“Bang!”
The door to the women’s dormitory was pushed open forcefully, and immediately afterward, to everyone’s surprise, Li Na ran in, panting heavily.
Seeing Tang Xue quietly shedding tears, Li Na immediately walked over!
“Xiao Xue, don’t cry. I’m sorry I kept you waiting. Xiao Yi is right behind me; he’ll be here any minute!”
Hearing Li Na’s words, a glimmer of hope flickered in Tang Xue’s despairing eyes. Her voice trembling slightly, she asked, “Is… is he really coming?”
“Of course he’s coming! You have no idea how much that kid cares about you. To save face for you, he dragged me to the supply and marketing cooperative and spent a fortune—he even scared the sales clerks there!” Li Na said with a laugh.
“Did you come back so late because you went into town to buy things?” Tang Xue asked urgently.
“Yes, but it’s not just because of shopping that we’re this late!”
“Then what was it?”
“On our way back, we rescued an elderly man who had fainted. After taking him to the hospital, we didn’t get back until late!”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Tang Xue’s best friend, Zhang Xinyao, chimed in, “So it was because you saved someone—that certainly explains it!”
“I knew it! Something must have held you up!”
“That’s a good deed that builds merit—you’re truly blessed, Xue…”
Hearing that Li Yi was a few hours late because he’d saved someone, Tang Xue’s mood instantly improved.
Seeing this, Li Na hurriedly added, “Yi was worried you’d be anxious, so he asked me to come over first and fill you in. He and my parents will be here soon. You should get ready, Xue!”
Tang Xue realized she must have looked terrible, having just been crying and laughing.
She hurriedly got up and, with the help of a few female educated youth, quickly washed her face and tidied her clothes.
Just as she finished getting ready, there was a knock at the door, accompanied by the sound of voices chatting.
As the undisputed star of the day, Tang Xue immediately opened the door!
Outside the door stood Li Yi’s family, along with the village elders, the matchmaker, and others, each holding one or more items.
Tang Xue had clearly made an effort to dress up today. A simple floral blouse, black trousers, and a pair of nearly new cloth shoes—yet she managed to wear them with a unique charm.
Tang Xue’s face seemed to be smeared with snow cream, making her look fair and radiant, with a faint fragrance lingering about her.
But what captivated Li Yi most were her eyes—lively yet tinged with a hint of melancholy, as if a single glance could instantly capture one’s heart and soul.
To be honest, Li Yi was truly taken aback by the sight of Tang Xue.
Though the girl before him wore no expensive, fancy clothes and had no heavy makeup on, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Seeing Li Yi staring intently at her, Tang Xue’s face flushed instantly, and she lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze.
The matchmaker, being experienced, immediately stepped forward and said, “Comrade Tang, we’ve come today on behalf of the Li family to propose marriage to you! Although you two are in a relationship of your own free will, the Li family will not skip a single step of the proper procedures!”
“Now, let the Li family elder read the marriage contract!”
Old Master Li was one of the few educated men in the village, and as the eldest in the village hierarchy, he was naturally the one chosen to read the marriage contract.
There stood the white-haired Seventh Master Li, holding the marriage contract written on large red paper. By the faint light of a flashlight, he read aloud: “Two families unite in marriage, a covenant sealed in this hall; a blessed union forever bound, a match made in heaven.Behold the peach blossoms in full bloom on this day—a sign of a harmonious home. May the years to come bring an endless line of descendants, flourishing and thriving. We solemnly record this vow of lifelong devotion on this grand scroll; we inscribe this pledge of red leaves in the annals of love. This serves as our witness!”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Old Lady Zhang interjected again: “To welcome the educated youth Tang into the family, the Li family is willing to offer a dowry of 88 yuan, along with two catties each of rice, flour, and cooking oil coupons!”
“In addition, there are two feet of plain cotton cloth, two feet of patterned cotton cloth, two enamel basins with floral designs, two thermos flasks, two towels, two bars of soap, two tubes of toothpaste, two bottles of moisturizing cream, two pounds of brown sugar, and two packs of White Rabbit milk candies…”
Hearing the matchmaker’s words, all the male and female educated youths inside and outside the house were stunned.
