September in Rong City in 1980 was still both stuffy and hot.
The Zeng Family in Wutong Alley was having breakfast—congee with salted chrysanthemum and a plate of fried eggs.
But not everyone could have the fried eggs.
Zeng Shuyi blocked the door with a brick, letting the wind blow into the house; otherwise, even the slightest movement would make her break out in a sweat.
When she sat down to eat, her father, Zeng Qingliang, was reading the Rong City Morning News.
He didn’t even lift his eyelids. “Don’t touch the fried eggs on the table.
They’re for your Eldest Brother.
He works during the day and has to go to Yejiao at night to study. He needs extra nutrition.”
With a swift move, Zeng Shuyi picked up the fried eggs with her chopsticks, finished them in two bites, and then ate her congee with pickles.
Zeng Qingliang kept reading the newspaper, not noticing what was happening at the table.
His brows furrowed tighter and tighter as he couldn’t help but complain, “What kind of nonsense are these newspapers writing nowadays?”
Zeng Shuyi asked, “What did they write?”
“It says the Central Committee proposed the Three-Combination Employment Policy, something about voluntarily organizing for employment, and…” Zeng Qingliang squinted to read clearly, “and combining with self-employment. They say they’re encouraging and supporting the development of the Self-Employed Economy. Isn’t this just nonsense?”
He snorted and mocked, “No matter how good it sounds, can it be better than the Iron Rice Bowl?”
Zeng Shuyi thought to herself, that’s not necessarily true.
There was someone in their neighborhood doing Self-Employed Economy.
That family used to be the poorest, but lately, she’d seen the Wang Family buying fish and meat every day, and their days had suddenly become prosperous.
But she wouldn’t say this to her father; if she did, she’d get scolded.
“These newspapers are getting less and less professional, always trying to fool people!” Zeng Qingliang sighed and glanced at his third daughter.
“I’m warning you, don’t get too close to those boys from the Wang Family. If you dare to get involved in any Self-Employed Economy, I’ll break your legs!”
Only then did he notice the plate on the table was empty. “You little brat, didn’t I tell you the fried eggs were for your Eldest Brother?”
Zeng Qingliang raised his hand to hit her, but Zeng Shuyi was already prepared and dodged back, laughing mischievously, her eyes curved into crescents.
“Dad, Eldest Brother eats them every day. Missing one day won’t make him score two points less. Look, I’ve lost weight these past two months, and I can’t sleep well at night. I need some nutrition too.”
“You don’t go to school, you don’t work, what nutrition do you need?” Zeng Qingliang took off his slipper and held it in his hand.
Zeng Shuyi hurriedly said, “Dad, I’m going on a blind date later. If you hurt me, I won’t go!”
“You—”
Zeng Qingliang was so angry he could explode.
He threw down the slipper and pointed at his third daughter.
“How did I end up with such a shameless daughter! Go, go, go, wash all the dirty clothes in the house, don’t be an eyesore in front of me!”
Zeng Shuyi glanced at the two full buckets of dirty clothes and shook her head inwardly.
There were ten people in her family, and now that the weather was hot, every day there were piles of dirty clothes.
Her Da Sao always found excuses not to wash and pushed all the chores onto her and her Er Jie.
But today, she was determined not to do it—especially after Da Sao introduced her to that kind of man.
Ever since Zeng Shuyi failed the college entrance exam, and with her Er Jie coming back to the city with her family, the family was eager to marry her off as soon as possible.
Her Da Sao enthusiastically introduced her own Tang Ge to Zeng Shuyi, saying that although he was a widower with a child, his salary was high—he was a Five-Class Fitter.
As soon as her father heard he was well-off, he immediately agreed.
But Zeng Shuyi had secretly asked around—Da Sao’s Tang Ge was no good, he was known to hit women.
So she only planned to go through the motions.
But one thing surprised Zeng Shuyi—Da Sao’s Tang Ge was extremely handsome, with a tall nose bridge, big bright eyes, and double eyelids.
When she saw the photo, Zeng Shuyi was stunned—not because she was lovestruck, but because she couldn’t figure out how Da Sao, with her small eyes and flat nose, could have such a handsome cousin.
Zeng Shuyi had no desire to be someone’s stepmother—no matter how handsome he was, it was useless.
“Why aren’t you going yet?” Zeng Qingliang urged impatiently.
“Dad, if you make me wash clothes, my hands will be soaked all day. How can they look good?” Zeng Shuyi lifted her slender fingers.
“Didn’t you say, since I didn’t get into university and don’t have a job, all I have left is being young and pretty? If I ruin my looks and that Five-Class Fitter doesn’t like me, what then?”
Zeng Qingliang was speechless once again.
The family’s housing was cramped, there were many people but few with jobs.
After the eldest son got married, he and his wife only contributed a bit to living expenses—the whole family’s spending still depended on Zeng Qingliang’s salary alone.
With the second daughter bringing her family back to the city, Zeng Qingliang felt guilty towards her, so he just wanted to marry off the third daughter as soon as possible.
The man’s family had money, and except for bringing a child, there was nothing bad. Marrying over meant living in an apartment—what a good deal!
“Enough nonsense. Your mother isn’t home today. If you don’t wash the clothes, who will?” Zeng Qingliang was about to leave for work and had no time to argue.
Just then, the door opened, and Zeng Shuyi’s Da Sao returned from the factory.
Zeng Shuyi smiled sweetly at her. “Da Sao, Mom went out today, and Er Jie and her husband went to meet classmates.
Dad just asked who would wash the clothes.
I’ve been washing them the past few days, but today I have a blind date. Could you please do it today?”
Wang Juan had just steadied herself when she saw her sister-in-law smiling and carrying over the wooden bucket. Even her father-in-law agreed to her words. “I…”
“Da Sao, it’s fine if you don’t want to wash. I’ll take them to the river instead.
