Reborn in 1966

Chapter Ninety-Three Discussion

Xu Meixia was from Xujia Village. Her family and her husband's family lived very close to each other. She was able to marry Tian Xiuwen mainly because she liked him as a person. She felt that finding someone she liked was very important. After getting married, she realized that finding an understanding mother-in-law was even more important.

Fortunately, although her husband didn't talk much, he was very considerate. When he went to work in the fields, he would secretly bring her some wild jujubes from the fields, also known as black nightshade (in traditional Chinese medicine, it is mentioned in "The Beautiful Life of Qi Yang"). Xu Meixia was very satisfied with her husband. Seeing that her brother-in-law, Tian Xiuwu, was turning twenty, Xu Meixia wondered what kind of sister-in-law her mother-in-law would find for her.

That's why everyone says that sex scandals spread the fastest. In just a few days, Xu Meixia heard that Tian Xiuwu and Shen Guixiang had gotten together.

Xu Meixia thought about it a lot, considering the pros and cons of having a sister-in-law like Shen Guixiang. In the end, the pros outweighed the cons. Having a sister-in-law like Shen Guixiang, who wasn't someone to be easily manipulated, meant she wouldn't be fighting alone against her mother-in-law. So, she found some time to talk to her brother-in-law, Tian Xiuwu.

Xu Meixia said, "Xiuwu, I heard you and Shen Guixiang are getting together?"

Tian Xiuwu's face turned as red as a cloth. He thought that if he denied it, it was indeed the truth, but if he affirmed it, he would feel very embarrassed. So he could only lower his head with a red face.

Xu Meixia said, "Xiuwu, this is a big deal. Have you told our mother yet?"

Tian Xiuwu said, "Sister-in-law, I didn't dare tell our mother. Judging from her tone, she probably doesn't want to. I don't know how to tell her."

Xu Meixia said, "You have to tell our mother right away. Whether she likes it or not, you have to let her know about this from your mouth. Otherwise, she'll start arguing with people because of the rumors outside. Do you think your relationship with Guixiang will work out?"

Upon hearing his sister-in-law's words, Tian Xiuwu broke out in a cold sweat. He knew his mother's temper best, so he quickly thanked his sister-in-law.

After dinner, Tian Xiuwu called his mother to his room and said, "Mother, I have something to tell you."

Xiuwu's mother said, "What are you doing? Can't you talk about this in the north room?"

Tian Xiuwu said, "Mother, I like Shen Guixiang. Why don't you send someone to their house to propose marriage?" He meant it as a statement, not a request.

After a while, Tian Xiuwu's mother reacted and said, "Our family is not rich right now, and we can't afford to marry a wife like Shen Guixiang." Her tone was unquestionable.

Tian Xiuwu said, "Mother, Guixiang doesn't care about the betrothal gifts."

Xiuwu's mother said, "She doesn't care, but I do. I have to find someone who is a good match for me. I can't let people point fingers at me and say that I'm taking advantage of my daughter-in-law."

Tian Xiuwu said, "Mother..."

Xiuwu's mother said, "Give up on that idea." Then she turned and left the room.

Tian Xiuwu paced anxiously in the room. His mother had rejected the idea outright, and Tian Xiuwu, who was usually full of ideas, was now in a panic.

Xiuwu's mother angrily returned to the north room. The north room had three rooms. The middle room was the main room, and the east and west rooms were occupied by the old couple and their youngest daughter, Xiucai, in one room and by the eldest son, Tian Xiuwen, and his wife in the other. The second and third sons lived in the east wing room.

On the large kang (heated brick bed) in the north room, Tian Shenxing was writing for his third son and youngest daughter by the dim light of an oil lamp. Seeing this, Xiuwu's mother's eyes softened considerably.

No one knew that marrying Tian Shenxing was her own choice. When Xiuwu's mother was young, she admired literate people. When Tian Shenxing and his family of three settled in Shenjia Village, she saw Tian Shenxing. He was gentle and refined, and his way of speaking was completely different from the other young men in the village. Later, when Tian Shenxing's parents wanted to find him a wife, she felt a pang of jealousy, wondering who could marry such a handsome man.

Later, because Tian Shenxing was in poor health, many families were unwilling to marry their daughters, so she married the man she loved, as if she had gotten a lucky break.

After getting married, her parents-in-law passed away one after another within a few years. She and Tian Shenxing took care of them until their passing and raised their children. Tian Shenxing gave her enough respect, and she felt that was enough.

Having been together for over twenty years, Tian Shenxing knew his wife's temper very well. Seeing the anger on her face when she walked in, he knew something must have happened.

The youngest daughter is only ten years old and still in elementary school, while the third son is fifteen and already working in the fields in the village to earn work points. Tian Shenxing believes that no matter what, education is the only way to make people wise, so whenever he has time, he will give the two younger children extra meals and teach them things that they cannot learn in school.

He sent his youngest son to his room to sleep, and after his youngest daughter fell asleep, Tian Shenxing asked his wife, "Xiuwen's mother, what's wrong?"

Xiuwen's mother sighed and said, "Xiuwu said he's gotten together with Guixiang and wants me to go to her house to propose marriage. Xiuwen's father, how can I have the face to propose marriage?"

Tian Shenxing thought for a moment, recalling Shen Guixiang's appearance—cheerful and efficient—and said, "Xiuwen's mother, Guixiang must be one of the best girls in our village, right?"

