Yu Zhaodi glanced at Song Dashan. “Old man, what do you say?”
Song Dashan’s face darkened. His tone turned sharp. “Let him do whatever he wants. Useless thing. If he marries into someone else’s family, I’ll just pretend I never had this son.”
Song Laowu immediately chimed in, “Thank you, Dad and Mom, for your blessing.”
Song Dashan’s expression grew even uglier. “Wait. You’re really planning to marry into their family? Abandon this one?”
That was something Song Zhaohua absolutely couldn’t respond to directly. They might be biased, but parents were still parents. If he admitted to abandoning the family, the label of “unfilial” would crush him.
“Dad, I didn’t say that. You did. I’ll still support you in old age. Whatever my brothers contribute, I’ll contribute the same.”
Song Dashan snorted. “With your three or four work points a day? Marry in? Counting on you? We’d be drinking northwest wind.”
Song Laowu choked a little. Well… at the moment, he really wasn’t reliable.
But who could predict the future? “Dad, don’t look at people through a crack in the door and underestimate them. Maybe one day I’ll—”
Before he could finish, Song Laoliu burst into laughter. “Fifth Brother, it’s bad enough you’re uneducated. Why don’t you even have self-awareness?” She clutched her stomach laughing.
Song Laowu rolled his eyes. “You laugh ugly.”
Song Laoliu’s smile froze instantly. One hand on her hip, she pointed at him. “What did you say?”
The dishes were set on the table. Song Dashan slapped the table. “Enough. Eat. Anyone who keeps arguing can get out and stop eating.”
Everyone fell silent and sat down.
Yu Zhaodi glared at Song Laowu. “Where’s the girl from? Which family?”
If she found out, she planned to march over after work and scold them.
Knowing her temperament — and knowing that women’s status in this era was low — Song Laowu replied lightly, “She’s from the city. They haven’t agreed yet. I like her. But she said her family only accepts a matrilocal marriage. She won’t marry out.”
The table went silent again.
Third Brother let out a snort. “Fifth, are you dreaming?”
Now Song Laoliu took her turn to mock him. “Fifth Brother, a toad lusting after swan meat. You sure can dream big. You think you can marry a city girl? Haha!”
Song Laowu’s lips curled slightly. “If I’m a toad, then what are you? A little toad? Then what about Dad and Mom — old toads?
What does that make our whole family?
You insulted me and dragged the entire family with you. Little sister, you’re really such a good daughter to our parents.”
Song Laoliu’s eyes widened. She froze, then looked around in panic as everyone glared at her. Her heart raced and she shook her head.
“No, that’s not what I meant! I wasn’t insulting the family. I meant—”
Third Sister-in-law had never liked this younger sister-in-law. Hearing herself indirectly insulted earlier, she cut in sharply.
“Laoliu, if you don’t know how to speak, don’t speak. Otherwise it’s embarrassing. If others heard you, what would they say about the Song family? Raising a daughter who curses her own family?”
Song Laoliu bit her lip, glaring. “You—”
Yu Zhaodi frowned. “Enough. Stop fighting.
And Fifth, stop daydreaming and scaring the family. You think a city girl would fancy you? What would she want from you?”
Seeing that no one believed him, Song Laowu grew anxious. “What? None of you believe me? Fine — just wait until I succeed in marrying in. What then?”
Song Dashan was already irritated. He’d been angry all morning for nothing. Grinding his teeth, he said, “If you succeed, you succeed. What else is there to say? If you really manage it, I’ll treat it like I’ve married off a daughter.”
“Good. That’s Dad’s own words, and there are witnesses. Dad wouldn’t go back on his word, right? The head of the family said it himself — a promise once spoken can’t be chased down by four horses.
Seventh, did you hear that? Once I marry in, the room will be yours.”
Song Laoqi nodded eagerly. “Mm-hmm. I heard. Fifth Brother, I’ll testify for you.”
Aside from Song Laoqi — who desperately wanted his own room — everyone else thought Song Laowu was dreaming again, maybe a lingering effect from falling into the water before. They paid him no further attention.
Seeing their indifference, Song Zhaohua’s lips curved slightly.
He’d need to discuss this properly with Comrade Xiang Wenshan. The two of them would have to plan their future carefully.
In this era, you needed a letter of introduction to travel. They couldn’t go anywhere. They could only stay in the countryside and wait.
That afternoon, Song Zhaohua worked just enough to earn two work points, then slipped off to wander around the production team.
He had intended to walk past Xiang Wenshan and hint for her to meet him later.
But he reconsidered.
She was an educated youth sent down to build the countryside. If villagers saw them interacting too much, gossip would spread. It wouldn’t be good for her.
The people in the production team had sharp eyes and sharper ears. He had no idea how their gossip skills were so strong.
Only after night fell did he go to find her.
“Well? How did it go?”
Song Zhaohua roughly recounted what had happened that day.
Xiang Wenshan nodded. “That works. But I’m not old enough yet — I can’t register the marriage. I won’t turn eighteen until May.”
Song Zhaohua looked as if struck by lightning. “Huh?”
Then he quickly added, “It’s fine. Not many people here actually register marriages anyway. Once we hold a wedding banquet, everyone will know we’re husband and wife.”
Xiang Wenshan looked at him. “That’s not what I meant. I mean, once we have the marriage certificate, it’ll be a done deal.
“No matter what your family says after that, they won’t be able to do anything about you.”
Song Zhaohua nodded. “That’s true.
“But my dad—well—he said that if I managed to find a city girl, he’d treat it as if he were marrying off a daughter.”
Xiang Wenshan covered her mouth and laughed softly. “They’re seriously underestimating you. Just wait—they’re going to be slapped in the face.”
Song Zhaohua chuckled too. “I already made everything clear beforehand. They just didn’t believe me.
“They even acted like I was crazy.”
“It’s understandable they don’t believe you. In the brigade, if someone marries into the city—or brings home a city girl—it’s considered a huge honor.
“Oh, by the way, don’t tell anyone about us yet. I want a few days of peace and quiet. Let’s wait until the house is finished.”
“Alright.
“Let them think it’s just my fantasy. Once no one believes it anymore, I’ll announce it—guaranteed to shock them senseless.”
The corner of Xiang Wenshan’s lips slowly curved upward. “Aren’t you afraid they’ll talk? Say you married into the wife’s family and gossip behind your back?”
“Let them talk. They can curse me out loud if they want—but deep down, they’ll be jealous as hell.
“When the house is finished, they’ll probably call me shameless, saying I’m after the city people’s stuff.
“And when they see how well I’m living later on? They’ll be slapping their thighs in regret.”
“As long as you’re not afraid of what people say, I don’t mind.
“It’ll still be a few days before the house is finished.
“I’ll head back first. It’s getting late—if someone wakes up and sees me gone, they’ll start getting suspicious.”
“Alright.”