Chapter 227

Jiang Xiao's crisp "Thank you, Dad" made Jiang's father's smile even deeper. He smiled and glared at her and said, "You're still saying thank you at home! We're a family, what's there to thank or not thank!" He called Song Peifeng, "Then you sit down, I'll make you a bowl of noodles, it'll be quick, Xiao Xiao, you have one too."

Tonight's banquet, Jiang Da's mother's family stewed eight chickens of local chicken soup, a full steel bucket of chicken soup, stewed golden and fragrant, and different from the chicken heads that were torn apart on the table, these chicken soups were not eaten by anyone, and were brought back by the kitchen helpers, one teapot for each person.

It was cold at the end of the year and it wouldn't go bad, so it was very fragrant when used to make noodles in the morning.

It has only been two days since Jiang's father and mother came back. The conditions at home are simple. Apart from some coriander, small greens, radish, and garlic that Jiang's aunt helped to plant in the back, there is only pork.

This year, because all the lotus roots were drowned, there is no lotus root left, so it is impossible to make lotus root balls like in previous years. Radish balls can only be used instead.

Jiang's father used the chicken soup that he had just made this afternoon and picked some winter vegetables. He asked Song Peifeng if he would eat coriander.

The coriander they grow at home is different from the coriander bought in the vegetable market. It tastes sweeter and has a stronger fragrance.

Song Peifeng's taste is basically the same as Jiang Xu's. He also likes what Jiang Xu likes.

Dad Jiang boiled some greens and coriander, poached an egg, sprinkled some garlic leaves, and served a bowl of freshly cooked chicken noodle soup. It was indeed fragrant and Jiang Xi couldn't help but eat a small bowl.

After they finished eating, Dad Jiang asked about Song Peifeng's situation, what his family did, where he was studying now, what he wanted to do in the future, etc.

Even though he had heard about it from Aunt Jiang before, he couldn't be more satisfied when he heard Song Peifeng say that his father was a secretary, his mother resigned to start a business, and he was now a freshman at Tsinghua University. Dad Jiang, who always had some regrets and feelings about college, couldn't have been more satisfied.

Especially Song Peifeng's height, appearance, conversation, education, and family background are all outstanding, and there is nothing to fault with them. Even Jiang's father himself couldn't help but sigh that his daughter is good at choosing. She has found such a good partner for herself in her second year of college.

Unlike many people who think that Jiang Peifeng is looking for a partner too early, in Jiang's father's view, looking for a partner is to look for it early and grab it quickly and accurately!

Good partners are always scarce resources. If you are a step slower, they may be snatched away by others.

Jiang's father also asked him about his future work plans, whether he would stay in Beijing or come back, etc. He asked a lot of questions, and asked him if he came so late for something urgent.

Song Peifeng said with a smile: "A few days ago, Xingxing gave my father a feasibility report on Wucheng's economic development and local economic development. These plans will be fully implemented in Wucheng after the year. Now it is already in the preparation stage. If there are some questions that you don't understand, let me ask Xingxing."

"You can't come over so late at night. Give us a call before you come so that we can pick you up at the ferry!" Jiang's father said with an eager smile. Now looking at Song Peifeng, it's like looking at his own son.

If this becomes his son-in-law, then Jiang Guoping, not to mention in Linhe Brigade, even if he walks to Wucheng, others will respect him. That means he will become a relative of his parents. This dream has come true now. In the past, he really didn't dare to think about it even in his dreams.

In the past, Jiang's father's highest expectation for Jiang Xi was to get into university, become a teacher, have a guaranteed income, and have winter and summer vacations. If she could marry into the town like her aunt and have a shop, he would be very satisfied. Who would have thought that his daughter would be so successful, not only was she admitted to Beijing University, but she also found a son of a local official as her partner. My goodness, she will be so impressive when she goes out in the future!

When Jiang's father thought of that scene, he was so happy that he almost lost his mind. He was so enthusiastic about Song Peifeng!

