Chapter 30 Chapter 30

In early May, farm work is not so busy.

The peach blossoms that wither in March and April in the south bloom brilliantly and romantically here.

Su Rui has been looking downcast these days. Her ambition to marry a live-in son-in-law has been dampened. She is listless except when she is working.

In order to heal Su Rui's fragile and injured heart, Fang Chiye also wanted to help her and found a construction team to build a new house.

Su Rui had less things to worry about. She would help out in the new house after finishing her work every day, either mixing cement or moving bricks. She was very busy and happy.

Su Yuqin and Su Chang'e's mother thought that the house Su Rui built with the money they gave her would not be very big, so they ridiculed her at home every day.

Recently, I have been busy preparing for my soon-to-be-married military officer son-in-law.

Su Rui is responsible for preparing lunch for the workers every day. Today, she came to the supply and marketing cooperative carrying a bamboo basket. In May, cucumbers and tomatoes are at their freshest, and water spinach and garlic are also delicious with rice.

Su Rui did not treat the workers badly. Every day she would go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy fresh vegetables and stir-fry them with pickled mustard oil for them to eat. From time to time she would also fry an egg or add some pickled mustard greens.

Su Rui entered the supply and marketing cooperative and saw Yan'er looking across at her with her chin raised. She turned her head and saw Su Yuqin, wearing a new grey cloth skirt, buying pork.

"Just give us some more juicy ones. Our son-in-law is coming to visit us today. He's a company commander. I have to cook two juicy dishes for him."

Su Yuqin was afraid that others would not be able to hear her address as "Captain Zhan", so she tied her hair up at the back, and Su Chang'e painted her eyebrows, making her look radiant.

Yan'er lowered her voice and said, "I just can't stand her showing off. It's not like she's getting married, but she's got a new dress and new cloth shoes, and she even buys you big pieces of fat meat to eat. She used to treat you and your father like that, without even a hint of lewdness."

Su Rui said quietly, "The more the mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes him."

She wanted to buy some garlic sprouts, as this dish can be eaten with rice after being fried with soy sauce.

Yan'er refused to let her buy it, saying, "This is what was left over from the day before. It's too old to be chewed. Why don't you buy some Chinese cabbage? I've saved the tofu from this morning for you. You can go back and stew the Chinese cabbage with tofu and sprinkle some shrimp skin on it for them to eat. It will be just as delicious."

Su Rui also felt that it was time to change her taste after always eating garlic sprouts. Chinese cabbage was cheaper and fresher than garlic sprouts. She could buy four pounds of it for five cents. It would also be nutritious if stewed with tofu.

"We never eat dry Chinese cabbage at home. It's too choking without some meaty smell." Su Yuqin came to Su Rui with a basket carrying half a pound of fatty pork belly. They occasionally saw Su Rui these days and saw that she had a sad face. Su Yuqin and Su Chang'e were secretly very happy.

Su Rui pretended not to hear anything. For those who bring trouble upon themselves, it is their own fault.

Su Yuqin walked around in front of Su Rui, blocking her way and saying, "Our family has done our best for you and your daughter. If you have built a house but don't have money, don't come to us."

Su Rui stepped aside and said, "Don't worry, I wouldn't look for you if we're not family."

Su Yuqin smiled and said, "Chang'e will bring her target back today. You said that people are very different. She has the ability to find a military officer to bring back. When will you bring back your labor reform prisoners?"

Yan'er was at the counter, frowning and saying, "Don't spread rumors. Who said Su Rui found a labor reform prisoner? If you say that again, I'll take you to find Sister Zhao."

Su Yuqin smacked her lips and said with a smile: "Look why I spit. I just thought that your life will be difficult in the future, so I wanted to give you some advice."

Su Rui said coldly, "Think more about your future. I suggest you don't spend all your money, or you'll end up having no money to pay for your coffin."

Su Yuqin's face darkened and she said, "I think you are just jealous that Chang'e is better off than you. I am happy to spend all my coffin money on her. She is more filial than you. She knows how to find a military officer so that I can enjoy a peaceful life in my next life. I don't think your father will have anything else when he gets old!"

After Su Yuqin finished speaking, she looked at the clock on the wall, then walked away.

Yan'er spat on the ground and said, "What a piece of shit. She even spread rumors that you found a prisoner in labor reform. I think her son-in-law is the prisoner in labor reform."

Su Rui was immediately amused: "Your words are as good as gold."

Yan'er said, "You're still laughing? Are you really angry? If you have any difficulties at home, tell me, especially if building a house costs a lot of money. Although I don't have a lot of money, I can always help you with small amounts."

Su Rui was very grateful for this and told Yan'er, "Don't worry, I'm not looking for a labor reform prisoner. I'm looking for a military officer. Just wait and see what Su Chang'e will make of her."

Yan'er reached out and touched Su Rui's forehead and found that she didn't have a fever.

Su Chang'e had found a military officer as her partner, and this had been rumoured since last year. They even described him with great detail, saying he was a company commander in the army, young, promising, and handsome.

Everyone believed it after hearing it passed around. What young girl wouldn't be jealous? Now Su Rui said that Su Chang'e found a labor reform prisoner, and she found a military officer. Yan'er thought Su Rui was sick because of it.

