Free Web NovelChapter 475: Chapter 475: About the Place to Live
"Did Xingye tell you that he plans to stay in Jing City in the future?" Li Hongying asked the most important question.
"Yes, he did. Of course, we agreed. Staying in Jing City is a thousand times better than going back to our small county town." Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying were open-minded elders, without the idea of keeping the children close to them.
"Previously, Xingye didn’t have anything secured, no good job, just lived in the village, doing the same fieldwork as us. I never thought he could marry a city girl." Huang Kaiying said earnestly.
"But the boy proved himself by getting into such a good school. Honestly, back then, I felt that no family’s daughter was good enough for my Xingye and was thinking he might find a classmate from the same school during his studies."
"Turns out, he was so slow in finding someone, worrying us to death. But when he did, it stunned us—he found such a great one."
"Anyway, we’ve made up our minds. As long as the two kids like each other and live hand in hand, we won’t interfere if we can avoid it." Huang Kaiying concluded. "If they need help with taking care of kids, I’ll definitely lend a hand. Financially, I’ll be fair, and, regarding the bride price, Xingye will certainly have to give a bit more. I’ve discussed it with the kids and daughters-in-law, and they have no objections."
"After all, this time, it’s all about pride in getting married. Can’t let it look shabby, and they all understand that." Huang Kaiying brought most of the family’s savings on this trip, of course, in the form of the savings book.
"Moreover, us old couple will continue living in the village. We are still strong now, so the elder sons will receive more in terms of both money and help due to proximity. So, this time, we’ve prepared this amount for Xingye’s bride price, Hongying, do you think it’s good enough?" Huang Kaiying gestured a six, meaning six hundred yuan, which was among the top tier in the vast Huaixi County.
"Yes, it’s good enough." Li Hongying nodded in agreement, also knowing that Ding Xiaoding and the family really valued this occasion.
"Sigh, what I’m worried about now is that those two kids won’t have a place to live in Jing City in the future." Huang Kaiying sighed helplessly. "Though we have some savings at home, it’s impossible to buy a house in Jing City."
Huang Kaiying asked Li Hongying how much their house in Jing City cost. When she heard, it shocked her, as ordinary families couldn’t afford that.
"Thinking that they’re both of marrying age, getting married quickly is best. But getting married without a place to stay isn’t viable. They can’t just live with the girl’s family; it would be uncomfortable." Huang Kaiying commented.
"After thinking it over with the child’s father, we’ve decided it’s better to first rent a place." Huang Kaiying resolved, "Just for a few years, rent for a few years—when Xingye graduates and works, he’ll surely get a staff-allocated house."
"We can afford the rent for those years." Huang Kaiying said, "Though it’s a bit of a grievance for the girl, I just hope her family doesn’t look down on us. It would be sad if they verbally criticize her just because she chose Xingye."
Though Huang Kaiying was straightforward in temperament, she wasn’t foolish and had been worrying about this issue all the way to Jing City. A girl marrying well can walk with pride when visiting her family, whereas marrying poorly can lead to familial disdain, which isn’t uncommon.
Ding Xiaoding sighed as well. Despite being the team leader of the Dingping Production Team with some face in Tongxian Commune, he understood fully that, compared to Jing City, he was insignificant.
"Roujing said Xingye has been to the girl’s house. Her family seemed very nice. Otherwise, they wouldn’t agree to let Xingye date her, right? Team leader, Kaiying, don’t overthink it." Li Hongying remarked, "Let’s eat first, let’s eat. We’ve had a tiring journey. Eat well and sleep well; tomorrow, we’ll be energetic to meet them."
"Yes, yes, that’s the right thinking." Huang Kaiying nodded, knowing that they were called to Jing City to discuss the wedding date, indicating that things were almost settled.
On January 2, 1979, Ding Xiaoding, Huang Kaiying, and Ding Xingye, along with Ding Weihuo, Li Hongying, and Yi Roujing, hosted the Shu family in Beiluo Lane. Shu Yujie’s parents and her second brother, Shu Yuxiang, were all present.
Ding Anguo and his family went to Baiqian Village, as there were too many people today. It was inconvenient, so they, with Baozi, went to accompany Xu Zongyin.
Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying felt somewhat reserved and were embarrassed to directly address their in-laws, so they warmly referred to them as Yujie’s dad and mom.
Mr. Shu and Mrs. Shu were somewhat satisfied upon meeting Ding Xingye’s parents. They were better than expected—some families, upon encountering well-off ones, rush into close ties, relentlessly bringing up money and jobs with ulterior motives, overly opportunistic. They had encountered such people before. However, Ding Xingye’s parents were not like that; after a few conversations, it was evident that they were reasonable and sensible people, no wonder they raised a university student.
"No wonder Xingye has such a good nature; it seems he inherited it from his parents." Mrs. Shu liked Huang Kaiying’s temperament, which was quite similar to her daughter’s, Shu Yujie, forthright and straightforward. She thought the future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could get along well.
Ding Xiaoding and Mr. Shu discussed more broader topics, asking about the Dingping Production Team’s yields and management difficulties. Ding Xiaoding was extremely familiar with the team and spoke confidently, leaving Mr. Shu respecting him as a team leader who cares for people’s welfare, making it fitting for his daughter to marry into such a family.
Shu Yujie and Ding Xingye followed Yi Roujing to help Li Hongying. Throughout, Ding Xingye did the most work. Mrs. Shu, passing by the kitchen on her way to the restroom, noticed this, and her favor for her future son-in-law grew even more.
Huang Kaiying had no outdated notion that a household’s chores should solely be women’s responsibility, and she was happy to see her son being proficient in them.
"Our Xingye is skilled in housework and can cook meals. Even if the young couple lives alone, I’m not worried." Huang Kaiying was pleased with how Ding Xingye and Shu Yujie cooperated in doing chores. Though today was the first time meeting the girl, her graceful greetings, respect, and lovely demeanor left Huang Kaiying thoroughly satisfied.
Mrs. Shu was a bit surprised hearing Huang Kaiying’s words. They had planned to let the young couple live in the house under the mother-in-law’s name, but they had just decided on it yesterday, and even their daughter, Shu Yujie, hadn’t been informed. Logically, Huang Kaiying couldn’t have known about it. So, what’s the meaning behind her words now?
Feeling the moment was right, Huang Kaiying revealed their intentions.
"Xingye’s elder brothers have been allocated shares in the village houses. Xingye and his wife won’t be returning to live there, so we plan to sell his share to his two brothers. After the children get married, they’ll rent a place first. Buying a house is beyond our means, but renting is doable."
"Just feel sorry for Yujie." Huang Kaiying apologized, "Once Xingye starts working and gets allocated a house, living arrangements will be more comfortable."
