Chapter 162: Talking About Marriage

The temperature here isn't as low as in Capital City, but it's still that damp, cold feeling.

Moreover, there's no electricity in the mountains, so they can only rely on kerosene lamps for light.

But Lin Qingyan feels that a family gathered around one table for a meal is the greatest happiness.

On the table are black steamed buns, sweet potatoes, and potatoes, all freshly steamed and steaming hot.

Yu Wanrong placed his chopsticks and said, "Yan Yan, look, you're here; your dad has prepared such a lavish spread. Normally we have to ration these things."

"Back when we first arrived, there was nothing to eat; your dad and I even dug up Guanyin Soil to stave off hunger, and the production team's cattle ate better than we did…"

Lin Qingyan felt a pang of sorrow upon hearing that; she realized that being able to eat refined flour in Capital City was such a fortunate thing.

Lin Zhenfeng brought over a small bowl and said, "Oh dear, why are you saying this to the child, Yan Yan? Don't let your mother babble. We usually eat quite well and can get full, so don't worry."

"Here, look what dad made for you."

When he placed the last bowl of soup on the table, Yu Wanrong was a little surprised.

In the hot soup were several pieces of pork ribs chopped to finger thickness.

"Ribs? Where did you get them? I just thought you were only talking."

"I traded the medicinal herbs I gathered with that hunter down the mountain; a while ago he shot a wild boar, so I exchanged two pork ribs with him."

Lin Zhenfeng picked up a piece and placed it into his daughter's bowl: "Yan Yan, try it; there's not much seasoning here, just a bit of salt and Mountain Pepper."

From the mother's words just now, Lin Qingyan learned that his parents' life here wasn't good, often alternating between hunger and fullness.

Now that she has arrived, her father is still planning to get her some meat to eat.

"Dad, I can eat anything, you don't need to ask anyone."

Meat is very precious now; she doesn't think that offering those herbs would make anyone willing to trade.

Lin Zhenfeng chuckled, "It's not really asking; that family's child happens to be learning characters with me, and the people in this Big Team have been quite good to me."

Hearing his father say that, Lin Qingyan felt a bit relieved inside: "Dad, then you eat too."

Lin Qingyan also picked a piece of meat for her father, but Lin Zhenfeng took it back: "Dad doesn't like to eat it; you and your mother can have it."

Unable to argue with her father, Lin Qingyan could only take small bites of the meat, feeling uneasy inside.

Yu Wanrong, however, ate contentedly: "I've been with your dad for several years, and this is the first time I've tasted the smell of meat."

Lin Zhenfeng set down the black steamed buns in his hand, glanced over, and Yu Wanrong had to shut up.

Only then did Lin Zhenfeng pick up the black steamed buns again and, changing the subject, say, "By the way, Yan Yan, was your grandfather's Siheyuan taken away?"

Lin Qingyan shook her head slightly: "No."

Then the Street Office is still quite capable; this must be because they are wary of your dad. Even if we're destitute, that's not something ordinary people can match.

Lin Qingyan sighed softly: "Mom, it's not as you say; the Street Office has always wanted to send me to the countryside for a work team, just to take the house."

Hearing his daughter say that, Lin Zhenfeng guessed something.

"So, the house being saved is thanks to Lu Cheng's help to you."

As Lin Qingyan nodded, Lin Zhenfeng praised, "That kid's got some ability; when I have time in the future, I must thank him in person."

Seeing his father seem quite satisfied with Lu Cheng, Lin Qingyan seized the opportunity, set down her chopsticks, and said.

"Dad, I came this time for two reasons: first to visit you, and second to tell you something."

Lin Zhenfeng, unconcerned, casually asked, "What is it?"

Lin Qingyan took a deep breath: "I married Lu Cheng."

When the words fell, Yu Wanrong, who had been gnawing meat, froze there, and Lin Zhenfeng also wore a solemn expression.

The previously harmonious, relaxed atmosphere became heavy at that moment.

Yu Wanrong instantly lost any appetite for meat: "Yan Yan, you're joking with Mom, right? Don't speak such things casually."

Lin Qingyan fidgeted with her chopsticks uneasily: "I'm not joking; I've been married to Lu Cheng for over two months."

"Clack," Yu Wanrong slapped the chopsticks onto the table.

"Marriage is such a big matter; why didn't you discuss it with me? How could you decide on your own!"

Seeing her mother angry, Lin Qingyan felt extremely aggrieved.

"Mom, how could I discuss it with you? I only know you are probably in Gui Cheng, I have no idea of the exact location; I never received any of the letters you sent out."

"Then you still shouldn't have married Lu Cheng! You're being foolish! I just mentioned that they helped us, and I didn't even have the heart to say it; Lu Jia Lao San is just a street drifter."

"Our family has suffered misfortune, but even in destitution, it's not right to marry down into a worker family."

"Mom, could you not speak so harshly? What's wrong with a worker family? Moreover, Lu Cheng isn't as you think; he's now a railway iron police officer with a formal job…"

Even if it's a formal job, it's still a junior iron police, already at the top, and will become a squad leader in the future.

"I've raised you to be so outstanding since you were young, precisely so you could marry the child of an official; that would also help your dad's political future."

Lin Qingyan disliked that remark: "Mom, I'm an individual, with thoughts and feelings; why must I become a sacrifice for your political future!"

Yu Wanrong also got upset: "This child, how can she speak like that! Why call herself a sacrifice? I'm only doing this for your good…"

"Lao Lin, why don't you say something? Your daughter married into a worker family; I say Lu Jia Lao San's family is so kind to help Yan Yan, they're just trying to climb the ladder."

Lin Zhenfeng waved his hand, signaling Yu Wanrong to stop.

"Alright, alright, Yan Yan, your mom is just a bit anxious; she's also worried about you."

"Wanrong, you shouldn't lose your temper; the situation is special, and besides, the Lu family hasn't mistreated our daughter; you should understand Yan Yan's situation…"

Yu Wanrong turned her body away, unwilling to listen: "You just keep muddying things! All the good people end up with you, right? I worry about my daughter, and you cause mistakes."

"You see, I never said you were wrong…" Lin Zhenfeng sighed, then looked at his daughter: "Yan Yan, how does that kid Lu Cheng treat you?"

Lin Qingyan lowered her head: "He's quite good; if not for him, I wouldn't have met you all, nor stayed in Capital City."

"Then that's good; Lu Cheng treats you well, so dad can be at ease."

"What's the use of being good? What kind of education has Yan Yan received? Can they have common topics?"

Lin Zhenfeng set his face sternly: "Is this never ending? What's wrong with a worker family? Workers are the big brothers building the nation. Besides, Yan Yan is already married; you can't just let the two separate, can you?"

Yu Wanrong stopped speaking; the wood had already become a boat, and saying anything was useless.

At night, the mother and daughter squeezed onto a small bed inside, while Lin Zhenfeng pieced together the desks used for class and used them as a makeshift bed.

Because of her marriage to Lu Cheng, even though her father said nothing, her mother had always opposed it, unwilling from the bottom of her heart to accept the son‑in‑law, which kept Lin Qingyan awake for a long time.

The mountain night was very quiet; not knowing the hour, Lin Qingyan turned over and heard faint noises outside.

When Lin Qingyan stepped out wearing her coat, the sight before her made her instantly cover her mouth.