13. A Joyous Occasion

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Yao Zhizhi’s plan was rather bold. It also required Yao Mengmeng to make some sacrifices. She took out a few old magazines and said, “Look, this pair of ill-fated lovers died after drinking pesticide.” Yao Mengmeng glanced at them and sighed, “Ah, their parents were so cruel.” Indeed, such cases were all too common, though it was rare for children to resist by choosing death. Yao Zhizhi didn’t want to see her sisters submit and walk into the fire unresisting. She laid her cards on the table: “On your wedding day, when there are many people around, I want our eldest sister to pretend to drink pesticide.” “What?” Yao Mengmeng was stunned. The youngest sister was really daring! Worried about alarming others, she covered her mouth and whispered, “How can she pretend to drink it? What if she accidentally swallows some?” “Do you think I’m stupid?” Yao Zhizhi rolled her eyes. “There’s a kind of cough syrup bottle that looks just like a pesticide bottle. We can peel off the pesticide bottle’s label and stick it on the syrup bottle filled with plain water.” “Haha!” Yao Mengmeng laughed. “You’re something else! And then?” “Then? Eldest sister pretends to be dead! Make a big scene to force our parents to back down. I want to write an article to see if I can make a living this way.” Luckily, the Yao family had a production team leader, and when public opinion swirled, he would definitely advise Yao Erdan. Yao Mengmeng was not optimistic. “But does faking death work? And eldest sister may not listen to you; she and third sister always obey our parents the most.” Yao Zhizhi wasn’t sure either, but she could still invoke the old patriarch’s authority. After all, he had just returned from the clinic. Last time he choked and was saved, so now he just needed to eat softer food. If push came to shove, she would bring up this mountain of authority. In any case, do what you can and leave the rest to fate. But this meant Yao Mengmeng’s wedding would turn into a farce. So Yao Zhizhi had to discuss it with her in advance: “If you’re not willing, just tell me. I’ll think of another way.” “Why wouldn’t I be willing? I’m not some vicious woman,” Yao Mengmeng was upset. A few days ago, she had been a bit ungrateful, but hadn’t she changed? She suspected the youngest sister looked down on her and was annoyed. Yao Zhizhi was speechless. Was Yao Mengmeng so childish? Could she not understand? She could only remind her, “Weddings are about good fortune. If eldest sister makes a scene, your wedding won’t be auspicious. It’ll look like a joke.” “It doesn’t matter. Dad already gave all the money to Genbao, so my wedding won’t be grand anyway. As long as this plan works. Maybe eldest sister will feel sorry for me and make it up to me somehow.” Though childish, Yao Mengmeng was fairly normal when not caught up in romantic fantasies. Yao Zhizhi decided to trust her this once and warned, “Don’t tell anyone these days. Wait until you and Liu Hongwei have confirmed things.” “Don’t worry, I get it.” Yao Mengmeng was already dreaming of a good life. She had a job at the supply and marketing cooperative, and Liu Hongwei was the heir to the accountant position. Life should be quite good. Hehe. The youngest sister was really great! It was her who had been foolish before! The more Yao Mengmeng thought about it, the more she felt she had found a treasure. She clung to Yao Zhizhi, unwilling to let go. Yao Zhizhi still had basket weaving to do and pushed her hand away, annoyed, “It’s so hot, don’t stick to me!” “I want to! I want to!” Yao Mengmeng pouted. Yao Zhizhi simply tickled her armpits. Yao Mengmeng, ticklish, giggled and dodged away. Only then did Yao Zhizhi have time to focus on her own tasks. Soon, the rice transplanting was done, and the beans, corn, and other crops were all sown before the rain came.

