Chapter 34: Writer Son‑in‑law? That's Great!

"Comrade, hello, give me a copy of People's Literature."

"Alright, nine mao."

Chen Qiaoqiao finished paying, and, clutching the magazine, returned to Zhou Zhifeng's side.

The June Issue's cover shows a vast pasture on a hillside, with fine horses galloping wildly as if racing toward the distant sky.

"How much does it cost?"

Zhou Zhifeng, seeing the magazine was so thick, asked anxiously.

"Nine mao."

Chen Qiaoqiao, her mind entirely on the book, replied offhand.

"That expensive—it's enough to buy a kilo of pork."

"Buy fewer of them in the future."

Zhou Zhifeng felt a deep pang of hurt; she had only ever seen her husband and daughter buy a copy each month and never thought to ask the price.

When she asked today, the ache made her feel faint.

One per person, 24 books a year, together they exceed 20 yuan, almost as much as her monthly salary.

"This is literature; it nourishes the soul and cannot be measured simply with material terms."

"Besides, I bought it with the school stipend and didn't ask you for money."

Chen Qiaoqiao explained to her mother patiently, with a firm attitude.

She must speak properly and uphold her principles.

Want to deprive her of spiritual nourishment? No way! Zhou Zhifeng still felt uneasy and muttered many words on the way home.

Chen Qiaoqiao brushed it off, her mind full of the magazine, eager to rush home and indulge in the novel.

Back home, Chen Qiaoqiao grabbed People's Literature, darted into the bedroom, and eagerly opened to the first page.

The Horse Herder, author Spring Rain.

"This pen name really resembles New Brother's."

Chen Qiaoqiao muttered and began reading further.

Intellectuals and a remote pasture, personal destiny and the torrent of the times, simple happy families and the luxurious overseas life…

Chen Qiaoqiao was quickly drawn into The Horse Herder's roller‑coaster plot; once she had the book in her hands she couldn't put it down.

Xu Lingjun's tragic beginning, the utter despair when his labor camp ended, being moved by a horse, clutching the animal and sobbing, then Xiu Zhi being sent over, the two forming a family and having a child, living happily on the pasture…

Chen Qiaoqiao held the book and carefully read every paragraph of The Horse Herder.

Seeing Xu Lingjun ultimately refuse his father's invitation to go abroad and inherit the family fortune, and his return to the county town, Chen Qiaoqiao fell into a thoughtful reverie.

How should one spend this life? Xu Lingjun's father owns a fortune of ten thousand taels, yet remains troubled in his old age. Xu Lingjun himself is just a teacher in a remote area—why does he nonetheless find fulfillment and happiness?

Could it be understood as… Xu Lingjun chose to put down roots, being continuously nurtured by this land, thus becoming a full, upward‑moving person.

Chen Qiaoqiao was immersed in the enlightenment The Horse Herder provided, unable to extricate herself for a long time.

She is a very earnest girl; after reading a good book, she strives to comprehend its ideas, using them to enrich her mind and constantly remind herself.

Even at dinner, Chen Qiaoqiao was still savoring The Horse Herder's plot, wondering what future Xu Lingjun would have in the story.

Until Zhou Zhifeng's words snapped her out of her thoughts.

"It's been over a month; has Xu Yuexin published any new work?"

Zhou Zhifeng, holding her rice bowl, asked in a neutral tone.

"I don't know. New Brother's last advance was high; it's fine if he doesn't write for a short while."

Chen Qiaoqiao, unclear about her mother's motive, replied calmly, "His talent being there is enough."

"You're still young and naive; there are many expenses for this marriage."

"Three changes and one sound, clothes, bedding… you can't skip any expense; 600 yuan alone isn't enough."

Zhou Zhifeng babbled, "Besides, his father hasn't regained his title yet, and with Wu Yan's salary, it's only enough for the whole family's expenses. That means he can only rely on himself to arrange the wedding. If he doesn't save faster, he'll have to wait until the Year of the Monkey and the Month of the Horse to get married."

"I'm afraid if time drags on, you won't be able to wait."

While speaking, Zhou Zhifeng kept watching her daughter's expression, trying to stir her anxiety.

"Never mind. Whether it's three changes and one sound or not, I'll marry anyway."

Chen Qiaoqiao, unfazed, said, "As long as I can be with New Brother, that's all that matters."

"Next time I meet New Brother, I want to discuss with him when to meet the parents."

Zhou Zhifeng, seeing this approach not working on her daughter, felt a bit disappointed.

"Anyway, if the marriage goes poorly, you'll suffer the consequences yourself."

Zhou Zhifeng said irritably and went to the kitchen to wash dishes.

This girl, why won't she listen to advice? Isn't marrying up into a wealthy, powerful family better…

Standing at the sink, Zhou Zhifeng grew more upset, almost scraping sparks off the dishes in her hand.

That night, Zhou Zhifeng kept turning over in bed, unable to sleep as she replayed her daughter's words from the day.

In her agitation, she nudged Chen Shi awake.

"What are you… not sleeping?"

Chen Shi, half‑asleep, complained, "I still have to work tomorrow."

"My daughter wants Xu Yuexin to come to our house; tomorrow we'll talk about our daughter together."

In the darkness, Zhou Zhifeng's voice was filled with dissatisfaction: "His income as a writer is unstable; I don't want our daughter to live a precarious life with him."

"You're just talking nonsense."

Chen Shi muttered softly, "Qiao Qiao got into Yanda and ranked ninth in the whole city; that shows she can judge her own life."

"To be honest, she might see certain issues more clearly than we do."

"Just because your cultural level is high, you won't recognize your mother? Her lifelong marriage still has to listen to our opinions."

Zhou Zhifeng voiced strong dissent.

"Fine. You finished Gao Xiao, I finished high school; together our average cultural level is only middle school, yet you still want to dictate to college students."

Chen Shi said confidently, "If it gets out, we won't be afraid of being ridiculed."

His words successfully shifted the conflict onto himself.

"You think I'm uncultured, huh? When you first took me as a wife, why didn't you mind?"

Zhou Zhifeng, furious, thrust out a hand and fiercely pinched Chen Shi's waist.

"I really didn't mean to look down on you."

"Let go, you…"

Chen Shi, receiving the vicious grip, stifled a wail and begged for mercy.

Chen Shi actually wanted Xu Yuexin to marry his own daughter, because when he has nothing to do he also loves to dabble in literature.

Having a writer as a son‑in‑law is great; you can usually ask him for a tip or two.

…

Zhou Zhifeng tried to enlist her husband in a plan to oppose her daughter's marriage, which ultimately ended with his tragic suffering.

The plan fell through, so Zhou Zhifeng could only watch helplessly as Qiao Qiao clutched a copy of People's Literature and headed to Wudaokou to find Xu Yuexin.

On the weekend, Qiao Qiao strolled beneath the lush canopy of street trees, enjoying the summer breeze, delighted at the prospect of meeting Xu Yuexin soon.

She usually has classes, so opportunities to see Xu Yuexin are few; each meeting is a cause for joy.

Qiao Qiao plans to first discuss with Xu Yuexin the The Horse Herder written by Chunyu, then talk to him about going to her home to meet the parents, asking whether he is willing.

(End of chapter)