With the matter resolved satisfactorily, the village secretary of Xiaomozhuang Village breathed a sigh of relief.
If this matter gets blown up, he'll lose face when he goes to meetings in the township or county.
The current happy situation is something he is pleased to see!
He cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Alright, that's more like it. Sit down and talk it over. It's getting late, so we're not leaving yet. You can discuss the details yourselves!"
After saying that, he turned to leave, smilingly declining Mo Youshan and his wife's request to stay for dinner!
But as soon as he stepped out of the house, his face immediately darkened, and he yelled at the crowd of onlookers gathered in the yard: "Disperse, disperse! We still have to work in the fields this afternoon, go home and cook! All you do all day is gossip about your wives, you don't do anything useful! Let me tell you, Lin, the educated youth, is getting engaged to Youshan's third son. If I hear anyone spreading rumors outside and affecting our village's image, don't blame me for being ruthless! Be careful, or I'll deduct your work points!"
(The household responsibility system was implemented differently in different places. At least in my hometown, it was implemented very late. I remember it very clearly. My dad told me about his youth. When he joined the army in 1983, there was no land allocated yet. Only six months after he arrived at the army, his family wrote that the land had been allocated, and that year there was more grain than they could eat! They could eat as much white flour as they wanted to make steamed buns and pancakes! Before that, they had to eat mixed flour and sweet potatoes with it. My dad hasn't eaten sweet potatoes all these years, saying that he ate enough when he was a child!)
After the old Party Secretary spoke, and seeing that the matter was resolved and there was no more excitement to be had, everyone dispersed and left!
They kept muttering to themselves as they walked.
"Pah! Shameless! How could a girl like Lin Zhiqing marry Mo Yuan? What a waste!"
"Yeah, yeah, why not seize this opportunity to go back to the city? If it were me, I'd go back even if I was sleeping! Who wants to stay in this poor mountain village!"
"You little hussy, saying whatever comes to mind! I'll tell your mother-in-law later! By the way, what about Old Wang's daughter? Wasn't she supposed to be engaged soon...?"
"Engaged? Don't listen to Mo Yuan's nonsense. With the Wang family's snobbishness, that's practically selling their daughter! They've scared away so many families. Even if the Mo family sold everything they own, they still couldn't raise enough money for it to work out!"
As the discussions continued, the villagers slowly left the courtyard!
Listening to the women talking amongst themselves, the educated youth Cui Hao stood there dumbfounded. How did things develop to this point?
Lin Xue is going to marry Mo Yuan?!
No! Absolutely not!
"Old Party Secretary, this won't do! You can't force people! Lin Xue is going back to the city soon, she can't get married! We're going to report this to the county government, this is illegal!"
Mo Youxian gave Cui Hao a meaningful look. "Little Cui, calm down! I know you and Lin Zhiqing are from the same place and have a good relationship. It's normal that you can't accept it right away! I understand. But! Comrade Cui, marriage is a matter of mutual consent between two people. They've already discussed it, so you can't say anything, can you?"
"I don't believe it! We won't stand for this until you give us an explanation. I'll report them to the county government and accuse them of trafficking women and forcing marriages!"
Taking advantage of Cui Hao's desire to incite the emotions of the other educated youth, they planned to put the old Party Secretary on the spot!
Mo Yougan looked displeased and was about to say something when he was interrupted by a voice from behind!
"We're a perfect match, a match made in heaven. Who gives you the right to object?!"
After saying this, Mo Yuan gave Cui Hao a provocative look and gesture!
That guy is no good; we'll have to deal with him sooner or later!
Lin Xue immediately broke out in a cold sweat and glared at Mo Yuan, thinking, "What nonsense are you spouting!"
She overheard the argument between the Party Secretary and Cui Hao outside and knew that the matter wouldn't be resolved without her speaking up!
Just as they were about to come out to persuade Cui Hao and the others to go back, Mo Yuan insisted on coming along, saying he was afraid Lin Xue would suffer a loss!
She regrets it now. If she had known Mo Yuan would say that right away, she shouldn't have brought him along!
"Cui Hao, don't argue with the old Party Secretary. This is my own decision. I'm planning to settle down here. You guys go back to the city!"
"Lin Xue, did Mo Yuan threaten you? Tell me, and I will absolutely..."
"No, it was my own choice! You can leave now, stop making a scene!"
After saying that, he turned around and went back into the house.
Mo Yuan, like a victorious general, said to Cui Hao, "Did you hear that? It's voluntary! I'm getting engaged to Lin Xue in a couple of days. Anyone who dares to gossip about me in the village, don't blame me for being ruthless! Cui Hao, I'm talking about you! Don't be a gossip like an old woman! If I catch you talking badly about people behind their backs, you'll be sorry!"
Then Mo Yuan turned around and caught up with Lin Xue, immediately asking with concern, "Lin Zhiqing, what shall we eat for lunch?"
Back inside, Lin Xue went to Mo Yuan's bed, and carrying her wet clothes, she prepared to say goodbye to the Mo family.
"Uncle, Aunt, I'm going back to the educated youth settlement now. I have to go to work this afternoon. Sister Hongxia, I'll wash your clothes and return them to you in a couple of days!"
She didn't glance at Mo Yuan beside her once throughout the entire process, which made Mo Yuan feel somewhat awkward.
My second sister waved her hand dismissively, "It's nothing, a small matter! Don't leave at noon, eat here!"
Mo Youshan also warmly urged her to stay, "Yes, Lin Zhiqing, don't leave. Have lunch here. Your aunt and I have some things to discuss with you!"
As he spoke, he handed over the money that Lin Xue had confiscated earlier!
"Lin Zhiqing, your parents aren't here, so take this eighty yuan first. Let's consider this a verbal agreement! In a few days, let's pick an auspicious day and finalize the marriage, shall we?"
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