But after a long time, my hands will get all swollen and wrinkled, and I’d feel embarrassed going on a blind date.” Zeng Shuyi sighed as she spoke.
Wang Juan knew her sister-in-law didn’t like her Tang Ge, but her family insisted that this marriage had to happen.
Her Tang Ge had a reputation for hitting women, so many didn’t want to marry him. His wife had died three years ago, and he was still single, making the whole family anxious.
Especially her uncle and aunt, who privately told her that if the marriage succeeded, they’d give her twenty yuan as a Matchmaker’s Fee.
Twenty yuan was more than half of Wang Juan’s monthly salary.
Usually, Wang Juan looked down on her sister-in-law and always competed with her. She was just a girl, but insisted on competing with the men.
So immature—girls are supposed to get married, how could they compare to sons?
“It’s fine, I’ll wash them. Shuyi, you just rest at home.” Wang Juan forced out a smile, gritting her teeth. Washing clothes for ten people was exhausting, and the sun was scorching, but it was just one day.
After Wang Juan left, Zeng Qingliang also went to work.
Only Zeng Shuyi was left at home.
She lay back comfortably in her room, listening to the Radio.
As for her Eldest Brother coming home and asking why there were no fried eggs, she just pretended not to hear.
On the Radio, they were also talking about the Self-Employed Economy.
With so many Zhiqing returning to the city, factories and work units couldn’t assign jobs to everyone, so they suggested people could try Self-Employed Economy.
But there were limitations—you couldn’t hire workers, and there were restrictions on what industries you could choose.
Zeng Shuyi listened intently. Her family wouldn’t let her repeat her studies, and they definitely wouldn’t spend money to help her find a job.
Even if she got into a factory, she’d only be a Temporary Worker.
Temporary Workers had low wages and it was hard to become permanent. Even after a year, Zeng Shuyi would struggle to be financially independent.
Without money, she’d always have to live at the mercy of others.
“So annoying.” Zeng Shuyi sighed deeply in frustration.
By noon, Wang Juan finally finished washing the clothes and came back.
“Shuyi, come help me hang the clothes. Hurry, we’re running out of time.” Wang Juan called out in the yard, her cheeks flushed from the sun, her back sore and aching.
From inside her room, Zeng Shuyi replied, “Okay,” but didn’t move. She waited until Da Sao had finished hanging all the clothes before opening the door and going out. “Wow, Da Sao, you’re amazing. I was just looking for my shoes, and you finished hanging everything. I really wanted to help you!”
Wang Juan: …You little brat, you’re definitely doing this on purpose!
“Anything else you need help with?” Zeng Shuyi beamed at her. She was fair-skinned and never tanned, standing in stark contrast to the yellowish, dark-skinned Wang Juan.
Wang Juan walked past her with a sour look. “No, I’m going to change clothes, and then we’ll head out.”
“Okay, I’ll listen to you.” Zeng Shuyi nodded obediently.
When Wang Juan came out, she saw Zeng Shuyi’s shirt was wrinkled and suggested she change. “What about the dress I made for you last year? Why not wear that?”
“No need, this is fine. If I spend too much time dressing up, we’ll really be late.”
Zeng Shuyi wore an ordinary floral shirt. She wasn’t looking forward to this blind date, so there was no need to put in extra effort.
Unable to convince her, Wang Juan gave up. “Then hurry up, don’t keep people waiting.”
Her family had seen her sister-in-law’s photo and all liked her.
If you asked who was the prettiest girl in their alley, it was definitely her sister-in-law. Everyone had two eyes and a mouth, but Zeng Shuyi just looked better than anyone else.
Comparing people really drove you crazy.
The family’s bicycle had been taken by Eldest Brother, so the two of them walked for half an hour to the State-Run Restaurant.
They arrived ten minutes early. Zeng Shuyi chose a seat by the window.
“Shuyi, Da Sao would never harm you. Listen to me, and smile more when you meet him.”
Wang Juan, thinking of the twenty yuan Matchmaker’s Fee, spoke gently. “My Tang Ge is a few years older than you, but older men know how to cherish their wives. Once you’re married, he’ll give you all his salary. You can buy meat whenever you want, and you won’t have to work anymore. Isn’t that great?”
Zeng Shuyi looked out the window and said quietly, “Da Sao, then why didn’t you find someone older? Look at my Eldest Brother, he’s not exactly caring—he eats for himself every day and never shares the eggs with you and your daughter.”
Wang Juan was struck at her sore spot.
Her husband only cared about work and studying.
She’d always wanted to see a movie together, but it never happened.
But she had to endure it now, suppressing her anger and forcing a smile. “Your Eldest Brother is studying. When he gets into university, I’ll have my good days too.”
“That’s true. My Eldest Brother is a bit selfish, but at least he’s not a womanizer. Just wait, when he gets into university, I’ll ride on his luck too.” Zeng Shuyi turned and smiled at her Da Sao.
It was her Eldest Brother’s third time repeating the college entrance exam. Who knew if he’d ever pass? If he kept failing, she’d clap her hands in her heart.
Seeing her sister-in-law’s smile, Wang Juan felt it was full of mockery.
Before she could say anything else, she heard a familiar “Xiao Juan,” turned around, and saw her Tang Ge, Wang Jie. She quickly stood up with a smile. “Ge, you’re here. Sit down, this is my sister-in-law, Shuyi. Shuyi, say hello.”
Zeng Shuyi didn’t move, her mind full of question marks.
The man opposite her had a fat head and big ears, pimples on his face, and his lecherous eyes kept staring at her. He looked nothing like the handsome guy in the photo!
Zeng Shuyi took out the photo and slapped it on the table without giving him any face. “Is this you?”
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