Chapter 30 Would You Marry Comrade Chang?
"Xiao Cheng, over here!"
Luo Xiaojuan stood up and waved to her, her face glowing with health. Ever since she escaped from that hellhole of the Zhuang family, she suddenly felt that the world had opened up before her, and her mood had become much more cheerful.
Although living at her parents' home meant facing the worry and concern of her family, as well as the sympathy and gossip of those around her, Luo Xiaojuan hadn't experienced this kind of freedom in a long time.
No need to compromise with anyone, no need to argue, no need to nitpick. Most importantly, most of her worries have been gone. The label of "infertility" had been on her head for far too long. Now that it's off, she feels completely relieved.
Most of life's troubles have disappeared; I just go to work and come home every day, and my complexion has naturally improved.
Hearing the sound, Cheng Cheng turned her head, smiled, bent down, picked up Xiao Xiao, and squeezed through.
"Sister Xiaojuan, you're here quite early."
With such a prominent position, no wonder she couldn't find anyone after looking for a long time; she thought Sister Xiaojuan hadn't arrived yet.
Cheng Weihong lifted her eyelids and glanced at her, complaining, "We've been waiting for you!"
She was starving. Cheng Cheng hadn't come for ages. Didn't she know what her job was like? Nobody cared. She could sneak away early without anyone saying anything, and it wouldn't affect her salary.
They arrived so late; if she and Sister Luo hadn't come early to reserve seats, they wouldn't have had such good spots waiting for them.
She didn't believe her cousin would honestly go to work and leave work on time.
Cheng Cheng ignored the other party's complaints, read the message but did not reply, put Xiao Xiao on the stool and sat him down, and took off the sun hat from the little guy's head.
As summer progressed, the weather grew increasingly hot. The midday sun was scorching, and my back was almost completely soaked from walking.
Luo Xiaojuan helped tidy Xiaoxiao's hair, then gently wiped the little girl's sweat with a handkerchief, her gaze tender.
The little girl had fair skin and delicate features. Her cheeks were rosy from the sun, giving her a lovely, rosy complexion. She was so cute!
"Thank you, Aunt Juan!"
Xiao Lingxiao smiled brightly, his two bright black pupils looking at her. Luo Xiaojuan was overwhelmed with maternal love, and her heart softened.
I really want to take it home!
I want a baby!!
Luo Xiaojuan looked at Cheng Cheng, her gaze filled with such intensity that Cheng Cheng couldn't ignore it.
Cheng Cheng: "..."
I'm reminded of a famous saying—natural childbirth is never as quick as a natural birth, but this is her child, so forget about it!
However, judging from Sister Xiaojuan's fondness for children, she probably hasn't closed herself off to love just because of the divorce; perhaps she has plans to remarry.
Luo Xiaojuan was not disappointed by the rejection; she clearly knew in her heart that it was impossible.
Smiling, she said, "Wei Hong ordered two dishes. Xiao Cheng, what would you and Xiao Xiao like to eat?"
Cheng Cheng first asked Cheng Weihong which two dishes she had ordered, and learned that they were two meat dishes. Then she added a vegetable dish and a soup.
While waiting for all the dishes to be served, Cheng Cheng tentatively asked Sister Xiao Juan, "Sister Xiao Juan, have you thought about your future plans?"
Upon hearing this, Luo Xiaojuan's smile froze for a moment, she tugged at the corners of her mouth, and shook her head.
She's taking it one day at a time now, not wanting to think too much and only cause herself more trouble.
Cheng Weihong glanced at Cheng Cheng, her eyes darting around, a thoughtful look on her face. She then winked at Cheng Cheng, asking her what was going on.
Something's up here. Cheng Cheng isn't one to make baseless accusations.
Cheng Cheng glanced at her cousin, her eyes crinkling slightly, and suddenly brought up the old lady of the Zhuang family and Zhuang Zhifeng.
He casually remarked, "I heard from Sister Ma that Old Mrs. Zhuang has recently started making trouble again about finding a wife for her son."
"That old hag really has energy. Isn't their family's reputation infamous? Which family would dare to marry their daughter into their family?"
