The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 13

Liu Jiabao embodied the true nature of a fickle man.

He wanted what was in his bowl while eyeing the pot, all while convincing himself he was acting out of deep sentiment. His wavering and indecision weren’t, in his mind, because he was a scoundrel, but because he was simply “too full of love.”

If he could, he truly wanted to bring both Song Mingyue and Song Jiajia home. But now that the scales had tipped toward Jiajia, hearing that Mingyue was also getting married made his heart begin to waver once more.

Before the Chen family arrived, Wang Yufen had scrubbed the house until it shone, even sweeping the courtyard several times a day.

However, cleaning wasn’t her primary concern. Several people had already told her that Sun Xiangcui had been spreading word on the street that she intended to ruin this marriage alliance.

Though Yufen claimed she wasn’t afraid, she knew exactly what kind of person Sun Xiangcui was—a gossip-monger who could weave lies so vividly they sounded like the truth. She feared the Chen Daoyuan family might actually believe her. She couldn’t help but regret inviting them to the house; she should have just sent her daughter straight to the provincial capital. But it was too late now. Wang Yufen stood like a soldier in armor; if anyone dared to sabotage her daughter’s wedding today, she was ready to fight to the death.

The day of the formal proposal finally arrived.

Early that morning, Wang Yufen insisted Mingyue dress up in her custom-made red dress. When Mingyue stepped out, she found a crowd already gathered at the gate, eager for a show. After five days of rumors, everyone wanted to see the new son-in-law. Was he a thoroughbred or a donkey? They all wanted a front-row seat to satisfy their curiosity.

Wang Yufen handed out candies, politely asking them to clear off. “You’ll have plenty of chances to see him when they get married. It’s his first time visiting; don’t go scaring the poor man.”

“He won’t be scared! Isn’t he a soldier from the capital? How could he be frightened by our little town? Auntie Yufen, just let us stay and watch. We’ve never seen what a capital soldier looks like; let us broaden our horizons.”

Wang Yufen wanted to say more, but Mingyue stopped her. She didn’t mind. “These aunts and grandmothers watched me grow up. If they want to watch, let them, as long as they don’t block the road. The car won’t be able to get in.”

“What? Coming in a car? A motorcycle?” In Songzhuang Street, a motorcycle was the height of luxury. Most families didn’t even own a bicycle.

“Not a motorcycle. How would a whole family fit on one? They’re driving a sedan.”

Wang Yufen couldn’t help but add gleefully, “That’s right, a sedan. Four wheels.”

The crowd gasped. Some of the locals who had never traveled only knew of such cars from stories; they had never seen one in the flesh.

“Auntie Yufen, you said he’s a soldier, but is his family also from the capital? Is he even wealthier than the Liu family?”

Someone immediately snapped back, “Today is Mingyue’s proposal day, why bring up irrelevant people? It’s obvious, isn’t it? How can a steel mill worker compare to a soldier?”

Wang Yufen minded the comparison but didn’t say it. “Today we won’t speak of others. You all chat; I have work to do.” She had recruited several neighbors and her sisters with good culinary skills to help with the feast.

Meanwhile, Song Aiguo and Song Mingnian waited at the end of the street, terrified the guests would lose their way.

Before the Chen family arrived, however, Liu Jiabao made an appearance. He was riding his motorcycle, hair parted and slicked back with wax. He pulled up right in front of Song Mingnian. “Mingnian, I heard Mingyue’s partner is coming today. I wanted to help. What time do they get to the train station? I can pick them up on my motorcycle.”

Song Mingnian: “…”

No matter how good his temper was, he couldn’t help but flare up. What was Liu Jiabao playing at? He knew exactly how much he had hurt Mingyue, yet here he was, intentionally provoking them.

He grabbed Liu Jiabao by the collar. “My sister has nothing to do with you anymore. Don’t ever show your face to my family again.”

Liu Jiabao didn’t get angry. “Mingnian, I know your family hates me, but I sincerely want to do something for Mingyue. Think of it as compensation.”

Song Aiguo returned from a smoke break and caught the tail end of the conversation. A month ago, he had given this boy a sound thrashing; now, he wouldn’t even grant him a glance. “Does our family look like we need your ‘compensation’? Get on your motorcycle and leave. Chen Che is coming in a sedan; he doesn’t need your two wheels.”

The words left Liu Jiabao flushed with shame. His grandfather and father were both factory managers; he had grown up with a sense of superiority in Songzhuang Street. Now, someone with even better conditions had arrived.

He had heard his mother say that wealthy families in the city were starting to rent cars for weddings. Liu Jiabao hadn’t thought it necessary before, but now he secretly vowed that for his own wedding, he would rent a four-wheeled sedan as well.

