As a cultural export used by local governments to promote social righteousness.
Errenzhuan reached its peak in status and artistic level during the 1960s.①
Although the performance themes revolved around educational and inspirational subjects, they were not without wit and humor.
Lin Ting had never paid much attention to this art form before, but despite her extreme sensitivity to cold, she actually managed to sit through the entire outdoor performance.
When it ended, she even felt somewhat reluctant to leave.
As a native of the area, Huo Xiao was no stranger to Errenzhuan, but seeing his wife’s sparkling eyes, he asked: “Do you like it?”
This was completely different from the fragmented understanding Lin Ting had gained from later generations. She nodded sincerely: “I quite like it.”
Huo Xiao: “Their performance troupe rotates through villages one by one. Tomorrow it’s Shengli Brigade’s turn. Would you like to go?”
Lin Ting hesitated: “Is it a new story?”
Huo Xiao shook his head: “It should be the same as today’s.”
Lin Ting: “Then never mind.” It’s too cold.
Hearing this, Huo Xiao didn’t say anything more. He bent down, threaded the carrying pole through the ropes on the baskets, lifted the children, and silently walked beside his wife.
Watching this, Hu Xiu, who had remained silent nearby, felt like kicking her son to vent her frustration. If Tingting didn’t want to watch Errenzhuan, couldn’t he take her shopping in the county town instead?
How utterly clueless!!!
Fortunately, Huo Xiao wasn’t completely without plans.
Indeed, upon returning home, before his mother could scold him, he proposed going into the mountains.
With only four or five days total to spend at home, he actually wasn’t sticking to his newlywed wife. Hu Xiu indicated that at this moment, she was no longer the loving mother who had long missed her son. She glanced at him sideways: “Now? It’s snowing?”
Huo Xiao could sense his mother’s displeasure but thought she was just worried about him getting cold: “The snow isn’t heavy. I’ve arranged to go with Da Hai and Da Zhu—I’m not going alone. Don’t worry.”
Hu Xiu… Who’s worried about you?: “Does it have to be today?”
Huo Xiao glanced at his wife, who was removing the thick coats from the Dragon and Phoenix Twins, his eyes softening: “Yes. On the second day of the new year, I have to accompany Lin Ting back to her parents’ home. I was thinking of hunting something in the mountains.”
Although the weather was cold and they could probably only bag rabbits or roe deer at most, combined with the quality goods he had brought back from Rongcheng, it would definitely make a respectable presentation.
Hearing this, Hu Xiu immediately beamed: “That makes sense, that makes perfect sense. You’re so thoughtful.”
On the other hand, Lin Ting, who had remained silent until now, frowned: “Mom has already prepared everything for the visit to my parents’ home. There’s no need to go into the mountains—it’s too dangerous.”
But Huo Xiao had his own resolve: “It’s fine. We usually train in the deep mountains during drills anyway, and Da Hai will bring his hunting rifle.” His wife had endured considerable gossip because of him, and he wanted to compensate her as much as possible.
Hu Xiu chimed in: “Yes, Xiao has been hunting in the mountains since he was a teenager. Don’t worry, Tingting.”
With things put this way, Lin Ting naturally couldn’t insist further.
Still, when seeing him off, she couldn’t help but add: “Safety first. The game doesn’t matter. We’ll be waiting for you to come back for the reunion dinner.”
Huo Xiao looked down at her from outside the door: “Yes, I’ll be back before five.”
With these words, he took one deep look at his wife before turning and striding away.
His heart fluttered with excitement.
He thought, the Brigade Commander was right—his wife must like him!
Next time… next time he might try calling her ‘Tingting’.
Lin Ting had no idea that her few words of concern had been infinitely overinterpreted by her nominal husband.
She bolted the door and turned to look at her beaming mother-in-law, asking in confusion, “What’s got you so happy?”
Of course, it was because her son had finally come around!
A mother knows her own child. If that rascal hadn’t developed feelings for his wife, he would never have taken the initiative like this.
Truth be told, before her son returned, Hu Xiu had her worries.
After all, he hadn’t been in any hurry to get married before.
If she hadn’t given him an ultimatum, who knows how long it would have taken.
But Hu Xiu was even more aware that she was the one who had chosen her daughter-in-law, and there had been no affection between the young couple from the start.
Though such arrangements were common in their society, she and her late husband had shared a deep bond, so she naturally hoped her children would have a loving relationship too.
Now, seeing how fond her son was of his wife, how could she not be overjoyed?
At this thought, Hu Xiu grew excited again: “You go play with Guo Guo and Miao Miao. I’ll go check the gifts for your parents again.”
She wanted to add a few more items. Since this was her son’s first visit to his in-laws as their new son-in-law, she knew many people would likely drop by to see the newlyweds. She had to make sure her daughter-in-law would be thoroughly respected in every way.
Lin Ting…
Was she planning to move the entire house?
Lin Ting was both touched and somewhat amused.
