Chapter 156
Xu asked and rolled her eyes, “A one in one chance makes you say it’s like one hundred percent When the time comes to have a baby, I’ll see how you can convince Dongsheng!”
As a result, Dongsheng turned on the spot, “It’s just a sister! I heard her tell me it’s a sister”
Xu Man: “”
Xu Man definitely didn’t believe it, but Zhu Meizhen, Sang Xiaoqing, and Xu Wang were convinced
They all agreed that children were very spiritual and could sense the gender of the fetus in their wombs
It is said that babies can sense yin and yang
Xu Wen didn’t believe in such unscientific things, but he couldn’t persuade them either
Even if Xu Man had taken a step back and said that Dongsheng was already six years old and not considered a baby, it would still be useless
What’s that saying?
Don’t try to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep
So now the whole family, except for Xu Man, thinks that Xu Man is pregnant with a baby girl
And Zhu Meizhen listed a lot of other “evidence”
For example, a pointed belly is a girl, and a round belly is a boy
She said that Xu Man’s stomach is pointed
Although Xu Man looked in the mirror half a day also do not know which pointed
There is also a line above and below the belly button of pregnant women that becomes more visible during pregnancy
They said that this line would be darker for a boy, but not for a girl
Xu Wen is so white, the line can not be seen, must be a girl
Xu Man: “”
Can’t it be because she’s white?
There’s also a saying that pregnant women who are pregnant with a girl will become more beautiful and have whiter skin, while those who are pregnant with a boy will become uglier, such as having spots on their face and becoming darker
Xu Wen can’t be whiter, but her complexion looks better, so it also proves that she’s pregnant with a girl
There is also a very traditional saying, called what “Qing Palace Table”, also counted Xu Man is a girl
Xu Man: “”
Okay, you guys are happy, let’s just assume it’s a girl!
We’ll find out when we unload
And so, even before the lottery, everyone thinks she’s going to have a girl
Among them, Lu Yuanzheng and Dongsheng were the most optimistic, with the father and son especially hoping for a girl
Xu Wen smiled at the small and large group, a bit helpless
Fetal movements are often just a few at a time, and they don’t happen for a long time
Dongsheng waited for a while, and when he got sleepy, he yawned and fell asleep lying between Lu Yuanzheng and Xu Man
The six-year-old boy’s sleeping posture is not honest, Lu Yuanzheng especially afraid of Dongsheng hit or kicked Xu Man’s stomach
But the old home is too cold, they do not come back for many years, the room is not popular and even feel cold
If Dongsheng sleeps by himself, he will not be able to warm up under the blanket
Lu Yuanzheng stared at Dongsheng for a while and suddenly spoke, “How do you get that earth heater you mentioned? I want to try it”
Xu Wen shook his head, “That’s too troublesome! It also costs charcoal when pressed It’s not necessary We only come back for a few days a year?”
“A few days is still living One day is as warm as the next”
“But it’s New Year’s Eve soon, and it’s hard to say if you’ll be able to buy a heater”
“That saying you always hang on to, ‘Money makes the devil work’ is sometimes quite true”
Xu asked, “”
Lu Yuanzheng was a man of action, and early in the morning of the first day, he ran alone to the city to buy a heater
Heaters were only used in buildings in their area, and basically only in the houses shared by the employees
Ordinary people can’t afford to light a stove, who still burns what earth heating?
In the afternoon, Lu Yuanzheng followed a minivan back, and the bicycle he rode away on was also pulled back by the minivan
Xu Wen and Dongsheng heard the commotion and went out to take a look, and really let him buy
Look at the color, it should be a first-hand
After Lu Yuanzheng finished unloading the goods, Xu Man paid the money before asking, “Where did you buy this?”
Lu Yuanzheng touched the tip of his nose: “Waste station”
Xu asked, “”
“So it was the owner of the scrapyard just now?”
“Uh-huh”
It’s not that Lu Yuanzheng is stingy and can’t afford to buy a new one, but he mainly doesn’t have a ticket
Now you need a ticket to buy anything
At the end of the year, it is not good to exchange so many tickets When he was about to give up, he passed by a scrapyard and had a bright idea to go in and ask, and although this one didn’t have any, he was recommended another scrapyard Lu Yuanzheng rushed over and saw this set of other people’s homes just removed and replaced the heating pad, the color is quite new
You don’t need a ticket to buy scrap
Lu Yuanzheng sent Xu Man and Dongsheng to Xu’s house, and went back to the courtyard to start working on the heaters according to the principles of heating that Xu Man had told him
He installed heaters in all five main rooms, including the bathroom he had remodeled for Xu Man
He also dismantled the furnace in the house and replaced it with a small boiler that he had traded in
Even a small industrial boiler is not small at home, taking up half of the utility room
After finishing the job, Lu Yuanzheng went to the coal factory to buy some charcoal
He also asked his acquaintances to buy it on a public-to-public basis
Individuals need tickets to buy, where can he get so many tickets?
