Chapter 908: The Mother-in-Law Looks at Her Son-in-Law

Immediately following this, Li Dashan began praising Wang Li to the heavens, describing him as an invincible young man, a rare find both in heaven and on earth.

Of course, while Li Dashan was praising him, Li Dajiang and Li Dahe would occasionally chime in with a few words of their own.

Furthermore, the three brothers produced key evidence—those three double-barrel shotguns—to prove how considerate and generous this son-in-law, Wang Li, was.

Although the three Li brothers neither knew how to use guns nor had ever learned to shoot, they had inquired about and understood the price of such things. According to the supply and marketing cooperative's selling price, three old double-barrel shotguns were worth a full 1,200 yuan!

In this era, 1,200 yuan was absolutely a legitimate fortune.

Thus, after the bragging and explanations of the three brothers, and noticing the joyful glint in Li Xiuyu's eyes, the way Han Sanfeng looked at Wang Li changed.

It proved the old saying: "A mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law finds him more pleasing the more she looks."

In truth, the reason Li Xiuyu was happy at this moment was not because she had found a partner like Wang Li.

Rather, it was because the great trouble facing her family had not only been solved, but most importantly, her mother, Han Sanfeng, had awakened from her coma and was in very good overall condition.

However, in Han Sanfeng's eyes, this was all a manifestation of Li Xiuyu's satisfaction with Wang Li.

Once the three brothers finished their rambling, Han Sanfeng spoke to Wang An with a face full of hesitation

"Xiao An, as for your fifth son being with our Xiuyu, I agree. It's just that your uncle only passed away two days ago. Xiuyu must observe a period of mourning for three years, so the matter of their marriage will have to be pushed back by three years."

Normally, such a matter should be discussed by the parents of both sides sitting together. However, since Wang Daliang and his wife were not present, Han Sanfeng could only discuss this with Wang Li's elder brother, Wang An.

In the local area, a tradition had been preserved: if a father or mother passed away, the children could not marry or hold celebratory events within three years.

Even for an engagement, one had to wait until after the hundred-day anniversary of the death.

Upon hearing this, Wang An immediately agreed

"Yes, Auntie, we must follow your wishes. Who holds a wedding before the mourning period is over? Besides, they are both still young; getting married now would be far too rushed."

Han Sanfeng said

"Then, once your uncle's hundred days have passed, I will find an auspicious date with the fifth son's parents to set the engagement for the two children. Then, after three years, they can wed."

Wang An nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, Auntie, just do as you say."

This was something Wang Daliang and his wife should have worried about, so Wang An didn't care much. The only reason he was chatting about this with Han Sanfeng now was simply his duty as the elder brother.

After a few more words, it became noon—or more accurately, mealtime. But at this moment, although there were plenty of various vegetables in Li Xiuyu's garden, there was no rice to put in the pot.

Li Xiuyu's sister-in-law gently tugged at Li Dashan's sleeve and whispered in his ear

"Dashan, why don't you go to your uncle's house and borrow two sheng of cornmeal? The brother-in-law and his brother are here; they have to eat something solid, right?"

Although the sister-in-law's voice was very low, everyone was in the same room. Wang An and Wang Li were not deaf, and they naturally heard every word.

It had to be said that the loan sharks had indeed robbed Li Xiuyu's family clean, leaving them without a single bit of grain.

Hearing this, Li Dashan simply nodded, though he looked somewhat conflicted. Mainly, the guests hadn't left yet, and he would have to leave them to borrow grain.

A son-in-law is already a distinguished guest at his mother-in-law's house, and now that he had bestowed such a great favor, it would be quite improper for Li Dashan, as the pillar of the family, not to be present to host him.

Fortunately, Wang An never cared about such things. After thinking for a moment, he said to Wang Li

"Old Five, take the sidecar and go check with Brother Mu's house. He doesn't have any hired help to feed right now anyway. Bring back 50 jin of cornmeal first, and if there are plenty of corn kernels, bring a hundred or two hundred jin of those as well."

Although Mu Xueli and Wang Li had few hired hands helping them build their house, they had certainly bought plenty of grain. Wang An had helped them buy the grain coupons first, and then they had purchased the grain from the grain station.

Hearing this, Li Dashan hurriedly stopped him

"No, really no need, brother. I'll borrow some grain first, then mix in some wild herbs and vegetables from the garden. We can make do until the autumn harvest. Once the harvest comes in, the family won't have to worry about food."

Wang An felt that the reason peasants could dig for food in the dirt day after day, year after year, was precisely because they had the hope of the autumn harvest.

Hearing Li Dashan's words, Wang An simply smiled and turned back to Wang Li

"On your way back, stop by the convenience store and buy some things—canned food, brown sugar, and things like that."

As he spoke, Wang An handed the car keys to Wang Li.

Regardless, this was effectively Wang Li's first time stepping through the gates of his mother-in-law's house; buying some gifts was only proper.

Wang Li took the keys and agreed with a smile

"Yes, I got it, Fourth Brother."

With that, Wang Li started to walk outside.

Just then, Han Sanfeng suddenly called out to Li Xiuyu

"Xiuyu, you go for a stroll with Old Five as well. Help him point out the way; the roads in our village wind and turn, and they're not easy to find."

Li Xiuyu was about to speak, but after noticing Han Sanfeng's subtle look, she shut her mouth and followed him out.

It had to be said that old lady Han Sanfeng was quite interesting, coming up with such a clumsy excuse as "the roads are hard to find."

Mainly, although Sujia Village was a relatively large village with over 200 households and more than 1,000 people, there was no way someone would actually "get lost."

Han Sanfeng's purpose was simply to let the villagers know that her family was back on its feet and her daughter was taken, so that the young men who had previously eyed Li Xiuyu should stop thinking about her.

To be honest, this mindset of Han Sanfeng's was quite strange, but put simply, it was just about saving face. She feared being looked down upon and wanted to proactively show off.

At the same time, she was telling everyone: our family is no worse than anyone else's now.

Of course, Northeasterners are generally very concerned with face, so it was understandable for Han Sanfeng to act this way.

After Wang Li and Li Xiuyu left, Li Dahai took a double-barrel shotgun and approached Wang An, saying

"Brother Xiao An, could you teach me how to use this gun? I've never touched this thing before."

Seeing Li Dahai's actions, Li Dashan and Li Dajiang—whose movements were not very convenient—also crowded around, all speaking to Wang An

"Yeah, Brother Xiao An, in our hands, this thing is just like a fire-stoking stick. Please teach us!"