Chapter 17 (1)

Without thinking too much, Liu Xiu'e pointed at Wen Yiming and the other two and said, "Ask your mother. You have all met Comrade Xiao Wen, so I won't introduce him to you. These two are Comrade Xiao Wen's parents."

Zhu Meizhen habitually invited people: "Please sit down, please..."

There was no room to even stand, let alone sit, and I could only smile awkwardly in the middle of a talk.

The whole room fell into an eerie silence for a moment. Even the air in the already stuffy room became sticky.

Seventeen people of all ages were standing in Xu Wen's small house. It was as crowded as a bus during rush hour, and there was no room to sit or even turn around when standing.

Liu Xiu'e was also a little embarrassed and complained, "Ask mom, I know your family is very interested in her and cares about her. It's just a meeting between the in-laws, not a date. Is it necessary to have so many relatives come?"

The custom in Weizhuang Commune is that when parents meet, the girl's parents are afraid that they can't keep a close watch, so they often invite some relatives or people with more prestige in the production team to come along. Liu Xiu'e thought that everyone in the room was here to see the "new son-in-law."

Everyone in the Xu family felt like they were being roasted on fire and was in great agony.

Zhu Meizhen frowned and explained: "Sister-in-law Liu, you misunderstood. Director Li and the others are here..."

No matter what you say, you will offend one party.

If she had to choose, she would definitely offend the stranger Lu Yuanzheng. But Lu Yuanzheng's matchmakers were the women's director of the production team and the women's director of the commune, each of them was more senior than the other, and she couldn't afford to offend either of them.

Director Li saw that Zhu Meizhen was in a dilemma and spoke up for her: "What a coincidence! We are here to propose marriage as well."

Liu Xiu'e frowned a little unhappy and complained to Zhu Meizhen: "Wenwen's mother, didn't you say that Wenwen was willing to be with Comrade Xiao Wen? We have agreed today that after Wenwen gets out of school, both parents will meet and if there is no problem, we will let the two children get married. Why did you let someone come to propose marriage? You can't marry a girl to two mothers-in-law, right? You..."

"Wait!" Xu Wen licked his lips, caught the point, frowned and asked: "What's going on? When did I agree to date Wen Yiming? How come I didn't know?"

Zhu Meizhen finally had a chance to interrupt, then frowned: "What? You didn't agree?" Zhu Meizhen looked at Liu Xiu'e, "Didn't you say that Wenwen agreed to Comrade Xiao Wen and asked us to wait at home to meet the in-laws?"

Liu Xiu'e looked at Wen Yiming and said, "Didn't you say you were talking to someone at the inquiry office? And you said you asked for leave just to discuss meeting your parents?"

When Wen Yiming's parents heard this, they also looked at Wen Yiming: "Yiming, what's going on?"

Wen Yiming didn't show any embarrassment of being exposed. He adjusted his glasses and smiled politely, "Let me ask you, are you still angry with me?"

Xu Wen's eyes widened in surprise, "When did I lose my temper with you?"

Wen Yiming didn't reply. He looked around at everyone and explained with a smile, "Wen Wen fainted at school a few days ago. I was not at school at the time because of something else. I went to see her the next day. She was angry with me and felt that I didn't care about her. So I took the initiative to come back and ask my parents to come to my house to show my sincerity."

Xu Wang pulled him aside and asked with concern, "Why did you faint? Are you feeling unwell?"

Zhu Meizhen also wanted to see and ask, but she just couldn't get through.

Xu Wen shook his head, pulled away Xu Wang's hand, took a step forward, and stood in front of Wen Yiming, "Wen Yiming, when did I get angry? I remember what I said was that we have no relationship at all, and we should keep a proper distance in the future. What's more..." I already have a partner.

Lu Yuanzheng interrupted Xu Wen and said, "I was a bit rude. Maybe I was away from home for so many years that I didn't know that Comrade Xu was married. If that's true, I apologize. But..." Lu Yuanzheng's eyes suddenly became sharp and he looked at Wen Yiming's face, "It seems like there is some misunderstanding?"

Xu Wen raised his eyebrows and looked at him.

Lu Yuanzheng winked at her.

Although free love is encouraged now, in Wei Zhuang Commune people still put a lot of emphasis on parents' orders and matchmaker's words.

If Xu Wen admitted in front of so many people that she was dating him, people would misunderstand that she was not chaste and it would be bad for her reputation.

