Back to my 1980s

"Yes... I mixed it."

Song Xueping lowered her head, her face turning red, a rare sight for her.

Zhao Hua chuckled inwardly, but said with feigned seriousness, "A little saltiness is good! You need to eat something salty to work, otherwise you won't have the energy."

Mr. Song frowned, but didn't dwell on it. It was just a small matter, and he only made a symbolic complaint when there were guests present.

Zhao Hua chuckled softly and changed the subject, saying, "Uncle, I have to go back this afternoon."

Upon hearing this, Song's mother swallowed the cornbread in her mouth in two gulps and hurriedly said, "Going back already? Why are you going back so soon? You've been here all this time helping with chores, you haven't even had a proper chance to go out and explore."

"I have to go back to work. I need to save as much money as possible while it's still easy to make money," Zhao Hua said with a smile. How could anyone really be willing to be idle for the rest of their life?

In the past, I had gradually developed a lazy nature by collecting work points. Later, I hung out with groups of friends, and no one dared to mess with me. I felt glamorous and thought I was living a better life than those poor farmers. I looked down on those people.

Later, those who toiled in the fields gradually saved up money. After getting married, they felt ashamed to continue farming, believing it would dishonor their dignity, and continued to idle away their time with friends.

Later, the honest man started building a new house and living a good life, but he and his friends still spent every penny of their money. He began to realize that he wanted to make money and went to big cities with his friends to look for work.

But the young men, who were used to swaggering around in the village since childhood, couldn't stand being bossed around by the foreman a few times, so they ganged up on him and beat him up.

They tried a different place, but it was pretty much the same as before, so in the end they had no choice but to go back to their hometown.

Without a degree, one cannot become an official; the skills learned on construction sites can only be used on construction sites; one is too old to join the army; one can earn more by working outside than by farming; one looks down on the meager income from farming and does not want to farm; and one cannot find a good job outside.

After a long period of procrastination, my spirit has been worn down. I've started to drift along, and I don't want to do anything anymore. I've started going out to avoid my wife's gaze. Only when I find my old friends can I avoid facing reality.

It wasn't until after his wife passed away that he frequently saw her in his dreams. He began to desperately try to get close to her and talk to her again, but he could never get close. Every time, she would hide from him. He would wake up enveloped in deep regret and silently shed tears, but it was already too late.

Thinking of this, Zhao Hua glanced at Song Xueping in a flash, but with both elders present, he didn't dare to be too presumptuous and only glanced at her before looking away.

Mother Song put down her chopsticks and said with a smile, "Money can never be earned enough, so there's no need to rush."

"Come again next time you have time. I'm not married yet, and there are still many things I need to spend money on in the future. I still need to get married, so I should save as much as I can."

Song's mother picked up a cornbread, took a bite, and nodded with a smile, saying, "That's the truth. We have a long life ahead of us; we can save up slowly, no rush." ​​Then, she curiously pressed on, "Not married yet? What year were you born?"

"I was born in 1963, the Year of the Rabbit."

"Oh, you've reached the age where you can be married. I think you're quite a catch. Hasn't your mother been arranging for you to meet some girls?" Song's mother said, picking up another piece of pickled vegetables with her chopsticks and putting it in her mouth.

A hint of unease flashed across Zhao Hua's face. He coughed twice and mumbled, "Yeah, I've made arrangements, but I'm too busy. I leave early and come home late every day. How can I have time to meet?"

Song Xueping stood to the side, her eyes downcast, peeling the cornbread, tearing off small pieces and stuffing them into her mouth.

Upon hearing this, Song's mother simply smiled and nodded, without asking any further questions.

Mr. Song, who was standing nearby, stuffed the last bite of cornbread in his hand into his mouth, stood up, clapped his hands, and said to Mrs. Song, "Hurry up and eat. After you finish, pack up the wheat and go home. It won't be good if the wheat dries out too much." He then called to Zhao Hua, "You eat yours, no need to rush."

After hearing what Song's father said, Song's mother quickly finished her meal and followed him to load the wheat.

Only Song Xueping and Zhao Hua remained. This was the first time Zhao Hua had sat down with her quietly to eat together since he came to find her.

All around was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind. The air seemed to slow down. Zhao Hua looked at Song Xueping and said in a deep voice with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work."

A hint of doubt flashed in Song Xueping's eyes. She paused for a moment, then gently brushed her hair aside with the back of her hand and said softly with a smile, "It's nothing. Things are busy at home right now, and there's not much I can do to help. Besides, cooking isn't tiring." Speaking of cooking, she looked at the plate of cucumbers and tilted her head away shyly.

Zhao Hua smiled but didn't explain. His gaze fell on her face. Although she was thin and frail, she had a delicate beauty in her eyes and brows. The more he looked at her, the more his heart fluttered. He said softly, "Have you finished your box of face cream? I'll bring you another box next time you come."

Song Xueping lowered her eyes slightly, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, and said softly, "There's still a lot left. I usually just use soap to wash my face, so I don't use much..."

Zhao Hua shifted his position slightly, smiled, and said, "How can it be the same? Use it, of course. You'll regret not using it. Tell me when you're done, and I'll buy you another one."

Upon hearing this, Song Xueping looked up and quickly glanced at Zhao Hua, a hint of embarrassment and annoyance in her eyes. She said irritably, "Who are you to me? Why should I ask you to buy it for me?"

Zhao Hua didn't care at all, and curled her lip, saying, "Aren't I your brother's friend? His sister is my sister too. What's wrong with me buying some little trinkets for my own sister?"

Song Xueping pursed her lips, puffed out her cheeks slightly, and looked at her parents, saying, "No need, there's still plenty left. It's hot now, and we sweat easily. I don't want to put that greasy stuff on me."

"What do you want? Is there anything you'd like to eat? I'll bring it to you next time."

"No, you'd better not buy me anything. Save your money and go find a girl to marry!" Song Xueping replied subtly.

It was sweltering in June, but Zhao Hua's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly chuckled awkwardly in a low voice, "Haha! Ha! That's what your mother said, not me. I didn't actually go to have a marriage proposal!"

Before Zhao Hua could finish speaking, Song Xueping had already put the chopsticks in her hand into the basket and walked towards her mother with a blank expression.

Watching Song Xueping's departing figure, Zhao Hua, who had just been shocked, couldn't help but burst into laughter. He never expected that his wife would be so... so cute when she was young... Zhao Hua didn't dare to delay and quickly got up to chase after her.

Looking at Song Xueping walking over expressionlessly, and then at Zhao Hua who followed sheepishly, Song's mother gave the two of them a suspicious look and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Song Xueping said with a smile to her mother.

Mother Song shook her head. Since her daughter wasn't going to say anything, then it was nothing. The work was almost finished, and she didn't have time to think about such nonsense.