Cheng Weihong didn't take it seriously. The Zhuang family's affair had spread throughout the city, and probably even the surrounding villages. She was the one who orchestrated this whole thing; she had put in a lot of effort!
Knowing it's a trap, which girl would dare to marry into it?
However… Cheng Weihong frowned. She couldn’t rule out the possibility that some heartless parents would disregard their daughter’s life and death and wouldn’t be afraid of being gossiped about just to collect the bride price.
Cheng Weihong was right. Cheng Cheng sighed when she talked about it. "She wasn't a girl from the city. Old Lady Zhuang specifically found her from the mountains. The girl's family was poor, her parents died early, and she lived with her older brother and sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law wasn't a good person. As soon as she heard there was a dowry of three hundred yuan, she agreed without saying a word."
"I heard the banquet is this Saturday."
Cheng Cheng looked somewhat helpless and wistful, glancing at Xiao Juan's expression out of the corner of her eye.
"Sister Xiaojuan, you have to look forward too. That bastard Zhuang Zhifeng has already started to marry a new wife."
Luo Xiaojuan smiled, a bitter look on her face. "I know that bastard isn't worth my lingering feelings for. I'm just a little sad."
"I watched helplessly as another girl jumped into the fire pit I had jumped into."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
"Excuse me! The offal soup for table number two is ready, all the dishes are served!"
Luo Xiaojuan smiled and said, "Come on, let's eat!"
"Xiaoxiao, what do you want to eat?"
Little Lingxiao pointed to the meat. Luo Xiaojuan served the little girl rice and put twice-cooked pork on her plate, asking softly, "Xiaoxiao, can you eat by yourself? How about Auntie feeds you?"
Little Lingxiao tilted her head and looked at her aunt, then at her mother. Seeing her mother nod at her, she rolled her little eyes around a few times.
Her mother had told her that Aunt Juan hadn't been in a good mood lately, so she raised her gaze and looked at Aunt Juan's face.
It's a bit of a dilemma. Aunt Juan seems to really want to feed her, but she can eat by herself. She usually doesn't need her mother to feed her or anyone else; she can eat on her own!
However, considering how good Aunt Juan was to her and how much she liked her, Xiao Lingxiao nodded.
Luo Xiaojuan was overjoyed, but holding the bowl, she was at a loss, not knowing what to do first, as if her brain had crashed.
It was Xiao Lingxiao who took the initiative to prompt, "Aunt Juan, I want to eat meat."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Luo Xiaojuan picked up a piece of meat and held it to the little girl's mouth.
Little Lingxiao lowered his head, took a big bite of the meat, and then reminded him, "Food~"
It was Luo Xiaojuan's first time feeding a child, and she had no experience. She picked up a clump of rice with chopsticks, but Xiao Lingxiao could only bite off half of it before she couldn't put the rest in.
After feeding him a few times, Luo Xiaojuan found it inconvenient to use chopsticks, so she asked the waiter for a spoon. She didn't eat much herself, but fed Xiao Lingxiao the whole time, looking quite happy about it.
Cheng Cheng watched this unfold, eating somewhat absentmindedly, pondering how to bring up that matter with Sister Xiao Juan.
She kicked her cousin, who was happily eating, signaling for her to cooperate.
Cheng Weihong was engrossed in eating when she was suddenly kicked. Looking up, she saw Cheng Cheng mouthing to her, "Cooperate with me."
Cheng Weihong rolled her eyes speechlessly. If you're going to cooperate, then cooperate. Why did you ask her to cooperate when you didn't even tell her?
Why did you kick her?
"Sister Xiaojuan, do you have any plans to get married now?"
Luo Xiaojuan was taken aback upon hearing this, then gave a bitter smile. She knew she would never be able to be a mother in her life.
After the divorce, her mother and sister-in-law did try to help her find a way out, but she was a divorced woman, and it was done in such a despicable way.
Although everyone blamed Zhuang Zhifeng, they still had reservations. It was a matter of which of the two was infertile, and each had their own version of the truth.
