Although the people of Qingshui Brigade felt sorry that Gu Chengze had to change his career, they quickly thought he would be working in a machinery factory soon. Wouldn’t this iron rice bowl be more secure? So they looked at Zhao Xiuli with growing envy. 

Since Gu Chengze’s return, Zhao Xiuli hadn’t stopped smiling. After all, Gu Chengze not only settled down nearby but also solved his lifelong affairs. How could she not be happy? 

When Gu Chengze returned home, he found that Zhao Xiuli had gone to work again. He couldn’t help but frown. The last fall made him feel scared, so he didn’t really want Zhao Xiuli to go to work again. 

If possible, he planned to take Zhao Xiuli to the city after he married Momo in the future. 

Thinking of marriage, the smile on Gu Chengze’s face deepened. Although it was too early to discuss it now, the thought of getting married in the future made him feel happy. 

This joy remained with him as he headed to the machinery factory to report in. Before he left, he promised Zhao Xiuli that the next time he returned, he would bring Tang Momo with him. He also reminded her not to bring up engagement and marriage as soon as they met. 

“What, don’t you want to get married?” Zhao Xiuli wasn’t pleased. The whole point of entering a relationship was to get married, so how could he think that way? 

Seeing her look like she was about to hit him, Gu Chengze couldn’t help but laugh, “Grandma, it’s not what you think.” 

Ever since he found out that the college entrance examination would resume, Gu Chengze finally understood why Tang Momo had said what she did earlier.  

Now, Gu Chengze had two goals: to get into college with Tang Momo and to marry her. 

Seeing his determination, Zhao Xiuli nodded in agreement, “Fine, fine, you young people can decide for yourselves.” 

Because the deputy director of the machinery factory was a comrade of Gu Chengze’s former commander, everything went smoothly when he reported to the factory. 

After tidying up his dorm, Gu Chengze saw that there was still plenty of time, so he decided to go to the food factory to pick up Tang Momo. 

Because he had dinner with Tang Momo’s friend in the dormitory before, Gu Chengze was now somewhat familiar with the people at the food factory. 

When he arrived at the factory gate, it wasn’t time for her work to end yet, so he walked over to the guard and struck up a conversation with the old man. 

The guard greeted him familiarly, “Here to pick up our Comrade Tang again?” 

Gu Chengze smiled and nodded, “Yes.” 

The old man smiled and teased, and Gu Chengze nodded in agreement. For a while, the atmosphere was very harmonious 

When Tang Momo came out, the first thing she saw was Gu Chengze happily talking with the old man, “Didn’t you say you were going to the machinery factory today? How did you come back so quickly?” 

“The deputy director happened to be a comrade-in-arms of my former leader, so things went smoothly and I saved a lot of time,” Gu Chengze explained gently. 

“That’s good. I just borrowed a few textbooks today. We can study when we get back.” 

Tang Momo felt her mission before the college entrance exams was to push Gu Chengze to study. 

“I’ve never studied high school materials before, so I’ll have to rely on Comrade Tang for guidance,” Gu Chengze had good grades, but because he was living under someone else’s roof, he did not choose to continue studying in high school.  

“Back in the day, teachers used to receive payment. What reward are you going to give me?” Tang Momo teased him and reach out her hand playfully. 

Gu Chengze’s eyes softened, “I actually do have something for you.” 

Tang Momo originally just wanted to tease him, but she didn’t expect he really had something for her. She couldn’t help but ask, “What is it?” 

Gu Chengze pulled something out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. Feeling the cold metal, Tang Momo had a guess. Sure enough, when she opened her hand, she found a watch lying in her palm.  

“Why did you think of buying this for me?” Tang Momo had been planning to buy a watch before, but a series of things happened later that made her forget about it. Unexpectedly, he actually bought it for her directly. 

“I just thought you will look good wearing this.” Gu Chengze pursed his lips. He actually bought it because he heard the conversation between the salesperson and the person next to him when he went to the supply and marketing cooperative today. 