After working until midnight, Lu Yuanzheng lit the boiler and filled the coal
As a result, there are still a few places that are not ideal, and then removed and reinstalled again, until you hear the sound of circulating water, and finally breathed a sigh of relief
Touching the heater warm, the day is already dawn, see to pick up Xu asked is still early, Lu Yuanzheng lay back again
When he opened his eyes again, it was already noon
He washed his face, went to Xu’s house to eat lunch, and then Xu asked his mother and son back home
Xu Che heard that there is a heater, especially curious to also play with this
Xu Man thought it would be a good idea for him and Dongsheng to keep him company, so that Dongsheng wouldn’t be afraid to recognize a new place
The heater has been circulating for a whole day, plus Lu Yuanzheng has been adding charcoal diligently and has been burning it, so the temperature in the house is gradually coming up
Once inside, it was warm
Xu Wen took off his bulky military coat and handed it to Lu Yuanzheng, rubbing his frozen hands, “This is the familiar feeling!”
The heating in the north was too nostalgic
After having the heating, Xu Wen didn’t really love to go out
Just in time, it was also the New Year’s Eve
As usual, the family of three went to Xu’s house for dinner on New Year’s Eve
The meal was very sumptuous, but the Xu family couldn’t set off firecrackers or put up couplets this year, so there was relatively less of a feeling
Because Grandma
Grandma has been gone for a whole year
Before dinner, Zhu Meizhen picked some of the grandmother’s favorite food, let Xu Qiushi and Xu Wen to grandmother “send”
In fact, it is to burn it at the grave
Although I don’t know how it became popular to say that the dead can receive what has been burned, but, to some extent, this practice can really comfort the living
Make up for some irreparable regrets
After the New Year’s dinner, Lu Yuanzheng and his family went home
Dongsheng did not come back, he bobbed his head and followed Xu Che to set off whips for fun
Although the Xu family can not set off whip, but the children should play or can play
Xu Man thought that he would have to come over early tomorrow morning anyway, so he agreed
After the two of them went home, Xu Man rested, and Lu Yuanzheng brought New Year’s goods to send New Year’s Eve to his eldest and youngest uncles
New Year’s delivery is to send New Year’s goods, usually from the younger generation to the elders
Xu Man and Lu Yuanzheng are not lacking in etiquette, but they are getting more and more distant from their elder brother and younger uncle
In the past, Lu Yuanzheng would write letters to his family from time to time, and he would send a little money to his elder brother and younger uncle on New Year’s Day to show his filial piety
However, last year, the whole year, Lu Yuanzheng did not write a letter
We all know why
Lu Yuanzheng was lucky not to die, if he really can’t come back?
He was originally because the eldest uncle is a relative, he trusts them to entrust the orphan
Xu Wen’s appearance was an accident
At that time, Lu Yuanzheng was more trusting of his family’s ability to treat Dongsheng well
He had kept Dongsheng’s birth secret from his family in the hope that they would treat him as their own son
To his eldest and youngest uncles, Dongsheng was their cousin’s grandson
At that time, Xu Man and Lu Yuanzheng were both still in the same age group Xu Man and Lu Yuanzheng are still a plastic couple, and have nothing to do with Dongsheng
As a result, Xu Man has to manage Dongsheng even if she has to fight for her future, although in her eyes that is not called a sacrifice, but in the eyes of others, including him, it is
His elder and younger uncles even rumored and slandered Xu Man for not wanting to control Dongsheng, ruining her reputation
No matter how generous Lu Yuanzheng was, it was impossible for him to ignore them
But when he came back, his uncle and brother-in-law had already been punished, so he couldn’t say anything else, but his heart was always detached
The first time I saw the movie, I was so impressed with the way it was presented to the audience, and I was so impressed with the way it was presented to the audience
The eldest uncle is okay, see Lu Yuanzheng put down something to go, only sigh, not good to say anything more, asked him to come over tomorrow morning to eat
Lu Yuanzheng said that he would go to the Taoyuan production team to celebrate the New Year
Big uncle was stunned, his expression was obviously a little hurt: “On our side, on the first day of the New Year, a daughter can’t visit her mother’s house”
“It’s true in general” Lu Yuanzheng nodded, “But Xu Wen is now pregnant and needs someone to take care of her Plus tomorrow is the anniversary of grandma’s death, in the Xu family this year with observe the old customs”
The Xu family couldn’t put up couplets and set off firecrackers for three years, and they didn’t go out to pay their respects, so this year they could not observe the customs
Uncle long sigh, a face of pathos, ultimately did not say anything
Lu Yuanzheng then went home again to carry the new year’s goods for the younger uncle to send the new year to the younger uncle
The little uncle was similar, but the little aunt was the one who remembered to eat and not to fight
“I heard that Pengcheng is very profitable?” As if she didn’t notice Lu Yuanzheng’s detachment, the young aunt asked enthusiastically, “Why don’t you bring your little uncle along when you leave?”