All the men who came to her door were widowers, widowers with children who had lost their wives. She looked down on them; she didn't want to be a stepmother.
Being a stepmother is tough; she longs to have her own biological children.
Those who come to her door, she doesn't like; those she likes, she doesn't like.
That's just how it is; she's completely disheartened now.
"Don't be like that, Sister Luo, you're still young. So what if you're thirty? You're still young at thirty!"
Cheng Weihong forbade her to give up on herself. If this were to happen in the future, Sister Luo's life would only be just beginning at her age. Age anxiety was forbidden!
Cheng Cheng nodded in agreement, "Sister Xiaojuan, you're only thirty, the best age of your life, like the sun at nine or ten in the morning, far from sunset. Don't give up on yourself too early!"
"Oh dear, I should have just said it!"
"Sister Xiaojuan, if you don't think it's right after hearing this, and you don't mean it that way right now, then I'll stop here!"
“That’s right…” Cheng Cheng lowered her voice and whispered, “My older sister’s mother-in-law wants to act as a matchmaker for you. The man’s name is Leng Gang. He’s a porter at the meat processing plant, he’s 1.8 meters tall, big, and unmarried…”
Cheng Cheng recounted all the information she had gathered about the man from Aunt Xiulian, emphasizing the most crucial point at the end: "Aunt Xiulian guaranteed that the man can definitely have children; his manhood is huge, so it's definitely going to work!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Xiaojuan and Cheng Weihong immediately understood what "that guy" meant. The only one present who didn't understand was Xiao Lingxiao, who was holding a bowl and slurping down his soup.
Cheng Cheng was too embarrassed to say those three words—"donkey sac big"—but added, "My older sister's father-in-law personally checked it."
Luo Xiaojuan was satisfied with the conditions; the other party was also unmarried. But why would he choose her?
So she asked the question. Cheng Cheng also had this question and had asked Aunt Xiulian about it.
She said, "Aunt Xiulian said that the other party looked fierce, tall and strong, and scared many of his blind date partners to tears. Girls were afraid of him when they saw him."
"The most important point is that the other person's fate is somewhat complicated. He has a lonely and inauspicious destiny, and all his family members have passed away, leaving him all alone."
Upon hearing this, Luo Xiaojuan and Cheng Weihong understood: this person had a tough fate and was destined to bring misfortune to their relatives; they needed to find someone with an even tougher fate.
Luo Xiaojuan lowered her head and thought. Although the other person's family members were no longer alive, she had a job. If the other person was tall and strong, it meant that he was strong, capable of doing a good job, and could earn money to support his family.
Aside from being born with a tough fate and having a fierce appearance, she has no other flaws. Moreover, this is her first marriage, so she doesn't mind his fierce appearance, and she's even less afraid of his tough fate and bringing misfortune to his relatives.
When she was little, her mother even had her fortune told. The fortune teller said that her birth chart was heavy and she would bring misfortune to her husband, while her partner's birth chart was also heavy and he would bring misfortune to his relatives. So, it was a matter of who would bring misfortune to whom, and whose birth chart was heavier.
Moreover, she didn't believe in these things; they were all feudal superstitions. She only believed in the Party and the people, and in science. With this in mind, Luo Xiaojuan was even less afraid.
After thinking it over, she realized that she had nothing to complain about. The other person's shortcomings had become advantages. Otherwise, would she even have a chance now?
Fortunately, none of her partner's relatives have passed away, so she doesn't have to take care of her in-laws or deal with relatives. Others might mind that her partner doesn't have any support, but she doesn't care.
Her only concern was whether she could have children, so she immediately said, "I'm satisfied with the conditions and the person, but I'm worried about whether they can give me a child."
Cheng Cheng understood; once bitten, twice shy, so she suggested:
"How about we meet first? If we hit it off, we can go straight to the hospital for a premarital checkup. It'll be good for both of us."
Cheng Cheng thought about it more and more and felt that it was feasible, and said, "Sister Xiaojuan, if you agree, I will tell Aunt Xiulian and let her make the arrangements."
