9: Chapter 9 Raising 9: Chapter 9 Raising Near lunchtime, Yang Dahai and his wife returned.
They also brought back some gifts.
Zhang Minghua, with a smile on her face, said, “The Shen family was very polite and kind, suggesting that our two families could also move about like friends and relatives in the future.
They insisted that I bring some pastries back.
Minmin, Da Niu, Xiao Niu, come and try this red bean cake.”
Though she only called these three people, when it was time to distribute, everyone had a taste.
Zhang Minghua wrapped up the leftovers, “These pastries brought by the third daughter of the Shen family sell very well in the county.
These are rare treats.
Mom originally insisted on not accepting them, but Sister-in-law Shen said something about not accepting them might mean we wouldn’t interact in the future.
Since those words were spoken, Mom thickened her face and took a few.
This time, I’ve distributed four for everyone to taste, and there are four left.
Mom will keep them, send one to your grandma, and the rest will be saved for giving as gifts during New Year’s.”
In fact, these red bean cakes were not large, just about five centimeters in diameter in round rice cakes.
Divided, it was only a small bite per person to taste.
The eldest sister-in-law even hesitated to eat hers, wanting to save it for her two daughters, but Zhang Minghua insisted that everyone should have a taste since the Yang Family was not the kind of family that skimps on food from their daughters-in-law, and then they ate it.
Yang PeiMin took a piece and put it in her mouth; it was made from glutinous rice flour with a red bean filling, sweet and sticky, and quite delicious.
After several days of bland and simple meals, even though she didn’t like sweets much, she couldn’t help but chew it over a few more times.
What was very hard to ignore was Peijun, who after finishing, smacked his lips a few times, his face full of longing as he moved closer to Zhang Minghua, “Mom, what are your plans for the remaining ones?”
Zhang Minghua raised her eyelids and gave him a look, “Wherever they go, they will not go to you; stop thinking about them.”
“It’s not for me, Mom.
I’ve already had mine.
I was thinking that everyone in our family should have a share.
How about saving the portion meant for Li Hong too?”
Peijun had to be acknowledged for his quick wit and gutsiness.
In the instant that a storm seemed to brew on Zhang Minghua’s face and her hand started to rise in anger, he sprang up, immediately changing his tune, “Mom, I was just talking casually.” Indeed, quite the man.
Having married a wife who forgot his mother, that son of mine, “Your brother and the others didn’t get any either.
She wants to secure a spot before even stepping into the house, how dare she aim for the skies?” Zhang Minghua’s scolding followed right after.
Yang PeiMin couldn’t help but laugh.
Peijun secretly glared at her.
“Mom, besides him, blessed you with several more,” Yang PeiMin quietly passed a figurative ‘knife’ to Zhang Minghua, not so innocently.
“Exactly, I’m glad I had daughters.
Sons are nothing but debt collectors,” Zhang Minghua, embracing Yang PeiMin, laughed.
This buried the silently observant eldest son as well.
Undeterred, Peijun retorted mischievously, “Mom, wait till it’s time for her to get married; you won’t be laughing then.”
Zhang Minghua glared at him sharply, “Impertinent brat, even if Minmin gets married, she’ll still side with me.
If she marries into a good family, I’ll enjoy the benefits too.”
Yang PeiMin sweated; why did the conversation suddenly turn to marriage?
More alarming for her, was when Yang Dahai, who had been quiet throughout, suddenly nodded, “Speaking of a good family, I think a military family would be nice.”
Then, Zhang Minghua, understanding his hint, nodded in agreement.
Her hand, placed reassuringly on Yang PeiMin’s back, gently patted her, her words seemingly meant for her ears alone, “Absolutely, though being a military wife can be tough, the character of those families is unquestionable.
A military household generally has a higher awareness, easy to get along with, has a steady salary, subsidies, and connections; much better than farming, and you can move up the ranks and follow him which spares you from farm work.
Many young women are sharpening their heads to marry into military families.”
“Da Mei would be suitable for such a match; not having a mother-in-law to oversee her would make household chores no bother,” Peijun found a long bench and leisurely sat down, prepared to discuss his sister’s crucial life decision.
Yang PeiMin glared at him this time.
Zhang Minghua did not scold him this time; instead, she glanced sideways to see her eldest daughter’s reaction.
“But the premise is, would anyone fancy Minmin?”
You can’t say anything nice, you dog!
What’s wrong with Minmin?
Do you talk about your sister like that?
Is there any girl as handsome as Minmin in this ten-mile radius?
Our family’s Minmin even went to high school; who is she worse than?”
Just as Zhang Minghua’s scolding war was about to begin, Yang PeiMin, feeling overwhelmed, quickly held her back, “Mom, what are you saying?
I don’t want to get married so soon.”
Zhang Minghua’s scolding stopped abruptly as she turned to look at her, “Minmin, after the New Year you’ll be nineteen.”
Finally, she asked in a lowered voice, still not quite reassured, “Minmin, do you still have feelings for that Xu Min?”
Yang PeiMin shook her head somewhat amusedly, “Mom, I assure you, absolutely not!”
Zhang Minghua finally breathed a sigh of relief, “Mom is not rushing you, I’m just keeping an eye out for you.”
Under her earnest gaze, Yang PeiMin swallowed the words she had on her lips.
Let her keep an eye out, after all, the final say would still be hers, but…
Yang PeiMin cast a suspicious glance at Yang Dahai and his wife.
Ever since they had returned from the Shen family’s home and mentioned this, could the elders have seen a potential excellent son-in-law there?
The seeds of doubt sprouted, and her intense curiosity could not be suppressed, “Mom, that young man who saved me, what does he do?
Diving into the water in the dead of winter to save someone, was he okay afterward?”
That Shen boy is a military man.
He was visiting a comrade that day and happened to see you fall into the water.
That young man looks sharp and robust, in good health indeed.
At such a young age, he’s already a battalion leader; doesn’t that show he’s capable?”
Yang PeiMin nodded in agreement.
Zhang Minghua, extremely excited, eyed Yang PeiMin, “This young man is still unmarried.
The army has given him more than twenty days off, and his family is taking this opportunity to settle his personal affairs.
When we visited this morning, matchmakers and all sorts of relatives were constantly entering and leaving their house; word has gotten out, you see.
Look at the prospects—how many are watching?”
Yang PeiMin: “Hehe…” The taste of digging one’s own grave is really not pleasant…
Yang Dahai, who was shirking his duties at the company and watching Zhang Pei Min, said, “I think he’s not bad.”
“Mom, Dad, you just got back and don’t know yet, but Dajiang is back, and he even said that he will throw a party for Sister Qiongzi tomorrow to celebrate her getting into university,” Yang PeiMin quickly dredged up this topic from her mind.
Zhang Minghua also glanced at the calendar on the wall, “Today is already the 25th; it’s about time he returned, but did he really say he’s going to host a celebration for Qiongzi?” she turned and asked Yang PeiMin.
Yang PeiMin nodded hurriedly, relieved to have shifted the topic.