Chapter 19 p2
In the current countryside, the highest work points one could earn in a day was 10. Early morning work added 2 points, and night work during the busy farming season also added 2 points. Cadres like the Brigade Leader and the Village Secretary got an extra point every day.
In their village, one work point was worth four cents. In other words, with a full 10 work points, one could earn forty cents a day. At the end of the year, the work points were converted into money, and then the money was used to buy food rations from the production team.
According to the regulations, each household’s food rations were 40% fine grain and 60% coarse grain.
No matter how hardworking the original host was, she was still a woman and not as strong as a man. She rarely got ten work points and could only do early morning work during the busy farming season. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to do night work, but there was no one to take care of the two children. She couldn’t neglect them.
Earning work points alone to support two children, the original host was in debt every year. It was only two years ago, when Wei Anmin could cut pig feed and earn one work point a day, that their life got a little better.
In previous years, she would also exchange the fine grain she got for coarse grain. This year was different. After marrying He Qiming, she would have a salary every month. She didn’t lack money now. Instead, she was worried about not being able to buy grain even if she had money. So she planned to exchange all her work points for fine grain.
“I’ll listen to you.” He Qiming listened as Ye Qingzhi explained her various plans, all for the sake of their small family. He felt warm inside and full of energy. “You should also take good care of yourself. There’s a pasture not far from the base. I’ll get some mutton then. It’s the most nourishing.”
She had heard He Qiming say last time that he could get some yarn, so she knew there was a pasture nearby.
“Are they Tibetans?” Ye Qingzhi asked curiously.
“Yes. Every family there raises cattle and sheep. The military wives in the district often trade things with them,” He Qiming nodded.
That was great. She could trade for cow’s milk or goat’s milk then. She would drink it herself too. She believed her body would recover quickly.
Just then, someone passed by Ye Qingzhi’s house and saw He Qiming wielding a hoe. They thought their eyes were playing tricks on them.
“Qingzhi, who is this?” The person stopped and looked at them in confusion.
“Third Uncle, this is Qiming, my partner.” Ye Qingzhi took out some candy from the house and gave two pieces to each of them. “Third Aunt, Fifth Aunt, have some candy. Auntie Ye introduced us. He’s from Dayangcun. We just got our certificate today.”
“I didn’t hear you were on a blind date,” Fifth Aunt said, taking the candy. She had wanted to be a matchmaker for a relative on her mother’s side. How did she get married so quickly?
Third Aunt peeked over. Broad shoulders and a narrow waist, with strong, powerful arms. He was very efficient at work. When he walked over and she saw his face, with sharp brows and star-like eyes, he was a bit more handsome than Jiancheng. No wonder they got married so quickly.
“Qiming, this is Third Uncle, Third Aunt, and Fifth Aunt,” Ye Qingzhi introduced, then said with a smile, “He’s a soldier in the army. He just got home this morning and has to go back tomorrow. Time is tight. We felt we were a good match after we met, so we got our certificate.”
Third Uncle and Third Aunt exchanged a look. “Don’t soldiers have to submit a marriage report?”
“Hello, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Fifth Aunt. My family told me about it half a month ago. I felt that Qingzhi’s situation was very suitable for me, so I submitted a marriage report in advance before I came back,” He Qiming said, standing in front of Ye Qingzhi and shaking hands with Third Uncle.
“Are you really a soldier? Are you an officer?” Third Uncle immediately asked with interest.
“I’m just an ordinary soldier. I haven’t finished the work in the fields over there. I’ll go back to work now,” He Qiming said with a smile, picking up his hoe and going to dig up the sweet potatoes on the other side.
He’s really a soldier?
The three of them looked at each other. A soldier’s qualifications were not bad. How could he have taken a fancy to a widow like Ye Qingzhi?
The few of them looked at Ye Qingzhi carefully and only then realized that her skin was fair and tender, and her features were delicate and beautiful. If you didn’t say it, you couldn’t tell she was a mother of two.
Was Ye Qingzhi this beautiful? The few of them were full of doubt.
Thinking back, when Ye Qingzhi first got married, she was indeed pretty and sweet, with a sweet voice. Otherwise, Wei Jiancheng’s mother wouldn’t have taken a fancy to her.
It was just that after Wei Jiancheng left, Ye Qingzhi had been working hard all the time. They were afraid of getting into trouble, so they didn’t interact with her much and had no impression of what she looked like.
She had probably blossomed. It was a good thing she had been working hard all the time. Otherwise, with her looks and Wei Jiancheng not at home, she would have definitely been targeted.
It was good that she had found a soldier to marry now. He could protect her, and he had a monthly salary, so he could support her two sons.
For Ye Qingzhi and her two sons to have a home was a good thing for them.
“Have you asked about his family’s situation?” After confirming that Ye Qingzhi and her sons wouldn’t be a bother to them in the future, Third Aunt’s attitude towards her became much warmer.
