Chapter 21:

The Yu family had a good reputation in the village, and people came one after another with gifts to congratulate them.

Some even went into the kitchen to see if they could help.

When they heard that Yu Xiang’an, despite her young age, was the one cooking, praises immediately poured out: “Oh my, this smells so good! Before I came in, I thought you’d hired some professional chef. Turns out it’s your granddaughter—what a talent!”

“Just the aroma alone is incredible. It makes me want to sneak a bite.”

“How old is this girl? Is she betrothed yet?”

Those asking weren’t actually considering proposing for their sons—they knew the social gap was too wide. A city girl with a formal job wouldn’t marry a village boy unless there was some major drawback, which was another matter entirely.

Xu Xiaojuan was busy greeting people nearby, but by the end, even she seemed to give up, her smile stiff and mechanical as she followed Yang Huili’s lead.

Finally, it was time to eat. The dishes were served one by one: braised pork, steamed fish, ten-ingredient meatballs, stuffed tofu, shredded pork with wild mushrooms, steamed cloud meat, minced pork with stewed pumpkin, and finally, a tofu fish soup—eight dishes in total, most of which were prepared by Yu Xiang’an.

Seeing the spread, the Xu family’s expressions brightened.

Their daughter was marrying into a good household—her future life would be comfortable.

Once the food was served and tasted, all small talk vanished.

Even the bride and groom.

No one had time to speak, as if engaged in an unspoken competition, chopsticks darting out at top speed.

Yu Xiang’an noticed Yu Manchang’s two uncles sitting a seat away—short but sturdy, their muscular frames barely concealed by their clothes.

Yang Huili had many brothers, which was why Zhang Chahua had favored her as a daughter-in-law in the first place.

Her family lived in a remote mountainous area, where the roads were rough. It took half a day on foot to reach their village from here.

The place was poor, and many relied on the mountains for survival—half-farmers, half-hunters, given the rocky terrain.

They had brought meat and wild delicacies, and Yu Xiang’an had been eyeing them since she started cooking.

Her body was still growing, and before she had the XiXi Farm, she’d often wake up at night to nibble on a sweet potato to fill her stomach.

Now, with the farm confirmed safe, her midnight snacks had improved. Still, after trading some apples for supplies in the city, her diet was far from abundant.

This was a chance to expand her options.

Her family would stay overnight and leave before dawn. She’d ask her aunt to help broker a deal—she had no real connection with these men. In her memories, this was only the third time she’d seen them.

Soon, the dishes were emptied. Luckily, there was enough rice, or else Zhang Chahua would’ve worried people were still hungry.

This feast had to make an impression.

After eating, chatter resumed, mostly centered on the newlyweds.

But then Yu Qingshan pulled out that newspaper, and Yu Xiang’an became the focus.

“…”

Alright, really, stop praising me. I’m not that talented—this is making me nervous.

Fortunately, it was getting late, and the bride’s family and Yu Changcun’s group had to leave. The topic finally ended, much to her relief.

She pulled Yang Huili aside and explained her “colleague’s” interest in trading for wild goods—money or ration coupons were fine.

Yang Huili agreed immediately. “What do you want? Just take it as a gift for your colleague.”

“No, these things don’t grow on trees. Payment is necessary, or I won’t mediate.”

Yang Huili hesitated. “Will this cause trouble? If it risks exposing you, forget it.”

“Don’t worry, it’s just normal exchange. No one can criticize it.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Yang Huili was willing. Ration coupons were hard to come by in their area, especially fabric coupons.

“What do you want? There’s a variety of mountain goods.”

“A bit of everything, but more dried mushrooms if possible.”

“I still have some left from what they brought. Take this for now.”

Yu Xiang’an handed over money. “I didn’t bring coupons today, so this will have to do.”

“We can’t take your money!”

“It’s from my colleague. If you don’t accept it, they won’t take the goods either.”

“Then take more. A little goodwill goes a long way.”

After some back-and-forth, Yang Huili finally accepted, and they prepared for bed.

At the old house, their family had a room kept vacant for visits.

Though there was only one bed, it was large enough for Zhao Qiaoniang, Ye Qijia, Yu Xiang’an, and the two younger ones.

