The 1960s: The Story of a Country Girl's Journey to the City

Just as dawn was breaking and the first rooster crow hadn't even landed, Lin Laosan's bamboo broom was already making a rustling sound as he swept through the yard.

He swept the yard three times, cleaning up even the grass clippings and chicken droppings at the base of the wall, revealing the dark brown soil underneath.

Su Ruyi was so busy in the room that she barely had time to rest. The enamel tea set she borrowed from her parents' home was placed on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). The tea mug was sky blue, and the rim of the cup had a small chip. She wiped it three times with warm water until it was so shiny that you could see your reflection in it.

Just after eight o'clock, Old Lady Su from the east end of the village arrived with her eldest and second daughters-in-law, each carrying a cloth bag.

The eldest daughter-in-law clutched a newly torn rag and began wiping the eight-immortal table as soon as she entered the room. The second daughter-in-law went into the kitchen to help boil water, which was bubbling and steaming on the stove.

Roasted peanuts and melon seeds were already laid out on the eight-immortal table in the main room, waiting to be served to the in-laws later.

Aunts and older women, carrying vegetable baskets and sewing kits, gradually gathered at Lin Dahai's house, and the courtyard gate soon became crowded with people. They all wanted to see the unique dowry in the village.

The roar of the tractor broke the tranquility of the rural morning. The iron wheels rolled over the frost-covered dirt road, leaving two deep ruts. Inside the truck bed were a large red coarse cloth, neatly folded blue khaki quilts, an enamel basin printed with peonies, a radio tied with a large red flower, a sewing machine, and two jars of brown sugar and a basket of peach shortbread tied with hemp rope. These were all considered the most respectable dowry at the time.

Jiang Laoshan, sitting next to the driver, had a pipe in his hand, a smile on his face, and occasionally raised his hand to greet the villagers who were watching from the roadside.

The women stood on tiptoe, pointing and talking, while the children chased after the tractor, their clear laughter mingling with the sound of the machine and drifting into the distance.

People had already gathered in front of Lin Dahai's house. When they saw the tractor arrive, they rushed forward to help unload the goods, their smiling faces reflected in the red cloth.

Fearing that Su Ruyi might slight her in-laws, Old Madam Su quickly helped her welcome the Jiang family's relatives into the house. Bao Ya only went over to greet them briefly before Old Madam Su dismissed her.

Her two aunts were busy in the kitchen, and she wanted to go and help, but they wouldn't let her touch anything.

Everyone in the courtyard was carefully examining the betrothal gifts; even the courtyard walls were crowded with people.

Bao Ya felt a bit listless. Today seemed to be about delivering betrothal gifts to her, but it also felt like it had nothing to do with her. This was the first time since she came here that she felt so invisible.

Just as she was thinking about what to do, Jiang Yuan came in from outside. Seeing Bao Ya in the yard, he pulled her to a secluded corner and whispered something in her ear.

"What did you say? Who went to your house to say that?"

"Your aunt's sister-in-law came to my house specifically to say it; only my parents were home at the time."

Bao Ya was so angry she laughed. She wondered why the eldest branch of the Lin family had been so well-behaved lately; it turned out they were waiting for her here.

"Okay, I understand. Don't worry, I will definitely bring back every penny of the betrothal gifts."

Bao Ya said angrily, "They've tried to scheme against me. We'll see if they live to see the day they get to spend it."

"No, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to let you know so you can talk to your parents and tell them how to handle it."

Jiang Yuan didn't know how to put it. The eldest branch of the Lin family was indeed acting unethically, setting their sights on their niece. He had never seen anyone so shameless.

After lunch, the Jiang family left, and everyone in the courtyard dispersed. Grandma Su and Mr. and Mrs. Lin Dahai sat on the kang (heated brick bed) with grim faces, while her two aunts sat behind her.

This morning, Jiang Yuan's mother gave them a dowry of 500 yuan. They were quite surprised, as they had never seen anyone voluntarily increase the dowry, let alone increase it by so much.

