Zhou Muyan, having returned to the Zhou residence, was seated at the table for dinner. The entire family crowded around the table, filling it completely.
The Zhou family was relatively well-off in the village. The late Old Master Zhou had previously worked for a landlord.
He was quite clever and well-liked by his employer, who often rewarded him with extra money, allowing him to accumulate considerable personal wealth.
Later, he returned to Zhoujia Village and became the village chief. After his passing, his only son, Zhou Youlin, took over the position.
Zhou Youlin was fair and just in his dealings, so the villagers respected him.
When the People’s Commune was established, he naturally became the Brigade Leader.
Seated at the head of the table were Zhou Youlin, the father, and Liu Huilan, the mother.
The couple had been married for decades and had three sons and one daughter.
The eldest, Zhou Muyang, was twenty-eight years old. He was married to Xu Xiu’e, and they had a son and a daughter. Their son, Zhou Chengdong, was ten years old, and their daughter, Zhou Xiaojing, was five.
The second son, Zhou Muhua, was twenty-five years old. He was married to Gu Yunzhi, and they currently had one son, Zhou Chengnan, who was six years old. Their second child was on the way, as Gu Yunzhi was already seven months pregnant.
The third son, Zhou Muyan, was twenty-two years old and currently single, which was a major concern for his parents.
The fourth child, Zhou Mushuang, was fifteen years old and the only daughter. She was currently attending high school in the county town.
The Zhou family’s dinner was relatively simple: a basket of Wotou, a bowl of Cha Zi Zhou for each person, a stir-fried eggplant and potato dish, and sides like Ji Cai Ge Da and fermented soybean paste.
In the village, the Zhou family’s dinner was considered quite good. At least everyone could eat until they were half-full, unlike other families who either skipped dinner or only managed to eat until they were a third or half-full.
Zhou Muyan, who had just transmigrated, was initially unaccustomed to such meals. However, he knew this was the standard of the era, and he considered himself quite fortunate.
He was aware that the mountains and forests were still pristine in this time, and he often went hunting to bring back some game to supplement the family’s diet.
In this family, Zhou Youlin and Liu Huilan treated him genuinely well, and he truly regarded them as his parents.
As for the eldest brother, Zhou Muyang, being the firstborn and having his own family, it was understandable that he had his own considerations.
The second brother, Zhou Muhua, lacked strong opinions and usually followed his wife’s lead. So far, his sister-in-law seemed like a decent person.
His youngest sister, Zhou Mushuang, had a good relationship with him, and his nephews and niece were fine as well.
But now, he had someone most important in his life—Yao Yao.
Liu Huilan noticed that her youngest son seemed in better spirits today. He felt less gloomy than before and appeared somewhat more cheerful.
She took the opportunity to bring up a topic. “Muyan, I have a girl in mind…”
Before she could finish, Zhou Muyan immediately put down his chopsticks and interrupted her, “Mom, I’ve told you before, there’s no rush regarding this matter. I have my own plans.”
Liu Huilan sighed. “But you’re already twenty-two. If you don’t find a wife soon, people will start gossiping behind your back.”
Zhou Muyan was well aware of the village aunties and their gossip. Their mouths never rested, always chattering about this family or that.
Zhou Muyan glanced at his mother. “Don’t worry, within this year, I’ll definitely find someone.”
He didn’t promise to get married within the year because Yao Yao hadn’t reached the appropriate age yet. Her introduction letter stated she was only seventeen.
Hearing his words, the entire family turned their attention to him.
Zhou Chengdong sat beside him and asked, “Uncle, are you really going to find me an aunt?”
Zhou Muyan patted his head. “Of course I am.”
Liu Huilan beamed with joy. “You said it yourself. If you don’t find a partner within this year, you’ll come with me to a matchmaking session.”
“Deal.” Zhou Muyan curled his lips, confident he would win this bet.
The eldest Zhou couple and the second Zhou couple remained silent, knowing their third brother’s marriage had long been a source of worry for Mother Zhou.
After the meal, it was Xu Xiu’e’s turn to wash the dishes. She was busy working alone in the kitchen.
Seeing Gu Yunzhi enter with her prominent belly, Xu Xiu’e leaned close and whispered, “Second sister-in-law, what kind of third sister-in-law do you think Third Brother will bring us?”
Gu Yunzhi understood perfectly—Xu Xiu’e was afraid Third Brother would marry someone formidable who might threaten her position as the eldest daughter-in-law.
