Chapter 71

Dinner was ready, and the rest of the Xu family had arrived home.

Xu’s eldest sister-in-law rushed in, eager to see what Xu Di’s husband looked like.

“Sister-in-law, you’re back? Didn’t you say you were working the late shift?”

“I swapped shifts with someone. I was just so curious.”

Xu’s eldest sister-in-law gave Xu Di a knowing look.

Xu Di didn’t expect her sister-in-law to be so curious.

“Zhang Chaoyang, this is my eldest sister-in-law, Wang Meili. Sister-in-law, this is People’s Warrior Zhang Chaoyang.”

“Nice to meet you, sister-in-law.”

“Nice to meet you, nice to meet you, Comrade Zhang. Please sit, please sit.”

Xu’s eldest sister-in-law saw the legendary small eyes, the gaze sharp, and she didn’t dare look directly at him.

Zhang Chaoyang tried his best to control himself, but years of army life had formed muscle memory.

“I’ll go check on the kitchen.”

Xu’s eldest sister-in-law left.

Xu’s eldest brother, who had just returned home with his child, also took a curious look at this military officer who was the same age as him and newly married.

Xu’s father made his grand entrance last. He had been delayed at work because his leader had something urgent.

“Dinner is ready, come and eat. Xu Di, take Chaoyang to wash his hands and eat.”

Xu’s mother had cooked six dishes, with chicken being a must. Braised fish, braised pork, shredded cabbage, shredded green beans stewed with vermicelli, and stir-fried potato shreds.

“Chaoyang, eat, don’t be shy. Eat your fill, eat well, you’re part of the family now.”

“Thank you, Auntie, I will eat my fill.”

Zhang Chaoyang didn’t think about being polite, they were family now, being genuine was better.

The Xu family wasn’t a large family, but they weren’t small either. During dinner, they weren’t overly restrained, saying what they needed to say.

“Second Sister, now that you’ve gotten your marriage certificate, will you not be living here anymore?”

“Where would I go?”

Before Xu Di could answer, little Ping’an understood that she wouldn’t be coming back. He looked at his aunt, wanting to know where she was going.

“Aunt is going to be a bride. Ping’an, do you want some wedding candy?”

“Yes, yes, candy.”

Xu Jun looked at his nephew. He really didn’t understand anything. His aunt wouldn’t be home anymore, and he still wanted candy.

“I’m getting married, not kidnapped. I can still come back often.

If you miss Second Sister, you can come see me. Didn’t you say you’d help me take care of my children? Don’t go back on your word.”

Xu Di truly loved this brother. At first, there was some transference, but later, she genuinely treated him as a brother, a caring brother.

“I’ll keep my word. I said I’d help you take care of the kids, and I will.”

Xu Jun felt a little embarrassed. He just didn’t want to part with his second sister.

He knew that after marriage, things would be different.

Zhang Chaoyang watched the interaction between the siblings and felt a little envious. His own siblings weren’t as close.

Even his twin brother and sister, their relationship was ordinary.

“Xu Jun, after I go back to the army, you go to the house often and keep your second sister company. When I come back, I’ll bring you a ship made of bullet casings.”

“Brother-in-law, you’re keeping your word. No need to go through all that trouble, just bring me back a bullet casing. Don’t worry, I’ll protect my second sister. Don’t underestimate me, I’m strong.”

Xu Jun waved his arm, wanting to show off his muscles, but he was wearing too many layers, so you couldn’t see them.

“When my arm heals, I’ll teach you military boxing.”

Zhang Chaoyang thought this little brother-in-law was pretty good, someone he could get along with.

The others watched the lively conversation, occasionally chiming in with a word or two.

Overall, the meal was lively and enjoyable.

After dinner, Xu’s eldest brother and Xu Jun helped clean up the table. Zhang Chaoyang also offered to help, but Xu’s mother stopped him.

“On your first visit, you’re a guest. There will be plenty of opportunities later.”

Zhang Chaoyang had other things he wanted to say, so he went along with it, wiped his hands, and followed Xu Di to the living room.

