Chapter 44 Introduction.
The date went smoothly that day and both of us were very happy.
He Susu guessed what she was thinking correctly. After she came back, she was not in the mood to write. She then took another day off before she was able to put her wandering thoughts to rest.
On the other hand, Dabao and Erbao were extremely happy. They had both candies and cakes to eat. Every day they looked forward to eating these after waking up from an afternoon nap, smacking their lips and praising their uncle-in-law for being so nice.
They shouted like this at home, but didn't really shout it in front of me. He Susu corrected me verbally and didn't pay any more attention to it.
Su Yu goes to the vegetable garden after breakfast every morning to fetch water and water the plants. The vegetable seeds that were sown at the beginning have now broken through the soil, and the short green stubble looks very pleasing to the eye.
The wives of soldiers from the family quarters were watering the vegetables all around. I saw them and talked to them a few times every day during this period, so we became more or less familiar with each other.
A fat military wife asked from a distance: "Hey Su Yu, is your sister-in-law dating Captain Cheng? I saw them walking downstairs one night."
Another military wife also agreed: "Yes, I also saw them once, they were holding hands, and you could tell they had a good relationship from the way they were so close."
Another military wife echoed: "I seemed to have seen Commander Cheng driving your aunt out of the army the other day. I guess they went shopping in the county town."
Sooner or later, everyone will know that my younger sister and Cheng Shi are dating. The military wives have nothing to do and pay attention to this matter in the family area. Su Yu nodded and admitted, "Yes, my younger sister-in-law is dating Captain Cheng. They met through a blind date introduced by someone."
Shao Ling happened to have taken care of her own vegetable garden and picked some vegetables for the family to eat today. She said, "I introduced Susu and Cheng Shi to each other. They are both very good-looking. Just standing together is very pleasing to the eye. It's normal for them to fall in love with each other."
The fat military wife nodded: "So it was you, Sister Shao, who introduced them to each other. No wonder they are so compatible."
Another military wife laughed and said, "I saw it once. They are very pleasing to the eye when they stand together. If they get married in the future, the baby they have will definitely be beautiful!"
Another military wife said, "Young people are always enthusiastic about dating. Commander Cheng borrowed a car to take his girlfriend to the county town for a date. Su Yu, I think your wedding is not far away."
Su Yu smiled and said, "They are young people who know their limits when dating. I can't control so much. Just relax."
She also took care of the vegetable garden and simply walked back with Shao Ling.
Shao Ling said, "Just listen to what they said just now. They are used to having nothing to do, so they like to gossip about family matters. They can talk for a long time about anything new."
Su Yu smiled and said, "I know, don't worry, Sister Shao, I don't take it to heart."
Shao Ling was a little surprised: "Did Cheng Shi really take Su Su to the county town for a date the day before yesterday?"
There is nothing to hide from the introducer, Su Yu nodded: "Yes, Captain Cheng was on break, so he asked Su Su to go to the county town for a date. We had lunch in the county town, and he also bought a watch for Su Su."
Shao Ling said happily, "That's good. It shows that the two of them have a good relationship. I didn't expect that Cheng Shi, who usually looks quite cold, would not change his expression when a female comrade showed her affection, but now he is so attentive to his girlfriend."
She thought to herself, maybe it was just like what the military wife said, and good things were not far away.
Su Yu nodded in agreement with Mrs. Shao's words. Susu and Cheng Shi did get along well, and the other party was obviously caring. He bought her a pair of leather shoes and a watch on their first date, and also bought some candies and cakes for Susu to bring home.
As the saying goes, where a man spends his money is where his heart is. She was very optimistic about Susu and Cheng Shi being together. The two young people could often take a walk downstairs at night, and their feelings would improve quickly.
At home, He Susu had put away her lazy attitude and sat at her desk concentrating on writing the remaining 2,000 words of the story.
The window of the room was open, and a little wind blew in occasionally, but it wasn't too stuffy. She was immersed in the story she created and forgot about time and temperature for a moment.
After an afternoon, He Susu looked at the six or seven sheets of letter paper she had written, which contained a coherent story, and was very satisfied. She read it from beginning to end and was even more satisfied when she saw that there were no typos, which showed that she was quite focused when writing and there were no typos or other mistakes.
Fold the previously written letter together, put it in the envelope and seal it.
Seeing that it was still early, He Susu simply took out a new piece of writing paper and started writing a letter to her parents.
