Originally, Song Yan and his companion planned to deliver the book that day and immediately return to the city. However, Song's parents insisted that they hadn't been to the countryside in a long time and wanted to see and chat with their relatives back home. They then agreed to return to the city the following afternoon.
With no other option, the two had to stay at the brigade for another day.
By the way, after the wedding date was set, the brigade leader was furious and shouted that Jin Hua was not allowed to step into the Wu family home, and that if Wu Qingqing insisted on marrying him, she was not allowed to go back to her parents' home.
Wen Ruan guessed that Jin Hua's plan to use Wu Qingqing as a stepping stone to obtain a spot to return to the city was still going to be a long road, judging from the captain's attitude.
At noon, Uncle Song was going to have a feast at the educated youth compound. Aunt Wu was there to arrange things for the young couple. Out of politeness, most families would attend.
Upon learning this, Wen Ruan asked Song Ling if she didn't want to go, then dragged Song Yan along, thinking they should join in the fun. They were already getting a glimpse of this gossip, so they figured they had to see it for themselves.
Song Yan understood Wen Ruan's meaning and had no choice but to agree.
The group went to the educated youth compound together, and Song Yan even gave a dollar as a gift, but he regretted it after arriving.
The courtyard was noisy and chaotic, and the food on the table was meager. The old woman at the table told me that although Jin, the educated youth, was from the city, his family wasn't well-off; he had an older brother and a younger brother in the city.
He was the least favored among them, otherwise they wouldn't have sent him to the countryside. After being in the countryside for so long, he wanted to return to the city on his own, but his family couldn't offer any help.
It was said that Jin Hua didn't have much money in his pocket just to hold this wedding; it was all paid for by the brigade leader's wife herself. She was originally quite pleased to have a son-in-law from the city, but after only a few days of happiness, she discovered that he was just a figurehead.
The dishes on the table were truly disappointing; not only were they mediocre, but there wasn't even a single meat dish.
Wen Ruan shook her head secretly; it was difficult to judge.
The bride and groom had barely sat down when they came to offer toasts.
Jin Hua's expression wasn't good. Judging from his expression alone, it would be hard for someone who didn't know him to imagine that he was holding a wedding today.
Standing next to the two newlyweds was the brigade leader's wife, who also had a sullen face.
Perhaps the only happy person at this wedding was the bride. Wen Ruan thought silently.
Wen Ruan looked closely and saw that the bride was wearing a maroon wedding dress, which, judging from her appearance, was probably borrowed from somewhere and not a new dress. She had a very pretty face and fair skin, and it was clear that she was a pampered child at home.
Although the wedding was rather modest and the atmosphere somewhat awkward, Wu Qingqing's happy smile seemed to express her satisfaction and complete indifference to everything else.
She glanced at Jin Hua beside her from time to time, her face flushed with shyness and the joy of a new bride.
Well, with just one look, Wen Ruan already knew that this guy was probably love-struck!
Wen Ruan originally wanted to eat a few bites at the table, but there were very few kinds of food on the table, and the portions were also very small. In addition, she couldn't compete with the experienced aunties at the table with her at all.
Although Song Yan quickly served her a few bites, she didn't have much of an appetite after tasting them, so she told Song Yan to leave.
Uncle Song would have to stay there a little longer, so the two greeted him and then turned to head home.
"Thank you for Xiaoling's matter. She's the only girl in our Song family, and both my uncle and my father dote on her. Maybe she's a bit too naive."
"If you hadn't discovered it in time, talked to her heart-to-heart, and made her realize the situation in time, who knows what would have happened now." Song Yan looked at Wen Ruan with eyes full of gratitude.
“She’s my sister too. Besides, Xiaoling is so sensible, and I like her a lot. Of course, I have to help her with this kind of thing. There’s no need for you to thank us for our sisterly bond.” Wen Ruan rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes, yes, the leader is right. We must resolutely obey the leader's orders." Song Yan smiled and waved his hand to beg for forgiveness.
"Comrade Song, hurry up and lead the way!"
The two chatted and laughed as they went home together.
The next afternoon, the group returned to the city together. Song Yan and Wen Ruan discussed that they should go and see if there were any houses they liked before the housing management bureau closed for the day.
After informing Mr. and Mrs. Song, the two turned and headed to the Housing Management Bureau.
As soon as he arrived at the entrance, Song Yan went to the nearby convenience store to buy Wen Ruan a bottle of orange soda and asked her to wait for him while he looked for Hu Dali, who happened to work in the housing management bureau's storage department.
Hu Dali was also from the same compound as Song Yan. They were childhood friends. Back then, Song Yan, Yu Wei, and Hu Dali formed a golden triangle. When Wen Ruan used to follow Song Yan around every day, she received a lot of care from the two of them.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Song Yan walked over with a slightly overweight man behind him and said, "Ruan Ruan, it's only been a few days, and you don't recognize Brother Dali anymore? Back in the day..."
Before Hu Dali could finish speaking, Song Yan elbowed him.
"Oh dear, look at my mouth! I can't be like before. You're Yan-ge's precious wife, so I have to call you sister-in-law, right?" Hu Dali winked and then called out "sister-in-law" several times, making Wen Ruan extremely embarrassed.
"Alright, stop with the nonsense. Have you found a suitable place for me the other day?" Song Yan asked.
Before the couple got married, Song's parents offered to buy Song Yan a house. The young couple could choose to live in the compound, or if they felt uncomfortable, they could move out. Song Yan had long ago asked Hu Dali to keep an eye on things for him.
"It's alright. I feel there are three houses that are suitable so far. Two of them are relatively inexpensive. One is next to the steel factory's staff quarters, and the other is near the textile factory. They are all apartment buildings, and the environment is also quite good."
"Then there's a courtyard house. I think my sister-in-law would definitely like it. It has a big courtyard filled with all kinds of flowers."
"The price is a bit high, but being a standalone business means less trouble. It depends on you."
Song Yan and Wen Ruan exchanged a glance, and Song Yan asked directly, "Where is that courtyard house located?"
"It's not far from the compound, only about ten minutes away. It's situated right between the compound and the steel factory's residential area," Hu Dali replied.
"Then let's go straight to the courtyard house and take a look," Song Yan immediately decided.
Just as the group was about to turn and leave...
"Ruan Ruan, is that you? Long time no see!" Suddenly, a thin young man walked out of the main entrance of the Housing Management Bureau office building and called out.
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