Before they knew it, it was time for Xu Jinbu and Xiao Ting to get married.

Today is the weekend, and Lu Fangfang got up early but didn't go out.

She busied herself at home for a while, moving the chicken coop outside and sweeping the floor as well.

After being left out for so long, the quails have been eating, drinking, and defecating, making the ground dirty and smelly.

Lu Fangfang simply took a shovel, scooped up a layer of soil from the ground, and threw it into the small vegetable garden outside.

She covered the remaining holes in the ground with yellow mud.

Just as she was busy, she saw that Mrs. Zhuang had returned from outside.

"That's strange, really strange."

Mrs. Zhuang shook her head, secretly puzzled.

Xiao Ting went home without saying goodbye.

It's been two days and he hasn't come back. Could something have happened?

"Comrade Zhou, don't go out yet. Change into some clean clothes and come with me to a wedding later."

Lu Fangfang told Zhuang's mother what she was doing, then grabbed the rapeseed and left the house.

Sitting on a small stool in the yard, she took a kitchen knife and chopped the rapeseed.

The rapeseed she planted in the wasteland on the riverbank has grown quite large; it's too old to eat now.

She planted them too densely, so she could only take the seedlings from the gaps to feed the chickens and quails.

"Meow~"

Xiao Hua walked closer and took a look.

Seeing that it wasn't meant for it, it found a shady spot and lay down again.

"Lazybones, Little Flower, let me tell you, you'll have to learn to hunt from now on. Don't expect me to hunt for you, that won't do."

Xiao Hua glanced at Lu Fangfang and lazily closed her eyes.

"Fangfang, who's getting married in the family compound?"

Inside the house, Zhuang's mother's voice came from a puzzled tone.

"Battalion Commander Xu Jinbu and Xiao Ting are getting married in the auditorium later. Comrade Zhou, your preferred daughter-in-law is gone, so don't cause any trouble later."

Clang~

The sound of an enamel mug falling came from inside the house, and then Zhuang's mother immediately ran out.

"What? What did you say?"

Lu Fangfang repeated with a mocking smile, "Today is the big day for Comrade Xu Jinbu and Comrade Xiao Ting. Don't cause trouble later. The regimental commander and political commissar are here today, and maybe even the division commander. Don't embarrass your son."

"How is this possible? How is this possible?"

Zhuang's mother muttered to herself, unable to believe it.

She and Xiao Ting had a great conversation, so why did they suddenly get married? The old lady felt like she'd been tricked.

Her expression shifted between anger and uncertainty as she turned and quickly went inside.

"Tch." Lu Fangfang curled her lip.

She picked up the chopped rapeseed, walked to the small shed under the west wall, opened the bamboo cage door, and threw the rapeseed inside.

"Chirp chirp~"

"Chirp chirp~"

Several chicks anxiously gathered around Lu Fangfang's feet.

Just now, when Xiaohua was in front of the cutting board, these free-range chicks didn't dare to go near her, but now they're getting anxious.

Lu Fangfang turned around, picked up the remaining rapeseed, and scattered it in the yard. Several chicks immediately started pecking at it.

"Squeak."

The courtyard gate was pushed open, and Lu Fangfang turned her head to see that it was Sister Shufen, who was carrying a basket.

"Hey girl, the ducklings I hatched on the kang (heated brick bed) have come out. I brought you two."

Wang Shufen walked over, picked up the baby ducks from the basket, and placed them on the ground.

"Chirp chirp~"

The two little ducks, arriving in an unfamiliar place, were not afraid. When they saw something to eat on the ground, they immediately ran over and pecked at it.

Lu Fangfang looked at it and felt a headache coming on.

There are more than 20 quails in cages at home, five free-range chicks, and now there are two more ducks. How much food do they eat?

I don't know if half an acre of corn will be enough; it seems I'll have to clear some more land.

Wang Shufen peeked into the house curiously, "Hey girl, is anyone home?"

Lu Fangfang nodded.

With outsiders present, Wang Shufen didn't say much. They agreed to go to the troupe together later, and she went back with her basket.

Lu Fangfang busied herself in the yard for a while longer.

Seeing that it was getting late, she went back inside.

"Comrade Zhou, let's go to the wedding of Comrade Xu Jinbu and Xiao Ting."

Mrs. Zhuang took a fountain pen and began writing furiously on the table.

Lu Fangfang looked on curiously. She stepped forward and was about to take a peek when she saw Zhuang's mother pick up the letter and stuff it into the wicker box on the ground.

That wasn't all; Mrs. Zhuang took a small lock and locked the rattan box.

The old lady had a dark expression the whole time. After she finished, she didn't reply and turned around and walked away quickly.

"It's not like I messed with you, why are you giving me attitude?"

Lu Fangfang was somewhat displeased. She looked at the rattan box and became even more curious, wondering what Zhuang's mother had written and why she was keeping it so secret.

She shook her head, turned, and left.

Too lazy to go with Mrs. Zhuang, she went to Commissar Xiao's house and called Sister Shufen out.

Today happened to be the weekend, and most of the women in the family compound were at home. As the two of them walked towards the regiment, they ran into Sun Manling and Chen Yanhong, and the women decided to go to the regiment together.

In front of the auditorium, Xu Jinbu, dressed in a military uniform with a big red flower on her chest, was welcoming the guests who had come to attend the wedding.

Since the wedding was held within the regiment, quite a few soldiers came to attend.

With a gloomy face, Mrs. Zhuang walked closer. She looked around but couldn't find Xiao Ting. She then asked Xu Jinbu directly.

"Tingting will be here soon, Auntie, please go in first."

Xu Jinbu smiled broadly, seemingly unconcerned about Zhuang's mother's questioning.

"She'll be here soon? She..."

Seeing that Mrs. Zhuang was about to say something, Lu Fangfang quickly walked over, pulled the old lady, and headed towards the auditorium.

"What are you doing? Let go of me."

"Don't embarrass your precious son."

Lu Fangfang whispered a reminder: if something goes wrong, the old lady can just leave, but she and Mingcheng will still have to continue living in the troupe.

Zhuang's mother's face turned red with anger; she couldn't swallow this insult.

Looking at the people around her, she took a deep breath and obediently let Lu Fangfang pull her into the hall.

"Xu Jinbu and Xiao Ting's Wedding Ceremony!"

At the very front of the auditorium, several large red characters were posted.

The hall was filled with large round tables, on which were placed wedding candies and tea. Many people were already seated around the round tables, making it a lively scene.

Lu Fangfang looked around curiously and noticed a pile of long benches stacked at the back of the auditorium, indicating that the area had been specially decorated.

"Fangfang, look around, is your deputy head of the troupe in the auditorium?"

Lu Fangfang glanced at Zhuang's mother, wondering what the old lady was up to.

She looked carefully, then shook her head and said, "I didn't see Deputy Regiment Commander Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang's mother's face turned even uglier.

"Hey girl, come quick!"

Inside the auditorium, Wang Shufen and several of her sisters-in-law were already seated.

Lu Fangfang pulled Zhuang's mother along and quickly went over.