Ch 52: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

As soon as Zhang Yue spoke, Lin Houpu and Li Yujiao both turned to look at her.

Lin Houpu’s expression revealed nothing, but Li Yujiao’s face showed clear surprise, which jolted Zhang Yue back to her senses.

What position did she have to take his place?

Did the other side even know who she was?

Realizing her slip, she quickly backtracked. “I-I was just joking. I was thinking that my younger brother isn’t very used to this place yet, and if we took him out for a trip, it might make him happier.” This was the best excuse she could come up with on the spot, though she wasn’t sure if they believed her.

Lin Houpu’s face remained unreadable. He glanced at her and nodded slightly. “When he’s free from school, take him around the nearby area. I heard someone mention that kids love the zoo. Take him there; he’ll probably cheer up.”

Zhang Ying looked up from his bowl, his face lighting up. “The zoo!” he exclaimed excitedly, staring eagerly at Zhang Yue. “Sister, let’s go to the zoo!”

Lin Tiandong overheard and grew excited as well, tugging at Li Yujiao’s sleeve. “Mom, I want to go too.”

Li Yujiao chuckled, “Sure, but you’ll have to behave these next few days. If you’re naughty, I won’t take you.”

“Mom, I’ll behave. Please don’t leave me behind,” Lin Tiandong pleaded.

Watching the mother and son, Lin Houpu smiled faintly. They dropped the subject after that and finished their meal. Lin Houpu went upstairs to his study, and Zhang Yue got up on her own to help clean the dishes.

From a corner where Zhang Yue couldn’t see, Li Yujiao’s gaze carried a hint of ridicule.

So she had her sights set on him. Well, it made sense—after all, the factory director’s son was probably the best option she could reach for. But it was her bad luck. She might’ve had a chance once, but not anymore. Especially after seeing how much effort they were putting into the preparations. She was getting more and more unbalanced inside. She’d have to talk to Old Lin about finding a suitable match for Zhang Yue soon.

Zhang Yue returned to her room, growing increasingly regretful about what she had said. She couldn’t even explain why she had acted that way—it just felt like she was missing out, and she’d spoken out impulsively. But thinking it over now, what could she have accomplished even if she went?

Did she really think her presence would make him want to marry her?

She didn’t even know what Lin Chuanbai looked like. The photos on the wall were from three years ago, and it had been years since then. What if he’d become unattractive? Zhang Yue took a deep breath. She knew very well she was only tempted by his circumstances. If she married him, she’d never have to worry about food or money again, and her brother’s future would also be secure.

But the words she blurted out earlier…

Zhang Yue smiled bitterly to herself. She really needed to think things through before speaking from now on.

---

Lin Houpu had begun various preparations for his second son’s wedding. Meanwhile, Wu Zheng and Lin Guangbai each received a letter from Lin Duchong.

However, Wu Zheng was in a closed training session when her letter arrived, so by the time she got it, some time had already passed. After reading it, she sat in a daze for a while.

Doing the math, he was about the right age to get married now. Time flew so quickly. She wondered if the second son had forgiven them yet.

She thought back to how resistant he had been when he first found out about their divorce and sighed. Maybe now he could understand a bit better…

Lin Guangbai, on the other hand, was all smiles when he received his letter. After work, he went to a department store to look around.

What would make a good wedding gift?

When his younger sister got married, he’d just started working and didn’t have much money. Things were different now—his salary had increased, and his position had risen. Living in Shanghai, he benefited from its strategic location, where many in-demand products flowed to the rest of the country.

His brother already had a bicycle and a watch. He didn’t have a radio or sewing machine, but their grandfather might take care of those. Transporting large items was also impractical. Back then, he’d gifted his brother a watch, so maybe now he could give his future sister-in-law a matching one.

The variety of watches available in Shanghai far exceeded those in their hometown.

---

Lin Chuanbai was full of energy these days, visiting the construction site daily to check on the house’s progress. If anything seemed off, he would promptly point it out for correction.

