Chapter 5: Marrying into the Family

After Xu Guifen left the house, Ji Tangtang also picked up a basket, planning to go out. Last night before bed, she carefully sorted through the original host’s memories, as well as the contents of that book. The current year was 1973, still four years away from the restoration of the college entrance examination and the arrival of a new era mentioned in the book. For now, everyone still lived on work points. But according to the original host’s memories, it was impossible to live a carefree life just by earning work points. Otherwise, the original host wouldn’t have been so obsessed with a man who had a job. In her view, it wasn’t so much that the original host admired Gu Hongwen, but that she longed for a secure life, free from hunger, that marrying him could bring.

Ji Tangtang herself had no intention of marrying a worker and living off a man. She had carefully studied that strange novel within her sea of consciousness, and had gained a clear understanding of how this world would develop. At present, doing business was still forbidden—if caught, people would accuse her of profiteering! What she could do now was truly limited. After thinking it over, the most practical way was still to rely on the secret realm to live a good life.

However, while there were plenty of spiritual flowers and herbs in the secret realm, those things couldn’t fill the stomach. After some investigation, she found that the food grains of this era were not much different from those in the mortal world of the cultivation realm. Today she planned to first report to the production team, then get some grain seeds to try planting in the secret realm. With the abundance of spiritual energy there, even wild grasses grew extremely well. If she planted food crops, there should be no problem.

After making her plan, Ji Tangtang casually tidied herself up, then gnawed on some wild fruit and went out.

Elsewhere, Shen Meifang, who had failed in her scheming last night and hadn’t slept well, left her house listlessly—only to see Zhu Dongmei walking toward her, beaming with joy. As soon as she saw her, Zhu Dongmei raised her voice cheerfully:

“Meizi, wonderful news, tremendous news!”

“What good news?” Shen Meifang cast her a glance, uninterested.

Grinning from ear to ear, Zhu Dongmei grabbed her hand and said, “I’ve come to propose a match for your eldest son.”

“My eldest?” Shen Meifang shrieked. “Didn’t you get it wrong?”

Ever since her Hongwen became a worker, all the girls in the area had been eyeing him like he was a prized delicacy, eager to marry into the Gu family. As for that cripple—who would ever want him?

“No mistake, it’s really for your eldest,” Zhu Dongmei said with a broad smile, still holding her hand.

Forcing an awkward smile, Shen Meifang said, “You know my eldest’s condition as well as I do. How could I have the nerve to arrange a marriage for him? Wouldn’t that just harm the girl? Sister-in-law, I think we’d better drop this.”

Last night, when she and Ji Tingting tried to ruin Ji Tangtang’s reputation, part of the reason was to throw off the burden of Gu Shiyu, and another was to avoid paying for his bride price. With Ji Tangtang caught in such a compromising situation with Gu Shiyu in front of so many villagers, her reputation was already destroyed. How could they still expect her family to pay a dowry?

“But they came to me of their own accord to ask for the match, so clearly they don’t mind your eldest’s condition. Meizi, this is a great thing!” Zhu Dongmei acted as if she hadn’t noticed Shen Meifang’s displeasure, still warm-heartedly holding her hand and speaking earnestly: “Do you really mean to serve him for a lifetime? Let me tell you—the family has no sons, only two daughters. They want your eldest to marry in as a live-in son-in-law. You won’t have to spend money marrying him off, and you can hand this burden over to another family. Isn’t that a blessing?”

Shen Meifang, originally indifferent, suddenly brightened at these words. “Who are you talking about?” she asked. Thinking of what had happened the night before, a thought flashed in her mind. “It wouldn’t be Ji Laoda’s family, would it?”

Zhu Dongmei nodded. “Exactly. Ji Changming’s eldest daughter wants to bring your eldest in as a son-in-law.”

“Good heavens!” Shen Meifang stamped her foot. “I knew that slut did something shameful last night—”

Before she could finish, Zhu Dongmei’s smile vanished, and she cut her off sharply:

“Meifang! You mustn’t slander a girl’s reputation like that! Everyone saw Tangtang go up the mountain last night to pick fruit and gather mushrooms. If you smear her name like this, it’s truly disgraceful. If you don’t agree, I won’t speak of this marriage again.”

With that, Zhu Dongmei let go of her hand and turned to leave.

Panicking, Shen Meifang quickly grabbed her hand again, forcing a smile. “Sister-in-law, I misspoke just now, don’t take it to heart.” Pulling her toward the house, she said, “Tell me—why would Ji Laoda’s family suddenly want my Shiyu as a son-in-law? I never heard a word of this before.”

Zhu Dongmei explained, “If it weren’t for last night’s rumors, the couple truly wouldn’t have thought of it. At first, they were angry, but after the anger passed, the idea grew on them. Your Shiyu may be crippled, but he was once a soldier, tall and strong. Their children would surely take after him, tall and sturdy—a fine laborer.”

