Chapter 265: Full of Style
The Zhang family came to the county town but didn't stay for long.
The eldest brother and his wife, along with the second brother and his wife, only stayed two days before hurrying back to tend to their business. They had arrived on the 18th day of the first lunar month and left on the 20th, ensuring they'd be back in time for the Dragon Lake Market on the 21st.
For a shop like theirs, business was slow on regular days but boomed during market days.
So, while it was fine to close for a day or two normally, they absolutely had to open on market days—firstly to earn more, and secondly to build loyal customers.
After all, if customers came specifically to buy something on market day only to find the shop closed, it'd feel like a wasted trip. A poor shopping experience once or twice might be forgiven, but if it happened too often, people would stop coming altogether.
After the eldest and second brothers left, Old Man Zhang and his wife stayed another three days with their grandchildren and two younger sons before finally heading back.
...
People's Cinema
A movie had just ended, and the audience streamed out, chatting about the plot.
Suddenly, curses erupted from inside:
"You're nothing but a piece of paper!"
"How dare you poke a star!"
"You idiot!"
"You moron!"
"..."
Then, several young men chased each other out, wrestling violently, each more aggressive than the last. The other moviegoers scattered in alarm.
Deng Yuntai and Zhang Xiuping, standing diagonally across the street, witnessed the scene.
From last year to now, they'd seen over a dozen such fights.
Zhang Xiuping sighed. "No wonder Dad always warned us not to go out unless necessary, and never alone. The county really is different from the countryside—it's so chaotic here."
The Bobai countryside had been relatively peaceful in the early 1980s, but by the late '80s and '90s, trouble spread everywhere.
Deng Yuntai shrugged. "Well, we've got Grandpa Zhang looking out for us. As long as we mind our own business and don't stir up trouble, the chaos won't touch us."
As they spoke, the fight shifted locations—the outnumbered side retreated, while the victors vanished as quickly as they'd appeared.
Had Deng Shirong seen this, he'd have sighed, knowing these reckless youths were nearing their end. The largest, most severe crackdown on crime since the founding of the People's Republic was just around the corner.
Suddenly, Zhang Xiuping gagged and rushed to the nearby restroom.
Deng Yuntai panicked, following her. "Ah Ping! What's wrong? Are you sick?"
After dry heaving a few times, Zhang Xiuping shook her head. "I don't know. I just felt nauseous out of nowhere."
The commotion drew the restaurant staff, including Zhang Guangzong, who chuckled. "Boss, you've had a child before—how'd you forget? Sounds like you're pregnant!"
Zhang Xiuping froze, then counted the days since her last period. Over a week late. She gasped. "With everything going on lately, it never crossed my mind!"
Delighted, Deng Yuntai declared, "Let's get you checked at the hospital."
Since it wasn't yet dinner rush, he gave quick instructions and took his wife to the maternity clinic.
...
Forty minutes later
Deng Yuntai emerged grinning, supporting his wife. "Ah Ping, from now on, eat well. Like Dad says—variety ensures balanced nutrition, so the baby grows healthy."
Zhang Xiuping smiled. "I know. When I carried Little Dong'er, Dad cooked so many nutritious meals. After he was born, he was much stronger than other village babies."
"I'll ask Master Zhang to prepare nourishing soups for you daily."
"Mm!"
Normally, pregnancies aren't announced until the three-month mark for stability.
But since the hospital visit was public, and soups had to be arranged, secrecy wasn't an option. There was no harm in sharing the news anyway.
Upon hearing the boss lady was pregnant, the entire staff congratulated her.
Later, cousin-in-law Liu Aihong pulled Zhang Xiuping aside. "Ah Ping (locals usually call each other 'sister' rather than formal titles), how did your first pregnancy feel? My period's a few days late—could I be pregnant too?"
Zhang Xiuping blinked. "Cousin-in-law, why didn't you say so earlier? We could've checked together!"
Liu Aihong flushed. "I didn't realize at first. It wasn't until your checkup that I remembered—back in junior high, my mom mentioned delayed periods might mean pregnancy. So I wondered…"
"Tell your husband. Have him take you to the clinic."
Liu Aihong checked the time. "Lunch rush is starting. I'll go after eating."
Zhang Xiuping nodded. "Alright, I'll have them adjust your tasks. Just handle tea and drinks for now—no heavy work."
"No need! I'm fine. It's nothing."
"You can't be careless. Early pregnancy is fragile—better safe than sorry."
"Country folk aren't that delicate. Back home, women work the fields with big bellies, some even right before labor. I'm fine, and I'm not even sure yet. No special treatment needed."
"Well… just be careful."
"Got it."
...
That afternoon
Liu Aihong's test confirmed her pregnancy. Two expectant mothers at once livened up the restaurant.
Zhang Xiuping beamed. "Cousin, eat with me from now on. Pregnant women need extra nutrition—it'll make the baby stronger."
