Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 332 - 257: Gossip (Part 2)

As everyone chatted, they all coincidentally talked about the village’s selection for the women’s director. Everyone looked at Ye Zi.

Ye Zi looked at them embarrassedly, "Don’t talk nonsense. My husband said I can’t do it. I need to take care of our home first and sort out family matters."

"Can your husband really decide for you? Who doesn’t know he loves you the most? Ye Zi, tell everyone how your husband pampers you?" A wife said, making everyone laugh out loud.

"You’re so cheeky. Watch me tear that mouth of yours."

Zhou Jiao quickly changed the topic, afraid they might start talking about inappropriate things, "Xiu’e, has your little brother-in-law found someone yet?"

Everyone looked at Xiu’e, waiting for her to talk about her little brother-in-law’s situation.

Chen Xiu’e laughed heartily, "Last time that kid didn’t like a girl because she was chubby. Oh my, we were all amused by him. He said he must find someone slim who doesn’t take up too much space in bed. This time he likes Zhou Xiaoling from the neighboring village, and both families have agreed to marry by the end of the year. I think my little brother-in-law had been eyeing her, and once the matchmaker brought it up, he agreed immediately."

"That girl’s very popular. There must be quite a few people wanting to marry her. How much bride price did your family offer?"

Chen Xiu’e gestured with her fingers, "Our Zhang Family Village, especially at the foot of the North Mountain, never lacks brides. We gave two hundred yuan as a bride price. They liked our yard because our neighborhood relations are good."

Everyone nodded in agreement, as they were all once young girls themselves. When it came to marriage proposals, it was first about the family background, then the young man. Compared to those houses made of earth bricks where a big family lives cramped, their spacious courtyard with small couple quarters means they weren’t afraid of not finding a good bride. Two hundred yuan for a bride price was quite a lot; even county town girls would marry in.

Zhou Jiao listened to them talk about bride prices but didn’t say anything. Her eight hundred bride price was one of the highest in the county. She wished they would all forget about that.

Actually, back when Zhang the Second got married they offered a five hundred bride price. The initial agreement was to bring back three hundred yuan, but who could have predicted they wouldn’t follow through? When Zhang Guoqing got married, her in-laws could offer eight hundred yuan; first, they valued her, and second, the Zhou Family’s Zhou Xue had a five hundred bride price.

Zhang Guoqing personally added two hundred yuan, so technically the Zhang Family only gave six hundred yuan as per their family’s account, one hundred more than the second eldest. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Thinking about Zhou Xue’s five hundred yuan bride price, Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but sneer, feeling no guilt about the Wang Family’s situation. Just the fact that they could offer such a high bride price while holding a village chief’s position, proves they’re not good people.

Can anyone accumulate so much savings just by farming in the countryside? Where did the Zhang Family’s money come from? Zhang the Second’s five hundred yuan bride price was earned by Mr. Zhang and his two sons busily working on farm and private jobs.

Her mother-in-law said they even borrowed money back then since the family funds were insufficient, besides secretly helping from the elder sisters. Watching the family run out of money, Zhang Guoqing went crazy hunting in the mountains daily to make money, and that’s how the family accumulated savings. After six or seven years of joint effort by the whole family, they managed to come up with eight hundred yuan for the bride price. The elder brothers and sisters-in-law did not object because they knew most of the family’s income was earned by Zhang Guoqing. As her mother-in-law said, their family was one of the top in the village all because of Xiao Wu. So, even if she was biased, no one dared to say anything.

She truly believed her mother-in-law. After marrying into this family, she roughly calculated that neither the eldest brother’s masonry work nor the second brother’s carpentry work could match Zhang Guoqing’s income. Earlier years, Zhang Guoqing should have given all the money to the family, and in the past year or two he set aside some private money. The three hundred yuan given to her after marriage, plus the two hundred for the bride price, meant his personal savings were at least five hundred, giving a hint of how much he’d actually earned.

Ye Zi curiously asked her, "After giving out two hundred in bride price, how much did your in-laws have left? I saw your family got quite a share of dividends this year."

Chen Xiu’e shook her head, "I really don’t know. The old couple should have a lot of money. There have been no major expenses these past few years. My eldest sister doesn’t need to supplement her husband’s family. How much can the young brother-in-law spend on school?"

A young wife looked at her enviously, "Your husband only has one brother, and your family has money. Your life is comparatively better. My husband has five brothers, with two more below not yet married, so we still have to endure."

Qingshan’s wife looked at her with curiosity, unable to resist asking, "Last time I heard your mother-in-law wanted to separate your family and the second brother. If you’re separated, what’s there to endure? The younger brothers are your in-laws’ issues."

"She’s mentioned it. She wants the second brother and my husband to move out, but she hasn’t talked about building us a yard. My husband has been worried to death lately. A few days ago, he looked at Juhua’s and Jiao Jiao’s yards and said it would cost at least a hundred yuan. If we really separate, let his parents give some money to round it up. That’s why I came to ask them how much has been spent? Seeing the elders stir, it’s better to be wise and plan early."

Huang Cuilan and Lin Juhua both looked towards Zhou Jiao. Zhou Jiao smiled, "We’re not really sure, let him ask Xiao Wu directly. Recently, a few families have agreed to build yards together. I estimate it wouldn’t cost much, mostly needing labor. The most cost will be the mason’s fee, then the carpentry work and buying some tiles. For labor, stone, mud bricks, and timber you can prepare yourself. If you plan to start building in April or May next year, you need to prepare food beforehand."

"Haha... You say you’re not sure, yet that’s quite clear. With what you said, I now have a plan. When my mother-in-law talks about separation, I know what to prepare."

Ye Zi reminded her from the side, "Also, get the foundation approved early. Don’t build in the village. I’ve heard some families are inquiring about this plot."

Qingshan’s wife nodded repeatedly, "Listen to Ye Zi. There are quite a few elders eyeing this area. Uncle Tian’s house has cracks but they won’t repair it, just waiting till May next year to build a yard in front of my house. They’ve already got the foundation approved."

"Thanks to your reminders. Sigh... Back then no one wanted to come to the North Mountain Foot, and now everyone’s eyeing it. Isn’t the village just fine?"

Everyone teased, suggesting she try living in the village. Women have many topics to talk about, and soon enough they were chatting about what was sold at the market and how much was earned. Discussing which market was the busiest, and how much extra money was made from selling insoles.

Zhou Jiao listened intently to their gossip, realizing there were many ways to make money. She pondered whether she should suggest making some hair accessories, or selling some red couplets and window decorations. Let her two sisters-in-law earn some pocket money. Currently, the situation still allows for earning, but once next year’s markets close, it will be hard to make money. In the few days before the end of the year, with big and small markets constantly happening, it wouldn’t be noticeable. Making things secretly at home, and being wrapped tightly in the winter, they wouldn’t fear anyone bringing up old debts later.