Chapter 214 Two in One
Taozi and Dazhu both mentioned in their letters that Dingxiang was sent back to her hometown.
However, Taozi learned about it from a neighbor who lived in the steel plant's housing estate when she met him on the street.
Afterwards, she sent a telegram to her hometown and asked her mother to call her back at the factory, but she was scolded by her mother.
When Huang Meihua received the telegram, she thought it was something important from her eldest daughter, but it turned out to be about Dingxiang's situation.
Huang Meihua felt that this matter could be dealt with by writing a letter. It was not worth spending money on a phone call just for Dingxiang who had not been nice to them when they went to the city before.
Although she complained about the phone bill, she couldn't help but nag at Ding Tao a few more words: "What a revenge... well, she used to despise me for being a country bumpkin, and then her biological father sent me back to be a country bumpkin."
She wanted to say "retribution", but when she saw the teller next to her, she stopped talking in time, fearing that she would be accused of being superstitious.
But Huang Meihua was happy in her heart, but she was just happy in her heart and didn't say anything in front of Dingxiang. Now that she was the grown-up girl, she wouldn't let her talk without restraint.
"...I have never done farm work since I was a child. I don't know how your uncle could bear to do that. It's true that if there is a stepmother, there will be a stepfather." After complaining about Dingxiang, he did not forget to complain about his uncle.
Doing housework is different from doing farm work. Housework is not easy, and farm work is even more tiring. Ding Xiang never thought that one day she would be weeding in a rural field under the scorching sun. She felt ashamed and sad. She cried secretly several times at night and her hatred for Ding Zhigang reached its peak.
Dazhu didn't say much in his letter, he just told the reason and Dingxiang's current situation in the countryside.
The village had experienced the experience of educated youth going to the countryside. Dingxiang was just like other educated youth who had just arrived in the countryside. She definitely had to suffer some hardships at the beginning, but she gradually adapted to it.
Ding Guo was speechless. Ding Zhigang just saw that his third uncle and aunt were honest and easy to talk to, so why didn't he send them to the second room?
However, Ding Guo did not expect that Ding Xiang would be sent back to her hometown.
If Dingxiang was really wronged as described in the letter, then Comrade Lao Ding's blindness and blindness seemed to have reached a new level.
At the same time, the methods used by Zheng Wenfang and her two sons who were brought to the Ding family were also shocking.
Taozi had said before that Ding Jiandang was now living with Yue Hongmei and no longer went back to the steel plant's family compound. Now Ding Xiang had been sent back to her hometown, so who was left in the family compound at the steel plant?
If Zheng Wenfang just wanted Ding Zhigang to distance himself from his previous children and live with her wholeheartedly, then that would be fine.
But if they sucked all your blood in the early stage and then kicked you out when you are old and need your children to support you, that would be a real disaster.
Ding Guo put away the letter and wished Comrade Ding a happy old age in advance.
The renovation of Dayong's yard has begun. Ding Guo went to see it once. Usually, it is Aunt Wu and Uncle Song who help to keep an eye on it.
Sometimes when Song Yuling passed by there while delivering mail, she would go in to take a look at her and Dayong's future home, feeling very happy.
When the yard project in Sanlihe was finished, Dayong came to the capital again, paid Master Zhu, and was very happy to see the new yard. The yard was paved with broken bricks, but a piece of land was left to make a small vegetable garden, which he would give to his mother-in-law to take care of and grow some vegetables, so that they could save some money on vegetables.
The construction work at Pengbo Hutong was underway, and Wu Fang then learned that Ding Guo had also bought a house.
She was not moved at all by her son-in-law buying a house, as she was only thinking about her daughter's future. But when Ding Guo had two yards and bought another house, Wu Fang was somewhat moved, and went back to discuss with Lao Song whether they should also plan to buy a house.
The house allocated by the unit still belongs to the unit after all. Although they can live in it for a lifetime, it is not their own and cannot be used to carry on the family line.
But the house you buy is different, it can be passed down from generation to generation.
The only worry is that the wind direction will change, and the house they buy may become a point of attack for them.
But the two young men kept buying things here and there, and Wu Fang wanted to take a chance by following the young people's bold thinking and action spirit.
I was struggling with this and trying to get the opinion of my own brother, Mr. Song.
After hearing what his wife said, Song Chengli was shocked.
Although his family had also suffered from bad luck, since he was able to be rehabilitated and return to the city and was arranged a good job for him, it showed that the wind would eventually develop in a good direction.
