Chapter 47: Among the Energetic Young Men, How Many Don’t Want to Get Married?

Chapter 47: Among the Energetic Young Men, How Many Don't Want to Get Married?

After returning from Dai Chunqing's home in Eastern Village, Deng Shirong went straight to Deng Changwang's house.

At that moment, Deng Changwang was weaving chicken coops and duck cages at the entrance of his home. Although the chickens and ducks he raised wouldn't be ready for sale until the end of the year, he had to prepare the coops and cages now while the fields weren't busy. This way, he wouldn't be caught off guard when the time came.

Deng Shirong greeted him, "Changwang, are you weaving a chicken coop?"

Deng Changwang looked up, nodded, and smiled. "Yes, Uncle Jiu. Where are you heading?"

Deng Shirong walked over and sat on a stool in front of him. "I didn't go anywhere. I came here specifically to see you."

Deng Changwang was a little surprised. "Uncle Jiu, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Deng Shirong didn't answer directly but asked, "If I remember correctly, you're 22 this year, right?"

Deng Changwang nodded. "Yes, I'm 22."

Deng Shirong said, "You're not young anymore. I saw a pretty good girl at the food station today. I think she'd be a good match for you. If you're interested in getting married, I can help you find a wife."

Deng Changwang was taken aback. He hadn't expected Uncle Jiu to come as a matchmaker for him.

But when he thought about it, it wasn't that surprising. The whole village already knew that Uncle Jiu had taken up matchmaking. Deng Changfu was still a newlywed, and the young couple's loving relationship had made many people envious.

Although Deng Changmei hadn't married yet, she had already met her future in-laws and was just waiting for the production team to divide the mountains so they could register their marriage.

Both couples had been brought together by Uncle Jiu.

So, when Deng Changwang heard that Uncle Jiu wanted to match him with someone, he was intrigued.

After all, young men in their twenties are full of energy and often have to get up in the middle of the night to change their underwear. How many of them don't want to get married?

Deng Changwang set aside the half-woven chicken coop, handed Uncle Jiu a pipe, and laughed. "Uncle Jiu, which young man doesn't want to get married? Tell me about this girl. If she's suitable, help me match her up."

Deng Shirong took the pipe, pulled out a pack of tobacco and matches from his pocket, and said, "Where are your parents? Call them out so we can discuss this together."

Deng Changwang replied, "My dad is out repairing the ridges, and my mom just went to the vegetable field to pick some greens. I'll go call her."

Deng Shirong nodded. "Alright, go ahead. I'll light a couple of cigarettes while I wait."

With that, he tore off a small handful of tobacco, stuffed it into the pipe, struck a match, and lit it. He took a few puffs, enjoying the smoke.

The private plots weren't far from the houses. After Deng Shirong had smoked a few cigarettes, Deng Changwang returned with his mother.

"Uncle Jiu," Changwang's mother greeted him as soon as she arrived.

Deng Shirong acknowledged her with a nod and got straight to the point. "The girl I want to introduce to Changwang is from Eastern Village in Han River Brigade. She's 20 years old, about 1.58 meters tall, and quite pretty. She's good at farming and housework.

Although she only had a few years of schooling, she's not the type who's clueless about life. When I chatted with her, I could tell she's a thoughtful person. She's not content with just farming; she wants to work hard on breeding. She and Changwang share the same aspirations."

Deng Changwang was moved by this. Although it had been two years since the reform and opening up, there was still no unified mindset across the country. For many, breeding was still seen as risky, and most people were unwilling to take the chance.

The dozens of chickens and ducks Deng Changwang raised this year were a test for him. If nothing went wrong and he made a profit, he planned to expand his breeding operation next year. If he could marry a wife who shared his vision, it would definitely help his "career" grow.

After all, the saying "a good wife is a great help" isn't just empty words.

Deng Shirong continued, "She has five siblings—one older brother, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. None of them are married yet. Also, her family isn't well-off. If you marry her, the bride price might be a bit higher."

Hearing this, Changwang's mother expressed some concern. "Uncle Jiu, everything else sounds fine, but I'm worried that after this girl marries, she'll still want to help her parents' family. That could be a heavy burden."

Deng Shirong smiled. "It's natural for a married daughter to help her parents' family, but it's limited. It means taking proper care of them without neglecting her husband's family, not blindly giving everything away. I'll make sure to clarify this with the other party in advance."

Changwang's mother sighed in relief and nodded. "We're reasonable people. If we really become in-laws, we should take proper care of her family, as long as she's not the type to move all the good things from her husband's family to her parents'."

Deng Shirong looked at Deng Changwang. "Changwang, what do you think? If you have no objections, I'll arrange for you to meet at Erbawei."

Deng Changwang glanced at his mother and said, "Since you, Uncle Jiu, think we're a good match, I'd like to meet her."

"Changwang's mother, what do you think?"

"Uncle Jiu, let's meet first."

"Alright, then it's settled. We'll meet at Erbawei."

"Okay."

…

After returning from Deng Changwang's home, Deng Shirong couldn't help but sigh when he saw his eldest daughter fetching water for the family's water tank. In those days, not only was there no electricity in Thatchfield Village, but even Double Prosperity Market wasn't officially electrified until 1989. Without electricity, if you needed water, you had to fetch it from the well.

Nowadays, there were no manual water pumps in wells. You had to use a hemp rope or a special shoulder pole hook to lower a bucket, fill it with water using some skill, and then haul it up with effort.

There was an old well next to Deng Shirong's old house, and the family usually drew water from there.

Only girls from that era were used to such physical labor. If girls from later generations had to fetch water, not only would they struggle with the task, but after filling the water tanks at home, their shoulders would probably be so sore they couldn't move at night.

Since the blue bricks wouldn't be delivered for another two days and the foundation of the new house was all stone, no one came to help with the work that day. For dinner, the family simply had a meal of plain porridge and pickles.

During this period, the family had been eating meat every day, so an occasional meal of plain porridge and pickles helped balance things out.

After dinner, as the family sat by the door chatting, Deng Shirong noticed that his eldest daughter's pants had patches on them. He said, "Ah Zhen, tomorrow is Dragon Lake Market. Take all the cloth coupons our family has saved over the past two years, and I'll go with you to buy some good fabric to make new clothes."

Deng Yunzhen was stunned. "Dad, aren't those cloth coupons saved for my future sister-in-law? If we use them now, how will we have enough to make clothes for her when my brother gets married?"

Deng Shirong waved his hand. "Don't worry about that. I'll figure something out when the time comes."

In Deng Yunzhen's mind, her father was omnipotent. If he said he had a plan, then he must have one. So, she excitedly agreed.

Seeing this, Deng Yunzhu looked at her father eagerly. "Dad, I want to go to Dragon Lake Market too."

Although it would be a bit difficult to carry two people on a bicycle, seeing his younger daughter's hopeful expression, Deng Shirong couldn't bear to refuse. He nodded and said, "Alright, we'll all go together tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)