Director Wu saw that Lu Yuanzheng had already spoken, and she couldn't just take on the reputation of a matchmaker for nothing: "That's right. I've also heard a little about the blind date with Comrade Xiao Wen. She turned to Wen Yiming's mother: "Comrade Liu, why do I remember you saying that the blind date didn't work out? Aren't you talking about Comrade Xu Wen?"

Director Wu and Wen Yiming's parents all worked in the commune. The commune was not big, so even if they were not in the same department, they basically knew each other.

Wen Yiming's mother subconsciously looked at Wen Yiming.

Xu Wen noticed that her eyes seemed to be asking for help.

This is strange. It may not be strange that a mother cannot make decisions for her son, but she doesn’t even know whether her son’s blind date was successful or not?

Even when faced with a difficult problem, her first reaction is not to look at her man but at her son?

Wen Yiming's expression remained unchanged. He was still polite and smiled as he bowed to Xu Wen to apologize: "To be honest, this is my fault. That day during the blind date, I thought Comrade Xu Wen did not let Aunt Liu reject me, which meant he accepted me. I was also young and inexperienced, and I didn't know that I would need a matchmaker to pass on the message. It was only when Wen Wen got angry with me the day before yesterday that I realized we had a misunderstanding. Didn't you immediately ask your parents to come and ask for your hand in marriage?"

He gestured to the gifts in his and his parents' hands.

Xu asked: "..."

At first, she thought Wen Yiming was polite. When he lied for her on their first blind date, she still thought Wen Yiming was considerate and polite.

After a few brief encounters with him, I discovered that he seemed to be accustomed to telling lies. However, he spoke in a gentle and unhurried manner, which made people believe him.

If Xu Wen was not the person involved, he would have believed his lies and thought that he was a woman who was eager to get married and forced her boyfriend to marry her.

Xu Wen smiled and said politely: "If you say so, then I am wrong. In this case, I will say it again in public: I, Xu Wen, have nothing to do with you, Wen Yiming. I never had any relationship with you in the past, and I will never have any relationship with you in the future."

She has a low voice and speaks slowly and steadily.

Everyone present could tell that she was not speaking in anger; she was serious and firm.

This left everyone confused and for a moment they didn't know who was real and who was fake.

"Xu Wen!" Xu Qiushi warned in a deep voice.

It wasn't because she rejected Wen Yiming, but because she felt that the elders were all there, and it was not appropriate for a girl like her to bring up such matters.

Director Li rolled his eyes and tried to smooth things over: "Ask the father, ask the mother. Marrying a daughter is a major event in one's life, and it cannot be taken lightly! It's a good thing that so many good young comrades like us to ask. Since we are here, we should let Comrade Lu introduce himself first."

Director Wu patted Lu Yuanzheng's arm. "Our comrade Lu is one of the outstanding comrades of the People's Liberation Army. Although he is only 25 years old, he has been in the army for ten years and was promoted to an officer two years ago. The medals at home are so big..." Director Wu spread his hands out to indicate a distance, "a wooden box. Everyone knows that military service requires political review. Our comrade Lu's background is definitely beyond doubt, and he is also outstanding. This appearance..." Director Wu looked up and happened to see a scar on Lu Yuanzheng's face. The remaining half of the sentence "This appearance is also handsome" was changed to "Also quite dignified."

Xu Wen lowered his head and couldn't help laughing.

Lu Yuanzheng glanced at Xu Wen, raised his eyelids, shook his head slightly, and curled the corners of his lips.

I thought: This little girl is so heartless and she made fun of him. I don't know who he is being criticized for in public.

Liu Xiu'e had just received a particularly large red envelope from Wen Yiming as a matchmaker. Even though she was a little afraid to talk to the commune cadres, she still stiffened her neck and said, "You can't say that. You're looking for a partner, not a bodyguard. No matter how outstanding these comrades are, they are not at home all year round. We women don't understand family and national affairs, we only know about firewood, rice, oil and salt.

What kind of life is it if the fathers of the family are never at home? Besides, I have heard a thing or two about Comrade Lu. Comrade Lu has a son, right? I ask, he is still a virgin girl. Once she gets married, she becomes a stepmother. How can her life be easy?

Comrade Wen Yiming is different! He has good looks, and he is educated... He is still a classmate of Wenwen. His family conditions are good, with both parents. He is better off than Comrade Lu!"

Director Wu's face darkened.