Construction was quick during this time, without many embellishments, and with the young man supervising so diligently, the workers couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

Clearly, he wanted to get married as soon as possible. And not only was he urging them on, but the meals he provided were exceptional. Well-fed and taken care of, the workers naturally put in extra effort.

Once the house was built, the same team immediately began the interior work, carefully applying a layer of putty to smooth the walls and painting them a bright white. They also tiled the kitchen and bathroom areas with ceramic tiles.

The well in the backyard had been dug early on, even before the house was completed, making water access convenient.

By the time Lin Houpu’s belongings were slowly shipped to the new house, the timing was perfect—credit to Lin Duchong’s excellent planning. His early letters had given them ample time to prepare everything.

During this period, Yu Xiang’an was also busy, as she was responsible for deciding the interior decoration. Despite the workload, she never once felt regret. Whenever an issue arose that required discussion, the two of them would calmly and amicably work it out.

So, when he proposed setting a date for their wedding, she readily agreed.

She wasn’t one to hesitate unnecessarily; once her mind was made up, she didn’t overthink it. If things didn’t work out, she believed she could handle it.

They finalized an auspicious date and received good news: Yu Xiangyan and her family could relocate back. Yu Xiangyan obtained a worker’s position, while Wen Ruzhen and Wen Yizhen were reassigned from one production team to another. With solid reasons and a few connections, they faced minimal obstacles and successfully moved.

Their return conveniently coincided with the wedding banquet.

The couple also went to the city to take wedding photos. They had previously taken some at a local photography studio in the county, but the results were underwhelming.

At this time, most wedding photos featured the groom in military attire and the bride in red. However, the two brought several outfits, surprising the staff at the studio.

In the first set, they both wore military uniforms with imitation caps, looking heroic and sharp. They stood so close that their shoulders touched, prompting Old Wang, the photographer, to comment, “You two need to stand a bit apart; you’re too close.” And with him standing there, how could they not feel awkward?

Lin Chuanbai disagreed. “These are our wedding photos; they won’t be shared publicly. What’s the issue?”

Old Wang sighed and shrugged. “Alright, just don’t spread these around. Now, look at the camera, and give me a smile. That’s it, formal pose. Three, two, one!”

Yu Xiang’an tilted her body slightly. “Take another one.”

The couple gazed at each other, their eyes seeming to sparkle with light.

Old Wang: “…”

Young people these days.

After capturing a few shots in this pose, they changed outfits. Lin Chuanbai donned fitted black trousers and a white shirt, while Yu Xiang’an switched to a white blouse and a plaid skirt. They posed shoulder to shoulder for one shot, rested their heads together for another, and gazed at each other for a third.

Under the increasingly robotic gaze of the photographer, they changed into yet another set of outfits.

This time, Lin Chuanbai wore a Zhongshan suit, and Yu Xiang’an put on a form-fitting red gown that accentuated her waist, making her look particularly elegant and radiant.

Even Old Wang was impressed with how well the photos turned out. Once developed, they would undoubtedly look stunning.

The photos couldn’t be picked up immediately. When they returned with the receipt some time later to collect the finished product, both were very satisfied. Compared to the photos they had taken in the county, the ones taken in the city looked much better.

Yu Xiang’an looked at the photos repeatedly and then asked, “Master Wang, do you do on-location shoots? When we have our wedding, a lot of family will be coming, and we’d love for you to take some pictures. We’ll cover the travel costs and meals. Master, your work is so wonderful; we really want to hire you.”

Her sincerity made Old Wang hesitate for a moment. “Have you set a date? Let me check if I’m free then.”

Hearing this, Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai exchanged a quick glance and smiled. “It’s the 30th of next month, a rest day.”

“The end of the month works. Alright, I’ll do it. Leave me the address.”

“Great! Thank you, Master. We’ll leave a deposit of twenty yuan. Please bring extra rolls of film—there’ll be a lot of us, and we’ll definitely take plenty of pictures.”

The 30th was chosen because it was a rest day, ensuring everyone would be available.