The letter first asked about the situation at my parents' place, whether everything was fine, and asked them not to work too hard. As the weather was getting hotter, I should remember to ask my eldest brother to go to the county town to buy some mung beans and cook mung bean soup to cool off. Then I talked about the situation here, saying that my third brother's training was going well, my third sister-in-law had taken care of the vegetable garden, my eldest and second children were very well-behaved, and had made many friends here, and I was living a comfortable life.
Then he talked about how his third brother introduced him to a girl a while ago. He briefly introduced Cheng Shi’s personal situation. He thought they were a good match, so he started dating her.
I have attached a photo of Cheng Shi with this letter. I believe my parents will understand my choice. I want to reassure them that I will get along well with others.
The letter was written, but the photos taken at that time had not been retrieved yet. He Susu had no choice but to stuff the letter into an envelope and put it in a drawer temporarily, waiting to go back and get the photos before sending them back home.
As the deadline for submission of the article to the magazine was approaching, He Susu took the envelope downstairs to the mailroom after breakfast the next day and mailed it out.
Soon it was time for the bus to go to the county town. Su Yu said, "Susu, there's not much to buy today, just meat and vegetables for our family. If you don't have time, you don't have to go. It's so hot and humid, it's uncomfortable to go out."
He Susu shook her head: "It's okay, I can go over and bring some things back for you. Cheng Shi and I went to the photo studio to take some pictures that day, so I can just go pick them up."
"Okay then." Seeing that she had something to do, Su Yu didn't say anything more.
As usual, they sent Dabao and Erbao to the house next door, and He Susu and Su Yu carried the backpacks and went downstairs.
Su Yu said her plan: "Dabao is not young anymore, it is not a good idea for him to play at home all day. I plan to teach him well and send him to school in September. But Erbao is a little young, so we have to wait another two years."
Fortunately, the Women's Federation has not introduced a job for her yet, so it is not difficult for her to take care of the second baby at home.
He Susu nodded: "Of course, Dabao and Erbao know a lot. With your guidance, they will definitely be much better than their peers. They are indeed old enough to go to school."
She had heard before that the teachers in the primary schools in the army were all wives of soldiers who had graduated from high school, and they taught children quite well, at least better than the primary schools in the village back home.
After standing at the boarding point for a while, the bus drove up, and He Susu and Su Yu got on the bus and found a window seat to sit down. As the bus drove out, it soon arrived at the county town.
After getting off the car, they went to the grocery store first. Su Yu picked out two pieces of tofu, two small green peppers, and a handful of celery. Looking at the grass carp in the bucket, Su Yu hesitated whether to buy it.
He Susu was tempted: "Sister-in-law, let's buy two grass carps. I heard that grass carp minced into fish paste and made into fish balls is delicious. You can eat it directly by steaming it or making soup."
Su Yu finally made a decision: "Okay, then buy two grass carps."
Then I bought four pounds of sweet potatoes and two pounds of cornmeal. There was only refined rice at home, but eating rice every day was not sustainable, so I bought some coarse grains and steamed them in the morning to change the taste.
After leaving the grocery store, Su Yu lowered her voice and said, "Susu, go to the photo studio to get the photos first. I'll go there to buy some pork, and I'll carry the things on my back."
He Susu insisted on putting four pounds of sweet potatoes and two pounds of cornmeal into her backpack before turning around and walking towards the photo studio.
The old man in the photo studio recognized her and said with a smile, "Comrade, you are here? I have developed the photos. Please check the number to see if it is correct."
As he said this, he handed her three small paper bags.
He Susu opened it and took a look. The first paper bag contained a solo photo of Cheng Shi. Even the black and white tones could not hide his handsomeness, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. The most eye-catching thing was the smile hidden in his eyes. The corners of his mouth were slightly raised, which looked very handsome.
Looking at the photo of the two of them, you can feel the pink atmosphere lingering between this couple even through the photo paper; even the curve of their eyebrows and eyes is the same.
Looking at her own solo photo for the last time, He Susu felt that she seemed to have become more beautiful. Her eyebrows were slightly curved, her almond eyes were round and clear, and the smile and happiness at the corners of her mouth could be felt through the photo.
She counted all the photos and nodded, "The number is correct. Thank you for your hard work."
After returning the written receipt to the master, He Susu put the three bags of photos into her pocket and walked out of the photo studio.
