◎ Fiancé ◎ 

The man wore a gray-blue cotton shirt, black straight-leg trousers, and black leather shoes. He had a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, with gold-rimmed glasses on his nose and a Hero pen clipped to his shirt pocket, all indicating his city status. 

Chen Siming glanced at Liang Baozhen in a daze and said politely, “Hello, Comrade Xiao Liang.” 

Liang Baozhen felt guilty and uncomfortable all over. She just nodded and slipped away to the kitchen.

“This girl…” Liang Zhigao called his future son-in-law, and the two went to the main room together. 

The Liang family’s house was renovated a few years ago, and a lot of stone was spent. The two houses face south and sit north. The east house has three rooms. Liang Zhigao and Song Chunhua have a spacious room, and next to it are Liang Baozhen and Liang Baoling’s room. The west house also had three rooms, with a larger middle room for the main living area and the two sides for the eldest and second eldest children. A small kitchen was built next to the east house, and they also kept three chickens in the back. 

In summer, it is stuffy inside the house, so everyone likes to set up a wooden table in their own yard to eat so that they can get some breeze. Today, a distinguished guest came to visit, so Liang Zhigao greeted him personally and talked with Chen Siming in the main room. 

At this time, the kitchen on the other side was also bustling with activity. 

Song Chunhua was busy in the kitchen waving a kitchen knife. Today, she was determined to make a soup. She took an egg and went to the team leader’s house to borrow a pound of pork to stir-fry. 

The youngest, Liang Baoling, was adding firewood to the fire. She raised her little face and pretended to be an adult. “Sister, why don’t you accompany your husband to talk?” 

Although she was only twelve years old, she was very knowledgeable and had even secretly observed the villagers interacting with the educated youth in the team. The little girl was wild and spent her days running around the village with her fluffy short hair flying in all directions. She didn’t focus much on her studies and preferred to spend her time playing and eating.

“What do you know?” Song Chunhua scolded her youngest daughter, who was acting all grown-up. She glanced at her third daughter, “Baozhen, come here. Let your father talk with your fiancé. You’re not married yet, so it’s better to keep your distance.” 

Although the matter between her daughter and her future son-in-law is almost settled, the current time still demands caution. Even in an era where men and women are scrutinized for standing close to each other and talking, they must remain mindful of their conduct.

“I know. Mother, where’s my second brother?” Liang Baozhen helped get the bowls to serve the food and looked around but didn’t see her second brother. 

Liang Baoling knew and shouted, “Second brother went to find that female educated youth!” 

Song Chunhua couldn’t stand hearing about the educated youth; it gave her a headache. “Tsk, why can’t he just sort things out with her? She’s thinking of returning to the city, and he’s still clinging to her! Call your second brother back; this is really shameless!” 

The Liang family has four children. The eldest, Liang Baoying, is married and has a daughter. The day before yesterday, the whole family went back to Beijing to visit Song Jianguo’s relatives and will be back in a few days. 

The second son, Liang Baojun, should have gotten married a long time ago, but he happened to fall in love with Xu Shuping, a female educated youth who came to the village to work. The two had just started to think about dating, but in the past two months, rumors spread that educated youth who met the conditions could return home. Now it’s hard to say what will happen to the two of them. 

Song Chunhua had repeatedly told her second son not to associate with that educated youth anymore and to look for a marriage partner within the village. However, her son refused to follow her advice. She had always been doubtful before about the match between her eldest daughter and Song Jianguo, feeling that Song Jianguo wasn’t truly serious about her daughter. Despite her concerns, Baoying ended up marrying him. Ultimately, the decision was driven by a desire to marry a local and make life in the countryside a bit easier.

But now she is too tired to care about it, she still needs to focus on her daughter’s marriage. 

When Liang Baojun was called back by Liang Baoling, he immediately knew his younger sister had betrayed him and yelled at her. Liang Baoling wasn’t afraid and stuck out her tongue before darting off to the kitchen. “Second Brother, go talk with your brother-in-law, or Mother will deal with you.” 

The pork was fried until it was fragrant and sizzling with oil. Liang Baoling stared eagerly into the pot, unwilling to look away, which made Liang Baozhen laugh. 

Nowadays, it’s rare to have meat, and it’s only eaten during the New Year and other festivals. This time, they can eat meat thanks to Liang Baozhen’s engagement, Song Chunhua looked at the slices of meat in the pot and gave each of her two daughters a piece, making their mouths savor the delicious flavor. She didn’t taste any herself but simply dipped her chopsticks in the oil to check the saltiness.