It's more than an hour away from here to the ferry. The wind is freezing and the river wind is icy. This young man actually ran such a long way alone and came to Jiangjia Village alone. The thought of this made him even more satisfied and he said, "Okay, okay, you guys can talk about whatever you want. I'll prepare a room for you and you can sleep at my uncle's house tonight!"

The Jiang family now has a total of eight rooms. Even though there are guests at home now, occupying two rooms, there are still several rooms that are empty.

Father Jiang originally wanted Song Peifeng to sleep in Jiang Song's room, but Mother Jiang 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 a private person, our son-in-law, how can he be an outsider?"

Mother Jiang rolled her eyes in annoyance and said impatiently: "Enough! Why are you rushing to do something that hasn't even started yet?" Mother Jiang frowned and said unhappily: "You might as well think about how to deal with the matter of your good girl bringing a private person back!"

"What? How to deal with it? Only our son-in-law is so outstanding that he can find such a good son-in-law!" Jiang's father smiled with his teeth showing. It can be seen that Jiang's father is extremely satisfied with Song Peifeng.

Jiang's father was really oppressed in the past few years. Once he turned over, his two children were so promising. It was like Jiang's depression for so many years was swept away. Thinking of the envious expressions of the villagers in the future, Jiang's father felt like he drank a bottle of cold beer in the dog days of summer, and he felt refreshed from head to toe.

Jiang's mother was speechless when she saw this daydreaming look.

The two of them were daydreaming before they even had a chance to have a baby.

It's not that Jiang's mother can't stand Jiang's goodness and 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 Xi’s younger sister has brought her boyfriend home first. Is this reasonable? She

didn’t tell them before bringing him home. If you don’t know, you might think that the two brothers are sick. The two brothers haven’t married yet, but the younger sister has brought her boyfriend home first. How much does she hate marriage? It’s not nice to say it outside.

Also, thinking of the outgoing look of the young lady, Jiang’s mother is worried that Jiang Xi will not know better and run to the boy’s room at night.

This is her son’s house. In their local customs, daughters and sons-in-law cannot live in the same room.

But they live downstairs at night, and Jiang Xi and Song Peifeng’s rooms are arranged upstairs facing south.

Jiang's mother originally wanted Song Peifeng to live in the room facing north and south downstairs, but Jiang's father, who valued Song Peifeng very much, refused: "It's not like there's no room to sleep in? Why arrange a room facing north? I tell you, you must not be confused about this matter!"

Jiang's mother could not say that she was afraid that her outgoing girl would sneak into other boys' rooms at night?

She could only hold her anger and watch Jiang's father busying around.

Unlike the old bedding and sheets that the relatives slept on, Jiang's father brought Song Peifeng all new ones.

Jiang's mother did not say anything.

But she never smiled, and had a stern face. It was not until Jiang Xi took Song Peifeng to wash up that Jiang's mother took Jiang Xi aside and warned her sternly: "This is your brother's house. I don't care if you bring someone back. Sleep in two separate rooms at night. If I know that you two go out together at night..." Jiang's mother's eyes became fierce, and she used to say: "I will peel off your skin!" Although she didn't say it out loud, Jiang Xi already knew what she was going to say.

Jiang's mother said sternly, "There is one more thing you need to know. I don't object 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, no brothers marry their sisters-in-law. It's the younger sisters who 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 very stern.

Jiang Xi listened to Jiang's mother saying this with a cold face. Suddenly she smiled and said, "It would be better if you didn't tell me this. If you did, I would want to drag him to rip up the marriage certificate tomorrow."

Jiang Xi had never had a rebellious period in her past and present lives. She had 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 would do the opposite of her.

Jiang's mother felt depressed.

If Jiang Ma had heard Jiang Xi say this in the past, she would have slapped him. But now she saw Jiang Xi, who was taller than her, with a net height of 1.72 meters, looking down at her with a cold look in his eyes. Jiang Ma didn't dare to hit or scold Jiang Xi as she did in the past.