Lu Yuanzheng refused, “Auntie, I’m not in Pengcheng I’m on an island, a day’s journey away from Pengcheng” Words around the main road
“One day is not far I see that your great uncle has made a lot of money in Peng City Why don’t you talk to your great uncle about bringing your uncle along?”
Lu Yuanzheng laughed softly, his tone adding a few points of irony that he couldn’t suppress, “Auntie, my great-uncle brother has a small heart and loves to hold grudges My great-uncle still remembers what you said to Xu Qi before! You dare to let my uncle follow him to Pengcheng? Aren’t you afraid my uncle won’t come back?”
Little Uncle shivered
Little Auntie’s face also turned ugly
Xu Wen, who was playing with his son at home, sneezed twice in a row and wondered, “Who’s badmouthing me?!”
The sound of firecrackers on the first day of the New Year in 1980 was still lively and festive
Xu Wen was supposed to have a posterior uterus and her stomach wasn’t too visible
She wore a loose red sweater with a thick jacket over it, her hair simply tied into a pill head
Dongsheng is wearing a small denim jacket, with a pair of small leather shoes, especially fashionable
Lu Yuanzheng is similar to Xu Wen, inside is a crimson sweater, outside set a tweed coat, below is a black leather shoes
When they arrived at Xu’s house, it was not yet five o’clock Zhu Meizhen saw the three of them enter the house and put the dumplings into the pot
Except for Zhu Meizhen, who was busy with her work, the others still had to greet each other with a good New Year’s greeting, even though they had only separated last night
Especially now that there are more children in the family, the atmosphere of New Year’s greetings is a bit stronger
Xu Che took the lead, leading Dongsheng and Chunsheng to kowtow to Xu Qiushi and ask for red packets
Sang Xiaoqing and Xu Wen also gave the three of them a thick red envelope
Zhu Meizhen, who served the dumplings on the table, saw this and lamented, “The family’s conditions have gotten better, and the children’s red envelopes have gotten thicker!”
“It will be even thicker next year!” Xu Wen said with certainty
Zhu Meizhen nodded, “That’s right! This year, you young ones work hard to make money! Your father and I are old, we can’t do much so we can help you bring up the kids and cook okay”
“Mom, it’s also crucial to get the logistics right” Lu Yuanzheng took the initiative to lay the dishes for everyone, “Look at our Comrade Xu Wen! She’s the best military family on the island, and she’s done all the logistical work! She’s taken care of all the logistics for me and my comrades
She’s been generating electricity, building schools, and doing business with the military families Before I went home I went to the command headquarters meeting, our commander said back to give Comrade Xu Man awarded a special prize!”
Xu Wen Sang Xiaoqing a uncle often see Xu ask are not surprised
Xu Qiushi and Zhu Meizhen were especially proud to hear this, and followed to praise Xu Man
Only Xu Man asked Lu Yuanzheng in a particularly calm manner, “Then you give a bonus?”
Lu Yuanzheng: “”
Xu family: “”
Xu asked Lu Yuanzheng to go back to his home after dinner, to pay tribute to his uncle
On the way, Lu Yuanzheng asked Xu Man, “Do you have something in mind again?”
“Huh?” Xu Man didn’t understand what he was referring to for a moment
“These days, every time someone begs to come to the house and wants First Brother to take them to Pengcheng, you have a thoughtful look on your face Occasionally at home, I’ll see you staring blankly”
Xu Wen was shocked, “Lu Yuanzheng, you’ll make especially insecure like this! It feels like I don’t even have secrets in front of you”
Lu Yuanzheng: “”
Xu Wen was also just joking
After teasing Lu Yuanzheng, he sighed softly with a few moments of confusion, “Indeed, I’ve been thinking about it, but I don’t have a specific constitution yet This year will be a particularly big year of change for us
Related to us, for example, this year, town residents will be able to build or buy their own houses This year, the production team will also change the mode of eating a big pot of rice, our Wei Zhuang Commune should be contracted to the household The special economic zones will become five
On top of that ”
Xu Wen glanced at Lu Yuanzheng, “You should also have reforms in economy-related aspects, not too sure about the specifics But you’d better be mentally prepared, you guys will most likely have to earn money to support yourselves”
“Hm? What do you mean? Raise yourself?” Lu Yuanzheng wrinkled his eyebrows, their funding could all come from the state
“It means literally My understanding is that you’ll have to earn your own military pay about now”
“You mean we have to earn our own money for weapons and food while fighting?” Lu Yuanzheng didn’t believe it, thinking that Xu Man was joking
“It seems like it’s probably going to have to be like that”
Lu Yuanzheng: “”
“But don’t be afraid of this, it won’t be now If I remember correctly, there should be four or five more years before such a policy comes out
But doing business is a day to day process, can’t receive a notice today and tomorrow you will become a tycoon and earn enough milk powder not, military pay and allowance money, right?
