In late April, Fang Hanmin received a letter from home. When he opened it, he found that the letter was written by his brother in the name of his parents. The general content was that his sister Fang Wenying was getting married on May Day, and his parents hoped that he could take advantage of his busy schedule. Take time out to return to your hometown to attend Fang Wenying's wedding.
After reading the letter, Fang Hanmin remembered that his sister Fang Wenying was already twenty-seven or eighty years old. In the remote rural areas of the 1980s, she would have been considered an older youth!
Although the pilot test summary has been completed and the hydrogenation reduction process will be used for the in-depth technical transformation of the second workshop, Fang Hanmin still decided to go back to his hometown on May Day. He explained the situation to the technical section chief Xue, and after accounting for the travel time, he agreed to pay He has three days off.
He bought two gifts for Fang Wenying in a department store in the city. Before leaving, Fang Hanmin called the Academic Affairs Office of Shuangling No. 3 Middle School. After finding Yu Dongmei, he informed her about his return to his hometown on May Day. .
"Your sister is getting married? What gift should I sell her?" Yu Dongmei asked enthusiastically.
"If your family doesn't know about us yet, don't buy gifts."
Yu Dongmei thought for a moment, "The school happens to have a day off on May Day, and I'm going back to my hometown. When will you leave? We're going together."
"Okay, let's meet at the long-distance bus station tomorrow morning."
"Ouch, I have a class at ten o'clock, what should I do? How about..." Yu Dongmei paused, "How about I adjust the course with another teacher, and you wait for me for a while , let’s leave at ten o’clock, do you think that’s okay?”
"Okay, don't worry, I'll be waiting for you sooner or later."
At nine thirty the next morning, Fang Hanmin arrived at the long-distance bus station to wait and bought tickets for himself and Yu Dongmei. Around nine fifty, Yu Dongmei arrived in a hurry. After meeting in the waiting room, she handed Fang Hanmin a Bag, "This is a gift for eldest sister, please bring it to her."
Fang Hanmin was surprised, "You..., didn't you agree that you don't need to buy gifts?"
"Just say you bought it and don't mention me."
"I've already bought it, and it's here." Fang Hanmin pointed to a travel bag next to him.
"Even if you bought an extra gift, just take it back."
"I'm so sorry to have to spend money on you." Since dating Yu Dongmei, the other party spent money for him again and again, and Fang Hanmin felt bad.
The host has been in a poor family since he was a child, and he pays more attention to reciprocity of interests when dealing with people. For more than half a year, except for food, he has not spent any extra money on Yu Dongmei. Yu Dongmei bought him a suit some time ago, and now she is buying him a suit. When his sister buys gifts, he feels passive.
"What a big deal, don't worry about it."...
At around 11 o'clock, the shuttle bus arrived at the Guichun County bus station. After getting off the bus, Fang Hanmin wanted to treat Yu Dongmei to lunch, because his hometown was still 20 kilometers away from the county seat. This journey required a ten-kilometer ride by car and then a ten-kilometer walk. , Yu Dongmei asked him to go home quickly, maybe his family would be waiting for him.
"It's lunch time anyway, and I can't rush home hungry! You also need to have lunch when you get home, so why not just find a restaurant nearby and eat your lunch before leaving."
"Okay, then let's find a restaurant to have something to eat, and then you hurry up and go home."
When we came out of a restaurant near the station, it was almost noon. Fang Hanmin and Yu Dongmei agreed to return to the city after the holiday and go their separate ways. Because Fang Hanmin asked for leave from his work, he would return to the work one day later.
After saying goodbye, the two went their separate ways. Fang Hanmin walked into the waiting room again and bought a ticket for a long-distance bus passing by his hometown. After one o'clock in the afternoon, the bus arrived at the stop where Fang Hanmin got off. He walked off the long-distance bus with his luggage. Looking in the direction of my hometown, I took a deep breath.
As far as the host is concerned, he has not been back to his hometown for three or four years. Has the appearance of his hometown changed in the past few years?
The traveler Fang Hanmin's mood was even more complicated. He often heard that the host's hometown was in a remote rural area. How remote was it? What is the situation in your hometown? These questions made him both curious and anxious.
Carrying two travel bags, Fang Hanmin headed towards Shuanghe Village, Yumin Township, along a sidewalk. Twenty miles away, the road was not easy to walk. Less than half the distance, Fang Hanmin began to sweat and felt a little sore in his legs and feet, because he had not walked such a long distance in several years!
Looking at the bumpy road under his feet and the houses on both sides of the road, Fang Hanmin, the traveler, felt that the economic conditions here are indeed not good. If there was a little bit of financial strength, this road should have been repaired long ago, and the villagers' houses would not be so dilapidated.
It was close to four o'clock in the afternoon when Fang Hanmin appeared at the head of Shuanghe Village. A villager who knew him greeted him, "Hanmin is back?"
Fang Hanmin nodded mechanically and responded casually: "You're back, what are you busy with?"
When he appeared at the door of the house, the family was busy, and one of the younger sisters shouted: "Big brother is back!"
Everyone turned around and saw Fang Hanmin standing there, looking at them with a slightly unfamiliar look. Mother Xu Guihua directed the children, "What are you doing standing around? Why don't you go over and take the things from your brother's hand? Hanmin is back, Are you tired from walking? Sit down and rest for a while."
