Chapter 20: The Unlucky Bachelor

The conversation turned to personal matters, and the only single men at the table were Hua Youcai and Hao Li.

Hao Li was the first to be targeted. He’d been through this every Chinese New Year and was used to it.

It wasn’t just during the New Year; letters from home constantly arrived, bringing up the unavoidable topic of his marital status.

Fang Dayong started the conversation, “Hao Li, what kind of woman are you looking for? List your requirements, and we’ll set you up with someone suitable!”

“Yeah, you’re getting on in years. Aren’t you worried?”

“What’s the use of worrying? It’s not the right time yet.”

Comrade Hao Li had been rejected many times; he was numb to it.

“That’s because you’re foolish! You always speak the truth. Who knows what the future holds? Can’t you learn from Wang Changjiang?”

Zhang Xiangnan lectured him, exasperated.

Hua Youcai sipped his wine, his son Fang Dashuai sitting in his lap. The two of them relaxed, one drinking, the other eating peanuts.

Wang Changjiang?

That scoundrel!

“Why bring up that bastard Wang Changjiang?”

“That bastard is no good.”

“My daughter is beautiful and cooks well. After leaving that stinky boy, my daughter will find someone better.”

…

Oh, right, Wang Changjiang’s former father-in-law was also present.

“Ah, no, in the future, my daughter will find a son-in-law.”

“Yes, a son-in-law. My daughter said she gets the final say on who she marries!”

Zhang Xiangnan picked up the wine jug, wanting to pour the old man another cup.

Hua Youcai, not yet drunk, moved his cup away. “No more, I’ll get really drunk. You young people drink. Let’s not talk about that bastard anymore. What’s the matter with Hao Yingchang?”

Hao Li… How did the conversation get back to this!

Liu Jianye: “Uncle, this kid Hao Li, he keeps failing at matchmaking.”

“Why?”

Hua Youcai glanced at Hao Li. This kid is alright, why is he so unpopular with women?

“Uncle, the women want someone with a promising future, you see!”

Li Xian explained.

…

They all chimed in, and finally, the matter was clarified.

Hao Li, although he’s a battalion commander like Wang Changjiang, he’s not as smooth.

Strong personal ability doesn’t entirely determine future development.

It depends on comprehensive ability; all aspects must be in place.

Unless your personal ability is exceptionally outstanding, indispensable even.

Hao Li doesn’t qualify.

Zhang Xiangnan and the others have been old comrades-in-arms with Hao Li for many years.

Even they think Wang Changjiang has a much better chance of promotion than Hao Li.

During matchmaking, the women would surely ask, and Hao Li, being honest, would tell the truth.

His chances of promotion are slim, and his future development is uncertain.

Transferring to a civilian job has many unknowns, and the girls consider this a lot.

If Hao Li were eloquent, he could explain things clearly, showing the girls that he could live well anywhere.

But he doesn’t say anything, which makes things difficult.

He’s met a few girls in the garrison and arranged blind dates during his family visits, but none of them worked out.

He’s become a confirmed bachelor.

Hua Youcai enjoyed this meal.

He officially got to know everyone, and after the meal, the distance between them clearly lessened.

Zhang Xiangnan and the others also had a good impression of Hua Youcai. The old man was easy to get along with, reasonable, and straightforward.

He was also resourceful and didn’t take advantage of others.

After the meal and some conversation, he left without staying until the end.

They really took advantage of the old man; when he left, he insisted on leaving all the food behind.

The meal was at Zhang Xiangnan’s house. He didn’t eat alone; everyone shared the food the old man brought.

Especially the meat; a few pieces in a dish could last a long time.

Their rule for meals together was to bring whatever they had at home.

•  

That evening, Zhang Xiangnan and his wife Yang Jing chatted in bed.

Yang Jing was particularly happy today. She liked a lively home; even when the three little ones were noisy enough to blow the roof off, she was happy.

“Xiangnan, did Captain Wang really divorce Uncle Hua’s daughter?”

“Yes, it was a big scandal, even the political commissar intervened. The divorce papers were approved. Wang Changjiang got them and immediately went home, he was so anxious.”

“So they divorced, why are Uncle Hua and his family still in Beijing?”

“I don’t know. Uncle Hua’s house is really nice. It would have been great if the owner had rented it out separately.”

“Our place is fine too, we’re used to it. When you called them over today, why did you only call the uncle?”

“I asked, and the uncle said his daughter didn’t want to go out, so his son stayed home with her.”

“They divorced, probably afraid of gossip! When they paid New Year’s calls yesterday, the uncle came alone…”

Yang Jing and Zhang Xiangnan had been married for several years without getting pregnant. She was recently taking Chinese medicine and had no appetite.

She was already thin, and now she was skin and bones.

She hadn’t eaten many dumplings during the New Year, but she ate quite a bit of the stewed cabbage and radish cakes today.

Zhang Xiangnan thought that if his wife liked it, he would shamelessly ask for some from Uncle Hua’s house.

Meanwhile, Wang Fugui and his wife Li Chunlan were also talking about Hua Yuanyuan.

“Wife, do you think Uncle Hua’s daughter and Battalion Commander Hao could get together?”

Wang Fugui and his wife were from neighboring villages, both from poor southern mountain areas. Finding a wife wasn’t so picky.

“We think it’s possible, but it may not be. Outsiders think differently, it’s not like our hometown.”

“Outsiders are fussy, that’s why it’s hard to find a wife. Hao Li, if he still can’t find a wife, we’ll talk to him. He can’t stay a bachelor forever.”

…

Wang Fugui was really worried about his brother. Why is finding a wife so difficult!

·

The Shahe Mountain Fair, the sixth day of the first lunar month

These days, Hua Yuanyuan was engrossed in reading. Besides reading, she watched her father and brother practice weighted cycling in the yard.

Hua Youcai bought a bag of wheat and a bag of corn from Old Man Wang.

They tied the two bags of grain to the back of the bicycle, and Hua Youcai and his son took turns riding.

It was more strenuous than riding an empty bike; Hua Fangfang found it even harder than his father.

Hua Youcai quickly got the hang of it, smugly.

“Daughter, how do you think Dad’s riding?”

Hua Yuanyuan showered him with compliments.

“Dad, you’re so amazing! Those two bags of grain are so heavy, and you rode steadily without even practicing!”

“Dad, I have to admit it, experience is everything.”

“Dad, you’re awesome, still going strong!”

…

Hua Youcai was overwhelmed by his daughter’s praise.

Hua Fangfang couldn’t help but admit it. When he first started, he almost fell. He didn’t fall after practicing, but the handlebars still wobbled; his technique was indeed inferior to his father’s.

However, his sister said his advantage was his youth and strength, while his father’s advantage was his experience.

It wasn’t contradictory; the heavy work at home would depend on him in the future.

As you can see, at the mountain fair, his sister would ride his bike, not his father’s.