Starting with vegetable greenhouses in 1988

Chapter 237 Timely Rain (Long Chapter)

As evening fell, the last rays of the setting sun swept into the greenhouse, casting long shadows of the bamboo frames on the muddy ground.

Lin Xiaohu lowered the last straw curtain, and his work for the day was finally over.

He rubbed his aching arms as he walked down the rammed earth wall. He saw Wang Daqing coming down the rammed earth wall of the neighboring greenhouse and called out, "Brother Daqing, are you tired?"

"It's alright." Although Wang Daqing is the village chief's son, he has done a lot of farm work and is even stronger than Lin Xiaohu.

Lin Xiaohu glanced at the sky: "It's about time, let's go to greenhouse number three for lunch." Just as the two reached the dirt road, they saw Ge Qingshan waving from afar: "Xiaohu, Brother Daqing, come quick, the meeting's starting!"

Lin Xiaohu jogged a few steps and asked curiously, "What's up? What kind of meeting is it?"

Ge Qingshan replied, "Brother Li didn't say, but since Brother Jianjun is back, it's probably a good thing."

"Brother Daqing, hurry up!" Lin Xiaohu called out and ran towards greenhouse number three.

By this time, a number of people had gathered in greenhouse number three. Li Zhe was talking quietly with Chen Shougeng, while Wang Rongsheng and his son Wang Jianjun were also talking in hushed tones.

Li Zhe also invited Chen Shougeng and Zhou Qinghe to invest, but since the two were not registered residents of rural areas and did not meet the loan requirements of the rural credit cooperative, they had to find another way to obtain the funds.

Seeing that most of the people had arrived, Li Zhe took out a neatly square document from his briefcase: "Everyone, stop for a moment." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone's ears, "Our Sijiqing Vegetable Company's business license has been issued."

There was a moment of silence in the shed, then it erupted into chaos.

Zhao Tiezhu, who was sitting in the front row, suddenly sat up straight, almost knocking over the chair next to him. He leaned forward and carefully examined the "paper": "Brother, is this a business license? We have a company now?"

Zhao Tiezhu carefully took the business license, feeling like he was dreaming. He was the first person to know that Li Zhe was going to take out a loan to build vegetable greenhouses. At the time, he only thought that Li Zhe was bold and ambitious, but he never thought that Li Zhe could make such a big business.

Thinking about it now, it still seems unbelievable.

“Yes, from now on everyone will be employees of Sijiqing Company,” Li Zhe replied with a smile.

Everyone else gathered around to watch—ever since Li Zhe started talking about starting a company last winter, this had become everyone's hope.

Old Li took the business license and laughed, "Hey, it's in my name on it!"

Lin Xiaohu gave a thumbs up and praised, "Uncle Li, you're the best in our village."

After everyone had looked at the business license, Li Zhe continued, "Now that the company is established, I plan to take everyone to the credit union for loans tomorrow. I will endorse your credit in the name of the company."

The so-called credit endorsement is not a guarantee, but rather based on Li Zhe's own local reputation and good cooperative relationship with the credit union, he verbally explains to the credit union the villagers' planting ability, willingness to repay, and other information, thus providing verbal proof of the villagers' credit and increasing the credit union's trust in the villagers.

Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads and began to discuss it, some with excitement and others with some hesitation.

After Li Zhe and the others had finished speaking, he continued, "Think carefully about the loan from the credit union. Those who want a loan should come early tomorrow and get the work in the shed sorted out first. I'll take you to the credit union in the morning."

If you're unsure, go home and discuss it with your family. Don't rush; even if you miss it tomorrow, there will be other opportunities.

Lin Xiaohu immediately said, "Brother Li, count me in, I need a loan."

Old Li looked around and, seeing that his wife wasn't there, added, "I'll take out a loan too."

Zhao Tiezhu said excitedly, "Brother, I want to take out a loan too."

Wang Jianjun didn't reply. He had come back specifically to discuss the loan, but his father told him he had to go on a blind date the next day.

He thought about it and decided that he still had to focus on the blind date—after all, it was his father and aunt who arranged it, and he was of marriageable age, so the loan could wait.

He was also a little excited, wondering what the girl he was going to meet would look like.
Li Zhe didn't take a list of names, but said, "Those who want a loan just need to come early tomorrow. After we finish our work, we'll take the tractor there."

Oh, and be sure to bring the loan application documents.

"Everyone, let's go home and eat first."

……

Chenjiawan Village, Wan'an Town.