Yu Qingshan and Yu Xianghai made do with benches.

They needed an early night because they’d leave before dawn to return to work.

Yang Huili’s family stayed up later, lighting a lamp to record the gifts received—these would need reciprocation later.

Most villagers gave simple things like dried vegetables, though some were more generous. The most lavish gifts naturally came from Yu Qingshan, the uncle.

He gave a thermos, ensuring hot water in winter. He’d bought one for his parents before, but it no longer retained heat well, so this new one doubled as a wedding gift.

Technically, gifts should come in pairs, but a single thermos (costing over ten yuan plus coupons) was impressive enough. To balance it, he added a length of gray fabric, enough for a garment.

Only a close uncle would give so generously. Yang Huili was stunned when she saw it.

Yu Xianghai gifted a pair of red towels—expensive at over two yuan, but durable.

Ye Qijia had already given a red bridal veil earlier, a slightly flawed item she’d secured from the supply cooperative. She’d bought two pairs—one for herself, the other for gifting.

Yu Xiang’an, unmarried, wasn’t expected to give anything, but she contributed a pack of candy.

Truly a wealthy branch of the family. The next day, the bride marveled privately—how much had the uncle’s family spent altogether?

Her dowry was only thirty yuan.

But the actual cost wasn’t high. The thermos was slightly flawed, bought without coupons.

Ye Qijia had asked a colleague to yield the purchase opportunity, proving how useful it was to have someone working at the supply cooperative.

Zhang Chahua packed bags of goods for their return, but with the night journey, Yu Qingshan only took a little.

Every visit, she sent them back with supplies, saving them city expenses. Bit by bit, it added up.

On the road, Zhao Qiaoniang sighed in relief. Though exhausted from yesterday and now trekking back under moonlight, her mother-in-law hadn’t scolded her—she’d passed the test.

Yu Xiang’an eyed the eerily shadowed mountains.

No wonder Yu Qingshan and Yu Xianghai carried weapons. The woods looked downright menacing.

Wild animals leaping out wouldn’t be surprising.

She was happy, though—one bundle was hers, supposedly for a “colleague,” but really for her own pantry. Her future meals would be more varied.

Still, this journey tested one’s nerves.

Noticing her tension, Yu Qingshan chuckled. “Don’t worry. I know this path blindfolded. Nothing will happen. The commune isn’t far.”

They’d walk there, then hitch a ride back to town.

The driver left early, so they had to adapt.

The bright moon lit their way, and they reached the commune without stumbling. After a short wait, they boarded the truck.

In the back, Ye Qijia cuddled the sleeping Yu Mingjie, reminiscing about her own wedding.

She’d brought a sewing machine as dowry, while the Yu family provided a bicycle and a house, letting her manage the household.

No wonder her mother always said she’d married well.

Helping relatives occasionally was no burden—like this thermos, paid for by her father-in-law.

Such celebrations were rare. Ye Qijia knew the math.

Yu Xianghai also reflected—his cousin was now married. His own wedding felt like yesterday.

He adored his wife. Gossips whispered in his ear, but he ignored them.

Her younger brothers were still children, and her mother’s health wasn’t dire enough to quit work. Even if it worsened, selling the job would fetch a good sum.

She supported her family, as agreed before marriage. He had no issue with it.

Their mutual understanding made their life harmonious.

The naysayers were just jealous. He hoped his cousin’s marriage would be as happy.

Meanwhile, Yang Huili, up early, tidied the house and remembered Yu Xiang’an’s request.

Her brothers, about to leave, agreed readily—especially since the payment was better than the procurement station’s rates.

“How much does she want?”

If the quantity was large, they could gather more from neighbors.

Many in their area relied on wild goods, eager to trade for cash to buy staple foods.

Thus, Yu Xiang’an gained a steady, reliable source of mountain provisions.

With Yu Manchang married, Yu Qingshan turned his thoughts to his second son, already twenty-two.

Coincidentally, a letter from Yu Xiangyan arrived days later.

Reading it, Yu Qingshan sighed heavily.

His son had been smitten since middle school, stubbornly persisting despite his disinterest in academics—just to stay near his crush.

