Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 265

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this, and Zhao Tingming couldn't help but tease, "Tianfu, it seems you can't wait to get married."

Zhao Tiegang poured himself a glass of wine, glanced at Ma Huaihua and then at Zhou Tianfu. In his mind, the two were very likely to get together, so he joked, "I wonder which good girl will marry you, but I think you might make it this year."

Zhao Tiegang looked at Cheng Jinxi and said, "Big sister, I think you might be able to hold your grandson next year."

Cheng Jinxi laughed heartily, "It's not that fast."

Zhao Tiegang shook his head, poured himself another glass of wine, and laughed, "Tianfu isn't young anymore. He's 19 this year. Many people in our village get married and start families at this age."

Ma Huaihua smiled beside him, but she didn't say much. She would only steal glances at Zhou Tianfu from time to time, her face flushed, and she would cover her mouth and giggle.

The dinner party ended quickly. Old Ma drank some hangover soup and became more sober, able to walk, though his head was still a little dizzy.

Cheng Jinxi and Zhou Yuren saw Lao Ma and the others to the door. Cheng Jinxi felt a little flustered, thinking that there should be nothing wrong with the lunch. So Cheng Jinxi asked, "Lao Ma, how was your lunch? Were you satisfied?"

Cheng Jinxi subtly inquired whether Old Ma was satisfied with his son.

Old Ma was a little dazed, but he told the truth, "Satisfied, extremely satisfied."

Cheng Jinxi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, relieved that he was satisfied.

But then Old Ma changed the subject, laughing, "I enjoyed this meal tonight, but what happens next depends on your sincerity."

Xu Meihua felt that her granddaughter and the young man from the Zhou family would probably get married. She looked at Zhou Tianfu with great satisfaction. Holding Ma Huaihua's hand, she sighed, "Huaihua, time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, you've reached the age to get married. I remember when you were born, you were so small. I never thought you would grow up so much. If you get married in the future, don't forget your old woman."

Ma Huaihua held Xu Meihua's hands tightly and said with heartache, "Grandma, what are you saying? I'm not married yet, so don't think so much. Besides, even if I get married, I'll still be your granddaughter. How could I forget you? At worst, I won't get married. I'll just stay at home and take care of you."

As she spoke, Ma Huaihua threw herself into Xu Meihua's arms and said coquettishly, "I want to stay by your side for the rest of my life."

Looking at her beloved grandson in her arms, Xu Meihua felt a surge of emotion, and the smile on her lips never stopped. However, she said, "What are you saying, silly child? What girl doesn't get married? Don't talk nonsense to me. If you don't get married, who will take care of you in the future? What will you do if you get sick? Grandma doesn't want to see you suffer."

Old Ma chimed in, "Mom, none of the daughters in the Ma family are unmarried, so don't worry about it."

When Xu Meihua thought about how her granddaughter might get married soon and no longer be by her side or see her every day, her eyes welled up with tears. She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and blamed herself for being so sentimental. The two of them hadn't even gotten together yet, but she was already thinking so far ahead.

Seeing Xu Meihua's eyes redden, Ma Huaihua felt sad too. She hugged Xu Meihua, patted her back, and comforted her, "It's alright, Grandma, your granddaughter is still here with you. Don't be sad, we'll go home happily."

Cheng Jinxi quickly added, "Yes, Huaihua is right. When you go home, you should go home happily, not with a long face."

Zhou Tianfu said from the side, "Grandma Xu, if you're worried that Huaihua will get married and won't be able to keep you company in the future, that's easy. I'll just bring you here so you can keep Huaihua company."

Zhou Yuren couldn't help but tap Zhou Tianfu on the forehead, laughing and scolding, "What are you saying, kid? You haven't even gotten married yet, and you're already thinking about all sorts of things. Maybe Huaihua doesn't even like you."

Zhou Tianfu pursed his lips and couldn't help but say, "Dad, your son isn't that bad. Besides, I think Sister Huaihua is quite satisfied with me."

Ma Huaihua covered her mouth and laughed, saying nothing, but occasionally glancing at Zhou Tianfu, then turning her head away as if embarrassed.

Everyone laughed along with them.

Old Ma left with his family, and Cheng Jinxi secretly rejoiced. She said, "Huaihua is a very nice girl. She's good-looking and has a pleasing appearance."

But Cheng Jinxi was still a little unsure. "I don't know if this girl will be interested in my Tianfu, or if she will be willing to marry into my family."

