The envy of everyone

At noon, under the culinary skills of Guo Ping and Tian Runye, Zhao Dongchan enjoyed a delicious feast.

In the afternoon, Tian Runye began helping Guo Ping with household chores, such as cleaning and washing clothes, leaving Zhao Dongchan with no opportunity to intervene.

However, he knew this was a way for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to get to know each other.

Through this interaction, the two gradually deepened their understanding of each other, a process of building affection.

Guo Ping naturally took Tian Runye to show her off in the courtyard.

Everyone saw that Runye was not only beautiful but also diligent, and they couldn't help but praise her repeatedly, saying that Zhao Dongchan was fortunate to have married such a good wife.

Hearing that Runye taught at a county elementary school and had a proper job made the old and young men in the courtyard incredibly envious.

What more could be said? She was beautiful, well-proportioned, virtuous, and had a proper job. With these factors combined, what man wouldn't be moved?

"Alas, this little Zhao really stepped in dog shit. I don't know what Runye saw in him... Isn't he just a bit handsome? Just a pretty boy..."

He Yuzhu stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Tian Runye, who was surrounded by people, his mouth almost watering. He was a few years older than Zhao Dongchan, yet he was still a bachelor, and no one was willing to help him find a wife.

Qin Huairu looked at Tian Runye, feeling very envious.

She envied her for having a complete family, understanding in-laws, and Zhao Dongchan, a handsome and educated young man who also had a proper job in the city, making his conditions no worse than Runye's.

Unlike herself, she had lost her husband, lived alone, and still had to serve that old woman.

Thinking of these things, she felt downcast, picked up the wooden basin, and returned to her room, not wanting to see any more... As evening approached, Zhao Zhengguo got off work and pushed his bicycle into the courtyard.

"Old Zhao, you are truly fortunate..."

"Old Zhao, congratulations, congratulations! You must invite us to a feast when you hold the ceremony..."

"..."

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Zhao Zhengguo was stopped by several familiar neighbors.

This left him utterly bewildered.

Once he understood what was happening, he had no mind to chat idly with them.

He headed straight home.

His son and daughter-in-law were back; he had to hurry home to see them.

Zhao Zhengguo rushed home, and as soon as he opened the door, he saw Runye, under Guo Ping's guidance, learning to knit the new style of sweaters popular in Beijing at the time.

His son, Zhao Dongchan, was fiddling with the radio, tuning it.

"Dad!"

"Zhengguo!"

Zhao Dongchan and Guo Ping quickly greeted him.

"Uncle."

Tian Runye also quickly stood up and called out.

"Hahahaha, good, good, good, you all carry on!"

"Come here, you brat..."

Zhao Zhengguo said to Runye with a chuckle, then turned his head and told Zhao Dongchan to come inside with him for a chat.

"Alright..."

Runye looked at Zhao Dongchan a little nervously. He gave her a comforting look and then followed Zhao Zhengguo into the room.

"Tell me about it... What's the situation?" Zhao Zhengguo pulled up a bamboo chair and sat down, asking.

"Which aspect are you referring to...?"

"How did you trick that young lady into coming here...?"

"..."

Zhao Dongchan was speechless!

His cheap old man was clearly not trusting him.

Zhao Dongchan then briefly recounted the story between him and Runye...

"Alas... Last year, I heard you talk about the matter between Runye and Shaoan... I felt quite sympathetic towards her... This... I didn't expect you would actually end up with her... Truly, life is full of surprises!"

Zhao Zhengguo picked up his teacup, took a sip of water, and said with emotion.

"I just took a quick look at Runye, and in my opinion, she is indeed a good girl... Since you've already made up your mind... then don't let her down!"

Zhao Zhengguo's face straightened, and he looked at Zhao Dongchan seriously.

"Of course... I like her too much to do that..."

"Just remember that one sentence... Enough talk, let's go out, lest she misunderstands..."

With that, Zhao Zhengguo walked out the door.

"Runye, you must be tired from the journey... Tonight, let your aunt cook you some chicken soup to replenish your energy..."

Zhao Zhengguo said to Tian Runye with a chuckle.

"Thank you, Uncle, but that's not necessary. We ate a lot of good things at noon..."

"It is necessary, it is necessary. You've come all this way from Huangyuan, a stranger in a strange land, we must take good care of you..."

"Runye, if you don't eat, I will. Let me bask in your glory, too..." Zhao Dongchan said with a cheeky grin from the side.

"Mm... Then thank you, Uncle Zhao..."

"Hahahaha, we're all family... No need to be so polite..."

"..."

Zhao Dongchan looked at the harmonious family and nodded with a smile.

In the evening, Guo Ping and Zhao Zhengguo indeed prepared a sumptuous feast, and they even specially bought a large hen to make a rich bowl of chicken soup for Tian Runye.

Zhao Dongchan also benefited, getting a bowl for himself... After dinner, the table was cleared, and the group sat in the living room, discussing the arrangements for Zhao Dongchan and Tian Runye's wedding.

"My idea is this: Runye, since you're here, stay for a while longer... After the New Year, we'll pick a date and hold a banquet here... Invite relatives and friends to have a meal... As a witness..."

"Then, you two can hold another ceremony back in Huangyuan. Your mother and I will come then... This way, everything will be taken care of... Runye, do you think this is feasible?"

Zhao Zhengguo pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke.

Runye looked at Zhao Dongchan.

"Wouldn't that be too rushed? It would be best if my parents could also come..." Runye thought for a moment and said.

"For your parents to come, I think the journey is too far... For this matter, you can communicate with your parents, make a phone call..." Zhao Zhengguo nodded.

Afterward, the group discussed the specific number of guests, the procurement of supplies, and items like cigarettes and alcohol.

That night, Tian Runye slept on Zhao Dongchan's bed, while he made a makeshift bed in the living room.

The next day was New Year's Eve.

Zhao Dongchan took Tian Runye to buy New Year's goods and, incidentally, to tour the old Four-Nine City...

His own bicycle was still in Huangyuan, but it was very inconvenient without one.

So he found an excuse, saying he borrowed a friend's bike, but in reality, he took out a bicycle he had previously acquired from his spatial dimension.

He rode the bicycle, taking Tian Runye to Shichahai... He led Runye to ice skate for a while, experiencing the unique charm of the old Four-Nine City.

Fortunately, when they were skating, they didn't encounter any bizarre, melodramatic plots; otherwise, Zhao Dongchan would probably have to... teach them a good lesson.

After ice skating, Zhao Dongchan took Tian Runye to the state-run store, where they bought many items needed for the New Year. Finally, he made a special trip to the Long-Distance Call Building's business hall to make a long-distance call.

The call was made to the Commune, asking the Commune staff to help relay the message and arrange a time for Tian Futang to come and wait for the call.

Once their errands were done, the two rode their bicycles back to Nanluoguxiang.

As they entered the courtyard again, Zhao Dongchan "returned" the bicycle before taking Tian Runye into the house.

"You're back?" Guo Ping, wearing an apron, was serving dishes onto the table.