“He’s divorced with two children. The older one is eight, and the younger one is three. I met them yesterday. They’re both very well-behaved,” Ye Qingzhi said with a smile, not wanting to get into it with them. “Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Fifth Aunt, I still have to pack. Let’s chat again later.”
“You go on and get busy.” Fifth Aunt watched as Ye Qingzhi turned and went into the house, and couldn’t help but sigh. “If Second Sister-in-law were still alive, she definitely wouldn’t have let Jiancheng go to such a faraway place to work. If he hadn’t gone to work, Jiancheng wouldn’t have died so early, and the second branch wouldn’t have been torn apart.”
“That’s right. Hey, if Qingzhi marries into Dayangcun, won’t this house be empty?” A glint flashed in Third Aunt’s eyes.
Third Uncle glared at her. She had no sense at all. To shout it out like that, didn’t Fifth Brother’s wife also hear it?
“Yes. It’s so far from Dayangcun to our village. It’s not convenient to come over to plant and pick vegetables,” Fifth Aunt said meaningfully.
Third Uncle and Third Aunt’s eyes lit up. The private plot?
Ye Qingzhi had no idea what they were thinking. She put all the sweet potatoes in a basket, then went into the house and got a bottle of wine and two packs of cigarettes. These were all bought today. She had He Qiming carry the sweet potatoes and also took some oranges, preparing to go to the Brigade Leader to exchange for fine grain.
“Qingzhi, I was just about to look for you. I heard you…” Seeing He Qiming behind Ye Qingzhi, the Brigade Leader’s words changed to, “Is this your partner? As expected of a soldier, he looks so spirited. He’s also a fine-looking man. What are you carrying? Come in first. It’s so hot today.”
“Second Uncle, this is my partner, He Qiming, from Dayangcun. He’s a deputy regiment commander now,” Ye Qingzhi said, not hiding it from the Brigade Leader.
One, she had already gotten her certificate and was not afraid of anyone sabotaging it. Two, she was leaving tomorrow, so if she wanted to get the grain exchange done quickly, she had to use He Qiming’s identity to intimidate them a little.
Sure enough, after learning that He Qiming was a deputy regiment commander, the Brigade Leader became much more enthusiastic. When Ye Qingzhi said she wanted to exchange for fine grain, he agreed without hesitation. It was just that she wanted to use all her work points in advance. He had to discuss this with the Village Secretary before he could decide if it was possible.
“Alright, then I’ll have to trouble you with this, Second Uncle. These are the oranges from my yard. I picked them all today. Take some for Shitou and the others to eat,” Ye Qingzhi said. She looked around, found an empty basket, and poured the oranges into it. Underneath were the cigarettes and wine.
“I’ll take the oranges. Take the cigarettes and wine back,” the Brigade Leader said, his face immediately darkening when he saw the items.
“What cigarettes and wine? Aren’t these just a few oranges? Second Uncle, we have something to do, so we’ll be going now. Please take care of the matter of Qingzhi’s work points for grain exchange,” He Qiming said with a smile, pulling Ye Qingzhi away.
When they got home, the two children were just coming back from picking vegetables. Seeing He Qiming, they immediately ran over happily.
“Mama, Uncle He.”
“Uncle He, when did you get back?” Wei Anjie asked excitedly, hugging He Qiming’s leg.
“This morning. Come on, let’s go home and pack up, change our clothes, and I’ll take you to your grandparents’ house for dinner.” He Qiming picked up Wei Anjie in one arm, held Wei Anmin’s hand with the other, and looked back from time to time to see if Ye Qingzhi was keeping up.
Looking at the harmonious and happy family of four, many villagers couldn’t help but feel a little dazed.
“Qingzhi has found a good man. She won’t have to work so hard in the future,” Auntie Lin whispered to Old Mrs. Li beside her.
“They’ll still be living apart. Don’t forget, He Qiming is a soldier. He’s not at home for many days in a year,” Big Sister Wang pouted. What’s the point of having a salary if the man is not around? There’s still no one to take care of her.
Auntie Lin thought about it and agreed. She heard that He Qiming was going back to the base tomorrow. Ye Qingzhi would be alone again, and this time she would have to take care of four children. Looking at it this way, this marriage wasn’t so good after all.
“There are pros and cons to everything. If Qingzhi marries him, she’ll have someone to protect her in the future. No one will dare to bully her and her sons anymore. And she’ll have living expenses every month, so she won’t have to work so hard like before. Isn’t that a good life?” Old Mrs. Li felt they were ungrateful. There was no such thing as a perfect life.
Ye Qingzhi didn’t care what they said behind her back. Anyway, she couldn’t hear it.
It was hot. The two children bathed in the yard, changed their clothes, and then went to Dayangcun for dinner with He Qiming and Ye Qingzhi.
They all carried something. They would move a little first. In the evening, they would borrow a flatbed cart from someone and probably be done after two more trips.