When her family fell into hardship—father exiled, mother remarried, and her sent to the countryside—he’d pulled strings to join her as an educated youth, determined to protect her.

Two years later, his persistence paid off.

The saying went, “Even the most resistant woman yields to a determined suitor.”

Now they were to marry.

As a father, his feelings were mixed.

Once, their families were mismatched. Now, the circumstances were reversed.

But his son wouldn’t turn back.

What could he do? His son was grown.

He’d prepare what he could—this was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Yu Xiangyan’s rural post wasn’t too far—five hours by train from their county, plus two transfers.

Still closer than his fourth brother’s location, which took half a day longer to reach.

If it hadn’t been for the lack of options back then, he would have preferred to send them to the Red Star Production Brigade in his rural hometown. With his grandfather and uncles there to take care of them, there would have been nothing to worry about.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know enough people to make it happen.

Now, all he could do was send some things over. Going there would require at least two days off, and if the train was delayed—which was quite common these days—it would take three. But given the current situation, taking leave this month was already out of the question.

Yu Qingshan began tallying up the family’s savings.

He had just spent a sum on gifts for Yu Manchang, leaving the household with eighty yuan. He planned to borrow some wages in advance to round it up to a hundred for his son.

Their savings should have been more substantial. Given his high rank, he earned over forty yuan a month, plus additional bonuses and allowances. But his father’s illness had drained their resources, and this eighty yuan was all they had managed to save recently.

Luckily, they still had some stored supplies.

When their eldest son got married, the family provided a house and a bicycle, along with a thirty-yuan betrothal gift. For the second son, there was no house or bicycle, so they had to compensate with more money.

It wouldn’t be fair for the two brothers’ weddings to differ too much.

Knowing that Yu Xiangyan was about to start a family, Yu Xianghai and Yu Xiang’an also decided to contribute. Yu Xianghai didn’t have many connections, but his wife, Ye Qijia, worked at the supply and marketing cooperative and could get her hands on plenty of good items. They prepared enough fabric for two new sets of clothes—a generous gift, costing over twenty yuan.

Yu Xiang’an prepared food—homemade soybean paste and canned fruit. The fruit was packed in sterilized, reused glass jars. Though the shelf life wasn’t as long as store-bought versions, it was more than enough.

She also included thoughtful little things, like red hair clips and ribbons for girls, as well as face cream and a pair of large floral pillowcases.

Combined with gifts from the Qin family, as well as contributions from his grandfather and uncles back home, the package was impressively large.

Yu Xiangyan had been keeping track of the delivery date. When it was about time, he went to the post office to check. It arrived a day later than expected, but he finally received the massive parcel.

The postage alone wasn’t cheap.

As he carried the heavy load back, villagers who saw him came over to congratulate him.

Everyone knew the two were getting married. They had even picked a spot near the educated youth settlement to build a house, which was now ready, waiting for its new occupants.

The villagers had a favorable impression of Yu Xiangyan. He was hardworking, good-looking, and skilled in cooking. Since his arrival, whenever there was a major event in the area, people would invite him to take charge of the kitchen.

Though few paid him in cash, they compensated with food, rice, flour, or eggs—never letting him leave empty-handed.

He was also generous and sociable, helping others write or read letters. Few in the village held any hostility toward this outsider.

Since he had mentioned writing home to inform his parents, everyone could guess what the package contained when they saw it.

“Here, let me help you!”

“Uncle, it’s fine. I can manage.”

“What’s inside? Have you checked yet?”

“Not yet. I don’t know.”

His close friend from the educated youth settlement, Qu Lingshan, rushed over to help him carry the package to the new house. Some curious onlookers tried to follow, but Qu Lingshan stopped them.

Finally shutting the door behind them, Qu Lingshan sighed in exhaustion.

The villagers didn’t necessarily have ill intentions—they just loved spectating and didn’t understand boundaries, which could be tiring.

Yu Xiangyan unwrapped the large parcel and immediately reached for the letters—a thick stack.

The top one was from his father, followed by letters from his elder brother and uncles. All urged him to treat the girl well, live a steady life, and write home if he faced any difficulties.

He pulled out a pair of shoe insoles first.

