Chapter 30: with translation of chapter title

Dongxu, you say how should we live our life from now on? After returning home, Jia Zhangshi said with a mournful face.

Mom, although only I have a fixed ration, later we can just buy some surplus grain; we definitely won't starve to death. Jia Dongxu comforted Jia Zhangshi.

It's all your fault; if Dongxu hadn't married you, this country girl, we wouldn't have ended up in this situation. Jia Zhangshi again turned her blame toward Qin Huiru. Qin Huiru didn't dare say anything out loud, but in her heart she had already started cursing her mother; it's all because she herself is short-sighted—back then she disagreed with anything about moving her own household registration over, yet now she instead blames herself. Besides, she herself is also from the countryside; on what grounds does she push all the problems onto herself?

Mom, don't say that about Huiru; when I wanted to move her household registration over, it was you who wouldn't allow it, so what's the use of blaming her now? Jia Dongxu immediately began defending Qin Huiru.

How would I have known there would be this policy? Jia Zhangshi also regretted it deeply.

Mom, when you go register tomorrow, see if you can tell the street office we don't want fine grain, just coarse grain, and see how many jin of coarse grain they can give us. After returning home, Yan Butgui also began calculating.

Okay.

Sister-in-law, tomorrow go to the matchmaker Wang next door and have her help Zhuzi find a match; he's also twenty this year, it's time to find a partner, and as a man it's not convenient for me to say this. Li Qiang came to Li Bin's home and said to Yang Fen.

Mm, Qiangzi is right; Zhuzi has reached the age to look for a partner, his family has no elder to take charge, so you go run around for him. Li Bin said.

Okay, tomorrow I'll go find matchmaker Wang and talk. Yang Fen said with a smile.

The next day Yang Fen came to the matchmaker Wang's house in the neighboring Siheyuan.

Aunt Wang, I came today to ask you to introduce a match for He Yuzhu in our Siheyuan; you know his family situation—just a sister, his mother passed away early, his father ran off a few years ago, he gets along well with my spouse and my younger brother-in-law; in fact, those two brothers asked me to come ask you for help. Yang Fen said with a smile.

Is the He Yuzhu you're talking about the one people used to call Sha Zhu? The matchmaker asked.

Yes, but he's not silly at all; he's now a seventh-rank chef at the Yagangchang, specially preparing reception meals for leaders. Yang Fen explained.

By the way, why do others call him Sha Zhu?

Sigh, it's a long story. When Zhuzi was little, he went with his father to sell buns on the street; they happened to run into bandits, and this honest boy just grabbed the basket of buns and ran. After narrowly escaping the bandits, a merchant finally bought all his buns. When Zhuzi returned home and gave the money to his father, his father discovered the money was all counterfeit, so he exclaimed, 'My silly Zhuzi!' Thereafter the neighbors teased him, calling him Sha Zhu, and over time the nickname stuck. Yang Fen explained the origin of the nickname Sha Zhu to the matchmaker.

I was wondering why a good child's name has that silly character; now I understand. The matchmaker said with a smile.

Then I'll trouble you with Zhuzi's matter; rest assured, once it's successful, there will definitely be a red envelope for you.

No trouble, I'm in this line of work; rest assured, I'll get in touch with you these two days. You also know that the matchmakers around here keep in touch; whoever has eligible young men or women we'll stay in contact. There's a term—how do you say it again? The matchmaker thought for a while but couldn't recall.

Resource sharing. Yang Fen said with a smile.

Yes, that's the term. Go home and wait for my good news; this young man's conditions are not bad—just one sister, and if the woman marries in she can manage the household, with no mother-in-law conflict. The matchmaker said with a smile.

Exactly, that's the reasoning; Zhuzi has four rooms, the house is spacious enough, and he's skilled in handicraft work too—his conditions are better than other youths. Yang Fen continued praising He Yuzhu.

What you say makes sense; his conditions are also quite outstanding.

Alright, then I'll leave this to you.

No problem, just go home and wait for word.

As for the matchmaker's ability, it's truly not just talk; in just two days she had news.

Little Yang, I've contacted other matchmakers; over at Cat's Eye Alley there's an 18-year-old girl, her family just has the two sisters, she still has a sister, her father works at the machinery repair factory, her mother is a homemaker; the girl is pretty and capable, good at managing a household, just unemployed—I don't know what your attitude is here. The matchmaker came to Li Bin's home and told Yang Fen the girl's situation.

Aunt Wang, no job is no problem; Zhuzi can support her fine, it's just that Zhuzi spends all day stir-frying dishes beside the stove, smoke and fire blackening him, making him look a bit older, seeming a few years older than his actual age. Li Qiang said.

That's nothing; as long as one works honestly and can earn money to support the family, that's fine. The matchmaker said.

You can rest assured on this point; I can guarantee Zhuzi absolutely works honestly, has no bad habits, and is down-to-earth and proper.

Alright, then let's set a time for them to meet. The matchmaker said.

Sure, just set a time with the girl's side and let us know. Li Qiang said with a smile.

Then how about this Sunday at 10 a. m. at the north gate of Beihai Park? The matchmaker directly set the time and place.

Alright, that's settled.

After Li Qiang and company saw the matchmaker off, Li Qiang and Yang Fen went again to He Yuzhu's home.

Qiang bro, sister-in-law, come in and have a seat. He Yuzhu warmly welcomed them inside.

Zhuzi, sister-in-law asked the matchmaker to introduce you to a match; meet this Sunday at 10 a. m. at the north gate of Beihai Park. Li Qiang said.

Thanks, sister-in-law. He Yuzhu is also a vigorous young man, surely he also wants to find a partner.

Zhuzi, the girl has no job, she's 18, her family has just a sister, her father works at the machinery repair factory, her mother is a homemaker. Yang Fen conveyed the matchmaker's situation to He Yuzhu.

Sister-in-law, no job is no problem; I work, and besides I sometimes take on banquet gigs, so even if she doesn't work I can still support a family. He Yuzhu said frankly.

Okay, that's set then; Zhuzi, don't tell anyone about the match I'm arranging for you; wait until Sunday morning and let sister-in-law accompany you to have a look; if you like her, don't be stingy—treat her to lunch at noon, then go see a movie in the afternoon. Li Qiang instructed.

Okay, got it, Qiang bro.

We came today to tell you so you can prepare in advance, so you don't forget this when you later take on banquet gigs. Yang Fen said with a smile.

No problem, sister-in-law; I still know what's important, I definitely won't take on banquet gigs this Sunday. He Yuzhu is not stupid either.

Alright, we'll head back first.

Okay, thanks, Qiang bro and sister-in-law. He Yuzhu saw them out the door. From when Li Qiang told him he'd help find a match to seeing this uncle-and-aunt-off, He Yuzhu's smile never ceased.