Bu Dashi, who'd trained under his uncle during Zhang Xiuping's first pregnancy, smirked. "Aihong, you're in for a treat!"
At the time, Liu Aihong didn't grasp his meaning—until days later.
The staff meals were already decent, with meat at every serving—far better than her past home-cooked meals.
But after joining her cousin's wife's "pregnancy menu," she realized the staggering gap.
In her village, pregnant or not, everyone ate the same. Only postpartum women got a chicken or two—a recent luxury. Before, even that was rare.
Yet here, her cousin's wife had daily nourishing soups and rotating dishes—chicken, duck, fish, pork. The extravagance likely surpassed even pre-revolution landlords. It was mind-boggling.
Liu Aihong felt too embarrassed to keep eating with her cousin's wife.
A country girl like her—was she really worthy of such meals?
If her family back home knew about this, they'd be utterly shocked.
...
Thatchfield Village
Beneath the wooden shed of his house, Deng Shirong puffed on his water pipe as accountant Deng Changqian reported: "Uncle Jiu, after a month of fundraising, the education donation honor roll hasn't changed—neither the individual nor village rankings. What should we do next?"
Packing fresh tobacco into the pipe, Deng Shirong asked, "Who currently tops the individual donor list?"
"Deng Changbao from Feather Ridge still leads. He initially gave 688 yuan, later added 200 more—totaling 888 yuan. Second is Deng Changxiong from Dam Brace Village with 688 yuan. Third are Uncle Yungui, Uncle Yunfa from Yang's Hillside, and Deng Changshou, each donating 388 yuan."
Deng Changqian recited the names fluently: "Fourth is Uncle Yunfei from Horse Village with 288 yuan. Fifth, Deng Changming from Way Parch Village gave 268 yuan. Sixth is Deng Changji from Noble's Passing Village with 228 yuan.
"Seventh, Yun Tianshu from Dragon Well Village donated 188 yuan. Eighth, Deng Changqing from Lifting Spirit Village gave 168 yuan. Ninth is Deng Changli from Plum Field Village with 138 yuan. Tenth, Deng Changnian from Residue Crossing Village contributed 100 yuan."
Deng Shirong nodded inwardly. The top ten were all economically successful Deng clansmen from Thatchfield—either entrepreneurs or families with state-allocated jobs. Each donation exceeded 100 yuan.
"What's the current total amount raised?"
"6,632 yuan."
Deng Shirong exhaled smoke. "That's already substantial. Let's conclude this year's drive. I'll make a second donation during next Spring Festival—record mine as one thousand yuan. Prepare a statement. If this year's student aid funds suffice, good. If not, I'll cover the shortfall."
Deng Changqian brightened. Uncle Jiu topping the donor list was expected—after all, by most estimates, he was the wealthiest in the Deng clan and its newly appointed head. Having initiated the education fund, his leadership in contributions was natural.
But Deng Changqian hadn't anticipated Uncle Jiu not only taking first place but also guaranteeing to cover any deficit. In modern terms, his prestige skyrocketed instantly.
Though this year's donations were sizable—making a shortfall unlikely—the promise alone carried weight.
Deng Changqian nodded. "Understood, Uncle Jiu. I'll finalize the list and post it at the ancestral hall entrance."
Deng Shirong added, "Besides the posted version, prepare two more copies: one for clan archives, another as backup. These records are ironclad proof of our Deng clan's unity in collective development. They may prove crucial later."
"Of course! I'll make three lists—one for the ancestral hall, one for archives, and a personal copy against loss," Deng Changqian assured.
With a hum, Deng Shirong set aside his pipe, retrieved a thousand yuan from inside, and handed it over.
After pocketing the money, Deng Changqian exchanged a few more words with Uncle Jiu before leaving to compile the education donation records.
...
The Next Day
The completed "Honor Roll for Education Donations" appeared on the Thatchfield Deng ancestral hall walls, instantly drawing crowds of clansmen.
Four large red sheets displayed the list. The preamble explained that clan head Deng Shirong had initiated the fundraiser to:
Encourage academic excellence among clansmen, nurturing talents for the nation;
Contribute to the Deng clan's advancement.
Next came the village and individual rankings. Unsurprisingly, Thatchfield Village led the village list, followed by Dam Brace Village, Feather Ridge, Yang's Hillside, Horse Village, Way Parch, Noble's Passing, Lifting Spirit, Plum Field, and Residue Crossing.
Top-ten villages typically had wealthy benefactors supporting them.
The individual donor list crowned Deng Shirong with 1,000 yuan.
The subsequent top ten mirrored Deng Changqian's earlier report, now each demoted one rank.
The notice concluded by highlighting Clan Head Deng Shirong's guarantee—a detail that cemented villagers' trust upon reading.
The Thatchfield Deng clan's education fundraiser made such an impact that not only clansmen followed it closely, but also other surnames in Help And Correct Brigade, even villagers from neighboring brigades.
Now, with the final list revealing over 7,000 yuan in total donations, onlookers could only stare in awe.
