Chapter 01 Chapter 1

In 1973, the spring breeze of revolution blew across the motherland and reached Xiaoba Village, Suhua Township.

After the beginning of autumn, the slogan outside the brigade wall that welcomed the educated youth to go to the countryside, "Rooted in the countryside and carried out the revolution, the vast world will temper your red heart", was repainted and replaced with a new leadership consciousness: "Build a new socialist countryside quickly, efficiently and economically."

In 1967, when the flood disaster struck, all the men went to the half-finished dam built by the Soviet Union to fight the flood and no one survived. The women were unwilling to leave their homeland, so they supported and helped each other, guarded the dam, opened up the mountains and cultivated the land, and were determined to revive Xiaoba Village.

Su Rui and the others skillfully broke the early-ripening corn cobs and stuffed them into the sacks dragging around their waists. Sweat rolled down her chin, and she wiped it with her sleeves and weighed the sacks.

"Hey, why didn't Xianhui bring you food today?" Aunt Song came over and handed Su Rui a bowl of cold water: "He won't let you be his son-in-law?"

Everyone knows that Xiao Hongxing pursues Su Rui. He delivers water and food to her every day more diligently than serving the ancestors. The female comrades like to call him "Xianhuiren" behind his back.

Su Rui didn't say anything, Chen Xianglan came over and said, "Da Hua Niang went to his house to ask, and he asked for a 200 yuan betrothal gift. Who can afford it, right, Xiao Rui?"

The high bride price made her continue to be a nun.

Su Rui pursed her lips. She really wanted to marry Xiao Hongxing as a son-in-law, but poverty made her lose interest in love.

She thought to herself, when I have money, I will definitely marry him and make him a new cotton-padded jacket every year!

Auntie Sun came around from behind, threw the sack heavily to the ground, wiped her sweat and said, "Hey, Xiaorui, why don't you go to the next village? Xiao Hongxing is getting married today, but he didn't notify you to attend the banquet?"

marry?

Su Rui was dumbfounded and quickly looked at Aunt Song and Chen Xianglan. The good guys deliberately joined in the fun to see her having fun.

He married another woman because he couldn't afford the bride price. Why are men nowadays so materialistic?

"I didn't go when they asked me to." Su Rui said righteously with a sullen face, "Shang Qianzi is not a business, I know he is pretending to be virtuous! If I want to marry, I want to marry the real virtuous."

With that, Su Rui left her duty field, leaving them behind to laugh.

Su Rui carried the sack and signed the work points angrily. She learned that the women comrades still got six work points, while the cheaters in Qingnan Village got ten work points. Su Rui put down the sack and went to the team leader Guo Qingwang to argue.

After the flood, the whole area was severely affected. Xiaoba Village, Qingnan Village, and Yiwang Village were merged. Guo Qingwang was from Qingnan Village. He favored boys over girls and had a crooked butt.

Su Rui stubbornly came to Guo Qingwang and saw him puffing out a cigarette. She fanned him in disdain and said, "Master Guo, didn't you promise to help women comrades improve their treatment? Why are we still getting six work points today?"

"What Master Guo? You should call him Captain when you meet him."

Guo Qingwang has gray hair, purplish skin, and small, cloudy eyes.

He had a slightly hunched back and was used to putting his hands behind his back. Although he was not a high-ranking official, he spoke in an official tone: "This matter needs further study. Revolution is not something that can be achieved overnight."

Su Rui frowned and asked, "What is there to study? We are all human beings, why are we divided into different classes?"

"Men are stronger and do more work, so naturally they get more." Guo Qingwang stood with his hands behind his back, wearing a navy blue officer suit and the cloth shoes he had just made for a meeting in the village.

"You mean lesbians are not as good as gay men?" Su Rui said: "It's said in the People's Daily. The Constitution stipulates that men and women are equal, and women enjoy the same political, economic, and cultural treatment as gay men. National laws protect women's rights and implement equal pay for equal work. Why don't you respect the law when it comes to you?"

"Here you go again! Here you go again! I told you to read less newspapers outside and stop having wild fantasies."

Guo Qingwang sighed and moved his eyes to the little girl's red and bright face like a red apple. He didn't like the fact that his son was obsessed with her - this girl was getting more and more genuine.

"How can it be a fantasy?" Su Rui said crisply: "I am the acting team leader of the third team of the militia. I have the right to safeguard the interests of my team members and protect the sincere hearts of my revolutionary comrades."

