The college student who studied in Beijing has returned. As soon as he entered the village, everyone exclaimed, "Our village's college student is back!"
"Oh, the college student is back! Let's set off firecrackers to welcome him." This was obviously a joke, but it was clearly tinged with sarcasm.
The three of them greeted everyone they met politely. If you don't greet people, they'll think you're arrogant and look down on them. Zhao Mingyue enjoyed everyone's enthusiasm, even though some of it was insincere. But what did it matter? She could just laugh it off.
Yu Youqing turned back to his home. Zhao Mingyue's parents, having heard of their daughter's return, were already waiting at the door to greet her. Looking at her parents, who seemed even older, Zhao Mingyue couldn't help but shed tears, though she smiled. Hu Nianchun, seeing his daughter whom he hadn't seen for a year, also smiled through his tears. Mother and daughter held hands, laughing and crying. Zhao Shunsheng said, "Our daughter's back! We should be happy, why are you crying? Xiao Shen, welcome! Come in and sit down." He reached for the bag in Shen Xuyue's hand, but Shen Xuyue refused, saying, "Uncle, I can do it."
Zhao Minglang came over and took the bag from Shen Xuyue's hand: "Give it to me. Come inside, Mom, it's cold outside, come inside and warm up by the fire."
Hu Nianchun wiped away his tears: "Yes, come inside and warm yourself by the fire. You must be hungry after your journey. I'll make you some noodles, just a moment, they'll be ready soon."
Winters in the South are very cold, unlike the dry cold of the North. A damp chill seeps straight into the bones, and people accustomed to the dry cold of the North find it unbearable. However, Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue are used to Southern winters, so they didn't feel particularly uncomfortable when they returned to their hometown.
Zhao Minglang put firewood into a brazier, and thick smoke billowed from the pile, filling the entire room. He ran to open both the front and back doors to ventilate and disperse the smoke, saying with a smile, "Wait a minute, once the firewood is burning, the smoke will stop. When did you arrive in the provincial capital? Where did you go?" They usually didn't use firewood at home, as it was wasteful; they had only lit the brazier temporarily after hearing that Shen Xuyue and Zhao Mingyue were back.
Before Zhao Mingyue set off, she wrote a letter home, telling her family about the general itinerary, so her family knew they were going on a trip. Shen Xuyue said, "We went to Mount Tai, Jinan, Qingdao, and then visited Suzhou and Hangzhou."
Zhao Minglang rubbed his hands together: "I'm so envious! I want to go see it too. I'm planning to go to Beijing next summer."
“Great! You’re very welcome. I’ll definitely be your guide. Why don’t you come to Beijing with your uncle and aunt?” Shen Xuyue suggested.
Zhao Mingyue also said, "Yes, I think this is a good idea. Third Brother can come to Beijing with Mom and Dad to take a look."
Zhao Shunsheng waved his hand with a smile: "I won't go for now. It would cost money. Your mother and I will go when Mingyue gets married."
Zhao Mingyue blushed at her father's words and stole a glance at Shen Xuyue. Shen Xuyue smiled and said, "Uncle, this doesn't conflict. You can come again when Mingyue and I get married. Beijing is a great place, worth visiting again and again."
Zhao Shunsheng waved his hand: "We still have to work at home; summer vacation is the busiest time."
“There’s only so much work to do, it’ll all be done eventually. When you’re not busy anymore, you can take a few days off to relax,” Shen Xuyue persuaded her earnestly.
Zhao Shunsheng just smiled. The old folks had thought things through very clearly and were reluctant to spend more money. A trip to Beijing would cost a lot in travel expenses.
Zhao Mingyue went to the kitchen to help her mother. Hu Nianchun was frying eggs, and Zhao Mingyue helped him tend the fire. Hu Nianchun asked, "Is Xiao Shen spending the New Year with us?"
Zhao Mingyue said, "He won't be spending the New Year at our house. His parents have gone back to Beijing. It's his first year, so he definitely has to go back to spend the New Year with them. He'll be leaving in a couple of days."
“Running around all that must be so tiring. But that makes sense, what parent doesn’t want their children by their side? Sigh, I’m so sad to think about how you’ll get married in a few years,” Hu Nianchun said with a sigh.
Zhao Mingyue said, "Mom, even after I get married, I will still come back often. When we settle down in Beijing, we will bring you and Dad to live with us."