Xiuwen's mother sighed and said, "Xiuwen's father, what is Guixiang's family situation like, and what is our family situation like? I'm afraid Guixiang will look down on our family after she marries into our family. Don't be fooled by how close the two children are now. When they really start living together, those mundane things like firewood and cooking oil won't be as leisurely as they are now."

Tian Shenxing said, "My dear wife, you can handle other things, but you can't handle this one. Even if you manage to stop it, and Xiuwu listens to you and finds another girl to settle down with, he'll blame you for the rest of his life."

Xiuwen's mother said, "Brother Shenxing, what do you suggest we do?"

Hearing his wife address him in that way, Tian Shenxing felt a tremor in his heart. That was how his wife had addressed him when she first entered the family.

Xu Meixia had been keeping a close eye on her mother-in-law and brother-in-law's movements. When she saw her mother-in-law's expression change as she entered the north room, she whispered what had happened to her husband.

After hearing what his wife said, Tian Xiuwen fell silent for a moment. Xu Meixia asked in a low voice, "Xiuwen, what do you think about Xiuwu and Guixiang's situation?"

Tian Xiuwen said, "What's the use of my opinion? This is their business."

Xu Meixia said, "You can't say that. If Guixiang marries into our family, we'll be one big family. We'll eat together all the time, and there will always be a time when our spoons don't touch our bowls."

Tian Xiuwu thought carefully about his wife's words, then silently went out to find his younger brother.

In the cramped room, Tian Xiuwu lay with his head on his arm, lost in thought, while Xiuquan on the other side was already asleep, snoring softly.

Tian Xiuwen said in a low voice, "Xiuwu, let's go to the courtyard and talk."

Tian Xiuwu stood up and followed his older brother. The two brothers went to the courtyard and found a corner to whisper to each other.

Tian Xiuwen said in a low voice, "Xiuwu, your sister-in-law told me about you and Guixiang. You don't know who's in charge in our family."

Tian Xiuwu said, "Isn't it our mother who calls the shots in our family? But looking at her attitude, I really don't know what to do."

Tian Xiuwen said, "Our father makes all the important decisions in our family. You've come to the wrong person."

Tian Xiuwu said, "Don't talk nonsense. Our father has never said anything about anything. I think it's all our mother who's making arrangements."

Tian Xiuwen said, "Don't be fooled by Dad's quiet nature; Mom listens to everything he says. If you don't believe me, go talk to Dad about this. If he agrees, you'll see if Mom agrees too."

After thinking it over carefully, Tian Xiuwu had a serious talk with his father, Tian Shenxing. Tian Shenxing said, "Xiuwu, after you and Guixiang get married, you'll have to live together. With your mother's temper, it won't be easy to handle the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship in the future."

Tian Xiuwu said, "Dad, don't worry, we have you here. With me and my brother, our family will be fine."

Looking at his smiling second son, Tian Shenxing sighed inwardly. He figured that once Guixiang married into the family, there would be no shortage of conflicts.

I've gotten to know my children's personalities very well. My eldest son is introverted, my second son is extroverted, my youngest son is simple and honest, and my youngest daughter is gentle and kind. I've known my eldest daughter-in-law for two years now. She's a bit scheming, but thankfully she doesn't have any bad intentions. She only uses her scheming to deal with her mother-in-law. She has nothing to say about her husband or her children.

After having a good talk with his wife, telling her about the children's wishes and comforting her, the couple found some time to buy four kinds of gifts and went to Aunt Hua's house.

Aunt Hua was somewhat surprised by Xiuwu and Guixiang's relationship, but she was still very happy to be asked to be the matchmaker.

Aunt Hua was a lively person. After receiving the matchmaker's gift from Tian Shenxing and his wife, she went to her fourth grandfather's house to propose marriage.

After listening to Aunt Hua's words, Fourth Grandfather tapped his pipe on the kang table and said, "Aunt Hua, we have accepted the Tian family's marriage proposal. Please go to the Tian family again. The children are all grown up. Since they have made the proposal, let's start discussing the wedding arrangements for the children."

This was all within Aunt Hua's expectations. Aunt Hua happily agreed and went to the Tian family to deliver the news.

Grandma Si said, "I really can't bear to give my daughter away like this."

Fourth Uncle glanced at his wife and said, "What can you do if you stay with her? Your daughter has taken a liking to him and insists on marrying him. Can you stop her?"

Grandma Si was speechless for a moment. Her lips moved, but she didn't say anything. She sighed and went into the house.

Aunt Hua relayed Fourth Grandfather's words to the Tian family, and Tian Xiuwu's mouth never stopped laughing. Aunt Hua said to Tian Shenxing and his wife, "Xiuwen's parents, you should hurry up and tidy up the house to prepare for the wedding of the two children. The two children are already so old. You should hurry up and bring the new brides into the house. After tidying up a bit, it will be the New Year, right? Whether you have money or not, it's good to get a wife to celebrate the New Year, hahahahaha."

Tian Shenxing and his wife smiled and said, "Okay, we'll hurry up and tidy up the house, but Aunt Hua will have to run around a lot for the rest."

Aunt Hua said, "No problem, no problem. I watched these two children grow up. I'm happy to see them get married and start their own families. Don't worry, I'll definitely help you make things a success."

So the Tian and Shen families began preparing for Xiuwu Guixiang's wedding.