Chapter 66

High-quality cotton cloth!

Bags of candies and pastries!

Cartons of cigarettes!

Every single item made people's eyes burn with envy, wishing they could rush over and snatch them home.

In reality, these were just Cao Weiguo's superficial display; he had even more gifts prepared in his storage space.

He would only take those gifts out generously when he was close to his destination.

Going to his future in-laws' home for the first time, he couldn't let them be disappointed.

Although Song Yulan's home was in the countryside, it was located within Jingcheng and would become a prime information industry base in the future.

After riding his bicycle for over an hour, Cao Weiguo arrived at his destination, Shangti Village, with sweat on his forehead.

"Stop! Stop! What are you doing!"

Before he could even get close to the village, Cao Weiguo was stopped by two militiamen wearing green military uniforms.

Here, Cao Weiguo didn't dare to get angry; the militiamen were carrying real, lethal weapons on their backs.

"Comrades, I am going to the Song family in the village to get engaged to Song Yulan. These are my identification and letter of introduction."

Cao Weiguo parked his bicycle and nimbly took out his work ID and letter of introduction.

A round-faced militiaman took the documents, read them carefully, and then returned them to Cao Weiguo with a smile.

"Comrade Cao Weiguo, welcome to our village."

"You're going to Song Yulan's house, right? I'll lead the way for you."

The round-faced militiaman said enthusiastically, "I'm actually a relative of Song Yulan; I'm her cousin, and my name is Song Hu."

Cao Weiguo took out a pack of Da Qianmen cigarettes from his pocket and handed two to each of them: "So you're her cousin! It's truly great to meet you here; otherwise, I would have had to enter the village to ask for directions."

The other militiaman happily took the cigarettes: "Whoa, these are Da Qianmen. Thank you, brother."

Song Hu, the round-faced one, looked at the bicycle, his eyes widening instantly: "Brother, what's all this on your bike?"

Cao Weiguo smiled and said, "Those are my engagement gifts."

The other militiaman exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Huzi, your second uncle's family is about to strike it rich!"

Song Hu enthusiastically led Cao Weiguo into the village, quickly causing a sensation.

"Where did this young man come from!"

"He's hanging so many things on his bicycle!"

"Two old hens!"

"And jujube cakes and block candies!"

Cao Weiguo pushed his bicycle, which was packed full front and back.

The large and small bags of items were shocking.

Farmers' lives in this era were much harder than in the city; it was difficult to even eat a bite of meat in a year.

The cartload of things Cao Weiguo was carrying was like a mountain of treasure.

Even in the city, it would count as a grand gift!

An old man asked, "Huzi, what does this young man do?"

Song Hu grinned widely and said, "Grandpa, this is my cousin Yulan's fiancé, a city dweller, here to get engaged today."

"Yulan is getting engaged!"

"That's truly amazing; Yulan found a city fiancé without a sound."

"Song Dashan's family is about to strike it rich."

"Song Dashan's daughter looks so thin and small; I didn't expect her to be so blessed!"

Cao Weiguo's cartload of goods saved face for himself and also for Song Yulan.

It made the villagers incredibly envious, sighing that Song Yulan had found someone with such good conditions.

Song Hu led the way, and they soon arrived at Song Yulan's home, a simple and dilapidated farmhouse.

The house was quite spacious and kept very clean, with several farm tools leaning against the wall.

"We're here; this is my second uncle's house."

Song Hu shouted at the top of his lungs, "Second Uncle, come out quickly! Yulan's fiancé is here."

Suddenly, it was as if a large stone had been dropped into a lake.

The door was pushed open, and the whole family poured out in a swarm.

Shen Gong greeted them with a smile: "Weiguo, come in quickly."

Song Yulan hid shyly behind her mother, while Song Fu carefully sized up Cao Weiguo.

Sturdy build, good-looking, neatly dressed, has a bicycle, and that cartload of...

