The night before departure, Chen Zhengnian came to the Lu family again carrying a lot of things.
In addition to the gifts for Wang Xinxin's parents, he also specially bought a lot of local specialties and asked Lu Ma to help check whether they were complete.
Wang Xinxin sat aside, watching him seriously discussing with Lu's mother what gifts to bring and how to talk, feeling both sweet and nervous.
She couldn't help but whisper, "Are you nervous?"
Chen Zhengnian paused as he was packing his things and turned around: "Meeting my future father-in-law and mother-in-law, how can I not be nervous?"
He admitted it frankly, then changed the subject and his eyes became more determined.
"But compared to putting you in a difficult position, this little bit of nervousness is nothing. Don't worry, I'm here for you."
These simple words completely calmed Wang Xinxin's heart.
Lu Xiao, who was on a mission outside, came back before the two of them set off.
Of course he knew all this from the call from Su Tang.
"I didn't expect you to be so manly."
Hearing Lu Xiao's words, Chen Zhengnian raised his eyebrows slightly.
"At my age, finding a wife is the most important thing."
As for the rest, Chen Zhengnian didn't care.
"My aunt is an accountant in the factory. She's not very easy to get along with, but she should like you."
Lu Xiao said that his aunt looked cold, but in fact, she was the softest-hearted person.
Wang Xinxin is her only daughter, so of course she will make extra plans for her.
"Thanks."
Chen Zhengnian thanked Lu Xiao sincerely.
The next day, just after dawn, Chen Zhengnian, wearing a neat and straight military uniform, carried his luggage and boarded the train to Shanghai with Wang Xinxin.
The green train was moving and the scenery outside the window was rapidly receding.
Wang Xinxin sat by the window, looking at Chen Zhengnian who was sitting upright opposite her with his eyes closed.
The lines of his profile appeared particularly strong in the morning light.
She quietly reached out and covered the back of his hand on his knee.
Chen Zhengnian held her hand with his backhand, interlocking their fingers tightly.
He didn't open his eyes, but the curve of his lips deepened.
"Get some sleep, the road ahead is long."
"Um."
Wang Xinxin leaned back in her chair and thought silently: No matter what her mother said, no matter what difficulties lay ahead, as long as he was by her side, she was not afraid of anything.
Wang Xinxin leaned back in her chair, her eyelids gradually becoming heavy.
In a daze, she felt that she was wearing a coat with a faint scent of soapberry.
Looking down, Chen Zhengnian's hand was still on her shoulder.
The warmth from the man's palm seeped through the fabric, bringing a reassuring warmth.
When she woke up again, the sunset outside the window was like molten gold.
Chen Zhengnian was taking a kettle to get hot water, and when he came back he had two lunch boxes in his hands.
"I just bought this from a food truck. Eat it while it's hot."
He handed over the lunch box and when he opened it, there was white rice and stew inside.
Wang Xinxin was eating while talking to Chen Zhengnian.
"When my mother was young, she was the most popular girl in the factory. Many people pursued her."
"My dad passed away early, and she raised me alone. She may be a little impatient, but she's really not a bad person."
Chen Zhengnian swallowed the food in his mouth and nodded seriously: "I know."
He has seen too many people who have been worn out by life, let alone a mother who supports a family alone.
"Don't worry, I will communicate with her properly."
No matter what, his good manners would not allow him to quarrel with his elders.
It was early morning when the train arrived at Shanghai Station.
The humid air is completely different from the dry and cold air in the northwest.
Wang Xinxin held Chen Zhengnian's hand and stood at the narrow alley. Looking at the ivy climbing all over the mottled wall, she suddenly felt a little nervous.
"Don't be afraid."
Chen Zhengnian held her hand tightly and glanced at the floral shirts drying in the alley.
"An ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her parents-in-law, and my son-in-law is not ugly at all."
Wang Xinxin was amused by him and was about to take a step when she saw the second-floor window creak open and Wang's mother poked her head out.
When she saw the man in military uniform downstairs, her face instantly darkened and she slammed the window shut.
Before even entering the door, he received a show of force, which made Wang Xinxin even more worried.
When I entered the house, the Queen Mother was sitting on a rattan chair knitting a sweater without even raising her eyelids.
There was strong tea in the cup on the table, and her voice was very faint amid the steam.
"Comrade Chen, right? Our Xinxin is not worthy of a hero like you."
"It's not a good match. I think we should just forget about it."
After hearing this, Chen Zhengnian put the gift on the table.
"Aunt, I know what you're worried about. I was injured on the battlefield, but the military doctor said it wouldn't affect my fertility. If you're worried, we can go to the hospital for a checkup."
His tone was calm, without any sign of being offended.
"But my feelings for Xinxin can be proven without any examination."
The Queen Mother paused her knitting and looked up at him.
The man in front of me had broad shoulders and a narrow waist. He wore a straight military uniform and had a soldier's unique firmness between his eyebrows. But when he talked about Xinxin, his eyes were as soft as water.
Her heart was moved, but she remained firm: "What's the point of just talking? One of you is in the northwest, and the other is in Shanghai. How are you going to live in the future?"
"I have applied for a transfer."
Chen Zhengnian took out a piece of paper from his pocket.
"As long as the organization approves, I can transfer to work in Shanghai."
His superiors had asked him whether he wanted to stay in the Northwest or change his career.
Chen Zhengnian felt that if he really wanted to get away from his family, transferring to another place would be the best option.
In this way, he can be with Wang Xinxin and Wang Xinxin doesn't have to get along with his family.
He knew that his family was full of stubborn old men, and Xinxin's free-spirited personality was something they couldn't stand.
Wang Xinxin looked up at him in surprise, and her eyes instantly turned red.
She knew how much he loved that military uniform, but for her...
The Queen Mother looked at the transfer application form, then at her daughter's red eyes, and her heart felt like it was hit by something.
"Are you willing to transfer to Shanghai for Xinxin?"
In Shanghai, no one calls him Chen Lu.
Chen Zhengnian straightened his back, met the Queen Mother's scrutinizing gaze, and spoke without any hesitation.
"The military uniform is my faith, but Xinxin is my home. As long as I can be with her, it doesn't matter where I am."
"Shanghai is where Xinxin grew up. She misses the neighbors here, and she misses you. I changed my job and came here so that I can stay with her and do more filial duty for her."
The Queen Mother stared at Chen Zhengnian for a long moment. "You speak better than you sing. We live in this old, pigeon-caged alley. You're used to living in a military compound. Can you stand it?"
Chen Zhengnian looked around and saw faded New Year pictures on the mottled walls.
"I lived in a cat-ear cave for half a year,"
"It leaks during heavy rains and frost in winter, which is ten times more difficult than this."
Wang Xinxin knew that what he said was true, and the scars on his body were the best proof.
The Queen Mother's expression relaxed a little, and after a long while, she said, "Eat, don't stand."
"Since you're back, stay a few more days."
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