Chapter 98
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the snow finally stopped.
Gu Xi pulled Shen Mingzheng out the door to wish the people in the family compound a Happy New Year.
She first went to the neighbors' houses to wish them a Happy New Year, and at the same time gave Qiao Hui's daughter the red envelopes she had given her. After all, the child was still young and the weather was cold. Qiao Hui hadn't taken her out to wish them a Happy New Year, so the little girl hadn't received any red envelopes from her elders yet.
Then they went to Political Commissar Xu's house, and then went to pay New Year's greetings to Gu Yuanyang and his wife.
It snowed yesterday, so Gu Tuantuan didn't go out. When she saw her aunt, she happily rushed over and hugged her waist, saying sweetly, "Auntie, Uncle, Happy New Year! Wishing you prosperity, good health, all the best, and great fortune..."
That little mouth is so sweet! She rattled off a string of New Year's greetings so fluently, in such a sweet, childlike voice, it was so adorable it made my heart flutter.
Gu Xi gave her a big red envelope, picked up the little girl and bounced her around, making her giggle.
Unexpectedly, Gu Yuanyang also prepared a red envelope for her. The red envelope was very thick, and you could tell from the touch that there was a lot of money inside.
Gu Xi pushed it back: "Brother, I'm married now, I can't accept your red envelope."
When she was in Xujiatun, she heard her elders say that once you get married, you are an adult and can no longer receive red envelopes from your elders. Instead, you have to prepare red envelopes for those elderly elders who are no longer able to work.
Gu Yuanyang said, "No matter how old you are, you are still my sister."
What he didn't say was that this red envelope was also a way of making up for what he had given her over the years, wishing her good health and all the best.
Of all her younger siblings, Gu Xi had the most difficult life. She suffered so much from a young age, which even affected her health for the rest of her life. It was truly heartbreaking, and I couldn't help but want to give her more.
Gu Xi glanced at him, but still accepted the red envelope.
She sat down next to Ji Ya and asked, "Sister-in-law, you're going to the city tomorrow to visit Tuantuan's grandmother for the New Year. How are you going to get there? Do you have a car?"
"Yes, your brother borrowed a car from the military."
Many military personnel stay in the city for the Lunar New Year. They don't have many relatives in the city who need to visit them, so they rarely go to the city on the third day of the Lunar New Year. It's also convenient for them to borrow cars.
**
The third day of the Lunar New Year is the day when married daughters return to their parents' home.
Many military families living in the compound have relatives or families in the vicinity. They often bring their husbands and children to visit their spouses and children for the New Year. Since it is relatively close, they usually walk or ride bicycles there.
Gao Wenbin and Qiao Hui took their child to pay New Year's greetings to Commander Chang.
Commander Chang's wife, Chai Shuyi, is Qiao Hui's aunt. She cares about Qiao Hui very much and often asks someone to send her things.
Qiao Hui kept a very low profile after arriving here, resulting in very few people knowing about their relationship.
Shen Mingzheng also took Gu Xi and Xu Yuansheng, the two sisters, to pay New Year's greetings to Commander Zhang.
Brigade Commander Zhang thought highly of Shen Mingzheng and intended to mentor him. Although the two families did not have much contact, their relationship was quite good. In particular, Gu Xi had contributed to the Mo family arranging jobs for military dependents, and the leaders of the troops praised Gu Xi highly.
With such a wife, Shen Mingzheng was praised by his superiors, who all had a very good impression of him.
Many people came to pay their respects at Commander Zhang's house, making it a lively place.
Zhang Wanxia was pulled along by Liu Aiyun to entertain the guests. For some reason, the expression on her face was somewhat forced. But when she saw Gu Xi arrive, her eyes lit up. Under the pretext of entertaining her, she led Gu Xi and the Xu Yuansheng sisters to her room and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's wrong?" Gu Xi asked, sensing that her reaction was a bit off.
Zhang Wanxia picked up the kettle, poured water for them, and looked at Xu Yuansheng and her sister, saying, "Are these your two younger sisters?"
Since her leg injury healed, she has been busy and hasn't spent much time here. She hasn't visited Gu Xi in a long time and didn't even know that her younger sister from her hometown had come over. She only found out when her aunt Liu Aiyun mentioned it during her recent trip back for the New Year.
It was the first time Xu Yuansheng and her sister had met Zhang Wanxia, and they weren't very familiar with her. After exchanging greetings, they sat down somewhat awkwardly, warming their hands with the water cup Zhang Wanxia offered, and thanked her.
Zhang Wanxia told them not to be shy, asked about their situation, and upon learning that Xu Yuansheng was a tailor, said, "After spring arrives, I'll ask you to make a few spring outfits. Thank you for your help then."
Xu Yuansheng knew perfectly well that this was because her elder sister was giving special treatment to her business. Just as her elder sister had said, this woman from the cultural troupe named Zhang Wanxia was a very nice person and really beautiful. Standing there, she gave people the feeling of being radiant and the center of attention.