After they left, Aunt Pang came over and told the old lady what had happened, which infuriated Old Lady Su. How could the Lin family be so shameless? They had already separated from the family, yet they were still trying to take the children's dowry.

"Father, Mother, I'm taking all the betrothal gifts with me. You don't have any objections, do you?"

Bao Ya looked at Lin Dahai and Su Ruyi and said that she also wanted to see the attitude of these adoptive parents, as this would determine how she would get along with them in the future.

"No objection, of course no objection."

Lin Dahai hurriedly said that he was also blaming his older brother for becoming more and more unreliable and for doing such a thing.

"Alright, give me the money!"

"Now?"

"Yes, you want to stay?"

"No, no, I'll get it for you right away."

As she spoke, Su Ruyi ran to the inner room and rummaged through the box for a long time before finally taking out the money. It was the first time she had ever seen so much money. She had been worried about where to hide it, but now that she had handed it over to her daughter, she felt much more relieved.

"Bao Ya, they're all here, take a look."

As she spoke, Su Ruyi handed a thickly wrapped package to Bao Ya.

Bao Ya took the bag and opened it layer by layer to look inside. Just look at how many layers it was wrapped in – it made five hundred yuan look like a basketball!

Grandma Su looked at her silly daughter and sighed once again, thankfully her granddaughter wasn't like her.

"Grandma, take this back and keep it. It's my most treasured possession."

"Why"

Grandma Su readily agreed, feeling that the bride price should be given to the children to take back. Receiving so much at once, she wondered what the in-laws would think, and worried that the children's future would be difficult.

Bao Ya only took her faded handkerchief, wrapped the money up, and handed it to Old Lady Su.

The old lady's hands trembled as she took the money. She immediately turned her back and stuffed the money into her inner pocket. Bao Ya's lips twitched at the sight. Was it really a good place to hide it? Oh well, she'd just deposit the money in the bank when they got to the city.

"Alright, I'm hidden. Eldest daughter-in-law, second daughter-in-law, let's go home. You two walk on either side of me. Don't let anyone get close to me."

Old Mrs. Su gave instructions to her two daughters-in-law, and then, accompanied by two bodyguards, she walked towards the door, exuding an aura of fearlessness and determination.

After they left, Bao Ya and Lin Dahai and his wife carried everything in the yard into the house. Su Ruyi swept the peanut shells in the yard clean.

After finishing all that, just as he was about to close the gate, Old Man Lin arrived with Lin Dahe and Li Jinxiang.

"Baoya, why don't you greet your grandfather when he comes? You're about to get married, and you're still so insensible."

As soon as they met, Boss Lin started acting like an elder.

"Oh, you're almost in your grave and you still don't know any better. How could I possibly surpass you?"

He's been rejected so many times, why doesn't he learn his lesson? Today we'll teach him a lesson he won't forget.

The Lin family trio didn't pay attention to what Bao Ya said and went straight into the main room.

"Third son, your father is here, and you don't even offer him a glass of water. You're becoming more and more inconsiderate."

As Lin Laoda spoke, he reached into the winnowing basket containing peanuts and melon seeds. Bao Ya quickly grabbed the basket and put it in the next room. Li Jinxiang, who was about to rush over, also gave up the idea of ​​taking the peanuts.

Seeing her like this, Boss Lin snorted. He thought to himself, "Getting down to business is the priority."

Old Man Lin sat at the head of the octagonal table, not in a hurry to speak. He waited for Lin Laosan to pour him a cup of tea, then picked up his pipe, took a few puffs, and coughed lightly.

"Third brother, has the Jiang family sent the betrothal gifts?"

"Yes, it's here."

Lin Laosan frowned and looked at Lin Laohan with displeasure.

Today, Bao Ya's in-laws came to deliver the betrothal gifts. This morning, Gou Dan was sent to the old house to fetch Old Man Lin, but he dragged his feet and only arrived now. They don't act like elders at all. The first thing they asked about was the betrothal gifts, which made him feel very uncomfortable.