country bumpkin

Everyone looked on with a puzzled expression.

"What is that?" Another customer muttered. "A beautiful woman? Hmm, she is indeed a pretty girl. But something about her sounds so awkward!"

Kong Xiujuan also saw the girl walking this way. Upon closer inspection, she exclaimed, "Little sister, it's little sister!" She happily ran over.

He ran up to Kong Xiufang and quickly took the large bag from her back with both hands.

"I'm exhausted...!" Kong Xiufang said, panting.

"What are these? Why are you carrying so many things?" Kong Xiujuan asked curiously.

"Oh! These are some local specialties that Mom brought for you and your second and third sisters," Kong Xiufang explained.

"Oh! Really! That's great, little sister. Stay a few more days this time so we can have a good chat, okay?" Kong Xiujuan happily made the arrangements.

"Yes, I plan to find a job in the city and won't be going back for the time being," Kong Xiufang said.

“Okay, take your time finding a job. Stay home for a few days and have a good chat with me,” Kong Xiujuan said.

The two walked and talked until they reached the door. Kong Xiufang greeted Gao Qinglian and Sun Youcai, then followed her older sister back into the house.

Sun Limei and Sun Guoqiang didn't recognize their aunt. They stared at the pretty young woman their mother had brought home, blinking their eyes.

Kong Xiufang blushed and said shyly, “Hello, Li Mei and Guo Qiang. I am your mother’s younger sister. You should call me Auntie.”

The two children giggled. Sun Limei happily called out "Auntie!" Sun Guoqiang, who couldn't speak yet, also babbled along.

Kong Xiujuan took her sister's hand, and the two sat on the edge of the bed chatting.

"Elder sister, besides visiting you, I also have a favor to ask of you." Kong Xiufang looked at her elder sister, a hint of expectation in her eyes.

"What is it? Tell me, I'll definitely help if I can." Kong Xiujuan patted her chest.

Kong Xiufang took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind: "I want to learn a trade in the city so I can make a living in the future. Do you know where I can learn one?"

Kong Xiujuan thought for a moment and nodded: "Leave this to me. I have a neighbor who works in a garment factory. I'll go ask her if they're hiring."

Kong Xiufang listened with gratitude on her face: "Thank you, elder sister. I will definitely study hard."

“We’re all family, no need to thank me. By the way, you just said you were looking for work in the city, have you found a place to stay yet? If not, why don’t you stay at our place for now?” Kong Xiujuan warmly invited.

Kong Xiufang felt a warmth in her heart: "Then I'll have to trouble you, elder sister." She knew that her elder sister's family wasn't wealthy, but she still offered her help without hesitation. This kinship made her feel incredibly precious.

Across from the storefront, a neighbor named Hu Jinhua asked Gao Qinglian, "Hey, Old Sun's family, who's that pretty girl? What brings her to your house?"

“Oh, that’s my eldest daughter-in-law’s younger sister,” Gao Qinglian said.

"Oh! So you're Xiujuan's sister. How old are you? Are you engaged?" Hu Jinhua asked.

"I don't know. What, do you have someone suitable to introduce?" Gao Qinglian said.

“Oh my! This girl is so beautiful. It would be such a great honor to marry her. What do you think of my son Yifei?” Hu Jinhua said with a smile.

Gao Qinglian pouted, "What? Your eldest son is almost 30 years old, and that girl is only 18 or 19! You're dreaming."

Hu Jinhua wasn't angry and continued, "It's good for men to be older; they know how to care for women. Ask Xiujuan when you have time; you'll definitely get your share of the benefits."

Gao Qinglian chuckled and said, "Okay, I'll ask around." She thought to herself that there was no chance. Everyone knew that her eldest son was just sitting at home all day, doing nothing but wandering around aimlessly. He was already 28 years old and still hadn't gotten married.

Hu Jinhua's husband was named Deng Qingshan, an honest and simple man. They had an eldest son, Deng Yifei, who was 28 years old, lazy and greedy, and everyone in the neighborhood knew about him. Therefore, no one wanted to marry him.

The second son, Deng Yichen, married a 23-year-old woman named Su Yingying at the age of 25, and they have a child, Deng Xingchen, who is 3 years old.

Kong Xiujuan wanted to ask her about the garment factory because her youngest daughter, Deng Yiyao, was 20 years old.