Director Li quickly rebuked: "Liu Xiu'e, what are you talking about? If you say that, wouldn't it be unbearable to be a military wife? Then should all our PLA comrades remain single? They risked their lives to protect their country on the front lines, but you have become an obstacle to their starting a family? We ordinary people should not speak so heartlessly so that we can live a good life."

Director Wu snorted coldly: "It seems that I should ask your captain. Have you learned the policy of military ownership? How can you bully the PLA comrades in person like this?"

Liu Xiu'e's face turned red and blue after being scolded, and she dared not speak again.

Grandma tapped her cane and said, "Okay, everyone, stop arguing. I want to thank you all for your concern for our Wenwen. I also thank you all for your kindness to us. But times have changed. In addition to the matchmaker's words, we also have to look at the opinions of the young people. How about this! Everyone go back first and we will discuss it again."

If the two families fought in Xu's house and the news got out, Wen Wen would be known as a woman who brought misfortune.

Xu Qiushi also spoke up: "Everyone here is a guest, let's have a meal together and not talk about the child first."

It’s difficult to get to Xujia Station, and it’s simply not practical to accommodate so many people.

Director Li waved his hands with a smile: "Don't! We have to go to work in the afternoon. I think we should all go away first! How about this, you guys discuss it carefully, whether you want to choose someone or not, Brother Xu, you give me a word, and I will go and talk to these two companies, what do you think?"

Xu Qiushi nodded: "Then I'll trouble Director Li."

"What's the problem? This is a happy event. I want to share in the joy."

It is obvious that this matter will not have any results today, at least it will not be announced publicly.

The journey is long and the journey is brief, so I have no choice but to leave first.

After seeing off the guests, the Xu family returned to the house, but when they looked at the table full of delicious food, they lost their appetite.

Zhixu Qie and Xu Wang's son Maodou were staring at the meat on the table with their mouths drooling, just waiting for the adults to tell them to eat.

As a result, after waiting for a long time, the elders didn't say anything. Xu Qi looked up curiously and saw that his grandmother, mother, eldest sister and second brother all looked very unhappy.

Xu Wen didn't eat breakfast and was really hungry. He touched his stomach and sat down.

"Stand still!"

Xu Qiushi shouted angrily, which frightened Xu Wen so much that he was not sitting steadily and almost fell off the bench.

Grandma rolled her eyes at Xu Qiushi and said, "Why are you so mad? Look how scared you are of Wenwen! It's a good thing that young men like Wenwen, why are you angry at Wenwen?"

Zhu Meizhen agreed, "That's right. What does it have to do with us? I'm afraid she didn't eat breakfast this morning. Xiaoqing is also in a bad condition and can't stay hungry. Why don't we talk while we eat?"

Xu Qiushi glared at Zhu Meizhen but did not say anything in rebuttal.

Grandma is the elder, and if she doesn't start eating, it's not easy for others to start eating. She picked up her chopsticks and sighed: "Comrade Lu is dressed in green and red, protecting his country and is a good comrade. We should hold a banquet to welcome him. It would be a good thing to marry a comrade like him, but Comrade Lu has no parents and is away from home all year round, leaving Wenwen alone to take care of the children. How can he live like this? In comparison, Comrade Xiao Wen is a good one. He is about the same age as Wenwen, a classmate, and his family conditions are not bad."

Xu Qiushi nodded: "Mom is right. Comrade Lu is a good comrade but not a good match for marriage! I also think Comrade Xiao Wen is better."

Xu Meizhen prefers Lu Yuanzheng a little more, and said with regret: "It would be better if Comrade Lu had never been married or had no children."

"Who says it's not?" Xu Wen also admired Lu Yuanzheng, but no matter how much he admired him, he couldn't let his sister be a widow and a stepmother.

“…”

Everyone in the Xu family had their say, and most of them voted for Wen Yiming.

"Ask." Xu Wang asked, "What are you and Wen Yiming busy about?" She pointed to a table of food and said, "These meals are really prepared for their family."

At this point, Xu Wen also put down his chopsticks: "I didn't have time to ask just now, what's the matter with this meal?"

Xu Wen said, "Yesterday evening, Liu Xiu'e brought Wen Yiming to your house and said that Wen Yiming had made an appointment with you to have dinner with him and his parents when you get home from school today. Isn't that meeting the in-laws?"

Xu asked: "..."

This time, Wen Yiming played well but the timing was poor.