She knew that Jiang Xi was different from the past. She was no longer the little girl who she could hit and could not resist.

She was getting older day by day, but Jiang Xi was getting stronger and stronger day by day.

Not to mention, if she dared to hit her now, I'm afraid the spit of the whole Jiangjia Village would drown her. Mayor Jiang, Jiang Guotai, and Village Chief Jiang would not let her go.

Even if they would not do anything to her, what about her son Jiang Song?

She suddenly realized that she was powerless against Jiang Xi. This powerlessness was like a person who had been oppressed and controlled by her, and suddenly one day he escaped from her control. Her past methods were no longer effective against him.

After Jiang's mother returned to the room, her face was still stern, which was very ugly.

Jiang's father said unhappily: "It's New Year's Day, why are you still making that expression? Your child has found such a good match, as a mother, you should be happy."

Jiang's father was increasingly unable to understand Jiang's mother's thoughts. Such a good son-in-law was really hard to find even with a lantern, and she actually 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 a 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?"

Jiang's father, who was too happy, really didn't consider this.

This is indeed a custom and habit here. The older brothers and sisters must get married first before the younger ones can get married. Otherwise, others will think that if the younger ones in your family are married, but the older ones are still single, 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 and said, "Xingxing is only a freshman and she still has three and a half years before graduation. Why are you in such a hurry? In three and a half years, Songzi will be twenty-six and Baizi will be twenty-four. With their talents and looks, how could they not get married at the age of twenty-four or twenty-five? You are really worrying for nothing." He asked Jiang's mother, "Didn't you tell Xingxing about this just now?"

Jiang's mother said nothing.

Father Jiang said, "You, with your temper, you are lucky to have met me." Father Jiang said, feeling proud, "Why are you and Xiaoxiao arguing with each other? You two, mother and daughter, are cut from the same mold with stubborn tempers. Xiaoxiao is obviously the type who will not tolerate tough things, but you still have to be tough with her."

When Jiang's mother heard Father Jiang say that Jiang Xiao had the same temper as her, she was a little speechless, but then she thought, isn't this little lady's temper the same as hers? Jiang Guoping is a person who can always comfort himself, otherwise he wouldn't have accepted such a heavy debt and carried it by himself.

On the contrary, Jiang's mother has been both the elder sister and the mother at home since she was a child, and she is used to having her word taken seriously. After she came to the Jiang family, Jiang's father felt sorry for her and the hardships she had suffered with him for so many years, and he would not leave her and was usually willing to give in to her. She also believed that she had given birth to two sons for the Jiang family, and her position was very stable. Naturally, her attitude in speaking and doing things became more and more strong and firm, and she would not tolerate any rebuttal or questioning.

Father Jiang advised Mother Jiang: "We are getting older now. Even though we still 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, Xiaoxiao looks the most promising. Although Baizi looks good, he is still a little behind Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao was admitted to Peking University, so she will not be bad in the future. The father of the girl is still the top leader of the local area. Who knows, she may even move up in the future. "If Songzi gets promoted, the road will be smooth for her if she passes the exam and gets into the system." Jiang's father analyzed with Jiang's mother, "When Songzi comes back, she can just let go of her hands. If Songzi wants to find a job or do something else, she may have to rely on her. Why do you have to go against her?" Jiang's father sighed, "You used to be heavy-handed and beat her when you got angry. I also know that life is hard. You were angry in your heart, and I didn't persuade you. In the end, you made your daughter feel disappointed."

"If you don't soften up now and still treat her toughly like before, do you think she is still begging for food from you? In the future, it won't be her who begs you, but we who beg her." Father Jiang saw the situation clearly and sighed, "You should be more gentle, even if it's not for yourself, but for Songzi. We don't know how Songzi is doing now..." If he is in prison, he will probably still need his sister's help when he comes out in a few years.

Father Jiang didn't say this unlucky word, but Mother Jiang understood what she meant.

