Chapter 189

The banquet was conducted very decently; aside from a few ill-mannered people grabbing food, things were acceptable on the surface.

What Ji Xianxian had been worried about did not happen.

Shen Man and her companions didn't expose anything; from start to finish, they pretended not to know.

This eased her anxious heart.

Zhou Yan had drunk heavily, his steps unsteady, yet he insisted on seeing the old leader off to the car.

"You little brat, you've drunk too much, Lao Mo; remember to send him home."

Seeing this, Section Commander Duan worried something might happen and hurriedly told Moli.

"Don't worry, Section Commander Duan, I've got it."

Moli had two drinks with Section Commander Duan and then stopped; his tolerance was trained—saying he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk is no exaggeration.

While seeing off the guests, he had Dahai bring the prepared lunch boxes and stuffed them into the jeep.

"Alright, then we're heading back."

Section Commander Duan waved his hand in farewell.

Today was really lively; I even managed two drinks—not bad at all.

As Section Commander Duan entered the back seat, the car door shut.

Jiang Ye also helped his wife into the back seat and closed the door.

"We're leaving, Lao Mo; Zhou Yan is now in your care."

Jiang Ye didn't glance at the bride's unnatural expression; as long as she behaved and got along well with Zhou Yan, bygones are bygones.

"Sure, go on; another day bring your younger siblings to the restaurant for a meal."

Lao Mo nodded, a smile appearing.

After watching the jeep drive away, Lao Mo's smile faded.

He glanced back at the disordered restaurant and pursed his lips.

Zhou Yan's relatives just took food and stuff, bringing no gifts at all.

Also, the bride's side came with two tables; they brought nothing, ate their fill, and even packed leftovers to take away....

Sighing at his drunken brother, he pinched his brow.

He told two young apprentices to tidy up, then escorted his close friend back to the bridal chamber.

Otherwise, if something happened en route, the happy occasion would turn sour.

"Thank you, Elder Brother Mo."

Ji Xianxian knew the situation; although she sensed her husband's good brother wasn't especially fond of her, when people truly come through, today's excellent banquet is thanks to them.

Now the guests and her acquaintances from the Educated Youth settlement have mostly dispersed; yet they're still willing to send her drunken husband home—out of this kindness, she can't show them a cold face.

"Alright, let's go; have your friend load your belongings onto the tricycle, and I'll haul them all back to the bridal chamber in one trip."

Moli took the unconscious good brother, helped him up, and lifted him into the truck bed.

It looks like he needs to go back and sleep a few hours, then after he sobers up at night they can consummate the marriage.

"Okay, thank you, Elder Brother Mo."

Ji Xianxian expressed her thanks, noting that several of her close female Educated Youth friends had just told her they were heading to the Passenger Reincarnation Island later, otherwise they'd worry there'd be no passenger reincarnation service in the afternoon.

People come and go, tea grows cold; she understands.

Now her employment and household registration follow her husband's, falling under his household; barring any surprises, she won't be able to return to the city, losing her urban hukou, and her children will also be rural households...

All past people and matters are now being cut off, like splitting a mat.

Do you regret it?

No, she does not regret it.

She merely wants to live beautifully.

She wants to live well, to be loved and relied upon, without having to work herself to death just to support herself.

To live well, she can sacrifice anything.

Including her own marriage.

Love, perhaps, is a luxurious affair.

All she can do is play the role of a good wife well.

Using this identity, she can live a life of ease.

Each takes what they need; that's all.

In Zhou Yan's hazy state, he thought he saw a faint indifference in his newlywed wife's eyes; he shook his head, trying to see more clearly, but her eyes returned to their familiar concern.

"Brother Zhou, don't move around; Elder Brother Mo is taking us home on the tricycle."

"Ah, okay, heading home."

Hmm, he must have been mistaken, it's just an illusion.

Heading home, he, Zhou Yan, from today onward, has a home.

In the jeep, Shen Man yawned, having eaten too much, feeling a bit drowsy.

Beside him, Section Commander Duan narrowed his eyes, saying he was resting his eyes, but in fact he had already dozed off and was snoring.

Jiang Ye glanced at Section Commander Duan, then quietly asked the signaler about Section Commander Duan's recent health condition.

"Pretty good, all the indicators on the checkup sheet keep getting better, the commander's physical indicators are steadily rising month by month......"

The signaler drove at a not‑fast speed, very steady, hardly feeling any bumps inside.

Jiang Regiment is not an outsider, so he is willing to reveal the commander's condition to the other party.

Sure enough, upon hearing that Section Commander Duan's indicators were rising, Jiang Ye's expression also relaxed considerably.

When happy events come, one feels refreshed; the signaler thinks maybe Jiang Regiment has started a family and had offspring, and Section Commander Duan, loving the house and its crow, shares the joy, in good spirits, so his health improves as well.

Of course, in the past two months Section Commander Duan has also gathered a group of old comrades with shared hobbies.

They fish together, play chess together, and talk big together.

By the way, speaking of fishing, one must mention Section Commander Duan's luck; ever since his Air Force days, he has been catching something every time—a huge leap in quantity.

Jiang Ye also didn't expect that Section Commander Duan's luck had improved; not only can he catch fish, but he can catch a lot.

Six of the little dried fish that Tangyuan keeps at home are still contributed by Section Commander Duan.

The trip to the ferry deck originally took only twenty minutes, but it was stretched to over half an hour.

The correspondent still feels sorry for Section Commander Duan and hopes he can get more sleep.

A little over half an hour is enough for Section Commander Duan to take a comfortable nap.

Shen Man didn't fall asleep, but she closed her eyes to rest and felt quite comfortable.

Honestly, she was a bit surprised at how Brother Zhou ended up together with Ji Xianxian.

It's unbelievable!

Maybe that's love—so many uncertain factors—but in any case, she maintains a blessing attitude.

However, she still dislikes that Yuan Educated Youth, who eats and drinks recklessly at the table, taking food as well as taking, which is truly annoying.

But, speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao appears.

She had just gotten off the car when she saw that Yuan Educated Youth carrying a bulging lunchbox, jogged over, and stepped forward to greet—

"Hey, what a coincidence, you're also returning to Sea Island. How about you tell your man that when we get to Sea Island, he can give me a ride for a stretch and drop me off at the Educated Youth Office."

As they spoke, a strong crab smell mixed with the odor of alcohol, extremely unpleasant.

Shen Man stepped back a few paces, covering her abdomen, and dry‑vomited several times.

Just now she couldn't dodge in time, couldn't avoid it, vomit—

Jiang Ye, clutching the ferry ticket he had just bought in line, saw the scene, rushed over, and rudely drove them away:

"What a big face, scram."

"If you don't want to, fine, why be so fierce?"

Yuan Qingqing was stared at squarely, felt a chill down her back, yet she still muttered without hesitation.

Then, with a look at the man as if seeing a dead person, she finally slipped away in fear.

The other female educated youths who arrived a few steps later, upon seeing this, all looked at each other in bewilderment.

Fortunately, Yuan Educated Youth has also married and left the Educated Youth Office; otherwise, with that mouth of hers, she'd offend countless people, and they'd also suffer the consequences.