vines and melons

Chapter 18

In the autumn of 1963, Gui Zhi and Fang Qing got married.

They didn't have a wedding ceremony, because Zhang Quan and his wife were dissatisfied, and they didn't want to send Guizhi out of the house in a serious way.

Fang Qing's parents are old and can't handle this matter at all, and don't want his uncle to bother him anymore, fearing that his aunt and uncle will get angry and he doesn't have time.

Fang Qing said, I'm sorry Guizhi.

Guizhi said that she doesn't care about the so-called formality of these things for outsiders to see, she only wants to be good for others.

There is a custom here: on the second day of marriage, the new daughter-in-law returns to her natal home, and on the third day, the groom leads the daughter-in-law to recognize the ancestral door of the family.The elders have to give money when they see the new daughter-in-law, and there is no clear regulation on how much to give. It depends on the family conditions, and they can give a few cents.

That day, Fang Qing took Guizhi to his uncle's house. Whenever the uncle and nephew met, they always had endless conversations. Before they knew it, it was time for dinner. Fang Wannian insisted on keeping the two of them for dinner, and the new couple stayed behind. .

Fang Yuanniang brought two bowls of sweet potato noodles, Fang Wannian felt a little embarrassed, and hurriedly smoothed things over: "Only when you remember the bitterness can you think about the sweetness."

Fang Qing repeatedly said yes.

Guizhi also echoed.

The two of them got up after dinner and wanted to leave. Fang Wannian saw that his wife had no intention of giving Guizhi money, so he hurriedly followed him out and sent it a long way, forcing Guizhi 10 yuan.At that time, 10 yuan was really a lot, and Fang Qing only had more than 30 yuan a month.

Guizhi could guess that the uncle secretly gave the money because he was afraid that the aunt would see it, but she didn't understand why the aunt gave them sweet potato noodles. She remembered that her mother said that no matter how difficult the house was, she would give a meal to the new daughter-in-law who came to recognize the door. Eat dumplings, even if you want to borrow something!Besides, my uncle is the principal, so life is not so difficult that I can't eat dumplings.

She asked Fang Qing.

Fang Qing didn't want to tell his love and resentment to his daughter-in-law who just passed the door, but Gui Zhi said: You will leave for work in a few days, so you can tell me how to get along with my aunt in the future.

Fang Qing thought about it, so he told the truth.

Every time he came to his uncle's house, his aunt would either have sweet potato noodles or steamed buns or sweet potato root soup. He knew that what auntie meant was to show him that life at home was difficult!Every time he comes back, he will give some money to his aunt.This time, Fang Qing did not give his aunt any money because of the reason: he had to do something (marriage) and money was tight.

As he spoke, Fang Qing said with emotion: Uncle has shouldered too much for me!
I can’t remember which grade I was in. I went to ask my uncle for money. When I got to the door of my uncle’s house, I heard my aunt annoying my uncle in the house.

My aunt said: "Your house is a black hole, which will never be filled!" "Look at how many people are pulled on your shelf cart!"

Uncle interjected: "You talk about this every day, and there is no end to it!"

The aunt said persistently: "It's not over! Why are you partial to Fang Qing?
Uncle said: "Why am I biased?"

"If you're willing to give money to Fang Qing, you're not willing to give it to Fang Yu (Fang Yuan's brother) and Fang Yuan. Could it be that Fang Qing is your biological child, aren't they?!"

"See where you're talking again, Fang Yu () and Fang Yuan are both my bloodline, whoever you give money to depends on what you want the money for..." the uncle murmured.

That's when I realized that I was my uncle's child.

At that time, my heart skipped a beat, and I thought: It seems that everyone's rumors are right.I was a top student in school. Someone once said to my face: "Dragon begets dragon and phoenix, and mice are born to make holes."

Auntie's whining sound came from the room, followed by the sound of uncle coaxing auntie.

I didn't dare to ask for money anymore, so I went out with a heavy heart, sat on the riding stone at the door, and scribbled on it with stones, thinking: Uncle is my real father, who is my real mother?Could it be that he died?Why did uncle send me away?Why is uncle afraid of aunt?I threw the stone in my hand, and the moment I looked up, I saw that there were few people on the road. I guess it was getting late, but I didn't dare to ask my uncle for money. If I can't pay the money this afternoon, I won't be able to go to school!
Just when I was worried, my uncle came out. As soon as he saw me, he knew that he was here to ask for money. He gave me a look. I ran in front of my uncle and let my uncle block me. I was afraid that my aunt would come out and find out. Uncle asked: "Honestly, what did you hear just now?"

I asked back with complaints: "Why don't you want me? Who is my mother?"

Uncle patted me on the shoulder, took out 1 yuan and said, "Hurry up and go to school, I'm going to be late! Wait at the entrance of the village at 6 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, and I will tell you then."

That afternoon, Uncle told me everything.

Later, when I came to ask for money, I didn’t dare to say it directly. I played with Fang Yu and Fang Yuan for a while, and then I dared to open my mouth to see the smile on my aunt’s face.As soon as my aunt heard that she wanted money, her face immediately turned from sunny to cloudy, and said with a long face, "there are many children in the family, and the expenses are high, so you should be frugal in spending money. Look at how many people are on Uncle Ye's "shelf cart". Everyone just wants to sit on it.”

I agreed, took the money, rushed out of the house, clenched my fists and waved in the air, secretly determined: I want to stand out and live up to my uncle!It's just that I haven't asked my uncle for money since I went to high school, and I went to do odd jobs or something.

After Fang Qing finished speaking, he looked at Gui Zhi who was walking side by side. At this time, Gui Zhi was looking at him with admiration and envy.

Gui Zhi asked, "Do you hate Auntie?"

Fang Qing said: "I hated it when I was young, but it's normal to think about it later. After all, I increased the burden on my uncle's family."

(End of this chapter)