But she could tell her mother-in-law was genuinely happy, so she didn’t say anything to dampen her spirits. Instead, she turned and went over to the children.
Three-year-olds are bundles of endless energy.
Indeed, even after playing wildly outside for two or three hours, they showed no signs of fatigue.
As soon as they entered the room, Guo Guo climbed back onto his little rocking horse, gleefully shouting “Giddy up!” as he rocked, utterly thrilled.
Meanwhile, little Miao Miao was relatively quieter, standing on a small stool by the window and picking at the frost patterns on the glass with her tiny hands.
Lin Ting pulled a handkerchief from her pocket, took the chubby little hand down, and wiped away the moisture while scolding gently, “Aren’t you cold? You could catch a chill like this, and then you’d have to take yucky medicine!”
Remembering the bitter taste of medicine, Miao Miao, who had been about to reach for the frost with her other hand, immediately scrunched up her little face in fear: “No yucky medicine!”
Seeing this, Lin Ting felt no guilt for frightening the child. Suppressing a laugh, she finished drying the little one’s hands and lifted her down from the stool.
Just as she was about to take the children to draw, she caught a glimpse of a distant figure through the window out of the corner of her eye.
She peered more closely, then called out toward the west room where her mother-in-law had gone: “Mom, Auntie is here.”
“Didn’t we just part ways?” Hu Xiu responded as she walked out.
Lin Ting was sliding the door bolt and, without turning around, replied: “She must have something urgent—she came running.”
Hearing this, Hu Xiu paused for a moment, then hurried to the door.
Chen Guilan had run all the way over. When she saw her sister-in-law, the smile already on her face widened, and she panted breathlessly, “Sis… huff… Erwang’s wife is matchmaking for my Dani… huff… I was thinking of asking my nephew to come take a look and give his opinion.”
Hu Xiu was puzzled: “Come in and catch your breath first. Why would Erwang’s wife be matchmaking for Dani?”
Erwang was a village lad, but his relatives had connections, so he’d joined the county transport team early as a driver, making him one of the most admired young men in the village after Huo Xiao.
Because he now earned a city income, he eventually married a girl from the county town, who worked at the textile factory.
In Hu Xiu’s memory, that young wife rarely visited the village. On the rare occasions she did, she often looked down her nose at everyone. Would she really be kind enough to arrange a match for Dani?
Chen Guilan stepped through the door, scraping the muddy snow from her feet with a bamboo strip while cheerfully declaring, “What’s the big deal? My Da Nier is pretty, steady-natured, and even finished junior high. It’s only natural she’d catch the eye of someone from the county town.”
Though she said this, the thought that the young man’s father was a workshop director at the textile factory made Chen Guilan unable to contain her joy. If she could secure a son-in-law from the city, she’d feel light enough to float two ounces lighter.
“But Da Nier is only 17, isn’t she?” Isn’t that too young for matchmaking?
Lin Ting had met Da Nier several times—a diligent girl who took after her mother in looks, petite and delicate, though somewhat shy. She’d always blush and avoid eye contact when speaking.
While it was common in these times for seventeen- or eighteen-year-olds to be introduced for marriage, witnessing it happening right before her eyes made Lin Ting somewhat uncomfortable.
Chen Guilan was completely immersed in the joy of potentially gaining a city son-in-law. Hearing this, she waved it off unconcernedly, “What’s the problem? A matchmaking meeting doesn’t mean immediate marriage. It’ll be several months at least—by then Da Nier will be 18. What’s wrong with getting married then?”
As she spoke, her smile faded slightly when her eyes fell on her niece-in-law’s strikingly beautiful face. She added jokingly, “When Da Nier goes for the matchmaking, you’re not allowed to come along.”
Though her Da Nier wasn’t bad-looking, standing next to her niece-in-law would be no comparison at all.
At this thought, Chen Guilan turned urgently to her sister-in-law, “Where’s my eldest nephew? Hurry up and get him.”
“He went to the back hills with Zhu Zi and the others. Didn’t you know?” Hu Xiu handed her sister-in-law a handful of peanuts, gesturing for her to snack while they talked.
Chen Guilan had no mind for eating. She stuffed the peanuts in her pocket, still agitated, “That rascal Zhu Zi, of all times to…”
Hu Xiu soothed her, “What’s the rush? Why such sudden urgency? You haven’t even told me why Er Wang’s wife is making the introduction for Da Nier, or what the young man’s situation is.”
It wasn’t that she was overly suspicious, but urban household registration was highly prized these days—county town people with state-guaranteed food rations. If the young man didn’t have some major flaw, why would he be willing to marry a village girl?
Besides, her impression of Er Wang’s wife wasn’t particularly favorable.
Knowing her sister-in-law meant well, Chen Guilan patiently relayed the conditions the matchmaker had described, ending with shrewd insight, “I’m not foolish. My relationship with Er Wang’s wife has always been ordinary—her sudden approach is mostly because of my eldest nephew. Isn’t everyone gossiping about his promotion again?”
