Chapter 163: Xu Yang Is Getting Married

Xu Ning was at home playing with Niu Pi Tang when she heard the sounds of children laughing and chatting on the main road.

She stood at the door and glanced over, seeing Xu Mo, San Dan, Xiao Wang, Da Chui, and several other village children walking towards the creek with baskets and sacks, probably going to fish.

After a while, several male youth from the educated youth camp ran over as well. Now that the spring planting was finished, there wasn’t much work left in the fields these days, and the people from the youth camp hadn’t gone to work.

Niu Niu and Pi Pi could now pull themselves up and take a few steps along the railing.

Tang Tang was still a bit weak, and when compared to the two boys, it was obvious.

Xu Ning’s milk supply was decreasing, and she planned to wean the two boys when they turned one year old so that Tang Tang could eat on her own.

When the postman came by, Xu Ning was in the yard tidying up the vegetable patch.

He knew that Xu Ning was taking care of three children and couldn’t conveniently go to the educated youth camp to collect her mail, so he brought it to her home.

“Xu Zhiqing, today there’s a letter and a remittance slip for you.”

Seeing him arrive, Xu Ning hurried into the house to pour him a bowl of water and said with a smile, “Uncle, please have some water first. You’re so busy every day, and it’s such a hassle for you to bring this to my house.”

The postman finished the water and said with a smile, “Xu Zhiqing, you’re just being polite. It’s no trouble at all; it’s just a few steps. I can ride my bicycle here in two minutes.”

After saying this, he handed Xu Ning the letter and remittance slip for her to sign.

The letter and remittance slip were both sent by Xu Yang. She had told him many times not to send money anymore, but her elder brother didn’t listen and sent ten yuan every month on schedule.

After reading the letter, she happily told her kids “Your big uncle is getting married!”

Niu Pi Tang saw their mother talking to them and happily responded, “Big uncle, bride!”

“That’s right! Your big uncle is getting married, and he’s going to bring your aunt to come and see you!”

In the letter, Xu Yang wrote that his fiancée was a broadcaster from their military district and the daughter of their regiment leader, named Li Na, who was three years younger than him.

Once, when they were out, Li Na’s bicycle broke down, and he happened to come across her. He helped her fix it, and that was how they got to know each other.

Xu Yang told her about the situation at home but didn’t mention that their parents were here.

Li Na didn’t mind. Her mother was a bit opposed at first but was persuaded by Li Na’s father, who eventually agreed.

The two of them had already submitted their marriage report and were preparing to get married next month. After the wedding, Xu Yang would bring Li Na to meet them.

Xu Ning was very happy for them. Her elder brother was no longer young, and now he was starting his own family, which relieved their parents of a worry.

At noon, while no one was around, Xu Mo secretly brought over two fish and said, “Sister, these are the fish I caught this morning. You can make some soup for nephews and niece.”

She took the fish and smiled, “Xiao Mo, how many fish did you catch this morning? Did you leave any for yourselves?”

Xu Mo replied, “Sister, we went out late this morning, so we only caught two each. We agreed to go out to catch more this afternoon.”

“Then you can eat here! While I’m cooking, you help me keep an eye on Niu Pi Tang.

Our elder brother wrote today; it’s on the kang table. You can take it and show it to Mom and Dad,” Xu Ning said.

“Okay, sister, then I’ll come back to see the kids in a little while.”

In the evening, Mother Xu and Aunt Lu came over.

Xu Ning discussed with Mother Xu, “Mom, my brother is getting married. What should we prepare for him?

When I got married, he gave me six hundred yuan and has been sending ten yuan every month. I think he might not have enough money left.

How about I send him this money and buy some things for his wedding?”

Her mother replied, “I discussed this with your dad this afternoon. Given our situation, we need to be more low-key in everything we do.

Let’s first send him a hundred yuan. If you have any fabric coupons, buy some fabric to send with it.

Just say it’s a token of your affection as a younger sister and don’t mention us to avoid causing trouble for them. When they come, your dad and I can give some money to your sister-in-law.”

“Mom, I understand. I still have a lot of fabric coupons here. When Xiao An is on break, I’ll go into the city to buy some things for my sister-in-law.”

Xu Ning took out a set of bed sheets and pillowcases from her storage, cut a few pieces of fabric, and thought for a moment before taking out another bed sheet.

She decided to send these for now, and since it wouldn’t be long before they arrived, she could bring back anything else they might need later.

After packing everything, she put the items back into storage. Since tomorrow was Sunday and Xu An wouldn’t be working, he could stay home to watch the kids, allowing her to go into the city to send the package.