Chapter 15 The Matchmaker Arrives
Upon hearing Deng Shirong's response, Deng Yunjin's family couldn't help but perk up with interest. Deng Yunjin quickly asked, "Uncle Jiu, where is this leader you're talking about from?"
Deng Shirong provided a brief introduction: "He is from White Duckweed Village, specifically from the Tian family. His name is Zhang Kangmei, and he is a year older than your sister. He is the eldest son in his family and the grandson most favored by his grandfather. For three generations, his family has been carpenters, and their family conditions are among the best in the village."
Upon hearing this, Deng Yunjin and his family were truly moved. In this day and age, having a skill is highly regarded.
After becoming interested, Deng Yunjin and his wife asked in detail about the other party's situation. Deng Shirong knew everything about this. In his previous life, Zhang Kangmei was a successful businessman with a net worth of tens of millions. Every time he visited his wife's hometown, he was treated with great honor. It can be said that nearly everyone in Thatchfield Village knew his name. Deng Shirong was also well-aware of how he built his fortune.
After chatting for a few minutes, Deng Shirong had shared almost all the necessary information and concluded, "This is his basic situation. If you approve, I'll help your sister find a partner."
Deng Yunjin glanced at his wife, then nodded to Deng Shirong and said, "Alright, I trust your judgment of people, Uncle Jiu. I'll trouble you to help arrange this match."
"I believe I won't be wrong. In a few years, you'll see how good the man I've found for your younger sister is." At this point, Deng Shirong glanced toward the house and asked, "By the way, where is your younger sister? Is she not home?"
Deng Yunjin's wife replied, "She went to the river with her sister-in-law to wash clothes. She should be back soon. Ah Er, go and call Ximei back."
Deng Changquan responded and quickly headed toward the river.
Deng Shirong continued, "The young man I'm introducing to you has a sharp mind and will definitely have a bright future. And if this marriage goes through, with a carpenter son-in-law, you'll have someone to craft boxes, cabinets, tables, chairs, and more!"
Although the marriage had not even begun yet, Deng Yunjin and his wife couldn't help but smile when they heard Uncle Jiu's words.
In today's world, boxes and cabinets are considered luxuries for a family. Just look at the neighboring Stone Dragon Village, where a family married off three daughters-in-law with just a box. The significance of a box is truly substantial.
As a matchmaker, it was his duty to praise the man in front of the woman's family and to speak well of the woman in the man's family. Zhang Kangmei was already quite exceptional, so Deng Shirong had no trouble singing his praises.
Seeing Deng Yunjin and his wife nodding continuously, the satisfaction on their faces grew more apparent.
Soon, Deng Yunjin's youngest daughter, Deng Changmei, returned with her second brother. When she greeted Deng Shirong, she blushed slightly, clearly aware that Uncle Jiu had come to help her find a match.
Although marriages in this era are still primarily arranged by parents, Deng Shirong still briefly introduced the man to Deng Changmei and then said, "If you have no objections, I'll borrow a bike to go to Long Field and ask the man if he's interested in arranging a match."
Deng Changmei glanced at her parents and said, "Uncle Jiu, I'll listen to my parents."
Deng Shirong smiled, nodded, and stood up, saying, "Understood. Without further ado, I'll go borrow a bike and leave. You wait for my good news."
While Deng Shirong borrowed a bike to go to Long Field for the matchmaker's visit, Deng Yuntai also went to a distant low mountain with his childhood friend Deng Changyuan.
Deng Changyuan wore a straw hat and chewed on a piece of dogtail grass. He said listlessly in the sunshine, "Atai, we used to have endless work every day. We rarely got a break these past two days, and now you've dragged me out to climb mountains and burn hornet nests. Aren't you tired?"
Deng Yuntai, also wearing a straw hat, scolded with a smile, "You lazy fellow, why is burning a hornet's nest on the mountain so tiring? Where's the energy you had when we chased pheasants all over the mountain two years ago?"
"How can they be the same?" Deng Changyuan rolled his eyes and said, "A pheasant is one thing, but a wasp is entirely different! Pheasants are delicious, while wasp larvae can only be used to make porridge, and the taste is just so-so. If you happen to come across them, it's fine, but I don't think it's necessary to go out of your way to look for them. After all, they're just children's playthings."
Deng Yuntai struck the bushes in front of him with a stick and said, "You don't know this, do you? Wasp larvae aren't just for porridge; they can also be fried with wine—it's a unique dish."
Deng Changyuan was surprised and asked, "No way? Wasp larvae can be fried and used in wine? Who told you that?"
Deng Yuntai said, "My father told me. Stop talking nonsense and split up to search. If we find a hornet's nest today, you can come to my house tonight to taste the fried wasp larvae!"
Upon hearing his childhood friend's words, Deng Changyuan instantly became excited. In this day and age, nothing is more enticing than delicious food, especially when he hears the word "fried"—the appeal is altogether different!
"Alright, let's split up and search. I really want to try what this fried wasp larva tastes like."
"Let's meet up on the hill ahead shortly. Whoever finds a hornet's nest should shout."
"Great, watch me. I'll definitely find one, and tonight I'll get to eat that fried wasp larva!"
Long Field Village in White Duckweed Brigade is quite far from Thatchfield Village in Help and Correct Brigade. Additionally, the road is quite steep. Even though Deng Shirong rode a bicycle, it took him over an hour to reach his destination.
In his previous life, Deng Shirong had actually visited Zhang Kangmei's house, but in his memory, that was decades ago, and he had long since forgotten where his house was.
Seeing a middle-aged man chopping wood ahead, Deng Shirong rode his bike up to him and asked, "Cousin, where is Zhang Jiefang's house?"
Zhang Jiefang is Zhang Kangmei's father.
The middle-aged man put down his axe, wiped his sweat with the towel hanging on his shoulder, and then asked, "Where are you from, cousin? What brings you to visit Zhang Jiefang?"
People of this generation maintain a natural wariness when dealing with strangers.
Deng Shirong smiled and said, "I'm from Thatchfield Village in Help and Correct Brigade. I've come to act as a matchmaker for his eldest son, Zhang Kangmei."
"Ah, so you're the matchmaker!"
The middle-aged man suddenly realized the purpose of the visit and then pointed the way: "Go straight ahead, turn left at the intersection, and proceed a few dozen meters forward. You'll see a lychee tree—that's Zhang Jiefang's home."
Deng Shirong thanked him and then followed the directions given by the middle-aged man.
Soon, a tall lychee tree came into view before Deng Shirong. Beside it stood a brand-new mud-brick house, which must be Zhang Jiefang's residence.