Chapter 198: The Excited Chen Sisters
The next day.
After breakfast, Chen Bangguo walked home with a smile on his face, carrying the cold rabbit and two pieces of pork weighing several kilograms that his uncle had packed for him.
Zhou Wang Brigade and Help And Correct Brigade are neighboring brigades. Thatchfield Village is neither too far nor too close to Little River Village, taking about an hour to walk back.
When he arrived home, he saw his parents and younger siblings sitting in the living room, warming themselves by the fire. Chen Bangguo shook the bag of cold rabbit in his hand and said with a smile, "Dad, Mom, I've brought something delicious for you."
Chen Bangli's eyes lit up, and she quickly stood up, asking, "Brother, did you bring back the rabbit meat that Uncle prepared?"
Chen Bangguo smiled and said, "You guessed it right!"
Li Ying laughed and said, "That's not hard to guess. You took four wild rabbits to your uncle's house and stayed overnight. Your uncle must have cooked rabbit meat for you. And knowing your uncle's character, he'd definitely leave some for you to bring back."
"Mom, I have to say, your idea was great this time. Sending the wild rabbit to Uncle was the right move. His cooking skills are amazing. The rabbit meat was so delicious, it's indescribable. If we'd kept it at home, it would've been a waste."
As he spoke, Chen Bangguo handed the package of cold rabbit and a piece of pork to his mother, then picked up the remaining piece of pork and said, "This piece of pork was given by Uncle for Third Uncle's family. I'll deliver it to them first and call them over to discuss something."
Chen Dacong asked, "What do you need to discuss with your uncle?"
"It's great news. I'll tell you when Third Uncle and the others arrive." After saying this, Chen Bangguo carried the pork and headed to his third uncle's house.
"This kid only speaks half the story," Li Ying muttered, then took the pork and the bag of rabbit meat to put them away.
The houses of Chen Dacong's brothers were not far apart. Chen Bangguo was gone for only three or four minutes before returning with his uncle, aunt, and cousin Chen Bangfeng.
After everyone sat around the fire, Chen Daming asked, "Bangguo, tell us quickly, what's the good news?"
Chen Bangguo said, "Third Uncle, here's what happened. My dad caught four wild rabbits yesterday, so he asked me to take them to Uncle. While we were having dinner, Uncle shared some good news with me."
Chen Bangfeng asked curiously, "Seventh Brother, what's the good news?"
Chen Bangguo looked at his cousin and smiled, "This good news is also related to you."
Chen Bangfeng was surprised and asked, "It's related to me too?"
"My uncle said he plans to spend the Spring Festival at home and then go to the county town to open a restaurant, letting my cousin and his wife manage it."
Chen Bangguo poked the burning wood with a stick, sparks flying as he said something that shocked everyone present: "The restaurant needs workers. Uncle has already told me that if the three of us aren't afraid of hard work, he'll reserve positions for us in the restaurant and let us all work in the county town."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.
Chen Bangli reacted immediately, asking with joy, "Brother, is this true? Can I really go to the county town to work?"
Chen Bangfeng was also thrilled. Working in the county town was a dream come true for a country girl of that era.
After all, it was incredibly difficult for a country girl in that era to escape rural life!
Generally, there were only two ways:
1. Education.
But the chances of a village girl escaping the countryside through studying were slim. Not every rural family could afford to send their daughters to school freely, like Deng Shirong's family. Most families either sent their daughters to school for only a few years or didn't send them at all, leaving them illiterate.
Even fewer could continue their studies and be admitted to technical schools, junior colleges, or universities.
So, while there was a chance to escape the countryside through education, very few country girls could achieve it.
2. Marriage.
Compared to men, women had an advantage here and could potentially leave the countryside by marrying into a city family.
However, the probability was still extremely low.
Unless you were exceptionally good-looking, why would someone from the city fall for a country girl?
These were normally the only ways for a village girl to escape rural life.
Apart from these, there was another way: working in the county town.
But honestly, this path was even harder than the previous two. Jobs were scarce, and countless people competed for them. No matter how you looked at it, it was unlikely to be your turn, especially as a country girl with no qualifications or connections.
Even sweeping the streets wasn't an option for most.
Now, they actually had the opportunity to work in the county town. You can imagine how overjoyed cousins Chen Bangli and Chen Bangfeng were—it felt like winning the lottery.
Not only were the cousins thrilled, but Chen Dacong and his wife, as well as Chen Daming and his wife, were also delighted.
"This is what Uncle told me personally. Of course, it's true," Chen Bangguo said, stirring the red-hot charcoal in the fire.
"Originally, Uncle planned to discuss this with us when we went over to pay New Year's greetings during the Spring Festival, but since I happened to be there yesterday, he told me first and asked me to come back and inform you two so you can be mentally prepared."
Chen Bangli said happily, "That's fantastic. I've never been to the county town. When I go to work there next year, I can live there permanently."
Chen Bangfeng was also filled with anticipation.
Hearing this, Chen Bangqiang asked anxiously, "Brother, did Uncle say I could work in the county town too?"
Chen Bangguo shook his head and said, "Uncle said that you and Bangxing (Third Uncle's son) are still a bit young. It's not suitable for you to work in the county for now. He'll arrange something for you when you're adults."
Hearing this, Chen Bangqiang let out a disappointed sigh. He also wanted to see the county town's prosperity, but unfortunately, he'd have to wait until he came of age!
After everyone's initial excitement, their attention returned to the restaurant.
Li Ying said with emotion, "My brother-in-law's ideas are different. When others think of starting a business, the first thing they consider is Double Prosperity Street, but my brother-in-law is aiming straight for the county town. Whether he makes money or not, his vision is certainly better than others'."
Sister-in-law Zhou Dafen said, "With my brother-in-law's vision, there's nothing he can't make money from!"
Li Ying smiled and said, "That's true. Before Yuntai retired from the tile factory, I was still wondering what job my brother-in-law had arranged for him. I didn't expect he'd open a restaurant in the county. My brother-in-law's business is getting bigger and bigger."
"It's a pity my sister didn't have that kind of luck. She passed away too early and didn't get to enjoy her life..."
"Hey, why bring that up now?"
"…"
(End of this chapter)