When Xu Ning returned from the village, it was already past eleven o’clock. There were still many things to prepare in the coming days. She first chopped the cabbage, planning to set up the dining table in the courtyard for the meal on the wedding day.

By the time Lu Xiaotang and Xu Yang returned, it was already after three in the afternoon. Xu Ning had finished chopping the cabbage and was sitting in the courtyard, peeling the leaves.

Seeing the two of them come back, she hurriedly asked, “Have you both eaten? If not, I can cook something for you right now.”

Xu Yang waved his hand and said, “I ate with Brother Jianshe in the city.”

Lu Xiaotang parked his bicycle and came over to help her with the cabbage. “Are we pickling the sauerkraut today? If so, I’ll wash out the jars.”

Xu Ning had originally planned to pickle it tomorrow, but since they were both back, she decided to do it today instead.

Looking at Xu Yang, who was inspecting the courtyard, Xu Ning said, “Brother, can you go to the kitchen and bring out those two big jars and wash them? I need them for pickling the sauerkraut later.”

“I’ll go!” Lu Xiaotang said, getting up to head to the kitchen to move the two large jars.

Seeing Lu Xiaotang leave, Xu Yang didn’t follow. He stayed there, wandering around.

Xu Ning glanced at him and called out, “Brother, come over and help me peel the cabbage leaves.”

In her mind, she thought, How can he be so oblivious? He doesn’t see any work that needs to be done. He’s not even as helpful as Xiao An and Xiao Mo. At this rate, how is he ever going to get married?

Xu Yang sat down next to her and said, “Xiao Ning, can’t you just let your brother relax for a bit?”

Xu Ning spoke earnestly, “Brother, look at how diligent Brother Lu is. He does every kind of work without complaint. Then look at you! You’re in your twenties now; at this rate, who would want to marry you? If you weren’t my brother, I wouldn’t even bother talking to you. You need to wake up and be more proactive!”

In the kitchen, Lu Xiaotang overheard the girl scolding her brother and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Xu Yang watched his sister skillfully peeling the cabbage leaves while chatting away, and he felt a warmth in his heart.

He raised his hand and playfully ruffled her hair, making it look like a bird’s nest.

Xu Ning was infuriated by his antics and threw the cabbage leaves at him. Xu Yang ducked and ran outside, protecting his head.

The two siblings turned the courtyard into a scene of playful chase, with Xu Ning panting behind and Xu Yang teasing her in front.

When Xu Yang ran past Lu Xiaotang, he extended his foot, causing Xu Yang to trip slightly and stumble to the ground. Xu Ning dashed over and gave him a playful punch.

Xu Yang deliberately shouted loudly, “Sis, sis, spare me! I promise I won’t do it again!”

Xu Ning couldn’t help but laugh at his playful antics.

Once Lu Xiaotang finished washing the jars, he smiled at the two of them. “It’s getting late. Hurry up and come over to pickle the vegetables; it’ll be dark soon, and we won’t be able to see.”

During dinner, Xu Ning asked the two of them what they had gone to the city for that day.

Lu Xiaotang replied, “We visited Brother Jianshe for a bit, inquired about Cao Bo and his brother-in-law, and then we went to the machinery factory.”

Xu Ning understood that they had gone to find the children of Li Shiyou.

She asked, “What’s the attitude of Li Shiyou’s ex-wife’s children toward him?”

Lu Xiaotang said, “They hate him deeply. Their mother’s death was caused by the stress from Li Shiyou and his current wife.”

Xu Yang added, “Li Shiyou is not only ruthless but also greedy. Most of the things he seized back in the day are probably hidden away. He’s cunning, so those items might not be easy to find.”

Xu Ning asked, “If Li Shiyou and Cao Bo end up in trouble, it wouldn’t affect Wang Juanjuan much, right? She’ll just continue to cause trouble, which is annoying enough.”

Lu Xiaotang replied, “There’s no way she’ll just keep bouncing around. Cao Bo has given her quite a few good things. Do you think she won’t have to pay something for that? Those things aren’t just handed out easily.”

Xu Ning realized that they must have developed a substantial relationship.

The next morning, Lu Xiaotang and Xu Yang headed back to the city again. Before they left, they told Xu Ning not to wait for them that night, as they wouldn’t be coming back.

With nothing much to do at home and the place already clean, Xu Ning decided to take out the military uniform Lu Xiaotang had brought for her. She adjusted the size, preparing to wear it on the day of her wedding.

After lunch, feeling quite bored, Xu Ning grabbed her backpack and decided to take a stroll up the mountain. There weren’t many wild goods left; everywhere she looked, people were chopping firewood.

Familiar aunts and neighbors saw her and congratulated her, some even playfully teasing her with kind jokes.

Xu Ning found it hard to handle all the attention from the aunts, and she eventually left, feeling a bit flustered as she headed home.

That evening, neither Lu Xiaotang nor Xu Yang returned. After breakfast the next day, Xu Ning prepared to take Old Chen’s ox cart to the city.

With just a couple of days left until her wedding, she planned to pick up some meat and fine grains.

Seeing her, Old Chen chuckled, “Xu Zhiqing, are you going to the city today?”

Xu Ning smiled and replied, “Grandpa Chen, I’m going to buy some things for the wedding. You need to come early on the big day and bring Er Dan and San Dan to join the fun.”

Old Chen chuckled and said, “Great, I’ll definitely come early. On the big day, I won’t be driving the cart into the city; I’ll be waiting to enjoy your wedding feast!”

When she reached the supply and marketing cooperative, Xu Ning used the marriage certificate from Lu Xiaotang’s unit to buy some candy and other items needed for the wedding.

After thinking for a moment, she decided to inform Su Hongying about her wedding. Lu Xiaotang and Xu Yang had already invited Zhao Jianshe and Su Hongmei.

Her relationship with Su Hongying had been good over the past few years, so regardless of whether she could make it or not, it was still important to extend the invitation.

When Xu Ning arrived, she found that Su Hongying was home, washing clothes. Seeing her, Su Hongying quickly invited her inside and asked, “Xiao Ning, what brings you here today? Is there something you need?”

Xu Ning shyly smiled and said, “Sister Hongying, I’m getting married on the 26th of this month. I came specifically to invite you and Brother-in-law to my wedding.”

Su Hongying smiled and said, “Your fiancé and brother came by yesterday to tell me. I’ve already taken the day off; I’ll go with my sister and the others on the big day. You don’t need to head back for lunch today; stay here and have a meal with us.”

Xu Ning hurriedly replied, “Sister Hongying, I can’t stay for lunch today. I have another elder I need to visit to let her know.”

After leaving Su Hongying’s house, she planned to stop by Grandpa Wang’s place. Over the years, they had become like family to her.

Although it wouldn’t be convenient for them to attend the wedding feast, she still wanted to bring them some candy.

Instead of the fruit candies she bought at the cooperative, she took out a pound of White Rabbit creamy candy from her storage space, along with some meat and fine grains.

When she arrived at Grandpa Wang and Grandma Wang’s home, both of them welcomed her warmly. They were excited to hear that she was getting married.

Before she could even sit down, Grandma Wang went into the back room and returned after a while, carrying a box.

She asked Grandpa Wang to lock the door.