Rebooting 60, let's go on a rampage with the orange cat!

Xiuzhi was secretly anxious. She didn't really approve of the marriage and was afraid her husband would agree to it casually, but she couldn't refuse directly. She quickly said, "Yue'e, Huai'an still has to study. She says she wants to go to university. I think this might delay Yaozu's studies. I think it would be better to help Yaozu look for other girls..."

She looked up and winked at her husband. Shi Renmei understood what she meant, so she also politely declined, saying, "Yes, Huai'an is already in the second year of junior high school. She skipped a grade, while other children are still in the second grade of elementary school. The teacher values ​​her too; she even won a provincial math award last time. I'm saying this because I think this is difficult to handle. She has her own plans. Of course, we still need to ask the children what they think. As parents, we can't force them to make the decision."

Shi Renli was taken aback and said, "Huai'an really has the makings of a scholar, it's a pity she's a girl..."

Xiuzhi smiled proudly and said, "Chairman Mao said that women hold up half the sky. Girls can find good jobs in the city just as well if they study."

Seeing that they didn't immediately agree, Wu Yue'e's smile faded slightly. She said, "In our village, the parents decide on their children's marriages; we don't need to ask their opinions. Besides, if girls study too much, they'll become wild. Knowing a few words is enough; in the end, they'll still get married and have children. She's eleven years old now; in the countryside, she would have been engaged long ago. It's not that our Yaozu can't find a wife; this is for your sake!"

"Don't you all think about it? Our Yaozu is one of the best in the village, both in looks and character. So many people want to marry into my family, but I've refused them all. If Huai'an weren't your child, I wouldn't even consider it. Think about it, Yaozu is the only boy in your Shi family. He's the one who will carry on the family line. You're the eldest uncle, so you have a responsibility to the entire family, right? Sister-in-law, don't you agree?"

Xiuzhi was a little displeased, and the perfunctory smile on her face slowly began to disappear...

Wu Yue'e said smugly, "Of course we should support our own family. We shouldn't let the good stuff go to outsiders. You've raised Huai'an with so much care, are you planning to marry her off to someone else? You only have one daughter, what if your son-in-law isn't a good person? You've watched Yaozu grow up, you know his character. Wouldn't you feel at ease if he and Huai'an took care of you in your old age and saw you off in your final days? No one else can do as well as Yaozu. Are you going to leave all the money and possessions you've saved up your whole life to outsiders? According to the customs of our hometown, girls don't have inheritance rights. All of this should be left to Yaozu. We're a family, we're definitely thinking about you and Huai'an. If they get married, this won't be a problem anymore, the money will all stay in the family, isn't that great? Don't you think that makes sense?"

Shi Renmei also hesitated. Although he felt that Wu Yue'e's words were harsh, they were not entirely unreasonable.

She only has one adopted daughter, Huai'an. If Huai'an marries into another family and becomes a daughter-in-law, how will she take care of her and Xiuzhi? What if her son-in-law is a bad person? Wu Yue'e is a bit materialistic, but Yaozu is a reliable person.

Shi Renli slowly said, "Yaozu is about to graduate from junior high school and probably won't be able to get into high school. This is what I'm thinking: if you can get engaged, Yaozu can take over your job or find a job in the city and live with you there. You'll have another son, and your son-in-law will be like half a son and your own nephew. He can take care of you in your old age in the city while we stay in the countryside. You won't have to worry about mother-in-law/daughter-in-law issues."

Seeing that they still wouldn't agree, Wu Yue'e couldn't help but sneer, "Oh dear... I'll treat this son of mine as if he were yours, you won't be at a disadvantage..."

Shi Renmei listened for a long time without speaking. Xiuzhi knew that her husband lost his principles and became confused whenever it came to his younger brother's family. She gritted her teeth and said, "No matter what, free love is in the air these days. Parents can't arrange marriages. Otherwise, they'll be criticized and lectured if it gets out. This is no joke. Since you've brought this up, let's ask Huai'an again when we get back tomorrow before making a decision. She's still young, there's no rush. We all hope she can study for a few more years. Besides, your older brother can work for a few more years. There's no rush to retire. Otherwise, if he's unemployed, will the whole family starve?"

