Chapter 42: The He Weiyuan Family Argument

After plucking the hen, cutting it open revealed golden-yellow chicken meat. This kind of chicken had extremely rich oil for soup, unlike hens raised for half a year or a year. This hen had been raised by He Zhaofeng’s family for at least two years.

He Zhaofeng’s wife put the head and innards aside, cut half a hen, and weighed it for Wang Shuning. “If you have red dates and longans at home, add them to the soup. It’s an old hen; you need to simmer it for a long time, otherwise, it won’t be tender.”

“I understand.” Wang Shuning carried her basket home. Life without the internet and cell phones was fast-paced. On non-working days, she ate and drank, and she had gained weight.

“Zhiqing Ning, what’s in the basket?” He Weiyuan tried to lift the white towel covering the basket.

Wang Shuning quickly dodged to the left, frowning and scolding. “You don’t touch other people’s things without permission. Do you have any manners?”

He Weiyuan glared. “Just taking a peek won’t hurt. I’m going to town tomorrow. Zhiqing Ning, can I borrow your bicycle?”

Wang Shuning looked away, unwilling to engage. “It’s a new bicycle; I’m not lending it.”

She walked past him directly. Were they close? He just asked to borrow her bicycle.

She glanced around. People who were careless with other people’s belongings weren’t suitable to befriend. He Weiyuan and Zhao Leyi were a perfect match.

“Wang Shuning, what were you talking about with He Weiyuan? He’s Zhao Leyi’s boyfriend; they’re getting married soon,” Liu Sicun blocked Wang Shuning’s path.

“Even if I were blind, I wouldn’t like that kind of man. What kind of taste do you have?” First, she liked Lü Beichu, and now she couldn’t see through He Weiyuan’s true nature. Although Liu Sicun was straightforward, her judgment of men was terrible.

Liu Sicun pursed her lips, speechless. What did she mean by “that kind of man”? He Weiyuan was the youngest son of He Liangliang, the team leader of the third production team. Because of this relationship, Zhao Leyi had an easier time working, and Liu Sicun also benefited slightly.

Why did she look so disdainful of He Weiyuan? Did they have a conflict?

Back home, He Weiyuan immediately told his father about Wang Shuning’s refusal to lend him her bicycle. “Dad, this new Zhiqing Ning, relying on her family’s wealth, doesn’t work hard, spends money lavishly, and is so stingy. You absolutely can’t let her live a good life.”

“Wang Shuning belongs to the first production team, under He Daniu’s charge. It has nothing to do with me. Why should I cause trouble for her? She has a new bicycle, and you have a high fever at night or a broken leg and can’t walk. What nerve do you have to borrow it? Instead of trying to take advantage of others, you should work at the dock in town to earn money during the slack season. Doesn’t your girlfriend want ‘three turns and one ring’ and 200 yuan in betrothal gifts? Go earn it yourself.”

He Weiyuan was unhappy. He finally had some free time, and he had to work in town? Didn’t he deserve a rest?

Besides, he wasn’t married yet; his parents should pay for his wedding. “Dad, I’m about to get married and need a decent job. Go to town and ask Uncle Liu to help me find a job.”

He Liangliang abruptly stood up from the bench. “How many times have I said this? Your brother found his job himself. Uncle Liu’s boss liked your brother, so he got a job at the soap factory. I’m just a small production team leader; I can’t help you find a job.”

He Weiyuan didn’t believe it. His brother only delivered something to Uncle Liu at the soap factory once, and he was chosen by the deputy factory director. If no one helped, no one would believe it. It was clearly favoritism, and he had to hide it from him. He had to split the family. If his parents were unfilial, he wouldn’t support them.

“I’m old enough to get married. If you don’t help me with the betrothal gifts, I’ll go to town to find my brother. A brother is like a father; he has to pay.” He Weiyuan was angry every time he thought about his brother working in the factory, eating government rations, while he was a farmer.

He Liangliang was furious and slammed the table. “Your brother is like a father? You scoundrel! Are you cursing me to die early?”

He Weiyuan’s mother came out of the kitchen carrying a dish, trying to mediate. “Weiyuan, there are many unmarried girls in the village. If you don’t like any of them, there are girls from other villages. You can definitely find someone you like. Zhao Zhiqing is just asking for too much. She’s a rural educated youth without family support. Why does she need so much in betrothal gifts? Her family is clearly selling her.”

He Weiyuan didn’t want to marry a village girl. People outside said he wasn’t as good as his brother. He had to marry an educated youth to surpass his brother. It would be prestigious. His parents just weren’t willing to pay. “Mom, I only like Zhao Leyi. The village girls are all rough and illiterate. Unless you introduce me to a high school graduate who is several times more beautiful than Zhao Leyi.”

He Weiyuan’s mother was in a difficult position. There were few high school-educated girls in the countryside, let alone beautiful ones. Those families wouldn’t look at her younger son.

A high school graduate wouldn’t marry a man who only finished elementary school. Besides, the younger son wasn’t diligent at work and often didn’t get full work points. If it weren’t for his family, he couldn’t even afford a wife. Where did he get the nerve to make such demands?

He Liangliang pointed at him and cursed, “Look at yourself! High school graduate? You despise them for being rough? If it weren’t for me, Zhao Leyi would have become as rough as the village girls. I’ll make it clear: your sister-in-law got what she got when she married in; you’ll get the same. You’re so arrogant! Even if you remain a bachelor for life, don’t expect your family to give you that much in betrothal gifts. Earn it yourself if you have the ability!”

He Weiyuan was indignant. “Didn’t you say a sewing machine and fifty yuan in betrothal gifts before? Dad, you’re not even buying a sewing machine now?”

He Liangliang snorted. “No.”

The father and son had a huge fight. The hot dishes on the table were knocked to the ground, and the plates shattered.

He Liangliang’s wife tried to stop them, but she couldn’t separate the two men.

The intense argument attracted neighbors. Some villagers even stood outside the yard with their bowls to watch the show.

“What’s it about this time? Why does Team Leader He’s family fight every year before the New Year? Didn’t the older son’s family return from town yet?”

“It’s because the younger son is getting married. The betrothal gift Zhao Zhiqing wants is too much, and Team Leader He doesn’t want to pay, so they’re fighting.”

Aunt Niu curiously asked, “How much does the woman want?”

A neighbor living next to He Liangliang’s house said through gritted teeth, “‘Three turns and one ring.'”

Aunt Niu’s eyes widened. “‘Three turns and one ring’! Is he marrying a celestial being?”