Before the winter break, news of Tang Cuihong's engagement had already spread to the capital and Kaishi.
Cui Mei used her saved cloth and cotton coupons to send Cui Hong home ten catties of cotton and twenty feet of cloth in two colors: bright red and floral.
Cuixiang was not as capable as Cuimei, nor was she as thoughtful as Cuimei. She only sent Cuihong thirty yuan home so that she could buy some things for her wedding.
Everyone also obtained a lot of industrial coupons. Industrial coupons were issued at the end of June 1st. Except for goods that required certificates or tickets, all other goods could be supplied with coupons.
For example, you need coupons to buy towels, blankets, enamel basins, enamel cups, thermos flasks, and even a sewing needle or thread for your wedding.
Moreover, their distribution standard is based on a percentage of monthly salary, with an average of twenty yuan per card.
Niu Feng left a lot for Cui Hong, and Cui Ju, Cui Lian, and the Tao family couple also took out what they had saved.
Over the years, Xiaojiu has gradually exchanged all the tickets he had collected for physical items, since every ticket and voucher has an expiration date.
It's true what they say, unity is strength. With everyone preparing together, those with money contributed money, and those with tickets collected tickets, all that was left for Cuihong's dowry was the final mending.
Due to limited resources, I plan to make a 1.8m x 2m, 10kg winter quilt and a spring/autumn quilt of the same size.
These days, single quilts are actually popular, but Cuihua suggested making a larger quilt because a larger quilt is more comfortable and free.
The remaining cotton will be used to make two more cotton-padded jackets and two pairs of cotton-padded shoes for the two newlywed couples. The purchased yarn will be used to knit two pairs of woolen trousers in proportion. If there is still some fabric left, we will consider making two floral shirts for Cuihong.
Cuihua's dowry was almost finished, similar to Cuihong's, but it was hers and couldn't be given to Cuihong. So they decided to make everything anew, so that every girl in their family would have her own dowry.
"Cotton coupons are running low. Considering the journey and the luggage you are carrying, we will make two quilts and two blankets for you first. We will make up for the shortfall when cotton becomes more plentiful in the future."
This isn't an empty promise; it's just that the conditions are limited, and they can't gather more coupons. They have money, but cotton coupons are hard to come by.
"I've already written to my older brother and asked him if he can ask someone to buy cotton from the rural areas near Harbin."
Cuihua only managed to make two quilts because she couldn't buy any more due to ticket issues, and now Cuihong is in the same situation.
Next, we need to prepare cotton for the other sisters. Counting them up, wow, it's quite a lot of work.
Cuihong said nonchalantly, "It's alright. If I'm not around in the future, we'll ask Niu Feng to figure something out. He has many comrades-in-arms, so maybe he can find a way."
Xiao Jiu's winter vacation will begin on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, which is the Little New Year in northern China.
"If you don't want to go home this year, you can spend the New Year at my house."
My sister might only have a few days off. If you're bored, go ahead and keep Grandpa and Grandma Weng company.
These are the words Xiaojiu said to Yuanyuan. Ever since her aunt got married last October, the already lively house has become even more lively.
That man not only had a strong sex drive, but also had a tendency to abuse his wife; he was a complete pervert.
Don't be fooled by her seemingly refined appearance; she's actually extremely treacherous and terrifying. Yuan Yuan's aunt tried to run away home less than three days after her wedding, only to be severely beaten. And they actually offered her a job? Dream on! She's kept under house arrest all day, waiting for her man to vent his desires at any time.
In other words, since I spent so much money to marry her, I definitely have to get my money's worth.
It was one thing that she didn't go back home for the wedding, but she didn't have a chance to go home for three months after the wedding. In the end, this woman had to escape and run home on her own.
But who could she rely on to stand up for her in that family? Her mother couldn't bear to part with the high dowry she had already received.
Moreover, this man is an absolute gentleman and polite person outside, personally bringing gifts to your door and acting like a perfect gentleman.
Even when faced with the insults from Yuan Yuan's younger sister, he patiently said it was all his fault, letting her hit and scold him as long as she would go back with him.
Compared to her sister-in-law, this made her seem unreasonable, and even fewer people believed her.
Even she herself doubted whether those three months of darkness were a nightmare.
Has your aunt come back recently?
Yuan Yuan shook her head. "We haven't seen him since he was taken away last time. That man, however, comes every holiday, saying with great reluctance that my aunt is still angry with my grandmother and doesn't want to come. To be honest, seeing that man gives me the creeps. Do you think something might have happened to my aunt?"
Xiao Jiu shook her head, "It's unlikely that something bad will happen, but she'll be having a hard time. Maybe she's been kept in captivity and not allowed to have contact with people from the outside world."
This man is also willing to spend money. She knows your grandmother loves money more than anything. If she can appease her, no one will go after your aunt.
As long as no one comes looking for your aunt, she's like a broken doll in his hands; he can do whatever he wants with her.
What, are you feeling sorry for him?
Yuan Yuan shook her head, "It's not that I feel heartbroken, it's just that I feel lingering fear. If I had been the one married off to that family back then..."
She subconsciously touched her arm, which was covered in goosebumps.
"You can't judge a book by its cover. I'll definitely keep my eyes open when I look for my other half in the future."
"Isn't your grandma worried?" Yuan Yuan scoffed upon hearing this. "She's already lost in that man's sweet talk. Every time she goes, she spends a few dollars to carefully select gifts for him, making him beam with joy. He praises her son-in-law to everyone he meets. Isn't she stupid? My aunt... won't be long before she hates her to the core!"
The first time she ran home, she not only failed to escape her cage, but was imprisoned even more hopelessly. If she ever escapes again, she will never go back to that home. She is both pitiful and hateful.
"But what does this have to do with me? If I pity her, I might be the one to fill the void. I even hope she can hold on a little longer, at least until after my college entrance exam before she runs away. Otherwise, wouldn't I become the next target to be sold by my grandma?"
Now, Yuanyuan is always very careful when she goes home. She goes back on weekends and holidays so as not to arouse their suspicion. But ever since her aunt got married, she feels a sense of gloom and resentment every time she goes back to that house. So she doesn't plan to go home for the Chinese New Year this year.
"This year I will stay and tutor Ju Jie. I will try my best to help her get her junior high school diploma before my college entrance examination. Ju Jie is very hardworking and has made great progress. I believe this goal is not difficult to achieve."
Since the renovation and reconstruction of the old couple's house, it has been transformed from a small shack into an adobe and tile house. Originally, there were two small rooms, but now there are three large rooms. They have also built a spacious small kitchen in the corner of the yard. The remaining two rooms, one main room and one bedroom, look much better and are at least much brighter.
Building this house cost them a lot of money, almost a hundred million. The main difference was that the foundation and the entrance were raised a bit more to prevent it from flooding again like last summer. They also replaced the windows with glass ones, which significantly improved the overall ventilation.
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