After sizing him up, Song Fu was very satisfied.

His brother-in-law had good judgment and hadn't lied.

Song Yulan's mother, older brother, sister-in-law, younger brother, and younger sister were all stunned when they saw the things on the bicycle.

Song Mu glanced outside the door; quite a few villagers had already gathered outside their courtyard.

These villagers were all staring eagerly at Cao Weiguo and the things on the bicycle.

Shen Gong introduced them with a smile: "Weiguo, this is Yulan's father, this is Yulan's mother, and this is Yulan's older brother, sister-in-law, third younger brother, and fourth younger sister."

Cao Weiguo greeted them politely: "Hello, Uncle, Aunt, older brother, sister-in-law, younger brother, and younger sister. My name is Cao Weiguo."

Song Mu said with a beaming smile, "Weiguo, come into the house."

Cao Weiguo took the things off the bike: "Uncle and Aunt, this is my first time visiting. It's just a small token of my heart; please don't mind it."

Song Mu took the two old hens with a face full of smiles, Song Fu took the cigarettes and alcohol, and the brother and sister-in-law happily took the pork and sausages.

The younger brother held the cotton cloth, the younger sister held the candies and pastries, and everyone was smiling from ear to ear.

"Is this Yulan's fiancé's first time visiting? He brought such heavy gifts!"

"That pork must weigh seven or eight catties!"

"And cigarettes, alcohol, candies, and pastries!"

"Those cigarettes and alcohol are good things that are hard to buy even with coupons!"

"Yulan will enjoy a good life after marrying him!"

Song Hu and the villagers' eyes were fixed; Song Yulan's fiancé was too generous.

How much money and how many coupons must this have cost!

What kind of family is this!

The villagers discussed it heatedly, the Song family welcomed Cao Weiguo into the house enthusiastically, and Song Yulan's cheeks turned red with shyness and joy.

Song Fu asked, "Weiguo, I heard you are a chef at the steel rolling mill and also a deputy director of the cafeteria?"

Cao Weiguo said, "Yes, that's right."

The sister-in-law said in surprise, "To become a leader at such a young age, you truly have ability."

Song Mu asked, "Weiguo, what is your monthly salary now?"

Cao Weiguo answered truthfully, "My monthly salary is 87.5 yuan."

The whole family widened their eyes in shock; one month's salary already exceeded their family's entire annual income.

Shen Gong said with a smile, "Weiguo is the youngest deputy section-level cadre in our steel rolling mill; his future is bound to be limitless."

Cao Weiguo said sincerely, "Uncle and Aunt, Uncle Shen should have told you about my situation, right?"

"I am the only one left in my family. I came here today to propose to your family and also to make a statement to you two elders."

"If Yulan marries me, I will work hard to support the family, care for and love Yulan, and I guarantee I won't let Yulan suffer or endure hardship with me, and I certainly won't let her suffer the slightest grievance."

The Song family was very happy and satisfied.

Song Yulan looked at Cao Weiguo with deep affection, her heart pounding like a little deer.

As soon as Cao Weiguo saw Song Yulan, he fell for this ordinary, pure, and beautiful girl.

This was exactly the wife he had imagined in his heart.

Song Yulan was also pleased with him; the two could be said to have fallen in love at first sight.

Song Fu, Song Mu, and their eldest son and daughter-in-law were also full of joy. With Shen Gong, who was both the matchmaker and the uncle, presiding, the marriage was settled in a few quick strokes.

Cao Weiguo presented the betrothal gifts solemnly, and the next step was to get the marriage certificate and hold the wedding.

Everyone agreed to get the marriage certificate this Friday and hold the wedding banquet on Sunday.

Song Fu vetoed the proposal to go to a state-run restaurant, telling Cao Weiguo to simply set up a few tables for the banquet at the Sihe Academy.

The wedding should be kept simple; as long as the heart is there, that's enough. Money should be saved to live a good life.