She said dryly, "Do you think I don't understand these?"

Thinking of their eldest son who had no news and whose life and death were unknown, the couple were silent. Mother Jiang lay on the pillowcase, choked up and wiped her tears, and said, "It would be great if Songzi could call back."

At least let them know where she is and let them know that she is safe.

Unlike now, they are so worried, there is no news about their eldest son.

"I don't know if Songzi can come back for the New Year this year."

The next day, all the relatives knew that Jiang Xi had found a partner, and the partner's father was the local official in Wucheng.

Originally, they looked at Jiang Xi differently, and now they hold her in high esteem.

Jiang Xi did not bring Song Peifeng to the village to show off, but kept a low profile.

In the morning, Jiang Guotai and Jiang Zhenzhang both came back. Knowing that Jiang Xiao was at home and her boyfriend was also here, they hurriedly brought their children to Jiang's house to look for Jiang Xiao. However, Jiang Xiao was not at Jiang's house. Instead, he was taking Song Peifeng to visit their hometown. He 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 they are trapped in these poor mountains and gullies. 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 anyone who knew about wolfberries before they were dried, they wouldn't have had such a treasure mountain for so many years.

Wild wolfberries are different from the cultivated wolfberry varieties. Wild wolfberries grow wildly, and they grow downward or horizontally. The branches are full of bright red and tender wolfberries, which are extremely beautiful. Artificially 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 they want to develop a system and scale, they have to increase the production of wolfberries.

"But this kind of wild wolfberry can also be used as a promotional strategy. After Uncle Guotai has fully developed this place, wild wolfberries can also be used as a promotional gimmick and a place to attract tourists to pick and eat them."

When Jiang Guotai and his team found Jiang Xu, Jiang Xu was talking to Song Peifeng about wolfberry planting.

If it was just talk on paper before, now it is a specific plan on the ground.

Mayor Jiang and Jiang Guotai and others rushed to the embankment. No one said a word. They listened to Jiang Xin and said with emotion: "Who would have thought that this thing was actually wolfberry? No one knows about it! This thing was everywhere when we were young."

Mayor Jiang asked Jiang Xin: "By the way, about planting wolfberries in the spring of next year, have you contacted the experts and professors from the Agricultural University and the Agricultural Bureau?"

Jiang Xin nodded and said: "Don't worry, uncle, I have contacted them. Experts will come to do water and soil testing in the spring of next year, and the seeds of red lotus have also been arranged."

Jiang Guotai has been running around these days contracting a large area of ​​river beaches and mountain ditches and hilltops. Jiang Guotai's heart is bigger than Jiang Xin thought, and he dares to do more.

Because the series of publicity for his hometown has been mainly about "Wugong Mountain", in fact, their place is not really "Wugong Mountain", at most they have a tail of Wugong Mountain, called "Huolu Mountain", the real "Wugong Mountain" is in the neighboring Shijian Township, that is to say, if they promote "Wugong Mountain", the real Wugong Mountain will be contracted by someone else in the future, and he will just use his own money to make wedding clothes for others.

So he simply went all out and directly contracted the real "Wugong Mountain" together. 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 hills in Shijian Township. It is more than ten miles away from here, well-known far and wide, with a strong incense, and the scenery is more than ten times more beautiful than here. There are also real historical sites, which are real historical sites with a long history. Not

to mention the surrounding villages, even Wucheng and Wujiang City come here every New Year to burn incense and worship gods.

He handles these things in secret. Most people want to contract such a big mountain like him, but they don't have the capital, but Jiang Guotai has money.

Things are almost done, and the remaining procedures will have to wait until the beginning of the new year, and then all the contracts can be completed.

Jiang pointed to the dike below the hydropower station, where water from the Shahe River is used to irrigate farmland every year. He said, "Look at this area. It's a natural pearl breeding base. There are also water chestnuts here."

