Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 10 - Arrangement

In the afternoon, Yang Dajiang specifically came over to visit his older brother and brought up the matter of hosting a banquet the next day.

"Sister Qiongzi really made us proud, whether it's a boy or a girl, they've all brought glory to our Yang Family. I'm planning to have our own brothers gather to celebrate. We won't invite too many people, just having our uncle's family over is enough. I am thinking about three tables or so. What do you think?"

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The Yang Family brothers had divided their households long ago, each being the head of their own family; as a younger brother, he was merely asking out of respect for his eldest brother. Of course, Yang Dahai was not one to be oblivious, he nodded, "That's not a big issue. Just have your things ready, and later call your sisters-in-law to come over and help."

Yang Dajiang smiled and nodded, then brought up another matter, "I heard Peihua's wife was hospitalized. Looking at the way things are, no one even bothered to tell me. We're brothers, big brother, you should have said something. Why should the team have to lend you money if it's not enough? Although I'm not doing too well myself, I've still got a hundred or so to spare."

Yang Dahai gestured dismissively, "I have it under control. Peiqiong is going to college soon—where is the money not needed?"

"How did Minmin, a perfectly fine girl, end up falling into the river? Was it the stress of the college entrance exams doing her in?" This was not just Yang Dajiang's speculation; most people in Xiahe Village suspected the same. Yang PeiMin had a well-known competitive spirit. This time around, attending the college entrance exams alongside her cousin, one passed while the other did not — it must have been a blow to her pride. Overwhelmed, she might have thoughtlessly jumped into the river. But at home, except for the few who knew the real story, no one believed it. Minmin, the delicate and pampered one, choose such a painful way to die?

When Minmin learned from Yang Peijun that people outside speculated like this, she almost choked on her saliva. Wasn't that a bit too fantastical?

So, when Yang PeiMin just entered the room and overheard her second uncle inquiring about it, she was somewhat embarrassed, but since she had already come in, it would be even more awkward to leave. She smiled and called out to her second uncle.

Yang Dajiang's face showed not a hint of guilt for talking about someone behind their back. He asked after her warmly, "Minmin, your health is important. As long as you recover well, there will be other opportunities in the future. Don't lose heart, and if there's anything you don't understand, just go ask Sister Qiongzi." Naturally, by the end of this comment, his eyes could not hide his pride for his own daughter.

Minmin nodded her head.

"It's been a while since we last saw each other, Minmin seems to have grown up a lot and become more sensible." Thankfully, Yang Dajiang hadn't completely lost himself in pride, remembering he had a protective older brother beside him, and generously praised his niece.

Sure enough, after hearing this, his big brother also showed a glimmer of a smile, "She's a grown girl now; how could she not be sensible? Whether she's successful or not doesn't matter. As long as she's well, her mother and I wouldn't ask for anything more."

It wasn't without reason that this second uncle was able to stand out amidst numerous difficulties and marry a woman from the city, thereby earning the support of his wife's family and living like a city dweller. Look at his emotional intelligence and appearance, a square face with well-proportioned features—far more handsome than the lean, plain face of her father.

After chatting for a while, Yang Dajiang left to go back.

Subsequently, after dinner, Yang Dahai's family also went over to the second uncle's house to sit and see if there was anything they could help with.

Since the whole family was going, Yang PeiMin had to follow along because she was afraid to stay at home alone, fearing ghosts.

The moment she entered, Yang Peiyan, that little girl, pulled her into her room, "I want to show you the nice thing my dad brought for me."

She didn't want to see it at all, "There's no rush at this moment. Let's listen to what the adults have to say about the arrangements for tomorrow."

Yang Peiyan rolled her eyes, "You make it sound like you're going to help or something?"

Yang PeiMin was eventually dragged by her to see the Friendship Snow Cream that her dad had bought her, "Smell this and tell me it isn't better than that bottle you have?"

"It's alright." Indeed, it was a bit more upscale than her tin box.

"I'll have my cousin bring me a lipstick soon. There's a performance at school, and if I'm selected, it will be another feather in the cap for our Yang Family," Yang Peiyan boasted, giving her a sidelong glance. "You know, Minmin, you've been looking pale these days you've been sick. Your lips are so white. Are you going to come to the family banquet tomorrow? My uncles and cousins will be there, and appearing so sickly—it would be quite rude to the guests."

Yang PeiMin was still on medication these days and felt a bit weak. Her complexion did look somewhat poor, but not so much that someone would notice she was sick at a glance. They would merely think she was a bit frail, usually. Was this cousin speaking with such a venomous tongue?

"That's none of your concern. Better pay attention to yourself. Speaking of which, those brows you drew really don't suit your face, making you look much uglier."

Yang Peiyan had naturally bold and spirited eyebrows, but she had trimmed them into slender willow-leaf shapes, and they weren't even symmetrical. Everyone's eyebrows grow in a way that matches their face shape, and for everyday makeup, sometimes there is no need to do much shaping—just cleaning up the stray hairs along the edges. Yang Peiyan's styling made her already high forehead look even higher and increased the size of her face considerably, detracting from her delicate rounded features.

Yang PeiMin did not stop her revenge, "And the forehead is too high; you should consider having bangs. Your skin isn't white enough either; it looks rather sallow. You haven't been eating too much lard, have you? Your face is so oily that the pores look big enough to stuff rice into. Have you ever seen a strawberry? Your nose bears a striking resemblance."

"You..." Yang Peiyan, whose confidence had been thoroughly shattered by Yang PeiMin's criticism, was on the verge of crying.

"What are you two whispering about?" Yang Peiqiong walked in.

"Sister Yang PeiMin is bullying me again!" Yang Peiyan immediately began to complain to her.

Yang Peiqiong laughed and patted her shoulder, saying, "Mother is calling for you. Go outside and take a look."

Yang Peiyan stomped her foot and shot a glare at Yang PeiMin before leaving.

"You and Yanzi," Yang Peiqiong shook her head, seemingly helpless about the frequent verbal sparring between the two, "Did she show you her makeup again?"

Yang PeiMin nodded, but seeing the look on Yang Peiqiong's face, she knew there was something to discuss, or else she wouldn't have sent Yang Peiyan away. So she asked directly, "Sister, did you want to talk to me about something?"

At this, Yang Peiqiong couldn't help but take another look at her. When had this cousin become so perceptive? She nodded, smiling, "Yes, there is something I wanted to talk to you about. Tomorrow, I've invited Xu Min as well. I owe a lot to him for getting into university."

"Sister, there was no need to tell me this specifically. I already made things very clear last time," Yang PeiMin replied coldly.

Yang Peiqiong sighed with a wry smile, shaking her head. "I passed on what you said that day to Xu Min, but he refuses to believe it. He keeps pestering me, asking why you would say such a thing. He won't take my word for it, acting as if I'm deliberately deceiving him. So, sister, I thought it's not right to go on like this. It's better for you to clarify things with him. Give him a clear answer, whether it's yes or no. Wouldn't you agree?"

Yang PeiMin nodded indifferently. Since she hadn't left her room these past few days, Xu Min would indeed need Yang Peiqiong's help to find her. What Yang Peiqiong said seemed genuine, "Let's talk, then."

"Alright, I'll arrange a time for you two tomorrow."