On the big round table in the Liang family yard were four dishes and one soup: fried pork with garlic sprouts, wild vegetable pancakes, stir-fried cabbage, tomato and egg drop soup, and a bowl of cornmeal steamed buns. 

Since Liang Zhigao and Liang Baojun were doing heavy labor in the fields in the afternoon and Chen Siming was a guest, the three of them each got two steamed buns, while Song Chunhua and her two daughters each got one steamed bun. 

The Liang family lived a pretty good life in the village. The two men and the son-in-law in the family were all strong and healthy and could basically earn ten work points. Song Chunhua was also a capable person. She went to work in the fields the day before she gave birth to Liang Baozhen and got out of bed the next day without any delay. 

The family earned more from labor. Liang Baozhen only went to the fields to do light work after graduating from high school. As for Liang Baoling, she only helped pick up wheat ears during the busy farming season. The two sisters were considered to have suffered the least in the village. 

Even during the famine in their childhood, the family prioritized food for the daughters. Liang Zhigao believed men shouldn’t compete with women for food; if anyone was to starve, it should be him first, then the son, and lastly the wife. 

Fortunately, the whole family survived. 

“Xiao Chen, my cooking is average, so please make do with it.” It’s often said that the more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the happier she becomes. Song Chunhua observed Chen Siming’s gentle demeanor and felt that he was well-educated. She also noted that his manner of eating was refined and different from the others.

“Aunt, you must be joking. This tastes better than what the cook in our Cotton Factory canteen makes. It’s really delicious.” Chen Siming, with his handsome looks, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, speaks gently. It’s natural for him to win over his future mother-in-law with a few kind words. 

Liang Baojun opened the cork and was about to pour wine for Chen Siming when someone else took it first. Chen Siming held the wooden wine pot and poured wine for the Liang family father and son and spoke smoothly, “Uncle, Second Brother Liang, I toast you a glass. From now on, we’re family, so let’s not worry about formalities. ” 

The special wine, priced at four cents per pound, is considered the best in the village. In the past, it was only enjoyed during the New Year. Liang Zhigao looked at his future son-in-law and thought that he was open-minded. He was satisfied, “Come, come, try this wine. It’s not as good as the fine wine in the city, but it’s also tasty and fragrant. Baozhen went to the village to buy this because she knew you were coming.” 

Liang Baozhen, who was ordered by Liang’s father to get some wine yesterday morning  “…” 

It was obviously her Father who ordered her to do it, why does it sound like she fetched it specially? Liang Baozhen muttered to herself, her long feather-like eyelashes fluttering twice, her eyebrows and eyes like a painting. 

Seeing that the Liang family was talking about the work in the fields, Chen Siming looked at Liang Baozhen with an unscrupulous gaze. She seemed even more beautiful than before, which made his desire itch.

Liang Baozhen was concentrating on eating. When she looked up, her gaze met Chen Siming’s. At that moment, his eyes were like a snake in a field—flickering and staring at her, which made her feel uneasy. 

However, in just a moment, Chen Siming immediately smiled and cast a gentle look over. Liang Baozhen was dazed and felt that she might have seen things wrong.

Chen Siming had worked at the State Cotton Factory for many years and had learned many skills. He chatted and laughed with the Liang family without putting on airs. The meal was naturally pleasant for everyone. “Uncle, Aunt, when the time comes, we’ll set up a few tables at the state-run restaurant next to our factory. I’ll reserve the seats.” 

“Great, great.” Song Chunhua smiled so widely that her teeth were visible, and she just nodded repeatedly. She thought it was a great achievement that her daughter could have a wedding banquet in a state-owned restaurant. 

After the meal, the couple’s wedding was set for the 28th of next month, a good date. 

After dinner, Chen Siming had to rush back to the State Cotton Factory, and the Liang family saw him off all the way. 

Everyone in the village knew that the Liang family’s son-in-law from the city had come to visit. Now that he had left, many of the neighbors stuck their heads out to look at him, their eyes filled with envy. 

“Brother Liang, you and your wife are really lucky. Baozhen is really going to marry into the city now.”

“Of course, the person she’s marrying is the director of the State Cotton Factory, a very impressive figure.” 

“Compared to the Dong family’s situation, isn’t Jiayan also getting engaged today? Who are you talking about?” 

The villagers were talking all at once, and Song Chunhua was extremely happy. Who wouldn’t like to hear such pleasant words? Liang Baozhen, on the other hand, went back to the house first because she had something on her mind. 

