Chapter 24: Every Daughter-in-law Must Be Chosen Personally
After returning from the tile factory, Deng Shirong borrowed a bicycle and went to Longfield Village. The next day was Pine Mountain Market and Double Prosperity Market, and he planned to arrange for Zhang Kangmei and Deng Changmei to meet.
It had been agreed earlier that the two would meet after the wheat harvest, so when Deng Shirong brought it up, the Zhang family immediately agreed.
Deng Shirong explained the details of the meeting to Zhang Kangmei, then enjoyed two large taros offered by the Zhang family before riding home, humming a tune.
When returning the bicycle, team leader Deng Yunjun said with a smile, "Uncle Jiu, since you're helping with matchmaking now, you'll need the bike often. How about I sell it to you at a discount?"
Deng Shirong's interest was piqued. "I do need a bike frequently these days. If it's possible, I'll take it at a discount."
Deng Yunjun confidently said, "If it were someone else, it might not be so easy, but for you, Uncle Jiu, it shouldn't be a problem. I'll talk to the others and let you know."
Deng Shirong nodded. "Alright, keep me updated."
Though he only had a little over 110 yuan left after various expenses, he expected to earn more from arranging Zhang Kangmei's meeting with Deng Changmei. When Deng Changfu and Guan Yongying married, he would see a significant return.
So, Deng Shirong wasn't worried about affording the discounted bicycle.
In the afternoon, Deng Shirong prepared a homemade stewed carp.
He took two carps, each weighing about two kilograms, from the water tank. These carps had been caught by Deng Shirong and his son while harvesting rice. In addition to carps, they had also caught crucian carps, eels, mudskippers, and even snails, which were unpopular at the time but would become a delicacy in the future.
In these days, without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, the fields were teeming with fish—a sight that would astonish future generations.
Deng Shirong cleaned and chopped the carps, then marinated them with ginger, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and rice wine for ten minutes. He then heated oil in the pan.
To prevent sticking, he added the oil in two batches. First, he heated half the oil, then added the rest and continued heating. He then poured in the marinated fish, covered the pot, and simmered it over medium-low heat for three minutes, followed by three minutes of residual heat.
By then, the carp was perfectly cooked—tender and flavorful.
As soon as the fish was served, the aroma filled the air. The children, who hadn't expected much from the fish, couldn't help but inhale deeply, drawn by the enticing smell.
"Wash your hands and eat!"
At Deng Shirong's words, the children rushed to wash their hands, their stomachs growling with hunger.
It was already past six in the evening. Normally, the family wouldn't have eaten so late, but Deng Yuntai had been working at the tile factory, so they waited for him to return.
When the children tasted the stewed carp, they couldn't help but exclaim:
"This is amazing! The fish is so good!"
"I've had fish a few times before, but it was always so fishy and not tasty at all. But Dad's fish is incredible!"
"Dad, you're amazing. You made such a disgusting fish taste better than pork!"
"..."
Facing his children's praise, Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Actually, as long as you're willing to use oil when cooking fish, it won't turn out too bad even if you're not skilled. It's just that most families can't afford to use oil like I do, so their fish doesn't taste as good."
Hearing this, Deng Yunzhen reminded him, "Dad, we're almost out of oil at home!"
Deng Shirong, who cooked daily, was well aware. He nodded and said, "I know. I'll arrange for Yunjin's Ah Mei to go to Double Prosperity Market for a blind date tomorrow. We can also buy some fatty meat to render oil."
Deng Yuntai was surprised. "Dad, are you really planning to switch careers and become a matchmaker?"
The other siblings were equally surprised. They hadn't taken it seriously when their father had arranged Deng Changfu's matchmaking, as it was a local tradition to help someone find a match at least once in their lifetime.
But now, just days after arranging one match, their father was introducing another. This wasn't just occasional matchmaking—it seemed like he was considering it as a full-time career.
"It's enjoyable to help people connect, and it's a good deed. I really do plan to keep doing it."
Deng Shirong then looked at his children and said seriously, "Most importantly, I want to use this opportunity to gain experience and visit more places, so I can help each of you find a suitable partner."
In his previous life, trusting matchmakers had led to unhappy marriages for all his children. This time, he wouldn't make the same mistake. He would personally select each daughter-in-law, ensuring no unsuitable girl entered his household.
The same applied to sons-in-law.
The children exchanged puzzled glances. They hadn't expected their father to think so far ahead.
The younger ones didn't feel much, but the two older ones, Deng Yuntai and Deng Yunzhen, were of marriageable age and took their father's words seriously.
Deng Yuntai gritted his teeth and said, "Dad, the country advocates free love now. You can't force us to marry someone we don't like!"
Deng Yunzhen also looked at her father nervously, worried he might one day force her to marry a man she didn't love.
Deng Shirong, more lenient with his eldest son, who had died young in his previous life, smiled and explained, "Don't worry. I won't force you to marry someone you don't like. I'll do my best to find someone you'll be happy with."
"That's a relief!" Deng Yuntai and Deng Yunzhen both sighed in relief. As long as they weren't forced into marriages, everything would be fine.
"Alright, let's stop talking and eat. The fish is best eaten hot. But be careful of the bones—don't let them get stuck in your throat."
Deng Yunsong stared at the fish sauce at the bottom of the bowl and asked eagerly, "Dad, this fish sauce is so fragrant. Can I mix some with my rice?"
The youngest, Deng Yunheng, chimed in, "Dad, I want fish sauce rice too!"
Deng Yunhua also shouted, "Me too! Me too!"
Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Alright, but don't take too much at once. The fish won't taste as good without the sauce. Wait until you've eaten most of the fish, then you can mix it all in."
With their father's permission, the three youngest eagerly mixed the fish sauce into their rice. The combination was delicious, and they couldn't stop praising it.