I'm back in 1990

Chapter 259: Everyday Life

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In the garden, Yu Wei couldn't help but ask what was on his mind.

"Huang Xiaochuan, I feel like you've changed a lot."

"What have I become? Why don't I feel this way?" Huang Xiaochuan was startled. Could it be that this kid has discovered something?

"You seem to have matured; you speak and act like an old man now."

Upon hearing this, Huang Xiaochuan's anxiety subsided.

"Maybe it's because the environment has changed, and I've encountered and experienced more people and things!" Huang Xiaochuan gave a reason that wasn't really a reason.

Huang Xiaochuan also complimented Yu Wei, saying, "You've changed quite a bit too. People only get more mature; it's a natural law."

Yu Wei asked doubtfully, "Do I have it? I haven't felt anything."

"You're too close to the situation to see things clearly. Ever since you came with me to southwestern Sichuan, you've changed a lot. Now you know your life goals and direction."

Seeing that Yu Wei still seemed a little confused, Huang Xiaochuan prompted, "Aren't you investing in stocks now? And you even know how to get the biggest return with the smallest investment—that's the change in you! Think about why you're making money?"

Under Huang Xiaochuan's guidance, Yu Wei suddenly realized: "It's for a more comfortable life in the future."

"Yes! All human behaviors, whether natural or unnatural, are for the purpose of making money, because it involves survival. But to explain this to you is a bit too technical. In short, you can't live without money for food, drink, and sleep. To have a better life, you first need to work hard, and then it depends on your knowledge and luck. Because someone once said that ordinary people cannot earn wealth beyond their knowledge."

"I'm telling you, you've changed a lot. Look at how you used to say things to me like that."

"Of course, I've never studied this kind of professional knowledge before!"

"Xiao Chuan, I'm really relieved now. I don't have to worry about my sister anymore now that she's with you."

"Why do I have this creepy feeling? You've suddenly become so composed, I'm really having trouble accepting it."

"One is influenced by one's company. I've known you for so long, I should at least learn something from you, right? Do you expect me to learn your dregs from your wisdom?"

"Hmm, that makes sense!" Huang Xiaochuan couldn't help but happily ruffle Yu Wei's hair.

This angered Yu Wei: "Get your paws off me right now! Why do I feel like you're petting a puppy?"

"I knew you wouldn't stay quiet for more than three minutes. See, you've shown your true colors again!"

The next day, Huang Xiaochuan accompanied the mothers to Suzhou. That afternoon, his uncle arranged for someone to take the shopping group back to Qingjiang.

Huang Xiaochuan stayed behind, intending to spend the night with his grandmother.

After dinner, the grandfather and grandson sat in front of the door, fanning each other with palm-leaf fans and chatting.

Huang Xiaochuan originally planned to surprise his grandmother with the house, but his mother, Zeng Lijuan, let it slip, and now his grandmother knows everything, ruining the surprise!

"Grandma, I'll come pick you up to go to Shanghai after the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"I'm getting old, and I won't be used to living in a different place, so I won't go. Anyway, it's not far away, so you can come back and visit me often."

"Grandma, I've already talked to my aunt and uncle. My aunt will apply for early retirement soon and go to Shanghai with you. Shanghai is bustling and lively, and I'll have a place to eat when you and my aunt go, saving me the trouble of cooking for myself."

To avoid being rejected again, Huang Xiaochuan used his trump card: "Grandma, when I get married and have children, you'll have to help me take care of them. I don't know how to take care of children, do I? Besides, my wife is a doctor, and she's very busy with work."

Since it concerned important matters such as feeding her grandson and taking care of her great-grandson, the grandmother's mind began to waver.

After much consideration, Grandma finally said, "Then I'll go cook some side dishes for you."

Huang Xiaochuan slapped his thigh and said, "It's settled then!" He then quickly fanned his grandmother.

Grandma doesn't like electric fans, let alone air conditioners, so it's not that my uncle doesn't want to buy one, it's that Grandma refuses to use it. She prefers big palm-leaf fans, so even though Huang Xiaochuan's back is covered in sweat, he still fans himself with Grandma.

Just then, my aunt came in with a plate of sliced ​​watermelon.

"Little monkey, eat some watermelon. I put it in the well this morning, and it's been soaking in the well all day. It's ice cold."

Huang Xiaochuan took a piece and handed it to his grandmother, but his aunt quickly stopped him, saying, "Your grandmother can't eat cold food, so I prepared some separately for her."

Sure enough, my aunt brought a bowl, and the watermelon had already been scooped out and placed in the bowl.

Seeing his grandmother pick up her bowl and start eating watermelon, Huang Xiaochuan then began to eat as well.

One bite and it's icy and refreshing, much better than watermelon kept in the refrigerator. Huang Xiaochuan always thought that watermelon kept in the refrigerator was not as good as watermelon soaked in well water.

Huang Xiaochuan gestured with his thumb, unable to speak because his mouth was full of watermelon.

I ate four or five pieces in a row before I stopped.

The mother and her two children sat outside the door, enjoying the cool air and chatting about everyday matters.

The main issue is the marriage of my eldest and second eldest sisters.

The main issue is the marriage of my eldest and second eldest sisters.

Huang Xiaochuan's aunt said, "You'll be responsible for delivering the dowry at the end of the year."

Huang Xiaochuan was aware of this custom. In Suzhou, there are many customs surrounding marriage. The bride's family prepares a lot of dowry for her, and these dowries vary depending on the times and the living conditions of each family.

In the early 1980s, a dowry containing a television, sewing machine, and tape recorder was considered quite good. But by the early 1990s, conditions had improved, and dowries now included large color TVs, VCRs, refrigerators, and motorcycles.

Of course, this isn't the case for every household; it depends on each family's specific circumstances.

Besides these, the rest are traditions, which are essential regardless of the era.

For example, there was a pair of large red lacquered toilets, red foot basins, red bath tubs, red washbasins, eighteen silk quilts, several wool blankets, and several leather trunks (formerly camphor wood trunks), mainly containing the bride's clothes.

Most importantly, there was a small red leather trunk containing the bride's gold and silver jewelry and dowry money. After the groom's family sent the betrothal gifts and the wedding date was confirmed, both families would agree on an auspicious day, and the bride's family would send people to deliver the dowry to the groom's house with great fanfare.

This represents the status of the bride's family. Neighbors can judge the bride's family's wealth by her dowry. Although it may be considered showing off, it has always been the local custom, so even if some people dislike it, it doesn't change anything.

Because his uncle Zeng Jiahua has no son, but Huang Xiaochuan grew up here and has a deep relationship with his two older sisters, Huang Xiaochuan has to play a very important role as the brother-in-law.

There's a saying in the area: "Nothing is bigger than your mother's brother." So, the brother-in-law has a very high status. When he visits his sister's or younger sister's house, he sits at the head table, and the other party has to send an elder of equal status to accompany him.

Therefore, on the day of the dowry delivery, the bride's younger brother must personally deliver it to the groom's house to show respect.

This is also what my aunt wanted to tell me tonight.

Huang Xiaochuan immediately agreed. He was joking! Who else but me could do this?

Moreover, in his previous life, Huang Xiaochuan delivered the dowries of his two older sisters, and in this life, he is still in charge of this job.

Considering that they couldn't hold their weddings on the same day, the eldest sister Zeng Hong's wedding was scheduled for New Year's Day, and the second sister Zeng Xia's wedding was scheduled for the Spring Festival. However, the dowry had to be sent to the groom's family in December, so Huang Xiaochuan had to make two trips.