Chapter 108

Tang Jinghai was extremely pleased with He Ting and showered him with praise.

“I’m finally back to celebrate the New Year. Weiwei’s been talking about you these past few days.”

He Ting invited Tang Jinghai into the house to sit.

“I’ve been away these past few months on procurement runs for the factory, which is why I missed your wedding to Weiwei,” Tang Jinghai explained. “My brother wrote to me, saying Weiwei’s already expecting a child. As soon as I returned from out of province, I made sure to come straight to Xiangyang Brigade.”

He Ting gestured for him to come inside, but Tang Jinghai waved it off, signaling that he wasn’t in a rush.

He had overheard what the female educated youth standing near his nephew-in-law had said.

His nephew-in-law was not only good-looking but also seemed to attract trouble, even after marrying Weiwei.

He felt it was his duty to step in and help Weiwei nip these problematic entanglements in the bud.

Tang Jinghai handed over the large canvas bag he was carrying to He Ting. “This is for you and Weiwei. Go ahead and open it.”

Right there at the door?

He Ting had no idea that his uncle was planning to deal with any lingering “peach blossoms” (romantic entanglements) for his wife.

Tang Jinghai’s unorthodox approach left He Ting a little bewildered.

But Zhou Yanfeng caught on immediately: this uncle was here to back up his brother He Ting and sister-in-law Weiwei!

Who cared about a few chocolates and a piece of corduroy fabric? If someone thought those things could lure He Ting away, they were mistaken. With a savings account backing him up and joint investments in the brigade’s rabbit farm, He Ting wasn’t the type to be swayed by shallow temptations.

“Brother He Ting, let me help you open it,” Zhou Yanfeng offered.

Right in front of Feng Shishi, Zhou Yanfeng grabbed the canvas bag and opened it on the front steps.

“Wow! So much chocolate—this has to be over two pounds!”

“There are military coats, and not just one but two brand-new ones.”

“Look at all this malted milk powder, canned goods, and even baby formula! Uncle, did you raid the county’s department store?”

“The bottom is full of fabric—corduroy, Dacron, all premium materials. Uncle, are all these for my brother He Ting and sister-in-law?”

“You can’t even buy this much good fabric in the county’s department store. Uncle, where did you get it all?”

Tang Jinghai was briefly puzzled as to why He Ting called him Fourth Uncle, while the male educated youth next to him called him Uncle.

But when he saw the complicated expression on the female educated youth’s face, he felt immense satisfaction. His mission to assert authority and support Weiwei was a resounding success.

This young man, Zhou Yanfeng, was truly sharp.

He even knew to ask questions when he didn’t understand.

Tang Jinghai adopted a composed, official demeanor, clasping his hands behind his back. “Well, I’ve been traveling all over these past few months procuring fabric for our factory. When I heard my niece was getting married, I made sure to set aside some suitable items for her.”

Tang Jinghai adopted a dignified air, hands clasped behind his back. “I’ve been traveling all over the place these past months procuring fabric for our factory. When I heard my niece was getting married, I made sure to set aside some suitable items whenever I came across them.”

“In his letter, my brother mentioned that Weiwei is pregnant. Of course, I had to bring a gift for my nephew-in-law and prepare something for the little one on the way. Since I finally managed to visit Xiangyang Brigade, I brought all the fabric I’d collected here with me.”

“This bag is for Weiwei and He Ting. As for the items for the Tang family, they’re still on Liu Zaicheng’s tractor. I hitched a ride back with the brigade tractor, so I’ll have Yuanliang pick them up from the brigade office later.”

The entire bag was just for Lu WeiWei and He Ting?

Feng Shishi had assumed that only she could provide chocolates from the exclusive Youyi Department Store for Xiao Qi and Ranran. Only she could procure rare corduroy fabric for He Ting’s clothes.

But Lu WeiWei’s uncle, a procurement director in the county, turned out to be so generous and well-connected.

Even when Feng Shishi’s family was still doing well back in the capital courtyard, they never dared to spend money so freely. Yet Tang Jinghai had casually brought over two pounds of chocolate—something only available in the capital’s Youyi Store.

