"The sea can pass through a sea of flowers without a single petal sticking to it, but you old codger, even if there are no flowers, you'll still have to roll around in the grass, and in the end you won't even bring back a burr!" Qu Jinbu mocked him mercilessly.
Wang Dabiao punched him. "Aren't you an old man too? Sigh! Who told our parents not to give us good looks?"
After liberation, many people divorced their wives in the countryside and advocated free love. At that time, everyone was worried about Sun Fengying, who was more than ten years older than Liu Dahai. She had been working hard all year round, farming, and looked incredibly haggard.
As it turned out, he was the only one who got away scot-free. He was surrounded by girls—from the performing arts troupe, the military region, and even daughters of high-ranking officials—but he rejected them all. If pushed too far, he'd publicly berate them, accusing them of being lewd. It was unbearable to watch.
Qi Zhifang had no idea that Liu Dahai wasn't a womanizer at all; he was the most devoted man imaginable. Of course, even if she did know, she'd be furious that he'd lost to a woman like Sun Fengying.
As for Qi Zhifang, she wrote a letter to Xiao Hu, explaining that she was having difficulty raising Wang Hong and that she had to ask Li Nianjun for 20 yuan every month to provide Wang Hong with living expenses. She said that they had misunderstood each other and she wanted to explain. She then sent the letter to Erzhuzi to pass on.
Anyway, she gave an explanation; if you don't believe her, then you don't believe her. Thinking that her house needed a vase, she decided to try her luck at the recycling center.
As luck would have it, she went to the place where Wei Dani was, and saw a little girl wearing a floral shirt, blue pants, cloth shoes, and two braids sitting there, sewing shoe soles.
Qi Zhifang frowned and said she wanted to find a vase, and Wei Dani pointed to a spot without thinking much of it.
After Qi Zhifang picked out a red vase and brought over a few books, they heard someone inside say, "Da Ni, the soles of your shoes are so beautifully sewn!"
"They're just talking nonsense. What's so interesting about shoe soles?"
Everything you make looks good.
"Hey! Don't stand so close, hurry up and eat! I'm hungry."
"Okay, look, today we have stir-fried pork belly with rapeseed, shredded pork with green peppers, river shrimp with chives, and shredded pickled vegetables. I didn't take much, just some fresh vegetables. I saw you like rice, so I got you mixed rice!"
"This is a feast! Eat more!"
Qi Zhifang couldn't help but smile. This was a young couple; she hadn't expected the girl to be so young and already married. Then she heard, "Comrade Wei Dani, you need to eat more nutritious food. Don't just put everything on my plate. How can a cook like me go hungry?"
Qi Zhifang felt that the name Wei Dani sounded familiar. When the two were eating, Qi Zhifang looked at it carefully but was not sure. When she went to pay the bill, the girl looked at it and said, "The vase is 30 cents, and the book is 5 cents, so 35 cents will do."
When Qi Zhifang handed over the money, she said, "Is your father named Wei Xigun?"
Wei Dani looked up at her and subconsciously nodded, saying, "Do you know my dad?" She looked at this woman, whose clothes and appearance were so unconventional, with suspicion, and was sure that she did not know her.
Qi Zhifang felt a lump in her throat and said, "Is Wei Shuqing your aunt?"
Wei Dani nodded, and Qi Zhifang handed over the money with an awkward smile, saying, "It's nothing, I was just asking. I used to know your aunt." With that, she took the money and left. Why was Wei Xigun's daughter in the city, and even working here? She really couldn't understand.
Wei Dani was also puzzled. Her family members were all honest and upright, and she didn't remember knowing such a woman whose dress was not very proper!
Jiang Zhen asked, "What's wrong? Do you know them?"
"I don't know her. This woman must be over forty, right? Look at how she's dressed so provocatively. Never mind, we probably don't know each other very well, maybe we just know each other." Wei Dani didn't take it to heart. After the two finished eating, Wei Dani went back to the kang (a heated brick bed) to sew shoe soles. Jiang Zhen saw that there was still time, so he lay down on the other side of the kang, wanting to take a nap.
The two chatted casually for a while before heading back home, just before it was time for them to go to work.
A few days later, the rewards arrived. Jiang Zhen and Wei Dani received a total of 300 yuan. Wei Dani was officially promoted and commended in the newspaper. Zhao's father received 300 yuan and was commended by his workplace. Zhao Aiguo was commended by his school and joined the Communist Youth League.
The local police even presented a banner, which was published in the newspaper, and Zhao's mother hung it in the main room.
On Jiang Zhen's side, the Wei family unanimously requested that the marriage be settled with Jiang Zhen, since Wei Dani was going to marry into his family, and they didn't even ask for money. They just wanted the marriage to happen as soon as possible.
Jiang Zhen was also anxious, but he was afraid of scaring Wei Dani. Unexpectedly, Dani agreed. Anyway, she was already over eighteen on her household registration. The two of them discussed inviting their relatives, friends and family to have a meal in the cafeteria. They didn't want to make any special arrangements at this time.
On National Day in 1971, the two officially became husband and wife. When Wei Dani was about to leave home, Liu Taohua hesitated for a long time, her face red and her neck thick, and whispered, "If Jiang Zhen wants to take off your clothes tonight, don't stop him, and don't cry out in pain..." Wei Dani looked at Liu Taohua in confusion, and Liu Taohua couldn't continue, "Anyway, just listen to what he wants to do."
Wei Dani looked at her mother with suspicion, wondering if she was too excited about her daughter's marriage to speak clearly. Then, remembering the important matter, she said, "I did say I would listen to him! Don't worry about that. By the way, Mom, my job has been officially hired and my grain ration has been transferred. Jiang Zhen and I have agreed that I will bring home ten yuan and ten jin of grain coupons every month until Erni gets a job or gets married, so that Grandma can do less work."
"Don't take it. The family can manage. You two should just live your own lives!" Liu Taohua disagreed.
Wei Dani smiled and said, "Jiang Zhen agreed to this, so don't worry! I want to lighten your burden."
Liu Taohua smiled and said, "We'll see! I'll go live a good life with them!"
"Don't worry!" When they came out, Jiang Zhen was chatting with Wei Xigun. Wei Xigun's eyes were red as he said, "Then you guys go back! Come visit us when you have time!"
"Okay, Mom and Dad, don't worry." After saying goodbye, the young couple left.
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