It's only because communication is inconvenient now, otherwise this kind of clumsy lie would never work.

Xu Wen shook his head: "I didn't agree to him. It's not like I said bad things about him behind his back. Since I met him, I have never heard a few words of truth from him. I don't dare to marry a man like him!"

Sang Xiaoqing wondered: "Then why did he lie?"

Xu Wen shrugged, she was also puzzled. Wen Yiming had clearly not planned to marry her before, but when she said she was with Lu Yuanzheng, he became more interested.

Zhu Meizhen looked at Xu Wen and said, "Wenwen, Wen Yiming said you fainted from hunger at school. Is that true? I see you have lost weight again. Are you hungry? You kid, I didn't bring you extra money and you left three more. Sigh!"

It was because Wen Yiming said yesterday that Xu Wen was very frugal in school, and he also said in a serious tone that if he married Wen Wen, he would guarantee that she would live a good life.

When the Xu family heard that Xu Wen fainted from hunger, they felt guilty. In addition, they had met Wen Yiming twice and found him to be a good boy. That’s why they didn’t suspect anything. They thought it would be better for Wen Wen to marry into Wen Yiming’s family as soon as possible, rather than going to school on an empty stomach.

The whole family was then preparing grandly to welcome the in-laws, but who knew it turned out to be a misunderstanding.

Xu Wen hurriedly said, "Mom, don't cry! I'm fine. I just didn't expect to have such a large amount of training that day that I felt dizzy. It was just once, and I was full afterwards, really."

What could be wrong? Either eat with Lu Yuanzheng, or eat with Dongsheng, or eat game.

I eat till I’m full.

She had always suspected that Lu Yuanzheng's arrangement of providing her with food and clothing was a deliberate act of caring for her, but she was afraid that she would overthink and was too embarrassed to ask him.

Xu Qiushi's anger subsided when he heard this. He sighed and said, "What's going on between you and Lu? Why would he come to my house out of the blue?"

Xu Wen blinked: "Didn't he say it? He wants to marry me!"

Xu Qiushi: “…”

He rolled his eyes unhappily, "He wishes! I don't agree."

Xu asked: "..."

She timidly glanced at her relatives and whispered, "But I promised!"

The Xu family fell silent instantly.

One second later.

Xu Qiushi spat out the tea he had just drunk and started coughing.

Zhu Meizhen quickly patted him on the back to calm him down.

Xu Wen was sitting next to Xu Qiushi and was sprayed in the face. Sang Xiaoqing was busy looking for a handkerchief to wipe it for him.

Grandma stopped Sang Xiaoqing and told her not to get excited, and she took out a handkerchief and gave it to Xu Wen.

Xu Wang shuddered, and her son, who was sitting on her lap, fell off.

Xie Dechun rushed to pick it up, and Xu Wang also reacted and tried to comfort his frightened son.

Everyone was in chaos, leaving only the culprit Xu Wen and the ignorant Xu Qie staring at each other.

Xu Qiushi took a breath and said, "Say it again."

"I said I agreed to marry Lu Yuanzheng."

Xu Qiushi shook his head: "I don't agree. Let me ask you, we don't want you to marry into a rich family, but we can't choose a family like Comrade Lu, right? Comrade Lu is indeed a good man. I admire him. But as a father, I can't watch you suffer after marrying him. He can't earn work points when he's not at home, and you can't earn work points when you go to school. You have to take care of a three or four-year-old child. Life there will be no easier than ours."

Zhu Meizhen nodded hurriedly: "Your father is right."

"It's still different from our house." Xu Wen disagreed, "His house has five rooms."

Xu Qiushi: “…”

Grandma put down her chopsticks and said, "Ask me, marriage is not a child's play, it takes a lifetime. I heard that Comrade Lu has no father or mother. When you get married, you won't even have anyone to help you take care of your children."

Although this was the first time I met Lu Yuanzheng, the recent affairs of Xu Wen had spread throughout the entire commune. As one of the parties involved, Lu Yuanzheng's past was also exposed.

Grandma can hear a lot of rumors whenever she goes out.

Xu Wen shook his head: "Every disadvantage must be an advantage. I don't have parents to help me, and I don't have to serve my parents-in-law. I live in five rooms by myself. How spacious is that?"

grandmother:"……"

Xu Wang said meaningfully, "Wenwen, you have never suffered too much since you were a child, and everyone at home has given in to you. But life after marriage cannot be like that at home. It is very hard to raise a child alone. Especially if you marry into the family, you will become a stepmother.