Guo Qingwang thought, forget it, he is even better at speaking official language than me. If a man does not work for himself, he will be punished by heaven and earth.

Guo Qingwang waved his hand and said, "It has been like this for all these years. If you have any problems, report them to the higher-ups. Anyway, this is the rule here."

He clearly doesn't take the fact that women hold up half the sky seriously!

Su Rui knew that it was useless to talk to him about the same old things. She had no connections in the countryside and was resentful of his behavior of favoring boys over girls.

We'll see.

Guo Qingwang's eyelids twitched when he saw her turn around and leave. This person is too troublesome. She left without saying a word today. I guess she has a plan.

Guo Qingwang hurriedly stopped her: "Hey, what are you doing without telling me? You are not allowed to leave."

"I have nothing to say to you." Su Rui turned around and smiled: "Since I don't have the above connections, I plan to find a way myself."

Guo Qingwang: “…” Why do I have a bad feeling?

"I'm telling you, stop causing trouble for me!"

Su Rui stubbornly ignored him and walked home in silence.

She was drowned in a swimming accident two years ago and traveled to this period novel. This period novel has Fang Chiye, who has made great military achievements, as the only protagonist. He led the armed forces to come here to build a military hydroelectric station, and the story of Xiaoba Village only has a short section in this period novel.

After the construction of the military hydropower station, Fang Chiye was transferred to a more important position, focusing on the career line. The whole book is a solo story by Fang Chiye, from entering the military academy at the age of sixteen to becoming a great commander, and there is no heroine.

Su Rui just wanted to reject the path of a cowardly cannon fodder female supporting role, stay away from the path of the protagonist, and live a healthy and happy life. Seeing that she was 18 years old, the tragic plot was coming. Her stepmother and the violent widower in the mountains proposed to her! The original owner of the book would be abused by her family and "committed suicide", which is scary to think about.

She originally wanted to marry a live-in son-in-law before the plot unfolded, but the boss in the workplace was crooked, and it was really hard to make money and eat shit! She finally trained a son, but at the critical moment, he flew away, just like that.

On the way home, I vaguely heard the sound of firecrackers from Yiwang Village, and my heart ached.

Cotton padded jacket. What kind of cotton padded jacket?

The belated affection is worth less than grass, my family members.

***

On the dirt road east of Xiaoba Village.

Guo Jiarong didn't know that Su Rui was clashing with his father, so he left work early and went to Su's house.

The Su family, like many families in the Widow Village, is a reconstituted family. Xiaoba Village has a unique feature of having many live-in sons-in-law. At the end of last year, there were more than 120 families. Su Rui's father, Su Li, was one of them.

Fortunately, Su Li also has the surname Su, otherwise Su Rui would have to take her stepmother's surname.

After finding out that Su Li was not at home, Guo Jiarong hurried to find Su Rui's stepmother, Su Yuqin, to ask about Su Rui's situation.

In fact, his family is well off, with only one son for three generations, so he wouldn't have to marry Su Rui, who comes from a poor family.

However, Su Rui is a petite girl, in her prime at the age of 18. She is full of vigor and vitality, like a bunch of wild flowers blooming in the soil of the countryside, waving her wildness and beautiful face in the wind.

He remembered that Su Rui was not like this before, but who knew that he became more and more obsessed with her and could not forget her day and night.

He arrived at the door of Su's house. The wooden gate was half open. He stamped off the dirt on his feet, cleared his throat, and entered the yard.

Su Yuqin is combing the hair of her second daughter Su Chang'e.

The second daughter was ambitious and finally got an introduction to a manager at a grain and oil store in the county. As luck would have it, the man ran into Su Rui on the day of the blind date and couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Mother has already rejected him. The third child has a wild temper and is not suitable for a cadre family. I am doing this for her own good." Su Yuqin said, "Think about it, this is not your destiny."

Su Chang'e said to the mirror unconvincedly: "How can a motherless girl like her compare to me? That man is blind."

"He's not blind." Su Yuqin thought of a lame middle-aged widower she met in Huang Shanling last month who wanted to "marry" a wife to the mountains at a high price, offering 120 yuan.

The first person she thought of was Su Rui, and she had already promised her.

Su Chang'e also knew about this, and she and her mother racked their brains to make Su Rui voluntarily "marry" him, and even sent Su Rui's father away to go fishing at sea.