Hu Nianchun chuckled: "Just going for a visit is fine, I won't stay here. I have my own home, and I have your brothers too. We're relieved that you've married well and are successful. Have you met Xiao Shen's parents yet?"
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "I've met him."
"How do his parents treat you?"
To avoid worrying her mother, Zhao Mingyue said, "Everything is fine."
"That's good." Hu Nianchun smiled, his eyes crinkling. His daughter was so beautiful and a college student; there was nothing that made her unworthy of Shen Xuyue. There was no reason for his in-laws to look down on her.
Hu Nianchun cooked the noodles and was about to personally serve them to Shen Xuyue when Zhao Mingyue stopped him. She called out into the main room, "Xuyue, the noodles are ready. Come and get them yourself."
"Okay, I'm coming," Shen Xuyue replied happily.
Hu Nianchun said in a low voice, "This is not a good idea, he is a guest."
“What kind of guest is this? We’re already familiar with each other. It’s not like it’s our first time here. Mom, go and rest. We’ll do it ourselves.” Zhao Mingyue gave her mother a push.
Hu Nianchun smiled and said, "Then I'll go boil some water for you to take a bath." His daughter was very clean, and after such a long and tiring journey, she definitely needed to take a bath.
Zhao Mingyue said, "Mom, don't worry, I can do it myself in a bit."
"It's alright, you eat your noodles. Minglang, go fetch two buckets of water to bathe your sister." Hu Nianchun waved his hand and went to the woodshed to gather firewood.
Zhao Minglang took a carrying pole and buckets to fetch water for his younger sister.
Although the house was poor and simple, everyone loved each other and it was much more comfortable than Shen Xuyue's house. Shen Xuyue said softly, "Your house is still the best."
Zhao Mingyue said with a grin, "What's so great about my family? We have nothing."
Shen Xuyue said, "There's no need for grand houses and luxurious halls; it's best if the family is harmonious and united."
They were eating noodles when Zhao Mingyue's nephews and nieces came running. Their aunt, who was studying at a university in Beijing, had returned, and there were bound to be delicious food and fun things to do.
Zhao Mingyue quickly finished the rest of the noodles and drank the broth in a few bites. She put down her chopsticks, waved to Chen Xuyue, and went to get her things from her luggage. Beijing doesn't have many unique local products; sugar figurines are quite special, but not suitable to bring. Zhao Mingyue bought a few dried dough figurines for her nieces and nephews to play with.
Foods like Peking duck and donkey rolls weren't suitable to bring, and they weren't vacuum-packed, so Zhao Mingyue only bought some sweet treats like candied dates, poria cocos cakes, and persimmon cakes for everyone to try. The children, delighted with the treats, scattered happily.
Shen Xuyue ate noodles and sat with Zhao Shunsheng by the fire pit, chatting and eating the Beijing snacks they had brought back, sharing their experiences in Beijing. Zhao Mingyue tidied up her luggage and took out gifts for her parents and brother and sister-in-law. They all knew she had earned money in Beijing during the summer vacation and would definitely bring back some gifts.
Zhao Mingyue bought some cloth for her parents and brother, intending to make new clothes for each of them when she returned. She also brought a piece of cloth for each of her two sisters-in-law. As for who they used it to make clothes for, Zhao Mingyue didn't care.
Not long after, Hu Nianchun came over and said that the water was ready and that Zhao Mingyue should go take a bath. Zhao Mingyue then told Shen Xuyue to go first. That's the downside of the South; there are no public bathhouses like in the North. Taking a bath in winter is an ordeal—it's too cold, and you don't get clean. But you can only make do with what you have.
After Shen Xuyue and Zhao Mingyue finished packing, Zhao Mingyue led Shen Xuyue out to visit his brother and sister-in-law, where they ran into Zhao Mingxiu, who was returning from carrying firewood. Zhao Mingxiu was overjoyed: "Sister Mingyue!" She put down her load and quickly ran over.
"Xiuer!" Zhao Mingyue was overjoyed and reached out to touch Mingxiu's head. "You've grown taller. Are you doing well at home?"
Zhao Mingxiu hugged her waist and nodded vigorously: "Yes, that's great. Sister, I'm in the second year of junior high this year, and I got second place in the class."
"Good, that's great. Study hard and you'll definitely get into a vocational school."
Zhao Mingxiu nodded: "Mm."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Xiuer, your brother Shen and I will go to visit your older brothers first. Wait for me to come back later, and then you can come to my house. I brought you some things."
