"This is truly wonderful news, a double celebration! The atmosphere in the family compound should definitely liven things up a bit more."
After thinking for a moment, we simply returned to the previous topic.
"But do you think I should send two copies of each?"
We've known Su Hong for many years, and Wen Yan came later. Although our relationship isn't very close, we still get along fairly well.
"And then there's Xiao Yi and Brother Zheng. We've dealt with them quite a bit over the past two years. Even though they help us with errands, it's not part of their job. So, we can't be too stingy with our gifts, can we?"
"Um,"
Qin Qinghuai thought for a moment,
"We really should give two gifts. As for the women, I don't know about your past relationship, so you'll have to figure it out yourself. Or you can discuss it with Mingzhu."
For the two of them, my husband and I can deliver the gifts together. Xiao Yi is family, so there's no need to be too polite. On the surface, we'll deliver something practical, just like Brother Zheng. But secretly, I'll also deliver something else separately. Otherwise, it wouldn't be appropriate to leave everything out in the open.
With Xiao Yi here, it's impossible for Mom and Dad to come empty-handed.
"That's fine too. We don't have that big of a meat shortage right now. The logistics department will also provide daily necessities like washbasins, teacups, and towels. If we're going to send something, let's send something practical. Okay, I'll go find Sister Mingzhu."
"young married woman,"
When Qin Yi and the others mentioned marriage, Qin Qinghuai was reminded of his own past, of that wedding without a ceremony. His heart swelled with guilt. He was a man, but marriage was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and what woman wouldn't yearn for it?
"Wife, let's do it again!"
"ah?"
Simple surprise,
Why do you have such thoughts? The child is already so old, is it really necessary?
"But,"
The man's voice carried a hint of loneliness and heartache.
"We're both getting married, and everyone says that marriage is the happiest day for a woman. But what others have, you don't. My dear wife, I'm sorry." I want to make up for the regret I left you with.
"Hey, hey, hey? Stop!"
The simpler it is, the more you listen, the more something seems off.
"Wait, why do you think it would be a regret?"
It was supposed to be a small celebration, just a meal, but there were many people in the camp, including many family members, and it had been a long time since there had been any happy events. That day, the canteen was almost overflowing with people.
The terrain around the military base was uneven, and they didn't usually need bicycles, so they didn't insist. Qin Yi led a group of people who wanted to join in the fun to the small courtyard where Su Hong and the others lived early in the morning. Several educated youths had already dressed up the two brides. After all, it was a wedding, so it had to be festive. Su Hong was made to have light makeup applied.
At that time, there weren't many kinds of cosmetics. Moisturizer, mascara, lipstick, blush, and other makeup products might be available, but the educated youth who came here weren't very fashionable. It was already good if they could gather these basic items.
Jian Dan nodded, thank goodness. I'm glad I didn't end up with that monkey butt makeup I'd heard about before, otherwise it would have been unbearable to look at.
Even so, it's a refreshing surprise for someone who usually goes out without makeup.
The groom was dressed in a neat military uniform, while Su Hong and Wen Yan wore red shirts and black trousers.
The newlyweds walked hand in hand around the compound, amidst the cheers of the young soldiers and the well-meaning or envious glances of the family members. Su Hong, who initially couldn't lift her head, became stiff with embarrassment by the time they reached the canteen. She no longer cared about being shy and simply followed Qin Yi, mechanically nodding.
Mingzhu also sighed,
"Fortunately, I didn't have a big wedding when I got married. With this kind of setup, it's a once-in-a-lifetime event, but it's really not an easy thing to do."
However, Lin Nan simply nodded in agreement, while Jiang Ping and Lin Nan, who had come with them, remained indifferent.
The two groups of educated youth who came later sat at the back table. They were easy to name. The first group consisted of Sun Jianhong, Chen Guilan, Hong Jianye, and Lin Weidong. The second group included Lin Dongmei, the "little firecracker" educated youth they met on the train on their way back, as well as Liu Xiuying, Hu Zhiqiang, and Hu Yuejin. They all looked at the bride and groom with envy.
"What's wrong?"
Mingzhu looked back but couldn't see anything different.
Who are you looking at?
Simply shake your head.
"Nobody else. Look at those guys, don't they look exactly like us when we first came to the countryside?"
Mingzhu looked back again and met two pairs of curious eyes.
"It's hard to say whether they're the same or different, but the anxiety and envy towards the new environment are quite obvious."
Jiang Ping glanced at it too, her tone remaining flat.
"There is no comparison at all. What were the conditions like in the places I went to a few years ago? Not to mention what happened to me, I was probably just unlucky. There should be quite a few places like that. Take Liujiatun, for example. The people there are simple and honest. But before Jian Dan went there, wasn't it famously poor?"
Here, backed by the military region, as long as you work, you'll have food to eat. It's safe, without all those messy anxieties. What is there to worry about?
Poverty is everywhere; what's frightening isn't poverty itself, but the lack of hope and the inability to see the light.
Mingzhu turned her head and immediately gave a thumbs-up.
"You see things very clearly. Putting everything else aside, if this military region isn't safe, then there's really nowhere we can feel at ease."
The ceremony was about to begin, and the surroundings were bustling with activity. Mingzhu lowered her voice.
"You've all seen the current situation. This place is a rare haven of peace and quiet. Don't you have any thoughts about it?"
This table was filled with a few acquaintances: Jian Dan, Tan Yajun, and several teenagers. However, it was clear that she was speaking to Jiang Ping and Lin Nan, both unmarried. Mingzhu was addressing them.
“We’re about the same age. I don’t need to tell you. Given the current situation, even if we do go back to the city, will our lives definitely be more comfortable than they are now?”
We usually have a good relationship, so I'm going to speak frankly with you. I'm not afraid you'll overthink it. You yourselves know that there must have been various reasons why you couldn't stay in the city back then. So, even if you go back to the city, have those problems been resolved?
"It would be good if it were resolved, but if it's not, then what are you hoping for—to return to the city?"
Although Jiang Ping's experiences in recent years have left her with no real attachment to either the countryside or returning to the city, the prospect of going back to the city still holds some appeal compared to staying in this small village, toiling in the fields.
The two exchanged a glance, then looked at Mingzhu. Lin Nan smiled.
"Actually, when we first arrived, we talked about this topic. At that time, this place was still a wasteland, and we were not sure what to do. When we came, one reason was our trust in Jian Dan, and another was that the village was not as quiet as it had been a few years ago. There was also a bit of an escapist mentality."
But after arriving here for so long, we've found that while it is indeed cold here, and quite different from the city, we feel that this kind of life is already very good.
Mingzhu looked at the two of them suspiciously.
"Do you really think that way?"
Commander Lin officiated at the wedding.
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