Chapter 2: The Zhao Family

TN: The Zhao family refers to dignitaries in China, such as the top bureaucrat, the rich, the leaders in-system, and their offspring. Neologism(2015): derogatory term for those who hold power in the People’s Republic of China. I’m unsure if it was intended for that meaning in this chapter or it is simply referring to MC’s family.

Under the old locust tree at the entrance of Zhao Village stood the gathering place for the women’s group of the Production Team, where every day, from the Li family to the Zhang family, they found fault.

Early in the morning, around ten or so women, each bringing their own stools, gathered beneath the tree.

Some were sewing shoe soles, mending clothes, cracking pumpkin seeds, or just sitting with empty hands…

They were doing all sorts of things, but none of them had their mouths idle, talking over each other, never missing a word.

Today’s topic started with “Old Wei’s family’s Da Hai beating his wife.”

Several of the older women, who were mothers-in-law, chimed in, agreeing, “A young daughter-in-law who doesn’t get beaten won’t be obedient. You have to clean her up a few times as soon as she enters the door, otherwise, she’ll run wild at home and outside.”

The younger daughters-in-law were busy with their own work and didn’t respond much.

It was at this time that Zhao Ke arrived at the village entrance.

She was riding her bicycle and, from far away, saw the group of women under the tree. Taking a deep breath, she put on a smile and rode over. As she got closer, she greeted each person, “Wu Nai^[1]Fifth Grandmother, Aunt Dong, Chang Shan Saozi^[2]Sister-in-law…”

Someone joked, “The city girl’s back!”

Zhao Ke gave a shy smile, “Aunt Dong, please don’t laugh at me.”

Aunt Dong pointed at her and teased, “You’re so shy, still embarrassed?”

Then the group of women burst into laughter.

They loved to see the young girls and daughters-in-law blush and would tease them without getting tired.

Zhao Ke, with her demure and obedient appearance, didn’t say anything.

But inside, she thought, I’m tired and don’t feel like dealing with this.

As the laughter died down, Zhao Wunai, who was sitting in the middle, asked Zhao Ke, “Did you come back for your older sister’s matter?”

The old lady was known for matchmaking in the area, and today, it was her who had introduced the potential match for Zhao Ke’s elder sister.

Zhao Ke smiled and nodded, “It’s for Jie’s big matter. My dad specifically went to the commune to tell me about it. Since I had a day off, I came back to check things out.”

“Yes, the whole family should discuss these things together.” Zhao Wunai waved her hand. “Your family is probably busy. You should head home.”

“Okay~”

Zhao Ke quickly got on her bicycle, waved her hand, and rode off in a flash.

Behind her, the women watched her retreating figure, clicking their tongues and expressing envy at “Zhao family’s luck,” before they surrounded Zhao Wunai, asking about the match.

Zhao Wunai smiled and, after a moment of suspense, began to talk about the match she had arranged: “It’s for the accountant’s son from the Li village Production Team. His family built a new red brick house last year for his wedding. It has everything—a full set of furnishings, and they’ve even set a dowry for her.”

She extended one finger, her face full of pride.

The others exclaimed in admiration, “One hundred yuan!”

Zhao Wunai smiled with narrowed eyes, nodding.

This betrothal gift was among the best in the area, and if the match succeeded, she would undoubtedly have more people coming to her for matchmaking in the future.

“And his three older sisters, each one married well and favors their family, so their lives are definitely going to be fine.”

The women sighed in admiration. “That really is a good family.”

“Director Yu’s eldest daughter is really lucky.”

“Who doesn’t say that?”

“Wu Nai, you’ll have to introduce a good match for my daughter too. I’ll bring you more eggs…”

“Alright, alright, leave it to me.”

Meanwhile, Zhao Ke had stopped her bike at the doorstep, but she braked too suddenly, causing the tires to scrape the ground and skid forward a bit.

Yu Xiulan, standing in the yard, winced at the harsh sound of the friction, hands on her hips. “Zhao Ke! You reckless thing! You’ve ruined the tire! Do you think money grows on trees?”

Zhao Ke rubbed her nose, obediently pushing the bike into the yard, admitting defeat and explaining, “I was riding a bit too fast.”

“Riding fast enough to set your backside on fire.” Yu Xiulan shot Zhao Ke a glance and shoved the broom into her arms, bending down to check the tire.

Zhao Ke held the broom, thinking to herself: The power of those old aunts is just as fierce as being set on fire.

