Chapter 10

The fact that Second Brother had someone he liked immediately captured all of Chen Nongmo’s attention.

She couldn’t keep staring at him, so she could only sneak a glance with her peripheral vision.

Cao Liu: “…”

No matter how suave Cao Liu was, he was still a young man. His dark skin slowly turned crimson, not from shyness but from the sensitivity of the topic.

Especially with Little Sister’s curious gaze that seemed to float toward him, the feeling of awkwardness grew even stronger.

But the little girl was so small that even tapping her on the head was enough to make an impression. Cao Liu was worried that speaking too loudly would frighten her, so in his discomfort, he directed his frustration at his younger brother: “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Chen Jun shrank his neck, his large hand resting on Little Sister’s shoulder to shield her, and muttered stubbornly, “I saw it last time. That girl named Tong Xiuxiu, the Educated Youth, brought you food…”

His family was well off, so they didn’t worry about food or clothing, but for most other families, food was still scarce. A young girl bringing food to a young man—what could that mean?

Although Second Brother had not accepted it, Chen Jun had seen his face turn red, so he guessed that Second Brother must like her.

Cao Liu glared at the fourth brother who was using Little Sister as a shield. His face grew even darker. “Look at you. Do you think Sixth Sister’s little arms and legs can protect you?”

After saying that, he straightened his face and added, “From now on, don’t let me hear you say such nonsense, especially talking behind someone’s back about a girl. It’s impolite!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Jun, who had been acting careless, scratched his head and apologized earnestly, “I was wrong. I won’t say it again.”

Chen Nongmo glanced at Second Brother, somewhat surprised that he would say such a thing.

So… the idea of respecting women wasn’t tied to the era one was born in.

And… did he or did he not like that girl named Tong Xiuxiu?

… She dared not ask.

---

In the living room.

The faint aroma of tea wafted through the air. Chen Xiumei drank several cups of hot tea in quick succession, like she was gulping them down, before finally feeling a little warmer.

As she took off her thick coat, Chen Xiumei looked around curiously and said, “Don’t give me sugary water, I’ll just drink tea… Where are the boys?”

Cao Qiuhua, who had gone to the cupboard to grab a plate of dried fruits, placed the plate beside Xiumei and sat down next to her. She then told a little white lie with good intentions, “I don’t know where they’ve run off to. Why are you here now? Aren’t you going back today?”

Chen Xiumei was also a girl from Shanshun Village, and she had grown up alongside Cao Qiuhua as close childhood friends. Later, she married into a neighboring village, and their visits became less frequent, but their bond had always remained strong.

She was a lively and straightforward person, never too formal or polite. Grabbing a handful of peanuts, she began shelling them while explaining her purpose. “I’m staying at my mother’s place today. I came over because someone asked me to talk to you about matchmaking. I’m not joking, but your son has quite a few people interested in him. Is Wuwen already 29 this year? It’s only because he’s doing well that he hasn’t become an old bachelor yet. Even the third one is now in the age to consider marriage. What are you thinking? If this drags on any longer, people will start talking.”

In fact, there had already been some rumors circulating. After all, there were few families around their village with such good conditions.

Out of jealousy, all sorts of unflattering things were bound to be said.

For instance, there were whispers that they were waiting for the right price, that they wanted to find a wife from the city and looked down on rural girls.

Or that the eldest son hadn’t married yet because he had been injured in the war years ago, affecting his ability to have children… In short, the rumors weren’t flattering.

Twenty-some years ago, after the family had suffered a calamity, Cao Qiuhua’s temperament had become more and more calm. She no longer liked to visit people, and since she lived in a remote area, no one would deliberately bring gossip to her. She really didn’t know what rumors were circulating outside.

But during the years she had “lived alone,” she had experienced the destructive power of rumors firsthand and could more or less guess what was being said.

Thinking of this, the smile that had been faint on Cao Qiuhua’s face faded even more. “Let them talk. You know yourself that the eldest son is far away. I can only urge him in the letters, but in the end, it depends on the kids themselves.”

If the kids weren’t in a hurry, what use was it for her to be anxious?

Marriage should be about finding the right person.

Just like her and Chen Demao, who had come together due to their parents’ arrangements during their youthful years. Although they had lived a decent life, it was never as passionate or heartfelt as it could have been.

Later, when they each met the right person, they realized the difference.

And it was precisely because she had walked that crooked path that she couldn’t bear to see her children go through the same.

This was also the reason why, over the years, no matter who came to mediate, Cao Qiuhua would never make decisions for her sons.

After eating a mouthful of peanuts, Chen Xiumei picked up her teacup and drank another cup of tea. After savoring it for a moment, she said, “I know you, we don’t make decisions for the kids directly. What would that make them? This is the new society now, where we talk about free love, but as elders, it’s still fine to help them make connections. Whether they’re suitable or not, let the kids decide for themselves.”