At 7 p.m., Zhang Yuzhen rode her bicycle to Chenjiawan. Chenjiawan is not far from Daying Village, only a ten-minute bike ride away.

There are two types of matchmakers among the villagers: the first type is the professional matchmaker, who treats matchmaking as a livelihood or side job, but this type of matchmaker is not common.

More often, it's through introductions from acquaintances, such as aunts or grandmothers in the village, or relatives who know each other's families. These people know each other well, are related by blood, and have a stronger foundation of trust.

Zhang Yuzhen and the siblings Wang Rongsheng and Wang Xiuying have known each other since childhood, as they are neighbors and their relationship is very close. The woman she is introducing is also no stranger; she is Zhong Lingling, the daughter of her cousin Zhang Yushan.

Zhang Yuzhen rode her bicycle to the south of Chenjiawan Village and stopped in front of a black wooden door with a crooked tree growing in front of it. It was her cousin Zhang Yushan's house. She stopped her bicycle and knocked on the door: "Knock knock..."

"Who is it?" a woman's voice came from outside.

"Shanzi, it's me." Zhang Yuzhen took out a net bag of apples and a bucket of malted milk powder from the bicycle basket.

"Squeak..." The door opened a crack, and Zhang Yushan, wearing a blue apron, saw it was her and immediately put on a smile: "Sister's here, come in quickly." She stepped aside to let her into the yard.

Zhang Yuzhen parked her bicycle and handed the net to Zhang Yushan: "This is for your family."

"Sis, you're here, why did you bring anything?"

Zhang Yuzhen stuffed the net bag into her arms, saying, "This isn't from me, it's from the Wang family."

Zhang Yushan frowned slightly: "Which Wang family?"

"Which Wang family are you talking about? Have you forgotten the marriage I talked to Lingling about last time? Wang Jianjun from Daying Village."

“Him!” Zhang Yushan took the things and called out, “Sister, come inside and warm up.”

The two entered the house one after the other. On the octagonal table were used bowls and chopsticks, and a girl in her early twenties was tidying them up. When she saw Zhang Yuzhen, she greeted her, "Auntie."

Zhang Yuzhen smiled and said, "Lingling is home, that's perfect."

A man in his forties was smoking a pipe when he saw Zhang Yuzhen come in. He tapped his pipe and greeted her slowly, "Her aunt is here. Have a seat."

"You've arrived. I've come today to arrange a marriage for your Lingling." As soon as Zhang Yuzhen spoke, Zhong Lingling's cheeks turned red. She lowered her head, making it impossible to see her expression, but her two long braids swayed.

Zhang Yuzhen sized him up and thought to herself: This boy has regular features, but he's too shy. No wonder he's twenty and still hasn't found a husband.

"Weishan, Shanzi," Zhang Yuzhen said, sitting down on the bench and getting straight to the point.
"I'm here today to find Lingling a good marriage partner. Wang Jianjun from Daying Village, that boy is two years older than Lingling. I've mentioned him to you before. He's now a purchasing manager at a restaurant in Beijing. He's very successful."

They came all the way back from Beijing today and asked me to inquire if the two children could meet tomorrow.

"Tomorrow?" Zhong Weishan leaned his pipe against the wall. "Isn't that too rushed? My Lingling works at the town's cannery. The factory just reopened yesterday. It's a proper job. How can she just take leave like that?" He glanced towards the door. His daughter was fiddling with the hem of her clothes.

Zhang Yuzhen had anticipated this explanation and quickly added, "Jianjun is a busy boy; he only comes home a few times a year. This trip was specially made time for him. If he misses this opportunity, who knows how long he'll have to wait."

“We can’t rush things like this, no matter how long we wait.” Zhong Weishan’s voice deepened. “Wang Jianjun is busy, but isn’t my Lingling busy? There’s no reason for the woman to be so eager to please.”

"Weishan, what are you saying!" Zhang Yuzhen's smile faded a little. "They meant well, otherwise they wouldn't have asked me to bring them things."

“Sincerity should be shown in the manner of sincerity.” Zhong Weishan disagreed. “If you really want to see each other, how could you not have time? Lingling is off work in three days, so we can meet on that day.”

The room fell silent instantly. Zhong Lingling kept her head down, her thoughts unreadable. Zhang Yuzhen glanced at Zhang Yushan, who remained silent with her head down, and knew that the matter was in jeopardy.

She stood up reluctantly: "Then I'll go back and talk to Jianjun, and you can discuss it again."

