Chapter 230 The Slap in the Face Came So Quickly
230
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, and saw—
A jeep with military license plates pulled up smoothly at the gate. The door opened, and Qin Haifeng, tall and imposing, in a crisp military uniform with gleaming epaulets, stepped out first. His posture was sturdy and commanding, his handsome features displaying the unwavering resolve and composure characteristic of a soldier. Behind him, four or five other young officers, also in uniform and full of vigor, jumped out. Each one was sharp and capable, clearly an elite soldier.
The display of force instantly silenced the noisy courtyard, and all eyes were focused on the group of soldiers.
Before anyone could react, several more cars and a truck with the words "County Machinery Factory" printed on it drove up one after another!
The county machinery factory's director and deputy director, along with Deputy Director Wang of the municipal machinery bureau, got out of the car with broad smiles. Behind them were several people who looked like key technical personnel, including Shao Hongyi and others.
Even more surprisingly, reporters from the city's daily newspaper also rushed over with their cameras and started snapping away at the elegantly dressed Lin Baozhu and the lively scene!
"Congratulations! Comrade Lin Baozhu! Comrade Qin Haifeng!"
The factory director of the county machinery factory and Deputy Director Wang warmly stepped forward to shake hands.
"We heard you have a joyous occasion today, so we've come on behalf of the factory to ask for a toast! We'd also like to bring Comrade Baozhu the 'Special Award for Breakthrough in Technological Research' certificate and bonus that were just approved by the province!"
As Director Hu spoke, he gestured to his men to unload a brand-new sewing machine tied with a large red ribbon from the truck!
Reporters squeezed forward: "Comrade Lin Baozhu! I'm from the Municipal Daily! The provincial newspaper's report on your successful development of a high-precision machine tool that filled a domestic gap has generated a particularly enthusiastic response! You are the pride of our city's young workers!"
What a scene! What a lineup! Leaders from the county and city, newspaper reporters, and this group of dashing soldiers! The Lin family courtyard was instantly enveloped in an unprecedented atmosphere of glory and excitement! The villagers were stunned and buzzing with discussion:
"My goodness! Baozhu has such a huge influence!"
"Wow! They even awarded a sewing machine; that must have been a significant contribution."
"Baozhu is such a source of pride for our village!"
Guo Cuifang and Li Xiuxiu were completely stunned by this sudden turn of events!
The previous sarcasm and sense of superiority were frozen on her face, like wearing a ridiculous mask. Especially Li Xiuxiu, looking at Lin Baozhu, who was surrounded by leaders and reporters and looked radiant, then at the group of imposing officers, and then thinking about her own "director's son" who was still unmarried, a huge sense of loss and jealousy made her face turn pale.
Just then, a young man dressed in a fashionable Zhongshan suit and with a side-parted hairstyle squeezed into the courtyard with the crowd. He was Xu Mingyuan, the son of Director Xu of the County Education Office, whom Li Xiuxiu was looking for.
As soon as Xu Mingyuan entered the courtyard, his gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Qin Haifeng, who was surrounded by officers and chatting and laughing with city leaders. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning!
He rubbed his eyes hard, and after confirming that it was true, his face instantly lit up with huge surprise and disbelief!
He didn't even have time to look for Li Xiuxiu. He immediately pushed through the crowd and rushed to Qin Haifeng like a cannonball. To everyone's astonishment, he snapped a military salute that, while not perfect, was incredibly exciting!
"Commander Qin!! It really is you! My God! I never expected to see you here!" Xiao Xu's voice changed with excitement, and his face was full of heartfelt admiration.
"I...I'm Xu Mingyuan, who just got discharged from the army last year! I was under your command in basic training! Do you remember me? During that exercise, I almost fell off a cliff, and you pulled me up!"
Qin Haifeng looked at the excited young man in front of him, thought for a moment, and nodded calmly: "Xu Mingyuan? I vaguely remember you. So you're a local too."
"Yes, yes, yes! Commander Qin! You... how did you get here?" Xiao Xu was so excited that he couldn't speak coherently.
"Hey, Mingyuan, you're here to see my Xiuxiu, right?"