Standing nearby, Cheng Weihong said excitedly, "I think it's a good idea! Let me know which day it's scheduled for, Sister Luo, and I'll help you decide."
That was settled. Luo Xiaojuan had no objections; as long as the other person was suitable and in good health, she had no other requirements.
After leaving the state-run restaurant, Luo Xiaojuan rode away on her old-fashioned bicycle.
Before leaving, she held Cheng Cheng's hand and said, "Xiao Cheng, I will remember your help. If this works out, I will definitely give you a big red envelope!"
On the way back, Cheng Weihong asked curiously, "Have you seen that man? He looks really scary? And his thing is really big?"
Hearing the first part, Cheng Cheng could still answer her, but when she heard the last sentence, Cheng Cheng just wanted to roll her eyes!
"Big sister, are you really going to discuss with me here whether the other guy's thing is big or not?"
Cheng Weihong noticed her speechlessness and defended herself, saying, "I was just curious. I was just checking things out for Sister Luo."
"I don't know, why don't you go ask Aunt Xiulian?"
"Hmph, fine, I won't tell you then. We'll find out when the day comes. I'll ask Sister Luo then!"
Cheng Weihong also had her pride, walking ahead with her arms crossed in front of her chest and her head held high.
He didn't want to talk to her anymore, but suddenly remembered something, turned around and walked backwards, looking at Cheng Cheng with his eyes, and asked, "Tell me, what's the name of the girl Zhuang Zhifeng is going to marry, and where is she from?"
It was obvious she was up to no good, but Cheng Cheng was happy to see it happen. Even if she didn't say anything, her cousin would find out anyway; it wasn't a secret.
"That girl's name is Yu Xiagu, and she's from Wushan Village..."
Cheng Weihong suddenly stopped, her gaze fixed intently on the man across the street, and murmured, "He Sinian?"
Upon hearing the name, Cheng Cheng immediately looked in the direction she was looking, and was startled to find that the other person had also seen her but had not come over.
He glanced over here, then lowered his head and walked away.
Cheng Cheng understood what the other person meant. It must be that the matter she had asked him to do last time had been settled, but she couldn't find the time to see him right now.
But how could her cousin know the other person?
Judging from her cousin's personality, she was easy to understand. Cheng Cheng guessed that she must have had a difficult life in her previous life, so she wanted to take advantage of the situation to live a better life in this life.
He Sinian is clearly seeking revenge against Zhuang Zhifeng and the Zhuang family, yet he maintains a warm and ambiguous attitude towards the educated youth. He should be a significant figure in the future.
She pretended not to know and asked curiously, "You know him?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Weihong's heart skipped a beat. She was about to say that she didn't know him, but then changed her words to, "I've only heard people mention him."
Otherwise, she couldn't explain how she knew the other person's name.
"oh!"
Cheng Cheng didn't say anything, and took a nap after returning home.
On my way to work in the afternoon, I ran into He Sinian again.
The other person was waiting at the intersection. She led Xiaoxiao, her baby, over, and He Sinian walked alongside her, keeping a distance of one person between them, and handed her the paper bag he was carrying.
"The photo you requested."
The man's voice was somewhere between youthful and mature, just like the feeling she got from him. He was clearly still a naive young man, but he was very reliable and trustworthy.
Cheng Cheng randomly picked out a card to look at, and wow, that's amazing!
Did He Sinian take this photo while squatting on the roof beam of someone's house?
Not knowing how the other person did it, Cheng Cheng gave him two thumbs up, her eyes filled with amazement: "He Sinian, you're amazing!"
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, her pupils reflecting his image, sparkling with delight as she stared straight at him.
Undisguised astonishment and admiration, He Sinian pursed his lips, feeling somewhat uneasy, and lowered his eyelids.
"You'll have to pay more."
Cheng Cheng was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, her lips curving into a slight smile, "Okay, okay! I'll definitely add more money! I'll definitely add more money!"
Cheng Cheng paid him double the price they had agreed upon.
According to her second brother, He Sinian's family was not well-off. He was the sole breadwinner, supporting two younger brothers and a younger sister.
