As Song Yan rode his bicycle with Wen Ruan to the village entrance, he saw his aunt already waiting there in the distance.
"Auntie," Song Yan called out, stopping his bicycle. Wen Ruan followed suit.
Miao Cuihua happily agreed, took Wen Ruan's hand, and led her home. She couldn't stop smiling, very happy that the young couple, Wen Ruan and her husband, had come to visit her home.
Especially yesterday morning when she received a call from Song Yan, who said he wanted to bring Wen Ruan to the countryside for a few days. He used some term she couldn't understand, oh! Right, "field research"! He said he wanted to observe rural life. Although she didn't know what there was to see in rural life, she knew that her niece-in-law was a cultured person.
I had heard from my sister-in-law earlier that her nephew's wife's articles had been published in the newspaper. She's a very cultured person. After receiving a call from my nephew yesterday, I told the villagers that we couldn't let Wen Ruan interfere. She's coming down to do some research, and who knows, we might even see our village in her novels someday.
The village chief also said that everyone needs to cooperate fully. So, as Miao Cuihua and Wen Ruan walked home, it was right after work, and the villagers who passed by greeted them warmly.
Wen Ruan was somewhat flattered.
When the group arrived home, they urged Song Ling to quickly set the table. Miao Cuihua had prepared the meal early and was waiting for the two to arrive, but they didn't come. That's when she went to the village entrance to check and found the two of them there.
Song Ling greeted them and then hurriedly ran to get the food. Wen Ruan wanted to go with her, but Miao Cuihua stopped her, saying that Song Ling could manage on her own.
Song Yan quickly took out the bag and said to Miao Cuihua, "Auntie, this is a gift that my mother and Ruan Ruan prepared for you. Please see if you like it."
Aunt waved her hand and patted Wen Ruan's shoulder: "Tell me, child, why are you being so polite when you come to your aunt's house!"
Wen Ruan smiled and said, "Come and see, this silk scarf is for you. Many people your age in the city wear this now. You can tie it on your head or drape it over your shoulders. It looks very nice."
"This is for Uncle. Song Yan just received cigarette coupons last month. Since we don't need them at home, I bought a carton for Uncle. I also brought over the cigarette coupons I had saved up. Please keep them for me, Aunt. If you're in a good mood, I'll buy Uncle a cigarette as a reward."
"As for Xiaoling, she didn't know what she liked, so she went to the department store and bought a set of Pechoin products. She applied them to her face every morning and evening after washing it, which is good for her skin."
Wen Ruan was very good at talking and flattered Miao Cuihua so much that she couldn't stop smiling. It can be said that these gifts were truly heartwarming.
Miao Cuihua touched her gift with great affection, repeatedly reminding the two of them not to bring things like that next time.
A short while later, Song Yan's uncle, Song Lianhai, also returned from work and warmly greeted the two of them.
Everyone took their seats. Wen Ruan looked at the food on the table and could tell that her uncle's family had brought out their best dishes, almost like the dishes served during the New Year.
Song Yan's uncle's family was of modest means, relying entirely on the couple's farm work to make a living and support their two children. Fortunately, Song Yan's father later helped him get a conscription spot, which allowed his older cousin to join the army. In addition, the cousin lived up to expectations and was quickly promoted to officer. In this way, the uncle's family's conditions gradually improved.
"Xiao Yan and Ruan Ruan, stay here a few more days. Xiao Ling is free, so we can have her take you two sightseeing," the uncle said to the two of them.
"Uncle, our company only gives us two days off on weekends. We have to go back the day after tomorrow afternoon. We'll come again next time we have the chance."
"Go to work if you want, Ruan Ruan can stay here a few more days. What kind of field trip do you have? You can't just leave after two days. It's the season for mushroom picking and fishing right now, there are plenty of activities. Let Xiao Ling show Ruan Ruan around and let her experience it properly." Auntie said with a reproachful look.
Turning to Wen Ruan, he said, "Ruan Ruan, let's not leave. Let's stay at your aunt's house for a couple more days and experience it properly. When Song Yan was in school, he and his older brother would run to our house as soon as they had a holiday. They would go up the mountain with your uncle to catch rabbits. They were so mischievous every day."
Wen Ruan smiled and nodded in agreement. Miao Cuihua was overjoyed, and Song Ling happily said that after dinner she would take Sister Ruan Ruan around for a stroll.
Song Yan, standing to the side, was a little annoyed, but seeing the other three looking so happy, he didn't say anything.
After dinner, Song Ling hurriedly pulled Wen Ruan aside, saying that there would be a literacy class at the educated youth compound that evening, followed by a performance, and that one of the educated youth, Jin, was a very good harmonica player.
Wen Ruan became interested after hearing this and hurriedly followed Song Ling out the door.
When Song Yan finished washing the dishes and came out of the kitchen, the two of them had already disappeared.
His aunt guessed that the two might have gone to the educated youth compound, so Song Yan quickly inquired about the general location.
It wasn't far from my uncle's house to the educated youth compound, only about ten minutes. When the two of them arrived, it wasn't dark yet, and the activities hadn't started. There were about twenty people in the compound, including educated youth and people from various villages.
Song Ling pulled Wen Ruan forward, carrying a stool in her hand, ready to find a perfect spot. Here, men and women were required to sit separately.
Passersby greeted the two of them, repeatedly asking Song Ling if this was her cousin-in-law. Song Ling responded with "yes".
Everyone looked at Wen Ruan; Wen Ruan had something to behold, both in terms of appearance and overall demeanor.
Originally, Song Ling was supposed to sit in the front row, but considering that everyone likes to look at their sister-in-law and was afraid that Wen Ruan would feel uncomfortable, she took her to a slightly corner seat.
The other female educated youths around Wen Ruan extended a friendly greeting, inviting her to sit down. They chatted amongst themselves, occasionally asking Wen Ruan about her previous writings, and seemed to get along very well. Wen Ruan also gleaned some information she needed from their conversation.
A few minutes later, several more female educated youths came in together. They were all dressed up specially, wearing skirts, and they chatted and laughed as they found a place to sit down.
Wen Ruan listened to the female educated youth next to her say that these were all educated youth from Shanghai. To be honest, the brigade where her uncle was located consisted of four villages, all located in the suburbs of Beijing and not far from the city. They were definitely sought-after on the list of those sent to the countryside, and the educated youth who were assigned here were all from very prominent families.
It was already dark outside, and only three or four oil lamps were lit in the courtyard. Seeing that it was almost time, and it was Jin, the educated youth Song Ling had mentioned, who was going to give the lecture today, he stood up and walked to the front of the room. Song Ling held Wen Ruan's hand, her face full of excitement.
Wen Ruan seemed to know something, then gave Song Ling a teasing smile and looked up at the educated youth Jin.
Just then, Jin Zhiqing also looked in this direction, and the two made eye contact. He smiled gently at Wen Ruan, who was a little confused, so she quickly nodded in acknowledgment.
"It hasn't started yet, has it?" A clear male voice suddenly rang out.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