Gu Yunzhi stroked her high, rounded belly and smiled. “Eldest sister-in-law, how would I know? Third Brother has a mind of his own. As long as he likes her, that’s all that matters.”
She wasn’t particularly interested in what kind of wife Third Brother would marry. Her only concern now was safely delivering the child in her womb.
Not hearing the answer she wanted, Xu Xiu’e wrinkled her nose and continued washing the dishes.
The Zhou family’s house was relatively spacious, built with a combination of mud bricks and blue bricks.
From the courtyard gate, three main rooms stood directly ahead: one occupied by Father and Mother Zhou, one by Zhou Muyan, and one by Zhou Mushuang.
On both the left and right sides, there were two wing rooms each. The left wing housed the eldest Zhou’s family, while the right wing belonged to the second Zhou’s family.
Each of these two families had two rooms, so they didn’t need to share sleeping quarters with their children.
In many village households, children slept in the same room as their parents, separated only by a curtain.
Between the main rooms and the left wing stood a kitchen, where cooking and meals usually took place.
The ability to build such a large house was due to two factors: first, Old Master Zhou had left behind considerable assets, and second, the Zhou family was hardworking and diligent in earning money, which had built their current estate.
Zhou Muyan’s room.
He took out a box from the kang cabinet. The box was exquisitely carved, clearly an item of exceptional quality.
Then, he retrieved a small key from inside his pillow and opened the box.
Inside lay stacks of cash—ten-yuan bills, five-yuan bills, one-yuan bills, ten-cent notes, twenty-cent notes, fifty-cent notes, one-cent coins, and two-cent coins.
Each denomination was neatly tied with string, totaling one thousand yuan.
Beside the money were various coupons, including Cloth Coupons, Grain Ration Coupons, and Dessert Coupons.
At the very bottom, wrapped in cotton cloth, were two Imperial Green Bracelets and two Imperial Green Necklaces of exceptional clarity and color.
This box contained all of Zhou Muyan’s current wealth. The money came from selling large game he had hunted in the mountains over the years on the black market.
Aside from occasional minor expenses when he went out, he had almost no other expenditures, allowing him to save this sum.
As for the bracelets and necklaces, he had stumbled upon them at a scrap collection station. He had returned several times afterward but never found anything similar again.
He considered these items sheer luck.
Holding his box, Zhou Muyan’s mind swirled with countless thoughts.
He was aware of how history would unfold. There were still six years until full liberalization. During this period, he needed to take good care of Yao Yao while accumulating as much capital as possible to prepare for the future.
He would do his utmost to give Yao Yao the best, ensuring she could lead a refined life comparable to modern standards.
In the main room.
Liu Huilan sat by the kang, mending clothes while talking to Zhou Youlin: “Old man, do you think our third son has taken a liking to some girl? He said something today.”
Zhou Youlin leaned against the kang cabinet, smoking. He exhaled a puff of smoke and said, “That can’t be. We’ve never seen him interact with any girls normally.”
Suddenly, Zhou Youlin recalled that during the slack farming seasons, the third son had been absent from home for a day or two. When asked where he had been upon returning, he never gave an answer. Zhou Youlin exclaimed in surprise, “Could it be a girl he met in the town or county outside?”
Liu Huilan also considered this possibility. She reached out and pushed Zhou Youlin, urging anxiously, “Go ask him quickly.”
“Alright.”
Zhou Youlin got off the kang and put on his shoes, but the next moment, he sat back down.
“Old man, why are you sitting down again? Go ask him!” Liu Huilan was frantic seeing him like this. It was late at night, and she couldn’t very well barge into her son’s room.
Zhou Youlin shook his head. “You know how stubborn the third son is. He definitely won’t tell us. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes; there’s no need to meddle so much.”
Thinking of Zhou Muyan’s temper, Liu Huilan sighed as well. In the past, the third son had been somewhat stubborn, but in recent years, he had become increasingly so.
Once he set his mind on something, not even ten oxen could pull him back.
But would a girl from the town or county even take a liking to someone from the countryside?
Although her son was handsome and educated, he was still just someone digging in the dirt—hardly comparable to those with formal jobs.
Liu Huilan’s heart was in turmoil. She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and prayed, hoping the third son would find a good girl.
“What are you mumbling about? Hurry up and sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow,” Zhou Youlin said as he lay down.
“You go ahead and sleep. I’ll finish mending this piece of clothing and then go to bed.”
The night had deepened, and everyone in the Zhoujia Village Production Brigade had drifted into dreams.