How can being a stepmother be easy? You will always be criticized by others, and you don’t know how much injustice you will have to endure in the future!"

Xu Wen agreed to keep Dongsheng's background a secret during the expedition. He didn't know how to explain it for a moment, and then he said, "It's okay. I just like his house, nothing else matters."

Xu Wang: “????”

Xu Wen quickly added, "Lu Yuanzheng said that the child can be left with his uncles and aunts. I usually live in his five rooms by myself. How comfortable is that?"

Xu Wang: “…”

Xu Wang nodded. It was okay if Xu Wen didn’t have to take care of the child.

Xu Wang, having been married before, knew how difficult it was to be someone's daughter-in-law.

She glanced at her husband beside her. She found that he was a considerate man, but friction was inevitable in their daily life.

The family never separated, and the money in the house was managed by the mother-in-law. Every day when she wanted to buy vegetables, the mother-in-law would give her money, but it was not enough and there would be no surplus, for fear that she would be greedy and use it to support her parents' family.

In her opinion, living with Lu Yuanzheng is better than living with Wen Yiming's family, but it is difficult to be a stepmother. But if Xu Wen doesn't need to take care of the children, she is willing to vote for Lu Yuanzheng.

My brother-in-law Xie Dechun rarely spoke up: "Having a house alone cannot make a living."

The little nephew spoke up and said, "He is ugly."

Xu Qie also had the same idea: "The scar on his face is a bit scary!"

Xu Wen pinched Xu Qi's face and said, "He got that from killing an enemy in battle. It's a medal of honor on his face. How can it be ugly?"

Children are the embodiment of justice. When they heard that it was a scar left by killing an enemy, their fear turned into admiration and they stopped chattering.

Xu Wen frowned, "Medals of honor cannot be eaten. Let's not engage in blind worship. It is inappropriate for Aunt Liu to say that in public, and I don't agree with it. However, people are selfish. If this was another girl, I would be happy to bless her, but you are my sister, and I would not let you marry her even if I admire Comrade Lu."

"Ask, your brother is right. It will be very difficult for you to marry. Not to mention the work points, you are alone with a half-baked son, and the people in the production team may say all kinds of rumors." Sang Xiaoqing also disagreed, "But that Wen Yiming, I feel that the conditions in all aspects are better."

If she were asked to choose, she would definitely choose Wen Yiming. This sister-in-law is really well-read and doesn't know the sufferings of the world. How difficult is life for a widow? !

Xu Wen blinked: "I have no right to control other people's mouths, but the five rooms are mine. I can take care of whoever I want at the door."

Seeing that she was not willing to listen to anything, the Xu family became angry and anxious. They even refused to eat and kept trying to persuade Xu to ask.

Xu Wen had no choice but to stretch out his slender arm with the back of his hand facing upwards, "I've accepted all the betrothal gifts."

Everyone in the Xu family looked at her wrist and was stunned.

Xu Qiushi was so angry that he slammed the table: "Xu Wen! You actually made a decision on your own about such an important matter?! Do you still have elders in your eyes? I told you to study, and this is how you study?"

Zhu Meizhen was also anxious. "Let me ask you, why didn't you discuss such a big thing with your family?"

“…”

Xu Wen did not even have time to take a nap. He hurried to the river to wash the dirty clothes he brought back from school, and then went to the production team to herd sheep and earn work points.

Ever since Xu Wen repaired the thresher last year, the officers in the production team have been taking better care of her.

For example, after Xu Wen started school, the job of herding sheep was handed over to other grown-up children in the team, but Saturday and Sunday mornings were still reserved for her.

Xu Wen was wrapped tightly from head to toe, holding his grandmother's palm-leaf fan, and following the flock of sheep weakly.

She couldn't afford to buy food at school, and when she finally got home, she had to fight one against six in a debate about "should I marry Lu Yuanzheng or Wen Yiming?"

Xu Wen sighed, saying that it was all because of the long journey that she was surrounded by her whole family and didn't even have enough to eat.

As for why he didn't scold Wen Yiming, for Xu Wen, Wen Yiming had never been an option.

Speak of the devil and he will appear.

Xu Wen had just finished complaining when he looked up and saw Lu Yuanzheng sitting on a vacant space between a pile of graves... roasting a chicken.