"Take this half pack of milk powder." Yan'er gritted her teeth, handed her stock to Su Rui and said, "Your father hasn't come back yet, so don't make your life too hard. Just drink it when you have nothing to do."

Su Rui said, "My boyfriend bought me two cans, but I didn't drink much because I was too busy lately and I was afraid of getting a sore throat. You can keep the milk powder for yourself. I appreciate your kindness."

"It's better for you to face the reality and live a good life." Yan'er didn't listen to her, stuffed half a bag of milk powder into Su Rui's basket, and pushed Su Rui away.

Su Rui had no choice but to collect the milk powder and go home to soak the vegetables first, then put half a packet of milk powder next to the two cans of milk powder.

She prepared the meal, brought it to the workers, ate a few bites herself, and then went to work at the village committee without stopping.

When they arrived at the village committee, there was a guest in Sister Zhao's office. It was none other than Wu Dan.

Su Rui didn't like him and didn't want to listen to him. But the door was open and they were talking loudly, so Su Rui, Huang Bei and others had no choice but to listen to the whole thing.

Wu Dan smoked a cigarette and continued to explain his purpose: "The troops want to repair the cables, why do they have to go through our village?"

Sister Zhao said, "Then how do you want to solve this problem? These are all requirements on the construction drawings. You can't let the troops put the cables around your village. Besides, the troops said that this is also a good thing for us ordinary people. In the future, we don't need to install power poles. We can directly cross the power poles to use electricity. It will be twenty years of progress. Isn't this good enough?"

"Good?" Wu Dan crushed the cigarette under his feet, and laughed: "Everyone knows that the army favors your village. I don't know whether it is the women in your village who have bewitched them or--"

Sister Zhao scolded: "If you have a problem, just talk about it, don't talk about gender. Would you be less of a human being if you changed your gender?"

Wu Dan smiled and said, "I'm sorry. Let me be frank. I want to cooperate with Xiaoba Village and push the cable work to Yiwang Village. This kind of good thing should also be given to their village in turn."

Sister Zhao said, "You look quite young, but your thinking is not progressive at all. The army said it was a good thing, but you still doubted it. What are you worried about?"

Wu Dan said: "Does the construction cost take time? Does it cost money? Does it take up land? On what basis can the troops occupy the land of Yiwang Village and build new houses for them to move in, but we can give the land of Qingnan Village for free?"

Sister Zhao said, "I will not cooperate with you. I trust the army in this matter."

Wu Dan sneered and said, "It's not your village's turn. I think you would object if it were your village's turn. Anyway, our whole village doesn't agree. We will never let the cables fall in our village unless you give us money or houses!"

Sister Zhao said: "You need to look forward—"

Wu Dan knew that there was no room for discussion today, so he stood up and interrupted Sister Zhao and said, "Stop being so hypocritical. I am only interested in the money. If they don't give me money, forget it. I have nothing to say today."

After Wu Dan left, Su Rui knocked on Sister Zhao's door.

Sister Zhao frowned and said, "Come in."

Su Rui came and sat down in front of Sister Zhao. Sister Zhao looked up and asked, "What's the matter?"

Su Rui said, "I just overheard what Secretary Wu said."

Sister Zhao stood up and closed the door. She said to Su Rui, "I wanted to discuss this with you. You are young, progressive, and have many advanced ideas. I want to ask you about installing cables."

Su Rui knows that cables are not yet popular and many people do not know the importance of cables.

She sat up straight and said eagerly, "I hope we can get the cable installed."

This was exactly what Sister Zhao was thinking, so she asked seriously, "Can you tell me the reason?"

Sister Zhao also needs a reason to convince herself and the women.

Su Rui said: "I have read relevant reports that cables can not only be used in the military, but also for power transmission to the public. They are much safer than electric poles. In the future, they can also be used for communication, data transmission and signals. In the future, they will also be involved in aerospace, construction, transportation and other fields. They are indispensable infrastructure."

"Is it so important? Did you read this in the newspaper?"

"Yes, they are all government statements in the newspapers." Su Rui didn't dare to say anything else and had to talk about the newspapers. Her attitude was sincere and her words were reasonable, which made Sister Zhao fall into deep thought.

After a while, Sister Zhao stood up and walked to the window.

"Our Xiaoba Village is a poor village and has always lagged behind others. I have a dream. I hope that our Xiaoba Village can successfully get rid of poverty and become rich, and become an advanced village in the township and the county. I hope that the hard work and kindness of women will be rewarded as they deserve."

She walked over to Su Rui, held her shoulders and said, "Give me a definite answer. I'm willing to trust you. What do you think should be done about the cable issue?"

Su Rui held Sister Zhao's hand in return. Sister Zhao's hope was also her hope.

She said sincerely: "Don't listen to Wu Dan. We must work hard to build the power line in Xiaoba Village. We don't want money or houses. We will make this happen even if we have to pay out of our own pockets and tighten our belts."

"Okay." Sister Zhao patted Su Rui's hand and said, "I'll call the army leader right now and try my best to get it!"