Drinking tea, reading the newspaper, and chatting about everything took up the afternoon.
The crowds poured out of each workshop and merged at the gate into an even larger throng.
Yán Jiěfàng had no choice but to park his car and chat with Old Zhang by the entrance, smoking cigarettes.
Suddenly, a small group appeared within Yán Jiěfàng's sight.
Widow Qin, with electricity sparking in her eyes, was chatting with Shǎzhù, who was circling around her.
Yi Zhonghai, still robust, held the rear position. Beneath his striking short hair, his square face wore a simple, honest smile.
A little further behind them, Liú Hǎizhōng, with his belly exceeding the standard,
was constantly talking, with a few people nodding and agreeing around him.
Yán Jiěfàng's lips curved upwards. Enjoy this good time while it lasts.
It would soon be the beginning of the month, and every household would need to buy grain.
The mines he had laid would then be detonated. He wondered how many beasts would be blown to death!
Saying goodbye to Old Zhang, Yán Jiěfàng went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought two bottles of Fenjiu liquor, carrying them towards the Xu family's home.
Just as he reached the entrance of the courtyard, two little ones ran over. "Brother Jiěfàng, Brother Jiěfàng."
"Hey! So well-behaved. Look what I have here."
"Tanghulu!"
"One for each of you. Hurry back now!"
"Sister, Brother Jiěfàng is here."
"Don't run so fast, be careful you don't fall!"
Yán Jiěfàng pushed his cart inside. He had just reached the Xu family's doorway and hadn't finished parking when several people came out.
"Uncle Xu?"
Noticing the middle-aged man at the front, Yán Jiěfàng was utterly bewildered.
Isn't that Xu Dàmào's father! What's going on? Xiaoning, is Xu Dàmào your elder brother?
"Jiěfàng, why are you here? No, wait, are you dating Xiaoning?"
Xǔ Fùguì was equally shocked.
"Yes, I didn't expect Xu Xiaoning's uncle to be you.
I was just telling Brother Dàmào today that we should get together tomorrow. I didn't expect to be sitting here today. Has Brother Dàmào not arrived yet?"
"He went back to the Siheyuan first."
Xǔ Fùguì was somewhat distracted. He felt something was amiss.
Until a thin face suddenly appeared in his mind, with small eyes full of calculation.
He pulled out an abacus from somewhere, muttering to himself.
"Today is your day, Old Xu's family! Hehehehehehe."
Damn it, Yán Lǎokōu, you dare scheme against my family, such audacity!
Xǔ Fùguì's face turned red with anger, and he strode into the Xu family's house.
"Jiěfàng, I watched you grow up, so I'll be blunt.
My niece will not marry into your Yan family. This matter ends here!"
Xǔ Fùguì gritted his teeth in hatred. Had he been away from Red Star Siheyuan for too long?
Had his legend faded there? Yán Lǎokōu dared to scheme against him. Patience had its limits.
At these words, everyone was shocked!
Mrs. Xu was confused, Mother Xu's heart suddenly clenched. The biggest reaction came from Xu Xiaoning.
She suddenly stood up, her face, which had been full of smiles moments ago, turned deathly pale!
"Uncle, why would you say that?"
"Xiaoning, this boy has deceived you. He's just a casual laborer.
He picks up odd jobs for a living, he doesn't even have a proper job. He can't even get through the gates of the Steel Rolling Mill, let alone be a purchasing agent!"
"I don't believe it. What about his bicycle? How could he have so much money and coupons for us to buy charcoal and gifts?"
"That's all your father, Yán Lǎokōu's, scheming. He probably knows someone at the Steel Rolling Mill's purchasing department.
So he borrowed his bicycle to look presentable. As for the money for purchases,
Yán Lǎokōu won't be paying. It'll likely be added to your burden once you're married."
Xǔ Fùguì had to play the villain and break up the couple!
Bah, what couple, just a toad thinking of eating our Xu family's swan.
Although he hadn't eaten it yet, he was already crawling at their feet, disgusting them!
"Yán Jiěfàng, what do you have to say for yourself? Go back and tell Yán Lǎokōu.
If he dares to scheme against our Xu family, I won't let him off!"
