Thursday 25 May 2023

7DLW 8




Chapter 8 The Red Dress


When Song Wei Ping and Granny Song were leaving, Xu Xiao Jiao handed Song Wei Ping the five jins of white flour and five jins of cornmeal that had been divided out earlier, "You and Grandmother eat it. No need to be frugal."

From young the concept embedded into her was that money didn’t come from saving but from earning. The same goes for things. If one goes hungry to save money, one can't do anything well let alone earning money. She already had some ideas. Once the marriage is completed, she’ll put it into action.

Song Wei Ping didn't speak for a while. Xu Xiao Jiao nudged it to him again, "It's very heavy. Besides, we will be one family in the future. Just a bit of food and you want to push this food back and forth with me. Take it, and make something good for Grandmother eat."

Song Wei Ping took the two heavy bags of rations and responded with an ‘en’, "I'll pick you up later to find the branch secretary."

On the way back after getting the letter of introduction, Song Wei Ping remained silent as usual. Xu Xiao Jiao was used to it, "Then shall we go to get the certificate tomorrow?"

Song Wei Ping held the thin letter of introduction in his hand. In the pitch darkness, not any expression could be seen on his face, "The transportation team in the town has work tomorrow. I'll go over to help. Go the day after tomorrow."

One day earlier or one day later, Xu Xiao Jiao didn't mind. Work was more important, "Then you go. Are you coming back at noon? If you don't come back, I will ask Grandmother to come to my house to eat."

Song Wei Ping shook his head, "I'll make the food for Grandmother in the morning for later/ If you're free, check up on her for me."

Xu Xiao Jiao stopped talking about getting Grandmother to come over, "I'm a member of the commune now. I'm more free than an educated youth. I took three or four days off. Don't worry, I'll take care of Grandmother."

After all, her current role was to take good care of Grandmother and let Song Wei Ping work hard.

Early the next morning, Song Wei Ping arrived in the town. In fact, the transport team had no loading and unloading work today. He just came to the town to find transport team leader Li San Tie.

"Wei Ping, why are you here? Come in quickly." Li San Tie himself lived in a two-room small courtyard in the town. It was tidied up well.

His left leg was a bit limb, which wasn’t noticeable when he walked slowly. But it became apparent when he walked fast.

Song Wei Ping urged him to sit down, took the teapot, and poured tea by himself. The two of them exchanged a few words before he explained his purpose, "Third Elder Brother Li, next time you go out for transportation, I want to go with you."

Li San Tie was overjoyed when he heard that, "Good lad, I was looking forward to you saying this. Those cowards in the transport team dared not drive any of the transport vehicles. Last time I went out, I wanted to teach Wu Ma Zi. Normally, that boy is so bold, but turned out to be nothing. Turning a corner, he almost fell into a ditch. It's still you who is the best."

Li San Tie still remembered last year when he drove his car over a deep hole due to a moment of inattentiveness. The whole car fell into a ditch on the side of the road and he fell off. Seeing that the car was about to turn over in the ditch, those in the car jumped out and ran away. It was Song Wei Ping who jumped onto the driver's seat, pressed the handlebar at once and drove the car back on the road. Later, he drove him to the hospital. If it weren’t for him, who knows how his leg will end up after a day's delay.

But ever since that time he was away on a trip with him and his grandmother’s health had gotten worse after one fall at home, this kid stopped following him. He would occasionally make a few bucks from transportation. But if spending the night outside was needed he wouldn’t join him. This was due to Song Wei Ping worrying about his grandmother.

"Is your Grandmother feeling better?" he asked.

Song Wei Ping gulped the water in the bowl. Pursing his lips, he replied "I'm getting married. In the future, my wife can take care of my grandmother at home."

Li San Tie was surprised, "You boy, that’s great. Your Grandmother had been looking forward to this for a good few years. Finally, you’re getting married. Well, you boy can walk ahead of me."

Song Wei Ping smiled slightly, "Third Elder Brother Li, your standards are too high."

Li San Tie had no parents. But as one of the few people in the town who can drive a tractor and was the captain of the transportation team, many people sought him out as a match. But it was a bit awkward with him. Those he set his eyes on didn’t set their eyes on him. While those girls who set their eyes on him, he didn’t take any fancy. So it was delayed.

