Lin Xiuzhi had not gone far from the courtyard when she saw two tricycles, adorned with large red flowers, driving towards her.

The tricycle was full of all kinds of gifts.

Bicycles, sewing machines, radios, cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, tea, pastries, and fabrics.

Two tricycles were completely filled with them.

Behind them followed a dozen or so young men in military uniforms, each carrying an item.

Cigarettes, canned goods, pork, pairs of live chickens and ducks, etc.

The young man leading the group stood tall and straight in his military uniform, a red flower pinned to his chest. He looked quite spirited.

The surrounding crowd was buzzing with astonishment, their jaws dropping in disbelief; it was the first time they had ever witnessed such a spectacle.

"Whose son is getting married? He looks like a soldier."

"Yeah, what a big fuss! You're really generous."

"I wonder whose daughter is so lucky."

Huo Beian walked at the front, and seeing his neighbors watching and praising him, he immediately smiled and stood even more upright.

Meng Yuming followed behind, also among the group of young men in military uniforms.

Early this morning, Huo Beian called them over and asked them to help move some things.

He came along too, but when he saw what Huo Beian was making them carry, it looked like a dowry…

Could it be that the perpetually abstinent battalion commander has a girlfriend?

Never heard of it?

So, the soldiers were also very curious and wanted to see what kind of person the battalion commander had chosen.

Hearing the chatter of her neighbors, Lin Xiuzhi looked towards the tricycle and couldn't help but join in the fun.

I saw that the tricycle was heading towards the textile factory's residential compound.

"Looks like she's the daughter of a textile factory worker. Let's go take a look."

Lin Xiuzhi, no longer caring about buying groceries, followed the crowd to the textile factory's residential compound. Everyone followed the wedding procession, a grand and impressive affair, eager to know whose daughter was so fortunate.

Huo Beian led his group straight to the Song family compound.

The onlookers were in an uproar upon seeing this.

"She's actually a daughter of the Song family."

"I heard the Song family has two daughters, I wonder if it's Song Xue or Song Ning?"

"It should be Song Xue, right? I heard Song Ning is going to the countryside."

...

Hearing the whispers around her, Lin Xiuzhi also curiously approached.

I haven't heard Song Xue mention that she has a boyfriend. Maybe she's just a girl who's grown up and doesn't want to leave home, and she's secretly dating without saying a word.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiuzhi hurried home.

Meng Yuming, who was in the group, also heard the neighbors' discussions and immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Are these betrothal gifts to be sent to the Song family at the textile factory?

There was only one family with the surname Song in the textile factory, and that was the Song family, a large capitalist family whose ancestors started their business in textile factories.

Is the battalion commander going to marry the Song family's daughter?

But wasn't that his childhood betrothal?

What's going on...?

Meng Yuming had doubts, but he didn't dare to ask Huo Beian at this critical moment, so he could only follow behind.

Hearing the lively commotion in the courtyard, Song Daqiang and Song Xue came out.

When Song Xue came out and saw the dowry in the courtyard, her eyes widened. Then, looking at the soldier in front of her, who was handsome and talented, she immediately became infatuated.

"Young man, what brings you to my house?" Song Daqiang asked.

Looking at the middle-aged man in front of him, Huo Beian knew that he was probably Song Ning's father, but according to seniority, he was also his elder.

"Hello, Uncle. My name is Huo Beian. I've come today to propose marriage. This is the bride price. I hope you will agree to let my daughter marry me."

After saying that, Huo Beian took out 888 yuan from his pocket and handed it to Song Daqiang. He then clapped his hands, and soon, more than a dozen young men in military uniforms moved all the items into the Song family's courtyard.

Bicycles, sewing machines, radios, watches, and other items were all displayed prominently, filling the entire yard.

Although the Song family was not short of money, the grand occasion they were making today was a great show of respect. Moreover, in those days, being a soldier was a great honor, and a young man with impeccable credentials was actually coming to the Song family to propose marriage. At this moment, Song Daqiang still had an inexplicable sense of pride on his face.

Everyone around was incredibly envious. Especially in this residential compound, no other family had given such a large dowry; the most they ever gave was 600 yuan for the factory director's son's wedding.

Song Xue was overjoyed. It seemed that although she didn't know this soldier, he must have a crush on her, which was why he came to propose marriage.

She was truly charming; after all, her beauty was top-notch in the entire residential compound. Many people secretly admired her.

Thinking of this, she shyly clutched the hem of her clothes, "Even if you like me, you can confess to me first, you don't have to propose marriage right away."

Song Daqiang also smiled broadly, "That's right, young man. You've made Xiaoxue feel embarrassed."

Huo Beian looked at the girl in front of him. Although she was pretty, she was far inferior to Song Ning.

He curled his lips into a smirk, his tone slightly mocking, "Excuse me, young lady, who are you?"

Upon hearing this, Song Xue was stunned, and everyone around her was stunned.

What?

This young man doesn't even recognize Song Xue?

Wasn't it a marriage proposal to Song Xue?

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiuzhi immediately squeezed through the crowd and stepped forward to ask, "Young man, you've come to my house with such a grand entourage, isn't it to propose marriage to Song Xue?"

Seeing the misunderstanding, Huo Beian explained, "The person I'm going to marry is Song Ning."

The surrounding area erupted in uproar once again.

"Wow, he's actually going to marry Song Ning."

"Isn't Song Ning going to the countryside?"

"How did you manage to hook up with a soldier? You're so lucky!"

Song Xue's face also turned embarrassed.

Lin Xiuzhi quickly pressed, "Young man, are you mistaken? Song Ning is unemployed, lazy, and about to be sent to the countryside. My daughter, Song Xue, is already a full-time employee at the textile factory. Shouldn't you be marrying Song Xue?"

Huo Beian's smile faded, and his brows furrowed. This woman in front of him actually spoke of Song Ning like that; she must be her stepmother.

"The only woman I've ever wanted to marry is Song Ning. But where is Song Ning?

He glanced around the house and realized that Song Ning might not be home.

When Song Xue heard that Huo Beian was actually going to marry Song Ning, she clenched her teeth so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms.

How could Song Ning be so lucky? She was supposed to go to the countryside, but she was raped and died tragically in a cowshed.

If Song Ning really got married, wouldn't she no longer have to go to the countryside, and she even married such an outstanding military officer?

Damn it...

She's the female lead, even after being reborn! Song Ning, you're just cannon fodder! Don't even think about turning things around!

...