Cao Qiuhua, curious, asked, “So, did you set your sights on the eldest?”

Chen Xiumei waved her hand, a proud look on her round face. “No, this time it’s that Cao Liu boy.”

“Whose kid?”

“The village secretary’s eldest daughter. She’s about the same age as your second son. The girl is quite pretty, fair and plump, and her family is well-off. The only problem is she’s a bit spoiled, but she doesn’t have any other flaws. Oh, and she’s also a classmate of your second son in high school, right?”

Cao Qiuhua nodded. “I remember that girl, she’s the second son’s classmate. The nearby kids all went to the county together for school. I’ve seen her a few times. She’s quite pretty.”

Seeing that her old friend recognized the girl, Chen Xiumei became more enthusiastic. She stopped shelling peanuts and leaned in a bit closer, asking, “What do you think?”

Cao Qiuhua helplessly replied, “What use is it for me to think? It still depends on the second son.”

“Then what about Cao Liu? I’ll ask him.”

“Why the rush? Didn’t you say you’re not going back today? I’ll ask the kids when they come home tonight, and I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

Upon hearing this, the impatient Chen Xiumei suppressed her curiosity and chatted aimlessly for a while about the Zhang family and Li family. As the sky gradually darkened, she quickly stood up to take her leave.

Cao Qiuhua, along with Chen Zong, who had been sitting silently beside them, stood to see her off.

It wasn’t appropriate for a matchmaker to leave without any parting gift, even if they were old friends. Cao Qiuhua even gave her some red bean cakes she had steamed herself.

Chen Xiumei smiled brightly, accepting the gift and tucking it into her coat. “I won’t be polite. I’ve been wanting these red bean cakes for so many days.”

Cao Qiuhua smiled as well. “I’ll make more tomorrow, you can come by in the afternoon.”

Chen Xiumei replied, “Then I won’t be polite. By the way, what about your new guest? I haven’t seen her yet. I heard from Chunmei that she’s quite a pretty girl?”

Cao Qiuhua’s smile froze for a moment as she realized her old friend had slipped into her usual habit. With a glance of irritation, she said, “Yuyu is still young.”

“Haha… I was just asking, it’s a habit! A habit!”

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Chen Nongmo, who had been eagerly listening to the gossip, quickly pulled her head back with a “whoosh.”

It was the 26th day of the lunar month.

Only four days remained until the New Year of the year 1971.

Chen Nongmo, who had long since lost her enthusiasm for the New Year, suddenly seemed to regain the anticipation of her childhood.

The long-forgotten sense of expectation nourished her emotions, making her almost feel that the falling snow outside and the rustling of the wind through the treetops had become poetic and picturesque.

Though she didn’t say anything, in her heart, she had already made space, waiting for the New Year to fill it.

The others, who had noticed the sparkle in her eyes and the smile on her lips, seemed to have been infected by her joy. One by one, they left for the county town, carrying a cheerful energy.

Today was the big market day, and everyone in the village had someone going to town.

There was trade to be done.

With different postures.

But the one thing that remained the same was the vitality and energy that radiated from every simple face.

Chen Nongmo and her group didn’t linger at the market in town. After saying goodbye to the villagers traveling with them, they headed straight for the bus station.

There was no fault in their haste—there was only one bus to the county every morning.

If they missed it, they would have to find another way—either walking or riding a bicycle.

No matter which way, in the bone-chilling cold of nearly twenty degrees below zero, nothing could compare to the comfort of a bus.

Of course, there was another reason: getting on early meant they could grab seats.

“Hey?!”

The family boarded the bus, and with about half an hour until departure, most of the seats were still empty.

As Chen Nongmo, who couldn’t help but criticize the rough roads of this time, was thinking about calling her family to sit toward the front, she suddenly heard the surprised voice of her Fourth Brother.

She instinctively looked up and saw everyone calmly finding their seats. However, her Fourth Brother seemed unable to take his eyes off a young woman sitting at the back. He kept glancing toward her.

The girl was a slightly plump, pretty young woman with a healthy glow, but her gaze was unfriendly as she stared at Second Brother next to her.

Chen Nongmo’s mind stirred, and she suddenly recalled the girl Aunt Xiumei had mentioned a couple of days ago, the one she had tried to introduce to Second Brother, only for him to refuse, claiming she wasn’t suitable.

With this thought in mind, Chen Nongmo stopped staring at the girl and was about to turn around when suddenly everything went black in front of her eyes.

Cao Liu, with a helpless expression, reached out and covered Little Sister’s eyes. But since she had such a small face, he ended up covering her whole face tightly.

Chen Nongmo: “…?”

Cao Liu suppressed a laugh, coughed lightly, and pulled her to sit beside him, then lightly scolded her, “What are you looking at? Sit properly!”

Chen Nongmo: “…”