Xu Ning placed two large bowls of noodles on the table and called out, “Big brother, come in and eat!”

Xu Yang looked at the noodles on the table, topped with two poached eggs. His appetite immediately increased, and he sat down to eat.

Seeing that Lu Xiaotang was still standing nearby, Xu Yang invited him, “Brother Lu, you should eat too.”

Xu Ning couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Xu Yang call Lu Xiaotang “Brother Lu.” The titles were getting a bit mixed up, with both of them calling each other “brother.”

After calling out, Xu Yang realized the way he addressed him was a bit off. He thought for a moment and then said, “We’re about the same age, so let’s stop calling each other ‘brother.’ From now on, let’s just call each other by our names!”

Lu Xiaotang smiled and nodded in agreement.

After finishing the noodles, Xu Yang took the initiative to wash the dishes, while Lu Xiaotang and Xu Ning stood outside, chatting.

“My sister is pregnant again, so she probably won’t be able to attend our wedding,” Xu Yang said.

Xu Ning nodded and replied, “I know, Sister Xiaoran wrote to me and sent me a lot of things. She’s not in good condition right now, and her child is still young. We’ll invite her to stay with us for a few days in a couple of years.”

Xu Yang finished washing the dishes and came out to see the two of them talking. Knowing they hadn’t seen each other in a long time and probably had a lot to catch up on, he said, “You two talk, I’ll go for a walk down by the foot of the mountain.”

Xu Ning quickly said, “Brother, it’s getting dark soon. Where are you going? There are raisins and jujubes that Sister Xiaoran sent in the cupboard bed. Don’t you like them? I’ll go get you some.”

Xu Yang replied hurriedly, “Let me digest a bit first. That huge bowl of noodles has my stomach feeling stuffed.”

With that, he headed toward the door. Lu Xiaotang called out, “Don’t go up the mountain!”

“Got it,” Xu Yang responded.

Lu Xiaotang looked around the courtyard, feeling guilty as he said, “Xiao Ning, marrying me now is truly a grievance for you. I have nothing to give you at this moment, and we’re even getting married in your house.”

Xu Ning held his hand and smiled. “Brother Lu, I don’t feel wronged at all. Besides, whether we’re wronged or not isn’t determined by the kind of house we live in or living a luxurious life. I think everything is great right now. Our family is well, you love me, and I’m happy to be with you. Is there anything better than this?”

Lu Xiaotang gazed at the gentle girl in front of him, thinking to himself how lucky he was to have found someone so wonderful.

He pulled her into his arms and said, “Tomorrow, I’ll tidy up the house, make some furniture, buy you a sewing machine, and get you a new watch. Whatever else you want, we’ll buy it.”

Xu Ning thought to herself, Next year will be 1975, and in just over three years, it’ll be time for the college entrance exams. It won’t be convenient to take the sewing machine back, so I’d better pass on that.

As for sheets and covers, she had plenty in her secret space. She could just take them out tonight and place them in the cupboard bed.

Xu Ning thought that the family already had all the small items they needed, and there wasn’t any need to buy new ones. It would be better to save the money and use it as startup funds when they moved to the city.

She smiled and said, “We already have almost everything at home, and since we’re living in the countryside, it’s not good to be too flashy. I’ve got money on hand, so we can just buy whatever we need later.”

After some thought, she told Lu Xiaotang about Wang Juanjuan’s situation with her fiancé, including the incident where people came to their house to search.

Lu Xiaotang’s face darkened, and he said coldly, “They’re really asking for trouble. You don’t need to worry about this—I’ll handle it.”

That evening, after Lu Xiaotang and Xu Yang went to the cowshed, Xu Ning took some more items from her secret space and placed them in her room.

By the time the two men returned, it was already very late. Lu Xiaotang informed her that since Xu Yang could only stay for ten days, their parents had set the wedding date for the 26th of that month—just six days away.

Xu Ning nodded to show she understood and told them to go wash up before heading to bed.

When Xu Ning got up in the morning, breakfast was already prepared, and Lu Xiaotang and Xu Yang were outside talking.

Seeing her wake up, Lu Xiaotang smiled and said, “Go wash up. I’ll get the food ready.”

By the time Xu Ning had finished washing, Lu Xiaotang had already placed the meal on the table. There was millet porridge, pickled cucumbers, and a peeled egg in her bowl.

As they ate, Lu Xiaotang said, “Xu Yang and I are going into town later, so you don’t need to wait for us for lunch.”

Xu Yang finished his bowl of rice and added, “Yesterday, Dad and Uncle Lu finalized the wedding date. In a bit, you should inform those you’re close with and invite them to have a drink at the celebration.

Also, don’t go into the mountains for the next few days. Once Xiaotang and I handle this matter, we’ll go chop firewood for you.”

Xu Ning thought for a moment, realizing that there were only a few days left and still quite a bit to prepare. She nodded in agreement.

After breakfast, the two men rode the bicycle into town. Xu Ning tidied up the house and then headed to the educated youth compound.

Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei laughed when they heard that Xu Ning would be getting married in just a few days. “Your fiancé just got back yesterday, and now you’re getting married right away. You sure are in a hurry!” they teased.

Xu Ning rolled her eyes at them and replied, “And I’m the one in a hurry? One of you already has a child, and the other is expecting. You two have no right to say I’m rushing!”

Hearing the conversation, Liu Shaojie and Zhang Hairong came out from the house and asked, “Xu Zhiqing, can we come to your wedding for a drink as well? Will you welcome us?”

Xu Ning quickly responded, “Of course, you’re all welcome! On the wedding day, come over early. I won’t come to invite you separately.”

Yang Wenli also stepped out and said, “Count me in too. I wonder if Xu Zhiqing would welcome me?”

Xu Ning was a little surprised at his words, but she quickly smiled and replied, “Of course you’re welcome! I’d be thrilled to have you all at my wedding. So consider this my invitation to all of you—make sure to come early that day to enjoy the celebration.”

When Gu Wenping and Lin Miao came in, pushing their bicycles, they saw several people standing in the courtyard. Gu Wenping asked Yang Wenli, “Why is everyone standing outside? Is something going on?”

Yang Wenli paused for a moment before saying, “Xu Zhiqing is getting married to his partner, and we’re all talking about going to celebrate.”

Gu Wenping nodded and was about to go inside when Lin Miao suddenly said, “Xu Zhiqing, when are you getting married? Wenping and I would love to come and have a drink at your wedding.”

Xu Ning smiled and said, “On the 26th of this month. If you have time, you’re welcome to join my wedding.”

Since others had already asked, Xu Ning could only extend the invitation as well.

Lin Miao smiled and said, “Great, we’ll definitely be there.”

Xu Ning understood Lin Miao’s intentions. She probably thought that Lu Xiaotang’s family had a good background and that in a few years, his family would be reinstated and return to the city. Lin Miao likely wanted to build some connections now. However, Xu Ning didn’t believe that attending a wedding banquet would lead to any deep relationship.

This girl was too calculating, and Xu Ning didn’t want to get entangled with her in the future. Things were fine as they were now—each minding their own business and not interfering with the other.

After leaving the compound, Xu Ning went straight to the village. She invited the village head, a few team leaders, the accountant, Aunt Dashuan, Aunt Si, and Chen Hongjun, along with several other families she had good relations with.

She said to the village head’s wife, Aunt Dashuan, and Aunt Si, “Aunties, I’d appreciate it if you could come early that day to help. There are some things I’m not familiar with, and I’d love your advice.” The women were all happy to agree. They promised to arrive early on the wedding day and assured her that everything would be taken care of, so that she could have a grand and glorious wedding.