Seeing her sitting with Gu Xi made the Xu Yuansheng and her sister think that beautiful women should indeed hang out with other beautiful women.
The two of them together are truly a sight to behold.
After Zhang Wanxia and Xu Yuansheng got to know each other, they sighed again and said to Gu Xi, "You saw those people outside, right?"
Gu Xi nodded, "I see, there are quite a lot of people."
She exclaimed in annoyance, "You must not have looked closely. Many of the unmarried men who came to pay New Year's visits today are here for blind dates."
Gu Xi was only taken aback for a moment before realizing what she meant, and looked at her, saying, "Oh, so you've come to have your picture taken?"
Zhang Wanxia remained silent, sitting there dejectedly.
"Anything you like?" Gu Xi asked again. "What are your thoughts?"
"What did you see that you wanted? I didn't even look closely, there were too many people." Zhang Wanxia said irritably, "You have no idea how busy I've been lately. I finally got a chance to rest, and all I wanted to do was lie in bed and do nothing, but instead I had to do this. How could I be in the mood for this?"
Besides, with so many people around, she had no interest in looking at anything, so how could she have any thoughts about it?
Gu Xi had experienced the future internet, where all sorts of monsters and strange things happened, and of course, there were many complaints from future working people, which was quite similar to Zhang Wanxia's current situation.
Work is too tiring, and when I finally get a break, all I want to do is lie at home and do nothing.
Being forced to go on blind dates at a time like this, who can stand it?
Gu Xi asked in bewilderment, "You're not that old, Commander Zhang shouldn't be in such a hurry to marry you off, right?"
"It's not my uncle!" Zhang Wanxia said dejectedly. "It's my mom. She said I'm already in my twenties, and if I don't find a boyfriend soon, I'll get old and no one will want me. I'll only be able to marry a divorced old man and become someone's stepmother or something..."
Listen to this, is this something a biological mother would say?
Her mother was a traditional woman with old-fashioned ideas. From the time she turned eighteen, she urged her to get married every year, fearing that she would not be able to get married.
That's why she didn't even want to go home for the New Year and instead stayed with her uncle.
No one wants to get married or be tied down by family when they are striving for their career, unless the other person is really outstanding. You have to make a move first, just like Shen Mingzheng back then. Regardless of whether he liked her or not, he just wanted to win her over.
But there's no second Shen Mingzheng who could make her act impulsively and decide to strike.
She didn't want to get married so early, lest it delay her career.
Gu Xi held her hand and encouraged her, "You are an excellent woman. If you don't want to get married so early, then don't. You are the pillar of the art troupe. You are beautiful, have excellent professional skills, dance like a fairy, and sing like a celestial being descended to earth. Even if you get married a few years later, there will be men who will come to you. Don't worry."
The Xu sisters: "..." Big sister, you're really good at talking, they're almost convinced.
Zhang Wanxia's agitated mood was strangely soothed by Gu Xi's words.
She couldn't help but straighten her back and say confidently, "You're right, I'm just that outstanding. I'm not afraid to get married a few years later." Then she excitedly told Gu Xi, "You don't know, I even filmed a movie before the New Year. The director praised me, saying I performed very well. If I'm interested in the future, I can develop in that direction..."
Gu Xi listened with a smile, while the Xu sisters listened with great interest and amazement.
Making movies was something far removed from their lives. They never imagined that one day they would meet a female movie actress. She was very beautiful; no wonder she could make movies.
As they were thinking this, the two sisters heard Zhang Wanxia say dejectedly, "Gu Xi, you're so beautiful, you're perfect for the big screen. I've been wanting to recommend you to the director, but you keep refusing."
She really felt it was a pity that Gu Xi didn't make movies. If she appeared on the big screen, how stunning would she be? She would definitely be a unique beauty in film history, stunning future generations.
Now, the Xu sisters' astonished gazes fell upon Gu Xi.
However, Zhang Wanxia was right about one thing: their eldest sister was indeed very beautiful. Sometimes when the two sisters saw Gu Xi, they couldn't help but stare blankly. They couldn't imagine that their eldest sister, who was dark-skinned and thin and didn't seem to have any outstanding features, would become so beautiful five years later.
Perhaps she was meant to be this beautiful, but the Xu family didn't raise her properly. They made her do endless chores, didn't feed her enough, and tanned her until she was dark-skinned. Even the prettiest girl can be ruined into an ugly one.
Zhang Wanxia was very excited about making a movie, and she kept talking to Gu Xi about it, sharing her joy, until Liu Aiyun came and knocked on the door, calling her out.
Zhang Wanxia said with a pained expression, "Auntie, I don't really want to go out..."
"What are you talking about!" Liu Aiyun patted her. "Your mother said you absolutely must find a partner this year. Your uncle and I have to arrange something for you! There are a few very nice young men out there. Go take a look. They are officers in the army. If you don't like them, there's also a military doctor and Commander Chang's nephew, who came here specifically to spend the New Year with Commander Chang this year..."