Needless to say, the Deng clansmen swelled with pride at their family's accomplishment.
When neighbors of other surnames discussed it, their faces betrayed naked envy. How they wished their own lineages could organize such initiatives! Yet in this era, launching education fundraisers required both prestige and capability from clan leadership—a rare combination.
Even if attempted, few clans could muster comparable participation.
While the Thatchfield Deng donation list remained the hottest topic across eight villages and ten leagues, another event demanded attention—the approaching Qingming Festival. Across Bobai, the annual grave-sweeping and ancestor veneration activities were in full swing.
Bobai's clan culture runs exceptionally deep, making these rituals far more significant here than elsewhere.
As mentioned earlier, while some Bobai natives might skip Spring Festival homecomings, Qingming is different. Unless truly unavoidable, migrant workers would rush back. Even students commonly missed class—often over half a school's enrollment—to attend ceremonies. Teachers generally turned a blind eye, effectively granting informal holidays.
Amid this atmosphere, Deng Yuntai and Zhang Xiuping naturally returned for grave-sweeping.
...
"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
Learning of his eldest daughter-in-law's renewed pregnancy, Deng Shirong beamed.
Born in the Republican era, he inherently valued lineage continuation—not through son preference, but simply by welcoming more descendants. With five sons, the family line seemed secure regardless of grandchildren's genders.
Having inheritors was what truly mattered!
Noticing her father-in-law's joy, Zhang Xiuping added, "Dad, my cousin's wife is pregnant too—likely around the same time as me."
Deng Shirong clapped delightedly. Though his third sister already had grandchildren through marriage, biological grandsons remained special. If Liu Mei bore a son, his sister would surely rejoice.
After celebrating, he advised seriously: "Ah Ping, this being your second pregnancy, you know the drill. Eat nutritiously, rest adequately in town, and avoid overexertion. Maintain the same care as last time—understood?"
Zhang Xiuping nodded cheerfully. "I will, Dad."
Meanwhile, Deng Yunzhen teased Little Dong'er: "You'll have a baby brother soon—excited?"
The toddler chirped, "Yes!"
Zhang Xiuping continued, "Then you must help care for him, okay?"
At just sixteen months, Little Dong'er barely grasped "care," blinking curiously before asking, "Mama, where brother?"
"Still growing in my belly!" his mother laughed.
The child toddled over, patting her abdomen. "Brother! Baby brother!"
The family erupted in laughter.
...
Next Morning
Armed with tools and offerings, the family set out for grave-sweeping.
As customary, Deng Shirong exempted his pregnant daughter-in-law from distant hills, having her stay home with Little Dong'er.
Being senior-generation, their family graves were fewer than most villagers'. By noon, all were tended.
That afternoon, when maintaining his parents' and late wife's nearby graves—visible from home—the entire household participated, including the expectant mother and toddler.
Though Deng Shirong's parents weren't interred together, their adjacent mounds shared both sweeping rituals and offerings.
After clearing weeds, Deng Shirong knelt before his father's grave:
"Dad, Mom, we're here again. First, good news—your eldest grandson's wife is expecting. Our family grows this year. Also, Dashi married last year through my matchmaking. His Peace Slope Village bride is kind-hearted, now pregnant. Third Sister will become a grandmother.
Bless their safe deliveries..."
After updating his parents on the year's developments, Deng Shirong had each child and in-law speak briefly.
Three bows later, they gathered offerings and proceeded to his late wife's nearby resting place.
The process repeated, with Deng Shirong reiterating family updates. Deng Yuntai added news of his father's clan leadership—unofficial but profoundly influential in rural society, surpassing even brigade secretaries in authority.
With rites completed, the family returned home.
...
The Following Day.
Deng Yuntai and Zhang Xiuping boarded the bus back to Bobai, accompanied by Deng Yunzhen and Little Dong'er.
As Qingming's arrival finally dispelled months of chill, and with another pregnancy in the family, Deng Yunzhen decided to bring her niece along for extra support.
...
25th Day, 2nd Lunar Month
A date forever etched in Thatchfield's memory.
That afternoon, twenty trucks—including Bu Zhongshi's—rolled into the village in convoy. Their cargo: 36,000 Cinnamon Flavor lychee saplings from Fresh Light Farm.
This bulk purchase exhausted the farm's entire stock. Recovery would take years—these cuttings came from prime mother trees, and overharvesting would devastate yields.
Villagers promptly collected their allocated saplings, transporting them to last year's prepared orchards. At dawn, the entire village commenced planting.
The scale caused regional shockwaves.
Neighboring villages—even other Deng clan settlements—could only watch enviously. Though some had cleared land, none had saplings ready.
Their consolation? Watermelons.
As Thatchfield planted lychees, other villages with prepared fields sowed melons instead.
Thus, under Deng Shirong's influence, every Help And Correct Brigade household cultivated watermelons that year.
(End of Chapter)