Chapter 35 : Uncle Geng

Today was the first time Su Mo visited the new house.

The new house was close to the Lu family home, just a 5-minute walk or an even shorter bike ride.

Entering through the street gate enclosed by a bamboo fence, the layout was immediately striking. At the center stood three spacious blue brick and tile houses. To the left were two smaller adobe houses, and to the right was a well. The yard, about three acres in size, was used for growing vegetables.

The house itself was a classic Northeastern countryside three-room layout. The east and west rooms served as bedrooms, while the central room was split into two sections: a kitchen at the front and a dining and living area in the back. The entire house had one main entrance, with the doors to the two bedrooms located inside.

Lu Changzheng led Su Mo into the house and directly to the east bedroom, which was arranged as their bridal chamber.

With a twinkle in his eyes, Lu Changzheng said, “Wife, you can rest here for now. I’ll go greet everyone, and then we’ll head over to my parents’ house.”

Su Mo nodded in agreement.

Soon after, a group of aunts arrived to deliver her dowry to the bridal chamber. They busily laid the bedding on the kang, placed the thermos and other items on the table, and set Su Mo’s two suitcases upright on the floor. A bamboo basket containing other belongings seemed to have been left in the middle room.

After placing the items and offering a few cheerful blessings, the aunts departed, leaving Su Mo to explore the room.

She was pleasantly surprised by the details. The new house not only had a cement floor and whitewashed walls but also a ceiling made of thin wooden boards, a luxurious touch for a rural home of that era.

The bedroom was spacious, likely at least 30 square meters, and the kang was large enough to accommodate a family of five. A straw mat covered the kang, and a kang table in the center held a plate of peanuts and a plate of red dates. There were also two small kang cabinets, one tall and one short, placed on either side.

Next to the kang stood a large double-door wardrobe, complete with a full-length mirror embedded in one of the doors. The room also had a dressing table, a desk, a sewing machine, and two armchairs, indicating thoughtfulness in furnishing.

Bright natural light filled the room, thanks to the large north- and south-facing windows. The windows were equipped with screens, ensuring the room stayed insect-free even when opened. The north-facing window, closer to the yard, was a glass-paneled door, while the south-facing one, overlooking the back of the house, was wooden for added privacy. The glass window was adorned with a curtain.

Su Mo was awestruck. It was evident that Lu Changzheng had invested significantly in building and decorating this home. The wedding photo they had taken was even framed and hung on the wall of the bedroom.

After taking it all in, Su Mo sat on the kang and listened to the lively chatter from outside. This would be her new home, and it was far better than she had imagined.

Before long, someone outside called for Lu Changzheng, reminding him to bring his new wife over quickly because the leaders of the commune were arriving soon.

This wedding wasn’t just for family and neighbors, Lu Qing’an had also invited several leaders from the commune.

Hurriedly, Su Mo and Lu Changzheng made their way over. They wanted to welcome the guests warmly.

As Su Mo entered through the street gate, she saw Lu Xiaolan and several young wives arranging tables and laying out dishes. The yard, which had previously been filled with vegetables, was now transformed with rows of dining tables, some round and others square, ready for the banquet.

When Lu Xiaolan saw Su Mo and Lu Changzheng approaching, she smiled and said, “Third sister-in-law, you look so beautiful today. I think you’re the most stunning bride in the entire commune.”

Su Mo blushed and replied modestly, “Don’t tease me.”

“Oh, I swear by the Chairman’s name that I’m telling the truth!” Lu Xiaolan chuckled. Indeed, Su Mo was strikingly beautiful, no one in the surrounding area could compare.

At that moment, Li Yue’e emerged from the house and said, “Your father has gone to welcome the commune leader. You two should head to the gate and greet him as well.”

The couple promptly returned to the gate. Soon, they saw Lu Qing’an leading a small group of individuals who appeared to be commune leaders.

As Lu Qing’an approached and caught sight of Su Mo’s outfit, his expression faltered slightly.

The third daughter-in-law’s attire seemed too ostentatious for the occasion. Although she was the bride, the dress exuded a hint of “capitalist flair” that felt inappropriate for the time.

Su Mo, however, was caught off guard as she recognized one of the men walking toward them. ‘Isn’t that Geng Changqing? Uncle Geng?!’

Geng Changqing, the man who had been raised by the original owner’s grandfather, was a prominent figure from her past. His parents had been revolutionary martyrs who died in the war, leaving him orphaned. Feeling sympathy for the child, Su Zhongli, the original owner’s grandfather, had taken Geng in at the age of four and treated him as part of the Su family. Although Su Mo called him “Uncle Geng,” he was only 12 years older than her and now 30 years old.

As Geng Changqing approached, he first shook hands with Lu Changzheng and offered his congratulations. Then he turned to Su Mo with a warm smile. “Xiao Mo, you’ve grown up so much. It’s been years, and yet you didn’t even tell your uncle you were getting married!”

Su Mo gave an awkward smile. “Uncle Geng, long time no see. I didn’t know you were here.”

“You!” Geng Changqing shook his head helplessly. “Still as willful as ever, getting married without letting anyone know. Good thing your choice wasn’t bad, or I wouldn’t know how to explain it to Brother Qian.”

During the original owner’s most mischievous and stubborn years, Geng had been attending middle and high school and often had to deal with her antics. To this day, he seemed to harbor a mix of exasperation and affection for her.

Geng pulled out two thick red envelopes from his pocket, handing them to Su Mo. “One is from me, and the other is from your uncle. Be sure to call him in a few days.”

Su Mo accepted the envelopes with a guilty conscience. “I already wrote him a letter,” she said, then quickly added, “I’ll call him in two days.”

The leaders accompanying Geng were taken aback. They hadn’t expected the new bride of the Lu family’s brigade secretary to have such a close connection with Secretary Geng.

Lu Qing’an was equally stunned. Wasn’t his third daughter-in-law sent to the countryside due to a family issue? How did she know Secretary Geng? And from the looks of it, their relationship wasn’t ordinary.

Geng addressed Lu Changzheng firmly. “Comrade Lu Changzheng, Su Mo is a kind, upright, and revolutionary comrade. I trust you will treat her well.”

Standing at attention, Lu Changzheng saluted. “Yes, sir! I will ensure my mission is fulfilled.”

Geng’s demeanor implied that he was speaking on behalf of Su Mo’s family, and so, Lu Changzheng adopted a resolute attitude.

Turning to Su Mo, Geng continued, “Su Mo, Comrade Lu Changzheng is an excellent soldier, dedicated to defending the nation at the front. You must take care of things at home so that he has no distractions. Do you understand?”

Su Mo nodded earnestly. “I understand.”