Chapter 24: A Matchmaker Calls

The weary body quickly slipped into sleep, soothed by the warmth of the heated brick bed and cozy blankets, while faint, somewhat noisy snores emerged, resembling a saxophone with clogged pipes.

Zhang’s mother, who was already a light sleeper, was soon awakened. But when she saw Zhang Tiejun peacefully asleep behind the sheer curtain, her cloudy old eyes relaxed with relief. Accompanied by the snoring, this man in his fifties surprisingly fell back into a calm slumber.

For Zhang Tiejun, who spent years wandering through the mountains, having a lamp left burning at home just for him was the greatest happiness.

By the time Zhang’s mother woke again, Zhang Tiejun was already outside dumping wood scraps.

Though coal was abundant in the resource-rich Guandong Mountains, it remained scarce under the current political and economic climate.

“Tightening belts and cutting extra expenses” was the loudest slogan of the time, with many bourgeois fortunes confiscated, and this trend seemed to have spread even to the Guandong Mountains.

“Mother, you’re awake. I’ve made some rice porridge and steamed buns, and I sliced a few pieces of smoked meat,” Zhang Tiejun whispered to his mother after bustling about all morning.

“When did you come back?”

“Last night. Since you were asleep, I didn’t wake you. Xiaohua is eating now.”

“Where did you get these things?”

“Old Man Qiao’s sheep was killed by wolves, so I brought back the culprit. Secretary Qiao said it was a reward.”

“Brother, did you really kill the wolf?”

Hearing this news belatedly, Zhang Xiaohua found it hard to believe.

“Are you hurt?” Zhang’s mother asked anxiously.

“I’m fine, Mother.”

“That’s good. Let’s not go back down the mountain this time.”

“Mm, we’ll stay home and rest a few days. We have enough food to last past the New Year.” Zhang Tiejun patted Zhang Xiaohua’s head and said, “I was thinking of taking Xiaohua out for a walk, maybe to the commune, see if we can buy some floral fabric. It’s almost New Year; I want to make Xiaohua a couple of new outfits.”

Everyone has a love for beauty, especially a young girl like Zhang Xiaohua at such a good time.

---

“Really, Brother? Then let’s go right now!”

So excited she couldn’t even eat, Zhang Xiaohua grabbed Zhang Tiejun, ready to leave. But before stepping outside, they heard light footsteps accompanied by a string of crow-like laughter.

Pulling back the door curtain, Zhang Tiejun saw a middle-aged woman dressed in bright colors, with a flower tucked in her hair and cracking sunflower seeds in her mouth. Her plump figure swayed as she walked.

“Sister Zhang, are you home?” the woman called loudly from the yard.

“That’s Aunt Qi!” Zhang Xiaohua immediately recognized her, her expression twisting with unease.

Few could make Zhang Xiaohua feel troubled, but Aunt Qi was one of them.

Aunt Qi was not originally from the Qiao family shop. Her ancestors had migrated to the east during the frontier expansion, eventually settling in the Qiao family shop area. After her husband died, she became a widow with no family left, and her only son was studying dyeing and weaving in another town, coming home only during festivals.

People at the shop said Aunt Qi had been a beauty in her youth but married a man over ten years her senior out of desperation to avoid starvation. Now, though her body was frail, her sharp tongue grew ever more formidable.

With that tongue, Aunt Qi took on a peculiar profession.

Matchmaker!

In the 1960s, being a matchmaker was an awkward occupation. Although the slogan of free marriages was widespread, conservative people still needed some assistance. Only with a go-between could a romance be considered proper.

Matchmaking was one of the lowest trades in the feudal remnants, yet such affairs still required a mediator.

In Zhang Tiejun’s memory, Aunt Qi had come several times targeting his younger sister, Zhang Xiaohua.

A man should marry when grown, a woman should marry when grown—this was beyond dispute. But marrying into a family meant following their fortunes. Zhang Xiaohua was reluctant to leave her mother, and Aunt Qi insisted on matching families of similar status. Without a dowry, it was inappropriate to demand a large bride price.

“Brother, you go out and stall her a bit. I’ll hide,” Zhang Xiaohua said, heading toward the kitchen.

Before Zhang Tiejun could react, lifting the door curtain, Aunt Qi had already stepped inside.

“Tiejun is home,” Aunt Qi greeted with a smile.

Without time to hide, Zhang Xiaohua could only force a reluctant smile.

---

“Sister Qi, what brings you here to our home?” Zhang’s mother quickly got down from the brick bed.

“Oh, nothing much, just bored. Visiting your home. Xiaohua, haven’t seen you for days, you’ve put on some weight.”

Aunt Qi’s overly familiar manner, combined with her disarming smile, made it hard for Zhang’s mother to ask her to leave, so she invited her to sit in the seat of honor.

Once settled, Aunt Qi began her visit business: “Xiaohua, about those matches I mentioned last time, have you thought it over? Want Aunt Qi to arrange some meetings?”

Zhang Xiaohua hesitated, but luckily Zhang’s mother intervened: “Aunt Qi’s asking. If you have any thoughts, just tell her.”

“Well... um...” Xiaohua faltered.

“Ah,” sighed Zhang’s mother, “Sister Qi, I’m not saying this lightly, but Xiaohua’s matters...”

Aunt Qi, who had spent years reading between the lines, knew what was coming. The key to their trade was to cast a brick to attract jade.

In Aunt Qi’s eyes, Zhang Xiaohua was the brick, and Zhang Tiejun was the jade.

“I know, I know,” Aunt Qi waved her hand, cutting off Zhang’s mother. “Xiaohua is only seven or eight. Things are different now; no more child brides. Besides, Xiaohua is beautiful and well-shaped—she’ll find a good family. I’m mainly here for Tiejun this time.”

Hearing this, Zhang Tiejun’s eyes showed a hint of disbelief, while Zhang Xiaohua looked on with mischievous delight, enjoying the spectacle.

“For me?” Zhang Tiejun asked.

“Yes, of course for you.” Aunt Qi smiled gently. “Tiejun, don’t hide it. The whole village is talking. You’re now on the village committee, a key member of the Qiao family production team. Your monthly ration tickets for grain and meat are about a dozen pounds. Such an outstanding man, how could you not have a woman who understands and cares for you?”

“Ah?” Zhang Tiejun was momentarily stunned, then glanced oddly at his mother.

Zhang’s mother was visibly moved: “Thank you, Sister Qi, for still thinking of Tiejun. Honestly, I only have this small hope left now.”