“How is it possible to buy so much chocolate?” Feng Shishi muttered in disbelief.

“Oh, you must be one of the educated youth with He Ting,” Tang Jinghai remarked with an air of calm authority, hands still behind his back. “That’s because you’re unaware. The military coats and chocolates were sent by Weiwei’s second uncle—my brother, who serves in the capital’s armed forces.”

Lu WeiWei had a second uncle in the military?

If he was not only in the army but also capable of sending two pounds of chocolate and obtaining two rare military coats, his position must be quite high.

Feng Shishi, once so proud of her background in a Beijing courtyard, now found herself at a loss. Her family’s situation had deteriorated, while Lu WeiWei remained upright, with strong family connections. Having an officer uncle to back her up made snatching He Ting seem impossible.

Hit by the reality, Feng Shishi left the brigade clinic sullen and dejected.

Zhou Yanfeng and Tang Jinghai had played off each other seamlessly, and only now did He Ting realize they had teamed up to frustrate Feng Shishi.

He Ting: “…”

Men remain boys at heart, after all.

So this is what his Fourth Uncle was like.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he called into the house, “Weiwei, Fourth Uncle’s back!”

“What? My Second Uncle’s here?”

Having just helped Lu WeiWei store the puffed rice candy into a tin barrel, Tang Yunling bolted outside upon hearing He Ting’s voice.

Following close behind was Lu WeiWei, whose baby bump was already showing.

“Fourth Uncle, you’re back!”

When Lu WeiWei had gotten married, her Fourth Uncle had been away on a difficult procurement task in another province and had missed the wedding. That trip had lasted several months.

This trip had lasted several months.

Having not seen her youngest uncle in a long time, Lu WeiWei was thrilled to hear of his return.

“You came back at the perfect time. We made puffed rice candy today,” she said excitedly.

“Then I couldn’t have picked a better day! That’s my favorite treat,” Tang Jinghai replied with a grin.

Tang Jinghai and Tang Jinghe’s mother had actually given birth to four sons, though the two middle children had sadly passed away young.

As the youngest son, Tang Jinghai was born later in life, considered a “child of old age.”

Tang Jinghai was only a few years older than Tang Yuanliang and about ten years older than Lu WeiWei and Tang Yunling. His stable circumstances allowed him to take his time finding a wife.

In his youth, he had watched over Lu WeiWei and the other younger generation as they grew up. Having lost her mother early in life, Lu WeiWei had always been especially close to her youngest uncle.

Seeing Lu WeiWei eagerly running toward him, Tang Jinghai quickly waved her off. “Weiwei, slow down! Be careful not to fall.”

“Second Uncle, you’re so biased! You have such a big niece standing right here, and you don’t even notice her,” Tang Yunling complained with mock indignation. “Hmph, all you think about is Weiwei!”

“I think about all of you,” Tang Jinghai chuckled. “Weiwei’s just been the quiet and well-behaved one since she was a child. She wouldn’t even speak up when someone wronged her. Unlike you, little girl—sharp-tongued and fearless, nobody dares mess with you.”

He waved Tang Yunling off. “Liu Zaicheng is waiting at the brigade office. I brought a lot of good things. Go call your brother to help carry them home.”

“No need! I’ve got a ready-made helper right here,” Tang Yunling declared, grabbing Zhou Yanfeng by the arm. “Xiaofeng, come on, time to do some heavy lifting for your sister!”

With her usual energy, Tang Yunling dragged Zhou Yanfeng off toward Liu Zaicheng’s place.

Watching the young man chasing after his niece in playful protest, Tang Jinghai turned to Lu WeiWei and asked, “Weiwei, what’s going on there?”

“They’re dating—or at least pretending to,” Lu WeiWei said with a sly wink. “Neither of them has admitted it yet, but it’s only a matter of time.”

Tang Jinghai’s first impression of Zhou Yanfeng was quite positive.

The young man had even known to team up with him earlier—just like a member of the Tang family would.