It's not easy for He Xiao to come to the island, so when Lu Lin got off work, he invited his two good brothers to come over for a visit.
"Come over for dinner tonight, and remember to invite your family too."
Xing Yi readily agreed, "Okay, I'll go back and call my wife right away."
Watching his retreating figure, He Binglin joked, "Old Xing has become a completely devoted husband since getting married."
He goes straight home after get off work, and his conversation revolves around his wife. If he had the chance, he'd probably tie her to his belt and take her out with him.
Lu Lin glanced at him, "You talk as if you're not the same."
He Binglin straightened his chest and said, "Of course I am. We brothers shouldn't say anything about each other."
On the day of the meal, Xia Qinghe and Xing Yi's wife, Qi Juanjuan, arrived early to help.
The group was of similar age and had common topics to discuss.
Lu Wanwan kept calling her "sister-in-law," and their relationship gradually became closer.
"Wanwan, I heard that Comrade He came all the way from afar specifically to see you?"
Xia Qinghe couldn't help but ask. After hearing about this, she felt that it was just like a romantic story, and just hearing about it made her feel happy.
Lu Wanwan looked up and met two pairs of gossipy eyes.
Qi Juanjuan also stared at her intently.
Lu Wanwan blushed instantly, wishing she could disappear on the spot. How did her sisters-in-law find out?
She was unaware of how quickly the news spread within the residential compound; sometimes, what happened one second could reach the entire compound the next.
During this time, countless people embellished the story, and in the end, the person involved never realized it was them.
"No, it just happened to be on the way."
Her face turned as red as a tomato, and she lowered her head, too embarrassed to look at them, probably because she was busy with her work.
"Alright, alright, stop bullying her. Can't you see Wanwan is almost huddled in the ground?"
Seeing her shy expression, Gu Mingyue quickly stepped in to rescue her.
Lu Wanwan was deeply moved; indeed, her sister-in-law was the best to her.
Xia Qinghe laughed and said, "Alright, alright, sister-in-law won't ask anymore."
Judging from the little girl's reaction, you can tell that this is probably true.
While washing the dishes, Lu Wanwan ran to the yard. She scooped up some water and washed her face, which calmed her fever a little.
She squatted down, looking at the ants at her feet, her mind a jumble of thoughts.
It's all He Xiao's fault. His thoughts are blatantly obvious on his face; he's no longer the icy guy he used to be.
Not only her older brother and sister-in-law knew, but even the other women in the family compound noticed and teased her about it.
The thought of the burning eyes beneath the other person's cold face still made Lu Wanwan feel flustered.
As I was lost in thought, I heard light footsteps coming from the courtyard gate.
Lu Wanwan looked up and saw He Xiao standing there holding an oil paper package.
Upon seeing her, He Xiao waved the item in his hand, "I just bought some sweet cakes, they're still warm, I brought them for you."
Looking at the oil paper package in his hand, Lu Wanwan's recent feverishness crept back onto her face.
She quickly stood up, whispered a thank you, and reached out to take his hand. Her fingers accidentally touched his hand, and they both froze for a moment before quickly withdrawing their hands.
He Xiao put his things down, chatted with Lu Wanwan for a few words, and then carried his basket up the mountain to chop firewood.
During his time on the island, he took on all the firewood for his family.
Every time he came to the family compound, he was either accompanying Lu Wanwan to go beachcombing or going up the mountain to chop firewood. The firewood stored in the backyard for the winter was almost gone, so Lu Lin rarely praised him for it.
After He Xiao left, Lu Wanwan returned to the house with the oil paper package and was met with the three men's teasing gazes.
Xia Qinghe was chopping vegetables, while Gu Mingyue leaned against the door frame, her eyes showing a knowing look that said, "I understand." Even Qi Juanjuan, who was helping her, winked at her.
Lu Wanwan's face flushed shamefully again. She tightened her grip on the oil paper package, trying to hide it behind her back, but Gu Mingyue saw right through her: "What are you holding? Was it given to you by He Xiao?"
"Just some sweet cakes," Lu Wanwan argued softly, her steps slow and deliberate, her ears flushed.
Xia Qinghe smiled and leaned closer: "It seems our Comrade He understands young ladies quite well, knowing you love sweets."
Fearing she might say something else, Lu Wanwan quickly stuffed a piece of sweet cake into his mouth.
After eating the sweet cakes, they began preparing dinner.
The men, having finished work, hurried home. Just as they reached the gate of the compound, they saw He Xiao walking from the direction of the guesthouse. They greeted each other with smiles and entered the Lu family compound together.
The room had already been tidied up. Gu Mingyue was placing dishes on the table, while Lu Wanwan set out bowls and chopsticks. A bottle of freshly brewed fruit wine sat on the table, its amber liquid exuding a sweet aroma.
"You're finally back! We've been waiting for you to start the meal." Gu Mingyue smiled, picked up the wine pot, and poured a small half-cup for each person. "This is plum wine, not very strong, have a taste."
Xia Qinghe sat down next to her husband, picked up her wine glass and took a sip: "This wine is sweet and sour, which is perfect for cutting through the richness."
He Binglin also tried it and nodded in praise: "It tastes even better than what the supply and marketing cooperative sells."
Lu Wanwan picked up her small wine glass, and just as she touched it to her lips, He Xiao gently pressed her hand down: "Drink less, it's easy to get drunk."
As he spoke, he subtly poured some of the wine from her glass into his own.
Lu Wanwan was not convinced. She wanted to drink too. Taking advantage of He Xiao's inattention, she secretly poured herself a glass. The fruit wine was sweet and sour, and she showed a satisfied expression like a greedy cat.
The dinner table was steaming, and the group was drinking fruit wine with side dishes when Xia Qinghe suddenly remembered the important matter.
"By the way, the compound's event is coming up in a few days. Juanjuan and I are planning to go to the county town this weekend to buy some new clothes. Mingyue, do you want to come along?"
Gu Mingyue was about to agree when Wanwan interrupted, "No need to go to the county town to buy it!"
She put down her chopsticks and looked at Gu Mingyue with bright eyes, "My sister-in-law makes clothes that are even prettier than those sold in stores, and the styles fit perfectly. Wouldn't it be great if we bought the fabric and made them ourselves?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Qinghe's eyes lit up: "That's right! I saw the vest Mingyue made for Lu Lin before. The stitches were so fine and neat, it looked even better than the ready-made clothes from the supply and marketing cooperative."
Gu Mingyue smiled at the compliment, put down her chopsticks and said, "Sure, if you don't mind my skills, let's go pick out some fabric together, and I'll make sure it looks decent and beautiful for you."
Xia Qinghe immediately made the decision: "It's settled then! We'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative together this weekend to pick out fabrics and have Mingyue make custom-made ones for us."
However, they ultimately decided to go to the county town, since the supply and marketing cooperative there sold a wider variety of goods, including better fabrics.
Early on a weekend morning, a group of people went to the county town's supply and marketing cooperative together.
As soon as she entered the fabric section, the colorful fabrics dazzled her. Xia Qinghe looked at the fabrics in front of her and was troubled: "There are so many patterns, I really don't know which one to choose."
Gu Mingyue smiled and pulled her to stand in the bright light: "You have to choose according to your skin tone. You have fair skin, so wearing this light pink cotton fabric with floral patterns will definitely make you look radiant."
She then picked up a piece of dark blue khaki cloth: "Comrade He often wears military uniforms. This cloth is crisp and durable. It would be perfect for making a Zhongshan suit and would make him look smart."
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