Oh my god!

Characters that you only heard about in movies or stories are actually right next to you!

"I really didn't realize it!" Sister Wu murmured. "No wonder I felt Qijia Village was calmer than other places; it turns out it was this giant Buddha statue that was keeping things quiet!"

"Yes, I really didn't realize," Ye Xiaofan chimed in. "Luckily, we met Old Man Qi before—no, General Qi—and didn't offend him in any way, otherwise..."

Wang Lei chuckled and said, "You don't need to be nervous. The old general isn't so particular. We'll just be the same as before, doing things and treating people with a normal attitude. By the way, your Sister Wu and I have already written a report and obtained the necessary certificates from the village. Now that there's nothing going on in the village, we'd like to ask for leave to go back to our hometown, meet both sets of parents, and get the wedding done."

After Lin Xiaoru reported He Tiantian's misconduct, both couples felt the pressure. Now that their relationships were stable, they could consider marriage. They didn't know when they could return to the city, but they couldn't let that prevent them from getting married.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qingshan looked at Ye Xiaofan and said, "We'd like to do the same. I'll also get a certificate to ask for leave. We currently have two rooms. When we come back for the New Year, we'll have Sister Wu move into the room we're currently living in, and I'll go directly to Xiaofan's room. We won't need to trouble Secretary Qi to help us find another place."

Sister Wu, upon hearing Zhang Qingshan's words, Ye Xiaofan blushed and said, "You tell me, let's go cook!"

Seeing the two leave, Wang Lei chuckled and said, "Kid, you've got ideas. Since that's the case, you two should finish writing today, and we'll go to Secretary Qi's office together tomorrow. We're just sitting around in Qi Family Village with nothing to do anyway, so let's get our marriage settled. After all, we're not young anymore. We men can still wait a couple more years, but women can't. Your Sister Wu and Xiao Fan are both good women, and we've worked together and have feelings for each other. It's fate that we're together."

They arrived in Qijia Village in 1968, and have been there for two years. After two years of living together and helping each other, they have developed a strong revolutionary bond.

“Hehe, Brother Wang is right, I completely agree,” Zhang Qingshan said. “It’s easier to buy train tickets now, otherwise it will be difficult to buy them during the Spring Festival.”

Sister Wu and Ye Xiaofan arrived at the kitchen, and the two finally couldn't help but smile at each other.

"Well, the marriage is finally settled," Sister Wu said with a wry smile. "My mother always mentions this in her letters, but now that it's settled, she probably won't worry anymore."

“That’s how parents are,” Ye Xiaofan said. “I have three younger brothers. My mom treats me better than my brothers, but she’s still good to me. We’re from the same place, not far apart, so my parents will definitely agree. I’m just worried that my parents will ask for too much dowry, and we might not be able to get it done this time when we go back.”

“You’re usually very frugal, you must have saved a lot of money. We live too far from home, as long as a man is good and can be with us, even if we’re separated by vast distances, that’s lucky. Zhang Qingshan is a good man, you can’t miss him. If you need money, just tell us, we can all chip in and get through this together,” Sister Wu comforted Ye Xiaofan, patting him on the shoulder.

"Yes, I will do my best," Ye Xiaofan nodded.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoru, who lived in the same courtyard, returned home and immediately lay down on the bed without uttering a sound.

Even if Huang Jingli prepared the meal, she wouldn't eat it.

A breath caught in his throat, making him feel incredibly uncomfortable! His face burned with pain; He Tiantian may be small, but her grip was surprisingly strong!

In all her years, Lin Xiaoru had never suffered such a great loss!

He Tiantian, Qi Xiaoyan, Qi Dazhu!

And that old geezer, he's actually a general!

This is what Lin Xiaoru fears most!

If everyone is an ordinary person, they can win with wisdom and strategy; but if the opponent is much better than you, then wisdom and strategy alone may not be enough.

If she doesn't have it, then she can only rely on external forces!

But in this remote and impoverished area, where could she find outside help?

Lin Xiaoru thought for a while and then remembered Zheng Hongjun from the commune who had given her the opportunity today!

Perhaps that's an opportunity?

"Oh, how pitiful!" Lin Xiaoru sighed finally. The future was still far off. She was about to face the hostility of everyone in Qijia Village!

This was a bad deal; she lost both her wife and her money!

Lin Xiaoru's demeanor shifted between coldness, frowning, and sighing, which terrified Huang Jingli, who left the room without daring to stay inside.

Huang Jingli didn't come in to sleep until Lin Xiaoru fell asleep.

Not only were the educated youth at the settlement talking about it, but the villagers were also discussing it.

In the past, everyone respected Old Man Qi as an anti-Japanese war hero and thought he was just an ordinary veteran, but no one expected that he was actually a general!

The genealogy of Qijia Village only mentions a county magistrate from a few hundred years ago; no other high-ranking officials have emerged from there since!

Everyone was very excited. Regardless of whether they would benefit from it in the future, they would be able to hold their heads high when they went out!

My second uncle is a general!

My second grandfather was a great general!

My great-grandfather was a great general!

Old Qi didn't want to talk about it before because he didn't want to cause trouble. He had no children and only wanted to return to his roots and spend his old age in peace.

He was heartbroken by what had happened. If his identity could offer some protection to others, he wouldn't mind the extra trouble!

I used to live a life of constant danger, all alone, without any ties or worries!

Having lived among my own clan and relatives in my hometown for so many years, I've developed a deep attachment to it as I grow old!

Alas, the reason he left his treacherous official position and returned to his hometown was actually to see her one last time.

When he was young, he liked her!

At that time, however, he was a cowherd and she was the daughter of a landlord, so he could only watch her from afar and secretly.

His parents were killed in a car accident while on their way to the market by the county magistrate's son. He killed the magistrate's son to avenge his parents and then left his hometown. Penniless, he met her on the road, and she gave him a few silver dollars, which provided him with travel expenses.

Later, he joined the army, was influenced by new ideas, and became a qualified soldier.

When he returned to his hometown, she had already styled her hair in a married woman's bun and become his cousin's wife. He could still only watch her from afar, unable to get close!

In the dead of night, Old Man Qi often lamented that if his parents hadn't met with misfortune and he hadn't killed the county magistrate's son, perhaps he would have married her.

During the War of Resistance against Japan, he was arranged by the organization to marry a female comrade, and they soon had a child. However, while covering the retreat of the main force, his wife and son were killed by the Japanese soldiers.

At that time, he vowed to defeat the Japanese devils and drive them out! (To be continued.)