She found an empty alley and walked in. She took out a pound of apples, a pound of mangoes, two pounds of mung beans, and two pounds of salted duck eggs that she had bought in advance and placed in the storage compartment, and stuffed them into her backpack until it was full.
He Susu was almost crushed by the weight of the backpack, but she had no choice but to take out all her things and put them in the backpack. She walked out of the alley and returned to the supply and marketing cooperative where they had agreed to meet.
This time she came back early. After standing for a while, Su Yu came back with the basket on her back and said with a smile, "I'm lucky today. I bought two strips of pork belly, about three pounds, and a pig's trotter to stew at home. You help me watch the basket while I go to the grocery store to buy some spices for stewing the pig's trotter."
"Okay." He Susu took the backpack she handed over and placed it at her feet and watched as Su Yu hurried away.
During this time, other military wives came back and saw He Susu standing there alone and asked a few questions, and she answered them all. Because she didn't take the initiative to find a topic, but just answered one question at a time, the enthusiastic military wives soon couldn't stand it anymore and turned to talk to other people. He Susu's side temporarily became quiet.
Su Yu hurried back, and just as she stood there, a car drove over to pick up the passengers. She sighed, "Fortunately I'm not late, it would be terrible if I missed the bus."
The two of them put their backpacks back on and got into the car, and soon returned home.
Su Yu sorted out the things in the backpack and found out, "Little sister, why did you buy so many fruits again? And green beans and salted duck eggs."
"Everyone likes to eat fruit, which can supplement vitamins, so I bought some when I saw them. Mangoes taste good, too, so I can try something new. It is said that eating too much will cause dampness. As for mung beans, you can cook them into soup, which can help relieve heat in this weather. Salted duck eggs look good to me, and you can steam them and eat them with porridge or rice, so I bought some too." He Susu explained.
Su Yu didn't know what to say: "You are thoughtful too. You always buy things for my family when you go back to the county town. I see there are about ten salted duck eggs. You can give some to Cheng Shi later, and he can also take them to the cafeteria for a snack."
He Susu nodded in agreement.
After buying fresh pig's trotters, Su Yu was also motivated. After packing up the things she bought, she went into the kitchen to clean the pig's trotters, lit the coal stove to boil water and steamed them, and then added various spices to start braising. This lunch would definitely not be in time, and it should be tasty enough to eat by the evening.
When he had some free time, Su Yu asked with interest: "By the way, didn't you say you were going to get the photos? Take them out and show them to me."
Hearing this, He Susu handed her the three bags of photos in her pocket and said, "We took a group photo, and also a photo of the two of us individually. I thought I'd put Zhang Chengshi's photo in the letter I send home for my parents to see."
"Of course, my parents will be satisfied." Su Yu looked at the three photos one by one, and was very satisfied. "This studio has good photography skills. No, I should say that you two are good-looking, and you look good in any photo. From these three photos, the photo of you two together is the best. You can obviously be a couple with a good relationship."
She suggested, "In addition to sending a photo of Zhang Chengshi alone, you should also send a photo of the two of you to your parents. They will definitely agree when they see such a good match."
He Susu smiled and agreed. She had already developed several photos, so this one wouldn't make a difference.
She took the three bags of photos back to her room, took out a solo photo of Cheng Shi and a group photo and put them in an envelope addressed to her parents. Then she sealed the envelope and took it to the mailroom to mail it in the afternoon.
After dinner in the evening, He Susu walked to the balcony and looked down. When she saw a familiar figure, she hurried back to her room, took out three bags of photos and put them in her pockets. Then she went to the kitchen to get four salted duck eggs, took the garbage downstairs.
When they reached the first floor, He Susu called out in a cute voice, "Cheng Shi, I'm here."
She walked over quickly, and Cheng Shi took over the garbage from her, freeing up one hand so that He Susu could just hold his arm.
Cheng Shi laughed out loud and reminded her: "Slow down, be careful when crossing the main road."
"I know. I've been paying attention to it. I'm happy to see you." He Susu said with a smile.
As they walked forward, He Susu said, "I went to the county town today and got our photos back. They were really nice. I included a photo of you alone and a photo of us together in the letter I sent to my parents. I also kept a photo of you alone and a photo of us together, and gave you three photos of me alone. I put them all in a paper bag and will give them to you later."
Cheng Shi agreed with a smile, and when he heard that Susu left a photo of herself, his smile deepened.
