Chapter 23

Considering the potential trouble, Hu Xiu decided to sell the house.

Her husband had said that if they ever returned to settle down, they could build a new one.

The Huo family owned one of the only brick-and-tile houses in the village, aside from the old secretary’s. Every detail was carefully built, including brick flooring, making the price steep—500 yuan.

That price only covered the materials, not the large furniture.

Many families were interested, but few could afford it.

Hu Xiu preferred selling it to her uncles, even at a discount and on an installment plan. However, after several days of consideration, both uncles felt the debt was too large to take on.

To Lin Ting’s surprise, the house was eventually bought by a male educated youth. He came from Beijing and, reportedly, bought the house for marriage.

Now that the contract has been signed under the witness’s supervision, Lin Ting and her friends can stay until their departure day.

However, selling the house doesn’t mean everything is settled. As the departure date approaches, there are more and more tasks to handle.

Hu Xiu spent the day leading her sisters-in-law in final cleaning. They packed up pots, pans, and other items they could take with them. The ones they couldn’t take but weren’t large furniture were given to Chen Guilan and Zhang Meihua.

Lin Ting focused on looking after the children or spending time with her parents, siblings, and in-laws, who visited every few days.

Time passed, and soon it was March.

That afternoon, after Lin Ting saw her parents off, a guest arrived. A young soldier in a worn-out military uniform, named Wang Hai, had come from the county, sent by Minister Hu to deliver train tickets to Lin Ting.

Knowing Wang Hai had ridden over fifty kilometers on a bicycle, Lin Ting, unfamiliar with modern transportation, quickly invited him inside to warm up and made him a cup of tea.

Wang Hai, only 19 years old, had dark skin and an honest look. He seemed a little uneasy but quickly took out two train tickets and handed them over.

“Sister-in-law, the train is at 5:10 tomorrow afternoon. Captain Huo is busy with his mission and can’t come back, so Minister Hu arranged for someone to take you to the station. When you arrive at Tianjin Station, someone will pick you up. Minister Hu will come at 10 a.m. tomorrow to take you. Is that okay?”

“No problem, thank you, Comrade Xiao Wang,” Lin Ting replied. She wasn’t surprised that Huo Xiao couldn’t return, as he had mentioned this possibility before.

Meanwhile, Hu Xiu, thinking about the seven or eight large bags piled up in the small room, hesitated. “Then… we need to pack lighter.”

Lin Ting, recalling some unnecessary items like old iron pots and a worn-out urinal, felt the same way. But before she could speak, Wang Hai grinned and said, “Don’t worry, Auntie! We soldiers are strong, we’ll handle it!”

Hu Xiu’s eyes brightened, but she still hesitated. “Are you sure? There’s a lot.”

Wang Hai patted his chest. “It’s fine! It’s normal to have a lot when moving.”

Lin Ting smiled and stood up. “How about I show you?”

Wang Hai, not knowing what to expect, followed her. When he saw the small room packed with luggage, his confident smile froze…

Since they were leaving the next day, Hu Xiu decided to invite her sisters-in-law for a farewell dinner. Before heading out in her thick coat, she turned to Lin Ting.

“Should I ask Dahai from your third aunt’s family to send a message to your parents at the Prosperity Brigade?”

Lin Ting smiled. “Thank you, Mom, you’re so thoughtful.”

Hu Xiu nodded. “Your parents just left. Should I tell them to come back tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, but they don’t need to come too early.”

“Got it.”

That evening, Hu Xiu also invited the old secretary ^[1]likely an elderly local official or respected community member..

After dinner, the elderly man excused himself, and the second and third uncles of the Huo family, seeing the room filled with women, left soon after.

Chen Guilan and Zhang Meihua stayed behind to clean up and prepare dry food for the train journey. Since it was cold, they didn’t pack fresh food but made small flower rolls.

As Zhang Meihua kneaded dough, Chen Guilan sat beside her, eating sunflower seeds and sighing. “Sister-in-law is going to the big city for a better life.”

After expressing her envy, she switched topics to Wang Xiuqin, the eldest daughter of Wang Liujin. “How is she so lucky? Just by helping a cadre, she got a job in the county! Why don’t I have that kind of luck? Maybe I could be a cadre too. That would be amazing.”

She sighed and muttered, “God is blind. I’m such a kind person.”

Hu Xiu frowned. “Why do you always envy others? If you want a good life, work for it!”

Chen Guilan pouted. “But after working all day in the fields, we only earn 30 cents per centimeter.”

Hu Xiu rolled her eyes. “I told you when you were younger to learn midwifery to make money, but you didn’t listen.”

Chen Guilan, feeling guilty but unwilling to admit she was afraid of hard work, changed the subject. “By the way, sister-in-law, Danier is coming to see you again the day after tomorrow.”

