It wasn’t until Gu Xiaoxi and the others had walked far away that they realized she was accompanied by a tall, handsome military officer. Were they together?

Never mind. Although he lost two yuan, it was better than being beaten to death by his father!

The secret of the post office money order was known only to him. His father had made it clear that if he ever revealed it, he’d be beaten to death!

Meanwhile, Gu Xiaoxi sat in the car, quietly examining the two yuan in her hand.

Third Uncle was notoriously stingy. He was always the one asking others for money, never the one giving it away.

Today was truly unusual!

Was it because of what that woman said?

A money order from the post office?

Among their relatives, apart from her brother in the military who occasionally sent money and packages, there were no other relatives living elsewhere.

Who would send money to her grandfather?

Lu Jiansen, noticing his wife staring at the two yuan, felt a bit puzzled. “Is there something special about these two yuan?”

Gu Xiaoxi put the money away and explained, “My third uncle is very stingy. Our family doesn’t have any relatives living far away, so it’s strange that someone would send money to my grandfather.”

Lu Jiansen thought for a moment and said, “Your third uncle’s reaction just now seemed like he was afraid you’d reveal the person who sent the money order. Those two yuan were probably hush money.”

Gu Xiaoxi nodded. “Yes, that’s what I thought too.”

That’s why it felt so strange!

“I’ll ask someone at the post office to look into it,” Lu Jiansen said softly.

“Okay. If it’s not too much trouble, let’s check it out.”

In her previous two lives, she hadn’t known about this, so now she felt like her grandparents had been hiding something deep.

When they got home, she found an opportunity to quietly tell her mother in their room about seeing Third Uncle and that woman at the hospital and overhearing their conversation.

Jiang Xiuqing was also surprised. “I’ve been married to your father for so many years, and I’ve never heard of any relatives living far away or anyone sending money.”

Gu Xiaoxi whispered, “Third Uncle was so afraid I’d talk that he gave me two yuan. Mom, don’t you think that’s strange?”

Jiang Xiuqing’s eyes widened. “That’s definitely strange. Your third uncle is the type who only takes and never gives, always looking to take advantage of others. I think there’s something fishy going on. I’ll mention it to your dad tonight.”

“Okay!”

“By the way, Xiaoxi, Lu Jiansen’s aunt suggested that today’s celebration would count as the wedding banquet on the bride’s side, and your room would serve as the bridal chamber. Later, when Lu Jiansen has leave, we’ll hold another celebration in the capital.”

Gu Xiaoxi nodded. “Alright.”

“Also, the engagement gift from the Lu family was 660 yuan, and the wedding gift is 990 yuan. That’s quite a lot. Your dad and I think you should take all that money with you, and we’ll add some more, bringing the total to 2,200 yuan for you to take to the military…”

Listening to her mother, Gu Xiaoxi shook her head. “Mom, I don’t need to take that much money. I’ll just take 600 yuan.”

She was practically rich now, with nearly 2,000 yuan in her pocket!

Jiang Xiuqing smiled and lightly tapped her daughter’s head. “Take it anyway. Life outside isn’t like at home. Just bring some clothes, and you can buy the rest when you get to the military. If you don’t have ration tickets, you can trade money for them.”

Gu Xiaoxi was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Mom.”

Jiang Xiuqing was amused by her daughter’s obedient demeanor. “Bring the clothes you’ve been wearing recently, and the thick ones. The wedding quilt will be sent to you later.”

“Okay.” Gu Xiaoxi agreed, then took out the watch and radio Lu Jiansen had bought today.

“Mom, Lu Jiansen bought two watches. This one is for you. The radio is for Grandpa. Dad gets cigarettes and liquor…”

Jiang Xiuqing listened to her daughter’s chatter, feeling both touched and reluctant to let her go!

After chatting for a while, Gu Xiaoxi was sent to her room to freshen up.

Of course, “freshening up” just meant taking a bath, combing her hair, and changing into a brand-new green military uniform.

In the kitchen, the food for the wedding banquet was ready. Gu Yimin made a special trip to his parents’ house to invite them over for the meal.

Grandma Gu, feeling guilty, didn’t dare go and made an excuse about having a headache and not feeling well.

Grandpa Gu eventually went, but when he saw the neighbors coming with gifts, his first words were:

“Yimin, your mom and I are out of money. We won’t be contributing to Xiaoxi’s wedding. It’s just how things are.”

Gu Xiaomei, who had followed behind, quickly added, “Second Brother, there was a fire at home yesterday, and I came in a hurry without bringing any money. I’ll go home and get it later!”

Liu Chunhua also wanted to avoid giving money, but it would look bad, so she smiled and said, “We gave Mom and Dad fifty yuan last night, and Xinli is about to go to the countryside. We’re a bit tight right now. For Xiaoxi’s wedding, we’ll give ten yuan and make it up later.”

Gu Yimin hadn’t expected them to contribute in the first place, but their attitude made him feel very uncomfortable.

Jiang Xiuqing felt the same way, so she didn’t say anything.

Gu Xiaoxi came out of her room just in time to hear this. She walked over and said with a smile, “It’s fine. When Gu Xinli gets married, Auntie won’t need to make it up. Consider it as our family’s contribution to her.”

Jiang Xiuqing immediately nodded and took over, “Yes, it’s too much trouble to give back and forth. When Xinli gets married, it’ll even out. Xiaomei, your son Kangzi is about to get married too, right? Your family must be tight as well. You don’t need to give anything. Just consider it as both families having contributed, and we’ll keep it in mind!”

Gu Xiaomei’s face suddenly darkened.

She had a son. The money and gifts needed for a son’s wedding couldn’t be the same as for a worthless girl!

Gu Xiaoxi ignored whether these people were happy or not and turned to find Lu Jiansen.

Just then, the sound of a bicycle bell came from outside.

Someone called out, “Is Gu Changgen here? There’s a money order for you.”

Gu Xiaoxi, being nearby, immediately went out and smiled at the postman. “Gu Changgen is my grandfather. I’ll take the money order for him.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw her grandfather’s legs move as if they were on fire, rushing out in a flash.

“Give it to me, give it to me!”

Gu Xiaoxi narrowed her eyes slightly and, as her grandfather snatched the money order, leaned closer to the postman and took a quick glance.

Grandpa Gu took the money order, glared at Gu Xiaoxi, and then turned and left.

Gu Xiaoxi lowered her gaze. Two hundred yuan!

The money order was for two hundred yuan!

The sender’s name was Xie Zhu.

In her two previous lives, she had never heard this name.

Who could this person be?

She suddenly felt as if she had lived those two lives in vain!

As she was lost in thought, a warm, pleasant voice sounded in her ear.

“Let’s go eat.”

Gu Xiaoxi snapped out of her daze, looked up at him, and smiled. “Okay, let’s eat.”

The wedding banquet began, but Grandpa Gu seemed distracted.

Gu Xiaoxi kept serving him food, being overly enthusiastic.