However, Su Rui refused to meet strangers or go out, as if she knew what was waiting for her. Yesterday, the other party couldn't wait any longer and asked Su Yuqin to return the 50 yuan deposit. Su Yuqin was still upset.

"Mom, give me ten yuan when you get back."

The turn of events was so fast that Su Yuqin paused for two seconds while combing her hair. She listened to Su Chang'e say, "I found an introducer who has connections. His family has connections in the Sichuan Provincial Army."

Su Yuqin was reluctant to let her daughter marry far away, and said hesitantly: "Didn't we agree to find a live-in son-in-law like mother?"

Su Chang'e suppressed her impatience and said, "They just helped me get in touch once, gave me the contact address, and asked me to send the photo over. Whether they like it or not is another matter. If everything goes well, I can also take care of Su Rui at the same time."

Su Yuqin and her original husband have two daughters.

The eldest daughter Su Hongpei and the second daughter Su Chang'e. She had no son, and she thought her eldest daughter was too kind-hearted and uncalculated, so she placed all her thoughts on the second daughter Su Chang'e.

As for her stepdaughter Su Rui, her father had thrown her away or sold her several times, but her cowardly new husband insisted on keeping her. She just gave her whatever she wanted, and who knew she would actually grow up.

"Mom, it costs ten yuan just to give me a contact address? Is money so easy to earn?" Su Yuqin put down the comb, sat on the edge of the kang and said nothing.

"Is Auntie here?" Standing at the door, Guo Jiarong said clearly, "It's me, Jiarong."

Hearing his voice, Su Chang'e flew into a rage and gritted her teeth as she said, "Look, here comes another one looking for the little fox spirit!"

Guo Jiarong is one of the most single young men in the village. Su Chang'e is his classmate and she once secretly pursued him. After being rejected and knowing that he likes Su Rui, Su Chang'e's hatred for Su Rui reaches its peak.

"He's narrow-minded, don't offend him." Su Yuqin said hurriedly: "Ten yuan is ten yuan, wait until you find a military officer, he will be no better than him."

"That's right." Su Chang'e stood up and quickly braided her hair. She still hoped to leave a good impression in front of Guo Jiarong.

Seeing that Guo Jiarong was the son of the captain, Su Yuqin personally lifted the curtain covered with newspapers and came to the door.

Su Yuqin patted Guo Jiarong's arm and said, "Come in quickly, I'll ask Chang'e to pour you some water."

Su Chang'e had braided her hair, forced a smile and said to Guo Jiarong, "I'll give you a new jar to drink from." She jumped down from the kang and went out in her slippers.

Guo Jiarong ignored Su Chang'e, turned his head away and complained in his heart: How dare that square-faced, big-cheeked guy call himself Chang'e? It would be better to give such a beautiful name to Su Rui, who would be a more suitable match.

Su Yuqin smiled and asked Guo Jiarong: "What's the matter with your nephew coming to our house?"

Guo Jiarong said calmly, "I want to date Su Rui. I wonder if my aunt agrees?"

Sure enough, it’s the same thing again.

Su Chang'e came in with the jar and burst out laughing.

Su Yuqin also found it funny. No one else could come up with this story without any help.

Su Yuqin hoped that Su Rui would marry someone worse than Su Chang'e, and at the same time hoped to get more benefits from Su Rui. She said, "That girl is getting more and more righteous. She's like a different person. I can't control her."

Guo Jiarong rested his hands on the table, looking like a gentle and refined man. He had the highest level of education in the village, having studied up to the first year of high school.

However, what he said did not respect the girl's opinion: "It's the parents' order and the matchmaker's words. As long as you agree first, I will have the imperial sword and can pursue her boldly."

Su Chang'e raised the corner of her lips slightly, revealing a fake smile as she said, "We're just afraid that you'll take chicken feathers as a token of authority and bring people directly to your house. We won't be able to say anything else."

Guo Jiarong didn't like Su Chang'e's single eyelids and high cheekbones. There was not a trace of feminine grace and gentleness in her, only sharpness and meanness.

He tilted his head, as if he didn't hear the harsh words, and just waited for the elder Su Yuqin to speak.

Although Su Rui herself was not quiet and gentle, she was the most beautiful woman in the village, and he was happy to get used to it.

Seeing that Guo Jiarong ignored her words, Su Chang'e opened the curtain and walked into the yard angrily.

Su Yuqin said to Guo Jiarong: "Of the three daughters in my family, why did you choose her? I think you and the second daughter are the most compatible in temperament. Even if she gets angry with you, it's just a joke among young people."