Yu Xiangyan’s family returned in mid-month, and he had already been working for a few days by then.

---

On the morning of the 30th, the Lin family delivered the bride price to the Yu family. In turn, the Yu family loaded the bride price along with the prepared dowry onto poles and carried everything to the new home.

Yu Xiang’an had two elder brothers: Yu Xianghai and Yu Xiangyan. She also had three cousins—Qin Shenghua, Qin Shengsong, and Qin Shenghe. Qin Shenghua was serving in the military. Additionally, she had three paternal cousins—Yu Manchang, Yu Manwu, and Yu Mansheng. Even the youngest, Yu Mansheng, was already sixteen. With seven men, they had more than enough strength to carry the dowry.

They didn’t invite neighbors or friends, but the spectacle still caught the attention of nearby residents.

People clicked their tongues in amazement. “The Yu family is really living well. Look at all this. The groom’s side must be quite well-off to provide so much. Look, there’s even a radio and a sewing machine.”

“The groom even arrived on a bicycle, which must be his own. Look, he’s wearing a wristwatch.”

“The bride has her own bicycle too. And she’s wearing a brand-new wristwatch.”

“Impressive, truly impressive.”

“Who would’ve thought? The Yu family’s background isn’t bad at all.”

The scene made many envious. In most households, owning even one of the “four big items” (radio, bicycle, sewing machine, and wristwatch) was a treasure. But here, not only were all four present, but there were duplicates.

Some people, sour with jealousy, muttered, “Who knows where their money comes from? Maybe they’re involved in some shady business, like private trading.”

Someone else countered, “What’s so strange about this? Do you know what the groom’s parents do? They’re high-ranking officials. For them, this is nothing.”

Ding Minxiu, hiding by the roadside, overheard the conversation. Her chest heaved as she watched the scene.

How could Yu Xiang’an be so lucky? She found a man like this—someone who didn’t care about her past stigma and was willing to spend so much to marry her.

Why?

She had visited their new home. It was truly beautiful—a standalone courtyard house, just for the two of them. What kind of heavenly life was that?

Meanwhile, she still shared a bed with her son. Once he grew older, she’d have to let him sleep in the living room because their house was too small. She hadn’t yet secured a formal job, only finding temporary work occasionally, and she didn’t have much money in hand.

Her life wasn’t bad, but compared to Yu Xiang’an’s, it was worlds apart.

It didn’t make sense. She should have been the one living better than Yu Xiang’an. Now it was the opposite. Why?

As she puzzled over this, the wedding procession reached the newlyweds’ home. The red brick courtyard walls were neat and square, giving the place a well-organized look.

This wedding was a private affair, attended only by family.

From the Lin family, Lin Duzhong, Lin Jiqing, Xu Haili, Lin Nanxing, and Lin Chuanqiong were present. Lin Duzhong’s daughter, Lin Banxia, also came with her husband, bringing a refrigerator and a fan. The refrigerator was purchased with Lin Houpu’s money and ration coupons, while the fan was a gift from Lin Banxia as an aunt.

Lin Yunling and Fu Heqi also brought their child, Yuanyuan. In total, it wasn’t a large group.

Lin Duzhong had a younger brother, but he ran away from home as a teenager and lost contact long ago. It was widely assumed that his fate had likely been unfortunate.

On the Yu family’s side, there were far more attendees.

The entire Qin family showed up. The second uncle took charge of the kitchen, ensuring that dishes prepared by a state-run restaurant chef would be delicious. Additionally, the Yu family relatives from their hometown—Yu Changyou and Zhang Chahua’s large family—also came. Fortunately, the courtyard was spacious enough to accommodate everyone.

Today, Lin Chuanbai was dressed in military uniform with a large, rustic red flower pinned to his chest. It was undeniably tacky. When Yu Xiang’an first saw it, she almost burst out laughing—not out of ridicule, but because the clumsy cuteness of it was irresistibly amusing.

