He Yonggang didn't even open the red envelope.
"Hurry up and put away this red envelope. The betrothal gift is for the dowry. If I accept it, we will have to prepare the dowry, which is really too much trouble.
Our two families live too far apart, so please keep the money.
What can we do with these three hundred yuan?
We have two children to support, so we should save as much as possible and use the money we save to let them live a good life.
Today, this matter is done."
Chen Jianguo was a little anxious: "Grandpa, listen to me..."
"After that, I still say the same thing, let Baoguo buy Damei a souvenir.
We are all experienced people and we know that living together as a couple is all empty talk.
Just listen to Grandpa and put it away."
As He Yonggang spoke, he grabbed Chen Jianguo's hand and forced the red envelope into his pocket.
To be honest, the more reasonable the other party was, the more Chen Jianguo felt that he owed them.
Later, he felt a little helpless, but still listened to the old man.
He Damei said, "You guys sit down, I'll go buy some groceries, and then we can sit down and have dinner together as a family tonight."
Chen Jianguo said: "Don't bother, we have already caused you a lot of trouble."
He Damei said with a smile: "Brother, what are you talking about? We are a family now."
Chen Baoguo said: "Then I'll help you carry the vegetables."
He Damei smiled and nodded. Chen Baoguo pushed the bicycle out. He Damei followed him with her hands behind her back, occasionally tilting her head to peek at Chen Baoguo.
Each of them is more shy than the other.
The two of them bought meat and vegetables from the supply and marketing cooperative. When He Damei passed by the restaurant, she reminded Tian Wenjun again.
As soon as he came back, Chen Baoguo followed into the kitchen to help cook. Du Xiaofeng originally had a lot to say to her daughter, but when she saw the young couple inside, she did not say anything.
Chen Jianguo chatted with the old man, and the old man talked about many things in their family's past.
He Damei made braised fish, spicy fried bacon, braised pork, cold-mixed wild vegetables that were dried today, fried glutinous rice, etc., a total of twelve dishes.
There were two pots on the stove made of mud and adobe.
Chen Jianguo glanced at the time and said to the old man, "Grandpa, I'll send a telegram to my family from the town ahead to tell them the time of their wedding. My parents will prepare in advance."
He Yonggang said: "Da Mei is preparing dinner, bring your wife with you when you come.
You have to come, understand?"
"Don't worry, Grandpa. My wife and I will definitely eat this meal today."
Chen Jianguo rode his bicycle to the county seat to send a telegram.
He arrived at the post office half an hour before closing time.
Chen Jianguo asked: "Hello, comrade, can you still send a telegram now?"
"Sure, one word is one cent, how many words do you want to send?"
One cent per word, which is a bit expensive.
But it’s inconvenient to make a phone call, and I can’t bother Li Wei every time.
Chen Jianguo thought for a moment and said, "Then help me post: Baoguo will get married on August 8, prepare in advance."
The staff member said, "One hu is eleven characters, and it costs one dollar and sixty cents."
Chen Jianguo came out only after he paid the money and sent a telegram.
He went to the restaurant, and Tian Wenjun was still making noodles when he arrived.
She rolled the dough for dozens of people for the entire afternoon, and her wrists were sore.
When Chen Jianguo came, Tian Wenjun was busy. He nodded slightly to Zhang Guilan who was sitting outside and went into the kitchen.
Tian Wenjun pounded her waist. Her physical strength was really no match for He Damei.
This job only takes two hours for He Damei, but it is different for her.
Chen Jianguo saw it and felt pain in his heart.
A trace of heartache flashed in his eyes and he coughed dryly.
Tian Wenjun turned around and saw Chen Jianguo standing at the kitchen door.
She was a little embarrassed that he saw her looking so tired and miserable.
Chen Jianguo has already started unbuttoning his military uniform.
Tian Wenjun's heart tightened, and she asked in a panic, "What are you doing?"
"I'll help you roll the noodles, what else can I do?"
"Aren't you from Damei's house? Why are you here again?
Is the matter settled?"
"It's settled. I'm going to the city to send a telegram. Damei's family will hold a banquet on April 22nd, and our family will hold it on the eighth day of the eighth month."
“So soon?”
"Isn't it?"
As Chen Jianguo spoke, he had already taken off his coat and hung it where Tian Wenjun hung her bag.
He rolled up his brown sleeves, washed his hands aside, and stood next to Tian Wenjun.
"You take a break, I'll do it."
“Can you roll dough?”
"Who doesn't know how to cook? I can do it when I was 18 years old. Rolling noodles is a piece of cake."
It seemed that Tian Wenjun had never seen Chen Jianguo rolling noodles.
I saw him holding the rolling pin, touching the edge of the noodles with familiarity, turning the noodles on the chopping board half a circle, putting the rolling pin on the thicker side, rolling it first, then rolling it, and finally rolling it up.
There was a clacking sound on the chopping board.
Tian Wenjun's arms are weak, so the sound when she rolls the noodles is not that loud, but it's different for Chen Jianguo, the sound is very loud.
Zhang Guilan was curious and walked to the window to see that Chen Jianguo was helping Tian Wenjun roll noodles.
Zhang Guilan was shocked and surprised.
There are really very few men who would cook for their women.
Chen Jianguo is a man who can put aside his machismo and help his wife cook. Such people are indeed rare.
Zhang Guilan did not go in to disturb them. Tian Wenjun sat aside and patted her shoulders. Her arms were very sore.
When she is having a great time, she can still take a break.
If Damei wasn't here, she really wouldn't be able to handle it all by herself.
Chen Jianguo has great strength in his hands, and in less than ten minutes he can roll out a large, round piece of dough of the right thickness.
He sprinkled corn flour skillfully, folded it several times, and then cut it into thin strips with a kitchen knife.
Tian Wenjun was stunned. His knife skills were much better than hers.
Chen Jianguo put the kneaded dough into a large basin beside him, then took out a ball of dough from another plate covered with a cloth and continued to knead and roll it.
Tian Wenjun glanced at the time and said, "You roll the rolls while I stir-fry the pickled cabbage and leeks."
"good."
The couple was busy in the kitchen, and half an hour later, everything was ready for dinner.
Tian Wenjun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The two of them stood at the window serving meals to people. Wang Daqing did not come to the kitchen these days, but just went to the backyard to chop wood, as if he had endless energy.
Tian Wenjun knew that he was in a bad mood, so she didn't bother him.
After the meal was over, Chen Jianguo said to Zhang Guilan, "Director, can my wife and I leave first?
There is something else to do tonight.”
Zhang Guilan knew what was going on and said, "You guys go first."
Tian Wenjun said, "Sister Zhang, leave the stove there and I will come and clean it up tomorrow morning."
Wang Daqing suddenly appeared behind him and said, "You guys go ahead and I'll clean it up.
If anyone else comes, I'll watch over them."
"Thank you, Brother Wang."
Tian Wenjun then washed her hands. She had a sore waist and didn't even want to ride her bike.
She said to Chen Jianguo: "Tomorrow is an even-numbered day, and there will be a bus at the gate of the compound. My waist hurts today, so I don't want to ride a bike."
"Then let's not ride it. Just sit on the back of my bike when we go back home."
"Yeah, okay."
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