Literally roast chicken.

He cleared a space, lit a fire, and sat there flipping the cock-skinned stick back and forth.

Xu asked: ? ?

Why is Lu Yuanzheng here?

What is the hobby of roasting chicken in the field on a hot day?

Lu Yuanzheng was not surprised to see Xu Wen. He smiled at her and greeted her in a very familiar way: "Are you here?"

Xu asked: "..."

You make me feel like I made an appointment with you in advance.

Dongsheng and another boy who was slightly older than Xu Qie were sitting opposite Lu Yuanzheng with their backs to Xu Wen. When they heard Lu Yuanzheng calling Xu Wen, they turned their heads to look.

Seeing Xu Wen, Dongsheng's eyes lit up and he stopped drooling over the roast chicken. He got up and ran towards Xu Wen, shouting, "Mom, I miss you."

When Dongsheng ran over, Xu Wen squatted down and hugged him, "I miss you, too."

I was used to him chattering around, so I felt a little uncomfortable when he left for the day.

Dongsheng was taught very well by Lu Yuanzheng, and both his classmates and instructors liked him very much.

Even though he is only three or four years old, his emotional intelligence is so high that even Xu Wen feels inferior to him.

His little mouth is as sweet as honey, and whenever he opens his mouth he would either say "Sister, you are so beautiful!" or "Sister, this flower will look so good on you." He made all the female classmates want to bury him in snacks.

Xu Wen was so coaxed that he was dizzy and wished he could be with him all the time.

Dongsheng kissed Xu Wen on the cheek and took Xu Wen's hand, "Mom, come, eat roast chicken."

Xu Wen drove the flock of sheep to the pasture and followed Dongsheng to Lu Yuanzheng.

Strangely enough, every time I met Lu Yuanzheng, it was only more awkward, except for the first time when Xu Wen was quite calm. This time should be the most peaceful meeting, Xu Wen was actually a little embarrassed.

Lu Yuanzheng took out a handful of straw from behind and handed it to Xu Wen, "Wait a moment and you can eat it."

Xu asked: "..."

This is clearly a well-prepared response.

She took the mat and sat in the upper wind position, and asked Lu Yuanzheng: "Why are you here?"

"I guessed you might not have had enough food, so I came here to wait for you."

It was obvious to him that after they left, Xu Wen would face the attacks from his family alone.

Xu Wen's voice suddenly became hoarse and he didn't know what to say, but his face turned redder than the flames. His mind went blank and he managed to utter, "You are eating alone in front of so many people, aren't you afraid of being robbed?"

"Huh?" Lu Yuanzheng was stunned for a moment before he realized that the "so many people" she was talking about were those lying below. What's more, people often burn food for those who need to be worshipped when they go to the grave, which is indeed similar to his roast chicken.

Lu Yuanzheng uttered an "oh" and then a "tsk" sound, looking at Xu Wen with a half-smile, "Comrade you look timid, but you dare to say anything!"

Xu Wen regretted what he said, and lowered his head after listening to his teasing.

She actually didn't think too much about it, she just slipped up for a moment, and now she felt that what she said was a bit too weird.

After a moment of silence, Xu Wen ignored Lu Yuanzheng's teasing and changed the subject, "You are not following martial ethics! You said you would go home and wait for notification, but you secretly came here to bribe me."

Lu Yuanzheng was holding up a roast chicken to check if it was done. Hearing this, he turned his head and glanced at Xu Wen: "It's not like a young boy is arguing with me about a fight. What we believe in is that soldiers never tire of deceiving others. Besides, I've already won, so why should I give him another chance to compete?"

Xu asked: "..."

It sounds reasonable.

Lu Yuanzheng broke off a chicken leg and handed it to Xu Wen, "Be careful, it's hot."

The tangy aroma of meat made Xu Wen feel even hungrier, but no matter how hungry he was, he was too embarrassed to open his mouth under the eager gazes of the two children.

After a slight hesitation, Xu Wen gave the chicken leg to Dongsheng.

Lu Yuanzheng raised his eyebrows, handed the remaining chicken leg to another boy, and then handed the whole roast chicken without legs to Xu Wen.

Xu asked: "..."

That doesn't have to be the case.

Xu Wen tore off a chicken wing himself and returned the remaining roast chicken to Lu Yuanzheng, "Let's eat together."

Lu Yuanzheng held the roast chicken and sighed, "I haven't found a wife yet, so I can't eat it."