Shen Meifang didn’t completely believe Zhu Dongmei’s words. But whether it was true or not wasn’t so important. What mattered most to her was getting rid of the burden of Gu Shiyu.

Though she thought this way inwardly, outwardly she put on the look of someone suffering a loss and said, “Who would raise a son only to send him off as a son-in-law? I might agree to this marriage, but the Ji family must show some sincerity.”

Of course, Zhu Dongmei could see that she was just posturing now that someone had come with a proposal. She said, “Meizi, you need to consider your eldest’s situation. With how things stand, having someone willing to accept him as a live-in son-in-law is already good fortune. You know the Ji family’s condition—what could they possibly offer?”

“Changming’s eldest girl may not be very smart, but her looks are truly good. If her family spread the word, it’s not as if no one would be willing to go to her house as a live-in son-in-law.”

At that, Shen Meifang’s heart skipped a beat, and she didn’t dare posture too much. Forcing a smile, she said, “I never said I disagreed. It’s just that since my Shiyu would be marrying into the Ji family as though he were a daughter, shouldn’t the Ji family at least provide a little betrothal gift? Otherwise, the villagers will gossip, saying we treated Shiyu like a burden, taking no bride price at all and simply sending him to the Ji family as a live-in husband.”

Inwardly, Zhu Dongmei rolled her eyes. As if you don’t already treat Gu Shiyu as a burden! Do you really think the villagers are fools? Don’t they know you and Gu Weiguo are biased toward the second son? How did Gu Hongwen get that city job? Wasn’t it paid for with Shiyu’s army stipend? And after Shiyu came back crippled, how did you treat him? Everyone in the village knows. Just look at Hongwen’s room—writing desk, tall and short cabinets, solid wood bed… every piece is scarce and high-quality furniture. And Shiyu’s room? Aside from a rickety wooden bed frame, what else is there? Is it not obvious who you favor?

But having worked as a matchmaker for many years, Zhu Dongmei was always one to say what suited the person in front of her. She knew the truth but would never say it aloud. She also knew the Ji family’s situation—if the Gu family insisted on a bride price, the marriage was doomed.

After a moment’s thought, she said, “If your Shiyu weren’t bedridden, then yes, there should be a betrothal gift to show sincerity. But given his condition, the Ji family not minding and being willing to take him in as a son-in-law is already a blessing. You can’t be demanding this and that…”

As she spoke, Zhu Dongmei twisted her hips, about to walk out, adding, “I’ll go see Lihua.”

The mention of Wang Lihua made Shen Meifang’s heart tighten. She quickly grabbed Zhu Dongmei’s hand and forced a smile. “Sister Dongmei, why the rush? I never said there must be a bride price… Say, my second son brought malted milk powder back from the factory yesterday, let me make you a drink.”

Everyone knew that years ago, Wang Lihua’s husband had died, leaving her with five sons. Wanting to remarry was near impossible. Five sons—what a heavy burden! To work herself to the bone raising another man’s children, only to save money to marry off his sons… Even if Wang Lihua still looked decent, no man would be willing to be that fool.

Still, Wang Lihua was capable. She never remarried, but she grit her teeth and managed to raise those sons. She didn’t let them starve, but the Wang family was undeniably poor. Now her eldest was 26, long past marriage age, and her second and third sons were also ready for matches. Countless proposals had been made through matchmakers, but not a single marriage had been settled. She was so anxious her lips were covered in blisters. Other families might cherish sons, but Wang Lihua might not. With so many boys, she would surely be willing to send one as a live-in husband elsewhere.

“I still have to go work in the fields later! How do I have time for drinks?” Zhu Dongmei said, but half-heartedly allowed herself to be persuaded to stay. After all, who would normally be willing to spend money on malted milk powder? And it needed ration tickets, too.

She sat on a stool, finished off a full enamel cup of malted milk drink, then finally said, “Meizi, if you ask me, it’s rare that the Ji family suddenly changed their mind. You should take this chance and settle the marriage. Their difficulties are only temporary. Once Ji Changming’s leg heals, their family won’t be in bad shape. In fact, his leg is already much better—it won’t be long before he’s back in the fields earning work points. When that happens, if he wants to find a good son-in-law for his daughter, why would he still consider your eldest?

“No matter how good your eldest used to be, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s now a cripple, dragging the whole family down.”

Worried that Zhu Dongmei might leave again if she played hard to get, Shen Meifang hurriedly nodded. “Sister Dongmei, you’re right. Then I’ll trouble you to bring the message to the Ji family.”

“That’s the spirit! Once your eldest’s marriage is settled, it will be easier to arrange for your second son as well.” Zhu Dongmei stood with a broad smile. “I’ll go give the Ji family your reply now.”