He Sinian was not very old, only about eighteen, but he had to find a way to survive and earn money to support his family and younger siblings.
"Thanks."
He Sinian took the money, counted it to make sure it was correct, then paused for a moment with his gaze on the woman, and said, "Come to me if you need anything."
Cheng Cheng nodded and smiled, "Okay."
Watching the other person's departing figure, I felt a sense of lightness.
-
At four o'clock in the afternoon, Cheng Cheng took Xiao Xiao, her baby, off work early.
First, I sent my precious Xiaoxiao to her older sister's house and asked Aunt Xiulian to take care of her. Then I slowly walked to the textile factory.
Waiting at the door.
Not long after, it was time to leave work. As people came out one after another, Cheng Cheng wiped her hand and her expression changed instantly.
Looking expectantly towards the door, he suddenly saw something and his eyes lit up.
He raised a warm smile and walked over quickly.
"Manman!"
Ding Manman heard someone call her from the crowd. She looked up and saw Cheng Cheng. Her eyelids drooped instantly.
He looked up again, and when he saw that Cheng Cheng was the only one there, he breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't walk over immediately, nor did she see the other person show a happy smile; she walked over expressionlessly.
He said coldly, "What are you doing here?"
Cheng Cheng seemed hurt by her attitude, a hint of dejection and hurt showing on her face. She immediately retorted, "What, you don't want to see me? Are you afraid I'll make you pay back the money?"
Ding Manman hesitated for a moment, stared at Cheng Cheng for a while, and then took her hand. "Cheng Cheng, that's not what I meant."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Cheng did not shake off her hand, but her attitude remained indifferent, unlike her previous enthusiasm.
Ding Manman had no choice but to find a topic to talk about herself, tentatively asking, "Cheng Cheng, why did you come to see me today?"
Cheng Cheng said sarcastically, "My mother just left, and I come to see someone as soon as I have a free moment, but that person doesn't even appreciate it!"
Ding Manman went to see Cheng Cheng several times, and each time she ran into her mother. Knowing that Cheng Cheng had been under strict supervision by her mother recently, she immediately said, "I misunderstood you, Cheng Cheng, I'm sorry."
Cheng Cheng naturally forgave her, and then revealed her purpose, "Manman, there's something I'm not sure if I should tell you."
"W-what is it?"
Ding Manman was almost traumatized by that sentence.
"Manman, I've decided to entrust Comrade Chang to you. Would you be willing to take care of him for me?"
"Wh-what?!"
Ding Manman stared at her with wide eyes, incredulous.
Cheng Cheng's face was pale, her lips were pressed into a straight line, and her eyes became empty and painful, looking as if her heart was being torn apart and she had lost all hope.
She didn't explain why, and her smile was more like a grimace as she gripped the other person's hand tightly, as if grasping at a lifeline.
"Manman, would you like to marry Comrade Chang?"
Ding Manman was naturally willing, more than willing in her heart, but a sliver of reason remained in her mind. "Why? Cheng Cheng, don't you like Comrade Chang anymore?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Cheng looked heartbroken, hesitated to speak, and refused to say anything more.
In a flash, Ding Manman suddenly realized a possibility: Cheng Cheng's mother must have noticed something!
A surge of joy welled up inside her, but she feigned difficulty on the surface, "Cheng Cheng, this, this isn't a good idea, is it?"
Cheng Cheng held her hand, her face full of sincerity: "Manman, you are my best friend. I know that Comrade Chang is such a good person, and many people must like him. I am not destined to be with Comrade Chang. If Comrade Chang must get married, I hope that person is you."
Ding Manman couldn't help but feel touched; Cheng Cheng was so good to her!
After hesitating for a while, Ding Manman pretended that she couldn't resist her request and finally nodded in agreement.
"That's great! I can rest assured now. With you taking care of Comrade Chang, and with Manman you've found a good home, Manman, seeing you happy makes me happier than if I were happy myself!"
Those words almost made her feel nauseous.
He forced himself to continue, "Even after you marry Comrade Chang, we can still keep in touch, and the three of us will still be best friends."