As he spoke, he forcefully pushed Li Xiuxiu in front of Xu Mingyuan.
Li Xiuxiu wore a fake smile: "Baozhu is my cousin, Brother Xu, I didn't expect you to come too!"
Xu Mingyuan looked at the woman in front of him, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "Who are you?"
The smile faded from Li Xiuxiu's face, and her eyes turned red.
"Your surname is Xu? My older sister just said that Xiuxiu's boyfriend is the second son of Director Xu from the provincial government. Are you from the same clan?"
“My father is indeed the director of the provincial government, and I am the second oldest in my family, but I am still single.”
After saying that, he looked at the mother and daughter, who were both embarrassed, with a puzzled expression.
"I wonder what the name of this Director Xu you're talking about is? If you tell me, I might know him."
Guo Rongrong stood to the side with a half-smile: "Big sister, hurry up and tell us, maybe this little Xu comrade can even ask for a drink then."
Guo Cuirong and Li Cuicui wished they could disappear into the ground upon hearing this. Their two families were indeed interested in meeting, but the man had been unable to find the time.
But her daughter is beautiful; once they meet, the man will definitely be captivated.
Unexpectedly, attending Lin Baozhu's engagement party ruined everything.
Guo Rongrong noticed the mother and daughter's embarrassment and laughed, "Big sister, Xiuxiu, look how scared you two are! Comrade Xu is so busy, how could he have time to go to a wedding? Do you need any help over there?"
Guo Cuifang felt as if she had been granted a pardon, grabbed Li Xiuxiu's hand, and quickly left.
At this moment, on the high platform, Qin Haifeng pulled Lin Baozhu into his arms. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner:
"Today is the day of my engagement with my partner, Comrade Lin Baozhu. Everyone, please enjoy the food and drinks."
"good!"
Plates of meat were served, with very few vegetables; it was almost all meat dishes. Baskets of steamed buns made from a mixture of wheat, vegetables, and flour were placed next to each table. A group of children played and laughed, while the men raised their glasses and toasted each other, creating a lively atmosphere.
While Guo Cuifang and Li Xiuxiu sat at the table, their eyes kept glancing at Guo Cuicui, who was leading Lin Baozhu and Qin Haifeng to toast people...
As the eldest sister, she should have sat at the head table, but that vile woman Guo Cuicui made her sit at the same table as a bunch of peasants.
This is clearly looking down on her!
Lin Baozhu glanced at Guo Cuifang and Li Xiuxiu's disdainful expressions, gently took Qin Haifeng's arm, and gave Guo Cuifang an extremely "friendly" smile: "Auntie, cousin, didn't you want to meet my boyfriend? Here he is. Oh, by the way, this Comrade Xu, isn't he Xiuxiu's boyfriend? What a coincidence, he was one of Haifeng's former soldiers. What a small world, isn't it?"
"Comrade Baozhu, don't talk nonsense. I'm still single."
"Boom!" Finally, someone in the vicinity couldn't hold back any longer and burst into suppressed laughter! This was a resounding slap in the face!
Guo Cuifang felt dizzy and her ears were ringing. She could no longer bear the immense humiliation and contrast. She couldn't even utter a polite word. She grabbed Li Xiuxiu, who also wished she could disappear on the spot, and amidst the mocking and pitying gazes of the crowd, like two stray dogs, they slunk away from the Lin family's courtyard without even saying goodbye to Guo Cuifang.
Xu Mingyuan watched their retreating figures, scratching his head in confusion...
Those two, mother and daughter, are they out of their minds?
The farce has come to an end.
Lin Baozhu and Qin Haifeng smiled at each other, and amidst everyone's heartfelt blessings and enthusiastic applause, their engagement banquet truly began.
Qin Haifeng grasped Lin Baozhu's hand tightly and, in front of everyone, solemnly placed a gleaming military medal in her palm. His voice was firm and affectionate: "Baozhu, this military medal is the glory I earned with my life. Today, I use it to propose marriage. In this life, I will guard the motherland with loyalty and protect you with my life."
Sunlight streamed in, making their medals gleam in each other's palms. In that moment, glory and love shone brightly together.
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