Xu asked: "..."

Is this the Versailles of the Seventies?

A mouthful of chicken choked in his throat and Xu Wen's face turned red.

Lu Yuanzheng held the iron rod with the roasted chicken in one hand, took the kettle with the other hand and placed it at his feet. He opened the lid with one hand and handed it to Xu Wen: "Don't be so excited?! Can't wait to marry me?"

Xu Wen didn't bother to argue with him and just picked up the kettle and took a sip.

Sour and sweet, it’s like orange juice, just like her mood at the moment.

Xu Wen swallowed the meat in his hand and looked Lu Yuanzheng up and down: "Your character is really collapsing."

Lu Yuanzheng didn't understand so he asked, "What is a character setting?"

"It's the impression that others have of you, right? For example, in everyone's eyes, including mine, you are not a very serious person... just like when you were an instructor, you were serious, stern, capable, etc. Anyway, it's not like this now."

He talks nonsense all the time and is so poor that he doesn't deserve the scar on his face.

Lu Yuanzheng was stunned for a moment, then he smiled softly and shook his head, his brows and eyes showing genuine joy.

After a moment's silence, whether out of politeness or because he wanted Xu Wen to know him better, Lu Yuanzheng explained in a serious tone: "In our profession, or to be more precise, the unit I belong to often faces wars even in peacetime, and we have to deal with death from time to time. The training for fighting is already rigorous enough on weekdays, so during rest time, we may be more..."

Seeing that Lu Yuanzheng couldn't think of a suitable word, Xu Wen automatically filled in for him: "Let yourself go."

“Let yourself go?” Lu Yuanzheng repeated it to himself, smiled and nodded, “This description is very appropriate.”

Lu Yuanzheng's unconcealed true nature made Xu Wen inexplicably relax a lot. He no longer acted as reserved as when he was with Wen Yiming. He felt very comfortable.

Dongsheng was chewing on a chicken leg, glancing back and forth between Lu Yuanzheng and Xu Wen. Seeing them talking and laughing, he couldn't help but want to join in: "Dad, Mom, after you get married, can we always be together? Can I call you Mom in front of others?"

Lu Yuanzheng nodded.

Dongsheng threw the chicken bones into the fire, licked his fingers and said, "Then Dad and Mom, you two should get married as soon as possible!"

Lu Yuanzheng tore off a piece of chicken and gave it to him: "Then you should stay here and herd sheep with your uncle in the afternoon. Let's work hard together, okay?"

Dongsheng nodded repeatedly.

Lu Yuanzheng broke off another chicken wing and handed it to Xu Wen, then gave the rest of the chicken to the child who had been eating the chicken silently without saying much: "Lu Yongjun, can you keep an eye on Dongsheng and Yang?"

Probably because he felt obliged to do so, Lu Yongjun nodded vigorously.

Lu Yuanzheng stood up, put out the fire, buried the ashes, and after making sure it was safe, he called out to Xu Wen, "Let's go!"

Xu Wen followed him subconsciously, and after walking a few steps, he reacted and asked him, "Where are you going?"

"Go to the movies?"

Xu Wen stopped and said, "I still have to herd sheep!"

Watching movies not only costs money but also delays earning work points.

"Then why do you think I'm roasting chicken in such hot weather? Why don't I bring my cousin to herd sheep for you?"

Xu Wen said "oh" and caught up with him, questioning him: "You just said that the chicken was roasted for me!"

What about sincerity?

"I'm worried that you're hungry. I'm letting you eat something first. You can't finish such a big chicken, right? Don't be angry! I'll take you to eat something good!"

Xu asked: "..."

Am I fighting for food? I am fighting for reason!

There was still oil on Xu Wen's hands, so he went to a nearby stream to wash them. When he came back, he saw that Lu Yuanzheng had gotten a bicycle from somewhere.

It should be said that he had got it before, but he covered the seat and the back seat with some grass and leaves and hid them under the shade of the trees, and just pushed it out now.

After Lu Yuanzheng cleaned up the grass and leaves on the back seat, he touched the back seat and turned back to Xu Wen, "It's not hot, come on up."

Xu Wen jumped into the back seat, sat sideways, and raised the corners of his mouth.

This man always brings her surprises every time.

The first time was considered helping others, right? After all, it was a bit too much to risk one's life to save someone. Even if she really fell into the water, it would be no problem for Lu Yuanzheng to save her.

