Chapter 44, First Update

In the early 1980s, when farmland was distributed to households, Lin Yongfu and his wife Zhang Yuqin, along with their three daughters, received their respective shares based on headcount. However, the quality of the land varied. The best, contiguous plots were mostly allocated to Lin Fu’s household and his three sons, while the fragmented, less desirable parcels scattered in corners were assigned to Lin’s daughters.

This division had been settled earlier, so when the brothers split the family, there were no disputes over the land. Yet, Lin Yongfu was initially reluctant to separate because their family ended up with few good plots, and fighting for better ones was futile.

Land allocated to daughters who married out was to be reclaimed and ultimately returned to the eldest branch. Their family’s landholdings would dwindle, especially after Lin Yongfu’s passing, since without a male head of household, the land would revert to the main family unless a daughter married in—a prospect uncertain given the strained relations with the eldest uncle’s family. Who would willingly leave land to them under such circumstances?

But that was a matter for years later. As long as Lin Yongfu was alive, the land remained theirs.

Lin Xuexia had previously insisted on transferring her and her second sister’s household registration elsewhere. Their household was shrinking, while the eldest branch’s was growing with new marriages and children—surely they would come demanding land. Just the thought made Lin Yongfu’s heart tighten with despair.

What meaning did life have anymore?

Lin Yongfu was gloomy every day, but Zhang Yuqin was indifferent toward the land. Although she technically owned some plots on paper, all village land was registered under the heads of households in the village. Without a husband, the land was not truly hers.

The second daughter was set to attend university and would rely on state support, no longer needing the land to survive. Lin Xuexia seemed uninterested in the few plots they had, and if the youngest, Yuexia, could marry a son-in-law, at least a few plots might be preserved.

Zhang Yuqin had come to terms with it and advised Lin Yongfu to let the owners of surrounding fields cultivate the inconvenient, scattered paddies in exchange for part of the harvest each year. The couple would tend their vegetable garden and the less-than-two-mu orchard, raising a few chickens, ducks, and geese to get by.

But for Lin Yongfu, a skilled farmer, not working the land was unbearable, though those prime paddies would no longer tolerate his interference.

Sitting by the fire, contentedly knitting, Zhang Yuqin said, “If you still want to farm, just tend to the slightly better plot.”

“As long as the family has enough to eat,” Lin Yongfu replied.

He thought of the scattered plots they had and, lacking the will to farm them, agreed with Zhang Yuqin’s suggestion. Luckily, they had a radio at home and listened to traditional storytelling daily—quite a pleasant way to pass the time.

Life must go on; even bone soup smells good!

“Are you really making soup? With meat! Mom, there’s crispy pork cracklings—can I eat some?” Lin Yuexia returned from helping pick fruit and noticed a big change at home. Their household was now separated from the eldest uncle’s by a bamboo fence. The two families were clearly divided, no longer sharing meals, with her parents cooking separately.

Lin Yuexia had never liked eating at home much. In a big family, meals were a scramble—though men didn’t have to fight, the women did, needing to secure their portions early lest the men finished it all, leaving nothing. But even then, one couldn’t take too much or else risk the grandmother’s scowl. Their three sisters only got scraps and leftovers. If such delicious pork cracklings were available, they’d never get any—at best, they ate the burnt, bitter, tough bits.

The pork cracklings Zhang Yuqin now served were from fat of local black farm pigs, fried to fragrant crispiness. Stir-fried with sour chili peppers and used to cook greens, this was an exquisite flavor.

“Eat up, have a few pieces, but don’t finish it all. I just bought meat today.” Zhang Yuqin had ridden her bicycle to town to sell some fruit and eggs, then bought just under a pound of pork front leg and some bones.

Fearing her mother-in-law and sister-in-law’s passive-aggressive harassment, Zhang Yuqin now preferred to sell goods herself in town. After her daughter took her once, she no longer feared getting lost—the town had only one main road.

Taking her dog and several crates of mountain produce, she found that as long as the price was right, she could sell everything, making a small profit. Previously, she had been afraid of criticism for selling at a loss, but now she kept the money herself, as her daughter said: she could sell for whatever price she pleased.

She had also bought a widow’s sewing machine and, after delivering some eggs as thanks, had been introduced to sewing and mending jobs to do at home, earning a few extra coins.

Zhang Yuqin wasn’t planning to save much—just ten or twenty yuan for emergencies. She feared that if she saved more, her husband might let the eldest uncle’s family cheat her out of it.

Better to consume it herself than to have empty hands.

Her eldest daughter, Lin Xuexia, urging them to spend the 400 yuan, had a great influence on Zhang Yuqin.

With money in hand, Zhang Yuqin dared not hoard it, spending most on meat and intending to fatten the dog first.

Lin Yuexia ate two pieces of the crispy cracklings, then pulled ten yuan from her pocket, handing it to Zhang Yuqin: “Mom, this is the wage I earned helping pick fruit.”

