Chapter 23: The Wedding Date is Set

At exactly twelve o’clock, the work-ending bell rang. Hearing it, the commune members working in the fields stopped what they were doing, straightened their backs, wiped the sweat off their foreheads, and began heading home in groups.

Thanks to Li Xiangbei’s help, most of the tasks assigned to Shen Qiuxia by the production team had already been completed, leaving only a bit of finishing work.

The two walked home together. Along the way, whenever they met someone who greeted them, Shen Qiuxia would cheerfully introduce Li Xiangbei.

Li Xiangbei followed behind with a broad smile, constantly calling out “uncle,” “auntie,” “grandpa,” and “grandma” with great enthusiasm.

Just before they reached the house, a sharp voice suddenly interrupted.

“Mom, is this little sister’s fiancé?”

Shen Qiuxia’s smile slightly faded, and a trace of helplessness flashed across her face. “Xiangbei, this is Yueyue’s second sister-in-law.”

Li Xiangbei politely greeted, “Hello, Second Sister-in-law.”

Wu Xiulian responded with a smile, her eyes scanning Li Xiangbei up and down.

Today, Li Xiangbei had worn the best outfit from his wardrobe to visit his fiancée’s family. A pen was clipped to his chest pocket, making him look spirited and respectable.

Seeing this, Wu Xiulian’s enthusiasm visibly grew, and a stream of questions spilled from her mouth:
“Brother-in-law, I heard you work as a buyer at the supply and marketing cooperative? How much do you make a month? Can you get defective products from there? You know, the kind that are cheap but still useful? Could you get some for the family? And also…”

Seeing Wu Xiulian blocking the doorway and asking nonstop, Shen Qiuxia cut in, “Alright, that’s enough. Xiangbei’s been working all morning. Let him rest.”

Then she turned to Li Xiangbei and said, “Let’s go inside. Yueyue should have finished cooking.”

Li Xiangbei smiled and responded, “Okay, Mom.”

Wu Xiulian pouted but thought of the meat that would be served for lunch, so she quickly followed them into the house.

Having overheard their conversation, Su Yue brought out two basins of warm water, waiting for her family at the door.

“Mom, Xiangbei, come wash up. Lunch is ready.”

Su Yue’s father and second brother had gone to return farming tools and would be back later.

Li Xiangbei took the towel Su Yue handed him, grinning from ear to ear.

“What are you smiling so foolishly about? Hurry and wash up,” Su Yue teased.

Li Xiangbei obediently began washing his face.

Just then, Hongmei came bouncing over and asked, “Auntie, is this Uncle?”

She had been taken to the Wu family’s house by Wu Xiulian early in the morning and had just returned.

Su Yue smiled. “Yes, this is your uncle.”

Li Xiangbei quickly pulled out some candy from his satchel. “You must be Hongmei. So adorable. Here, Uncle brought you some candy.”

But Hongmei didn’t take the candy immediately. Instead, she looked up at her aunt.

Su Yue smiled gently. “Your uncle gave it to you. You can take it.”

Hongmei beamed. “Thank you, Uncle!”

Wu Xiulian came out holding her younger son and, seeing this, quickly said, “Bao’er, go ask your uncle for some candy too!”

Shen Qiuxia quickly stepped in and said to Li Xiangbei, “Xiangbei, come have some herbal tea.”

Li Xiangbei sat down with a smile and took a sip of the tea.

Just then, Su Yue’s father and second brother, Su Zhihai and Su Zhiqiang, returned.

Shen Qiuxia introduced them, “Dahai, this is Xiangbei.”

Li Xiangbei greeted cheerfully, “Dad, you’re back!”

Su Dahai’s face froze slightly. He muttered to himself, Dad? Who’s your dad? And this is my house.

Su Yue smiled. “Dad, Second Brother, wash up—we’re eating soon.”

At the sight of his little girl, Su Dahai’s face instantly softened. “Yueyue’s back!”

Su Yue deliberately ignored him and instead introduced, “This is my second brother, Su Zhiqiang.”

“Hello, Second Brother. I’m Li Xiangbei.”

Su Zhiqiang smiled. “Nice to meet you, Comrade Xiangbei.”

Seeing his daughter treat someone else more warmly, Su Dahai felt a pang of disappointment. Girls really do grow up and leave…

Su Yue came over with a basin. “Dad, wash your face.”

Su Dahai immediately lit up again and happily agreed. My daughter is still the most thoughtful.

Lunch was a feast. Su Yue had prepared braised pork with preserved vegetables, stir-fried cucumber with egg, cold tomatoes, loofah soup, and braised eggplant. She had even minced meat and made egg custard with it for Hongmei and her little nephew.

Seeing all the delicious food, Wu Xiulian immediately handed her son over to Su Zhiqiang.

Shen Qiuxia noticed and commented, “Xiulian, are you waiting for someone to serve you?”

Wu Xiulian pursed her lips, then stood up to serve herself and Su Zhiqiang.

Once everyone was seated, Shen Qiuxia brought out the Fenjiu that Li Xiangbei had brought with him.

Su Dahai’s eyes lit up. “What’s the special occasion? This is some fancy liquor.”

Shen Qiuxia shot him a look. “It’s from Xiangbei. If you don’t want it, then don’t drink.”

Su Dahai quickly replied, “I’ll drink! Of course I’ll drink. He called me Dad already.”

Su Yue laid out four glasses on the table.

“Only one glass per person—there’s still work to do this afternoon,” Shen Qiuxia warned as she poured for Su Dahai, Li Xiangbei, Su Zhiqiang, and herself.

During the meal, Su Zhiqiang asked about Li Xiangbei’s family. Li Xiangbei answered honestly. After a few rounds of conversation, Su Zhiqiang warmed up even more to him.

Wu Xiulian was too busy eating to talk but didn’t miss a word of their conversation.

Su Yue gave Hongmei a few spoonfuls of the egg custard and added two slices of meat.

Hongmei beamed. “Thank you, Auntie!”

Su Yue really liked this sweet, sensible niece.

By the end of the meal, Li Xiangbei had explained everything that needed to be explained and made all the promises that needed to be made.

Shen Qiuxia smiled and said, “Your eldest and third brothers wrote back. They said October 1st would be a good wedding date—they’ll come back on September 30th. Oh, and they each sent 99 yuan for Yueyue’s dowry.”

Su Yue sighed. “That much money? Are Big Brother and Third Brother not planning to live their lives? Mom, give me the remittance slips. I’ll send the money back tomorrow.”

Shen Qiuxia explained, “Your big brother said it’s bonus money from completing several missions. Both he and your sister-in-law have jobs. Your sister-in-law insisted you take the money. It’s the same with your third brother and his wife. They all said you must accept it.”

Su Yue smiled and nodded. Then I’ll just send them more things in the future.

Su Zhiqiang looked a bit awkward. He had that kind of money too—after all, most of the family expenses had been covered by the household.

But when it came to actually giving it away… he was reluctant.

After thinking about it, he decided he’d secretly give his little sister 38 yuan later.