Compared to his wife's worries, Song Chengli felt more heroic.
"Then buy it. Let's ask around first. If we really meet someone who wants to buy it and the yard is suitable, we'll buy one."
It is not so easy to find a house. It is a matter of chance.
The two of them didn't think of asking Ding Guo how she got the information. After all, they didn't buy the house to live in immediately, so they could just take care of it slowly.
"Okay, I'll keep an eye out and go check it out if we see it."
After the wheat was harvested, the brigade distributed the grain, and Peng Guihua and Ding Zhicheng took the grain into the city.
Ding Guo felt helpless and distressed. He could imagine how hard it must have been to carry so much food all the way here in such hot weather.
"Aunt San, I really don't lack food here."
Peng Guihua smiled and said, "It's different. Let's try this year's new grain."
Although the new food is not as delicious as the food sent back by Ding Guo and Dayong, it’s still good for the sake of novelty.
Moreover, the harvest this year is good, and it seems that the situation like last year will not happen again, so it is also a good omen.
But since the gift had been delivered, Ding Guo could only accept the kindness of the two elders. He hurriedly brought two jars of well water to his uncle and aunt to relieve their fatigue, and went to cut a watermelon that he had brought back from outside yesterday.
After the old couple had rested, they were arranged to take a shower and change clothes. After they were cleaned up, they went to the Song family with a bag of new wheat.
Wu Fang was also very moved. She kept saying that there was enough food at home and asked her relatives to come whenever they wanted and not to carry food from so far away, which was tiring.
Although it is more convenient to get food in the countryside than in the city, it is also the result of countless sweat.
They have also worked in the countryside and know the hard work of growing crops.
After having lunch at the Song family, Song Chengli had to go to work in the afternoon, so he went straight to the unit. Wu Fang took her in-laws to Sanheli and asked Peng Guihua and Ding Zhicheng to see the house that Dayong had bought.
Knowing it from the letter is one thing, but actually standing in the yard and looking at the clean ground, with the obviously newly built toilet next to it and the newly painted walls in the house, it's another feeling altogether.
It's just that because we haven't planned to move in yet, there is no furniture in the room, just a bed made of bricks and wooden boards.
No one was sleeping either, so Dayong came and stayed at his sister's place.
"Okay, this yard is really nice." Ding Zhicheng nodded repeatedly, his eyes swollen.
The yard is about the same size as my own home in the village, but this is in the city, the capital!
Wu Fang pointed to a vegetable patch by the wall of the yard and said, "Dayong asked me to grow some vegetables. I can come here to take care of it and add some popularity to the yard."
Peng Guihua smiled and said, "It's really more convenient to grow some vegetables yourself, otherwise the yard will just be left idle."
She was also very grateful that her in-laws were willing to help take care of the yard. Even though they had returned to the city and were the families of cadres, they still came to grow vegetables just because of a word from their son-in-law.
These in-laws are really simple.
It also shows that the son gets along well with his father-in-law's family.
Ding Zhicheng went over to take a look, and nodded with a smile: "This dish looks very prosperous."
Wu Fang smiled and said, "I also grew vegetables in the countryside. Although my skills were not as good as yours, I still had enough for my family to eat."
I looked at the slightly empty yard for about an hour before leaving reluctantly.
The smile on Peng Guihua's face never faded.
The group went to Ding Guo's house, sat down and talked and played with the children. Wu Fang waited for her youngest daughter to get off work and come over with Old Song, and then they had dinner before leaving.
Lying on the kang at night, with a fan in the air, Peng Guihua talked about Dingxiang: "When she first came, her eyes were swollen every morning when she woke up, but now she has adapted to it. She follows Dalin to climb trees to dig out bird nests and go to the river to catch fish. She can get five or six work points after work. Although she is a little darker now, she is well fed and watered in our family. She has grown taller and looks more energetic. She is much more cheerful than when she first came."
"Your father gives her living expenses, and she earns work points on her own. I don't want to take advantage of a child. It's a pity for Xiangxiang not to study at her age. I discussed with her and asked her to ask about the schools in our area. No matter how long she stays in her hometown, she can go to class and work after school to earn her tuition. Dingxiang said she would not go and asked Dazhu to teach her. Now Dazhu teaches her when he is not working, and I think she is very motivated to learn."
"When she returns to the city, I will convert her work points into money for her to take back."