Mayor Jiang touched his crew cut. He was a little tired after being busy for several days, but his spirit was very high. "Otherwise, how can we say that we should study and learn knowledge? If we don't study and go out to learn, it will be even more difficult. How could they know that these unwanted things could be sold for money? "

They knew that water chestnuts were delicious and could be sold for money, but there were too many of them. They were floating on the river in patches. If any child wanted to eat water chestnuts, they didn't have to go into the water. They could tie four hooks into the shape of an anchor, tie them with a nylon rope, throw them into the river, and pull them up. Then piles of water chestnut vines would be pulled ashore, and the children could eat as much water chestnuts as they wanted while sitting on the shore.

When they were young, they had nothing to eat, and they ate all the wild water chestnuts. They ate them raw, boiled, fried, and as vegetables. They fried water chestnut vegetables and made soup. They really didn't want to eat them anymore.

There was also aquatic wild rice stem, which was not seen much in their area.

They have no shortage of aquatic plants, but they lack meat. They are very active in hunting rabbits and pheasants in the mountains and fishing and catching turtles in the river.

Listening to Jiang Xi's plan for the entire large river and beach system, everyone has a clearer understanding of the future of this land.

Jiang Guotai pays more attention to the specific things Jiang Xi told him, while Jiang Zhenzhang focuses on building a relationship with Song Peifeng.

In Jiang Zhenzhang's view, although he is on the side of the county magistrate, Song Peifeng is about to become the son-in-law of their Jiangjia Village. Moreover, Secretary Song has someone above him. 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 Xi's deep love, he wanted to pack his bags immediately and follow Song Peifeng. It was really a headache for Jiang Dad. He said, "You are still young. If the love is long-lasting, why should you be together day and night? Your studies are more important now. As for finding a partner, you can settle down first and get married after graduating from college. Don't rush!"

Songzi has not heard from her yet. Jiang Bo called and said that the crew would not give a holiday and she could not come back for the Chinese New Year. The matter of visiting the graves to worship the ancestors was left to his brother.

He didn't know that Jiang Song still didn't come back this year. He felt that no matter how unreliable his eldest brother was, it had been three years, and he had to come back for the Chinese New Year, right?

Jiang Dad was very disappointed when he heard that he would not come back.

They have two grown-up sons, but they live like empty-nesters. Jiang Xi is the only one left by their side during the New Year. How can they not feel sad?

Although Jiang Xi makes them proud, he is not a son after all.

On New Year's Eve, Jiang Guotai and Jiang Zhenzhang went to the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors. They still dragged Jiang Xi with them and let Jiang Xi stand among the younger generation.

Jiang Xi was the only girl standing among them to worship the ancestors.

Many girls and children in the village who were looking outside the ancestral hall realized that it was not that girls could not enter the ancestral hall, but that they had to study.

They did not care about entering the ancestral hall, but they seemed to have a direction to work hard for the same rights as boys, which was to study!

Girls in the village are more mature and sensible than boys. After realizing this, many girls in the village study harder. Boys, on the other hand, are playful and their parents are very relaxed about their children. Except for a few families who pay special attention to their children's education and children with good talents, most of them are playing around when they should be studying. Some of them are influenced by the family atmosphere and like to play cards and mahjong.

On the contrary, very few girls are involved in gambling. Even if their parents and brothers like to play a few games, they will only take a look at them and then do housework. After finishing their housework, they will go to study.

When the girls in the family are studying, even their parents who like to play mahjong during the Chinese New Year rarely disturb them during their study time, and they just do the remaining 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 good things and persuaded Jiang Xi to go to her uncle's house with Jiang's mother: "They are all real brothers and sisters. You should accompany your mother to meet them. Your two brothers are not at home. You can't let your mother go alone, right?"

Despite Jiang's father's good words, Jiang Xi entertained Jiang's aunt who came back to her parents' home on the second day of the Chinese New Year. On the third day of the Chinese New Year, he packed his luggage and left Jiangjia Village with Jiang's grandfather.