Three or Two Things about Rebirth

Zheng Wei took her to recognize relatives one by one, explaining that his grandfather and aunt were his grandfather's brothers and sisters, his uncle and aunt were his grandmother's brothers and sisters, his great aunt and grandfather were his grandfather's brothers and sisters, his great uncle and great aunt were her grandmother's brothers and sisters. He also said proudly that the relatives on both his parents' sides were in good health. There were still a few older ones who didn't come, not because they didn't want to see her, but because they were in their eighties or nineties and he didn't dare to bring them out for dinner.

In this family, except for Zheng's father, Zheng Wei's uncle, second uncle and a cousin's husband who are in politics, most of the rest are ordinary workers or businessmen. There are also two who are farmers, and each of them has more than ten acres of land.

All family members, young and old, came forward to shake hands with Qiu Jiye and greet him. They talked about how they had gone to the county hospital for treatment in a certain year and month, and how Dr. Qiu had treated them. For a moment, the dinner with the in-laws seemed more like a patient exchange meeting.

Qiu Jiye was most afraid of this kind of situation. He could give lectures to young doctors, but if you asked him to speak some formal clichés, abstract theoretical lines, or express his psychological feelings in public, he would stutter nervously and his mind would be a mess. At this moment, he just sat there silently, and his wife helped him deal with everything.

No one was surprised, as everyone knew that Dr. Qiu was the best at treating illnesses and didn't like to talk.

Compared to the grand display of the Zheng family, the Qiu family was too small, but the lineup was still impressive. One of their three sons was in Harbin, one in Yi City, and one in Beijing. They were all quite well-known. Zheng's mother felt very honored to hear the compliments from her relatives. She was in high spirits throughout the dinner. During the meal, she even put a pure gold bracelet on Qiu Luming with her own hands. She laughed and said, "Daughter-in-law! Let me trap you for my second son first! Hahahaha!"

Everyone laughed out loud at her amusement.

There aren't so many rules nowadays. Customarily, meeting the in-laws is basically equivalent to a formal engagement, so the official wedding date was also announced during the banquet. The date was chosen by Qiu Luming and Zheng Wei themselves, which was July 1st.

Zheng's father said that when his eldest son got married five years ago, the house was allocated by the company. They bought him a set of gold jewelry and gave him 20,000 yuan to buy clothes. But now prices are high, so they plan to give the young couple 50,000 yuan and a set of gold jewelry. He looked at his eldest son and said that the 30,000 yuan higher than the eldest daughter-in-law would also be compensated to them.

Whether it was 20,000 yuan back then or 50,000 yuan today, it is not a small amount for the people of Jiayang. Zheng Qiang waved his hand and said, "This cannot be compared, so let's not make up for it."

Father Zheng shook his head. "The house that Dawei got this year is definitely better than yours. Make up for it."

Zheng Qiang and his wife fell silent.

He Manshu said, "Father-in-law, I think it's better to let them live in the customs house. It's close to the market, the house has been renovated, there's no paint smell, and the furniture is all assembled."

"That's fine. That way Luming will be very close to work. Dawei is a boy, so what's there to be afraid of if he works far away!" Zheng's mother said with a smile.

Zheng's father said, "Let the young people decide where to live. Anyway, I try to treat my two sons equally. I have given them a house. I don't care whether they live in it or rent it."

Zheng Wei's uncle was an old man in his seventies. He frowned and said unhappily, "What? You want to live in the woman's house? That's like marrying into the family, isn't it?"

The Qiu family members were silent. Zheng Qiang explained, "Uncle, now that men and women are equal in the new society, the workplace can give female employees some housing. Why can't they bring their husbands to live there? This doesn't count as marrying into the family. If you have a child, the child will also have the surname Zheng. Don't worry!"

Everyone laughed, and the uncle was slightly relieved. He pointed at Zheng Wei and said, "They have three older sons, and they don't need you to be their son-in-law!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Zheng Wei nodded quickly in response.

The Qiu family didn't elaborate on the dowry, only saying that the three brothers would give some accordingly. A single house was there, and even if nothing was given, it was better than most young girls in the county.