She said her partner bought her a watch when they got engaged. At that moment, Gu Chengze had only one thought: he hadn’t been by her side before, but now that he was back, if others had it, she should have it too.  

Tang Momo quickly put on the watch, then stretched out her wrist toward him, “How is it? Does it look good?” 

Gu Chengze nodded, “It looks good.” 

“Okay, your tuition fee has been received by the teacher. Remember to come to class every day in the future.” Tang Momo couldn’t help but laugh at her own words.  

Gu Chengze’s also laugh with her, “Yes, I will follow the teacher’s arrangements.” 

“Then let’s go quickly.” Tang Momo said and jumped directly to the back seat of his bicycle. 

“Hold on tight.” Gu Chengze still had a faint smile on his lips. 

It felt like being with her made achieving happiness seem so easy. 

At the dinner table, others naturally noticed the watch on Tang Momo’s wrist. Zhang Xiaoli asked casually, “Did you go to the supply and marketing cooperative today?” 

Seeing Zhang Xiaoli’s eyes fall on the watch, Tang Momo smiled and shook her head, then explained it to her, “This was given to me by Gu Chengze.” 

Zhang Xiaoli glanced at the two of them, and her face was full of hesisation. 

Things as expensive as watches are generally only accepted by people who are engaged; she wondered if Momo understood that. 

Tang Momo knew very well how precious watches were in this era. Her thinking was simple: she liked it, so she accepted it; besides, she would return the favor.  

After dinner, Tang Momo began to teach Gu Chengze formally. She was afraid that he would forget the content of junior high school, so she borrowed several junior high school textbooks. 

It was at this moment that Tang Momo realized she had overprepared. Gu Chengze had not returned the previous content to the teacher. Even the content of the high school textbooks, he could remember it after teaching him once.  

Tang Momo couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. 

Considering Chengze’s comprehension ability, it would not take long for him to finish studying the high school textbooks. By then, it would probably be time for the college entrance examination if he reviewed it again. 

After sending Gu Chengze away, Tang Momo turned around and saw Zhang Xiaoli looking at her. Tang Momo knew she must have come to talk about the watch. 

She took the initiative to step forward and took her arm while saying gently, “Mother, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.” 

Tang Momo thought, if Gu Chengze and her were admitted to the university together, and if they both hadn’t changed by then, they could get engaged, which would be considered giving each other a name? 

Zhang Xiaoli knew that she always had her own ideas, but still couldn’t help but advise, “Momo, Xiao Gu is really good. If you two get married, you won’t have a serious mother-in-law. You’ll be in charge, and he treats you well. Don’t miss out on this.” 

Which daughter-in-law hasn’t faced hardships in this era? Understanding Zhang Xiaoli’s concerns, Tang Momo nodded seriously, “Mother, I understand. Don’t worry.” 

Seeing Tang Momo’s serious face, Zhang Xiaoli knew that she had taken her words to heart, so she stopped talking and went back to her room. 

Because of studying, Gu Chengze would come to their place after work every day and study high school textbooks with “Comrade Tang.” 

Soon, it was the eve of Tang Momo’s vacation. The two went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things in advance and prepared to go back to see Zhao Xiuli the next day. 

Unexpectedly, when they returned to Qingshui Brigade, they saw a lively scene. It turned out that the Xu family had arranged a marriage for Xu Xiaoyun without telling her. It was not until the man came that Xu Xiaoyun knew about it. 

Xu Xiaoyun was naturally unhappy and even threatened them by jumping into the river. In the end, the captain asked the women’s federation to come. 

When Tang Momo and Gu Chengze arrived, the women’s federation was already there to mediate. Gu Chengze turned to Tang Momo and asked gently, “Do you want to go see?”  

Tang Momo shook her head, “No need. We might as well spend more time with Grandma Zhao.” 

Tang Momo didn’t care about Xu Xiaoyun’s affairs. As long as she didn’t hurt her friends and family, she wasn’t concerned with what she did. 

Zhao Xiuli had been waiting for the two at home for a long time. When she saw them, she quickly pulled them into the yard. 

It was also at this time that the Gu family realized why their old lady had been happy these days. It turned out that Gu Chengze and Tang Momo were in a relationship. 