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Yao Erdan hired a matchmaker and went with her to Liu Hongwei’s house to propose. Since it was a matrilocal marriage, no bride price was taken from the bride’s side, and the groom was infertile, so naturally there was no bride price involved. Liu’s parents demanded that the Yao family purchase the “three transfers and one sound” — a watch, bicycle, sewing machine, and radio. Yao Erdan was worried! All his savings had been taken by Yao Genbao. He could only issue empty promises. Liu’s family refused, saying it would be embarrassing. Yao Erdan had to shamelessly flatter them: “In-laws, I heard you prepared those items for Hongwei before, but the wedding was called off, so they should still be there, right?” “Now it’s my son marrying in, not your daughter going out. Of course your family should prepare them!” Liu’s parents were stingy; otherwise, how could the previous in-laws have become enemies over a bride price? Yao Erdan was frustrated. Reason was reason, but he had no money. He shamelessly suggested, “How about this: you provide the three transfers and one sound, and later the young couple can have several children and pick a son to carry on your family name along with Hongwei. Please consider.” That was acceptable. Liu’s father was tempted. Since it was a matrilocal marriage, it meant giving up the family name, but if the naming rights could be retained—even if only one grandson carried the Liu name—it was worth it. However, since the Yao family couldn’t provide it now, Liu’s father cunningly raised the stakes: “One is not enough! How about two? The first child, regardless of gender, carries Hongwei’s name; later they choose a son to carry the Liu name.” Yao Erdan was furious: “What if the first child is a son? Your family is too calculating. Two is fine, but it must be one son and one daughter.” Liu’s father sneered, “Then no wedding! These days, few rural families can afford the three transfers and one sound. Hongwei studied accounting; he won’t have trouble finding a wife!” “You’re dreaming! Your family’s bad reputation is known throughout the commune. Even if your son lays golden eggs, no one would suffer mistreatment there!” Yao Erdan was not to be underestimated; he hit right at their sore spot. Liu’s father was angry and countered, “Don’t get cocky! Your Yingzi is a widow from a prestigious family. I fear your Mengmeng carries her bad luck and will kill my son! No wedding! Forget it!” Yao Erdan’s face was lost. He slammed the table and stood up: “Lius, watch your mouth! You’re spewing feudal poison and insulting innocent women with misfortunes! I’m going to complain to the commune!” Realizing he’d crossed a line but unable to back down, Liu’s father left it to Liu Hongwei to handle. Liu Hongwei quickly stopped Yao Erdan: “Uncle Yao, calm down. My dad has a bad temper; I apologize for him. Please come in and listen to my thoughts.” Yao Erdan didn’t want to completely break off relations; after all, none of his five daughters had married yet. Secure the matrilocal marriage first, and the rest would be easier. He sat down with a scowl. Liu Hongwei knelt before the elders: “Dad, Uncle Yao, I’m twenty-two, considered a late bachelor in the countryside. People point and gossip when I walk by. I sincerely want to be with Mengmeng. Please stop fighting. It’s okay if the three transfers and one sound aren’t complete; Mengmeng and I are still young and can earn our own. We’re all rural folks; no family is much better off than another. Keep those items for my younger brother. I don’t care about the family name. Living well is what matters. Uncle Yao, please consider.” Yao Erdan relented. Liu’s father was a bit intimidated by Yao Erdan; if he really went to the commune to complain, it would harm his whole family. He had to compromise. So it was settled: the couple’s wedding would have no three transfers and one sound, only two new quilts, two sets of new clothes, and a casual two-table feast. These days, conditions were tough, and guests were just a formality. Fortunately, the fish and shrimp in the river at the village entrance required no permits, as the production team raised them and gave the commune 300 pounds monthly, leaving the rest to the team. They could also gather mushrooms and wild vegetables from the back mountain and borrow some vegetables from neighbors’ fields to make two decent tables of food. Yao Mengmeng felt a bit wronged; she hadn’t expected her wedding to be so humble. But what could she do? With things as they were, she gritted her teeth and moved forward. As she was crying, Yao Zhizhi called out. Yao Mengmeng quickly wiped her tears and came out, sniffling.

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Yao Zhizhi gathered the whole family and sat at the Eight Immortals table in the main room, taking the place usually reserved for their father as head of the household. She was incredibly bold! Yao Erdan was angry but restrained himself, unsure what this girl was up to and could only hold back for now. Once everyone arrived, Yao Zhizhi produced a sewing machine voucher, three meat ration coupons, and five pounds of sugar tickets—all were signed and collected. The whole family was stunned. Especially Yao Mengmeng, who suddenly leapt up in delight and hugged Yao Zhizhi’s neck: “Fifth sister! Are these for me?” “Yes.” Yao Zhizhi wanted to stir things up at Mengmeng’s wedding, so this was a way to compensate her. Moreover, if the plan succeeded, all the sisters would benefit. She didn’t want to hold a grudge over Mengmeng’s earlier offense. Mengmeng was overjoyed, like a soft cloud pouring rain on Yao Zhizhi’s shoulder. Yao Zhizhi pushed her away, annoyed: “Ugh, stop crying and whining! Move aside!” Mengmeng stuck stubbornly. Yao Zhizhi sighed and shoved the coupons into her hands: “Here! Having tickets isn’t enough; you need money too. Talk to Dad yourself!” Mengmeng was already very grateful. She stood quickly and looked at Yao Erdan with pleading eyes: “Dad, can we borrow some money from a few uncles and elder brothers? It’s okay if we can’t gather the three transfers and one sound, but I want to buy a sewing machine first so I can make clothes to earn some pocket money. Liu Hongwei and I will repay the loan.” “I’ll think about it.” Yao Erdan hadn’t expected the youngest sister to be so generous with her older sister and was curious where she got the tickets. Yao Zhizhi was too lazy to explain. Yao Erdan felt a bit uneasy—could it be from the old patriarch? That girl had spent so much time at the clinic with him recently. If the patriarch recognized her as his great-granddaughter and wanted to compensate her, it would be understandable. But... knowing the youngest sister’s temper, if she found out her biological parents were not who she thought, she’d make a scene. So... he decided he was overthinking it. The patriarch probably just liked the youngest sister. After coming to this conclusion, Yao Erdan didn’t ask further but hesitated before agreeing, “Alright, I’ll try borrowing some money.” Fortunately, the Yao family was large, and many had heard that Yao Erdan’s daughter was marrying into the city, so several were willing to do him a favor. Besides, his eldest brother and brother-in-law were both in the city, and his only son had been adopted by his brother-in-law, so repayment wasn’t a worry. Two days later, the money was collected, and Yao Erdan took Yao Mengmeng to buy the sewing machine. Just as they arrived home, the commune’s famous matchmaker, Old Yan, came by and was talking to Yao Yingying. Yao Erdan was pleased; it seemed Director Cao’s side was eager. He greeted warmly, “Old Yan! What wind blew you here?” “Old Yao, great joy! A family from the city asked me to arrange a match for Zhizhi!” Old Yan loved matchmaking for city folks because the rewards were better! Yao Erdan was surprised. He had called his eldest brother a few days ago and hadn’t expected things to move so fast. He could hardly believe it and asked, “They’re not remarried, right?”