Seeing that his expression was strange, Xue Yanchen called out, "Uncle, what's wrong?"

Mr. Luo realized something and said, "It reminded me of some things from the past. Xiao Xue, let me ask you, was your father also a soldier? Does he still have any old ailments from injuries he sustained in the army?"

"Yes, Uncle, were you comrades-in-arms with my dad when you were young?"

“Then that’s it. Your father and I fought the enemy in the same trench and charged together. Unfortunately, your father was injured in a battle and lost several ribs. He almost died. The doctor said he would have lifelong sequelae, so the organization discharged him a long time ago. Although you have retired now, you have followed in your father’s footsteps.”

"Uncle, I never imagined that you and my dad had such a fighting friendship."

Mr. Luo sighed: "He left the military earlier, while I only left in the last four or five years. Beijing is such a big city, and we've never even met once."

"Dad, your old comrade-in-arms is about to become in-laws, so we'll definitely see each other again in the future."

"Mmm." Mr. Luo nodded, regretting that they could no longer drink together. He looked at Xue Yanchen and asked, "Your dad was quite a drinker back in the day. What about you? Did you inherit his drinking capacity?"

"I'm still okay, I shouldn't get drunk after two bottles."

"Hahahaha." Mr. Luo laughed heartily. "Comrade Xue, you have a good capacity for alcohol. Let's sit down and have a drink together sometime."

"Okay, Uncle."

Luo Jingyan whispered in her father's ear, "I bought you Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) in Beijing."

"Really?" Mr. Luo's eyes lit up immediately: "Daughter, can you find a way to bring it to Dad?"

"Of course."

Mr. Luo suddenly remembered Grandma Zhang and said, "Jingyan, yesterday your Grandma Zhang knew you were bringing Xiao Xue today, and she wants to see Xiao Xue."

Luo Jingyan turned to look at Xue Yanchen: "An old lady in this courtyard wants to see you. You're not shy about letting her see you, are you?"

Xue Yanchen whispered to her, "I am your person. It's entirely up to you who you want to see this and who you don't want to see it."

"Then I'll call Grandma Zhang over."

"Go and call them."

"I'm going." Luo Jingyan stood up and said to her father, "I'll go call Grandma Zhang over."

Unexpectedly, they ran into Grandma Zhang as soon as they stepped out the door. Grandma Zhang was also coming this way.

Luo Jingyan said, "Grandma, I was just about to call you over to sit for a while."

Grandma Zhang smiled and said, "I heard you brought your boyfriend over today, so I came to see what he looks like."

"He's inside."

Luo Jingyan found the thought of Xue Yanchen being observed by others somewhat amusing.

When Grandma Zhang saw Xue Yanchen, she couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

"I knew Jingyan's boyfriend wouldn't be an ordinary person. He's a handsome young man and a perfect match for Jingyan."

Xue Yanchen quickly stood up, respectfully greeted Grandma Zhang, and offered her his seat.

Grandma Zhang waved her hand: "This child is very polite. I'm fine, please sit down."

Mr. Luo got a stool for Grandma Zhang, and Luo Jingyan grabbed a handful of roasted melon seeds for Grandma Zhang, and then grabbed a handful for both Mrs. Luo and Mr. Luo. They chatted while eating the melon seeds.

Luo Jingyan and Xue Yanchen felt it wasn't convenient for them to eat there, so they left after sitting for a while.

Once outside, Xue Yanchen asked Luo Jingyan, "Can I write a letter to my family about us?"

Luo Jingyan hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "You have the right to tell them that my situation is special. If they disagree, please don't argue with them, just talk to them nicely."

"No, they won't." Perhaps due to nervousness, Xue Yanchen subconsciously grasped Luo Jingyan's hand. "They won't disagree, okay? Even if they disagree at first, I'll find a way to get them to agree. You're a good girl; they have no reason not to like you. As for your aunt and uncle, if they have any objections, I'll persuade them. Besides, my parents have always said they won't interfere with my marriage; they'll respect my choice. Trust me, none of this will be a concern for you. I'll write to them as soon as I get back to the educated youth settlement, is that alright?"

"OK."

The man's expression changed from serious to relaxed, and then he smiled. With no one around, he inserted his fingers between Luo Jingyan's five fingers, interlocking theirs, and said towards the direction of the mountains, "Let's take a walk over there."

"Walk."

They walked from the foot of the mountain to the halfway point, holding hands the whole time without letting go.

Luo Jingyan was wearing a pair of woolen gloves. Xue Yanchen was afraid she would get cold, so he simply put her hand into the large pocket of his cotton coat and smiled at her: "You won't be cold this way."

Luo Jingyan felt like she had been kidnapped by a hooligan, yet she also felt incredibly sweet and warm.

They circled the mountain before preparing to go home.

On the way down the mountain, the path was not easy to walk. Xue Yanchen stood in front of Luo Jingyan, bent down and said, "Wife, let me carry you down the mountain."

"Are you going to play Pigsy and get married?" Luo Jingyan joked.

The man wasn't annoyed at all; instead, he wore a roguish smile: "No matter who I am, you're my wife. I wonder if my wife would do me the honor?"

Luo Jingyan pretended to think for a moment: "Considering that you are strong, capable, good-looking, and have a great figure, I will grant your wish."

"Thank you, wife."

Luo Jingyan leaned over him from behind, hooking her arms around his neck, while he supported her legs with his arms. "Wife, sit tight and we'll set off."

Let's go!

"Okay."

As they approached the foot of the mountain, Luo Jingyan was afraid of being seen by others. The gossipy women in the village didn't care whether you were dating or married; if your behavior didn't meet their standards, they would exaggerate and spread rumors.

Luo Jingyan asked Xue Yanchen to put her down. He was sweating, and she reached out to wipe it off for him.

As they parted at the border between the two villages, Xue Yanchen said, "Jingyan, let's take some time to go to the county town and take some photos. I'd like to mail your photos to my home along with the letter. Would you agree?"

"No, an ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her in-laws sooner or later. Even if we can't meet in person now, sending a photo is fine too."

"Thank you." After they parted, they each returned to their respective brigade's educated youth settlement.

The next day, they went to the county town specifically to take photos.

Xue Yanchen first had the photographer take two solo photos of Luo Jingyan, then asked her, "We're a couple now, can we take a picture together?"

Luo Jingyan immediately stood next to him and took a photo together.

The photographer smiled and said, "The young couple looks so much like a married couple."