Zhao Da'e smiled and ran over, saying, "Auntie, I think this will definitely work out. Don't overthink it here. Let's see what the matchmaker says in a few days. Besides, my cousin is handsome and outstanding. There's no reason why Sister Huaihua wouldn't like him."

Zhao Da'e knew what happened in his past life, that his older cousin did indeed end up with Ma Huaihua, and that they got along quite well.

When Cheng Jinxi heard Zhao Da'e say that, she breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that it was really as Da'e said.

……

...

The next day, Cheng Jinxi got up very early. She hadn't slept all night, constantly thinking about whether her son and the girl from the Ma family could make it work.

After all, her son is 19 years old and it's time for him to settle down and start a family.

Cheng Jinxi cooked in the morning. First, she took the corn grits, glutinous rice, red beans, and barley that she had soaked the night before, put matches in the fire pit to start a fire, put water in the pot, and then poured in the soaked corn grits, glutinous rice, red beans, and barley.

Besides doing these things, Cheng Jinxi also picked out six eggs from the chicken coop, washed them, and put them in to boil.

Half an hour later, the porridge was ready, and Cheng Jinxi started calling people to get up and eat.

"Big Goose, Chunwen, Tianfu, get up and eat."

After Cheng Jinxi washed the dishes, the fire in the kang (a heated brick bed) went down. When it was time to finish up, Cheng Jinxi first cracked the eggs, then added a few pieces of rock sugar to the porridge to make it taste better, and then covered it and let it simmer for a few minutes.

After washing the dishes, the goose and the others came into the kitchen one after another, seemingly having just gotten up not long ago.

Zhou Chunhong smelled the aroma, her mouth watering. She stammered, "Mom, this... corn porridge... looks so... delicious."

Zhou Chunhong stuttered a little, but that didn't stop her from being a foodie, her eyes fixed on the corn porridge in the pot.

Upon seeing this, Cheng Jinxi couldn't help but laugh and said, "You're the most glutton in our family."

Cheng Jinxi ladled out all the porridge. The steaming bowls of porridge looked very appetizing. She placed them on the table, and since almost everyone had arrived, they started eating.

Cheng Jinxi said to Zhou Chunwen, "Chunwen, after you finish eating, go to your uncle's house and tell him that we'll discuss your aunt's matter together tomorrow."

“Your aunt is going through a divorce and she’s fighting with your uncle every few days. We’ll bring your aunt back in a few days so she won’t have to suffer there.”

Zhou Chunwen sighed, "Mom, Second Aunt is going back to her parents' home, and Older Aunt is going back to her parents' home too. Are you going back to your parents' home too?"

The Cheng family has three daughters and one son. Now that two of the daughters are going back to their parents' home, Zhou Chunwen wondered if Cheng Jinxi should also go back to her parents' home.

Cheng Jinxi glared at Zhou Chunwen, "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm doing just fine here, and I haven't had any conflicts with your dad. I'm not going back to my parents' home at all. Besides, your brother's marriage is still unresolved, so how could I possibly go back to my parents' home?"

When Zhao Da'e heard that she was going to pick up her aunt, she looked up and said, "Auntie, why don't I go pick up your aunt? I've been free these past few days anyway."

Cheng Jinxi shook her head. "We can talk about picking up your aunt later. Besides, Da'e, you're still young. Do you even know how to take a train? Let's eat first."

Zhao Da'e pouted and rummaged through the rice in her bowl. She was no longer young; her age in her past life plus her age in this life was older than her older cousin.

Zhou Tianfu was more concerned about getting married. Ever since he met Ma Huaihua yesterday, he had dreamed about her last night, and today he couldn't help but want to go and meet Huaihua.

Zhou Tianfu couldn't help but ask, "Mom, when do you think I'll be able to marry Sister Huaihua?"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Da'e couldn't help but laugh and said, "Big Cousin can't help but think about his future sister-in-law, hahaha."

Upon hearing "future sister-in-law," Zhou Tianfu became somewhat embarrassed. He said to Zhao Da'e, "Do you even know what a future sister-in-law is?"

However, Zhou Tianfu was secretly pleased with himself, and he couldn't help but ask, "Big Goose, do you really think I can marry Sister Huaihua?"

Zhao Da'e happily ate a large spoonful of porridge from the big bowl, and said with great certainty, "Brother Bao, I'm just waiting to eat your wedding candy."

Zhou Tianfu was also delighted, feeling even happier if things were really as the goose had said.

Just then, a sound came from outside the door.

There was a "thump-thump" sound outside the door.