“Qingzhi, are you moving out already?” Big Sister Li called out from a distance when she saw Ye Qingzhi.
“Not yet. We’re going to Qiming’s house for lunch,” Ye Qingzhi said with a shy smile.
Looking at their receding figures, everyone sighed with emotion again.
When they arrived at Dayangcun and passed a fork in the road, Ye Qingzhi saw a man pacing back and forth under the hot sun, muttering to himself. She couldn’t help but frown and pull her children away from him, also telling He Qiming not to get too close.
He Qiming looked up. Oh, He Yongyao. Hearing Ye Qingzhi’s words, his lips curved into a slight smile.
“It’s fine. He’s from our village. He probably ran into some trouble,” He Qiming said, even smiling and greeting him. “Brother Yongyao, what are you doing sunbathing here?”
He Yongyao looked up at the sound of his voice. Seeing Ye Qingzhi and her children standing next to He Qiming, it was like a bolt from the blue. She’s even brought her children to his door. Are they really getting together? Does he still have a chance?
He Qiming didn’t wait for him to come to his senses. He took a few candies from his pocket, counted them—there were five—and gave the extra ones to him as a consolation for his broken heart.
“Brother Yongyao, this is my wife, Ye Qingzhi. We just got our certificate today. Here, have some wedding candy. May you also be blessed with good fortune and find me a sister-in-law soon.”
He Yongyao stared blankly at the wedding candy in his hand. Wife? Got their certificate?
They just met today, and they’re already married?
“Oh my, Qiming, you got your certificate? Congratulations, congratulations!” Yongyao’s mother heard the noise from inside the house and hurried out, afraid that He Yongyao would make a mistake.
He Qiming was a soldier. Breaking up a military marriage was a jailable offense.
She looked at Ye Qingzhi. Fair skin, almond-shaped eyes and peachy cheeks, lips red without lipstick, a slender figure, and a graceful and poised demeanor. What a beautiful girl. No wonder her foolish son couldn’t forget her after just one look.
“Thank you, Yongyao’s mother. Here, have some wedding candy.” He Qiming gave Yongyao’s mother two more pieces of wedding candy, then left with Ye Qingzhi with a chuckle.
Seeing her foolish son still staring at Ye Qingzhi, Yongyao’s mother pulled him, smiled awkwardly at He Qiming, and forcefully dragged him home.
“What are you trying to do? What are you trying to do? Didn’t you hear they’ve already gotten their certificate? Do you know that Auntie Ye was the matchmaker for He Qiming? She had arranged a time, but you suddenly didn’t go, which made me and Auntie Ye not speak to each other until now. Tell me, you…” Yongyao’s mother was so angry she couldn’t speak.
He Yongyao slapped himself twice in regret, his eyes bloodshot, and said in a choked voice, “Ma, I really regret it. I regret it to death.”
Although she was angry, seeing her son slap himself like that, Yongyao’s mother started to feel sorry for him.
“What are you hitting yourself for? You can only blame it on fate. Son, don’t be sad. Ma will find you another one, someone even better than Ye Qingzhi,” Yongyao’s mother said, holding He Yongyao’s hand and comforting him.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingzhi and the others had already arrived at He Dali’s house. He Dagu and her husband were also there, as well as He Qiming’s two younger sisters and their husbands.
“Qingzhi, come quickly.” Seeing Ye Qingzhi, He Dagu waved at her with a broad smile.
Today’s meal was very rich, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat. With He Qiming’s siblings all there, it was a celebration of their marriage and also a family reunion dinner.
“Second Sister-in-law, thanks to you, our family can get together. It’s not even this lively during the New Year,” Third Sister He Xiaoxue said, linking her arm with Ye Qingzhi’s affectionately.
“Are you the third sister or the fourth sister?” Ye Qingzhi wasn’t nervous and asked gracefully.
“I’m the third, Xiaoxue. That’s the fourth sister, Xiaoyu. You’ve met the eldest brother and sister-in-law, and the fifth brother and sister-in-law. My husband and my sister’s husband went up the mountain to get vegetables. I’ll introduce you later,” He Xiaoxue said, very friendly. She even wanted to take Ye Qingzhi for a walk outside to show her around Dayangcun.
“You have your second brother. Why do you need to introduce her?” He Dagu slapped He Xiaoxue on the back and glared at her.
He Qiming wasn’t at home much. He should spend more time with Ye Qingzhi. It would be best if she got pregnant on their wedding night. That way, their marriage would be stable.
“Qiming, we still have to wait a while for dinner. We’ll take care of things here. You take Qingzhi for a walk. I’ll call you when it’s ready,” He Dagu said, pushing them out the door.
Ye Qingzhi looked at Wei Anmin—no, now it was Ye Anmin and Ye Anjie—with some worry. Seeing the two brothers playing with Yangyang and Jingyan, she quickly gave them a few instructions and then left the old house with He Qiming.