Kong Xiujuan was unaware of what was happening here. She was still chatting with her sister. The two talked for a long time, and before they knew it, it was dark.

Sun Zitao returned home from work in the evening. When he saw his sister-in-law, he greeted her warmly.

Kong Xiujuan explained her sister's purpose to him, and the three chatted for a while. Sun Zitao learned that his sister-in-law wanted to find a job, so he said he knew some people who could help inquire. Kong Xiujuan and her sister were very happy to hear this, and the younger sister thanked him repeatedly.

After dinner, Kong Xiufang was arranged to stay in her sister's room, sharing a bed with her niece and nephew. Sun Zitao went to stay at a friend's house.

Because their family only had one room, the old house they now live in has three bedrooms and a main room.

The main room consisted of two large rooms, separated by a curtain. Gao Qinglian and her husband lived on one side, while her third and fourth daughters lived on the other. The west bedroom was occupied by Sun Zihao and Liu Xiuju, and the east bedroom was occupied by Sun Zitao and his family; it was very crowded.

Kong Xiujuan's east bedroom was only slightly larger, and it was already full after putting in a double bed, a large vat, and a table. All her clothes and bedding were stored in the cabinets on the wall.

Sun Zitao went to sleep at a friend's house. Kong Xiufang, Kong Xiujuan, and the children also fell asleep together.

The next day, Kong Xiujuan found Sun Zitao sitting thoughtfully. She asked him what was wrong, and Sun Zitao said that he thought his sister-in-law was very nice, beautiful, and had a good personality.

Kong Xiujuan smiled and told him not to overthink it; he was just looking for a job. Sun Zitao nodded, but he had other plans in mind.

Among his good friends was a young man about the same age as his younger sister. He was energetic, honest, capable, and knew how to manage a household.

This kid is 18 years old, good-looking, tall, and literate. His family is a bit poor, but he's a good person.

He decided to find time to talk to his wife about it; if it worked out, it would be a wonderful thing.

Kong Xiufang went to her second sister Kong Xiuzhen's house today. Her house is very close to her eldest sister's house, a 15-minute walk, separated by two streets. However, her house is a storefront located inside an alley.

The second sister was also very happy to see her younger sister. She held her hand tightly and wouldn't let go, showing great affection. Kong Xiufang shared the dried goods she brought with her second sister, who was very happy. She missed the sweet potato rice from home.

My second sister's husband, Zhang Jiefang, said goodbye and went out to work. My niece, Zhang Haiyan, and her nephew, Zhang Haiyang, also said goodbye.

Zhang Haiyang is only 2 years old and can only say one simple word, so he calls his auntie in a babbling voice.

Kong Xiufang didn't stay long before leaving. She needed to go to her third sister's house. Her third sister's house was a bit far, so she went back to her eldest sister's house first. She asked her eldest sister to help her borrow a large bicycle and rode there to her third sister's house.

It took me half an hour to bike to my third sister's house. Her house is in the farmers' market, bustling with people. It's much more lively than my eldest sister's street-side shop.

Kong Xiufang rode directly to the gate, got off the bike, and gave the local specialties to her third sister, Kong Xiufen, who couldn't stop smiling.

Although she has only been married for a year, she still misses her parents' home and the food from her hometown.

The two sisters then exchanged pleasantries and chatted about everyday matters.

My little nephew, Shen Lingyun, is only 2 years old. He's chubby and very cute. Kong Xiufang loves holding him so much that her arms get tired, but she doesn't want to let go.

I ate lunch and dinner at my third sister's house.

She then told her third sister about her job search. Her third sister suggested she check out the garment factory her eldest sister had mentioned. If they were hiring, she could give it a try; if not, she would help her find another job.

Whether a job is suitable or not needs to be determined gradually; there's no need to rush.

Seeing that it was getting late, Kong Xiufang was worried that the road would be difficult to walk in the dark, so she decided to go back to her eldest sister's house.

My third sister's house is big, and they've separated their households, so she doesn't have to sleep cramped here. My third sister invited her to stay, saying it's spacious.

Kong Xiufang declined, saying that she would talk to her older sister tomorrow and then come to stay, otherwise she wouldn't go back until dark, and her older sister would worry.

Taking advantage of the fact that it wasn't dark yet, Kong Xiufang rode her bicycle back home.