Feng Mei didn't know when Liu Xuejun would come back, and Song Li couldn't wait.
Song Chengye has been in jail for more than half a month. In that era, the penalties were severe, and the legal procedures were not as sound as in later times. Song Li was worried that the Ding family had a backup plan.
She asked Uncle Wang, who drove the ox cart, to take a letter to the Song family, saying that she missed He Linyuan and was going to visit relatives.
After leaving the bicycle at Xiang Qian's house, Song Li took a bus to the neighboring county.
At this time, He Linyuan didn't know that his young wife was coming.
Most of the food he brought was snatched away by Wei Guo, and several bottles of wine were also lost. Wei Guo followed him to Heilongjiang Province just for this bite of food.
"Captain, Captain Lu said we should get together at noon to welcome the new brothers. You must come."
Wei Guo arrived at the army a few days earlier than He Linyuan. He has a cheerful and sociable personality and has become friends with the army's leaders.
Captain Lu is at the same level as He Linyuan, so he is the most suitable person to organize the party.
He Linyuan did not refuse and thought of bringing some wine and food over in the evening. He couldn't let his comrades' families be busy, so he didn't bring anything.
"That's settled, I'm leaving."
Wei Guo ran away with his "trophy", fearing that He Linyuan would snatch it back from him.
At Captain Lu’s home, his wife Wang Yun was cooking with several of his comrades’ families.
Although it was not the famine period of the 1960s, food was still in short supply and there were not many opportunities for the family members to gather in the compound.
This time, in order to welcome He Linyuan, Wang Yun and the others used all their best skills.
"Hey, did you guys say Captain He got married?"
They all went to see He Linyuan on the day he came. He was really handsome.
Although people in this era don’t care about looks, who doesn’t like good-looking people?
Look, someone is already asking about it.
"No, he looks quite young, so he probably doesn't have a partner yet."
Wang Yun thought about it for a while. Her husband Lu never said anything, so whether he had it or not was just her guess.
"That's great!" said the sister-in-law Xu Yanfang, who had just spoken, with a smile, "My sister doesn't have a boyfriend either. How about you find a matchmaker and have them meet at noon?"
Xu Yanfang's sister Xu Yanxia was picking vegetables on the side. When she heard her sister's words, her face turned red, but her ears pricked up, waiting to hear Wang Yun's answer.
"That won't work. We're just guessing. What if Captain He has a girlfriend? That would embarrass Sister Yanxia. We'll be in the same unit after all, so we can't just introduce them casually."
Wang Yun is not stupid, she will not take this job that may offend people.
Besides, Xu Yanxia is a girl from the countryside, how could she be worthy of the military officer from Beijing? If she really acted as a matchmaker, even her husband, Mr. Lu, would scold her.
Xu Yanfang's man Wu Chuanliang was only a deputy company commander. She didn't dare to say anything when she was rejected by Wang Yun, but Xu Yanxia couldn't bear it.
She also went to see He Linyuan on the day he reported for duty. She had never seen such a handsome man in her twenty years of life.
Besides, she came to the army to find a partner. Now that she has met someone she likes, how can she not seize the opportunity?
"Sister-in-law, I'm not afraid of embarrassment."
The messy kitchen suddenly became quiet. Xu Yanxia looked at her sisters-in-law with different looks and continued speaking shamelessly.
"If Captain He hadn't gotten married, wouldn't my sister-in-law have helped him find a good marriage?"
She always felt that she was in good condition. Although she was from the countryside, she had fair skin and had attended elementary school for a few years. She was much better off than those military wives who could not read a single word.
If they can marry company commanders and battalion commanders, why can't I marry a regimental commander?
"Hehe, this kind of marriage can't be facilitated by my sister-in-law. Both parties have to be attracted to each other."
Wang Yun could hardly keep her smile. She used to think that Captain Wu's sister-in-law was honest, but she never expected her to be so careless. No wonder she looked down on all the candidates she had introduced to her before.
"What are you talking about, you damn girl? Do you really think you're a fairy? Captain He fell in love with you at first sight."
Xu Yanfang saw that Wang Yun was annoyed, pinched her own sister, and said to Wang Yun with a wry smile.
"Sister-in-law, don't bother with her. She's just a toad wanting to eat swan meat. But my sister is right. What if Captain He doesn't get married? They really have a chance to get married. When Captain He becomes the son-in-law of our Heilongjiang Province, it will also be good for Captain Lu, right?"
No wonder Xu Yanfang, the wife of a deputy company commander, is so popular among military wives. She speaks more nicely than her sister.
Wang Yun's complexion gradually improved, and Xu Yanfang's words really touched her.
Her family's Old Lu is a good group leader, but he comes from a poor family and has no backing, unlike a Beijing boy like He Linyuan. If this marriage is really facilitated, her family's Old Lu may be able to provide more help in his career.
"I can only help introduce her. Whether it will work out in the end depends on Yanxia herself."
Wang Yun let go, and Xu Yanfang smiled even more enthusiastically, "It's enough to have sister-in-law say this. When this is done, you will be our family's great benefactor!"
Like Xu Yanxia, Xu Yanfang also felt that this marriage was a sure thing. She was the only good-looking girl in the family compound. Soldiers like them hung out with men all day long, and they would think a sow was pretty. And with Xu Yanxia always caring about him every day, how could He Linyuan not be tempted?
The two sisters were thinking about good things and cooked more attentively.
Near noon, Captain Lu came over with his men.
More than a dozen people sat at a large table. Since there was not enough space in the house, they were placed in the yard with two long tables put together.
He Linyuan brought two bottles of wine and chili sauce made by Song Li.
Captain Lu is a man in his early forties with a very generous personality. He was originally worried that He Linyuan, who came from Beijing, would be difficult to get along with.
But after a few days of communication and learning, he completely dispelled his concerns.
He Linyuan has a cold personality, but he is capable and humble. He is a person with real abilities who is worth making friends with.
"Come on, come on. What else do you want to bring? Are you being so formal with me?"
"I can't just let my sister-in-law do all the work. Here's a bottle of chili sauce to add to everyone's dishes."
He Linyuan is not a person who doesn't know etiquette. Although he has only been here for three months, he has maintained good relationships and it is convenient to carry out work.
"Captain Lu, keep it. My sister-in-law makes the best chili sauce. I followed the captain to Heilongjiang Province just for this!"
Wei Guo stared at the chili sauce in He Linyuan's hand, drooling with greed. Apart from He Linyuan, he was the only one here who knew how delicious this chili sauce was.
"Okay, then I'll accept it." Since Wei Guo said so, Captain Lu didn't refuse anymore, but he didn't expect that He Linyuan was already married.
"Lin Yuan is so young and just got married, how could a newlywed have the heart to come to Heilongjiang Province?"
"Lu Tuan, you are wrong. It is because I, the captain, miss my wife that I came to Heilongjiang Province." Wei Guo joked with a smile.
"Oh? Could it be that your sister-in-law is also from Heilongjiang Province?" Lu Tuan said.
"Yes, it's from our neighboring county."
"That's a coincidence. When you have time, you have to bring Lin Yuan here to see us. Let's see what kind of red flower conquered you, a tough soldier!"
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