The dowry was simply too extravagant. Setting aside the 88 yuan dowry, the items the Li family was offering alone were worth a small fortune.
Although there were no major items like bicycles, sewing machines, or radios, it was still evident how much the Li family valued Tang Xue.
But what they hadn’t expected was that after the matchmaker finished speaking, Li Yi spoke up again: “These are just the gifts for the proposal. I promise you, before the wedding, I’ll have a ‘three-wheeled vehicle and a radio’ ready for you. And if there’s enough time, I’ll even build you a big house!”
“Whoa!”
Li Yi’s words stunned everyone once again. Although they didn’t quite believe the Li family had the financial means, the fact that Li Yi dared to make such a promise in front of so many people still commanded their respect.
Tang Xue was also taken aback by Li Yi’s words and immediately said, “There’s no need for all that. If you want to buy those things for me, it’s not too late to do so after we’re married!”
To be honest, she was genuinely worried that Li Yi might put the elderly Li Shan Kui and his wife through a lot just to buy those things!
Li Yi knew what Tang Xue was thinking, but he didn’t say much. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words.
Seeing that Tang Xue had no objections, Old Lady Zhang announced loudly, “Then this match is officially sealed! Once we’ve picked an auspicious date, you two can get married. May you be deeply in love, remain devoted to one another, have children soon, and grow old together!”
The crowd immediately offered their congratulations to Li Yi and Tang Xue, until Tang Xue’s face was flushed with embarrassment!
Li Yi, meanwhile, immediately took out the candies and cigarettes he had prepared and handed them out to those around him, so everyone could share in the joy.
Although the matchmaking process had been full of twists and turns, the outcome was still a happy one.
By ten o’clock that night, everyone had finally gone home.
Li Yi didn’t linger at the educated youth commune either; after all, a mountain of work was waiting for him at home.
……
The Li household!
Under the dim light of a kerosene lamp, Dongzi, Shitou, Qiangzi, and the others were either sitting on small stools, perched on folding chairs, or simply sitting on the floor. The group of teenagers had filled the Li household to capacity.
Li Yi had called all these kids over—partly to distribute the money from today’s mushroom sales, and partly to assign tasks for the next day.
Li Yi pulled a wad of change from his pocket and said, “You guys picked quite a few mushrooms yesterday, so everyone gets five yuan. Dongzi, you hand the money out to the brothers!”
“Got it!”
With yesterday’s experience under his belt, Dongzi didn’t hesitate; he took the money and handed it out one by one.
After distributing the money, Li Yi spoke again: “We’ve picked nearly 200 pounds of mushrooms over the past two days, plus the 100-plus pounds from today. I’m afraid there aren’t many mushrooms left in the woods, so I’m assigning tasks to ensure our supply!”
“Brother Yi, just tell us what to do—we’re all with you!” Dongzi said immediately.
The others chimed in in agreement!
“Tomorrow, all of you head to the forest on West Hill to forage. But don’t just pick mushrooms—if you come across wild wood ear mushrooms, white silver ear mushrooms, button mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, or white button mushrooms, pick those too!” Li Yi said.
“Bro Yi, can we make money selling black wood ear mushrooms too?” Shitou asked.
“Yes, they’re even more valuable than mushrooms!” Li Yi replied.
“Really? I saw a big dead tree on the back mountain today—it was covered in black wood ear mushrooms. If I picked them all, there’d be at least ten pounds. If that’s the case, I’ll go clean the whole lot out tomorrow!” Shitou said excitedly.
“If you really bring some back, I’ll give you a bigger cut the day after tomorrow!”
“Thanks, Brother Yi!”
Li Yi added, “Also, if there are any other kids in the village who want to come mushroom picking with you guys, feel free to bring them along. But remember, don’t take any who are too young—we have to make sure they’re safe!”
“Got it, Brother Yi!”
“Hmm, clean the mushrooms in the baskets of any debris before heading back. I’m leaving early tomorrow and won’t have time to do it then!” Li Yi instructed.
“Got it!”
………