Regardless of what others thought, Shi Qiang and Zhu Pandi had achieved their goals. Half an hour later, both of them walked towards the educated youth settlement with rosy cheeks.

Upon returning, Shi Qiang immediately announced:

"Well, I have something to tell you all. Nana and I are getting married, probably in the next couple of months."

After saying that, he waited for everyone's reaction with a happy expression.

But it seems like no one reacted.

Zhao Zhiyi followed the brigade leader and Chen Hui into the city, while the others sitting in the kitchen waiting for their meal either looked unfriendly or didn't want to get involved.

After a long pause, someone finally managed a dry, labored reply.

Congratulations!

Then a few people picked up on the topic, but their congratulations didn't seem genuine.

For a moment, this made the two people who were originally happy unhappy.

Zhu Pandi tugged at Shi Qiang's hand, looking aggrieved. When Shi Qiang turned around, he saw her on the verge of tears and felt heartbroken.

"I didn't ask you to give me any gifts or anything. Isn't it enough for everyone to just express their blessings? Is it really necessary to do this? We don't seem to owe you anything."

After Shi Qiang finished his rant, he didn't care what the expressions of the people present were like, and he pulled Zhu Pandi away.

This time, they didn't go back to their rooms, but instead went outside to sit in the courtyard, seemingly discussing something.

What could they possibly discuss? Zhu Pandi wanted to urge him to get married soon, but Shi Qiang felt he needed to inform his family first.

"Brother Qiang, I really don't want to tell my family. They definitely won't agree because they're only interested in selling me for a high price, and they don't care whether the other party is an old man or a cripple..."

Shi Qiang had always known about their family situation, so he wasn't surprised to hear him say that.

"It's okay, Nana. We won't tell your family, but we'll tell them, okay?"

Zhu Pandi still looked hesitant, as if she found it difficult to speak.

"But, but I don't think your parents like me either. If you tell them, they might not agree. What will I do then?"

Zhu Pandi's family and Shi Qiang's family have lived close by since childhood, so she knew that Shi's parents disliked her family. However, Shi Qiang was unaware of this and thought she was overthinking things.

"No, Nana, I'll write to them and they'll be so happy!"

Seeing that she couldn't persuade him, Zhu Pandi stopped talking, but the sorrow in her eyes deepened.

She knew that Shi's parents would definitely not agree, so when she saw that Shi Qiang was so determined to tell his family, she was already thinking about how to get Shi Qiang to disregard his family's wishes and get a marriage certificate with her directly.

She was still quite confident about this matter, so the worry in her eyes didn't linger for long before it was replaced by a look of determination.

Shi Qiang was unaware of her thoughts. He took out paper and pen and excitedly began writing a letter to his family, stating that the two of them had already had a relationship and even speculating that Zhu Pandi might be pregnant.

When Zhu Pandi saw it, her face turned red. She didn't want him to write it like that, but she thought that Shi's parents might agree to their marriage because of this matter, so she acquiesced.

Given the choice between having family support and struggling alone, anyone would probably choose the former.

After all, once they got married, they couldn't stay in the educated youth settlement forever; they would either have to rent a place or build their own house.

But any path they choose will cost money, and if Shi's parents don't support them, their lives will become even more difficult.

But if they could get their financial support, things would be different. Perhaps before long, they could gradually get back on track like an ordinary young couple.