At that time, he asked the master in the photo studio to develop a few more photos, because he wanted to keep a single photo of Susu and put it in his wallet, so that he could look at the photo even if he missed her when he was out on a mission.
He was very happy that she had this thought in mind.
He Susu told him about her trip to the county town in the morning. Cheng Shi would also share some of his daily life with her and pick out some training content that he could tell her, which would allow the two to better understand each other's lives.
When they are together, there is never a lack of topics to talk about.
Before they parted, He Susu took out three paper bags of photos from her pocket and said, "Here, these photos are for you. You must keep them well."
Cheng Shi took it and said, "I promise to keep it well. I will also send a photo of you and a photo of us together back to my parents. They will definitely be satisfied when they see it."
He Susu smiled and handed him four salted duck eggs in a net bag. "These are the salted duck eggs I bought this morning. They should be very oily. Take them back and bring them to the canteen to ask the chef to heat them up. They are very good to eat with porridge or rice. They are very tasty."
Cheng Shi shook his head: "Just keep it for yourself."
He Susu insisted: "Just take it if I give it to you. We have more at home."
Cheng Shi then accepted it and said with a smile, "Thank you for thinking of me."
He Susu responded without hesitation: "That's right."
Cheng Shi reached out and rubbed her head. Her black hair was particularly smooth. His clear voice was a little more gentle in the dark night: "Go back and rest early tonight."
He Susu smiled and waved: "Okay, then I'll go back, bye!"
"Goodbye." Cheng Shi stood there, watching the slender figure appear on the second floor, reach the third floor, and then turn around and leave.
A few days later, at Qinghe Production Team.
He's mother was still working in the fields when she heard the postman standing at the edge of the field shouting, "He Lianguo's letter! He Lianguo's letter! He Lianguo, come and get the letter!"
What kind of letter could the eldest brother receive? It must be the letter sent by Susu. After realizing this, He's mother dropped the farm tools at hand and walked quickly to the end of the field, shouting, "He Lianguo is here!"
Standing on the ground, He's mother said, "Comrade, I am He Lianguo's mother. Just give the letter to me."
It was rare to receive mail under someone else's name these days. Upon hearing this, the postman took out a letter from a green cloth bag and handed it to her: "This is a letter from He Lianguo!"
"Okay, thank you comrade!" He's mother happily took it and went back to the field. She touched the words written on the envelope with care and was very happy to recognize that it was Su Su's handwriting.
Susu wrote to herself again.
She was illiterate and couldn't read the letter, and her hands were covered in dirt from farm work, so He's mother had to suppress her excitement and stuff the envelope into her pocket, leaving a small part of the envelope sticking out.
When she got back to the field, she said to the old man, "Susu sent a letter back. Let's go back and ask Guifang to read it to us."
"Okay." He's father responded. Perhaps he was so happy that he even used more strength to swing the hoe.
After finally getting to the end of the work day, they returned the farm tools to the warehouse and reported to the scorekeeper. Mother and father He hurried home, and the rest of the family also quickened their pace to go back.
For some reason, today, Guifang and the others who went to school came back later than the others who went to work. Mother He waited anxiously until her eldest granddaughter finally came back. She hurriedly said, "Guifang, your aunt sent a letter back. Read it to grandma quickly."
"My aunt has sent me a letter! I'll read it right away." Guifang was happy to hear that. She took the envelope and tore it open, wanting to take out the letter inside, and also the one-inch photo that was sandwiched inside.
Guifang took a look and said in surprise: "Hey, grandma, there is a photo of a man here! And there is a photo of my aunt and him!"
He's mother hurried over to take a look, and He's father couldn't help but follow. Needless to say, the man in the photo was really handsome, with a righteous face and a firm gaze. His smile was reassuring.
Looking at the group photo again, it’s amazing. My daughter and the guy are so close to each other, their shoulders are touching, and they are both smiling so happily, as if they are a couple.
He's father had already revealed a satisfied smile. He's mother was also excited because of her guesses. She hurriedly urged, "Guifang, please read what the letter says."
The two photos naturally fell into the hands of Brother He and Brother He. Even Zhao Miling and Qian Chunhe, who was serving dishes, couldn't help but lean over to take a look. They all had their own guesses. Su Su suddenly sent back a photo of a man and a photo of the two of them. They might be dating.