The second time they met, Lu Yuanzheng took Dongsheng away without saying a word because he was afraid of delaying her blind date. From the little things, we can see the big picture. At least his character is impeccable.

The third time they met, although it was a proposal, it was mainly because he heard that Xu Wen's reputation was affected by him, and he wanted to take responsibility and prove that he was responsible.

When they met again, he was her instructor. In terms of work, he was a good instructor who was both knowledgeable and experienced. In terms of personal matters, he took care of her without making her feel uncomfortable, which was very considerate.

This time, knowing that she couldn't eat a good lunch at home, he ran to the cemetery to wait for her.

If he just wanted to roast a chicken for his child, he really didn't need to come here; he could roast it just as well at home.

The back seat of the bicycle is made of an iron frame. It is so hot that you can't sit on it under the sun.

Lu Yuanzheng carefully covered the back seat of the bicycle in advance and placed it under the shade of a tree.

Xu Wen thought, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Without considering the standards for choosing a spouse in a few decades, she could just look at the marriage customs of this era. Among all the opposite sex she had met so far, Lu Yuanzheng was the most suitable candidate to be a husband.

Wei Zhuang Commune is not far from where Xu Wen grazes his sheep, and can be reached in just ten minutes by bicycle.

The commune has a north-south street that can barely be called a commercial street.

There are supply and marketing cooperatives, state-owned hotels, cloth shops, food stations and other livelihood guarantee units on the street, as well as a small cinema.

The cinema is not very big, with only one or two screening rooms. There are not many movie options and you need to queue.

It’s not because there are a lot of people watching the movie, it’s because you have to queue up for the show you want to watch.

"Why do you want to watch a movie out of the blue?" Xu Wen looked at the list of movies showing today, not knowing what to watch.

Lu Yuanzheng stood beside her casually, and when he heard her words, he lowered his head and looked at her: "You didn't get to see it last time because of Dongsheng's trouble. I owe you one."

I'm talking about the time when Xu Wen went on a blind date.

"If that's the case, you still owe me a blind date." Xu Wen chose a movie that was about to start and teased him.

After all, she still had to herd the sheep. Even if Lu Yuanzheng found someone to help her, she would only have three hours at most. After the sheep were full, she had to rush back to the production team. She had no time to waste waiting.

After Lu Yuanzheng paid the money, the two of them walked towards the cinema.

"Doesn't your blind date partner also lose out? I personally think your current partner is better than your original blind date partner."

Xu asked: "..."

Really confident.

Although she also thinks Lu Yuanzheng is better than Wen Yiming.

The screening room is about the size of a room.

It was Xu Wen’s first time entering a cinema of this kind. He didn’t know whether they arrived early or there were just a few people there.

As soon as she opened the door, it was pitch black. Her eyes felt a little uncomfortable and she couldn't see anything at all.

Xu Wen took a step back subconsciously. His back rested against the warm chest, and his feet felt a little uncomfortable.

Xu Wen exclaimed in surprise.

Lu Yuanzheng laughed at her: "You bumped into me and stepped on my feet, and I haven't even called you yet, what should I yell at you?"

Xu Wen hurriedly took another step forward and apologized: "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Lu Yuanzheng said with a smile.

Just as Xu Wen raised his hand and was about to grope forward, someone held his hand.

Even though the weather is so hot, Lu Yuanzheng's palms are still dry and warm.

He walked in front, and Xu Wen followed him in a daze, all his attention on the two people's clasped hands.

He held her hand?

He just held her hand so naturally?

They did hold hands.

The point is that Xu Wen found that he didn't want to leave at all. Although he was embarrassed, he felt particularly at ease in his heart.

Lu Yuanzheng walked slowly and steadily, leading her to her seat, and would remind her in advance when they came to the stairs.

Huh?

Is your vision not affected during such a long expedition on such a dark road?

"Can you see it?" Xu asked wonderingly.

Lu Yuanzheng hummed, "It's okay once you get used to it."

Xu asked: "..."

Is this a normal physiological reaction? Can we get used to it easily?

It goes against the normal reaction of the human body, and even if it is trained, it must have caused pain that ordinary people cannot endure.

“Are you guys usually busy?”

"I'm used to it, it's okay."

Xu asked: "..."

She found that the word "used to it" appeared too often in Lu Yuanzheng's mouth.

And what he calls habits are things that ordinary people cannot do.