1980: I have a spiritual spring

Chapter 25 Asking for a Matchmaker

Watching the Su family aunt and niece walk away, Qiao Erhe couldn't help but take a deep breath and secretly encourage himself: "Qiao Erhe, you are a reborn person with a cheat code. So what if she's a pretty woman? Once you've achieved success, what kind of woman can't you find?"

After encouraging himself, Qiao Erhe shook his head, banishing Su Jinxiu's beautiful image from his mind, and then strode towards home.

After the Su family aunt and niece were out of Qiao Erhe's sight, Su Xiangqin said jokingly, "Our Jinxiu is really a heartthrob. Look how she's charmed that Comrade Qiao. He almost asked you for your mailing address."

Su Jinxiu quickly retorted, "Auntie, what are you saying? Comrade Qiao was just being hospitable and kindly explaining the history of Dingxiang Ancient Temple and the ancient ginkgo tree to us guests from out of town. There's nothing like what you're saying!"

Su Xiangqin laughed and said, "Your aunt is an experienced person. Do you think I can't tell whether Comrade Qiao likes you or not?"

Su Jinxiu blushed slightly at what she was being told and stamped her foot, saying, "Auntie!"

"Okay, I won't say anymore. What do you want to eat for lunch? Auntie will make it for you."

"I want to eat dried beef skin."

"No problem, then we'll have dried beef skin for lunch."

……

"Second Brother, you're back!"

"Second brother, have you found out the information?"

"Second brother, how's the information coming along?"

"..."

When Qiao Erhe returned home, before he even had a sip of water, his family, who had been waiting for news of him, surrounded him and asked him questions.

Qiao Erhe wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and replied, "I've already found out. This Xu Cuihua has a very good reputation in the village, which is consistent with the rumors I heard before. She is a rare good girl."

Huang Hongmei, somewhat skeptical, said, "Second brother, this is your eldest brother's life-long event. We can't afford any mistakes. Are you sure this news is true?"

Qiao Erhe nodded heavily and said, "I am absolutely certain that this news is true. You can help your brother find a matchmaker. First, have the matchmaker sound out the girl's side. If the girl's side is also interested, then you can arrange for your brother to meet that girl."

Qiao Dajiang said somewhat guiltily, "Second brother, we don't have much money right now. Don't we need to wait until our hens lay eggs and we can sell them before asking a matchmaker to arrange a marriage?"

"If we can wait until then, that would be the best. After all, having money in hand gives you peace of mind!"

At this point, Qiao Erhe changed the subject: "But a good girl doesn't have to worry about getting married. Maybe a matchmaker has already come to propose marriage. I think we can ask the matchmaker to sound out the girl's side first. We can't let someone else beat us to it, don't you think?"

Qiao Dajiang nodded and said, "That makes sense."

Huang Hongmei said, "In that case, I'll ask the matchmaker to go to Xujiatai and sound out the woman's family first."

Qiao Erhe chimed in, "Let's invite the matchmaker home first. We'll give the matchmaker a heads-up so that when they go to the woman's side to propose marriage, they'll have more confidence."

Huang Hongmei said, "Okay, then after lunch I will invite the matchmaker home to discuss this matter."

……

At noon, the Qiao family ate a light meal, just simple porridge with side dishes, which is how most families in the countryside eat. After lunch, Huang Hongmei took her fan and went out.

In my country, marriage has always been based on the principle of "arranged marriage by parents and matchmaker." Matchmakers have existed in my country for thousands of years, and even in later generations when marriage is more free, they are still indispensable.

There are professional matchmakers who make a living by arranging matches for others, and part-time matchmakers who act purely out of interest or for various other reasons.

The matchmaker Huang Hongmei invited was Aunt Xu from the neighboring Wangjiatai.

Aunt Xu is over fifty years old this year and is the most famous professional matchmaker in Hongshan Brigade. She has been doing matchmaking for twenty or thirty years and has helped bring together countless people in the entire Hongshan Brigade.

Half an hour later, Huang Hongmei invited Aunt Xu to her home.

After exchanging greetings, Qiao Erhe spoke first: "Aunt Xu, I believe you are already aware of our family's situation. I would like to add two points."

Aunt Xu smiled and said, "Your husband has already told me about your family's situation. Is there anything else you need to add? Just say it."

Huang Hongmei and the Qiao siblings both looked at Qiao Erhe, wondering what he wanted to add.

Qiao Erhe held up one finger and said, "First, although our current housing is a bit cramped, we plan to build a multi-story house next year. At that time, our living conditions will definitely be the most comfortable in the entire brigade or even the entire commune. Aunt Xu, you must make this clear to the woman's side."

Aunt Xu's eyes lit up: "Don't worry, I'll make things clear with the woman's side."

Huang Hongmei, Qiao Dajiang, and the others looked at each other in bewilderment upon hearing this. How come they didn't know that their family was going to build a house next year?

Qiao Erhe raised his second finger and said, "Secondly, the bride price is negotiable. As long as the woman makes a request, we will try our best to meet it."

Aunt Xu said happily, "Great, since your Qiao family is so sincere, I will do my best to help bring this marriage together."

Qiao Erhe laughed and said, "Aunt Xu, if my brother's marriage goes through, we will definitely not treat you, our great matchmaker, unfairly."

Aunt Xu smiled broadly: "No problem, no problem. Without further ado, I'll go to Xujiatai right now and sound out the woman's side."

Qiao Erhe's face was full of smiles: "Aunt Xu, then we'll wait for your good news."

"Then I'll be going now, I'll come back tonight."

"Okay, Aunt Xu, take care."

After Aunt Xu had walked away, Qiao Dajiang couldn't help but say, "Second brother, why are you talking nonsense to Aunt Xu?"

Qiao Erhe said, "Brother, I didn't say anything nonsense!"

Qiao Dajiang frowned: "You just told Aunt Xu that our family is going to build a house next year, and that it will be the most comfortable house in the whole brigade or even the whole commune. Isn't that just talking nonsense?"

Qiao Erhe said, "What I said is true. Our family is facing a housing shortage, and building a new house is an urgent matter. I will find someone to start construction next spring. We must build a beautiful building."

Huang Hongmei glanced at her second brother, fanned herself, and said, "Second brother, let me make this clear first, I'm out of money. You'll have to figure out how to build the houses yourselves."

Qiao Erhe said, "Don't worry, you don't need to spend any money. The laying hens will start laying eggs at the end of the year. With a steady stream of income, we can expand the scale of laying hen farming again. In just a few more months, when the new batch of laying hens starts laying eggs, our family won't have to worry about not having enough money to build a house."

(End of this chapter)