Chapter Ninety-Eight: Do You Miss Me?
The newly built courtyard has been dried in the sun. When they moved in, Shen Yuzhu, Shen Yuming, and several children all came to help. Qiao Wangshu and Liang Manxiu now have their own separate room, which they decorated with great care. It looks very cozy.
Shen Yuzhu gave Liang Manxiu a bicycle, then gave Qiao Wangshu a watch, and Wang Liping, who was skilled with her hands, gave her a sewing machine.
When the items were carried to their respective courtyards, they shocked many people. You see, even with tickets and money, you might not be able to buy these three items. In the county town, some people have to queue up to buy them, and it's normal for some to wait for half a year.
As a result, this educated youth quietly bought it back, which shows how good his connections and influence are.
Now, even more people are eager to become friends and sisters with Shen Yuzhu. Even those who didn't get along with her before at the educated youth settlement are now coming over.
That evening, Qiao Wangshu cooked a table full of dishes and invited Shen Yuzhu, Shen Yuming's family, and Captain Lü's family to dinner. Zhou Li and Li Wang also came over; they had helped a lot when the house was being built.
There were two tables of food. The men were drinking, chatting, and bragging, while the women were much more relaxed.
“Yuzhu, I’m not comfortable keeping your sewing machine. Zhengyang said that once we start earning wages, we’ll give you the money.”
"No way, just take it if it's given to you. If you don't mind the trouble, I'll trouble you to make clothes for my sister and niece from now on, okay?"
“What’s the trouble? Even if you don’t give me a sewing machine, just ask me for anything I can do.”
"That would be amazing! Having a sewing machine would make things much more convenient. Besides, you're about to give birth, and you'll need to sew even more things then. With a sewing machine at home, you can do whatever you want. Just one thing: you have to be a little more assertive and not give it to just anyone who comes to borrow it."
Feeling embarrassed by what was said, Wang Liping retorted, "I'm not stupid."
"You're not stupid, you're just too soft-hearted."
Aunt Qian listened to their conversation and was very happy. She looked at Qiao Wangshu and became more and more satisfied. She wanted to find a match for her good-for-nothing son, but when she thought about her own little rascal, she realized that he was not good enough for her. The words were on her lips, but she just couldn't bring herself to say them.
Zhou Li was eating over there, glancing at Liang Manxiu every now and then. Lü Jianshe gave him a disdainful look, knowing he was no match for her, yet he still kept thinking about her; in the end, he was the only one who would suffer.
He picked up his wine glass and took a swig, but accidentally choked. Lu Guangzhi rolled his eyes at him in annoyance.
"Stop drinking. Wine is meant to be savored, not something you can just gulp down like Pigsy eating ginseng fruit. You're wasting it."
Lü Guangzhi: "..."
While they were still chatting, Shen Yuzhu picked up a dish for Shen Yuming, and the two sisters smiled at each other.
“Zhou Congsheng and I have discussed it, and we may have to submit our marriage application this year. So I might have to go with my brother to the military next year. My sister still has several children in the village, and we will have to trouble you to take care of them.”
"What are you saying? Sister Yuming is your sister, but now she's also our sister. There's no such thing as taking care of her. We're all the same to each other."
Liang Manxiu was the first to speak up. She knew that Shen Yuming had suffered a lot, and there were some things that Shen Yuzhu dared not say too clearly. The person she was most worried about was her older sister.
If she were to get married, she would still have Wang Shu and Li Ping to help take care of Shen Yuming, so that she could live peacefully in the military compound.
"You can go to work without worry. I have work to do and work points here. The children are going to school, and the ones at home are behaving very well. I'm doing fine, so you don't need to worry about me."
What she feared most was becoming a burden to Shen Yuzhu. Now that she saw Shen Yuzhu getting married and still thinking of her, she felt even more distressed.
My sister is always so worried about not doing well, which is probably related to her inability to stand on her own two feet. What she needs to do most now is to put Yuzhu at ease.
She can support herself, take good care of her children, and make a living.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about that anymore. You're all going to work tomorrow. If the supply and marketing cooperative has any defective fabric or anything good, Manxiu, you have to bring some over for us!"
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to save the best stuff for you."
Everyone enjoyed the dinner, except for Zhou Li, who seemed preoccupied. As he left, he glanced at Liang Manxiu several times. She looked at him briefly, then immediately looked up at the sky, pretending not to notice.
In mid-April, Shen Yuzhu received a letter from Director Shao, asking her to go to the provincial capital to translate a set of confidential documents. She would need to stay in the provincial capital for half a month, and her food and lodging had already been arranged.
The importance of this mission was evident in every word, and Shen Yuzhu's heart stirred slightly. If the mission was completed successfully, perhaps her translation certificate could be upgraded.
She promised Zhou Congsheng that she would try to get their marriage certificate this year, and it seemed like a great opportunity had been presented to her.
Shen Yuzhu put all the manuscripts she had written and the materials she had translated into her space. After tidying up the house, she took the vegetables and fruits that were visible in the kitchen to Shen Yuming. Then she went to Lü Guangzhi's house to ask for a letter of introduction.
On the afternoon of the day she arrived in the provincial capital, Ren Baobei was waiting for her at the station early in the morning.
"Yuzhu, Yuzhu, here!"
"How did you get here? I can find a car to get to work by myself."
"Oh, why bother looking for a car? It's much more convenient for me to come pick you up. Yuzhu, let me tell you, you have no idea how popular your stories are. I showed your new manuscript to my dad. He's never seen this story style before, but I'm sure it will be a huge hit if it gets published. I've already negotiated the price; I'll show you the contract later."
Shen Yuzhu: "......."
Are you here to pick me up, or to make me work like a slave?
"I've been on the road for several hours and I feel really unwell. I just want to rest. Can you put the book publishing thing on hold for a bit while I rest?"
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I've ordered the food. Let's go eat first, and then you can rest. There's plenty of time, we can talk again later!"
After Ren Baobei finished speaking, she turned her head and gently patted her mouth twice. What an idiot! She can't even speak properly. She just arrived and she's already making people do chores. Luckily, Yuzhu has a good temper, otherwise she would be giving me attitude and not being friends with me anymore.
"I miss you so much. How about we sleep together tonight? You have no idea how I've been these past few days. Sigh, I really want to go to the countryside with you, but my parents won't allow it. But I'm telling you, my brother is coming to the military base here. I'll come see you every day then. Hey, you haven't told me yet, do you miss me?"
Shen Yuzhu: "...I'll think about it later."
Let me fill my stomach first, thank you!!!
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