Without hesitation, Yu Xiulan got down to cleaning the tire, her heart aching at the sight of the scratches on the rubber.

Zhao Ke immediately explained, “The road from the main street to the village is in such bad shape. Can’t the Production Team fix it?”

“Just because you say fix it doesn’t mean it’s fixed.” Yu Xiulan continued to inspect the tire, growing more upset. “If the road’s bad, why didn’t you get off and walk?”

“…” Zhao Ke asked seriously, “Comrade Yu Xiulan, am I your biological child, or is the bike your biological child?”

“One hundred and something! Plus several industrial coupons! How long have we been saving for this?”

Got it. Zhao Ke understood now—her bike was more precious than her.

Yu Xiulan went inside, and Zhao Ke followed her mother closely, asking, “Where’s Dad? Is Jie not home either?”

“The work can’t be delayed. I sent the three of them to the back garden. Your dad and brother are plowing, and your sister is picking some vegetables.”

Yu Xiulan grabbed a cloth and turned around, nearly bumping into Zhao Ke. “Why are you always following me around like a tail?”

Her tone was sharp, but Zhao Ke had gotten used to it, not taking it to heart. She stepped back a bit and cautiously asked, “Mom, did Dad talk to you?”

“No, he didn’t!”

“You didn’t even ask what he wanted to say.” Zhao Ke pouted and, like a shadow, followed her mother outside, muttering behind her, “I really hope my sister doesn’t marry someone with a bad temper. What will she do if she ends up suffering?”

“It’s normal for men to have a bit of a temper. You young ones don’t understand,” Yu Xiulan replied as she carefully wiped down the bicycle, not missing a single spot.

Zhao Ke watched the bike slowly become shiny under her mother’s hand and kept talking: “I have a classmate from Li Village’s Production Team, and I asked about him—”

Yu Xiulan interrupted impatiently, “Why are you so sticky? Are you her mom or am I her mom? Can I harm her?”

Zhao Ke sighed. Of course, she knew her mom wouldn’t harm her older sister, but at least let the person finish speaking.

“Get to work, stop worrying about nonsense.” Yu Xiulan looked up. “No matter what, we’ll talk about it later. Your Zhao Wunai’s face can’t be lost. Otherwise, who will help introduce a match for your sister and brother in the future?”

That’s how things work.

Zhao Ke couldn’t help but be influenced by the plot of the original story, but she still listened to her mother and buried herself in sweeping the floor.

About twenty minutes later, voices could be heard from the back door as the three people who had gone to the vegetable garden returned.

Zhao Feng, tall and first to spot the figure in the yard, brightened up. The big dog darted into the yard like it had spotted a bone. “Er Jie^[3]Second older sister! You’re back! What did you bring me?”

Zhao Ke, now wearing “colored glasses,” didn’t find her younger brother particularly likable. She shoved him a broom. “Do you want a broom?”

He even wanted the broom.

Zhao Feng circled her, “Jie, I’ll do the work for you. What will you give me in return?”

“You go do the work first, and then we’ll see if I’ll give you anything.”

“Okay!” Zhao Feng cheerfully grabbed the broom and started sweeping like a whirlwind, raising a cloud of dust.

Zhao Ke: “…”

He’s always been such a fool, with only strength and no brains. Zhao Ke really didn’t understand how in the original story he managed to become the second male lead, a villain at that.

“Xiao Ke.” Zhao Mian’s gentle voice rang out, “Are you tired from riding back?”

Zhao Ke turned towards her older sister, her tone completely changing, “Not tired.”

Zhao Mian wiped her face where there was no sweat, “Go inside and have some water.”

Zhao Ke’s voice became even softer, “Okay~”

She admitted it, she was a siscon^[4]Sister con/sister complex – a state of strong attachment and obsession to one’s sister or sisters.—she couldn’t help it, Zhao Mian was just too gentle.

Yu Xiulan came out and urged the two clingy sisters, “Zhao Mian, go change into your new clothes and tidy up, the guests will be here soon.”

“Zhao Ke, go wash the vegetables.”

Zhao Mian’s face showed a hint of shyness, responding softly.

Zhao Ke took the basket, unable to stop herself from saying sarcastically, “It’s only been two days, and the new clothes are ready, Jie, you’re really fast.”

Comrade Yu Xiulan’s sewing skills were terrible, so it was definitely Zhao Mian who made them herself.

In the yard, Zhao Feng stopped his work, proudly oblivious, “Da Jie even made me a fake collar, Er Jie, you only have a headband.”