In contrast, Yu Xiang’an looked stunning. She wore the red gown from their photo shoot, adorned with a red flower in her hair, with makeup and bright lipstick that made her look breathtakingly beautiful.

Yu Manwu and Yu Mansheng, after seeing her, whispered to Yang Huili, “Mom, when I get married, I want to marry someone like her.”

Yang Huili smacked them without hesitation. “Dream on!”

The slap was so forceful that both yelped in pain.

“Is she really our mom? So harsh!” they grumbled.

Under the witnesses of family and friends, the couple held the iconic red book of the era and recited vows of “working towards progress together,” which essentially served as their wedding vows.

Everyone paid extra attention to their appearance today. Knowing that there would be photographs, even those like Qin Qiang, Yao Cuifen, Yu Changyou, and Zhang Guihua dressed in their best outfits, checking themselves repeatedly in the mirror before heading out. Though it was common for newlyweds to visit photo studios for wedding portraits, few in the older generation had ever had their photos taken.

Zhang Chahua marveled at the idea of photography, calling it magic that could freeze a moment in time forever.

Many relatives had arrived the previous night and crowded together at the Yu family’s house. Early in the morning, Wen Ruzhen lent a helping hand in getting everyone ready.

Yu Xiang’an had brought along a jar of foundation cream and a tube of lipstick ahead of time, giving a simple demonstration. Women who had never used makeup before were instantly captivated.

That morning, all the women dolled themselves up, applying foundation cream for a smoother, fairer complexion and lipstick to brighten their looks. For those who felt their faces lacked a natural flush, the lipstick doubled as blush.

With just a little effort, their appearances improved from a modest five out of ten to sixes and sevens. Before leaving the house, they couldn’t help but check themselves in the mirror repeatedly. Even the men were amazed at the transformation. Though they couldn’t pinpoint the difference, they agreed it looked much better.

Yu Manchang, seeing Xu Xiaojuan’s refreshed appearance before they left, was stunned into a single word: “Beautiful.” Though not eloquent, it was enough to lift Xu Xiaojuan’s spirits.

(T/N: I been wrongly translating Xu Xiaojuan as Xu Xiaoju. From now on, it’ll be Xu Xiaojuan.)

In contrast, Yu Xiangyan was as smooth as ever, effortlessly spouting poetic compliments like “sinking fish, falling geese, closed moon, and shy flowers” without skipping a beat.

After the vows were recited, it was time for photos. Taking advantage of the daylight, they started the group shots early so there would still be time to eat afterward.

Old Wang directed the group. “Alright, everyone, let’s move some stools around. Elders and children in the front, the couple in the center. You, the tall one, go to the third row. You over there, move a little to the left. Yes, perfect. Everyone check your outfits—make sure everything’s in place before we start.”

“Wait, wait, let’s double-check ourselves first!” someone shouted.

Yu Xiang’an glanced at Lin Chuanbai beside her. “Is my hair messy?”

“No.”

Yu Xiangqing pulled out a lipstick and reapplied it to brighten her complexion—the previous layer had been eaten away.

Zhang Chahua smoothed the creases in Yu Changyou’s clothes, while Qin Qiang helped Yao Cuifen tidy her hair.

Once everyone had finished checking themselves, they said, “All set.”

Old Wang remained patient. “Alright, everyone, look here and count with me: three, two, one!” With a click, the moment was immortalized.

In addition to the group photo, smaller group shots were taken until they used up the film. Then it was time for the feast.

The food was a collaborative effort from both families, with Yu Xiang’an also preparing some dishes in advance. The variety was abundant and diverse.

The ten symbolic dishes for perfection included: braised pork, mushroom chicken stew, braised fish, stir-fried three delicacies, stuffed tofu, bamboo shoots with cured meat, dumplings, minced pork with seasonal vegetables, shrimp steamed eggs, and pork rib soup. Desserts included lotus seed and red bean soup, lily and lotus seed soup, red date syrup, steamed egg cake, crispy pastries, and layered cakes.

