Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 63 - Going Out
63: Chapter 63 Going Out
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63 -63 Going Out
Yang PeiMin still felt disagreeable.
She believed it was only proper to leave half at home, considering her parents had raised her entire life.
Taking half would also maintain her parents’ dignity.
She remembered in her previous life’s small town that there was a custom where a bride should not take away all her dowry, as it was considered unlucky.
Unsure if the custom existed here, she wasn’t superstitious but feared idle gossip would inconvenience her family.
Yang Dahai, as the production team leader, could have his authority undermined by rumors.
Zhang Minghua saw that she wanted to continue and immediately said, “Let’s talk about this later.
We also have to see what dowry the Shen family will give before we discuss further, alright?”
“Exactly, with time being tight, let’s start making the son-in-law’s clothes, hats, and shoes.
I reckon, at the latest the day after tomorrow, they will come to urge the wedding date,” her aunt said.
Everyone nodded and set to work cooperatively.
The women busied themselves with sewing clothes, hats, and other needlework, while the men tallied items and their prices.
Yang PeiMin felt a twinge in her nose.
How fortunate she was to have a family that loved her so dearly in both lives.
No matter if her parents were divorced, she had received so much love.
The Shen family proved more eager than expected, sending two potential wedding dates early the next morning, the eighth and the tenth of the lunar month.
Seeing this, Yang PeiMin’s mouth twitched; the two dates seemed hardly different.
Cunning as the Shen family were.
The Yang Family were at a loss but could imagine how anxious the Shen family was.
After going back and forth, they finally felt the eighth was a slightly better date, so they settled on it.
There wasn’t much time left, but fortunate as they were with many helping hands at home, they all buzzed about preparing for her.
The tighter the time, the more uncertain Yang PeiMin felt.
She thought she hid it well, but Zhang Minghua noticed.
So she took her everywhere, involving her in her own wedding preparations, “Your eye for clothes is better than mine—take a look, do you think the son-in-law’s outfit turned out alright?”
“Come here and hold the fabric taut while sewing, only then will the stitches come out straight.”
“This is new cotton.
It needs to be compressed before stuffing it into the quilt.
Lay it out, smooth it, make sure it’s neatly packed, and then you’ll have to sew it yourself…
it also needs to be unstitched for washing…”
“You should also learn these needlework skills.
Which woman doesn’t know them?
People will say you can’t manage a household.” Zhang Minghua wished she could transfer all her life’s knowledge to Yang PeiMin in an instant.
Although Yang PeiMin was somewhat restless, she struggled to absorb the full extent of Zhang Minghua’s intensive instruction.
Shen Yiguang arrived.
Still in his green military overcoat, he stood straight in the courtyard, talking with the promptly arriving Zhang Minghua.
“Auntie, I came wanting to take PeiMin out to the county for a change.
My mother originally wanted to make her two sets of clothes, but I thought that self-made ones wouldn’t quite match the owner’s preference, so I’m taking PeiMin to the department store to take a look.”
Zhang Minghua couldn’t stop smiling.
Of course, ready-made clothes from a store looked better than her handmade ones, but they were just too expensive.
She was obviously pleased that Shen Yiguang was thoughtful, but she still said, “Oh my, how can we afford such luxury?
We’re not that fussy, something ordinary will do just fine.”
“Take a look if you need anything else, Auntie,” Shen Yiguang said with a smile.
“We can buy that stuff at the same time.”
“There isn’t really anything else, everything is pretty much ready.”
When Yang PeiMin came out, Zhang Minghua pulled her over and said earnestly, “You have to be frugal with this kind of thing.
Sometimes men like to show off and spend big without thinking, but in the end, it’s the two of you who will have to live together.
There will be many more expenses later on, so don’t waste money on fancy, impractical things, understand?”
Yang PeiMin agreed.
This was indeed a nice feeling of freedom.
“Mom, I also want to ask brother-in-law to help me buy some things,” said Bai Hehua, who had not yet finished her postpartum month, coming out at some point and smiling at Zhang Minghua and the others.
Before Bai Hehua could say anything, Zhang Minghua cut her off, “What do you need to buy now?
Your sister’s got a lot on her plate, she can’t be bothered with you.
You can’t sit still for a day, always trying to stick your nose into someone else’s wedding preparations; what does that look like?”
“Mother, I…” Bai Hehua was at a loss for words and turned to Yang PeiMin, “It’s just a little thing, Minmin sister-in-law.
It won’t bother you much.
Could you help me out and pick something up for me?”
Yang PeiMin didn’t mind, as long as it wasn’t too much trouble, she was willing to help out, “What is it you want to buy, second sister-in-law?”
Zhang Minghua glared fiercely at Bai He, but since her daughter had already spoken, she let it go.
Bai Hehua stepped forward and lowered her voice, appearing to be considerate of Zhang Minghua, “I’ve heard that the red date cake from the county is really delicious.
You know I’ve always been frail and have no appetite.
I’ve hardly been able to eat these past days, and I’m worried there won’t be enough for Xiao Bao, so I thought I’d ask you to bring some back for me.
They say it’s both appetizing and nourishing.”
Yang PeiMin gave her a look.
She knew better than to believe Bai Hehua’s words.
No appetite?
Acting like a lord, huh?
Bai Hehua always had her pick of the best food at home and still claimed to have no appetite.
Yang PeiMin remembered that this second sister-in-law had gone to the hospital precisely because she was eating too much alone.
Now it was clearly just greed, using Xiao Bao as an excuse.
So Yang PeiMin didn’t waste words and simply held out her hand, “Okay, I don’t know how much it costs per pound, so bring the money and food tickets first.
I guess two yuan and four taels of food tickets should be enough to buy two pounds.”
Bai Hehua’s eyes flickered, and she glanced at Shen Yiguang, “How could it be that expensive?
It should only be 50 cents per pound at most.
Minmin, how about this, you pay for me first, and I’ll pay you back later.”
Yang PeiMin laughed.
Trying to get a bargain for herself, but coming out on the losing end.
She spread her hands, “Sorry, sister-in-law, but I don’t have any extra money.”
Zhang Minghua was angry as well and called her second son from inside the house, “Peihua, come out here and deal with this wasteful woman.
I think she’s asking for a slap!”
Bai Hehua called out, “Mother,” and glanced at Shen Yiguang again, but he paid her no attention.
Stomping her foot in disappointment, she said, “All right, there’s no need to call Peihua.
Forget about buying it.”
With that, she stomped off in a huff.
Zhang Minghua was furious once more.
If it weren’t for Xiao Bao still breastfeeding, she would have just let Bai Hehua go hungry for a few meals to see if she’d continue to misbehave.
Yang PeiMin comforted her, “Mom, don’t be angry.
Anger is just punishing yourself with the mistakes of others – it’s not worth it.
Look, she didn’t get her way in the end.”
Zhang Minghua patted her hand and smiled at her, nodding, “Good, Mom won’t be angry.
Once Xiao Bao is weaned, I’ll take care of her properly.
You better hurry up and go now; it’s getting late.
Go and come back early.”
“Mom, I still need to change clothes,” Yang PeiMin said, also glancing at Shen Yiguang, “Brother Shen, wait a moment.” Then she quickly ran back to her room.
Zhang Minghua shook her head, “She’s about to get married and still acts like a child.” But then she noticed Shen Yiguang watching Yang PeiMin’s retreating figure with a gentle gaze and a smile on his lips, so she couldn’t help but smile along with him.