She was already getting paid, and Da Jie still secretly gave her pocket money.

She didn’t like to show off.

Zhao Ke walked over to her brother, pitifully stuffing the basket into his arms. “Less talking, more working.”

Zhao Feng, with his hands full, wanted to complain, but both their parents had already gone inside. Da Jie… Da Jie always favored Er Jie, and he again sunk into isolated and helpless circumstances in this house.

Zhao Ke ignored him and pulled her older sister into their room.

The eldest sister was like a mother. With Comrade Yu Xiulan always busy, it was Zhao Mian who took care of both Zhao Ke and Zhao Feng.

Since they were little, the two sisters had shared a room, growing up like conjoined twins with a deep bond.

Zhao Ke leaned against the desk, watching her older sister change into her new clothes. Her fair fingers moved deftly through her black hair, braiding it into a tight, smooth plait in just a few swift motions.

Zhao Mian was beautiful—so much so that even in faded, old clothes, her beauty couldn’t be hidden. Her gentle and kind nature made it hard for anyone who met her not to like her.

If her younger brother misbehaved, a beating would fix it. If one beating didn’t work, a second would.

But her fragile older sister… she couldn’t do that.

“Da Jie, I asked my classmate from Li Village about Li Dasheng. He’s the youngest son, tall and big, but he’s never done any work since he was little. Not only did all three of his sisters do all the chores, but if anything went wrong, he would even scold them.”

Zhao Mian’s hands paused on the buttons as she looked at her sister.

Even upon hearing that her blind date might not be ideal, she showed no trace of bitterness.

With such a kind older sister, Zhao Ke couldn’t stand the idea of her possibly falling into trouble, so she warned, “Mom says we can’t embarrass Wu Nai by suddenly backing out, but, Jie, just remember that Li Dasheng isn’t a good match. Don’t fall for his sweet talk.”

Zhao Mian, trusting her completely, smiled warmly and agreed without hesitation, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Zhao Ke was relieved; as long as her sister didn’t fall for him, they’d be fine.

But she knew she’d need more allies to make sure no good thing went to waste.

Zhao Feng, clueless about everything, was still out in the yard, huffing and puffing as he swept.

Zhao Ke beckoned him over like calling a puppy.

Zhao Feng tossed the broom aside and ran over excitedly.

Zhao Ke leaned in, whispered a few words in his ear, and then patted him on the shoulder.

Without even thinking, Zhao Feng agreed, his face full of resolve.

In the main room, their parents were seated. Zhao Ke went to the door, peeking in. Seeing Comrade Yu Xiulan’s back to her, she subtly signaled her dad to lead her away.

Zhao Jianguo glanced at his wife, cleared his throat, and said a bit awkwardly, “Xiulan, look, our second daughter’s back. Let’s go to the kitchen and see what we can cook for dinner…”

“What’s there to fuss over.”

Ignoring her protests, Zhao Jianguo firmly dragged her to the kitchen.

Zhao Ke and Zhao Feng peered out from Zhao Feng’s room.

Zhao Ke urged her brother, “Go on, quickly.”

Zhao Feng darted into their parents’ room with practiced speed…

Meanwhile, Accountant Li’s family of three was on their way to Zhao Village.

The couple rode in an ox cart, while a well-dressed Li Dasheng rode solo on a shiny, new bicycle.

On the ox cart, Li Dasheng’s mother grumbled, “Why didn’t Wu Nai match our Dasheng with Zhao’s second daughter?”

“The eldest daughter’s still unmarried, so there’s no way it would be the second. Besides…” Accountant Li, driving the cart, took a drag from his pipe, “She’s got a job at the factory. She’ll probably marry a city man.”

“What’s so great about city people? My son’s just as good as anyone,” retorted Li Dasheng’s mother. “It’s Zhao’s family that’s lucky here. Everyone knows they’re supporting three kids in school—they have no savings. Our son being set up with their daughter is to their advantage.”

Accountant Li blew out a puff of smoke, “Do you know how hard it is to get into a factory? Zhao’s second daughter got in all by herself. It’s not easy.”

“So what? She’s just a girl. When she gets married, she should transfer her job to Dasheng so he can be a city man. She can stay in the village to raise kids and look after us—perfect.”

Accountant Li continued puffing on his pipe in silence.

Who wouldn’t be happy if such a good thing happened? It’s a pity, “Today’s match is with the eldest daughter. Besides, the second daughter might not even be home…”