“Uncle, Auntie, this is the betrothal gift for Xu Di. It was supposed to be delivered by Aunt Wang, but she called yesterday and said her unit sent her on a business trip, and she won’t be back for a few days.

We’ve already gotten our marriage certificate and prepared most of the things. We were thinking, maybe we could find a good day to hold the wedding.”

Zhang Chaoyang took a red envelope from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table.

“We’ve already ordered furniture today, and it will be delivered tomorrow.

The bicycle, sewing machine, and watch, Xu Di has already chosen, and they’ve been moved back.

I plan to wear my military uniform, and I’ve found a set for Xu Di too. I’ve also bought leather shoes.

As for other things, Uncle and Auntie, do you have any requests?”

Xu’s father and mother didn’t expect him to move so quickly, to have everything arranged.

“We don’t have any requests. The government is promoting thrift now, and we need to be mindful of that.

Especially your work, there are more things you need to be careful about.

You go back and discuss this with your grandmother. We don’t have that many rules here.”

Although Xu’s father was quiet, he read newspapers and knew about some policies.

“Okay, I’ll go back and discuss it with my grandmother. Even if we’re promoting thrift, we still need to have what we need.”

Zhang Chaoyang didn’t want to make Xu Di feel wronged. He was often away from home, which had already made her feel quite wronged.

Xu Di didn’t care about these things. Weddings in the 1970s wouldn’t have many new elements.

“Xu Di, Chaoyang’s family has prepared quite a lot, so there’s not much for Mom and Dad to prepare.

Like your sister, we’ll give you five hundred yuan too. You can decide how to use it.

I’ve prepared two sets of bedding for you, plus two blankets and two bedspreads.

I’ve also prepared a thermos and other things. You can choose the clothes yourself.”

Xu’s mother didn’t have any fabric coupons, so the two sets of bedding were secretly acquired from the black market with her husband. Cotton coupons were even harder to find.

“Mom, that’s enough. I’ll choose my own clothes, and curtains, I’ve already picked out the fabric. I’ll bring them back after work tomorrow.

If I need anything, I’ll make it myself. Sister-in-law has a sewing machine, so it’s not a problem.”

“It’s fine, I can help you.

Xu Di, your brother and I don’t know what to get you.

I saw a cashmere coat at the department store. They have black, red, and khaki. Which color do you like?”

Xu’s eldest sister-in-law had been thinking about this for a long time. Xu Di didn’t lack anything, and she was worried about what to get her.

A colleague had mentioned at lunch that the department store had received a batch of cashmere coats, and they were really nice.

She went to take a look, and they were indeed good, one hundred and fifty yuan each. She decided to get her younger sister-in-law a cashmere coat.

“Sister-in-law, are you really getting me one?”

“Of course, why would I lie to you?”

Xu Di smiled and looked at her sister-in-law, deciding to accept it.

“I’ll take the black one. It’s easy to match with clothes.”

“Okay, I’ll go buy it tomorrow at noon. Or, I’ll go to your department store, so you can try it on.”

“That’s fine, it’s all the same anyway.”

The sisters-in-law happily decided on this. The others had no objections.

Xu Di knew that coat was one hundred and fifty yuan. She also knew that her sister-in-law felt guilty about always buying things for Ping’an, so she wanted to give her a wedding gift, and she would accept it.

Between relatives, there needs to be reciprocity for the relationship to be good.

Xu Jun was dumbfounded. His sister-in-law had chosen a gift, what about him? He didn’t have any money.

Xu Di held back a laugh and said nothing. Her little Jun was really cute sometimes.

Zhang Chaoyang didn’t expect that the dowry and betrothal gift issues, which many people found troublesome, were easily settled.

Xu’s parents didn’t even look at the amount in his red envelope, which felt strange.

When his childhood friend got married, he heard that there was a lot of trouble because of the betrothal gift.

After everything was said, it was getting late, so Zhang Chaoyang prepared to leave.

The Xu family members saw him off at the door. After they decided on a wedding date, he and Xu Di would also go see Xu’s grandparents.