"Uncle Xu, I've already split from my father. Not to mention any scheming.
I truly don't know. I swear here, I will never scheme against Xiaoning.
I will only protect her and cherish her! If I break this oath, may lightning strike me dead!"
Hearing Yán Jiěfàng's words, Xu Xiaoning shed tears. Yes, how could I doubt Jiěfàng?
He gave me sweet love. As long as he is sincere to me,
Even if the purchasing agent job is fake, I will go with him.
What's a bit of hardship? Haven't I suffered enough! At worst, I'll keep suffering!
"Jiěfàng, don't say that, I believe you!"
"Xiaoning, you're too naive. You've fallen for his trick! Your Yan family can treat promises like farts if they get a little benefit!"
Xǔ Fùguì was furious and disappointed. Oaths are worthless. He, Xǔ Fùguì, had made thousands of them, and he wasn't struck dead by lightning!
"Uncle, please don't say anymore. I know you mean well for me.
But I believe Jiěfàng is sincere towards me, and that's enough. If it's a little hard, it's a little hard. I don't fear hardship!"
"You!" Xǔ Fùguì was so angry he could barely breathe. Yán Lǎokōu, you really deserve to die! You've brought so much suffering to my niece.
"Fùguì, let it be. Since Xiaoning has made up her mind about Jiěfàng, let them be together! After all, it's her own choice!"
Mrs. Xu comforted Xǔ Fùguì. Of course, she wasn't being kind.
She simply looked down on the second family, and it wasn't worth getting angry for their sake.
Mother Xu was completely flustered, not knowing who to listen to. Her heart churned, unable to settle.
"Has my brother-in-law arrived?"
A raspy voice suddenly came from outside. Xu Dàmào had arrived.
As soon as he entered, he saw a figure lunging towards him, startling him into quickly putting the Erguotou liquor behind his back.
"Careful with the alcohol, it's expensive Erguotou! Jiěfàng, what are you doing here?"
"Brother Dàmào, quickly tell everyone, have I already split from my family? Am I a purchasing agent at the Steel Rolling Mill?"
Xu Dàmào was almost choked to death by Yán Jiěfàng! This made him even more certain.
Shǎzhù was absolutely no match for Yán Jiěfàng! And now he's become his brother-in-law!
"Jiěfàng, Jiěfàng, let go of your brother, cough cough, what are you talking about?"
Xu Dàmào was still confused. Beside him, Xǔ Fùguì explained his analysis to Xu Dàmào.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Xu Dàmào felt important.
This feeling was wonderful. No wonder leaders sat opposite everyone in meetings and coughed before starting.
Xu Dàmào tidied his shiny pomaded hair and said unhurriedly,
"I'm aware of this situation. Jiěfàng beat up our courtyard's Shǎzhù.
This angered Yi Zhonghai and Old Lady Deaf. So they forced Yán Lǎokōu.
Oh, that's Jiěfàng's father. to drive Jiěfàng away. I wasn't home then, otherwise, they wouldn't have succeeded."
No one paid attention to his bragging. They just heard that Yán Jiěfàng had indeed split from his family.
Xǔ Fùguì and Mother Xu breathed a sigh of relief, at least Xiaoning wasn't being schemed against.
"I also ran into Jiěfàng at the Steel Rolling Mill today and learned that Jiěfàng joined the purchasing department the day before yesterday.
And he's a Level 7 clerk, with a monthly salary of 37.5, which is higher than mine. Of course, the extra perks are much less than mine."
Xu Dàmào finished his rambling.
"Are you convinced now, Uncle Xu?"
"Jiěfàng, don't blame me for being suspicious, your father is indeed capable of such things."
Xǔ Fùguì also felt relieved.
"It's okay. You were just looking out for Xiaoning!"
Although Yán Jiěfàng was curious about their different surnames, he didn't ask directly.
"Sister-in-law, there are no more problems now. Jiěfàng must be hungry too. Let's eat quickly!"
Xǔ Fùguì quickly started arranging things.
"Alright, alright, Xiaoning, Xiaogang, hurry up and bring the dishes." Mother Xu wiped her eyes.
"Yes!" Xiaoning replied and walked out, her steps much lighter now!