Half the money was in the envelope, and the other half was hidden inside the insoles.

His father had sent a hundred yuan, his grandfather five, and his maternal grandfather ten.

It was a small fortune.

With this money, he could furnish the house properly.

Currently, the house had only one room serving as a bedroom, living room, and kitchen, with a makeshift bathing area.

Before, he had been too strapped for cash to do more. Now, he could make improvements.

Building a mud-brick house wasn’t expensive, but materials and labor still cost money.

He decided to add two and a half more rooms—one for Wen Yizhen, one for their future child, and the half-room as a kitchen and bathroom.

Qu Lingshan whistled at the haul. “Your family really treats you well. Even after all this time in the countryside, they still send you so much.”

Yu Xiangyan grinned smugly. “Of course.”

Qu Lingshan rolled his eyes. “My family’s not bad either. What’s there to be proud of?”

His family was actually better off. But if he wrote home saying he was getting married… his parents probably wouldn’t send anything. Instead, they might travel all the way here to break his legs.

At that thought, he rubbed his nose.

Well, it wasn’t the same—he didn’t have a sweetheart.

After setting aside the letters and shoe insoles, Yu Xiangyan examined the rest.

His uncle had sent a bag of grain and some ration coupons. His grandmother had made two pairs of new shoes. His maternal uncle contributed two jin of sugar. His elder brother and sister-in-law provided fabric. His younger sister had prepared food and small gifts suitable for girls—proof that girls were more thoughtful. He hadn’t even considered things like hair clips before, but Wen Yizhen would surely like them.

With all this, the wedding would be decent. Under the circumstances, he wanted to give her the best he could.

When they looked back, he didn’t want too many regrets.

Of course, he also made a mental note of every contribution.

He might not have much to offer now, but he wouldn’t stay this way forever.

…

The news soon reached the other protagonist.

The female educated youth beside her looked at her with envy.

Many educated youths, unable to endure rural life, ended up marrying locals. But if it were her, she’d prefer marrying another educated youth.

Marrying a local might mean less hardship, but they still had to work the fields—after all, wasn’t that why they were sent here in the first place?

Beyond labor, the biggest hurdle was language. At first, they were practically deaf and mute, struggling to learn the local dialect just to communicate. Even then, it was limited. If a local spouse spoke too quickly, much would still be incomprehensible.

Moreover, rural and urban lifestyles differed greatly. It wasn’t just about education—many villagers neglected hygiene, skipping toothbrushing in favor of a simple rinse.

Their habits and attire were worlds apart.

Someone like Wen Ruzhen, marrying a fellow educated youth from her hometown, had it better. They understood each other, and if they ever returned to the city, they wouldn’t be separated.

Her partner, Yu Xiangyan, stood out among the educated youths—strong, skilled, and well-liked in the village. His family seemed well-off too, sending packages regularly. He was generous, often cooking special meals for her.

If the other female educated youths didn’t feel outmatched by Wen Ruzhen, they wouldn’t have given up on such a catch so easily.

But even if they tried, it likely wouldn’t have worked. Rumor had it that Yu Xiangyan had followed Wen Ruzhen here deliberately. They never stood a chance.

Wen Ruzhen remained silent throughout, only smiling when asked if she was happy.

Was she happy?

Of course she was.

The large package meant Yu Xiangyan’s family didn’t oppose their union. They knew about her family’s situation—after all, they were from the same county.

Her father and grandparents had once been respected figures. But what did that matter?

One accusation later, their family fell apart. Her grandparents passed away soon after. Her father was sent away for labor reform, her mother divorced him and remarried, and she and her brother had to flee to the countryside.

Her younger sister, still a child, had gone with their mother. Two years without contact—had her mother had another child by now?

The thought brought melancholy, but in this unfamiliar place, she had poured all her energy into keeping herself and her brother safe.

She had worried his family might disapprove of her, but he had insisted they wouldn’t. Now, it seemed he hadn’t lied.

His family’s acceptance lifted a weight off her shoulders.

Remembering how everyone had abandoned her after the incident—except Yu Xiangyan, who stayed by her side—her heart swelled with sweetness.

Surely, the days ahead would only get better.