"Oh dear, what happened to Xiao Jiang? Did he fall into the water?" Shu Hui came out with a spatula.
"He fell into the Shihe River, but thanks to this comrade, he was saved," Shu Aiguo said.
Dai Donglin was tall and upright, with a buzz cut that made him look particularly energetic. Upon hearing that it was Dai Donglin who had saved Xiao Jiang from drowning, Shu Hui quickly welcomed him in.
"Comrade, the Shihe River has been flooded recently. You still dared to jump into such deep water. You are a great philanthropist. Xiao Jiang is lucky to have met you."
Shihe River is the only major river in Shanguan Village, named after the mountains it passes through. Despite its seemingly harmless name, Shihe River is located downstream, and the village experiences flooding every summer when the upstream waters rise.
In 1983, communication was not well-developed and there was a lack of cooperation between cities. Often, upstream areas would directly open their sluice gates to release water for flood discharge, and by the time downstream areas discovered it, a lot of farmland had already been flooded.
Every year during the flood season, people die in the Shihe River. Last year, a little boy from the village went swimming in the river and couldn't swim back up. The year before, an old fisherman from another village drowned. The villagers of Shanguan Village are terrified of the Shihe River and have repeatedly warned their children not to play by it, but some children always disobey.
Xiao Jiang fell into the stone river and came back. What else could it be but a stroke of luck? If it weren't for Comrade Dai, they would probably be collecting Xiao Jiang's body and preparing for his funeral. Shu Hui couldn't help but feel scared when she thought about this.
Chu Yu placed the water on the table. "No one has used this new enamel cup. Mom, you should drink some water too."
Shu Hui smiled and accepted the water. Upon hearing this address, Dai Donglin's heart pounded with excitement. He never imagined that this was his future mother-in-law.
"Auntie, saving people is what I should do, it's really nothing," Dai Donglin said modestly.
Shu Hui nodded repeatedly, "Even we locals don't dare to go down into this stone river, you're a really good swimmer."
“My father is strict with me and has made me exercise since I was a child. I dare not say anything else, but my physical fitness is indeed quite good. Even if you were in this situation, I could save you, let alone a child like Xiao Jiang.”
Shu Hui's wrinkles curved upwards. "You're a really good kid. To raise such a comrade as you, your parents must be outstanding. By the way, comrade, you're not married yet, are you?"
Dai Donglin could hardly believe that happiness had come so suddenly. He glanced at Chu Yu beside him and sat up straight.
"Auntie, I'm not married yet. You wouldn't be thinking of introducing me to someone, would you?"
Shu Hui shook her head with a smile, "You look like you come from a well-off family, how could I dare to introduce you to someone? I was thinking that since you saved Xiao Jiang, you are our family's savior. If you get married, Xiao Jiang can call you godfather. But since you're not married yet, calling him godfather would be too much of a generational difference."
Chu Yu suppressed a laugh, finding it amusing to see Dai Donglin get the short end of the stick. Her heartless behavior made Dai Donglin laugh as well.
Deng Fangping came out of the kitchen. "Comrade, the hot water is ready. Shall I pour it into the big bucket for you?"
These days, rural people don't care about such things, nor do they have the means to. Shu Aiguo's big tub is used by both children and adults. It's used for bathing, washing clothes, and even in winter, he has to help pickle vegetables for the family.
In the 1980s, city dwellers already had flush toilets and bathtubs, and those with better financial means couldn't accept this large tub.
"Auntie, would you like to shower in my washbasin?" Chu Yu took out her newly bought washbasin and towel and explained to Dai Donglin, "The basin and towel are both new and haven't been used yet."
Dai Donglin felt that this girl was considerate and caring.
He may seem unrefined, but he's actually a bit of a germaphobe. Even in the dead of winter, he has to take a shower before going to bed. He never shares his personal items with others. Last month, when he went on a business trip to Haishi, Mi Fei complained that the hotel towels were dirty and wanted to use his, but Dai Donglin refused and insisted that Mi Fei let his bare bottom and body air dry.
Chu Yu escorted him into the kitchen, away from the crowd, before frowning and asking, "Why are you here?"
Dai Donglin draped the towel over his right shoulder, a half-smile on his face.
"What? You didn't think I came here for you, did you? You're a young girl, but you have quite the imagination and know how to flatter yourself."
Chu Yu had an urge to knock his head like a wooden fish.
"Dai Donglin, you've lived this long, it must have been quite an achievement, right? You haven't gotten beaten up for talking like that, are the people around you reincarnated living Buddhas?"
Dai Donglin finally understood what it meant to "grit one's teeth." This girl was truly sharp-tongued; her words could drive a person half to death. But Dai Donglin wasn't one to be trifled with. His reply was simple and brutal: he ripped off his shirt, which reeked of the fishy smell of the river.
Dai Donglin had a wheat-colored complexion and well-defined muscles. His abdomen was wet from falling into the water, giving him an unrefined masculine charm. His waist was remarkably slender, yet strong, with muscles extending down to below his belt buckle, adding a touch of wildness and roguishness.
Chu Yu frowned, momentarily losing her composure. "Why did you take off your clothes without warning?"
"Taking a bath, Auntie! You take a bath dressed up? If you don't leave soon, I'm going to take more off. You can look if you want, I'm not afraid to look since I have a good figure."
This guy is so annoying. Chu Yu didn't have his thick skin. She slammed the door shut, and behind her came Dai Donglin's deep, cheerful laughter.
There wasn't much to offer guests at home, so Shu Aiguo rode his bicycle to town to buy meat. Chu Yu offered him money, but he refused.
“They saved Xiao Jiang, which is something that money can't buy. It's only right for the uncle to return the favor. Why are you getting involved?”
Chu Yu chuckled, "Uncle, why are you being so polite with me? I offered to share the money from selling the Night-Shining Sand with you, but you refused. Why are you being so polite about such a small thing?"
"What would I, a grown man, need your money for? You can keep that little bit of money as your dowry!" Shu Aiguo waved his hand dismissively.
This morning, people started delivering night-shining sand. Combined with the more than 9,000 catties from yesterday, Chu Yu earned about 300 yuan. After deducting the cost of 100 yuan, she still had a profit of 200 yuan. It was only right for her to stay at her second uncle's house and subsidize his living expenses. Unfortunately, Shu Aiguo was a stubborn man who refused to take a single penny from her, even if it meant his death.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