She said this with a hint of guilt; in truth, her wage was fifteen yuan, but she kept five for herself, intending to hand over only ten.

Lin Yuexia knew this money would never be hers to keep, not even after marriage.

Her eldest cousin had mocked their family, saying their parents would sell off the daughters, using their dowry money to pay for their cousins’ weddings and houses.

“That’s the fate of families with only daughters.”

“Look at your second sister studying hard—what use is that? Even if she earns money, it’s not hers. It belongs to another man, supporting him, his children, and his parents. It’s not for the Lin family.”

“A woman’s only value is bearing sons. No matter how well she studies, if she can’t have a son, she’s worthless.”

...

Lin Yuexia, the youngest in the family, knew she wasn’t as pretty or virtuous as her eldest sister Lin Xuexia, who would marry well; nor was she as academically gifted as her second sister Lin Yuxia, who could confidently enter university. Lin Yuexia feared being sold into a harsh household to endure hardship all her life.

A girl slightly older than her, Qin Yanyan, who had attended elementary school with her and was no older than nineteen, had died recently. Shortly after giving birth to a daughter, she had ingested pesticide to commit suicide.

Qin Yanyan had dropped out earlier, leaving school after middle school and marrying into a family with two brothers. She was the favored “second son’s” wife; the older brother’s wife had a son but was unloved by the mother-in-law.

At first, Qin Yanyan enjoyed her mother-in-law’s favor and lived well. The last time Lin Yuexia saw her was when she proudly returned to her maternal home, heavily pregnant.

The mother-in-law thought she was carrying a boy and treated her well—until she gave birth to a daughter. Then the mother-in-law’s face changed, and together with the sister-in-law, they bullied her during postpartum confinement.

Soon after, Qin Yanyan despaired and died.

No one knew if it was suicide or murder. The body was found at the husband’s home, unrescued and unattended in a hospital.

Lin Yuexia, while helping pick fruit, saw Qin Yanyan’s family come to collect the body. The husband’s side reportedly paid 500 yuan as compensation, and the matter was hastily settled.

The unmarried girls who came to pick fruit lamented bitterly that their lives were worth only a few hundred yuan.

Lin Yuexia feared she might marry into such a family with two brothers, doomed to the same fate—or worse, like her mother.

Even in death, her selling price would line others’ pockets—her dowry would enrich her husband’s family, and in death, they’d profit again.

On the way home, she pondered this, pursing her lips. While picking fruit, she met a warm, talkative young man whose family was poor and couldn’t afford a dowry, so he hadn’t married.

With a strange mix of resolve and self-pity, Lin Yuexia decided to give up hope of escape. If she died, at least her dowry money wouldn’t line the eldest uncle’s pockets.

Why should they feast on her flesh and blood? She wouldn’t let them earn a single cent. She just wanted to flee this cursed place, no matter how poor or hard life might be elsewhere.

She ate another piece of crackling, savoring its crispness and aroma, and this time, her mother didn’t scold her like her grandmother would.

Perhaps it was because of the ten yuan she handed over. Emboldened, Lin Yuexia quickly ate another piece.

“Keep the money. Tomorrow we’ll go to town and buy you shoes or some cloth—whatever you want. With the sewing machine at home, you can make yourself new clothes,” Zhang Yuqin said, refusing the ten yuan.

She didn’t want to keep much cash now and urged Lin Yuexia to spend hers.

Lin Yuexia was stunned. “What? Mom, you’re not... arranging a marriage for me, are you?”

Usually, when daughters married, families would be generous with ten or twenty yuan for city shopping.

Feeling like a pig traded in a market for a set price, Lin Yuexia felt sick. Her eldest sister had at least met her fiancé in person. She hadn’t even seen hers—was she already sold? Surely the eldest uncle’s family had arranged this.

“Ah?” Zhang Yuqin hesitated, “No, your eldest and second sisters... wait for your eldest sister’s marriage first.”

Lin Yuexia’s heart eased. She cautiously said, “I heard they broke off the engagement with the Zheng family.”

Zhang Yuqin hesitated, “She’s found someone else and plans to marry.”

Neither Lin Yongfu nor Zhang Yuqin knew the groom’s family specifics and feared he might be a fraud.

Lin Yongfu, smoking, dared not act rashly. They would wait for Lin Xuexia to return.

Even if she didn’t marry into the Zheng family, Lin Yongfu wouldn’t allow Lin Xuexia to wed a man from afar. No outsider would take the family’s most beautiful eldest daughter. At most, the match would be within the same county.

Lin Yuexia had no words.

The youngest sister noticed her eldest sister doing what she had planned herself.

She reached out and ate another crackling.

Zhang Yuqin watched her, and Lin Yuexia smiled sheepishly. She had expected a scolding but instead heard, “If you like them so much, tomorrow come to town with me and we’ll buy more meat.”

Lin Yuexia was surprised. “Really?”