“Okay.” Zhao Mingxiu nodded, then turned back to carry firewood. Seeing someone taking something from the bamboo pole under the corridor, she quickly said, “Sister-in-law, don’t take it, I’ll do it.”
Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue both turned to look. A short figure stood in the corridor, tiptoeing to reach the clothes hanging on the bamboo pole. However, she was too short, and her body was noticeably tilted to the right. Despite her efforts, reaching the vest was not easy. It was a young woman with delicate features, but it was obvious that she had a physical disability. This must be her cousin-in-law, Zhao Minggang's wife, who had married into the family this autumn.
The young woman noticed Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue looking at her, smiled a little shyly, and then lowered her head. Zhao Mingyue quickly greeted her with a smile, "Sister-in-law, I'm Mingyue."
"Oh, it's my sister. Come in and sit down." The young woman smiled shyly at her, clearly still showing the bashfulness of a new bride.
Zhao Mingyue said, "Sister-in-law, you're busy, I won't go for now. I'll come to see you later."
The young woman nodded: "Okay, sister, you go ahead and get busy."
Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue turned to leave, and Shen Xuyue quietly asked Zhao Mingyue, "Is this Zhao Minggang's wife?"
"Yes, they said she had polio since childhood and is a little disabled. It's a pity, isn't it?" Zhao Mingyue looked at her cousin-in-law's appearance. She was so decent-looking. Although she only said two sentences, it was enough to prove that she was a very smart and perceptive woman. If she weren't disabled, that would be so good. But if she weren't disabled, Zhao Minggang probably wouldn't have had a chance.
"It's a real shame," Shen Xuyue said.
Zhao Mingyue said, "Let's go, first to my brother's house, then to my second uncle's house."
Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue sat for a while at their elder brothers' houses, chatting about things in Beijing and their family's harvest. This year's rainfall had been poor, with some drought affecting the harvest. Fortunately, the tea harvest was enough to offset the shortfall in the grain harvest, but it was still significantly worse than last year. Zhao Mingyue thought that the household responsibility system would be implemented soon, and the village would allocate the tea plantations according to the number of people, allowing everyone to manage them as they saw fit. She believed the harvest would gradually improve.
In late 1978, the first person in the country to take the plunge appeared: farmers in Xiaogang Village, Anhui Province, risked contracting land and finally reaped a bumper harvest. This incentive gave people hope of filling their stomachs, and many places began to follow suit. However, it wasn't until 1982 that land was distributed to individual households nationwide. Zhao Mingyue thought that she might be able to help push things forward, allowing the villagers of Moon Bay to enjoy the benefits of this policy sooner, so that they could start contracting land to individual households next year, escape the situation of not having enough to eat and wear, and achieve prosperity as soon as possible.
On the way back, Zhao Mingyue lamented to Shen Xuyue, "There are too many drawbacks to this production method. Nobody is motivated. Everyone is just doing work for others, not their own. It's inefficient, and the annual harvest isn't even enough to fill our stomachs."
Shen Xuyue said, "That's right. When everyone does collective work, they start to slack off. But when tea picking is distributed according to work, everyone's enthusiasm is much higher. So it's better to work hard on your own."
"If we distributed all the land to individual households, do you think the harvest would increase?" Zhao Mingyue asked.
Shen Xuyue thought for a moment and said, "I think so. This is the difference between helping others and doing your own work. I guarantee everyone will be very dedicated then."
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "So I think this policy needs to be changed. We can't keep eating from the same pot anymore."
“You’re right. The Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee has already been held, and the whole country is working to correct past mistakes from the inside out. Perhaps rural policies will be changed as well.” Clearly, Shen Xuyue has a very high level of political awareness.
The two talked about this issue all the way home, and by the time they got back, it was already late. Hu Nianchun was busy preparing dinner. Before it got dark, they quickly went to their second uncle's house. Their second uncle's kitchen was located in the main room. Zhao Mingxiu was tending the fire, and a thin figure was pacing around the stove. Judging from the way she walked, it was definitely Zhao Minggang's wife.
Zhao Mingyue stood at the door: "Sister-in-law, Xiuer."
Zhao Mingyue quickly put down the fire tongs and came over: "Brother Shen, Sister Mingyue, come in and sit down. Sister-in-law, this is my Brother Shen and Sister Mingyue, who are studying at university in Beijing."
