Want to Marry

Around New Year's Eve, the weather here tends to warm up, with mostly sunny days. Therefore, many small grasses and tree buds take advantage of this warm breeze to emerge.

And this year, the temperature seems to be a bit higher than in previous years. Of course, this is not what Manbao said. Her memory is not very good. Last year at this time, she was simply accompanying her nephews and nieces around the village to exchange New Year's greetings. She couldn't recall the number or types of clothes she had worn.

But Keke keeps records. It was reported to Manbao that this year's temperature is two to three degrees higher than the same period last year. It was noted that this temperature is very suitable for planting yams.

So, Manbao only returned from her uncle's house with her father on the second day of the Lunar New Year, and she was already thinking about going to plant the fields on the third day.

Of course, Zhou Dalang and the others who have wives and in-laws are too busy; even Dadao said they didn't have time. So, the only ones available to go to the fields together were Zhou Xi, Zhou Siliang, and Zhou Liulang.

Zhou Xi didn't know anything about yams, and it was the first time she learned that Lao Si had cultivated a piece of land at the foot of the mountain. She took out the seedlings they had nurtured and picked out several rotten ones, feeling worried. "What is the purpose of planting these yams?" Can we really make money from it? "Manbao, have you and Dad discussed the matters in the field?"

Zhou Siliang, annoyed by his older sister's nagging, said, "I've already said it. Yams can make money, big sister." "This is a medicinal plant." How can it not generate income?

He rubbed his shoulders and continued, "In order to plant these two treasures, I had to dig a lot of soil from the mountains to fertilize the land." "If I had only planted beans, I would have lost money."

It wasn't just that. Before the New Year, Manbao asked me to come and water the field with manure occasionally. "I feel that the land is no longer the newly opened yellow land, but rather a vegetable garden where vegetables can be grown."

Zhou Xi is also skilled in farming. She hoed the soil and turned it over, looking at Lao Si with disdain. "How did you turn the soil?" It's too shallow. Turn it over again.

Zhou Siliang: ...

Manbao didn't understand these things, but since her older sister said so, she just listened to her.

According to the information from Keke, she divided the land into three ridges with ditches between them for drainage. This was done because it is believed that yams require proper drainage.

Zhou Xi, along with her three younger brothers, followed Manbao's instructions to turn the land over, divide it into ridges, and plant the yams.

Zhou Xi also carefully asked about the spacing.

The yams they planted had already sprouted. Zhou Xi watered the plants with her brothers and then covered them with a layer of shallow straw to protect them from the cold.

The remaining unplanted land was reserved for ginger.

While they were farming, Manbao either squatted nearby to watch or walked around. She then chose a good piece of land for her older sister.

After finishing their work, Manbao took Zhou Xi's hand and led her to a piece of land overgrown with weeds. "Big sister, how about we clear this land for you?"

Zhou Xi was stunned, "For me?"

"Yes, this way you'll have your own land." Keke selected this piece of land by scanning, and it was considered the best in the area.

For such trivial matters, Keke is usually very willing to help the host.

Manbao had already planned with Zhou Xi, "I'll buy some ginger seeds later, and you can also grow ginger to sell." By following this method, you can earn a substantial amount of money by autumn. With the money, you can build a house and buy more land. In the future, if you wish to raise a child, you can consider adoption. "If you choose not to have children, you can use the money to enjoy delicious food every day and buy yourself plenty of new clothes."

Zhou Xi murmured, "Adopt a child?"

"Yes, my friend mentioned that many individuals who do not wish to have children opt for adoption." As long as individuals have the financial means and meet the requirements, they can raise a child. I believe it should be easier for us to adopt children here. Are there not many beggars on the street? "Big sister, you can choose a child you like and adopt them in the future."

Zhou Siliang couldn't help but say, "Raising someone else's child is not as fulfilling as raising your own."

He turned to Zhou Xi and said, "Big sister, if you want to raise a child, I'll give you one when I have one in the future."

Zhou Xi couldn't help but give him a sideways glance and said, "You're overthinking." "Do you want the child to call me mother or aunt in the future?"

Zhou Siliang didn't mind at all, "If you want him to call you mother, he can call you mother." If you want him to call you aunt, he can call you aunt. Big sister, rest assured, I won't compete with you for the child.

Zhou Xi was somewhat moved.

Manbao teased him, "You don't even have a wife yet, and you're willing." My fourth sister-in-law might not be happy.

Zhou Siliang couldn't help but mutter, "What's not to be happy about raising a child?"

But Zhou Xi's heart grew cold, and she sighed without saying a word.

Zhou Wulang couldn't help but ask Zhou Siliang, "Fourth brother, do you have someone in mind?"

Zhou Siliang was feeling a little depressed. "No, my mother said that I shouldn't consider getting married in the next two years." "We don't have money at home."

Zhou Wulang also felt disappointed. If the fourth brother doesn't get married, he won't have a chance either. Sigh~~

When Zhou Xi came to her senses, she saw her two younger brothers looking disappointed, and she couldn't help but scold them with a smile, "Are you both thinking about getting married?"

Zhou Siliang, feeling lonely, said, "It's useless to dwell on it." Who would be interested in me?

Zhou Xi couldn't help but feel worried. When she returned, she mentioned to her mother, "Mother, Lao Si is already eighteen this year." Shouldn't we talk about his marriage?

Mrs. Qian was selecting grain seeds and setting aside the ones that appeared to be of poor quality. When she heard this, she looked up and said, "What, Lao Si wants to get married?"

"Not only Lao Si but also Lao Wu is getting older." According to his age, he should start considering marriage this year, and he should bring his wife back next year or the year after.

Mrs. Qian sighed, "Your father and I have discussed it. We won't be adding any new members to the family this year."

This means that they won't be arranging a marriage for Zhou Siliang this year.

Zhou Xi pondered, "Is it because the dowry money isn't enough?" I have some ideas that I can contribute.

"No need," Mrs. Qian said, "It's not just about the money." Despite the trouble with Lao Si last year, the family's financial situation improved in the second half of the year. We saved some money. If we wanted to, we could casually arrange a marriage for our daughter-in-law, but we have many brothers in our family. "If we don't choose a good one, we're afraid that the new daughter-in-law will cause trouble in the family."

So, she would rather pay a little more dowry to marry a good daughter-in-law.

Mrs. Qian had her own plan. "Your father and I have discussed it." We are saving money this year, and after the autumn harvest, we plan to build three more houses. This will be for the future wives of Lao Si, Lao Wu, and Lao Liu. "It will also showcase Lao Si's performance to outsiders and inform them of his improvement before we arrange a marriage for him."

Mrs. Qian had everything planned out. As long as Lao Si was obedient and worked hard, she would find him a kind and considerate wife. If he was capable of growing good crops and making money, she would find him a suitable wife, even if it cost more money.