After all, Peng Guihua was not very familiar with her niece Dingxiang. If Dingxiang wanted to go to school, she would help find the team and ask the branch secretary or team leader to go to the commune school to talk. If Dingxiang really didn't want to go, she wouldn't force it. As long as she had the intention, it was fine.
Even after such a long time, my uncle still showed no intention of taking the child back. Peng Guihua felt that my uncle might not want to keep the child anymore.
"You are all so disappointed. Let's see what he will do when he gets old." Peng Guihua was speechless.
The relationship with Guoguo has become like this, and now it’s the same with Dingxiang.
That day, Huang Meihua asked Dingxiang if she missed home after being back for so long.
Ding Xiang smiled brightly and said, "Second Aunt, that's not my home."
Dad’s home is not her home, and mom’s home is even less so.
She has no home.
It makes me feel cold just by looking at it.
Ding Guo sighed, Third Aunt is really honest.
Although Ding Zhigang provides living expenses, taking care of a child is not just about food and drink, it also involves a responsibility.
My third uncle and aunt only stayed here for two days before returning to Huiyang.
Ding Guo once again suggested that Dazhu and Dalin come to the capital to live for a while, but Peng Guihua still disagreed: "I heard that our commune's primary school is planning to recruit two more teachers. Dazhu just graduated from high school. I was thinking of listening to the news. If it's true, let him sign up and see if he can get a spot."
Ding Guo said hurriedly: "If you really want to recruit people, let Dazhu work hard to get them."
I just don’t know how to tell Dazhu not to throw away his textbooks after graduation. If he can compete to become a teacher, he can’t leave his books.
Ding Guo received a letter from Taozi shortly afterwards, saying that Ding Zhigang had moved.
Zheng Wenfang’s application for a dormitory at the cotton mill was approved. The area was more spacious than the one he lived in at the steel mill’s staff quarters, so his family moved into the dormitory.
Now Xiao Laoliu has no chance of returning to the city.
Even if I go back, the situation will only be worse than before.
In August, Pei Che returned after finishing his training.
He looks like he's lost a lot of weight, but there's no other change.
The two kids just stared at their father whom they hadn't seen for a long time for a moment, then giggled and threw themselves into Pei Che's arms.
Pei Che's heart softened instantly.
Seeing Pei Che who was so happy that he was a little lost, Aunt Qiao didn't want to discourage him, so she just whispered to Wang Chunhua: "If the child cries, it means he really misses you. If the child laughs, it means he remembers that he has seen this person before."
Ding Guo just happened to hear it, turned around to look at the man who was still laughing foolishly over there, and couldn't help laughing.
Pei Che, who knew nothing about this, happily played with the two kids for the entire afternoon, and was even complacent about his son and daughter's good memory, as they had not forgotten him as their father.
At night, he held his wife in his arms and asked about the subsequent progress of Pengbo Hutong, whether it had been successfully purchased, and whether the tenants had caused any trouble.
The courtyard on the other side of Pengbo Hutong had been renovated a long time ago. Ding Guo went to see it and met Mosquito there. Mosquito even asked her if she was planning to move in.
I have no plans to move there for now.
The system, which had finally developed the function of screening tenants, helped select two families and rented out the courtyards in Pengbo Hutong and Chaowai Street respectively.
"I bought it. It went pretty smoothly. I rented out the yard for ten dollars a month."
Pei Che stayed at home for a week this time.
Every day I walk with my children, holding one in each hand, or take them out to play, go back to the compound, and visit my parents' workplace.
After Pei Zhengzhong and Shao Xunping's work got on track, they had less time to rest than when they first came back. They could only go home once every two to three weeks. Before they could get enough time to spend with their grandchildren, they had to go back to work.
That day, Ding Guo just got home from get off work and saw Song Yuling waiting for him at home.
She thought Song Yuling was here to play with her as usual, but she was pulled aside by her future sister-in-law and told in a mysterious way, "Sister Ding Guo, my dad told you to review your high school courses when you have nothing to do."
As soon as these words fell, Ding Guo's heart skipped a beat.
Finally, it’s coming!
It’s only August now, and the actual announcement will have to wait until October.
But such a big decision cannot be discussed today and announced tomorrow. It must have been discussed before that. After all, not everyone supports the resumption of the college entrance examination. Some people hold opposing views and want to continue to maintain the method of recommending students to go to university.
Uncle Song is from the Education Bureau, so it’s not surprising that he heard the news in advance.
The fact that Song Yuling came to remind him showed that he supported her.
