“What kind of heirloom is it, being so mysterious? Do you think it might be something like a gold ring?”
The old ladies were very curious, but since it was someone else’s stuff, they could only ask around, and of course Old Lady Liu would never tell them.
One woman, however, scoffed, “What’s the point of all that flashy nonsense? If they really had some valuable heirloom, would they be living in such poverty?”
Song Wei thought the same and figured Xu Laidi was likely being scammed.
Still, even if she suspected it, she wasn’t going to offer a warning.
“So Xu Zhiqing is really going to marry that Old Bachelor? The man’s awful—looks bad, and on top of that, his family is poor and lazy. Even the widows don’t want to mix with him.”
The widows here mainly refer to those who are restless.
“Who else would she marry? After being seen kissing in front of everyone, what kind of decent match could Xu Zhiqing still expect?”
“That’s called… what’s the word again?”
All the old ladies turned their sharp eyes to the only educated person among them—Song Wei.
“Reaping what you sow,” Song Wei said coolly. “You will suffer the consequences if you commit evil.”
“Yes! That’s the phrase. She only has herself to blame for trying to scheme against Comrade Song. Serves her right!”
The old ladies didn’t feel even a shred of sympathy.
Song Wei sat in the courtyard with them, snacking on nuts. Gao Le and Zhao Su also brought over stools to join the crowd, carrying a decent stash of sunflower seeds.
Each person grabbed a handful. Soon after, Su Fang came out of her room and was invited to join the group.
The sight of Su Fang immediately drew everyone’s attention. She had become the village’s most talked-about figure lately.
The old ladies warmly grabbed her hand. “Look at how thin you’ve gotten! That Luo family is truly awful.”
“They really are! If it were my granddaughter or daughter being bullied like this, even if I had no teeth left, I’d pick up a hoe and take all the young and old in my family to get justice!”
“Poor girl. How come your parents haven’t come to see you? How can they be so heartless?”
Su Fang lowered her eyes, hiding the ridicule in them.
Parents…
She had always been the neglected and unwelcome one in her family. When the time came for one of their four children to be sent to the countryside, they didn’t hesitate to choose her.
Back then, in the direst of circumstances, she had written home begging for help.
What she received in return, however, was a newspaper.
In it was a notice declaring that her family had officially severed all ties with her.
Her father even sent a letter berating her, calling her shameless, unchaste, and a disgrace to the family name.
That letter, along with the newspaper, shattered any hope Su Fang had left. Overwhelmed by numbness and despair, she finally succumbed to marrying Luo Dazhuang.
Though timid and quiet by nature, Su Fang had managed to resist for a long time despite the malicious rumors. Her perseverance revealed her inner strength.
But even the strongest will can’t withstand the pain of being disowned and insulted by her own family.
“They’re dead,” Su Fang said flatly, her voice calm.
Yet her eyes held an icy desolation.
To her, her family had long ceased to exist.
The educated youth who had come from all over the country didn’t know her situation. Believing her words, they quickly dropped the topic—except for Song Wei.
But Song Wei didn’t press further either.
“Su Zhiqing, do you know what happened in there?”
The old ladies’ eyes gleamed with curiosity. If not for all the people around, they might have tiptoed closer to eavesdrop.
Su Fang said, “I left when they went in. But as I walked away, I overheard Liu Dakang’s mother talking about giving a big item as a betrothal gift.”
A big item!
“No way! How could their family even afford it?”
At the time, the most sought-after wedding gifts were a radio, a bicycle, a sewing machine, and a wristwatch.
Even the cheapest among these cost over a hundred yuan, and the tickets were priceless.
Not even the black market in this area would have such tickets.
And now Old Lady Liu was claiming they’d give one as a dowry? How Bold!
“Wow, do you think the heirloom is actually something valuable?”
Song Wei cracked a sunflower seed and said, “We’ll see soon enough.”
Old Lady Liu, her son, and Xu Laidi emerged from the room, all smiles. It seemed the discussion had gone smoothly.
Xu Laidi, in particular, had shed all her earlier resentment and displeasure. She clung to Old Lady Liu’s arm like they were mother and daughter.
The crowd watching the show exchanged looks. No way. Could it really have been settled so quickly?
Almost as if to confirm their thoughts, Old Lady Liu beamed and announced, “At the end of this month, my son and Xu Laidi will be getting married. We hope you’ll all come to celebrate!”
The crowd erupted in surprise.
“Seriously? Xu Zhiqing is really marrying Old Bachelor Liu?”
“What, have they fallen for each other? That’s hard to believe.”
It wasn’t out of malice, but Old Bachelor Liu’s appearance left much to be desired. On top of that, he was notoriously lazy.
“Tsk, tsk… Who would’ve thought Xu Zhiqing would agree so quickly?”
“At least Su Zhiqing resisted. It took immense pressure before she finally caved.”
“Look at Xu Zhiqing now, all smiles. Could it be that the heirloom really is something valuable?”
“Well, even if it is, it’s not like it’ll belong to any of us.”
Speculations about the heirloom ran wild.
Even Xu Laidi didn’t know for sure. She hadn’t been allowed to open the box yet.
But Old Lady Liu had promised that once she and Liu Dakang were married, she’d be taken to buy a wristwatch and given 100 yuan as a bride price.
Initially, Xu Laidi had doubted it. But Old Lady Liu insisted that her son was her only child, and she wanted the best for him. Their family wasn’t truly poor, she claimed—they just kept their wealth hidden.
Old Lady Liu went on to say that before coming to this village during the famine, their family had been wealthy and prosperous.
Her words, spoken with such detail and conviction, made Xu Laidi believe her. Thoughts of the wristwatch and the money erased her earlier disappointment, and she agreed.
Any lingering fantasies about Song Jing were replaced by dreams of her newfound prospects.
After all, Song Jing was just a company commander. To be eligible for marriage relocation, he’d have to reach deputy battalion rank. Even if they did get together, she’d likely have to wait years.
And without the chance to follow him, she’d be stuck in the educated youth dormitory anyway. That was no different from living as a widow—and she’d probably still have to deal with that lunatic Song Wei.
Once she rationalized things, Xu Laidi fully accepted Old Lady Liu’s arrangements.
Surrounded by so many onlookers, Xu Laidi had initially wanted to boast about the wristwatch and bride price. But remembering Old Lady Liu’s advice—how people wouldn’t believe her without proof—she decided to wait until she had tangible things to show off.
For now, she suppressed her pride and refrained from flaunting.
Old Lady Liu, satisfied, patted her hand and left with her son.
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