Secretary Ji glanced at the two of them, understanding the situation perfectly. He felt a surge of anger rising in his chest, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Not wanting to say anything more, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, Xia, it's getting late, let's go back."
"Uncle Ji—"
Chen Jing was still trying to persuade him when Secretary Ji waved his hand and said, "It's late, let's talk another day. I have to go back to the brigade."
Chen Jing had no choice but to give up, glancing at Ji Xia with reluctance before watching the two ride away on their bicycles.
As they approached the Ji family compound, Secretary Ji got out of the car and pushed it slowly, gesturing for her to join in the conversation.
He glanced at his daughter: "Did you do the marks on his neck?"
Ji Xia lowered her head and smiled shyly: "I was so happy to receive the payment yesterday that I had a drink and got carried away."
"But don't worry, Chen Jing isn't that kind of person. Last night he insisted on having a formal title, so he didn't do anything."
Upon hearing this, Secretary Ji snorted coldly: "This kid is as cunning as a sieve. If he turns out to be like Lin Haodong one day, you won't be able to outmaneuver him."
Ji Xia chuckled dismissively, "Dad, so what if he's like Lin Haodong? Just kick him out. As long as I'm strong and independent, I can live without him.
She glanced at her father discreetly: "Dad, don't always think that women are always at a disadvantage and men are always at a disadvantage in these kinds of situations. It's hard to say who benefits and who benefits. As long as I'm willing, it's not a loss for me."
Secretary Ji looked at his daughter in surprise, as if he didn't recognize her.
Ever since Lin Haodong's incident, he seems like a completely different person.
"Have you made up your mind?"
"Yes, I've made up my mind. I think he's a good match. We've been childhood sweethearts, understand each other, and our personalities complement each other. After I finish my studies, I'll either start a design studio or open a factory, and it would be great to be with him."
After thinking about it carefully, Secretary Ji also felt that it made sense. Anyway, they were all from the same production brigade. If Chen Jing dared to be disrespectful to Ji Xia, his family wouldn't be so easily bullied.
On the contrary, if a woman marries someone from another place, her family will be unable to support her.
But thinking about it, he was still unwilling, and sighed, "Fine, if you want to get married, then get married. But make it clear to him that the 'three turns and one ring' (referring to a set of three-turn watches and a set of four-turn watches) and the bride price are indispensable, and having a house in the city is also necessary."
Ji Xia was overjoyed; this meant they had agreed.
However, of the three essentials and one sound, besides the sewing machine, she had a bicycle and a watch, but the radio couldn't play English, so it wasn't very useful.
She suggested in a low voice, "Dad, my factory is desperately short of sewing machines. Why don't we just replace the 'three turns and one sound' (referring to the three sewing machines, three rotating parts, and one resonator) with three sewing machines?"
"No, three sewing machines. What will people think of you if they see them? Will they be able to guess what you're doing in secret? You can do it secretly if you want, but don't make it public knowledge."
After pondering for a while, Secretary Ji said, "The three turns and one sound are indispensable. He sent a sewing machine, and I will buy you another one as part of your dowry, so you will have two. You don't need the bicycle and watch, so keep them for your second brother and let him make up the difference."
“Your second brother is not young anymore. When he comes back, we should discuss his important matters.”
Ji Xia thought it made sense. Old ginger is always spicier. It's still early, 1978. Private business licenses won't be allowed until 1980. It's better to keep a low profile.
Ji Xia smiled and agreed, then whispered, "Father, this is something you, my second brother, and I can keep to ourselves, but don't let my eldest brother know."
Secretary Ji frowned: "Even your older brother can't know?"
Ji Xia explained helplessly, "Dad, I didn't want my eldest brother to know because I didn't want to put him in a difficult position. What I really didn't want to know was my sister-in-law, or rather, I didn't want her family to know."
“Didn’t you see the way her mother acted like a Japanese invader when her sister-in-law was hospitalized a few days ago? If her family finds out, and her sister-in-law comes to your brother for help, should I give in?”
“The Zhang family is like a bloodsucking leech, sucking the blood of their son-in-law’s family to support themselves. This kind of brother-supporting demon family will only hurt my relationship with my older brother.”
“Let my sister-in-law take over the job at the supply and marketing cooperative to improve their economic situation. If my eldest brother also wants to move to the city, let my second brother think of a way. But the small workshop is my life’s work, and I don’t want anyone to ruin it.”
Secretary Ji's face darkened. His wife had mentioned it vaguely a few days ago, but he hadn't taken it seriously at the time.
The fact that the daughter is so wary suggests that the mother-in-law's influence is considerable.
Ji Xia then embellished the story, recounting what Zhang's mother had done, and this time she was indeed not wrong.
In their past life, the Zhang family was like vampires. Their only son turned into a scoundrel who stole chickens and dogs all day long. When he ran out of money, he would ask his three older sisters for money and squeezed his three sons-in-law dry.
She felt guilty towards her elder brother in her past life, and she couldn't help him at all.
Now that the supply and marketing cooperative job has been handed over to Zhang Hong, and she's been given proper postpartum care, it's as if she's repaid all the debts she owed in her past life.
What happens to the two of them in the future is none of her business.
After being persuaded by Ji Xia, Secretary Ji agreed not to tell Ji Zhijun, and even kept it from Ji's mother.
Since we've made money, we should give the two elders a little more so they can help out Ji Zhijun.
In fact, if Zhang Hong takes over the work and gets involved with that high-end hair accessory business, and the supply and marketing cooperative line is handed over to her, and she still can't make money, then it can only be said that she is too stupid.
The two returned to the Ji family home, and Secretary Ji and his mother soon rode their bicycles back home.
Ji Zhijun didn't go back. He spent the night with his wife and children, and the next morning he borrowed Ji Xia's bicycle to return to the brigade.
The following morning, Chen Jing knocked on the Ji family's gate early as usual.
Zhang Lan opened the door, and Chen Jing came in carrying several meat buns. He smiled slightly at her and asked, "Is Ji Xia up yet?"
Ji Xia, holding a glass of water for brushing her teeth, smiled at Chen Jing and said, "You're up. You can go in first. I've made some pumpkin porridge; let's eat together."
"good."
Chen Jing placed the meat buns on the living room table and then went to the kitchen to get two bowls of pumpkin porridge.
A short while later, Ji Xia finished tidying up, turned around and sat down next to him, grabbed a meat bun, and called to Zhang Lan: "Take these two meat buns inside for your sister-in-law to eat, and you can have some too."
Zhang Lan responded, took the four meat buns, and went to have dinner with her older sister.
Chen Jing nervously observed her calm expression: "Xia, what did your father say yesterday?"
Ji Xia curled her lips and smiled meaningfully at him: "My dad said you're more cunning than a sieve, and that once you become famous, you'll be like Lin Haodong. Even if there were hundreds more of me, I still couldn't outsmart you."
"Innocent! How could I possibly play tricks on you?"
Chen Jing regretted his little trick from yesterday. It didn't get Secretary Ji's approval and only made him look down on him even more.
Yesterday, Ji Xia praised him highly, and Secretary Ji seemed somewhat softened.
If I had known better than to use this little trick, I might have agreed last night.
Ji Xia chuckled a few times upon hearing this: "Serves him right. My dad is an old hand at this. What kind of people hasn't he seen? How dare you try to outsmart him?"
"However, do you dare to sign a prenuptial agreement? If you ever betray me in the future, everything you have today will belong to our child."
Chen Jing was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what he meant and was overjoyed: "A prenuptial agreement? Your father agreed?"
"It depends on your sincerity," Ji Xia replied with a smile.
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