The woman turned around and smiled at them, "Sisters, you've come! Come in and sit down." The room was dimly lit, making it difficult to see people clearly, but her smile was very clear because they could see her set of white teeth.
Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue entered the house and placed the things they had brought on the table. Zhao Mingxiu quickly ran back to start the fire, while Zhao Minggang's wife skillfully stir-fried the dishes with a spatula. The two sisters-in-law worked together quite well. However, Zhao Mingyue felt quite sad seeing her struggling to support herself with one leg and using one hand to support the stove.
"Xiuer, where are your parents and your brother?" Zhao Mingyue asked.
Zhao Minggang's wife answered on his behalf: "Dad and Minggang went to pick vegetables; they're going to sell them on the street tomorrow. Mom is feeding the pigs in the back."
Just then, Wang Zhaodi returned carrying a slop basin. She placed it on the steps, and immediately the family dog ran over to lick the leftover pig feed from the basin. Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue quickly greeted her, "Second Aunt."
When Wang Zhaodi saw Zhao Mingyue, her face lit up with a smile like a chrysanthemum: "Oh, Mingyue and Secretary Shen are here! Did you just get home? Why don't you have dinner at my house tonight?"
Zhao Mingyue waved her hand: "No need to trouble your second aunt, my mother has already prepared it at home. I just came to see you and my sister-in-law."
Wang Zhaodi called over her daughter-in-law: "Huaihua, this is Minggang's cousin and cousin-in-law who are studying at university in Beijing."
Huaihua smiled and said, "I already know her."
Wang Zhaodi washed her hands, dried them with a cloth, and then dusted them off her clothes. "My eldest brother and sister-in-law are now the most respected people in Moon Bay. Their son and daughter have both been admitted to university, and their son-in-law is also a university student. Their third daughter-in-law will definitely be a university student in the future too—a whole family of university students. We'll be able to benefit from that in the future." She chuckled as she spoke.
Huaihua smiled and said, "That's right. We feel proud when our younger siblings are successful. In the future, our Xiuer will also be able to go to school and become a city person."
Wang Zhaodi smiled at her daughter-in-law's praise, walked over and took the shovel from her: "I'll do it, you go and sit with your sister and brother-in-law for a while."
"Okay, then thank you for your trouble, Mom." Huaihua wiped her hands with a rag, walked to the table and sat down, smiling at Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue.
Seeing her second aunt's condition, Zhao Mingyue guessed that the family was living a relatively comfortable life. Huaihua was also a girl who knew how to get along with people. She couldn't help but feel gratified for Zhao Minggang. Even though she had a slight physical disability, her heart was truly beautiful, which could be considered a kind of compensation.
Zhao Mingyue opened the cloth bag she had brought on the table and took out a piece of dark green woolen fabric: "Sister-in-law, I wasn't home for your wedding, so I bought you a piece of fabric from Beijing. You can use it to make a dress."
Huaihua looked at the fabric, wanting to reach out and take it, but then remembered something, quickly ran to wash her hands, then shook them and wiped them on her clothes before taking it: "Wow, it's so beautiful, such fine material, I've never seen anything like it before."
Wang Zhaodi also came over for a look: "Wow, it's wool! This must be expensive. Please thank your sister."
Huaihua said happily, "Thank you, little sister."
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "You're welcome. Xiuer, here, this is a dress I made for you, you can only wear it in the summer."
Zhao Mingxiu excitedly ran over, took the dress, and unfolded it to take a look. It was a polyester dress with small red floral patterns: "Wow, it's so pretty! Thank you, Mingyue. Did you buy it in Beijing?"
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "I made it myself, do you like it?"
"Sister, the dress you made is even prettier than the ones I bought, really, I love it so much!" Girls all love beauty, especially dresses, and she couldn't wait for summer to arrive.
Zhao Mingyue said, "Study hard, and when you get into a vocational school, come to Beijing to visit. I'll take you to climb the Great Wall and see the ***."
Zhao Mingxiu was very tempted, but she figured it was just a dream; her mother would definitely not be willing to spend that travel expense on her. Shen Xuyue seemed to have guessed her worries and said, "I'll reimburse your travel expenses later."
Wang Zhaodi said, "There's no need for us to go alone. When you get married, you can invite us to Beijing for a visit. Mingxiu can come along too."