In the 1960s, if both spouses decided to settle in the city, the spouse with a rural household registration could transfer their household registration to the city, but they would need to provide documents such as an employment certificate from the city's labor department, an admission certificate from the school, or a certificate of permission to move in from the city's household registration authority.

If Shi Yaozu wants to move to the city and get a city household registration, he needs a job offer certificate. This means that Shi Renmei has to give up her job so that he can fill in for her. Otherwise, with only a junior high school education, he can't take the factory recruitment exam. And since his family doesn't have any other connections or resources, he can only take the job-filling route!

Shi Renmei thought for a moment and quickly waved her hand, saying, "That's right, there's no rush. I earn about thirty yuan a month now. If Yaozu does it, he'll have to start from scratch and only earn a little over eighteen yuan a month. Wouldn't that be a waste of time? I haven't been in this job for fifteen years yet, so I can't retire. Besides, the policy of children taking over jobs previously only applied to employees who died or became completely disabled due to work-related injuries. Now, although children of employees who are old enough to retire can take over jobs if they have local household registration and meet the requirements, Yaozu doesn't have urban household registration and isn't a child. I'm not old enough to retire yet, so this path is not an option for now!"

(The system of having children take over their parents' jobs was discontinued in 1966, but was reinstated in 1973 to address the employment difficulties faced by educated youth returning to the cities.)

Wu Yue'e didn't understand these policies either. Now, seeing Shi Renmei's refusal, she couldn't help but get angry and said, "Let Yaozu and Huai'an get married, then Yaozu can move to the city and get a government-subsidized food ration. Once he becomes a son-in-law, he'll be treated like a child. It's just a matter of pulling some strings. Why can't it work? I think you're just making excuses and looking down on us country folk..."

Shi Renli scolded, "Don't talk nonsense. Big brother will definitely find a way. Don't spout nonsense here."

"Then let Huai'an and Yao's ancestors get engaged, and we can figure out a way later, right?" Wu Yue'e said, seemingly very tolerant.

Xiuzhi sighed and said, "We can't agree to this right away. We said we need to hear Huai'an's opinion."

"What does a little kid like her know? It's all up to you guys..." Just as Wu Yue'e's anger was about to erupt, suddenly, the courtyard gate was pushed open with a loud bang. Xiao Yan and Yao Zu walked in excitedly, each carrying a lively pheasant.

Xiaoyan, her face beaming with excitement, shouted, "Mom, come and see! An'an's kitten is amazing! It's even better than a dog! It caught two plump pheasants for us in no time!"

Yao Zu, standing to the side, was also overjoyed, gesturing excitedly as he said, "Haha, we're in for a treat! I'll go kill the chicken right now, and tonight we can have a delicious meal and enjoy some fragrant stewed chicken!"

However, Wu Yue'e was still furious and yelled at the two children, "You two are such big people, all you know how to do is eat all day long... Don't you think about anything else besides eating?" After saying that, she angrily flung her sleeves and turned to walk into the inner room.

Just then, Huai'an stepped into the yard carrying the adorable kitten Duo Duo. Seeing the adults' unfriendly expressions, the little guy was quite surprised.

Xiuzhi gently shook her head at her and whispered, "An'an, don't worry about these adult things. Come on, let's tidy up the house together. We have to catch the bus early tomorrow morning."

So, the Shi family of three arrived at the old house where they used to live. The house had been cleaned beforehand and looked fairly tidy. However, the quilt emitted a faint dampness and musty smell, clearly because it hadn't been aired out for a long time. This made Xiuzhi somewhat annoyed.

Huai'an said, "Mom, don't be angry. It's not worth getting sick from getting angry. When we close the door to sleep at night, we can take out the blankets from the space to sleep in, and then put them back in the morning. They won't find out."

Xiuzhi then smiled and said, "An'an is so considerate of us. Sigh, I really have a knack for getting along with that person. It never ends well when we meet. Old Shi, you mustn't be foolish. You absolutely mustn't agree to that."

Shi Renmei nodded and said, "Don't worry, I won't let An'an come to the countryside to suffer like this. If it weren't for my parents' graves being here, I wouldn't want to come back. She won't stop until she causes some trouble every time, which annoys me a lot, but I can't do anything about it because of Renli."

Huai'an asked, "What is it now?"

Shi Renmei thought for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "An'an, what do you think of Yaozu? He's always been good to you, and he's a nice person."