Each dish was plentiful, so everyone could easily enjoy meat without needing to scramble.

Yu Xiang’an raised a glass to her second uncle. “Thank you for all your hard work today, Uncle.” He had taken the lead in preparing the dishes.

Qin Fengmao laughed heartily and downed the drink. “No need to be so polite, Xiao An. Live well and be happy!”

“I will.”

She exchanged a glance with Lin Chuanbai, and both silently vowed to cherish every day of their lives together.

After the meal, with so many helping hands, the cleanup was swift. The guests gradually left, giving the newlyweds their space.

As the last guest departed and the door closed, Yu Xiang’an collapsed onto a stool. While it had been a joyful day, it was undeniably exhausting. From the moment she woke up, it had been nonstop chaos, with only mealtime offering a brief respite.

Lin Chuanbai was also worn out. Sitting beside her, he lifted his arms and stretched his shoulders, the cracking sounds audible.

“Getting married is tiring. No wonder so many people these days prefer elopements or destination weddings.”

Lin Chuanbai nodded in agreement. “Truly exhausting—mentally and physically.”

After sitting and catching their breath for a while, Yu Xiang’an stood up. “I’m going to shower first. I’m drenched in sweat. You’ll need to stoke the fire to heat more water; there’s not much left.”

“Got it.”

When Yu Xiang’an first went to shower, she didn’t think much about it. But as the water poured over her, she suddenly remembered: today was their wedding day. This was their wedding night.

They had collected their marriage certificate just yesterday. From every perspective, they were officially husband and wife now.

Until this point, their relationship had remained innocent, limited to holding hands and hugging. Both had been hesitant, lacking the courage to take the next step. But tonight would likely be a turning point.

Would it hurt? Would he know what to do? Her mind wandered through a flurry of thoughts, and Yu Xiang’an found herself scrubbing more thoroughly than usual. By the time she finished, she smelled fresh and clean.

Dressed in loose pajamas, she dashed upstairs to their room.

Lin Chuanbai, meanwhile, had been lost in thought since the moment she entered the bathroom. Mindlessly stoking the fire, he stared into the flames, his mind drifting.

It was their wedding night.

After his bath, he would brush his teeth.

When he returned to the room, one of them was sitting on the edge of the bed while the other lingered at the doorway. Their eyes met briefly before they both quickly looked away.

Lin Chuanbai cleared his throat and slowly walked over to sit beside her. “Tired?”

“Are your feet sore?”

“How was dinner?”

They exchanged small, trivial comments, their words gradually bridging the distance between them. They grew closer and closer until their shoulders touched, and then—

Lights out.

---

The next morning, Yu Xiang’an lazily opened her eyes, staring at the mosquito net above her. Feeling the warmth of the body beside her, she recalled the events of the previous night.

After the initial awkwardness of two inexperienced novices struggling to find their rhythm and manage their strength, things gradually improved. By the end, it actually felt quite good. The sense of intimacy and mutual support was captivating—no wonder so many people were passionate about this. Afterward, it was like leaving a professional spa, completely relaxed and carefree, floating as if suspended in mid-air.

Although she had overexerted herself the night before and deserved a longer sleep, her fixed biological clock woke her up early. Her routine was undeniably healthy now.

Lin Chuanbai, also governed by his internal clock, opened his eyes. Seeing that she was awake, he flashed a bright smile. “Good morning.”

Yu Xiang’an touched her ear, surprised by how pleasant his morning voice sounded. “Good morning.”

“Should we stay in bed a little longer or get up to make breakfast?”

“Let’s stay a little longer.”

They only had a single day of wedding leave.

Before long, Yu Xiang’an’s growling stomach forced her to get up, and the two of them went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast together.

Lin Chuanbai wasn’t much of a cook, but he was good at helping out.

Breakfast was simple: a handful of noodles boiled into soup, served with fried eggs, greens, scallions, and Yu Xiang’an’s homemade sauce, creating a bowl of flavorful noodles.

After breakfast, they began sorting through the gifts received the day before.