Zhao Mingyue said, "That works too."
Zhao Mingxiu's face flushed with excitement. Zhao Mingyue said, "Sister-in-law, you should come along too!"
Huaihua smiled and said, "Okay."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Second Aunt, here are some local specialties I brought back from Beijing. Please try them."
Wang Zhaodi beamed, "Oh, thank you so much. Is Secretary Shen spending the New Year here?"
Zhao Mingyue said, "He's going home in a couple of days. He brought me back and came back to see everyone."
Wang Zhaodi quickly said, "Then come to my house for dinner tomorrow, all of you come."
Zhao Mingyue agreed on behalf of Shen Xuyue: "Okay, I'll come over tomorrow night."
A little while later, Uncle Er and Zhao Minggang returned with some vegetables. The basket contained common vegetables such as cabbage, garlic, spinach, and celery. They looked very fresh and moist.
Zhao Mingyue and her companion exchanged pleasantries with the father and son for a while, when their mother called them to dinner from the doorway, they said goodbye and returned home.
The meal was exceptionally lavish, with chicken and meat, all prepared for the Chinese New Year, but now being used to entertain Shen Xuyue, this distinguished guest.
During dinner, Zhao Mingyue said, "I think Minggang's wife is quite clever, it's just a pity about her legs."
Hu Nianchun said, "That's right, everyone envies him for marrying such a smart wife. If it weren't for Huaihua's leg problem, how could Minggang be worthy of her? It's all about fate."
Zhao Mingyue said, "That's good, then Xiuer won't be bullied by her brother and sister-in-law anymore."
“Don’t belittle them, the two sisters-in-law have a great relationship. Huaihua knows that Minggang is stupid and useless, so she’s counting on Mingxiu to become successful in the future and help her brother out, so she’s very good to Mingxiu.” Hu Nianchun said, “Huaihua is already pregnant, and Minggang will become a father next year. Your second uncle and aunt are overjoyed, they can finally hold their grandson.”
Zhao Mingyue said happily, "Really? That's really great! I didn't even know today, I forgot to congratulate them."
After dinner, it was completely dark. The family lit a kerosene lamp and chatted around the brazier. The winter night was chilly, but the small, warm glow of the lamp illuminated the whole house with warmth and coziness.
Zhao Minglang said, "It will be great next year. We're finally getting power lines installed here, and then we'll have electric lights."
"Really?" Zhao Mingyue, who was used to the bright lights of electric lights, returned to her hometown. The only thing she couldn't get used to was that there were no lights at night and she had to use an oil lamp. If electric lights were available, things would be much better. It seems that life is getting better and better.
Zhao Shunsheng said, "Yes, a while ago, the village chief was still telling us to prepare the utility poles ourselves. They should be moved here in the spring. I plan to cut down a fir tree in a few days to make a utility pole."
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "When we have electricity, I'll buy a TV for my parents so you can watch TV."
Hu Nianchun grinned from ear to ear: "Really? I've never seen it on TV before. That stuff must be expensive, right?"
Shen Xuyue said, "It's not cheap, it'll cost several hundred yuan."
Zhao Shunsheng shook his head: "That's too expensive, I can't afford it, don't buy it, it's a waste of money."
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "I'll buy it for my parents when I earn money."
Zhao Minglang asked his younger sister with a smile, "How much money did you earn during the summer vacation?"
Zhao Mingyue said, "Not much, about a hundred yuan." She was being quite conservative in her assessment.
As soon as she finished speaking, the whole family gaped in astonishment. Money was so easy to earn in Beijing; they could make over a hundred yuan in just two months. Their family only made a little over a hundred yuan a year!
Shen Xuyue laughed and said, "Mingyue is really something now, even I have to admit defeat." Knowing his partner was earning so much money, Shen Xuyue wasn't without a sense of urgency. However, Zhao Mingyue didn't seem complacent at all. She remained the same as before, though she was certainly more generous when buying things for her family, without having to be so stingy. It has to be said, money is indeed a very convenient thing.
Zhao Minglang shook his head repeatedly: "Impressive, I can't keep up either, I can only rely on living allowances."
“Once you start working, you definitely won’t value this little bit of hard-earned money.” Zhao Mingyue certainly didn’t want to dampen the enthusiasm of the two college students, nor did she want to tell them that once the market economy developed, there would be a period when those who built atomic bombs would earn less than those who sold tea eggs.
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