Of course, Chen Guilan clearly understood it was also because her eldest nephew was an only child. If he had a younger sister, this opportunity would never have come to her Da Nier.
Hu Xiu exchanged a glance with her daughter-in-law, “Didn’t I tell you not to spread word about Xiao’s promotion?”
Chen Guilan quickly waved her hands, “It wasn’t us! People are just guessing.”
“There are no absolute secrets in this world. Huo Xiao’s promotion must be known by many at the Commune too—it’s normal for word to get out,” Lin Ting analyzed for her mother-in-law.
“Exactly! Exactly!” Chen Guilan nodded repeatedly. She feared no one in her life except her sister-in-law—understandably, since her small frame had required her sister-in-law’s help during every childbirth.
Especially with their mother-in-law passing early, her sister-in-law who was nearly ten years older counted as half a mother-in-law herself. Awe of her had become almost instinctual.
Hearing her daughter-in-law’s explanation, Hu Xiu indeed didn’t press further, instead asking, “When is the matchmaking meeting?”
Chen Guilan added cheerfully, “We haven’t set a specific time yet, but I’m not foolish either. I told Erwang’s wife to postpone the meeting a bit, thinking of asking our nephew to have someone look into the man’s background. We can’t just take the matchmaker’s word for it, right? If everything checks out, how about arranging the meeting for the third day of the new year? On the second day, the nephew’s wife has to return to her parents’ home, and on the fourth day, Xiao has to go back to the Troop.”
“At least you haven’t lost your head and are acting like a proper mother… Alright, I’ll talk to Xiao when he gets back.” As she spoke, Hu Xiu seemed to recall something and reminded her sister-in-law, “Don’t go spreading this around.” If things didn’t work out, it could harm the girl Da Ni’s reputation.
Hearing this, Chen Guilan put on a shrewd expression, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I’m not stupid. What if some shameless family tries to snatch Da Ni away from us?”
She hadn’t even told the simple-minded third sister-in-law, as Meihua also has a 16-year-old daughter!
Hu Xiu… Was that what she meant?
Lin Ting…
Huo Xiao kept his word.
He returned promptly at five in the afternoon.
Lin Ting stared at the stiffened roe deer and two rabbits on the ground, feeling completely numb.
“Is hunting this easy in the mountains?” she couldn’t help but ask as she handed her husband a cup of warm water.
Huo Xiao took the mug and drained it in one gulp, immediately feeling warmth spread through his entire body. “It wasn’t easy hunting. I mainly borrowed hunting dogs from Uncle Da Gen… Uncle Da Gen is the village hunter.”
Of course, he didn’t mention that he had taken the lion’s share of the game, while Da Hai and Da Zhu only got one rabbit each.
Lin Ting didn’t understand these matters, so she stopped asking after getting his explanation. Instead, she poured hot water from the thermos into a basin and called out, “Come soak your hands. Earlier I thought I was touching ice cubes.”
Hearing this, Huo Xiao froze, his numb fingers suddenly feeling as if they were burning.
Earlier… Ting Ting had touched his hand?
“What are you spacing out for? The water will get cold soon. Also, change your shoes. I’ll get the foot basin for you.” Lin Ting grabbed a pair of clean, new men’s cotton shoes from where they were stored and tossed them by the Kang. Turning around, she found the man still standing there dumbly, so she simply went over, grabbed his sleeve, and pulled him toward the basin.
Before he could regain his senses, Huo Xiao stumbled forward and crashed right into his wife.
Caught off guard, Lin Ting let out a startled cry and pitched forward.
Fortunately, Huo Xiao reacted quickly. His long arm shot out, hooked around his wife’s slender waist, and pulled her back instantly.
However, he seemed to have underestimated her weight. With a dull “thump,” he pulled her tightly into his embrace.
So soft!
Ting Ting’s entire body seemed soft and supple.
“Ouch~” Lin Ting felt like her ear had scraped against a button on her husband’s chest, the pain making her gasp. Also, was this man made of iron? His whole body was hard as a board.
Huo Xiao, his mind in disarray, snapped back to reality immediately. He bent down to look at her, worried. “Did you twist your ankle?”
Lin Ting covered her ear, tears of pain welling up in her eyes. She complained, “I crashed into an iron board.”
Huo Xiao…?
Meanwhile, Hu Xiu, who had been hiding in the west room to let her son and daughter-in-law bond, hurriedly put on her shoes and climbed down from the Kang when she heard her daughter-in-law’s startled cry.
But to her surprise, as soon as she rushed out the door, she saw the two of them locked in an intimate embrace.
Hu Xiu’s heart went, “Aiyo!” Delighted, she spun around and dashed back into the room.
Perhaps she was too elated, but Hu Xiu, whose mind was filled with thoughts of soon having a grandchild, bumped into the doorframe with a “thud!”