Li San Tie waved his hand, "Let’s not talk about this. As long as you are willing to go out with me to do transportation, I will be happy. From the start, you are a temporary worker. The procedure of letter of introduction is saved. This time I will be your instructor. As long as you can drive well, I'll give you a note to get your driver's license. Being a temporary worker, Third Elder Brother Li dare not promise too much. Except for subsidies, you can earn eight dime and one cents from occasional trips. Not letting you suffer.”

He stretched out his fingers and calculated, "On the tenth day of the New Year, it just happened there’s going to be some urgent goods for the cooperatives. You should follow along. I was worried that there would be no replacement for my legs. You participation is considered helping me."

Song Wei Ping counted the time in his mind, nodded in agreement, and mentioned another thing, "Third Elder Brother Li, I'm here today because I have one more thing to do. I want to borrow ten yuan from you. Will pay before the year end."

Li San Tie chuckled, "Going to buy something for your wife? You’re someone who dotes wife. Alright, lad. I can be reassured now."

When Song Wei Ping knocked on the door of Xu Xiao Jiao's house, it was already dark. Xu Xiao Jiao stretched out her head and saw it was him. She was surprised, "You came back so late? Have you eaten? I gave Grandmother two bowls of meat, beans, and potatoes at noon. Grandmother probably hasn’t eaten them. If you didn't eat, hurry back and eat."

Song Wei Ping gave her an ‘en’ and handed her a paper bag, "For you. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

Xu Xiao Jiao took the paper bag into the room and said to Wu Chun Hua, who was in the opposite room and heard the commotions, "Elder Brother Wei Ping gave me something."

Xu Xiao Gang was curious, "Elder Sister, what is it?"

Xu Xiao Jiao entered the main room, put the paper bag on the table, "Open it and find out.”

Initially, Wu Chun Hua was mending Xu Xiao Gang's clothes by the kerosene lamp. She too went to have a look.

"Wow, Elder Sister. It's a dress. A red dress. So pretty!"

Xu Xiao Jiao picked up the dress and examined it with a kerosene lamp. Honestly, she liked it quite a bit. Her appearance was almost the same as in her previous life; bright and open in appearance. The rich colors were the best match.

Although the original owner was good-looking, she didn't have any trendy clothes. The clothes were all plain. Even if she comforted herself, she can at most give a ‘vintage’ evaluation. Needless to say, the original owner's conservative aesthetics were instilled by her adoptive mother, Chen Hao Mei who found her as an eyesore.

Wu Chun Hua, on the other hand, wished that her daughter could dress well. She touched the dress. She already regarded Song Wei Ping as a ten out of ten good guy, "This is the most popular quality good in the city now. I heard from the team leader’s wife, this i isn't cheap. One piece costs six or seven yuan. This one is so beautiful, got to be at least seven or eight yuan."

Xu Xiao Jiao put it up to her body, "Now you can be at ease. Like I said, Elder Brother Wei Ping will treat me well."

"Huh? Elder Sister, There are two hair ties here. They are shiny and pretty." Xu Xiao Gang's eyes were sharp. He noticed that there was something in the paper bag.

Xu Xiao Jiao picked it up to look at it and her eyes twinkled, "There is no such good in this town. Seems like he had gone to the county." It seemed that Song Wei Ping remembered what she said last time about liking shiny headrope. He was sort of sincere. This made her have face.

Wu Chun Hua was also satisfied, "Wear this dress tomorrow. It looks good."

After all, they were getting a marriage certificate. Xu Xiao Jiao woke up early in the morning, finished her meal, and began to dress up.

She was born pretty and looked good even without makeup. Still, she used a little lipstick, which the original owner once bought in the town with an educated youth, Wang Gui Yue. Wang Gui Yue wanted it but couldn't afford it. So she persuaded her and the two bought one together. At the time, Xu Xiao Jiao only got half of it. She didn't have a lipstick tube yet. It was always kept untouched in a small iron box.

It came in handy today.

Her hair was no longer two braids hanging down her chest. The shiny headrope tied her hair into a high ponytail. Putting on a red dress, Xu Xiao Jiao felt good about herself without looking in the mirror.

She was arranging her hair in front of the small mirror when she heard a knock on the door. Then Xu Xiao Gang's voice sounded, "Elder Sister, Elder Brother Wei Ping is here."