The banquet was a happy one for everyone. Qiu Jiye rushed to his clinic. Zheng Wei said he would take Qiu Luming to his uncle's house to visit his 85-year-old grandmother. He Manshu gave a few instructions and took her sons home.

Grandma Zheng was a fat old lady with some dementia. As soon as I introduced Qiu Luming to her, she forgot what I had just introduced to her. She asked three times in ten minutes, "Who are you? Why are you coming to my house?"

Zheng Wei's eldest cousin, Zheng Juan, who is already in her forties, came up to the grandmother and said, "You old lady, you ask everyone you meet who you are, just because you are afraid that someone will come and snatch your old man away! Grandma, who do you think I am?"

The old lady looked her up and down and said, "Look at your face. Aren't you the little so-and-so from old so-and-so's family?"

Everyone in the room laughed.

Zheng Juan didn't let her go and continued to ask, "Whose family are you from? Who am I to you?"

The confused old lady was most afraid of being interrogated like this. She was a little nervous and asked Qiu Luming uncertainly, "Do you think we look alike? She is my sister, right?"

Everyone laughed harder.

The old lady touched Qiu Luming's hand and said, "This big gold bracelet is really real! Hey? Who are you? Why are you coming to my house?"

Zheng Wei whispered in Grandma Zheng's ear, "Her name is Qiu Luming, she's my daughter-in-law! She came to see you today! She bought all these goodies for you. Yes, specially for you. Keep them and enjoy them slowly!"

"Oh!" The old lady looked at the gift, then at Qiu Luming, "I'm sorry to have spent so much money on you. You came here, but why did you bring anything? Well, stay at my house for lunch! Hey, your little hands are so pretty, and your fingernails are pretty too!"

He looked up and saw Zheng Wei, and asked again, "You are the third child, right? Do you have a wife?"

This means that Zheng Wei is regarded as Zheng's father again.

Grandma Zheng has been living with Zheng Wei's uncle. Today, many younger generations gathered at the uncle's house. As a result, Qiu Luming met more than a dozen cousins ​​from the Zheng family at once.

She didn't remember any of them.

The Zheng family had a good family atmosphere, but it was really lively! Many of the same-generation relatives came back with their children, ranging from teenagers to those who could just crawl. They cried and shouted, and from time to time there were children who jumped onto Qiu Luming's legs.

Qiu Luming quietly winked at Zheng Wei. Just as Zheng Wei was about to say goodbye, he heard the old lady say worriedly, "I don't know whose children these are, but why are there so many of them? They're really making a fuss!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and Zheng Wei took the opportunity to pull Qiu Luming and say goodbye to the old man and woman.

***

At the end of April, Qiu Luming finally finished the last self-study course, and the wedding supplies were gradually prepared.

Everything is ready, just waiting for the east wind.

After May Day, Qiu Luming heard that Yang Dawei had finally divorced Li Lu, and soon married the 19-year-old girl. She had just given birth to a boy. The Yang family said to the outside world that they had to do so in order to register the child, so the wedding was not a big deal. The relatives just sat together and had a meal. The bride was in confinement and did not even show her face.

Qiu Luming and Zheng Wei did not give gifts, and Yang Dawei did not inform them. Ma Mingjun said he wanted to give gifts, but Yang Dawei refused to accept anything. He also said that Yang Dawei divorced and gave the house he lived in after marriage to Li Lu, and gave 20,000 yuan in cash. Of course, his daughter was also given to Li Lu.

Qiu Luming met Li Lu once on his way to work. She was riding a bicycle in front of him. Qiu Luming never overtook her, but just followed silently. When they turned at the Forestry Bureau building, Li Lu rode onto the large square in front of the building. Qiu Luming turned his head to the left. Against the background of the building, her back looked even thinner and smaller, which made people feel sorry for her.

Qiu Luming still clearly remembers the admiring and happy look that Li Lu gave Yang Dawei during that dinner.

A woman will only make up her mind to give up a man after exhausting all her emotions and fantasies.