Return to Huangyuan to prepare for the wedding

“Woo! Woo! Woo!”

The train whistle echoed through the sky and earth.

Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye embarked on their journey once again.

However, this time, they were returning to Huangyuan from the capital.

These days, ever since their wedding in the capital, they had resumed their leisurely life.

Well, mainly Brother Zhao was leisurely, taking Runye around the streets and alleys of the capital during the day, ice skating at Shichahai, dating in parks, shopping at Wangfujing, and watching movies at the cinema.

If he encountered anyone who didn't know their place, Zhao Dongchuan would beat them up, crack their heads open, and after they all begged for mercy, he would drag Tian Runye away.

He wanted her to get a small taste of what it meant to be “Brother Zhao” of society! Runye also gradually came to understand what “delinquent youth” and “gang fights” meant!

In the evenings, Zhao Dongchuan would personally teach Tian Runye physics, chemistry, and math, steadily improving her knowledge in preparation for the college entrance exam.

Of course, before bed, they would also play some “little games” that were not for outsiders to know... They tried everything, what could be done and what couldn't... Runye's coy and welcoming demeanor truly made Zhao Dongchuan unable to stop... And then he would sleep until he woke up naturally every day!

“Dongchuan, have some oranges!”

Runye took a bag of oranges from her bag, slowly peeled one, and handed it to Zhao Dongchuan.

“Thanks, wifey!”

Zhao Dongchuan chuckled.

Tian Runye's face flushed slightly, but she didn't say anything; they had already had intimate relations and received the approval of their families.

Although they still needed to go to Huangyuan to get letters of introduction from their respective workplaces before they could register their marriage at the local civil affairs bureau and receive their marriage certificates on the spot.

But they were actually already considered “newlyweds”... After a two-day and one-night journey, the two finally returned to Huangyuan.

After getting off the train, Zhao Dongchuan carried his bag and took Tian Runye back to his own courtyard.

The two put down their luggage and lay on the bed, resting for a while before slowly getting up.

The house had been uninhabited for many days, so the two naturally had to do some cleaning.

With a man and a woman working together, the task wasn't too tiring.

After the work was done, Zhao Dongchuan took Tian Runye out to eat... They only stayed in Huangyuan for one night before heading to Yuanxi County.

Yuanxi County, Revolutionary Committee compound, Tian family courtyard.

Zhao Dongchuan and Tian Runye walked in, each carrying a bag of things.

“Haha, Runye and Dongchuan are back!”

Old man Xu Guoqiang, who was sunbathing with his little black cat, said with a laugh when he saw them enter.

“Grandpa!”

“Grandpa!”

“Hahaha, good, good, good! I've heard all about your news, it's excellent! I wish you a happy wedding!”

“Hehe!”

Zhao Dongchuan chuckled. Although Tian Runye still had a hint of shyness on her face, she was gradually getting used to her identity as a “newlywed wife.”

The few of them chatted.

Xu Aiyun and Tian Xiaoxia walked in, each pushing a bicycle.

“Oh, Sister Runye, you're back! And Brother Dongchuan!”

Tian Xiaoxia skipped over and hugged Tian Runye's arm.

“Xiaoxia, you seem to have changed a bit...”

Tian Runye noticed that Xiaoxia's skin seemed a little tanned.

“Haha, you say I've changed, but you're the one who's changed... You've become a bride, quick, let me see... Any changes?”

Tian Xiaoxia shamelessly teased Tian Runye.

They thought they were speaking in low voices and others couldn't hear, but Zhao Dongchuan had superhuman hearing, and he heard everything crystal clear!

He pretended not to hear, but secretly he was complaining in his heart... the extent of girls' “whispers”...

“Your dad said you had a wedding in the capital? Congratulations, congratulations!”

Xu Aiyun parked her bike and said with a laugh.

Then the few of them went inside and chatted.

Soon the topic shifted to their wedding in Yuanxi County.

Later, Tian Fujun returned by car and also joined the discussion.

After discussion, everyone felt that the wedding should not be delayed, and it would be best to hold it before the Lantern Festival... Finally, Tian Fujun made the decision to set it for the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the day before the Lantern Festival, at the county guesthouse's main dining hall.

At that time, they would invite their relatives and friends to come and enjoy a good banquet.

Without further ado, Tian Fujun, without even eating, got into the car and went to the guesthouse to make arrangements, accompanied by Zhao Dongchuan, and they had lunch at the guesthouse.

Xu Aiyun, on the other hand, pulled Tian Runye aside to calculate the supplies they needed to buy at home. Fortunately, Runye already had experience organizing a wedding in the capital, so she spoke with great clarity.

For clothes, they would wear the set from their wedding in the capital.

Tian Xiaoxia was responsible for making lunch... Zhao Dongchuan accompanied Tian Fujun and met the director of the county guesthouse. Zhao Dongchuan pulled out a cigarette and handed it over.

“This is my elder brother's son-in-law. He's here to discuss something with you. We plan to hold a wedding banquet at the guesthouse on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the day before the Lantern Festival... Is that convenient for you?”

“Director Tian, what's inconvenient about that... The venue is reserved for you, and the chefs are all experienced... The food is easy to prepare, but you'll have to figure out the cigarettes and alcohol yourselves!”

“No problem... We won't shortchange you on the cost of the food and drinks... Whatever it is, that's what it will be... We'll calculate it for you...”

“You probably don't know yet, but this young man is extraordinary; he is the famous poet and writer of our Huangyuan region—Zhao Dongchuan!”

Tian Fujun said with a hint of pride as he smoked.

“Oh! How remarkable! I just knew his demeanor was unusual. So you are the author of 'love of life'!”

“Teacher Zhao, I have read all of your poems!”

The guesthouse director's attitude towards Zhao Dongchuan was initially quite indifferent, thinking he was someone climbing the social ladder... He hadn't expected him to be a famous poet and writer from the Huangyuan region.

Suddenly, his attitude changed completely, faster than flipping a book.

With the guesthouse director repeatedly patting his chest and guaranteeing everything, things went very smoothly. The director even brought over a menu for Zhao Dongchuan to choose from.

Following some of his experience from the capital, he decided on sixteen dishes per table, including meat, vegetables, and soup, and also asked the guesthouse to help arrange a few fruit platters for each table.

Only at the county guesthouse could they gather all these items; buying them outside would be troublesome and require tickets.

Whether intentionally or not, the director only mentioned the approximate cost per table, not a single word about the required tickets.

Presumably, he was doing them a favor, considering Director Tian and Writer Zhao's reputations.

Zhao Dongchuan thought that after the event was over, he should give the director some benefit.

After the two settled the matters, they had lunch at the guesthouse before leaving.

On the way back, the two sat in the back seat.

Tian Fujun asked with a laugh, “Dongchuan, do you have enough money... If not, you must say so, I'll get it for you...”

“I have enough, I brought money from the capital this time, plus my salary, it's completely sufficient...”

Zhao Dongchuan said with a laugh.

“Alright, as long as you know what you're doing. If anything comes up, tell Second Uncle, don't be shy! You are a sensible and talented young man, I'm very relieved that Runye is marrying you... After you get married, you must live your lives well...”