Xu Xiao Jiao put down the mirror, turned around, and left the room. Her good mood couldn;t be concealed, "Song Wei Ping, you're here."

Song Wei Ping stood outside the door and raised his head to look at her. He was stunned for a moment. Then he took a step back, "En, are you ready? Let's go."

Xu Xiao Jiao grabbed the household registration book , instructed Xu Xiao Gang to close the door properly on her way out, and followed him out, "I like the dress you gave me very much."

She touched Song Wei Ping with her elbow, wanting to hear compliments, "Hey, Song Wei Ping, do you think I look good today?"

Song Wei Ping turned his head to look at her. In the morning light, the sun seemed to have inlaid a layer of gold on her. The red dress really complimented her, making her look like she was glowing. She seemed to be in a good mood. A twinkle was in her eyes, so shiny.

"Looks good." Song Wei Ping said in a muffled voice.

Xu Xiao Jiao was still a little dissatisfied, "Hey, you don't even say a few words to praise me. Has anyone said you are a stuffy gourd?"

At the beginning, she didn't notice Song Wei Ping's red ears. She just handed him the household registration book for him to carry. While she jumped up and down happily beside him. Sure enough, shopping can bring happiness to girls.

Xu Xiao Jiao circled Song Wei Ping like a butterfly. Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly laughed, "Song Wei Ping, your ears are red. Hahaha, are you shy? Song Wei Ping, you are so cute."

Her laughter was like a silver bell; clear and sweet. It made Song Wei Ping's face turn red. He helplessly looked at Xu Xiao Jiao and called her in a low voice, "Stop messing."

Xu Xiao Jiao took a closer look at him, stood up again, and smiled, "Who's messing?"

"Xiao Jiao?" A surprised voice came from the intersection.

Xu Xiao Jiao turned around, saw it was Wang Gui Yue, and greeted her, "Good morning."

Wang Gui Yue could hardly believe her eyes, "Why, why, why are you so beautiful."

Being praised for being pretty doesn't make one’s mood bad. Xu Xiao Jiao didn't forget to give Song Wei Ping a sense of presence, "Elder Brother Wei Ping gave me the dress. Isn't it good?"

Wang Gui Yue looked at the expressionless Song Wei Ping. She really couldn't imagine that Song Wei Ping would gift anything to others. She didn't dare to go forward and only said a few words dryly, "Your dress is so beautiful."

Xu Xiao Jiao approached Song Wei Ping and waved at her, "We have something to do today, so we'll leave first. I've been too busy these two days, so I couldn't look for you. I'll look for you later to play. Goodbye."

Wang Gui Yue stood there in a daze, only recovering when she heard footsteps. Seeing that it was Han Guang Hui, she immediately pointed to Xu Xiao Jiao who hadn't gone far and asked him in a low voice, "Look who it is?"

Han Guang Hui followed her hand and saw a dazzle of red lining against the country road, like a dazzling red plum in the mountains. The gently swaying dress seemed to be swaying to people's hearts.

His first impression was that she was so beautiful. This was the girl of the new era. But when he looked again, he felt inexplicably familiarity.

"That's Xiao Jiao." Wang Gui Yue glanced at him.

"Impossible!" Zhao Xiao Jiao never wore dresses. She was afraid that people would say she was immoral. That's why, she dared not wear them.

"Hmph, what's impossible? Han Guang Hui, I really don't know what's so good about that Zhao Yan Yan. She only knows to cry every day. Now that Xiao Jiao and Song Wei Ping are together. You will regret it in the future. You deserve it!"

Wang Gui Yue only lived in the same room with Zhao Yan Yan who had just changed her name for two or three days and couldn't stand her anymore. She thought she was Younger Sister Lin and cried every day whenever things didn’t suit her. inappropriate. She pretended to be a feeble willow that need support of wind, but in fact she was vicious in his heart, "Before, I didn't notice. But now I see that you and your Zhao Yan Yan are really a perfect match."

Seeing Han Guang Hui's distraught reaction, Wang Gui Yue felt she expelled a bad breath.

Han Guang Hui still didn't believe it. That girl, who was timid and never dared to raise her head, could be this flamboyant and beautiful girl in a red dress? But he stared at the two who hadn’t gone. The girl turned her head to Song Wei Ping. That side face was clearly Zhao Xiao Jiao.

"Impossible! How is it possible?"

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