Chapter 92: Deepening Affections
Chapter 92: Deepening Affections
Songshan High School.
In a classroom, Deng Yunheng and Zhu Chenglong were enjoying the meal that his older brother and sister-in-law had packed for them from the state-owned restaurant.
They chose to eat in the classroom instead of the dormitory to avoid making the other students feel uncomfortable. After all, the food was so good, while most of the other students were eating plain rice with pickled vegetables, the contrast was too stark.
If they ate together, Deng Yunheng felt it would be unfair not to share with the other students. However, the meal his brother and sister-in-law had packed was only enough for him and Zhu Chenglong to enjoy fully. If they shared, even a small portion for each of the twenty or so students would leave them with very little, and he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the food properly.
So, after some thought, they decided to eat in the classroom, where they could enjoy the rare treat without any interruptions.
It had to be said, the state-owned restaurant was indeed superior. The chef’s skills were far better than those of the school cafeteria. The ginger and scallion beef, in particular, was so delicious that even Deng Yunheng, who had been spoiled by his father’s high standards, couldn’t help but praise it. Zhu Chenglong, who had only tasted such exquisite food once before when Deng Yunheng brought it, was almost in tears, savoring every bite.
In the presence of such delicious food, neither of them spoke. In just a few minutes, they had devoured the meal like a whirlwind.
Zhu Chenglong even licked the last bit of sauce clean, determined not to waste a single drop.
After satisfying his hunger, Zhu Chenglong let out a contented sigh and said, "Brother Heng, your brother and sister-in-law are so good to you. They went all the way to the state-owned restaurant to pack this meal for you and brought it to school. And your sister-in-law is so beautiful, she looks just like those actresses in the movies."
Deng Yunheng chuckled and began to show off a bit in front of his best friend...
...
After delivering the food to Deng Yunheng at school, Deng Yuntao and Zhang Xiuping headed back home.
This time, with the experience of their previous trip and the fact that they were now legally married, Zhang Xiuping felt more at ease. As they left Songshan Market, she wrapped her arms around Deng Yuntao’s waist.
Deng Yuntao became excited once again.
However, unlike the previous trip, he didn’t pedal furiously. Instead, he rode at a normal pace, chatting with his wife to deepen their bond.
When a couple is in love, they can talk about anything and everything, even the most trivial matters, for hours on end.
In those times, once a marriage was set, it was usually a lifelong commitment, especially in rural areas. No matter how well or poorly a woman fared at her husband’s home, the idea of divorce was almost unheard of. Unlike in the future, where couples’ feelings could be as thin as paper, and any minor grievance could lead to a trip to the civil affairs office the next day, treating marriage like a game.
The couple chatted all the way back, becoming more familiar with each other.
Around 1:30 PM, they returned to Longtan Market.
In those days, after a marriage, the groom’s family typically bought a few new outfits for the bride. These requests were usually conveyed through a matchmaker. However, since Deng Shirong was both the matchmaker and the groom’s parent, many details were left unspoken, and only the dowry was discussed.
But just because the bride’s side didn’t bring it up didn’t mean Deng Shirong had forgotten. When Deng Yuntao and Zhang Xiuping went to register their marriage, Deng Shirong instructed his eldest son to use this opportunity to arrange for the new clothes, ensuring that no details were overlooked.
So, after returning to Longtan Market, Deng Yuntao took Zhang Xiuping to select some fabric and hired a tailor to make her a dress.
By the time they finished, it was already three in the afternoon.
Zhang Xiuping glanced at the sky and said, "Brother Tai, it's getting late. You should head home quickly!"
Deng Yuntao replied, "I'm not in a hurry. It will take you quite a while to walk back. I'll drop you off at your village first, and then I'll ride back."
In modern times, couples always introduce each other to their parents before getting married. It's rare for a couple to get married without their parents ever meeting.
In this era, the bride would visit the groom's family to inspect the household, and the groom's parents would certainly meet her. However, the bride's parents might not get to meet their future son-in-law until after the wedding.
Traditionally, the bride's parents wouldn't attend the household inspection or the wedding banquet. Therefore, the only chance they had to meet the groom before the wedding was during the initial introductions.
Of course, after the household inspection, the bride's parents could secretly visit the groom based on information from the matchmaker. Even if people found out, it wouldn't be a big deal.
The groom would typically visit his in-laws on the second day of the New Year, the year after the wedding.
According to the customs of Bobai County, newlyweds were expected to bring their new husbands back to their hometowns on this day.
Therefore, even though Deng Yuntao and Zhang Xiuping had already registered their marriage, he wouldn't take her directly home. Instead, he planned to drop her off at her village and let her walk the rest of the way.
Today was their first time spending time alone together, and it was the perfect opportunity for their relationship to grow. Zhang Xiuping didn't refuse his offer and nodded in agreement.
...
Ten minutes later, they arrived at their destination.
Zhang Xiuping got off the bike and waved at Deng Yuntao, saying, "Alright, Brother Tai, I've arrived. You should head back now!"
Deng Yuntao reluctantly said, "Okay, I'll go then. Remember our agreement. We'll meet again in a week to pick up the dress."
"Got it, see you later!"
"See you later!"
They bid each other farewell, and as Deng Yuntao watched Zhang Xiuping walk away, he had a nagging feeling that he had forgotten something.
After thinking for about ten seconds, he slapped his forehead, remembering what he had forgotten. He quickly turned his bike around and chased after Zhang Xiuping.
As Zhang Xiuping walked home, she reminisced about the day she spent with Deng Yuntao. Just as she was lost in thought, a bicycle sped past her and stopped in front of her, startling her. When she realized it was Deng Yuntao, she asked, "Brother Tai, is there something else you wanted to tell me?"
Deng Yuntao, a bit embarrassed, said, "I forgot earlier. There's actually something very important I need to tell you."
Zhang Xiuping asked, "What's so important?"
Deng Yuntao explained, "You remember when you came to inspect my household, and I mentioned my childhood friend, Deng Changyuan?"
Zhang Xiuping blinked and said, "Yes, I remember. What about him?"
Deng Yuntao smiled and said, "My friend has taken a liking to one of your two girlfriends. He wants you to help him gauge her feelings and see if there's a chance for them to get together."
Lords, do you still have any monthly votes?
(End of Chapter)
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