Zhang Wanxia was pulled out, and Gu Xi also took her two younger sisters out to watch Zhang Wanxia and many young men go on blind dates.
None of the three sisters had ever experienced anything like this before, and they were secretly amazed.
Gu Xi was alright; she was already married. Although she attracted the attention of many men when she went out, they could only regretfully look away when they learned that she was Commander Shen's wife.
When Liu Aiyun learned that Xu Yuansheng was already nineteen years old and a young girl without a boyfriend, she thought that whether she was herding one sheep or two, it was all the same, so she dragged her along to accompany her niece on her blind date.
Having someone with her would help Zhang Wanxia stay alert and focus on the blind date.
Xu Yuansheng, who was suddenly dragged to a blind date: "..."
**
After staying at Commander Zhang's house until the afternoon, Shen Mingzheng left with his wife and two younger sisters-in-law.
On his way home, he saw Xu Yuansheng with a stern face and looked at Gu Xi with some confusion.
Gu Xi gave him a look and asked Xu Yuansheng, "Yuansheng, did you see anyone you liked just now?"
“No.” Xu Yuansheng shook his head. “Those people are all here for Commander Zhang’s niece. I’m just an extra.”
She was very clear about her position; she was just accompanying Zhang Wanxia on blind dates, and those men might not necessarily be interested in her.
Zhang Wanxia not only has an uncle who is a brigade commander, but is also a pillar of the cultural troupe. She also acts in movies. She is young, beautiful, has connections, and a respectable job. Any man would know how to choose her.
On the contrary, she was just a girl from the countryside who only knew how to sew clothes and was not as pretty as Zhang Wanxia. No normal man would choose her.
Gu Xi patted her head. "Nonsense, my sister is a beautiful girl too. I won't allow you to talk about yourself like that."
She lifted Xu Yuansheng's chin to observe her. Her face was slightly square, but she had thick eyebrows and big eyes. Her facial proportions were very good, and she had a lot of energy. She was the kind of dignified and bright beauty.
Moreover, after a winter of recuperation, her skin had become much fairer, and coupled with her youth, she was undeniably a great beauty with just a little makeup.
“When spring comes, we sisters will each have two outfits made,” Gu Xi said. “I’ll design the styles for you, and when you wear your new clothes, I guarantee my two sisters will look beautiful, and everyone will praise them.”
Xu Huaisheng smiled shyly.
Xu Yuansheng couldn't help but laugh, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Big sister, don't keep doing this, it's weird."
Gu Xi didn't think there was anything wrong with it; she was her own sister, and she could look at her however she wanted.
To outsiders, it looked like she was flirting with someone, which was too avant-garde for this era.
Shen Mingzheng pulled her hand back, "We're still on our way, be careful."
Now he understood. It turned out that Zhang Brigade Commander's niece had been on a blind date, and Xu Yuansheng had been dragged along by Liu Aiyun to join her.
No wonder Xu Yuansheng reacted this way.
The couple talked before going to bed at night.
Shen Mingzheng asked, "You want to find a boyfriend for your second sister in the army?"
"No, that's not it." Gu Xi thought he had misunderstood Xu Yuansheng's blind date today, so she explained, "It was Sister Liu who specially asked her to accompany Wanxia on her blind date. I think Yuansheng is still young, and it's not too late to consider marriage in a few years. She doesn't want to get married, so I won't force her."
Shen Mingzheng neither confirmed nor denied her statement that she was "still young".
But it's up to her to decide.
**
After the third day of the Lunar New Year, Shen Mingzheng, Gu Yuanyang, Ji Ya and others' holidays were almost over, and they had to go back to work.
The factories in the county town haven't started operating yet, but Ye Fenghua is still at home.
Ye Fenghua gave Gu Xi some local specialties she brought from her parents' home, then pulled Gu Xi aside and poured out her grievances, angrily saying, "You don't know what my parents and my older brother said when Lao Miao and I took the children back to my parents' home to pay New Year's respects yesterday."
She looked very angry, as if she was extremely upset.
Gu Xi pulled her down to sit, patted her back to calm her down, and asked, "What's wrong?"
Ye Fenghua said angrily, "I'm working at a paper mill in the county now, and they think that Lao Miao bought this job for me. They want us to contribute money to buy one for my older brother's son as well. I said that it was arranged by the army and we don't have the money to buy one. Then they asked me to give this job to my nephew..."
My nephew is eighteen years old. He hasn't received much education and doesn't have a job. He's been farming in the countryside.
As the eldest grandson of the Ye family, he was highly valued by them. They wanted to find him a job in the city so that he could have a stable income and marry a girl from the city. So they set their sights on Ye Fenghua's job.
They originally planned to have Ye Fenghua and Commander Miao pay for him to get a job in the city, but Ye Fenghua refused outright. So they thought that if all else failed, Ye Fenghua could give her job to her nephew.
Anyway, she had given her job to her sister-in-law before, so it's the same if she gives it to her nephew now.
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