Each had a list—one for items received before the wedding from colleagues and friends and another for those received during the wedding itself.

In general, Lin Chuanbai’s relatives were fewer but gave more valuable gifts, while Yu Xiang’an’s family, though larger, came from more modest backgrounds.

They consolidated everything into a single notebook for future reference since they’d need to return gifts later.

Tomorrow, they would return to work and distribute wedding candies to their colleagues.

Getting married truly involved countless tasks.

Once everything was sorted and tidied, the day passed quickly.

---

The next day, Yu Xiang’an arrived at the factory early to hand out wedding candies.

“I’ve finally gotten to taste your wedding candies. I’ve been waiting so long!” Yan Yuzhen teased with a smile. “You’re no longer alone now. Keep up the hard work!”

Yu Xiang’an laughed heartily. “Absolutely! Keep working hard. But now I’ve got someone by my side on the journey.”

“Did the promises made before the wedding all come true? Some people make big promises before the wedding and backtrack afterward.”

Yu Xiang’an nodded confidently. “Yes, they did.” Lin Chuanbai had even handed over his private savings. She hadn’t taken it all, leaving him with five yuan.

Having some cash on hand was practical, whether for emergencies or for seizing a good opportunity to buy something without hesitation.

Five yuan was a significant amount at the time, about one-sixth of a month’s salary.

Lin Chuanbai didn’t have many expenses now. His food rations had been transferred from the hospital to their home, and they ate breakfast and dinner at home. For lunch, he brought a packed meal. Clothing and daily necessities were handled by Yu Xiang’an. Realistically, he had very few personal expenditures.

He had already decided to turn over his entire salary. If he wanted to buy something, like a gift for her, he could sell medicinal herbs or make mosquito-repellent ointments, which would be more than enough.

The herb garden now mainly grew ginseng, which required less daily attention. Its value wouldn’t decrease and might even increase, allowing him to focus on medical research. The less time he spent in the garden, the lower the risk of exposure.

Yu Xiang’an shared a similar mindset. With their new home equipped with a spacious kitchen, refrigerator, and cabinets, she no longer needed to spend as much time on small-scale experiments in the farm. Tasks like harvesting and planting could be handled with ease.

Previously, she had spent hours preparing a variety of delicious dishes. Now, with the large kitchen at her disposal, she had ample space to continue refining her culinary skills.

As for earning money, with her culinary skills, how could she not?

Just as they had envisioned, bringing a granddaughter-in-law skilled in cooking into the family greatly improved Lin Duzhong’s meals.

On their days off, the young couple would bring delicious food to share. Two visits ago, it was spicy boiled fish; the last time, roast duck; and this time, braised pork belly. The pork was about a finger thick, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat. Each bite melted in the mouth, rich yet not greasy, and before they realized it, a piece was gone.

Pairing it with a bit of rice wine and a plate of peanuts, while listening to the radio broadcast the news, it truly felt like a heavenly life.

Seeing the frequent smile on his grandson’s face, Lin Duzhong felt a sense of contentment. Beyond studying medicine, his grandson now had a greater zest for life. Indeed, they had chosen well in this granddaughter-in-law.

“Xiao An, the minced meat sauce you made last time was excellent. Could you make another jar for Grandpa?” He pulled out some money and ration tickets from his pocket. “No rush—just make it when you find good meat. There’s still a little left for now.”

Yu Xiang’an accepted it. “Alright, Grandpa. I’ll make it with the best meat I can find—better ingredients make it even tastier. Oh, by the way, we won’t be visiting next week. We’re heading to the Hongxing Brigade for my second brother’s housewarming party.”

Lin Chuanbai added, “Grandpa, Hongxing Brigade isn’t far from here. Half a mountainside there is covered in wild chrysanthemums—it’s quite a sight. Would you like to come along for a walk?”

After a moment of thought, Lin Duzhong shook his head. “These old bones of mine won’t make the trip. You two go ahead.”

🌱🌿 🫧🍃