Jiang Jun seemed stunned. It was Kong Xuefang next to him who noticed that something was wrong with her boyfriend and patted him: "Jiang Jun, what's wrong with you?"
Jiang Jun then seemed to wake up from a dream: "Xuefang, those are my dad, my sister, and my sister's boyfriend. Come on, I'll take you to meet them."
Kong Xuefang's eyes widened in shock. She wanted to say that she wasn't ready yet, but she found that her boyfriend was very excited and probably didn't care about her feelings. She didn't want to spoil the mood, otherwise she would seem a bit petty. She looked at her in-laws who were getting closer and closer, took a few deep breaths, and put on a somewhat unnatural smile.
As soon as Jiang Ruyu and the others got off the car, they started searching in the crowd. Zheng Yang spotted them and said, "Is that Jiang, um, Second Brother?"
Jiang Jianguo and Jiang Ruyu both looked in the direction Zheng Yang pointed, and saw Jiang Jun first stunned, then after being reminded by the female comrade next to him, he came to his senses and pulled the female comrade over.
Jiang Jianguo was also a little nervous: "Ruyu, am I okay like this? Am I too sloppy?"
Jiang Ruyu glanced at her uncle with amusement and gave him an affirming look: "It's okay, we've tidied up and look great. We'll definitely be fine meeting our future daughter-in-law."
Jiang Jianguo finally breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Jun and the others ran up to him and said, "Dad, Ruyu, Zheng Yang, why are you all here? You didn't even give me a heads-up so I could get ready."
Jiang Jianguo couldn't help but glance at his future daughter-in-law beside him. Jiang Juncai then realized what was happening and quickly introduced them: "This is Kong Xuefang, my girlfriend. She's a year younger than me and from Sichuan Province."
Then he said to his girlfriend, "This is my dad, this is my second uncle's cousin Ruyu, who is just like my own sister, and this is Ruyu's boyfriend."
Kong Xuefang greeted them with a slightly nervous smile: "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Ruyu. I've heard Jiang Jun mention you. You're Ruyu's boyfriend. Thank you for driving all this way."
Jiang Jianguo could also see his future daughter-in-law's nervousness. He smiled and said, "Okay, shall we go back first? There are quite a few people gathered here."
“Yes, come on, I rented a house next to the educated youth settlement. I just finished cleaning it up, and it's just the right place for you to stay tonight.” Jiang Jun led them home.
The local villagers who were gathered around asked curiously, "Jiang Zhiqing, are these your family members? They've come to celebrate with you?"
Jiang Jun smiled familiarly and replied, "Yes, Uncle Yang, these are my family members. I'm getting married to Xuefang, so my dad wanted to come and see them."
"You city folks are so young! Your dad looks much younger than me." The old man looked to be in his fifties or sixties.
“My dad isn’t as capable as you, Uncle. You always got full work points every year.”
"Haha, that's true."
The road was soon crowded with onlookers. When they saw the truck, the production team's Party Secretary and Brigade Leader arrived. Jiang Jun introduced them, and Jiang Jianguo took out the cigarettes he had prepared and exchanged pleasantries with them.
Jiang Jun has been here for several years. He is a steady and reliable person, and he is also a good worker. He has a lot of prestige in the educated youth settlement, and the people in the production team treat him very politely. When he has nothing to do, he tells stories to the children in the village and talks about things outside.
“Your Jiang Jun is a good comrade, and we all trust him completely.”
Jiang Jianguo was relieved after learning about his son's situation here: "Jiang Jun is getting married the day after tomorrow. You must do us the honor of coming to the wedding banquet!"
"Haha, that's easy, I'll definitely come, I'll definitely come."
Zheng Yang unloaded the things from the car, and Jiang Jun saw this and went to help. Seeing so many things, he felt both touched and bittersweet: "Why did you bring so much stuff? It's too much of a waste."
Jiang Ruyu smiled and said, "This is your wedding, it only happens once in a lifetime, how can you say it's a waste of money?"
Kong Xuefang was somewhat surprised to see so many things, but she was also pleasantly surprised. She had initially wondered if her future mother-in-law's family had some dissatisfaction with her since she hadn't seen her, but seeing all these things put her at ease. At least they were willing to spend money, so they probably really weren't coming.
After taking the things to their rented house, Jiang Ruyu thought that Zheng Yang would have to leave later, so she wanted to cook him some food to fill his stomach.
"Oh, we have to go again?" Jiang Jun looked up at Zheng Yang.
"Well, I still have to go to Heilongjiang Province to pick up goods. I'll be back right after your wedding. It's a pity I can't attend your wedding banquet, but don't mind me," Zheng Yang explained with a smile, adding that he still had work to do.
Upon hearing this, Kong Xuefang took Jiang Ruyu to her place. She and Jiang Jun cooked separately. Kong Xuefang liked this sister-in-law who lived next door very much and was generous with the food. The two chatted and made a bowl of hand-pulled noodles and brought it over to Zheng Yang.
Zheng Yang knew this was his partner's thoughtfulness and care, and happily finished his drink; it was almost time.
Jiang Jun stepped forward and gave him a bear hug: "I won't say thank you, take care on the road."
"Haha, wishing you a happy marriage in advance! We'll have a drink when you come home for the New Year."
Watching Zheng Yang get into the car, Jiang Ruyu stepped forward and said, "Be careful on the road, drive slowly. No one is sitting next to you. If you feel sleepy or tired, get out and rest for a while, wash your face and refresh yourself, okay?"
Zheng Yang looked at Ru Yu with bright eyes. This trip was really worth it. Ru Yu was getting better and better to him: "Don't worry, I know." He lowered his head and whispered, "I haven't gotten married yet, so I'll definitely cherish my life."
Jiang Ruyu gave him a playful glare, while Zheng Yang smiled happily and waved to Jiang Jianguo and Jiang Jun, saying, "I'm leaving now, see you in a couple of days."
"Let's go, be careful on the road."
Zheng Yang left, and the crowd dispersed. He and his friends returned to Jiang Jun's rented apartment. Jiang Jun and his girlfriend Kong Xuefang hadn't moved in yet; they had just cleaned the place inside and out and added furniture like beds and tables.
Back in their room, Jiang Jianguo and Jiang Ruyu put the things they had brought into the main room where Jiang Jun and the others were staying: "You can open them and take a look yourself. The quilt was made by your mother, the quilt cover was bought by Ruyu, your grandmother also made a set of bed sheets and quilt covers, your eldest brother and sister-in-law bought two thermos flasks, your eldest sister bought a pair of porcelain basins, and some pots and pans, etc. In addition, there are some rare things that Ruyu got. These things are not easy to handle, so you can pack them up yourselves."
Jiang Jun hadn't expected his mother to make things for him too, and his throat tightened a little: "There's so much stuff, how much money must this have cost? I'm not here to help you, and I'm spending your money, I..."
Jiang Jianguo interrupted him: "Son, it is only right and proper for parents to arrange their children's marriage. Don't think so much. What your older brother has, you will have too. Besides, you have suffered in the countryside. This is what we should do."
“That’s right, Second Brother. The best way to repay Uncle and Grandma is for you and Second Sister-in-law to live a happy and harmonious life. Just because you can’t be by their side now doesn’t mean you can’t be in the future,” Jiang Ruyu said with a smile, pulling Kong Xuefang along.
Kong Xuefang blushed slightly; they weren't married yet.
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