Zhao Xiuli knew that Gu Chengze didn’t think highly of his two uncles and aunt, so she took them directly to the backyard. 

Tang Momo sincerely apologized to Zhao Xiuli since she was the one who decided not to reveal their relationship earlier. 

Zhao Xiuli waved her hand to show that she didn’t care and said cheerfully, “It’s okay, as long as both of you are happy.” 

Because they had to go to work tomorrow, the two of them only stayed until the afternoon and left. It was also at this time that the news of their relationship spread throughout the Qingshui Brigade. 

Xu Xiaoyun was moving things at this time. Because she refused to get married, her family drove her out. The captain felt sorry for her and thought that the female educated youths in the educated youth house all lived in the same room, so he asked her to move there temporarily and think of other ways later. 

Xu Xiaoyun was also happy to move to the educated youth house. After all, she had never been to high school, and she could ask those educated youths while she was there. 

Of course, the most important thing was that, counting the days, Tie Yanming should also show up. Living in the educated youth house would make it easier for her to take revenge on him. 

Hearing the news that Gu Chengze and Tang Momo were in a relationship, Xu Xiaoyun just sneered. They were destined to be two laid-off workers, so she was too lazy to pay attention to them. After all, her time was very precious now. 

After returning to the city, the two of them continued to work and study as usual. People around them occasionally asked them about their engagement out of curiosity, but they both said they were not in a hurry. After being asked so many times, outsiders were more embarrassed than they were, so gradually no one asked this question anymore. 

Tang Momo also realized that if Gu Chengze were placed in the future, he would undoubtedly be a top student. 

She couldn’t help but think, Is this the legendary halo of a male protagonist? 

Although he didn’t know what the male protagonist halo meant, seeing the envy in her eyes, Gu Chengze figured it must be something good. He curled the corners of his lips and leaned over. “Comrade Tang, do you think I’m very smart?” 

Seeing the smile in his eyes, Tang Momo snorted lightly, looking reluctant, “It’s not bad. Young man, self-confidence is good, but the most important thing is to be humble.” 

Gu Chengze couldn’t help but laugh at her expression. 

Tang Momo’s originally tense face couldn’t hold it back as well, and started laughing along with him. 

“Sister, what are you laughing at?” The two little ones came back from outside and saw the two people laughing together. 

Tang Momo reached out and rubbed their heads and said softly, “Nothing, are you hungry?” 

The two little ones are growing up, and they often feel hungry, so there are always egg cakes at home. 

“We’re hungry. Can we have egg cakes?” As soon as food was mentioned, the twin’s eyes began to sparkle. 

“Go wash your hands. I’ll get them for you.” It’s been more than a year since they came to the city. The two twins have grown a lot taller, and even Tang Momo has grown a lot. 

Because the two have the opportunity to study together every day, their tacit understanding is getting better and better, and they can often understand each other’s meaning with just a glance. 

During this time, Tang Momo realized that a good relationship doesn’t require special effort to grow. Even if they are only doing simple things, it can still feel comfortable. 

She likes this feeling. After they got together, Gu Chengze had never rushed her about engagement or marriage, which touched her very much. 

So, one day, a month before the college entrance examination, when the newspaper just said that the college entrance examination was resumed, she looked at Gu Chengze, who was packing his textbooks, and suddenly said, “Let’s get engaged after the college entrance examination.” 

“Engaged?” 

The sudden surprise left Gu Chengze a bit flustered. 

Tang Momo raised her eyebrows, “What’s wrong? Don’t you want to?” 

“How is it possible? I just think it’s too sudden.” Gu Chengze originally thought that Tang Momo would only agree once she got into university. 

Just like that, their engagement plans were put on their plans. 

In Qingshui Brigade, Xu Xiaoyun from began to wonder if her rebirth was a dream. Otherwise, why were all the things different now? 

Tang Momo was not dead; Gu Chengze not only did not marry her but also changed his job, and now there is no Tie Yanming. This realization made Xu Xiaoyun panic. 

***

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