Cheng Cheng looked on with anticipation, but Ding Manman's expression was rather unpleasant, and her smile was forced.
So that was Cheng Cheng's plan. After saying a few words, she left in a hurry.
Cheng Cheng watched the other person's retreating figure and smiled.
I turned around and went to my eldest sister's house to pick up my little Xiaoxiao. I also told Aunt Xiulian about Sister Xiaojuan's agreement to meet her.
However, Cheng Cheng confided her concerns to her: "Aunt Xiulian, you know why Sister Xiaojuan got divorced. She was afraid, afraid of encountering another useless man like Zhuang Zhifeng. Wouldn't that be like jumping from one fire pit to another?"
"Although you let your uncle see it, it's still not a sure thing. Sister Xiaojuan thinks that if the two of you are compatible and like each other, you should go to the hospital together for a premarital checkup to see if the man would mind."
Cheng Cheng patiently explained that she hoped Aunt Xiulian could properly explain the woman's concerns and worries to the man, fearing that he might not understand.
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiulian's face lit up with joy: "I guarantee he'll agree! Wait for my news, I'll go tell him!"
Why wouldn't I agree to that? Being able to get married and have a caring wife at home is much better than being a bachelor.
On the other side, Ding Manman didn't go back. She paused, then turned in another direction to look for Chang Wenbin.
"What did you say? That's impossible!"
Chang Wenbin clearly didn't believe her. How could Cheng Cheng, that woman, who was so infatuated with him, say such a thing?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Chang Wenbin stared at her suspiciously. "Could it be that you made up this lie to fool me?"
Ding Manman was both anxious and angry. What did Chang Wenbin mean?
Is she really that untrustworthy of his trust?
Is Ding Manman really that bad, not good enough for him?
Ding Manman lowered her eyes and shared her guess.
This news shocked Chang Wenbin even more than knowing that Cheng Cheng was going to give up on him!
He immediately grabbed Ding Manman's shoulders and asked anxiously, "Are you sure Cheng Cheng's mother knows about us?"
Upon hearing this, Ding Manman sneered inwardly. Now you know fear?
"It's just a guess, I don't know."
Chang Wenbin immediately breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still somewhat restless, pacing back and forth in the room.
He sometimes worried that Cheng Cheng's mother would find out about their affair and come after him. If things got out of hand, his life would be over.
Sometimes he felt it was impossible, and other times he thought of Cheng Cheng's beautiful and charming face, and he was itching to try it. He hadn't even tasted her yet, and it was all over.
He was filled with remorse and regret. His previous idea was completely wrong and a waste of talent!
What's the use of spiritual compatibility and admiration? Happiness is only temporary. The perfect union of body and soul is the ultimate delicacy he missed!
Unfortunately, he realized it too late. It wasn't until he experienced it with Ding Manman that he understood the wonder of it!
Chang Wenbin couldn't help but think of the women who used to fawn over him, and he sighed, feeling a deep sense of regret.
"Fine," Chang Wenbin's eyes darkened, still unwilling to give up. He put on a gentle, feigned expression and embraced Ding Manman.
He made a few teasing remarks, making the woman blush and shy, and then whispered a few words in her ear.
Ding Manman was unwilling; Brother Bin was hers, and she didn't want anyone else to touch him!
"Manman, just this once. If you get it, I won't think about it anymore. From now on, we'll live a good life together."
"Really? You've agreed to marry me?"
Chang Wenbin looked at her tenderly and nodded. He suddenly felt that what Cheng Cheng said made sense; the three of them could be "good friends" for life.
He noticed Cheng Cheng the moment he saw her in high school, and compared to other women, he had to admit that he had some feelings for her.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have remembered it for so many years and gone to great lengths to seduce a married woman who had a child.
Although Ding Manman is not as pretty as Cheng Cheng, she is easy to use. With just a few words of coaxing, she becomes an obedient and docile dog.
Once things are done, he can find an excuse to back out, and she probably won't disobey.
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Author's note: Sorry for the lateness, goodnight everyone! See you tomorrow~
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