Zhang Yushan quickly stood up and saw her to the door. Once at the courtyard gate, Zhang Yuzhen lowered her voice and asked, "Shanzi, tell me the truth, are you unhappy with this marriage?"

The night was chilly, and Zhang Yushan shrank her neck further into her cotton-padded coat: "I heard that the Wang family has a bad reputation..."

“Hu Qin!” Zhang Yuzhen immediately interrupted her, “If your family’s reputation were truly so bad, would I have introduced you to someone? Where did you hear such nonsense?” “Aunt Weishan’s family lives not far from Daying Village. I heard that Wang Jianjun’s mother abandoned her husband and children years ago and went to the south, and some say she ran away with someone…” Zhang Yushan hesitated, “…and her reputation is bad…”

"Nonsense! His mother was a sent-down youth who went to Hong Kong because of her bad class background. How could she have abandoned her husband and children?" Zhang Yuzhen patted her chest, getting angrier as she spoke. "The Wang family is one of the best in the village. You should think about it yourselves!"

After saying that, she got on her bicycle and rode away.

The cold wind made her shiver, and she felt worried: she had made all the promises when she came, how was she going to answer Xiuying when she got back?

Ugh, what kind of situation is this?

……

The next morning, before dawn, Ge Qingshan rode his bicycle to Daying Village.

He and his wife had agreed to go to the credit union to apply for a loan today. As for his father-in-law, he planned to find an opportunity to refuse—after all, his father-in-law wasn't his biological father, and even if he were, it would be difficult to treat everyone equally.

Seeing that the Li family has started a company and their business is growing bigger and bigger, now is the perfect time to join. If you miss this opportunity, it will be difficult to join later.

Ge Qingshan rode his bicycle to the north of the village. Just as he parked the bicycle outside the shed, he saw Lin Xiaohu riding his bicycle 'whoosh' towards him, with what looked like someone sitting on the back of the bicycle.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Lin Xiaohu's mother, Zhang Yuzhen.

Ge Qingshan quickly greeted her, "Auntie, you're here too?"

"Ah, I'm here." Zhang Yuzhen responded, got off her bicycle, and hurried towards greenhouse number three.

Ge Qingshan, watching from behind, was completely bewildered. He turned to Lin Xiaohu beside him and asked, "Tiger, what's going on?"

"My mother has some private business with Aunt Wang," Lin Xiaohu said casually, as he couldn't reveal this to others.

Ge Qingshan didn't ask any more questions. He changed into some old clothes and went into the greenhouse to work.

Inside greenhouse number three.

Wang Xiuying was picking vegetables when she saw Zhang Yuzhen walk in. She wiped her hands on her apron and said, "Yuzhen, why are you here so early?" Her tone was expectant: "Did the Zhong family reply?"

Zhang Yuzhen's face looked rather grim. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "I went there last night and talked to their family. I feel... I'm afraid it won't work out."

"Why not? The girl doesn't have time? If we can't meet today, a few days later is fine. I'll have Jianjun come back."

The more agreeable Wang Xiuying was, the more uneasy Zhang Yuzhen felt. She gritted her teeth and said, "The Zhong family isn't easy to talk to, and they like to find fault. I don't think they're a good match. I'll help Jianjun find a better family to marry into."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuying knew it was probably hopeless. Without asking for the specific reason, she sighed, "It's just that the two children aren't meant to be."

Zhang Yuzhen said, "The apples and malted milk powder I gave to the Zhong family are on me. I'll send them back to you later."

Wang Xiuying was displeased: "What are you saying? We've already given it away, why are you being so calculating? If you really care, just talk to Jianjun about it later, okay? Don't bring it back, even if you do, my family won't want it."

“That works too. I’ll keep an eye on things for Jianjun and we’ll definitely find a more suitable family.” After returning home last night, Zhang Yuzhen discussed it with her husband and decided that they couldn’t continue with the marriage proposal. The Zhong family had made a mistake at this crucial moment, picking and choosing before they even met. Who knows how many problems would arise after they met?

Whether it will work out or not is another matter, and it might even affect our relationship with the Li and Wang families. Why bother?

……

8:50 a.m.

Apart from a few sales clerks, there were no customers in the lobby of the Wan'an Town Credit Union. Sun Liguo paced slowly around the lobby with his hands behind his back, his black leather shoes making a soft sound on the floor.

After the interest-free loan policy was canceled before the Lunar New Year, personal loan business at credit unions became even more difficult.

The few who come for loans are either lazy people trying to get money under the guise of spring plowing, or good-for-nothings who can't explain their purpose. A little inquiry reveals that they have no ability to repay.

