"How many years can you keep your breasts for such an old age? The conditions at home were not good before. Besides, I gave birth to several of you because of my unsatisfactory stomach, but I didn't even give birth to a grandson for the old Chen family. There are rumors that I gave birth to a 'seven fairies'..."
Wu Chunmei's eyes turned red as she spoke.
Because of this incident, she always felt that she was sorry for the Chen family and caused Chen Mancang to become extinct. Therefore, the couple could not hold their heads high in front of Mrs. Chen and Chen Mancang.
Chen Lishu was helpless: "Mom, haven't all the propaganda people from above told me that boys and girls are the same. Women also hold up half of the sky."
The tears in Wu Chunmei's eyes fell silently: "How can it be the same? They say that raising children can prevent old age. You will get married sooner or later. What will your father and I do when we get old?"
Chen Lishu: "I will provide for you and my dad in old age."
Chen Liyuan raised her head: "I don't want to get married, I also want to provide for my parents in their old age."
Wu Chunmei didn't take it seriously: "You are just talking like a child. How can a girl not get married? A married daughter throws water on her. Your father and I will have an unfair reputation if we go to any family."
"Mom, have you ever thought about how your father and I are so flattering to my grandma and my uncle that their attitude towards you has changed a little? In fact, you know it in your heart. Not only has it not changed, but they have intensified it.
Right? Instead of thinking about pleasing others, it’s better to think about how to live a good life for yourself.”
Chen Lishu glanced at the younger sisters below. In her previous life, the fifth child, Chen Liru, was the one who married her. Moreover, the couple lived a good life and were very filial.
Thinking of this, Chen Lishu persuaded: "Mom, if you and my dad don't feel comfortable living in either house in the future, why not choose a suitable son-in-law among several sisters. If the family's conditions are good, don't worry about finding a son-in-law.
What a lovely uncle."
Wu Chunmei stopped crying after hearing Chen Lishu's words. She really started to think about it seriously.
She is already forty years old this year. It should be impossible for her to think about having a baby again. It would be a good idea to recruit a son-in-law.
In the past, they had always thought about giving birth on their own, and the couple had never considered this matter at all. Now, the more they think about it, the more they think it is feasible.
When Chen Lishu saw her expression, she had listened to what she said. Seeing that it was getting dark, she stood up and left without sitting much.
Not long after she left, Chen Manyun came in from outside with his head hanging down.
"What's going on?"
Wu Chunmei asked with concern. In fact, she knew even without asking, she must have been scolded by Mrs. Chen over there again.
Chen Mandun glanced at the few children who were already on the kang and squinting, and sighed: "What else can we do? Our mother still wants money."
If you don't give me money, you will keep scolding me for whatever is unpleasant. You have to give me rabbits and pheasants as usual.
When Wu Chunmei heard what he said, she felt guilty again. She had not given birth to a son for his father, so her mother-in-law wanted money to help the eldest family. She always thought that whatever money they earned belonged to the eldest grandson of the old Chen family.
Chen Manyun took off his shoes and got on the kang.
"Lishu came back earlier."
Thinking of Chen Lishu's words, Wu Chunmei repeated her words.
When Chen Mandun heard Wu Chunmei's words, he lay on the kang and stared at the beams, thinking to himself for a long time.
"The party secretary of the Leap Forward Brigade not far from us seems to have three daughters in his family. The family is in good condition, and families with more sons are rushing to get married. Well, their family now has two grandchildren. It's a prosperous life."
Wu Chunmei was moved. She couldn't help but give examples in his ear.
After listening to this, Chen Mandun felt that recruiting a bride was really a good idea. In the past, he felt that girls were living a life without success. They even felt that they were inferior to others in the village.
This time, when I thought that I could recruit my uncle back, a fire seemed to be burning in my heart.
"You can't attract a golden phoenix without a sycamore tree. Let's work harder and build the house as soon as possible. I'll have a good talk with my mother on the other side."
…
Chen Lishu returned home, sat at the table, took out the letter paper and began to write a letter to Gu Xingdong seriously.
Xingdong:
It’s been more than half a month since we last saw each other, and I miss you so much. You must be very busy in the army, right? Your body is the capital of revolution. You must pay attention to your health and take care of yourself.
Everything is fine at home, don't worry about it.
Waiting for your reply.
Congratulations!
Wife: Chen Lishu
After Chen Lishu finished writing the letter, she thought that when Gu Xingdong came back last time, she seemed to like the mushroom stir-fried pork she made. Now that the weather is getting hotter, Chen Lishu decided to make some mushroom meat sauce that is easy to store and mail it to Gu Xingdong.
Chen Lishu told Li Xiulan her plan early the next morning. Li Xiulan agreed very much. Zhang Qin also agreed to help pick some mushrooms.
After work that day, the three women actually picked most of the basket of mushrooms. Chen Lishu went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy two kilograms of meat.
"I saw you coming to buy meat. Where did your family get the money?"
As luck would have it, when I entered the store today, I happened to see Widow Liu coming to buy something.
Chen Lishu immediately sneered: "Aunt Liu is really lenient."
"A total of two kilograms."
The saleswoman is the daughter of the village party secretary, named Zhang Xiaoju. She is the same age as Chen Lishu, and they were classmates. Zhang Xiaoju is a kind-hearted person, with a round face and smiling eyes. She has a good relationship with Chen Lishu.
Zhang Xiaoju handed the weighed meat to Chen Lishu across the counter.
Chen Lishu handed her the one dollar and fifty cents in her hand.
When Widow Liu saw that she paid in cash, her eyes immediately widened.
Most people at this time had no money. They usually came to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things on credit. They only waited for the production team to pay them at the end of the year before coming to the supply and marketing cooperative to settle the accounts.
In some households, the labor force is small and many people work in the production team to eat. It is very likely that the production team will be asked for money throughout the year.
She, Chen Lishu, not only bought meat at every turn, but also paid in cash. Widow Liu's small mouse eyes immediately turned with malicious intent.
"I saw that you ran into town in the dark, and you might have done something shameful. Otherwise, how would you explain that you eat meat every day!"
Seeing someone coming in to buy something again, Widow Liu started shouting loudly.
Apparently she only bought it a few times, but it ended up being a daily meal in her mouth.
"I think I saw her come to buy meat twice." A woman who came in to buy matches and kerosene whispered to another woman who came with her.
"We can't eat meat twice a year. I'm afraid the supply and marketing cooperative has to wrap up all the meat."
Seeing everyone staring at Chen Lishu, Zhang Xiaoju smiled and helped her out: "What do you aunts want to buy?"
The two women were indeed diverted.
Widow Liu was the only one who refused to give up: "The third eldest child of the Gu family has been away all year round, and the only one left is you, the young and beautiful daughter-in-law. Don't hook up with anyone, just use the dirty money to buy meat and eat it?"
"Aunt Liu, you are so funny." Chen Lishu laughed angrily at her: "I am not clean, do you have any real evidence? Are you going to join the Public Security Bureau by spreading rumors and slandering others at will?"