I am trying to start helping you layout in advance
Look, we will be on the island for the next period of time, the island currently does not even have ordinary people, how do you do business?
You can’t let the soldiers work hard all day long to make handicrafts like your sisters-in-law and take them to sell, can you? Or let your comrades rotate, train today and go to the construction site tomorrow to move bricks?”
Lu Yuanzheng: “”
Both people knew clearly that this was unrealistic
Even though Lu Yuanzheng is also a “bully”, he can’t help but want to cheat a little bit, “Then, in your memory, is there any information about how the troops did business in this era?”
He wanted to learn from the past
Xu Wen gave him a sympathetic look, “You’ll probably want to cry even more if I tell you From my limited understanding, many troops were stationed in the city, and they would generally ‘fence in a hole’, that is, open a door in the external wall, rent out the houses along the street to merchants, and then use the rent collected to invest in other businesses”
There were other ways, of course, but that really wasn’t within Xu Man’s knowledge or common sense
The Magic Mirror couldn’t search for it either, after all, a lot of things related to the troops were classified, and the ones that could be searched were rare
Of course it was useless to search, after all, with the current conditions on the island, it did not have the normal qualifications for doing business
Lu Yuanzheng also knows this point, thought for a while and asked Xu asked, “You say, I go back this time with the old company to apply for a change of unit he can agree?”
Xu Wen was stunned and laughed unkindly
He laughed until tears flowed out of his eyes
“Lu Yuanzheng you’re not so bad, right? In the face of the enemy’s army of thousands of horses you don’t flinch, just to do a business to change units as a deserter?”
Although Lu Yuanzheng was joking, it was also really difficult: “Daughter-in-law, you also know that there is a saying called ‘a skillful woman can’t cook without rice'”
Xu Wen was doing business, and Xu Wen had also given him a thousand dollars of start-up capital
What did they have on Rainbow Island?
An island not even as big as Wei Zhuang Commune, except for the garrison and military families, there wasn’t even a single resident
They don’t even have a proper house, so how can they build a hole in the wall?
Even if they did, who would they hole up for?
“That’s why I’m thinking of a way!” Xu Wen delicately said, “You see, so many people actually want to go out and make a go of it, so if there’s a suitable trade on our island, we can ask them to come to the island At the very least, the wages are guaranteed It’s fine for the people to be a little bitter and tired, just don’t default on the wages”
Lu Yuanzheng nodded, “Then, daughter-in-law, you think hard You have ideas to tell me in time, what I can’t do I’ll go and make a report and apply to support you as well”
Xu asked, “”
“Didn’t you say that eating too much softening is bad for the stomach and intestines?”
“My daughter-in-law said that there are specialties in the arts She’s responsible for making money to support the family I’m responsible for protecting the country, I have to listen to my daughter-in-law”
Xu asked, “”
Three-sixty-nine headed out
This is a saying that has been circulating in the Weizhuang Commune
It means that if you want to go out of town, it is best to go out on the days with three, six and nine in the lunar calendar, so that you will have a safe journey and everything will go smoothly
Lu Yuanzheng’s vacation at the end of the solar calendar in the end of February, in order to tie in with his time, the Xu family discussed and decided that the sixth day of the year is also the solar calendar in the second half of February, the family set off to Pengcheng
On the way out, a string of firecrackers was set off with a particularly large number of bangs for good luck
This time the road is particularly lively
Adults and children thirteen people, can not lively?
A few old men are embarrassed to let Lu Yuanzheng buy so many sleeper tickets, one is too expensive for fear of giving Lu Yuanzheng trouble, only said that the children also women sleep in the sleeper, they sit on the hard seat on the line
How to persuade are not relent
Xu Wen could only say to Lu Yuanzheng: “Let them be! It’s purely a matter of some unfathomable pride of a big man”
The old man insisted on taking the hard seat, so Lu Yuanzheng and Xie Dechun’s son-in-laws had to accompany him