The 1960s: The Story of a Country Girl's Journey to the City

Jiang Yuan was originally going to join the army as well. Every time Jiang Tao wrote from the army, he would tell his family to make sure Jiang Yuan studied hard and even made a training plan for him, hoping that one day his younger brother could also join the army.

Unexpectedly, during the famine, Jiang Li, the youngest daughter of the Jiang family, was dragged away by wolves that came down from the mountain in search of food. Jiang Yuan took a hunting rifle alone to rescue his sister.

His younger sister was eaten by wolves, leaving not even her limbs behind. Enraged, Jiang Yuan killed a pack of wolves on the mountain, injuring his head and nearly losing his sight in the process.

Because the injury was to his eyes and affected his vision, he did not meet the requirements for military service. So Uncle Jiang took Jiang Yuan to the city to treat his eyes and take care of him. It took several years for him to recover.

After that, Uncle Jiang found him a job at a meat processing plant. Uncle Jiang passed away two years ago, leaving his savings and house to Jiang Yuan.

Although Jiang Yuan is Liao Chunhua and Jiang Laoshan's biological son, he was ultimately adopted by his elder brother's family. Moreover, since his eye injury, he has become more taciturn. Liao Chunhua and Jiang Laoshan always felt indebted to their youngest son and usually doted on him.

For the past two years, suitors have been lining up to propose marriage, but he has always refused to meet them. However, last year he took a liking to Lin Baoya from Nanshan Brigade at first sight. Even though the bride price was high, the couple agreed without hesitation.

Now that this has happened, Liao Chunhua feels uneasy. She should have at least checked on things for her son, even if it made him unhappy.

Now that Jiang Yuan has told me about the Lin family, I feel a little better. But then I think about it again and I'm a little worried. Even if they've separated their households, if her grandparents really cause a scene, it would be disgusting.

"Third brother, what do you suggest we do? We're supposed to be exchanging betrothal gifts with him soon. Should we talk to your father-in-law first?"

Jiang Laoshan, who hadn't said much, put down the welding fumes in his hand and asked Jiang Yuan. He felt that his son was grown up and must have his own ideas, and he wanted to know what he planned to do.

Their ancestors were hunters in the mountains, and they believed that their children would eventually be able to stand on their own, so they didn't keep a tight rein on them and let them make their own decisions as much as possible from a young age.

"No need, we'll tell them on the day of the betrothal."

"How much will the betrothal gifts be?"

"five hundred."

"What? That money came out of nowhere, three hundred dollars just like that."

Liao Chunhua became anxious upon hearing this. The third son's monthly salary was only a little over thirty yuan, and three hundred yuan was not a small amount. How could he just give it away like that?

Although his uncle left him a lot of money before he passed away, he couldn't just let someone take it all away.

Jiang Yuan lowered his head, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one for himself and one for Jiang Laoshan, and then put the pack back on the table after thinking for a moment.

He thought Bao Ya was a sensible person. He wanted to know how she would handle it. If she handled it well, their little family would be under her management. If she was also the type to like subsidizing her family, then he would need to keep some emergency money on hand, so they wouldn't be unable to make ends meet.

"Alright, don't worry, the third brother knows what he's doing."

Jiang Laoshan stopped Liao Chunhua from continuing. He knew his youngest son wasn't brainless; he could handle this himself.

Meanwhile, Lin Baoya was still unaware that Li Jinxiang was plotting against her again, happily preparing her wedding dress at home. She was quite looking forward to going to the city next month.

She turned that crimson fabric into a stand-up collar jacket. It was entirely handmade, almost like a custom-made garment in later times. She even used the leftover scraps of fabric to make flower petal-shaped buttons.

When Grandma Su saw the clothes, she praised them highly. If she wasn't worried that the women in the village would get them dirty, she would have loved to take the clothes around the village and show them what they were made of.

Although hard work and frugality are encouraged now, that movement had not yet begun, and she, a country girl, had much more freedom in dressing than those intellectuals in the city.

In the countryside, people want to wear a red cloth when they get married. Even if they encounter those who make a big deal out of it, they can't say anything as long as they reveal that they are from the countryside.

Lin*TuNiu*BaoYa also made herself a pair of black pants, a bit fitted, but not particularly slim. Nowadays, clothes for both men and women are quite loose, making them look a bit sloppy, which she didn't like, so she made them a bit more fitted.

After trying on both outfits, Grandma Su and her aunt praised them again.

This was the day she and Jiang Yuan were to get their marriage certificate, and Jiang Yuan arrived at the Su family home early to wait for them. When Lin Baoya got up, he was talking to Old Madam Su in the yard.

Lin Laosan's house was finished, and he wanted Bao Ya to go back and stay for a few days before her wedding. Bao Ya went back and looked around, but still refused. She thought it was too much trouble, and besides, the new house was a bit damp, and she would have to clean it up if she went back.

Lin Laosan was a little disappointed when he found out; he should have made a fuss about dividing the family property sooner.

"Did you have meal?"

Bao Ya asked Jiang Yuan as soon as she saw him, without the slightest bit of shyness on her face. Old Mrs. Su was so angry that she ground her teeth. What young lady wouldn't be too shy to lift her head when she saw her fiancé? Only her nemesis, his tone was too familiar, not at all like a young lady who hadn't left home yet.

"No, we're eating at the commune. Are you ready?"

This was to take her to the commune's state-run restaurant for breakfast, and of course she wouldn't refuse.

"Okay, let's go."

After greeting Grandma Su, Jiang Yuan rode his bicycle with her towards the commune.

They got their marriage certificate at the woman's registered residence location. Bao Ya's registered residence was in the commune, so they went to the commune to get their marriage certificate.

It was a bit chilly in the morning. Sitting on the back of the bicycle, a gust of wind made Bao Ya shrink her neck. She wrapped her right arm around Jiang Yuan's waist and put her other hand in her shirt pocket.

Jiang Yuan was startled by her hugging him so quickly. Was this girl oblivious to the world or just too bold?

After spending so much time together, he'd figured things out. This girl never blushed, and she was always very outspoken and straightforward. She wasn't clueless and only treated him like a buddy; she was only nice to him because they were engaged.

Thinking about this, he felt a little uneasy. He truly cared about her, and every time he saw her, his face would flush and his heart would race, unable to contain his excitement. Was he feeling like he was missing out?

Thinking of this, he sighed inwardly. She'll be his wife soon; he'll teach her slowly later.

They arrived at the commune quickly. The civil affairs department was not yet open for business, so they went directly to the commune's only state-run restaurant.

It was breakfast time, so Jiang Yuan locked the car and led her inside to find a seat. There weren't many people eating in the shop; there were quite a few empty seats.

What would you like to eat?

Soy milk and fried dough sticks.

"Okay, you can sit here and wait a bit."

"Um."

After saying that, Jiang Yuan went to buy food. Lin Baoya sat in her seat, looking at the people around her. There were quite a few people in the commune. This area was full of government departments, and the commune also had several factories. People had money and ration coupons, so many people came to buy breakfast, mostly to take home and eat.

A little while later, Jiang Yuan brought back two bowls of soy milk, and then went back to get two steamed buns and four fried dough sticks.

Lin Baoya picked up the soy milk and took a sip. Hmm, the flavor was very rich, much more fragrant than the soy milk made from soy flour in later generations. Then she picked up a fried dough stick, took a bite, and found it fragrant and crispy. Fried food is just so delicious.

Lin Baoya ate two fried dough sticks and a bowl of soy milk in one go, finally feeling relieved. It had been a long time since she had eaten breakfast outside.