“You should learn to use the sewing machine too. The money you earn doing sewing work can be yours, to save for your dowry.”

...

Lin Yuexia now realized their family had not only a bicycle but also a radio and a sewing machine! It took just over half an hour to ride the bike to town! They even had two dogs at home!

Her mother fed the dogs meat!

Had she known the dogs lived so well, she would have come home earlier.

The next day, Lin Yuexia rode to town with Zhang Yuqin, sold farm produce, and bought back a pound of pork belly. She also chose a beautiful piece of red cloth to make a new cotton-padded jacket.

Lin Yuexia was very happy, casting aside yesterday’s worries. She wasn’t in a hurry to marry now—if she did, it would be to a family where meat was plentiful.

Zhang Yuqin was also glad; having a child at home brought liveliness.

When mother and daughter returned, several matchmakers had come—not for Lin Yuexia’s marriage, but to arrange one for Lin Xuexia.

The broken engagement with the Zheng family had caused quite a stir. Just days after the cancellation, many suitors came calling, all claiming to have set their sights on Lin Xuexia.

Lin Xuexia was renowned far and wide for her beauty and diligence. Despite being older than usual for marriage, she had no other flaws.

“You’re twenty. Your eldest daughter is not young anymore. Let her marry as soon as she returns for New Year. This suitor’s family is decent, honest, and hardworking. They’re willing to offer a thousand yuan dowry!”

“Don’t be picky. Settle it quickly.”

...

Lin Yongfu beamed at the matchmakers’ words. He always knew his eldest daughter would be in demand and wouldn’t remain unmarried.

Lin Yuxia returned and saw this scene, feeling bitter. She knew her eldest sister was hardworking and beautiful, so everyone sought her; the second sister was smart and going to university; and she was nothing special.

“Let Xuexia choose for herself when she comes back,” Zhang Yuqin smiled, politely sending all the matchmakers away without agreeing to anyone.

Lin Yongfu regained hope, planning for the eldest daughter to marry well, the second to attend university, and the youngest to stay home and marry in.

Zhang Yuqin said, “Xuexia says she’ll listen to no one; if she wants to marry a man from another place, can you stop her?”

Lin Yongfu was speechless.

—

Meanwhile, the Lin Fu family and Zheng Qiaoli’s household were going through turbulent times. Lin Yongfu had given up farming. Their family had secured good land but no one skilled enough to work it. The prime fields were tended by Lin Yongfu, but now he refused. Work piled on the eldest son, whose wife quarreled over dowry money, causing Lin Yongfu’s refusal.

The second son couldn’t marry without a dowry, so he also refused to farm.

The third son was apprenticing as a carpenter but had learned little and claimed no time to work.

Now Lin Fu and Zheng Qiaoli farmed while the neighboring second son’s family lived in comfort, even feeding meat to the dogs, which infuriated Zheng Qiaoli.

When several matchmakers came to Lin’s house seeking to arrange a marriage for Lin Xuexia, it was a slap in the face for Zheng Qiaoli, who had previously gossiped about Lin Xuexia being an old maid rejected by Zheng Yukang after his university exams, destined to remain unmarried and a burden.

“Isn’t the eldest uncle’s wife urging your younger brother-in-law to settle Xuexia’s match? Good men with good conditions are waiting.”

Zheng Qiaoli rolled her eyes. “Matchmakers for my niece? Why don’t you investigate why she was fired from the factory? She and others went to a dance hall. Do you think a respectable place would get her fired? Do you think she can still marry?”

Lin Qingxue, who worked at the electronics factory, learned the truth about Lin Xuexia’s dismissal and told Zheng Qiaoli.

“If you introduce my niece to men, be careful they don’t come to your house to throw dung.”

The matchmakers looked both surprised and doubtful but dared not ask more and quickly left to gather information.

Seeing their reaction, Zheng Qiaoli felt satisfied, thinking her niece would be a burden.

Unexpectedly, Lin Fu’s family slapped her hard and shouted, “What good is your niece staying single to you? You fool, don’t you want her dowry money?”

Zheng Qiaoli was stunned.

The next day, the younger brother’s family remained unresponsive, but Xie Yingzi’s household hurled several buckets of dung at Zheng Qiaoli’s home.

Xie Yingzi had also been fired from the factory and was engaged. After the incident, the marriage almost fell through due to a demand for a hundred yuan less dowry, which infuriated Xie’s family greatly.

“My daughter is clean. If you keep speaking ill, I’ll throw dung at your house every day.”

“Yingzi says Lin Xuexia is innocent—just went to a dance hall once. That’s normal city life. You’re just narrow-minded. If you say more nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”

...

Lin Yuexia secretly watched the chaos from the courtyard edge, delighted. She loved seeing the eldest uncle’s pretentious, self-important demeanor and his wife’s imperious airs crumble.

She wanted to see their family’s downfall—even in death, she wanted to witness their misfortune!