In fact, it's not just their credit union; many credit unions have encountered similar situations: when there were interest-free loans in the past, many people were unwilling to take out loans, but now that there are interest rates, and the rates are not low, ordinary farmers don't even consider taking out loans.

"Put-put-put-put—" A rapid tractor sound came from afar, breaking the silence of the credit union.

Sun Liguo, with his sharp ears, immediately stopped and quickly walked to the door to look outside. A red tractor was clattering to a stop in front of the credit union, with eight or nine people crammed into the back, the leader of whom was none other than his old acquaintance, Li Zhe.

"Brother Li!" Sun Liguo's worried expression instantly vanished. He strode over to greet him and asked the people in the back of the car, "You've finally arrived. Are all these fellow villagers here to apply for loans?"

“That’s right, they’re all technicians from our vegetable greenhouse.” Li Zhe jumped out of the car, smiled, and shook his hand. “Brother Sun, we’re troubling you again this time.”

"No trouble at all, I'm just having trouble with my personal loan business." Since they were all old acquaintances, Sun Liguo didn't hide anything and warmly invited them in, "Come in quickly, let's talk in the lobby, it's cold outside."

Li Zhe turned around and shouted to the tractor, "Everyone, get off here. Director Sun invites us into the hall to warm up."

One by one, the people in the truck bed jumped out. Zhao Tiezhu and Jin Baiwan, who were not shy, went straight into the credit union. Ge Qingshan, Lin Xiaohu and Wang Daqing, who were there for the first time, had nervous and expectant expressions on their faces.

"Please come in! Please come in!" Sun Liguo warmly ushered them into the house. He knew very well that these people who followed Li Zhe to grow crops in greenhouses were all truly skilled, genuine experts in greenhouse management, and capable of repaying their loans.

Now that eight or nine high-quality customers have suddenly arrived, how could he not be happy?

Sun Liguo entered the lobby and called out to the counter, "Xiao Zhang, Xiao Zhang! Come out quickly and pour some hot water for the villagers."

Zhang Jinxue had previously done credit promotion in Daying Village, so he was familiar with this group of people and greeted them warmly: "Uncle Li, Brother Jin, Xiao Hu..."

Old Li was preoccupied with the greenhouse and wanted to finish his business as soon as possible, so he said, "Don't bother pouring water, Comrade Xiao Zhang, just process our loan directly."

"Yes, let's apply for a loan."

"We've brought all our documents. Please check if they're correct."

"Comrade Zhang, do you still remember me?"

The group started talking all at once, and the entire credit hall immediately became lively.

"Alright, everyone, one by one..." Zhang Jinxue walked to the counter, took a stack of forms from his colleague, and distributed them. "These are application forms. Everyone, please fill them out. Leave blank any words you don't know how to write, and I'll teach you in a bit..."

Wang Jianjun was also in the crowd, filling out forms while thinking.

He had been supposed to go on a blind date today, and he hadn't slept a wink last night, constantly thinking about what the other person looked like and whether they would get along... As he thought about it, he couldn't help but feel a little more excited.

Unexpectedly, his aunt told him this morning that the woman was busy with work and they couldn't meet, which made him feel a little empty inside.

"Wrong!" a voice came from the side.

Wang Jianjun turned his head and saw that it was Jin Baiwan who spoke: "Brother Jin, what's wrong?"

Jin Baiwan reminded him, "This character is written incorrectly. Don't erase it. Application forms cannot be altered. Get another one..."

Sun Liguo looked at the crowd of people filling out forms in the hall, listening to the scratching sound of pens on paper, and felt a sense of peace in his heart.

He smiled so broadly that fine lines appeared at the corners of his eyes: "Brother Li, you're a real lifesaver!" I've made the right friend.

Li Zhe laughed and said, "Brother Sun, you're being too polite. If it weren't for your help, I'd still be toiling in the fields for food."

If Sun Liguo hadn't approved the loan last year, Li Zhe wouldn't have had the funds to build the greenhouses, and he wouldn't have everything he has now.

"Hehe." Sun Liguo chuckled, recalling the scene of the two young men squatting in the credit union lobby last year. He was very glad that he had made the right choice back then...

He patted Li Zhe on the shoulder and said kindly, "Brother, don't leave at noon today, let's have a few drinks."

Li Zhe replied with a smile, "Brother Sun, I had the same idea. Let's invite Mayor Chen over for a get-together at noon."

"Hey, that's great!"

(End of this chapter)