Song Yuling looked around again and lowered her voice and said, "Someone above us suggested that we resume the college entrance examination. It's not a recommendation, but it should be the same as before. Although I don't know if we can succeed in the end, it's right to read more books."
Ding Guo took a deep breath, pretended to be surprised, and asked, "Is this true?"
Song Yuling: "Really, the higher-ups have started a meeting to discuss it. Some are in favor of it, some are against it. My dad is in favor of restoring it."
But there was some worry and tension on Song Yuling's face.
No one knows the final conclusion of this matter. One of the supporters and opponents will eventually fail. It is unclear whether the failed party will be...
Because of her father's support, he even argued with those who opposed it in the bureau. As a result, the atmosphere at home has been a bit depressing recently.
Her mother had just found out about a house to buy a few days ago, so she didn't dare to take any action.
I am afraid that if Song Chengli's side fails, he will be accused or bullied by others, and the family will experience turmoil again.
For this reason, she also discussed with her youngest daughter whether she should marry Dayong first.
Once she gets married, she is no longer the daughter of the Song family, but the daughter-in-law of the Ding family. If anything happens in the family, the younger daughter will not be implicated.
Even if it is the same as marrying off a daughter, marrying her happily and marrying her to avoid risks represent two different mentalities.
Thinking of what her mother said, Song Yuling couldn't help but her eyes turned slightly red.
Ding Guo guessed what Song Yuling was worried about almost instantly. She held Song Yuling's hand and said firmly: "The restoration of the college entrance examination is the best way for the country to cultivate talents. Uncle Song and his support are correct, and I firmly believe that they will succeed!"
"Sister, will it really succeed?"
Ding Guo nodded and said with a smile: "Yes, you have to believe in the determination of the leader who proposed this matter."
The next day, Dayong came to the capital.
Ding Guo was surprised: "Passing by on a business trip?"
Dayong shook his head: "My mother asked me to come here. She said she wanted to discuss something with me."
It was not until Dayong came back from the Song family that Ding Guo realized how much pressure Aunt Wu was under.
"What do you think?"
"No matter what, Yuling is the only wife I have chosen for my whole life." Dayong said, "I am happy to get married. We are old enough and have good feelings. But getting married now...my parents are afraid that something unexpected will happen in the future, so they want to keep everything simple, get a low-key marriage certificate, and have a meal with our two families. Yuling feels a little unfair."
He wanted to marry his wife with a grand ceremony, but Yuling understood her parents' concerns and was willing to keep things simple.
She was worried that her father's supportive attitude would not be successful in the end and would be targeted by others. If the wedding was too lively at this time, she was afraid that it would become a point of attack for others later.
Ding Guo smiled bitterly. She knew that the college entrance examination would definitely be resumed, but there was no way she could say that. So she could only follow the opinions of Uncle Song and Aunt Wu and keep it simple.
When Mr. Pei found out about this, he called Song Chengli and Wu Fang to his house for dinner.
I don’t know what the old man said to Song Chengli and his wife, but after leaving the compound, I was not so scared anymore.
But the wedding went on as usual.
Anyway, the two children are old enough, but we still don’t plan to make it too lively.
Ding Guo took two days off to help buy furniture and wedding supplies. After the two got their marriage certificate, Peng Guihua and Ding Zhicheng, who received the news, hurried over from their hometown, ready to welcome their daughter-in-law home.
Ding Guo met Ding Xiang.
Ding Dayong's two younger brothers would definitely come when he got married. Naturally, they couldn't leave Ding Xiang alone at home, so they brought them along.
"Big sister." Ding Xiang greeted Ding Guo with an unnatural expression.
Seeing her changes now, Ding Guo was also stunned.
She has indeed grown a lot taller and darker, and her mental state is much better than the last time I saw her.
Ding Guo smiled and nodded: "It's a rare opportunity to come here, let's go out and play with Dazhu and the others later."
"Okay!" Dingxiang responded.
The two people next to them didn't have much to talk about.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Peng Guihua didn't dare to ask her son and daughter-in-law, so she asked Ding Guo secretly.
Ding Guo didn't know what the Song family was worried about, so he just talked about himself and said with a smile, "Just like me, if you want to get married, then get married. Isn't it good to get married? You and Third Uncle can also put a worry to rest."
Peng Guihua said, "That's right, but I didn't prepare much. I hope Yuling doesn't mind."
Of course Song Yuling didn't mind. Her elder sister-in-law was very resourceful and bought everything for her.