Guihua said, "Hello, Dad and Mom, I am Susu, and everything is fine recently. You are back home..."
Hearing their daughter's concern for them, He's mother and father forgot about the dating issue for a moment and smiled. They wanted to respond directly, saying that everything was fine at home and not to worry.
When her daughter reminded her that it was hot and tiring to work in the summer, she must buy some mung beans and cook mung bean soup at home to cool down, He's mother made a secret note of it.
The letter then talked about the third brother's family, and He's mother and father listened carefully. Then Guifang read the thing that interested them the most, that their daughter actually had a boyfriend, and it was the third brother who introduced him to her.
After hearing this, He's mother couldn't help but sigh: "Oh my goodness, this Cheng Shi is only 26 years old, the same age as the third child, but he has already become the deputy head of the group. He is really young and promising."
Father He nodded with satisfaction: "He is indeed amazing. He is worthy of being born in a military family. He is different. I think he looks full of awe and righteousness. He is an excellent young man. There is no need to worry about his character. He is a perfect match for Susu."
He's mother suddenly thought of what her daughter said in the letter, that when they see Cheng Shi's photo, they will know how correct their choice was.
She knew her daughter. She had been pretty since she was young and liked good-looking people. Cheng Shi was handsome and his face alone met Susu's requirements.
Looking at the photo sent to me, half of the shoulders are straight and broad. One can imagine that the whole person is tall and straight, with broad shoulders and waist, looking like a handsome young man. The olive green military uniform makes him look more energetic.
He's mother was very satisfied no matter how she looked at him. Su Su was a better match than she had originally imagined.
Ever since Mr. He heard that the person in the photo was his daughter's boyfriend, and that the other person's personal conditions couldn't be better, his dark face has been smiling.
The eldest and second brothers He finally accepted the fact that their younger sister was dating someone. They wanted to find fault with the man as his brother, but they found that they could not find anything to find fault with.
Zhao Miling looked at the photo of her aunt and the man and kept saying, "My aunt and Cheng Shi are really a perfect match. They look like two people sitting next to each other. You won't find a couple as perfect as this one."
Qian Chunhe couldn't help but nod. She watched carefully: "Looking at the smile on my aunt's face, I know she is very happy. When this man took the photo, his shoulder was leaning against my aunt's shoulder, and his eyes were full of smiles. I think he cares about my aunt very much."
Seeing this, several children couldn't help but stand on tiptoe to see what the guy the little aunt was dating looked like.
No one had time to eat for a while.
Mother He was so excited that she wanted to say a lot: "I knew Susu had good taste. She had never found anyone she liked before, but now she has chosen the best guy in the army. With Lao San's personality, the person he introduced to Susu must be reliable. I originally wanted to try my luck in the army, but I didn't expect Susu to find someone she likes. Just thinking about it makes me happy."
She kept talking to He's father, his son and his wife. Even after dinner when she returned to her room and lay on the bed, she was still talking about Susu and her boyfriend.
Usually, Father He would be so tired after working all morning that he could fall asleep peacefully even if Mother He kept nagging him. But this time, he was just as excited and kept talking to his wife.
When they went to work in the afternoon, the villagers asked the He family what happy event had happened and why the whole family was so happy.
Mother He smiled and said, "There's nothing happy. My Susu just found a boyfriend in the army and sent a photo back to us. We were very happy."
As soon as the news spread, the villagers couldn't help but whisper in private, wondering what kind of extraordinary person this girl from the He family must have dated to make the He family so happy.
At the He family's house, He's mother couldn't help but go to her daughter's room desk drawer to get out the letter paper and envelope, and called Guifang to help her write the letter. She had to tell Susu the true thoughts of her family.
He's mother read, Guifang wrote: "Susu, I'm your mother, everything is fine at home, you don't have to worry. It's been hot recently, and it's hard to go to work, but we are in good health, take care to rest, and won't be tired. I'll listen to you, and ask your eldest brother to buy some mung beans and come back to cook mung bean soup to cool down. We'll be at ease if your family is doing well. Susu, I just want you to live comfortably. I, your father, your brothers and sisters-in-law, and I are very happy to hear that you are dating. Cheng Shi has excellent conditions and good character. You can see from the photos that he cares about you. Your father and I support you dating. I think you are also interested in him. In this case, you should get along well with each other..."
He's mother gave her a lot of instructions, which in short was: find me a good partner! Hold on to this outstanding young man!
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