"Coming, coming, I'll open the door right away." Cheng Jinxi put down her chopsticks and hurriedly ran to open the door.

She murmured to herself, "Who else would come at this hour?"

Zhao Da'e followed curiously, and even Zhou Tianfu and the Zhou Chunwen sisters secretly followed as well.

As soon as Cheng Jinxi opened the door, she saw Shi Zhihui. Cheng Jinxi was stunned for a moment, then reacted, a smile spreading across her face, and said, "It's Zhihui. What brings you here?"

Thinking about yesterday's blind date, Cheng Jinxi felt a little nervous. She tentatively asked, "Is it about yesterday's blind date?"

Shi Zhihui smiled warmly and looked very friendly. She said enthusiastically, "Jinxi, I've come to tell you some good news."

Upon hearing that it was good news, Cheng Jinxi felt both nervous and expectant. She grabbed Shi Zhihui's clothes and quickly asked, "Zhihui, what's the good news?"

Shi Zhihui laughed. She looked at Zhao Da'e and the others who were eavesdropping behind Cheng Jinxi, then pulled Cheng Jinxi aside and said to the group of children behind them, "Don't eavesdrop when adults are around. You guys have fun."

Cheng Jinxi then noticed the people following her. Realizing what was happening, she said, "Stay inside, don't follow me. I want to talk to your fourth aunt about something else."

Seeing that she couldn't listen anymore, Zhou Chunhong stomped her foot and muttered, "What... is there to not listen to? Mom is really... something."

Zhao Da'e smiled and glanced at Zhou Tianfu, "Maybe it's about some good news for my cousin!"

When Zhou Tianfu heard Zhao Da'e say this, he realized it was about yesterday's blind date. Feeling a little embarrassed, Zhou Tianfu scratched his head and remained silent.

Shi Zhihui pulled Cheng Jinxi aside. Cheng Jinxi was anxious and said, "Zhihui, stop being so mysterious. Tell me, is it going to work out between my son and that girl from the Ma family?"

Shi Zhihui smiled. Seeing Cheng Jinxi's nervous yet expectant expression, she stopped being coy and said directly, "Okay, this can be done! My third brother-in-law has his eye on Tianfu, and even Huaihua is interested in him."

Hearing this, Cheng Jinxi was overjoyed and almost cried tears of joy. "Really? My son and that girl from the Ma family can really get together!"

Cheng Jinxi shouted loudly, and the younger generation who were eavesdropping behind him heard it clearly, especially Zhou Tianfu, whose face turned completely red.

Zhou Chunwen rarely joked, "Big brother, your face is all red, hahaha!"

The thought of being able to be with Ma Huaihua in the future made Zhou Tianfu feel hot all over.

Even Zhao Da'e joked, "Big Cousin, your ears are blushing."

Zhou Tianfu felt embarrassed and said with a red face, "Don't meddle in adults' affairs."

Zhou Chunwen pursed his lips and imitated, "Oh, big brother's even mimicking what Mom said: 'Don't meddle in adults' affairs~'"

Zhou Chunhong put her hands on her hips and snorted, "That's right, that's right!"

On the other side, Cheng Jinxi was having a good time when Shi Zhihui patted her on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Jinxi, don't be too happy yet. I mean, your son and the Ma family's daughter might get together, but it depends on your family's sincerity."

When Shi Zhihui mentioned sincerity, she meant "bride price." Cheng Jinxi nodded and quickly said, "I understand." After all, they were both married before, and she was very familiar with the process.

only……

Cheng Jinxi tentatively asked, "Zhihui, what's the minimum dowry the Ma family is asking for?"

That's the real problem; getting a wife costs a lot of money.

Shi Zhihui held up her fingers and made a six.

Cheng Jinxi's eyes widened when she saw it. She tentatively asked, "Six...six thousand!"

Shi Zhihui nodded, and Cheng Jinxi felt dizzy. She gasped and exclaimed, "So much? That's six thousand yuan!"

Six thousand yuan is a lot for an ordinary family; it would take about seven or eight years to save up that much.

Cheng Jinxi suddenly felt overwhelmed and asked, "Zhihui, can the price be reduced a bit?"

In Cheng Jinxi's mind, Tianfu's marriage was important, but she wanted to save as much money as possible on the bride price. After all, making money was not easy. She had worked hard for several years and saved every penny to save up a few thousand yuan. She couldn't afford to spend six thousand yuan at once.

Moreover, getting married isn't just about having a bride price. After the two children get married, they can't start out living a hard life. Their living standards need to improve, and that all costs money.