Around 10:00 AM, Song Mingnian finally spotted a black sedan approaching on the small road. “Dad, they’re here!”

Song Aiguo set out the firecrackers and waved them down. Chen Daoyuan moved to step out and greet them, but Song Aiguo gestured for him to stay inside. “We’ll talk when we get to the house. Mingnian will lead the way; I’m going to light the crackers. It’s our local custom.”

Since returning to the city years ago, Chen Daoyuan rarely visited rural areas. The scenery along the way stirred old memories, and he seemed to be in high spirits. “Brother Aiguo, we’ve truly troubled you.”

“How could it be trouble? Go on to the house; Mingyue and the others are waiting.”

Song Mingnian led the way on his bicycle. Inside the car, along with the Chen couple, were Chen Che’s maternal grandmother, Old Mrs. Zhou, and his aunt, Qin Xiaomei.

After Zhou Yinyin told the family she had met Chen Che’s partner at the hospital, the old lady had stormed over the next morning and scolded Chen Daoyuan and Zhou Fang. “You brought the girl home and didn’t even notify this old woman? Am I truly that useless now that I’m old?”

Zhou Fang felt wronged. She didn’t dare mention Chen Che’s “mistake,” only claiming they had just met through a blind date and had hit it off so quickly they hadn’t had time to tell anyone. The old lady insisted on coming along to see the girl’s home.

As they reached the Song gate, Zhou Fang became nervous. She repeatedly warned Chen Che, “It’s your first time at her house. You must be talkative. Call out to the elders, and don’t keep that cold face of yours on.”

The grandmother was also worried. “Xiao Che, your mother is right. This is a marriage proposal, not some minor affair. You can’t be as stubborn as you are at home. If you can’t smile, force one.”

“I know,” Chen Che said flatly from the driver’s seat.

Zhou Fang lost her patience. “Look at that attitude! Chen Che, I’m not joking. If you act like this at their house and ruin this, I’ll disown you.”

As they spoke, the car pulled up to the gate. Zhou Fang looked up and was genuinely startled. The road was lined with people, all laughing and talking as they surrounded the car.

Wang Yufen stood by the door. As Chen Daoyuan stepped out from the passenger side, she wiped her hands and shook his. Such scenes were routine for Chen Daoyuan, but since this wasn’t a work mission but his son’s wedding, he dropped his professional sternness and offered a smile. “Auntie Yufen, let’s keep everything simple.”

The onlookers took a sharp breath. This man’s posture, clothes, and bearing screamed “important figure.”

Then they saw the young man step out. He was tall, upright, and possessed a refined, striking handsomeness that seemed entirely out of place in this small town, as if he had stepped out of a painting.

Wang Yufen had only said the partner was a soldier; she hadn’t mentioned he was this handsome or possessed such an extraordinary aura. Everyone immediately agreed: this could not be an ordinary soldier.

Seeing Chen Che again, Song Mingyue was in a great mood. Who doesn’t love looking at a handsome man? She stared at him boldly for a moment, her eyes twinkling with a smile. “Long time no see, Chen Che.”

It had only been a few days.

“Long time no see,” Chen Che replied. He wasn’t used to such crowds, but seeing Mingyue, he didn’t feel as stifled. Instead, he felt a sense of relief.

“This must be my granddaughter-in-law. She’s so beautiful!” Zhou Fang introduced Chen Che’s grandmother.

Mingyue knew how to charm elders. She walked over to Chen Che’s side and supported the old lady, then greeted the aunt.

Wang Yufen invited them inside, saying awkwardly, “These are all neighbors. They love a good commotion and were curious about Mingyue. Please don’t mind them.”

“We don’t mind at all! It’s the same in our old hometown. It makes the place feel alive.” Zhou Fang told Chen Che to hand out some candies to the children, reminding him again to smile.

But the children were a bit afraid of him; they looked at him with timid eyes and wouldn’t step forward even when prompted by their parents. Mingyue laughed and took the candy box from him. “Ermao, Dawa, come get some candy! My ‘partner’ is giving them out.”

The kids weren’t afraid of Mingyue. They ran up, fascinated by the metal tin of candies. One of them leaned into Mingyue’s ear and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, “Sister Mingyue, your ‘partner’ looks so scary.”

They didn’t really know what a “partner” was; they just knew the man in front of them looked intimidating.

Chen Che felt awkward. He didn’t like dealing with people, but he was truly trying his best today.

Unexpectedly, Mingyue acted quite proud. She tucked her arm through his. “Of course he is! My partner is a soldier. In the future, if you aren’t obedient or don’t study hard, I’ll have him haul you off to the army!”

The children were so frightened they almost cried, and their parents had to step in to comfort them.

Chen Che suddenly realized she had a childish side; she could even mess around with toddlers.