publicity gimmick and a point to attract tourists to pick and eat them."
When Jiang Guotai and his friends found Jiang Ning, Jiang Ning was talking to Song Peifeng about wolfberry cultivation.
If before it was just talk on paper, now we are talking about specific plans in the field.
Mayor Jiang and Jiang Guotai rushed to the embankment. No one spoke. They listened to Jiang Ning and then said with emotion: "Who would have thought that this thing was wolfberry? No one knows it! When we were kids, this thing was everywhere."
Mayor Jiang asked Jiang Xin: "By the way, regarding the planting of wolfberries next spring, have you contacted the experts and professors at the Agricultural University and the Agricultural Bureau?"
Jiang Xin nodded and said, "Don't worry, Uncle Si, we have made all the contacts. Experts will come to do soil and water testing in the spring of next year, and the red lotus seeds have also been arranged."
Jiang Guotai has been busy these days contracting a large area of river beaches, mountain streams and hilltops. Jiang Guotai's ambition is bigger than Jiang Ning imagined, and he dares to do much more.
Because a series of publicity for his hometown has been mainly about "Wugong Mountain", in fact, their place cannot be considered "Wugong Mountain". At most, it has a tail of Wugong Mountain, called "Huolu Mountain". The real "Wugong Mountain" is in the neighboring Shijian Township. In other words, if they promote "Wugong Mountain", and the real Wugong Mountain is contracted out by someone else in the future, he is simply using his own money to make wedding clothes for others.
So he simply went all out and directly contracted the real "Wugong Mountain". These days, he has been running around for this matter.
The real "Wugong Mountain" is not as easy to contract as the mountain streams and hilltops in Shijian Township. It is more than ten miles away from here, well-known far and wide, and has a strong incense. The scenery is more than ten times more beautiful than here. There are also real ancient sites, which are truly historical and heritage-rich scenic spots.
Not to mention the surrounding areas, even in Wucheng and Wujiang City, there are people who come here every New Year to burn incense and worship the gods.
He did all these things in secret. Most people didn't have the capital to contract such a big mountain like him, but Jiang Guotai was rich.
Things are almost done, and the remaining procedures will have to wait until the new year before everything can be contracted out.
Jiang Ning pointed to the dike below the hydropower station, which was used to divert water from the Shahe River to irrigate farmland every year, and said, "Look at this area, it's a natural pearl breeding base, and there are also water chestnuts here."
Mayor Jiang touched his crew cut. He was a little tired after being busy for days, but his spirit was very excited. "Otherwise, why should we study and learn knowledge? If we don't study and go out to learn more knowledge, how can we know that these things that no one wants can be sold for money?"
They knew that water chestnuts were delicious and could be sold for money, but there were too many of them. There were flocks of them floating on the river. If anyone with children wanted to eat water chestnuts, they didn't have to go into the water. They could just use four hooks to make a shape of an anchor, tie it with a nylon rope, throw it into the river, and pull it up, and piles of water chestnut vines would be pulled ashore. The children could sit on the shore and eat as many water chestnuts as they wanted.
When we were young, we had nothing to eat, so we ate the wild water chestnuts until they were raw, boiled, or stir-fried as a vegetable. We stir-fried water chestnuts and made soup with them. We really ate them until they were gone and didn’t want to eat them anymore.
There is also aquatic茭白, which is also something that is not seen very often in their local area.
They have no shortage of aquatic plants as food, but they lack meat. They go up the mountains to hunt rabbits and pheasants, and go down to the river to catch fish and turtles. They are very active in doing so.
Listening to Jiang Ning planning the entire large river beach system in person, everyone had a clearer understanding of the future of this land.
Jiang Guotai paid more attention to the specific things Jiang Ning told him, while Mayor Jiang focused on building a relationship with Song Peifeng.
In Mayor Jiang's opinion, although he is on the county magistrate's side, Song Peifeng is about to become the son-in-law of their Jiangjia Village. Moreover, there are people above Secretary Song. Although he may be promoted, he should persuade the county magistrate to surrender to Secretary Song.
Song Peifeng came on the night of the 26th of the lunar year, stayed for two nights, and left on the 28th of the lunar year. Seeing Jiang Ning's deep love, Jiang's father was really troubled by her appearance, wishing she could pack her bags and leave with Song Peifeng. He said, "You are still young. If love lasts forever, why would you care about being together day and night? Your studies are more important right now. As for finding a partner, you can settle down first and get married after you graduate from college. Don't be in a hurry!"
There is still no news about Songzi. Jiang Bo called and said that the crew would not give her a holiday and she could not come back for the New Year. The matter of visiting the graves and worshiping the ancestors was left to her brother.
He didn't even know that Jiang Song still hadn't come back this year. He thought that no matter how unreliable his elder brother was, it had been three years, so he should at least come back for the New Year, right?
When Jiang's father heard that he would not come back, he felt very disappointed.
They have two adult sons, but they live like empty-nesters. During the New Year, only Jiang Ning stays with them. How can they not feel sad?
Although Jiang Ning made them proud, he was not their son after all.
On New Year's Eve, Jiang Guotai and Mayor Jiang went to the ancestral temple to worship their ancestors. They still brought Jiang Ning with them and asked her to stand among the younger generations.
Jiang Ning was the only girl standing among them to worship their ancestors.
Many girls and children in the village who were looking outside the ancestral hall realized that it was not that girls were not prohibited from entering the ancestral hall, but that they had to study.
They didn't care about entering the ancestral hall, but they enjoyed the same rights as boys. It seemed like they had a direction to work towards, which was to study!
Girls in the village mature earlier than boys and become sensible earlier. After realizing this, many girls in the village study harder. On the contrary, boys are at an age when they like to play, and their parents are very relaxed in their instructions and requirements for them. Except for a very small number of families that pay special attention to their children's education and children with good talents, most of them play around at an age when they should study. Some are even influenced by the family atmosphere and like to play cards and mahjong.
On the contrary, very few girls would get involved in gambling. Even if their parents and brothers like to play a few rounds, they would at most take a look at it sensibly, then do the housework sensibly, and then go to study after finishing the housework.
When the girls at home are studying, even the parents who like to play mahjong during the Chinese New Year rarely disturb them during their study time, and they just do the rest of the housework at home.
On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Jiang's mother was going back to her parents' home. Jiang's father said all the nice things he could to persuade Jiang Ning to go with Jiang's mother to her uncle's house and hang out with him: "They are all real brothers and sisters. You should go back with your mother to meet them. Your two brothers are not at home. You can't let your mother go alone, right?"
No matter how much Jiang's father said nice things, Jiang Ning, after entertaining Aunt Jiang who came back to her mother's home on the second day of the New Year, packed her luggage on the third day of the New Year and left Jiangjia Village with Grandpa Jiang.
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