Chapter 115: 1981

Chapter 115: 1981

A few days after Zhang Xiuping returned from her parents' home, the lunisolar calendar year 1980 came to an end, and 1981 began.

For the people of Thatchfield Village, 1980 had been a truly special year.

In the summer of that year, the village began distributing land to each household. The villagers transitioned from working collectively to working for themselves. This shift ignited a newfound enthusiasm, and they tended to their rice fields as if they were caring for their ancestors. Naturally, the result was a bountiful autumn harvest.

In Bobai, in addition to the two rice harvests—summer and autumn—farmers typically planted a season of wheat. Wheat was usually planted after the autumn harvest and could be harvested around the Winter Solstice. However, due to the delayed distribution of land, the wheat harvest this year was later than usual.

In addition to the bumper harvests of rice and wheat, each household raised more poultry and livestock than in previous years. Furthermore, several villagers worked in the tile and brick factories, and Deng Shirong's family, who had opened an orchard, also hired several workers.

Overall, the villagers' income in 1980 was significantly higher than in previous years.

Of course, even with improved conditions, most families couldn't afford to eat meat every day like Deng Shirong's family. While some families enjoyed a few more meat meals, the majority still ate meat at the same frequency as before.

On New Year's Day in 1981, the tile factory distributed wages again.

Unlike modern factories, the tile factory run by Deng Shirong and Deng Yungui didn't pay workers on a fixed schedule. Instead, wages were paid after a kiln of goods was fired and sold.

This month, due to Deng Yuntai's wedding, production of the large vats slowed down, delaying the kiln firing by over a week. As a result, the wage distribution was also delayed.

After receiving his wages, Deng Yuntai took home 186.5 yuan for the month.

Although Deng Yuntai was now married, he followed his usual routine: keeping some change for himself and handing the rest over to his father.

However, this time, Deng Shirong refused the money. "You're married now. From now on, you don't need to give me your wages. Keep them and save them for your wife."

Deng Yuntai's eyes widened in surprise. He excitedly said, "Eh!" and quickly pocketed the money. He couldn't wait to see the joy on his wife's face when he handed her the money later that afternoon. Perhaps, he thought, she might even be more receptive to his requests that evening.

Others at the tile factory were equally amazed by Deng Shirong's decision.

Deng Yungui remarked with admiration, "Uncle Jiu, you still have several sons to raise. Not only do you have to send them to school, but you also need to find wives for them. Even though the family hasn't divided the property yet, you're letting Yuntai keep his wages. I really admire you!"

Deng Shirong smiled. "I'm a practical person. If I didn't have the means to make money, then Yuntai, as the eldest son, would naturally contribute to the family by handing over his earnings for fair distribution. But now that I can make money, raising the children is my responsibility. Yuntai doesn't need to shoulder that burden."

Nearby, Deng Changyuan listened to Deng Shirong's words and looked at his childhood friend Deng Yuntai with envy.

Deng Changyuan worked in the brick and tile factory and had to hand over all his monthly wages to his parents. His mother would then give him a few yuan as pocket money. Although she claimed the money was for him to save for marriage, as an adult, he couldn't help but wish he could keep more of his earnings.

Deng Yungui nodded thoughtfully. "Uncle Jiu, what you said make a lot of sense. It seems I have to learn from you."

The next day was the wedding day for Zhang Kangmei and Deng Changmei.

At noon, the groom's family sent gifts to honor the ancestors, including seventy to eighty kilograms of pork, two chickens, two ducks, two geese, a large quantity of candy and biscuits, and the necessary wine and rice. Additionally, there was a red packet containing twenty yuan.

After the groom's family delivered the ancestral gifts, Deng Changmei's relatives also arrived with their own gifts.

The relatives were generous, bringing not only a large number of gifts but also high-quality items. The dowry they prepared for Deng Changmei was particularly impressive.

This was to be expected, as Deng Changmei was marrying a carpenter. While carpenters in this era didn't hold the same status as master vat makers, they were still among the top professions in rural areas. Many relatives didn't have decent furniture at home, so having a carpenter in the family was a valuable connection.

As the matchmaker, Deng Shirong also gifted a piece of Dacron cloth.

Around three in the afternoon, the bride's family sent a thank-you gift to Deng Shirong.

The gift included a dish of five-flavor food weighing about two kilograms and a red packet of twenty yuan. Additionally, there were two packs of cigarettes, two bottles of wine, and two pounds each of candy, rice, sesame seeds, peanuts, black beans, soybeans, red beans, and mung beans.

This thank-you gift for the matchmaker was considered quite generous.

Although Zhang Xiuping was married, she was unfamiliar with the matchmaking process. After all, it was her father-in-law who had arranged her marriage, and there had been no such formalities.

After the people delivering the matchmaking gift left, Zhang Xiuping asked, "Dad, does the bride's family also have to give a matchmaking gift?"

Deng Shirong explained with a smile, "Generally, the matchmaker's thank-you gift is given by the groom's family, not the bride's. However, if the bride's family is particularly satisfied with the marriage, they may also give a thank-you gift."

Zhang Xiuping nodded in understanding. "So that's how it works!"

Deng Yunzhen added with a smile, "Sister-in-law, the thank-you gifts from the bride's family are usually modest, but the gifts from the groom's family tomorrow will be much more substantial!"

Zhang Xiuping was curious to see what kind of thank-you gift her father-in-law would receive the next day.

Deng Shirong said, "Ah Zhen, take these things back and store them safely. I'm going to Ah Mei's house to see if there's anything I can help with. We'll have dinner there. You can make whatever you want at home."

"Understood!"

Deng Yunzhen responded. After her father left, she and her sister-in-law stored the gifts. Then she asked, "Sister-in-law, how should we prepare this pork belly?"

Zhang Xiuping thought for a moment. "Ah Zhen, how about making braised pork? I'd like to learn how to make it from you."

Deng Yunzhen smiled and nodded. "Alright, let's make braised pork. I learned this from Dad. Except for caramelizing the sugar, which is a bit tricky, the rest is quite simple. You're so smart, Sister-in-law. I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly."

Zhang Xiuping said eagerly, "When I was at my parents' home, I didn't have many chances to cook. At most, I helped light the fire. My mother wasn't a great cook, so even though I watched her a lot, I didn't learn much.

Now that I have the opportunity, you must teach me well. That way, when you get married, I can cook for Dad."

Deng Yunzhen smiled, pleased. "Sister-in-law, you're very thoughtful. As long as you don't mind cooking, you can learn from me first. Once you've got the basics, Dad can teach you more. I'm sure your cooking will improve quickly."

Zhang Xiuping laughed. "Ah Zhen, you make it sound like I'm the daughter of a landlord. Cooking isn't that hard. I did all sorts of work at my parents' home."

Deng Yunzhen chuckled. "Alright, let's not waste time. Braised pork takes a while to prepare. Let's get started!"

"Okay!"

(End of Chapter)