Huo Nini, now 18, was of marriageable age. It was common for her to be introduced to suitors.

Curious, Hu Xiu, while chopping green onions, asked, “What’s this one like?”

Chen Guilan smied. “He’s from town. I did my research—he’s tall, his family is wealthy, and they have three large tiled houses. He has eight older sisters, all very filial. He’s the only son, so when his parents pass away, everything will be his. Won’t that be perfect for my daughter?”

Hu Xiu…

In the east room.

Under the dim kerosene lamp, Lin Ting packed her clothes. She planned to wash her hair, take a bath, and clean the little ones since they would be traveling for a few more days.

Danier was sewing shoe soles while looking after the twins. She brought up the topic of matchmaking. Her last blind date was terrible, yet she had to go on another one just a month later. She was unsure and wanted her eldest cousin’s wife’s opinion.

Lin Ting didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she glanced at Huo Furong, who was deep in thought, and asked, “Furong, do you think the man is good?”

Huo Furong frowned. “He’s an only son. His family probably spoiled him. He might have a bad personality.”

A 17-year-old who had never left town was naturally cautious. Lin Ting turned to Danier. “What do you think?”

Danier hesitated. “I’m not sure… but if he has many brothers, getting along with the sisters-in-law will be difficult.”

She had seen the rare harmony between her mother, aunt, and third aunt. It worked only because her aunt could keep control. But Danier knew she was too soft to handle such conflicts over petty things like onions or garlic.

Lin Ting understood her fear. After all, she was only 18. “Everyone sees things differently. I can only share my view. If it were me, I wouldn’t even consider someone like him.”

Danier paused her sewing. “Why?”

Huo Furong also looked confused.

Lin Ting explained, “He has eight older sisters, and he’s the only son. That alone proves his family favors boys over girls.”

Danier hesitated. “But… people will laugh at me if I don’t have a son.”

Lin Ting wasn’t surprised by this mindset. She calmly asked, “What if you marry him and only have daughters? Are you willing to have eight or ten children?”

Danier didn’t want that. “I shouldn’t be that unlucky, right? My mother had three sons.”

Lin Ting smirked. “Whether a baby is a boy or girl depends on the father.”

Huo Furong and Danier widened their eyes. “How? Babies grow in a woman’s belly!”

Lin Ting briefly explained chromosomes ^[2]which determine a baby’s gender.. Seeing their shock, she added, “Even if you do have a son, remember that in traditional families, the eldest sister-in-law is often like a second mother-in-law. He has eight sisters—dealing with them might be harder than dealing with sisters-in-law.”

Danier’s face paled as she realized the situation. “Then… what should I do? My mother seems satisfied with him.”

Huo Furong was impatient. “If I have to marry, I’d rather find a man with dead parents and an existing son. I’d just be a stepmother.”

Lin Ting flicked her forehead. “Nonsense. Being a stepmother isn’t easy.”

Huo Furong rubbed her forehead and muttered, “At least there wouldn’t be in-laws to bully me or pressure to have a son. That sounds great.”

Lin Ting rolled her eyes. She saw Danier considering it and firmly said, “Don’t even think about being a stepmother unless absolutely necessary.”

Huo Furong argued, “Isn’t eldest cousin’s wife doing fine now?”

Lin Ting thought to herself that this wasn’t a choice she made. She had a kind mother-in-law and sensible stepchildren. Otherwise, no matter how good Huo Xiao was, she wouldn’t have stayed in a bad environment.

She sighed and said, “Anyway, don’t think about being a stepmother. As for the blind date, just meet him. It’s already arranged. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be different.”

Danier looked worried. “What if he isn’t?”

Lin Ting shrugged. “Then move on and find someone else.”

Danier sighed. “I’m just afraid my mother will be satisfied with him… Growing up is so troublesome. Why do we have to marry?”

Huo Furong, 17, also looked discouraged.

Lin Ting patted both of their heads. Then, as if remembering something, she opened a drawer, took out two ten-yuan notes, and handed one to each of them.

They refused. “Why give us money?”

Lin Ting ignored their protests and pressed the money into their hands. “This is for emergencies.”

Huo Furong frowned. “What do you mean?”

Lin Ting explained, “Your sister-in-law doesn’t have a job, so I can’t help much. But if your family insists on an unsuitable match, use the money to call your aunt or write her a letter. Your second and third uncles listen to her. If that fails, your eldest cousin will help.”

Danier’s eyes turned red. The ten-yuan note felt heavy in her palm.

Huo Furong also felt emotional.

After a pause, Lin Ting hesitated but finally voiced something she had been considering for days. “Have you thought about going back to school?”