Guo Jiarong said coldly: "I don't play with lesbians casually."

Su Yuqin was at a loss for words.

Thinking that if Su Rui became the daughter-in-law of the Guo family, wouldn't that mean that she and her mother would suffer? She would never agree to this marriage no matter what.

Guo Jiarong took out his trump card and said, "I'll ask my father to arrange for Su Chang'e to work as a clerk in the brigade and eat public rations. Do you agree to this now?"

Before Su Yuqin could be happy, Su Rui's crisp refusal came from outside the door: "I don't agree!"

Guo Jiarong hurriedly got off the kang and stood up. Su Rui lifted the curtain and walked into the room without even looking at him. She questioned Su Yuqin, "How dare you be my master when my father is not back?"

Su Yuqin frowned and said, "How do you talk to me? Have you forgotten who is the head of the family? Besides, I'm not asking you to get married--"

Su Rui turned around and said to Guo Jiarong, "Who asked you to come to my house? Get out!"

Guo Jiarong's face suddenly turned red. He maintained his dignity as a scholar and said angrily, "You always reject me. I have no choice but to do this."

Su Rui said, "I don't want to date you, but you still want to use your seniority to pressure me. How can you be so smart? Is this something your family has inherited?"

Guo Jiarong was so embarrassed that he slammed the table and said, "How can you talk like that?"

Su Rui: "Have you ever slammed the table in front of me?"

Su Rui's good mood was ruined by the two Guos. People with the surname Guo are no good. She turned around and went to the main room to find a fire stick!

"Oh, look at her bad temper. You go back first today and I will have a good talk with her." Su Yuqin didn't have to agree to Guo Jiarong immediately, so she persuaded Guo Jiarong to go outside.

Su Chang'e leaned against the door frame and said, "Oh, are you leaving now?"

Guo Jiarong stretched his neck and looked at Su Rui who was coming towards him with a fire stick in her hand. He hid behind Su Yuqin and said, "You want to hit me? Just wait, I'll let my dad take you down as the acting team leader!"

Guo Jiarong ran in front, and Su Rui followed behind. Because he was blocked and failed to catch up, he walked home angrily, and suddenly found a figure flashing outside the wooden fence.

Here we go again.

These days she always felt like someone was staring at her.

"Who is it?!" Su Rui went out with a fire stick and bumped into her elder sister who was chasing after her.

"You scared me. Why are you still shouting and yelling at home?" Su Hongpei snatched Su Rui's fire stick and coaxed Su Rui into the side room: "It's my mother's fault. Calm down."

Su Hongpei is 24 years old, which is considered an older unmarried woman in the village. However, she has a boyfriend and they are expected to have their wedding this year.

She was nothing like Su Yuqin, nor did she resemble Su Chang'e. She was dressed simply, with patches on top of patches. She had an oval face, two red spots on her cheeks, double-eyes, a big, thick braid, and was full of gentleness, kindness, and benevolence.

In Su Rui's view, Su Chang'e's mind was full of calculations and she was black-hearted, while Su Hongpei's mind was full of whiteness and she was so innocent that it made people feel distressed.

When Su Rui first arrived, she was very rebellious and cheated Su Hongpei countless times. Su Hongpei always believed Su Rui's lies and made peace with her. As time went by, Su Rui reflected on her mistakes and became real sisters with Su Hongpei.

The family has five red brick houses, which were built by the government after the flood according to the number of people in the family. The Su family turned a disaster into a blessing, and no longer had to live in a mud house.

The main house is where my parents live, and it is connected to the main room for entertaining guests and eating, and the lower room for storing groceries.

The two side rooms were of the same size, each covering an area of ​​20 square meters. Su Chang'e occupied the east side room all by herself, while Su Rui and Su Hongpei squeezed into the west side room.

After calming Su Rui down, Su Hongpei went to cook.

Su Rui stood under the date tree in the yard, planning to find a time to give Guo Jiarong a good beating!

At this moment, there was a sound of small footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.

Grandma Ah Xi, an old lady with bound feet, shouted: "Guo Jiarong was beaten, right behind your house!"

Amitabha, may all your wishes come true!

Su Rui walked towards the gate and said, "Take a rest. I'll go over and take a look."

"What can you do there?" Grandma A Xi turned around and followed.

Su Rui was so happy that her mouth was wide open: "What can we do? Look at how badly he got beaten."