The two families had a meal together, and Mr. Pei, Pei Zhengzhong, Shao Xunping, and Pei Yu also came to show their support.
The wedding was simple but warm.
Ding Guo also asked Dazhu about the competition for the teacher position. Dazhu scratched his head and said, "I didn't get selected. The commune selected two educated youths who had been in the countryside for a long time."
Ding Guo had no choice but to comfort him and took the opportunity to say, "Since we can recruit teachers this time, maybe we will recruit more in the future. Although you have graduated, don't put down your textbooks. Maybe you will be selected next time when there is such an opportunity. Opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared."
Dazhu nodded: "Okay sister, I'll remember it!"
Third Aunt's family waited until the return ceremony was over before returning to their hometown.
It was also this weekend that Pei Che came back from school and learned about his brother-in-law's marriage.
Pei Che: ...
Why didn't anyone inform him? He could have taken a leave to come back and attend the wedding.
Another confused person was Ding Tao.
Ding Dayong didn't expect to get married right after coming to the capital. He didn't ask for too much leave from his company at that time. After the wedding, he had to go back to get a leave note and go to work.
You can’t stop working just because you get married.
So he told Ding Tao about his marriage only after returning to Fengning.
Ding Tao was shocked and confused: "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Sister Ding Guo was the same at that time, she got married right away.
So does Dayong.
Is this the popular speed of getting married nowadays?
All of them are married, why not she get married too? She is not alone, and her relationship is stable.
Ding Tao was wildly excited.
Just as he was feeling excited, Ding Dayong suddenly asked, "Sister Tao, are you still reading?"
Ding Tao was forced to calm down in an instant and said, "Why are you talking about reading a book?"
Dingxiang returned to her hometown, so she no longer had to set an example. She had just been free for a few days, and Dayong brought it up again?
What if the book factory doesn't even look at her and fires her?
Ding Dayong looked at her, then looked at Zhaodi next to him, and said, "Why don't you read more books?"
Of course he knew that the higher-ups were going to reinstate the college entrance exams, but the matter was still under discussion, with some for and some against. His father-in-law supported reinstating the college entrance exams, and it was precisely because of this that his mother-in-law discussed with him about getting married as soon as possible, fearing that her supporters would fail and that something unexpected would happen at home.
But this matter has not been made public, so I cannot tell the Ding Tao sisters. I can only remind them to read more books.
His father-in-law asked him to read more books, saying that although the job of a transportation driver is good nowadays, if he can go to college, after graduation he might not be a driver of a transportation company, but a leader of a transportation company.
Ding Dayong actually doesn't want to be a leader because leaders can't make extra money.
But his father-in-law had spoken, and he couldn't afford to lose face for him, so he had no choice but to give up face for his sister and prepare to study hard.
After all, his sister had mentioned before that he should read more books, but he seemed not to have listened.
However, Ding Dayong did not connect his sister's suggestion that he read books with the resumption of the college entrance examination. Perhaps she was simply afraid that he had little education and would have no future in the unit.
Ding Dayong said, "My father-in-law works in the Education Bureau. He thinks highly of my education level and said he would send me some books and textbooks so that I can study when I have nothing to do. You also know that I am not good at studying. If I were to read by myself, I would definitely not be able to understand it. Let's work together, and it will help me improve."
Ding Tao was surprised. They were already married, so why did people care about educational level again?
Do I have to be so humble as someone's son-in-law?
"Okay, but you are the main one studying. Zhaodi and I can only be your companions at best." Ding Tao agreed reluctantly.
Zhaodi didn't care. She had no objection to reading and studying.
Ding Tao thought about it and decided that she couldn't suffer alone, so she wrote a letter to Ding Xiang in the countryside.
By the way, I also wrote a letter to Ding Guo.
Before, it was Sister Ding Guo who asked her to read more books, and now Dayong brought this up again.
Is there any pleasure in torturing poor students?
Or does Sister Ding Guo’s in-laws have any cultural requirements for their daughter-in-law’s relatives?
Ding Tao suddenly felt that she had understood, and glanced towards Dayong's room.
Dayong used to be on the same side as her in terms of study, but things changed after they got married.
His father-in-law was also a cadre, and the Song family was of higher status than his third aunt's family.
So, this is the pain of inequality in family background?
She is just a family member, and a cousin at that. Why ask her to do anything?
Thinking about it this way, her Red Army is still the best.
Ding Tao sighed deeply and continued to write her stupid handwriting with her head down.
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