Zhu Youliang used a letter of introduction to open an account at the post office and deposited 500 yuan into it. Then he followed Wu Dahai to the state-owned restaurant, ordered a dish of braised pork and two plates of dumplings stuffed with pork and cabbage, and came out only after his mouth was full of oil.
After they got out, they returned to town and parted ways. Zhu Youliang didn't rush back, but instead went to the town's supply and marketing cooperative. He bought five large white porcelain jars with red flowers, several towels, a few toothbrushes, and a tube of toothpaste. Before leaving, he ordered a pound of malt sugar and two pounds of steamed bread, spending several yuan. After buying them, he thought about what else the family needed, but after a long time of thinking, he couldn't think of anything, so he decided to let Liang Yuan buy them later.
After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, he headed to the meat processing plant. Supplies weren't as scarce as before, and since it was a good time, there was still plenty of meat, so he bought a full five pounds. He also bought some iced soda for the children, then threw his things on his back and headed home.
In Zhujiaba, Liang Yuan was reading by the window. In the yard, Zhu Yourong was sweeping. Whether intentionally or not, Zhu Yourong kept appearing before her eyes. She thought a daily yard sweep was sufficient. After all, with chickens, it was impossible to keep it spotless all the time. But Zhu Yourong was a stickler for cleanliness. Whenever there was a speck of dirt in the yard, she would pick up the broom and begin sweeping, sweeping the front and back yards. Liang Yuan had tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't listen. Furthermore, Zhu Yourong had previously washed clothes for her family. Liang Yuan initially objected, and Zhu Yourong was furious, feeling that Liang Yuan didn't consider her a member of the family. Eventually, Liang Yuan let her do the washing. But over time, Zhu Yourong began to feel that Liang Yourong was too lazy, doing nothing at home except cooking. She felt that Liang Yourong relied on Zhu Youliang for everything, and her words were filled with resentment for Zhu Youliang. She didn't dare to say it directly, only remarking on the way women should behave.
At first Liang Yuan pretended not to hear, but when she talked more, she said she would wash the clothes herself. This time, Zhu Yourong did not insist on washing clothes for their family. When the college entrance examination was approaching, she took over all the chores around the house. Now that the college entrance examination was over, she started to dislike Liang Yuan again. Liang Yuan knew that she had no ill intentions. It was just that a hardworking person could not stand her lazy girl. However, sometimes she still felt annoyed. The yards in the countryside are all filled with earth, and if there is no watering, there will be dust everywhere. Zhu Yourong felt sorry for Zhu Youliang's hard work in carrying water, so she did not sweep the water, but just swept it, which caused dust to fly everywhere.
Liang Yuan was just about to get up and close the window when he saw Huang Mei leading in an old woman in flowery clothes.
Liang Yuan had seen this person before. He heard that she was a famous matchmaker and everyone called her Grandma Yang.
As soon as Granny Yang entered the courtyard, she glanced at Zhu Yourong. She had gained a lot of weight, and her expression no longer bore the sadness she had before, indicating that she had been doing well these days. Feeling somewhat satisfied, she then said, "Yourong, you're sweeping the yard. You're so diligent! No wonder your sixth brother let you live with him. It saves so much trouble."
Zhu Yourong recognized her, stopped brooming, and stood there uncomfortably.
"Mom, Grandma Yang, please come in and sit down." Liang Yuan walked out of the house and said.
As Mrs. Yang walked over, she asked, "Yuanyuan is here too. I heard you took the college entrance exam. How did it go?"
"Not bad," Liang Yuan said, going to the kitchen to get a bowl and pouring a bowl of boiled water for each of them. In the house, there were no cups except her white porcelain pot, so they had to drink water out of bowls. She had disliked it before, but what else could she do?
Huang Mei took the water and took a big sip, then sat down at the table, picked up the palm-leaf fan on the table and handed it to Grandma Yang. Then she called out to Zhu Yourong outside, "Yourong, come in too. Grandma Yang has something to tell you."
Zhu You tolerated it again and again, but still couldn't help but said, "Mom, I don't want to get married."
"Nonsense. Come in quickly. You've been married once, so why are you still shy? Are you really going to rely on your brother for the rest of your life?" Huang Mei said as she was about to go out and pull her.
Granny Yang said, "Take your time, there's no rush. Yourong, I'm sure you'll be satisfied with the person I'm introducing you to this time. Come in and listen first."
Zhu Yourong looked at Liang Yuan, who lowered his head and said nothing.
Huang Mei urged again, "You used to be the most obedient and sensible person. What's wrong with you now? Come in quickly."
There was no other choice but for Zhu Yourong to go into the house.
Grandma Yang smiled and said, "Guangzhong's mother asked me to help. Last month, her daughter-in-law fell into the water while washing clothes and never got up. There was no one to clean up the house, so she was very anxious. I heard you've returned home, so I thought I'd ask. You know Guangzhong, he's an honest man. His family, like yours, split up early, so if she marries into you, she'll be the head of the household. I heard you were classmates, and Guangzhong himself is willing. His two children are grown and capable, so you don't have to worry too much. Besides, Guangzhong also said that if you're willing, he's willing to raise Sanya and Siya, and they're also willing to study. I'm old now, and I don't often act as a matchmaker. If it weren't for my good relationship with your mother and Guangzhong's mother, I wouldn't have bothered to make this trip. That's the situation. You'll have to handle the rest yourself. Think about it. If you're willing, I'll go back and have Guangzhong's mother come to your house to propose marriage. Of course, you have to go back to your old house; it wouldn't sound good if you left Youliang."
Liang Yuan couldn't help but say, "Mom, the previous daughter-in-law has only been gone for a month, isn't it a bit too hasty?"
Huang Mei said, "Why are you in such a hurry? Even if Yourong agrees, she won't marry him right away. Even though it's her second marriage, she still has to make the necessary preparations." After she finished speaking, she looked at Zhu Yourong. Seeing that she lowered her head but her ears were red, she had an idea in her mind and felt that this should be possible. So, she changed what she wanted to say and asked softly, "Yourong, I don't want to force you. But this is the fate of us women. If we don't get married, we will have nowhere to go in the future. You only have two daughters, so it would be easier if you had a son. Guangzhong knows her background well, and he's in the next brigade, just a few steps away. I think this is indeed a good match, so I came to ask you. If you really don't agree, I will let your mother-in-law Yang go back to the Yang family, so as not to delay Guangzhong."
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