Fang Hanmin handed the two travel bags to his younger sister, who was the fourth. He walked a few steps forward and came to his parents, "It's just that my legs and feet are a little swollen and painful after walking a long way. It's not that I'm tired. Mom and Dad, what are you doing?" "
"Your sister is getting married the day after tomorrow. We have prepared some dowry for her and are packing it up."
Fang Hanmin looked at it, maybe because his family was too poor, the dowry given to Fang Wenying was just a few items, which was too shabby! "Mom, I bought three gifts for my sister. They can be regarded as dowries. Bring them all to her."
Xu Guihua took out the gifts brought back by Fang Hanmin from her travel bag. None of them were much better than the dowry prepared by her family! Especially the set of sheets and quilts given by Yu Dongmei, they are worth a lot at first glance. Even though Xu Guihua is from a rural area, she also understands the value of fabrics. "Hanmin, you spent a lot of money on these things, right?"
"My sister is an older young woman. She got married so late. She has contributed a lot to the family over the years. It is appropriate to spend some money on her."
It had been three or four years since he returned to his hometown. Facing these unfamiliar family members, the time traveler Fang Hanmin couldn't feel close to them for a while, so his words naturally lacked enthusiasm.
Father Fang Xiecheng felt a little different from before when his eldest son entered the house. Several brothers and sisters also felt that his eldest brother's expression had changed a bit when he returned to his hometown this time. It was mother Xu Guihua who understood Fang Hanmin. She wanted to ask long questions and ask questions, but she didn't notice the eldest son at all. There is something strange.
The host reminded the traveler, "Brother, it's not good for you to keep a straight face like this. How will my parents and family see me? You have to know that in their minds, I have always been a sensible and good young man!"
"Brother, you have to give me some time to adapt. Facing such a big family, I have to get familiar with them all!"
After regaining consciousness, Fang Hanmin had a smile on his face, "Mom, Dad, and a few brothers and sisters. I haven't been back to my hometown for three or four years. When I came back this time, apart from buying a few gifts for my sister, I didn't have time to give you any. Don’t worry too much when buying things!”
Seeing that his eldest son had regained his former expression, Fang Xiecheng put aside his previous doubts and said, "Hanmin, it's not easy for you to take time out of your busy schedule to go home. We are a family. What are you so worried about?"
"Yes, your sister is getting married. We are not happy enough that you can go home and buy her so many gifts. What are you worrying about?" Ever since the eldest son came in, Xu Guihua has always had a smile on his face. .
"Brother, we haven't seen you in three or four years. We are so happy that you can come back this time!" the brothers and sisters present said.
Fang Hanmin gradually adapted to the atmosphere at home. He asked curiously: "Why don't you see my sister?"
"Your sister went to say goodbye to her close friends and will be back soon."
As soon as Xu Guihua finished speaking, Fang Wenying came back from outside. Seeing Fang Hanmin's back, she deliberately asked loudly: "Hey, who is back?"
"Wenying, Hanmin is back. I asked you where you were just now. Come and have a look. This is a gift your brother bought you." Xu Guihua greeted happily.
Hearing the voices behind him, Fang Hanmin turned around and saw Fang Wenying walking over. He hesitated for a few seconds and asked, "Sister, are you back from a visit?"
"Hanmin, I haven't seen you for several years. I heard that you have been very busy. Why do you have time to come back this time?"
"It's your happy event. I have to come back no matter what, and take a look at these three things. I wonder if you like them?"
Fang Wenying couldn't put it down for the gift given by Fang Hanmin, "It must have cost a lot of money to buy me such a good gift, right?"
"Mom said the same thing. Compared with the contributions you have made to the family over the years, this gift is nothing. I have never heard that you have a boyfriend before. My parents told me in the letter to go home and attend your wedding. , I was also surprised, how is your brother-in-law? Is your brother-in-law okay? Which village is he from? Are you in a free relationship, or did you meet through someone's introduction?" Fang Hanmin was not at home for a long time, and he was very concerned about a series of issues.
Fang Wenying gave a general introduction to the situation, "At our age, how can we have free love?"
While talking, the sun had disappeared, and it was already evening. Xu Guihua and her eldest daughter went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Fang Hanmin chatted with his old father for a while. He walked around from the yard to each room, and then returned to the yard. .
This is a three-room house facing north and south. The kitchen is located in the side room. The main room in the middle is divided into two rooms, front and back. Because there are many people in the family, the two rooms on the left and right are also divided into north and south rooms. Even in the local area Considering the conditions, the living area is too small, and there are some clutter piled up in the room, making every room look particularly crowded.
It is easy to tell from the appearance that the house is at least thirty years old. The mottled walls indicate that the house may not have been repaired even once since it was built.
Although the economic conditions of the local villagers are generally poor, Fang Hanmin felt that the house in his hometown, at least judging from the outer wall, was basically the worst residential house in the area as far as he could see during the ten-kilometer walk.
No wonder Fang Wenying found her husband's family at such an old age. For such a family, even if the introducer walked up to her, she would probably not be willing to enter.
Just now, my sister Fang Wenying said that her partner was introduced by someone. What is his family situation like? Will my sister continue to suffer hardship after she gets married? Is that person nice to her? Is a marriage without love boring?
Thinking of these problems, Fang Hanmin shuddered. If he hadn't met Liu Gong at the reservoir construction site and was recommended by that kind man to work as a temporary worker in the Red Star Pharmaceutical Factory, he would be in a worse situation than his sister. Fang Wenying married outside, and the other party would be... He disliked her small dowry. If Fang Hanmin lived in his hometown and had conditions like his, which girl would follow him?