However, not long after, her younger sister rushed back to the house, yelling for her elder sister to come out and take a look. “Aunt Hu just said that Sister Jiayan doesn’t want to get married! She wants to cancel the engagement!” 

****

Dong Family 

“What? You want to marry the director of the State Cotton Factory?” Dong’s mother stared in shock at her daughter’s unexpected words.

Today was supposed to be the day for her daughter and her match to get engaged. Xu Shengjie came with gifts, but when her daughter woke up, she refused to get engaged. No matter how much Dong’s mother tried to persuade her, it was no use. 

Such a happy event was ruined. How could she face the Xu family? How could she meet Xu Shengjie’s aunt in the village? 

Dong Jiayan was sitting on a wooden stool, untying her tight and stiff pigtails. The aesthetic standards of this era are really not good. Dong Jiayan, who had lived a new life, felt very gratified when she looked at her fresh face at the age of 19. 

In her previous life, she had married a useless retired soldier and endured a hard life. In contrast, her neighbor Liang Baozhen had married the director of the State Cotton Factory in the city and achieved a great success. She also lived in a detached house and wore fashionable clothes from Hong Kong and Guangdong. They were from the same village, so why had their lives turned out so differently?

Before she could finish feeling jealous, Heaven actually gave her a chance to live again.

“Why would I marry Xu Shengjie? I don’t want to. If I’m going to marry, it should be the director of the big state-run factory in the city.” 

“Jiayan, what are you talking about? That’s Baozhen’s fiancé, not yours. Her fiancé came today and said that the wedding will be held next month.” As she spoke, Dong’s mother was really envious. Although her daughter could not compare with Liang Baozhen’s beautiful looks, she was not bad either. Why did such a good thing not fall into her family? 

Although the Xu family is also from the city, they are always compared to others. Compared with country people, they are certainly better, but far inferior to the family background of Chen Siming. 

Dong Jiyan was weaving a loose single braid with her hair, tidying up the stray strands. She looked even more refined than before. By now, Chen Siming should be heading to the village entrance to catch a donkey cart to the town and then take a bus back to the city. 

“Mother, I’m going out for a while.” Dong Jiayan changed into a red floral short-sleeved shirt and hurried out. She had to seize the opportunity that heaven had given her. Her good days were still to come. “I’m not lying to you; wait and see. I’m definitely going to marry the director of the State Cotton Factory.”

After saying that, she hurried towards the village entrance. 

***

Liang Baozhen was surprised to hear the news from her younger sister. She had also heard about the marriage of the Dong family next door. It was said that Aunt Lai from the village acted as a matchmaker and arranged the marriage of the Dong family’s daughter to her nephew from the city. Today was the official wedding ceremony. A few days ago, Dong Jiayan had told her that she felt her match was handsome and felt shy at first sight. Why was she making a fuss about not getting married now? 

Unfortunately, excitement does not wait for anyone. When Liang Baozhen was dragged by Liang Baoling to the gate of Dong’s courtyard, the crowd had dispersed, and the door of Dong’s house was closed. Only a few prominent aunts in the village could be heard sighing, saying that Dong Jiayan had gone crazy and called off a good marriage. 

“How can Dong’s daughter be so reckless? It’s already great to marry into the city, and she’s still unwilling?” 

“I agree, it’s really frustrating. To say she doesn’t want to marry right at the engagement stage—what a way to mess with people. I won’t help introduce anyone from the Dong family in the future; they don’t deserve it.” 

“What about Jiayan’s match? Did he leave?” 

“No, not yet. He went to Aunt Lai’s house with the gifts. I just saw that he is handsome. He didn’t make a scene at Dong’s house when he encountered such a bad thing but went to see his aunt.” 

***

The two Liang sisters listened for a while, then went back to the house, packed up, and prepared to go to the fields. On the way, people kept congratulating Liang Baozhen and gossiping about the Dong family. 

“Sister, why isn’t Jiayan getting married anymore?” Liang Baoling didn’t understand. How could she go back on her word after having agreed to something? 

“Liang Baozhen had no idea; this kind of thing was indeed rare. She looked up and saw Aunt Lai’s house in the village in the distance. At the door of the house, a tall man stood and talked to Aunt Lai for a while. Soon, the two of them went into the house together.” 

The tall figure seemed oddly familiar, but Liang Baozhen couldn’t recall where she had seen Jiyan’s match before.