Chapter 86 Joy

Gu Yan hummed an off-key version of "The Moon Represents My Heart" and strolled over to the Zhou family's courtyard diagonally across the street.

His gleaming secondhand Toyota was parked in an open space not far away, attracting a few passing children who pointed and whispered around it.

He had just stepped onto the steps when the door opened a crack.

Zhou Anping poked her head out, and as soon as she saw him, she put her finger to her lips in a shushing gesture, her little face tense.

Gu Yan was taken aback and listened intently.

Sure enough, Song Lanxin's angry, shrill voice came from the living room:

"...Zhou Zhengping! You're saying you don't want to get married right at the door? What were you doing all this time! Huh? The invitations have already been sent out, all the relatives and friends on the Lu family's side have been notified, and the money for the Peace Hotel has already been paid! Now you're backing out, are you trying to make our whole family lose face in front of everyone? Have you thought about your father's position? Have you thought about your sister's future?..."

Then came a long silence.

Gu Yan frowned and went into the living room.

The atmosphere was oppressive.

Mr. Zhou sat in a corner of the sofa, his brows furrowed, a cigarette between his fingers but no light, his face ashen.

Zhou Zhengping stood opposite him, his head bowed low, making it impossible to see his expression.

Song Lanxin, on the other hand, paced back and forth like an anxious lioness.

As soon as Gu Yan entered, Song Lanxin's face lit up with a warm smile: "Oh, Gu Yan, you're here! Come in, come in! Anping told me that you were asked to be a groomsman today and even drove here to help. Thank you so much! You're such a good kid. You've only been gone a short time, and you're already driving a car!"

As she spoke, she glared fiercely at Zhou Zhengping: "Zhengping! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and come with Gu Yan! Let's get our marriage certificate!"

Finally, Zhou's father spoke: "Zhengping, things have come to this point and there's no going back. Show some manly spirit and take on the responsibilities you should bear."

Zhou Zhengping then slowly raised his head.

He glanced blankly at Gu Yan, opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately uttered no words.

He silently turned around and walked out.

Gu Yan nodded to Zhou's parents and followed them.

Zhou Anping saw the two of them into the car, and as the car drove away, tears began to fall from her eyes.

The car drove towards the Lu family's house, which was located on the other side of the military compound.

Zhou Zhengping leaned back in the passenger seat, eyes closed, silent, as if asleep, but his furrowed brows betrayed his torment.

Upon arriving at the Lu family's gate, Lu Linlang quickly came out.

She was wearing a brand-new Lenin suit, and her hair was neatly combed.

Seeing Gu Yan in the driver's seat, she smiled and greeted him, "Gu Yan? Long time no see, thank you for your help."

Gu Yan responded with a soft "hmm" through his nose.

He had always been reluctant to associate with Lu Linlang, this "virtuous woman of the compound." As the years went by, the friendship between them, who had grown up together, and Lu Linlang's group of "model children" had long since faded, and they could even be described as mutually disgusted.

Zhou Zhengping didn't even lift his eyelids.

Upon arriving at the Civil Affairs Section of the District Revolutionary Committee, Zhou Zhengping and Lu Linlang got out of the car one after the other and went inside.

Gu Yan stayed in the car, lit a cigarette, and frowned.

Something's not right, something's really not right.

Even if he was being forced into marriage by his family, given Zhou Zhengping's gentle and polite nature, he shouldn't have been so cold to Lu Linlang, not even bothering to put on a show.

This doesn't look like a wedding; it's more like going to the execution ground.

Could it be...? His heart skipped a beat. Could it be that he was still thinking about Zhiyi?

Impossible. Zhou Zhengping isn't the kind of person who can't think straight, let alone Fifth Brother... He shook his head, dismissing the absurd idea.

There must be another reason.

Not long after, the two came out.

Zhou Zhengping held a marriage certificate in his hand, which was printed with the double happiness symbol and the leader's portrait.

He stared at the piece of paper, his eyes vacant.

Lu Linlang showed no joy on her face.

Gu Yan started the car and drove Lu Linlang home first.

Before getting out of the car, Lu Linlang smiled and reminded him, "The wedding pick-up is at three o'clock this afternoon, don't be late. Thank you for your hard work, Gu Yan."

Gu Yan gave a vague "hmm".

Lu Linlang didn't seem to care and turned to go inside.

The car drove back to the Zhou family compound and stopped.

Zhou Zhengping continued to stare at the marriage certificate in his hand, as if it were a spell that could drain all his life force.

“What exactly happened? You’re acting so strangely. Zhou Zhengping, we’ve been brothers for so many years, tell me the truth.”

Zhou Zhengping's lips moved several times before he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "...I just... don't like her."

Gu Yan glanced at him sideways: "Just because of this? You can put on this deadpan face just because you don't like someone? You can't possibly still... still have feelings for Zhiyi, can you? Let me tell you, if you really dare to have those thoughts, I'll kill you before Fifth Brother even lifts a finger!"

Zhou Zhengping shook his head: "No, I wouldn't dare. Zhiyi is my younger sister."

He resignedly emphasized again, "I'm fine, I just... don't like it."

Seeing him struggling in pain but unable to speak, Gu Yan's doubts deepened, but he knew that now was not the time to press him for answers.

He gave Zhou Zhengping a push: "Alright, get out of the car! Go home and tidy yourself up, we have to go pick up the bride this afternoon."

The Zhou family's small building was now bustling with activity.

Zhou Anping forced himself to be cheerful, his smile somewhat strained.

Song Lanxin was as busy as a spinning top, directing several relatives and friends to tie big red flowers to the front of Gu Yan's Toyota and paste red double happiness characters on the windows.

Someone was carrying a tray and distributing wedding candies, snacks, and "Double Happiness" cigarettes, in preparation for the wedding procession.

The entire courtyard was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Gu Yan was touched by Song Lanxin and pinned a small red flower to his chest. He was then pulled aside by Wang Leiyang and Li Feifan to reminisce.

He watched as Zhou Zhengping was manipulated like a puppet, dressed in a brand-new military uniform, with his face smeared with rouge by a relative in an attempt to add a touch of "joy."

This fake excitement made Gu Yan feel suffocated. Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was busy loading candy and cigarettes into the car, he slipped into the car to escape.

He leaned back in his chair, lit a cigarette, and muttered to himself: Zhou Zhengping's attitude was definitely not as simple as just "disliking" him.

...

The Zhou family provides lunch.

Gu Yan ate a few mouthfuls haphazardly and was full.

He went up to the second floor.

Zhou Zhengping's room was already decorated with red paper, the character for "double happiness," and streamers, making it lively and festive.

Several relatives and aunts were diligently laying out the bright red quilts on the wedding bed, chanting auspicious words such as "May you have a son soon."

Zhou Zhengping sat alone in a corner chair, like an outsider, his eyes numb.

Seeing his expression, Gu Yan swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Asking is pointless; this kid is a tight-lipped guy right now.

He yawned widely, rubbing his throbbing temples and complaining, "I'm so sleepy. My fifth brother dragged me out of bed in the middle of the night last night, and I haven't had a full night's sleep in days."