Xiao Yihan had almost finished eating. He put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and told Old Man Xiao the general situation.
"These young people are all children of employees at the 301 Forest Farm. The young man who slandered Xiaoqiu is called Ding Jiangang. His parents are both ordinary employees at the forest farm. His mother, Wu Yuemei, is a sister of Wang Wenbiao's lover, Wu Yuelan.
Wu Yuemei has two daughters and two sons. When Wang Yingying was born, Wang Wenbiao and his wife had to go to the southwest and had no time to take care of her.
She was sent to live with her elder sister Wu Yuemei, whose family was farming in the village at that time.
In 1951, Wu Yuemei and her husband were arranged by Wang Wenbiao to work at the 301 Forest Farm through his connections.
Wang Yingying was spoiled by her aunt's family since she was a child, and her brothers and sisters protected her like the moon surrounded by stars.
It was not until Wang Yingying was 7 years old and started elementary school that Wang Wenbiao and his wife took her to live with them.
Therefore, Wang Yingying's relationship with Wu Yuemei's family is much closer than that of ordinary people.
Wang Wenbiao and his wife always felt that they owed their daughter a debt by abandoning her to the countryside to suffer. After taking her back, they spoiled her like the stars and the moon, so she became spoiled and domineering.
Ding Jiangang and Wang Yingying are only half a year apart in age. They grew up together and have a relationship like that of siblings. This is why Ding Jiangang was instigated by Wang Yingying to cause trouble.
The leader is called Lin Lei. His father, Lin Wenguang, used to work in the Ministry of Transport. Two years ago, he was transferred to the 301 Forest Farm as the Party Secretary and Director.
Many of these young men came from Beijing. They used to be divided into factions and often fought, quarreled, and molested young women, but they had never done anything illegal. At most, they were just not doing their jobs properly.
Last month, a few new educated youth came to Xiaoqiu's educated youth center. Two of them grew up in the same compound with Lin Lei, so they acted as a mediator this time.
What’s funny is that Xiaoqiu dealt with this group of people by herself, and the two educated youths pleaded for these hooligans.
I've also reported this to the head of the art troupe and warned Wang Yingying, so Xiaoqiu's situation isn't serious. You don't have to worry. I'll be keeping an eye on the situation there."
Old Master Xiao nodded and said with a smile, "No wonder Old He keeps talking about Xiao Qiu all the time. Although she's a girl, she's just as capable as any man. She managed to keep a bunch of hooligans in check. I really hope you two can get married soon and give me more great-grandchildren to take care of."
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Lin Zishan came back to the educated youth center. She came back with Qiao Rucheng. As soon as she entered the door, she saw the women's director Feng Sanju walking out with two red bundles and a smile on her face.
"Lin Zhiqing and Qiao Zhiqing are back! Come spend the weekend! Hu Zhiqing is getting engaged tomorrow. Don't forget to go to the captain's house to get some wedding candy!"
Lin Zishan pretended to be surprised and asked, "Who is Hu Zhiqing engaged to?"
Feng Sanju smiled and said, "She is getting engaged to Qingmin, the third son of the team leader's family. The engagement will be tomorrow and the wedding will be in half a month. You educated youth can all come and join in the fun."
Lin Zishan also responded with a smile: "It's quite unexpected. I haven't heard any news about them dating before. They are engaged so soon! This is a big happy event. We must go."
Lin Zishan arrived at the backyard and went to look for Chu Jingqiu without even putting down her luggage.
Chu Jingqiu and Shi Aihong were learning to knit sweaters with Zhang Pingping in the house. Each of them held four needles and had just knitted a circle.
Seeing Lin Zishan coming in, everyone happily put down their needlework and ran over to surround her.
Shi Aihong took the handbag from her hand and said, "Sister Zishan, you seem to have gained weight and become whiter recently."
Chu Jingqiu smiled and looked at Lin Zishan. "Aihong is right. She has become whiter and has gained some weight on her face. She is no longer the dark, thin, and malnourished girl she used to be."
Lin Zishan took something out of her bag and said, "That's why you haven't seen me these days. Actually, ever since we started cooking separately, my old clothes have become too tight to wear."
She took out three boxes of vanishing cream and gave one to each of them. "I bought this at the supply and marketing cooperative today. You don't need a ticket, so I bought one for each of you."
The three of them accepted it without hesitation. Shi Aihong even opened it and smelled it, "What a nice smell! I love the scent of this Friendship brand vanishing cream."
Lin Zishan asked curiously: "When I first came in, I met Feng Sanju, and she said that Hu Mingyue was going to get engaged tomorrow and get married in half a month.
Isn't Hu Mingyue using Yu Qingmin? Why did she really marry him? "
Shi Aihong rushed to say, "She and Yu Qingmin are already married, and they had to get married in order to set an example."
Then he told Lin Zishan everything that had happened during this period.
Lin Zishan sighed after hearing this. Hu Mingyue really lost more than she gained.
Zhang Pingping was knitting while buying clothes and said in a low voice, "Just now, I heard Hu Mingyue bargaining with Feng Sanju.
The current custom in the village is that when getting engaged, the man gives the woman 100 yuan and buys her a set of clothes; the woman buys the man a bed sheet and a pair of pillowcases;
When getting engaged, the items purchased by both parties are exchanged, and the engagement is confirmed.
The bride price for marriage is 300 yuan. If you can afford it, you can buy "three turns and one ring". If you can't afford it, you have to buy at least a watch or a bicycle.
As a result, Hu Mingyue asked for a huge amount of money, wanting both the engagement and wedding gifts together. She wanted a total of 888 yuan, and she had to buy the "three transfers and one box" and two sets of clothes.
Feng Sanju ran back and forth seven or eight times during these days before finally agreeing.
Yesterday, Hu Mingyue and Yu Qingmin went to the county town for a whole day and came back after dark. They bought a lot of things and put them in Hu Mingyue's room.
Feng Sanju came over just now and must have taken away the two sets of clothes that Yu Qingmin bought for Hu Mingyue from the supply and marketing cooperative yesterday, and brought them back to exchange when they get engaged tomorrow.
Chu Jingqiu asked curiously, "Sister Pingping, do we have to pay for the engagement? Will we have a banquet like we did at a wedding?"
Zhang Pingping shook her head. "No need. Feng Sanju can just take two sets of clothes and money from Yu Qingmin's house, and then take the bed sheets and pillowcases from Hu Mingyue. It's almost like exchanging a token of love."
The man’s family may set up two tables to invite the matchmaker and his own family to have a meal.
At that time, the villagers don’t have to pay, they can just go to the man’s house to ask for wedding candy and eat a few pieces of candy.
Shi Aihong said excitedly: "Then let's go to Yu Qingmin's house tomorrow to ask for wedding candy, and invite a few more people to go. How can we not participate in such a big wedding!"
No matter what, I have to try Hu Mingyue's wedding candy. It would be a waste if I didn't eat it!"
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