Huai'an recalled her past life and immediately understood her father's meaning. In her previous life, Xiuzhi was sent to the countryside in 1962 because of her illness, and later died there. She still vividly remembered her aunt forcing her to become her daughter-in-law.

"Did Aunt bring up my marriage to Yaozu again? I won't agree. I still have to go to university. Even if it weren't for my studies, I wouldn't marry him. Tell her to give up on that idea. There are plenty of good people in this world. Does being good mean I have to marry someone? Besides, when did my fate become Wu Yue'e's to decide? This is a new society now. I won't let her arrange my marriage, and neither can you!" Huai'an said resolutely.

Shi Renmei had already guessed she would be rebuffed, but she didn't expect Huai'an to be so angry. This daughter was different now; the family's life had changed drastically entirely because of Huai'an. As people's economic status rose, they naturally gained a voice. Shi Renmei and Xiuzhi exchanged a glance. Xiuzhi quickly said, "Okay, okay, we'll listen to you. You can decide your own marriage; we won't interfere."

Huai'an then smiled and said, "I'm still young, and I don't plan to get married in the future. How about I stay with you all forever?"

Xiuzhi hugged her shoulders and laughed, "What nonsense are you talking about? A daughter is like a tree that grows up and leaves home. Let's see if you'll be clamoring to get married later."

The family laughed again. Huai'an said, "If you keep doing this, I won't come anymore. It's so annoying. I'll eat something in my space tonight and won't go out for dinner. You guys go ahead."

Shi Renmei said, "Don't be petty. What are you afraid of when it's just a meal? I'm here, what can they do to you?"

The family chatted and laughed until dinner time before going to the main room. The children were happily eating the fragrant pheasant meat and drinking the chicken soup, but the adults ate in silence.

Xiaoyan asked, "An'an, where's your cat? Why isn't it coming out? Can we leave it in the countryside instead of bringing it back?"

Wu Yue'e rolled her eyes and said irritably, "We don't have enough food at home to feed a cat, let alone you."

Xiaoyan pouted and said, "This chicken was brought by her cat. Now that we have Duoduo, we eat chicken every day."

Wu Yue'e didn't refute this time, and looked at An'an, saying, "Is your cat that powerful?"

"It was just a coincidence, I was lucky. I'm usually quite wild," Huai'an said, putting down her chopsticks. "I'm full. You guys continue eating. I'm going to bed now." With that, she got up and left.

Xiaoyan muttered, "She's so stingy," then shook Xiuzhi's arm and said, "Auntie, can you give me the cat?"

Xiuzhi smiled helplessly and coaxed softly, "Oh, Xiaoyan, it's not that I don't want to give it to you, it's just that this cat is too special. Most people can't handle it! It always likes to fight with stray cats, and it always comes back filthy. Also, it often catches mice and then just throws them at people's doorsteps, making everyone complain. Even worse, it bites! Even the village dogs are afraid of it and hide. And this little guy is very picky about food; it's very fussy about what it eats. Since it came, no one in the alley dares to dry fish casually, for fear it will steal it all."

After hearing Xiuzhi's words, Xiaoyan stopped insisting on getting a cat, but still muttered to herself with her head down, "But, no matter how I look at it, it seems very well-behaved and obedient."

Shi Renmei, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh out loud and said, "Haha, that's because Duoduo only listens to Huai'an. It ignores everything the others say." The others also laughed.

Just then, Duoduo and Huai'an walked into the house together. Duoduo was sneezing incessantly while meowing, "Meow~ Someone must be talking bad about me behind my back~"

Huai'an smiled slightly at its adorable appearance, ignoring it, and instead pulled a book from her bag and began to read intently. At that moment, she had only one thought in her mind—she must get into university and change her destiny!

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the Shi family of three packed their bags and prepared to leave. No matter how much Shi Renli tried to persuade them to stay, they refused to linger until the afternoon.

Sitting on the bus heading to the city, Xiuzhi leaned back in her seat, looking exhausted, and complained softly to Shi Renmei, "Old Shi, unless it's something really important, please don't make me come back again. This trip has really worn me out... mainly, I'm mentally exhausted..."

Hearing his mother's words, Huai'an nodded hurriedly, indicating his complete agreement. Shi Renmei, gazing at the scenery rushing past the car window, was also filled with emotion and couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.