Yang Wenyan's house was quite lively today.
Deng Xiaozhen had dragged Deng Weijun early in the day to start preparing things.
When Deng Weijun heard that his sister had arranged a blind date for him with Wang Xue's cousin, he felt a bit shy.
The shy young man became a man of few words, busying himself inside and out all day.
He helped Deng Xiaozhen buy groceries, went home to cook, and in his free time, he kept busy sweeping and mopping, tidying the house until it was spotless.
When Yang Wenyan returned, he was a little unaccustomed to seeing the house so clean and neat.
After all, there were no elderly family members living with them, and the couple was usually busy with work, leaving no one to do the chores.
The floor was only mopped once every few days. Sometimes when it got dirty, Deng Xiaozhen would just give it a quick sweep with a broom.
Today, Deng Weijun was like a madman, doing chores non-stop.
He swept the entire house and then mopped it twice.
He took in all the clothes hanging on the balcony and put them in the wardrobe, and even scrubbed the bathroom.
Then, he wandered around the living room, tidied up the sofa, wiped down the dining table, and whenever he saw things looking too messy, he conveniently organized them.
Yang Wenyan barely had any room to step.
He stood at the door, having just taken off his coat and hung it up.
Deng Weijun came over, took the coat down, smoothed it out, and then hung it back up.
Yang Wenyan: "..."
Yang Wenyan smiled and asked Deng Weijun, "Excuse me, Comrade Deng Weijun, may I sit on the sofa now?"
Deng Weijun: "..."
Deng Weijun scratched his head in embarrassment and said, "Brother-in-law, stop teasing me. This is your house, you can sit wherever you want."
Yang Wenyan laughed, "You rascal. Alright, stop cleaning. The house is neat and clean enough. The way you're going at it, I'm afraid to even walk inside."
Feeling a bit sheepish, Deng Weijun retreated to the kitchen.
Deng Xiaozhen had managed to buy some rare pork fat today. She rendered the fat and used the crispy pork cracklings to make a large pot of braised stew.
First, she fried potato chunks in the pork cracklings for a while, then added water, throwing in glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms, daikon radish, and napa cabbage to boil together.
Normally, when she made stew, there were no pork cracklings, and it didn't smell this fragrant.
Right before taking it out of the pot, she poured in some aged vinegar. The aroma was simply irresistible.
Smelling the stew, Deng Weijun's stomach rumbled, and his mouth watered. "Sis, your stew smells the best! I'm starving to death right now."
Deng Xiaozhen glared at him and scolded, "When the girl comes over later, don't act like a reincarnated starving ghost, you hear me? You can eat anytime, but you can't just get a wife whenever you want. You have to seize this opportunity, understand?"
Deng Weijun nodded sheepishly. "I know, Sis. You've emphasized this several times already."
How could Deng Xiaozhen not know her brother's nature?
When this young man was hungry, he only had eyes for food. Where would a girl fit in?
She thought for a moment, then took out two freshly steamed multigrain buns from the pot, put them in a bowl, and handed them to him. "Have a bite to hold you over first. Later, you better behave well and try to get yourself a wife this year, got it?"
Deng Weijun had only been doing chores left and right earlier because he was nervous.
After busying himself all afternoon, he was indeed hungry.
So he held the bowl, sat on a small stool in front of the stove, and ate his bun while helping Deng Xiaozhen tend the fire. He nodded and said, "Sis, the blind date hasn't even happened yet. I haven't even seen what the girl looks like, and you're already talking about marriage? What if we don't like each other? What if I like her, but she doesn't like me?"
While chopping pickled cabbage, Deng Xiaozhen replied, "If it really doesn't work out, then there's nothing we can do. I'll just look around for you another day."
Deng Weijun's conditions actually weren't bad.
Although his parents were from the village, his own household registration was in the city, and he had a formal job.
He also had a brother-in-law who was a factory director, so he didn't need to worry about finding a wife.
In the past, Deng Xiaozhen felt that he was still young and there was no need to rush.
Now, however, she felt that he was fooling around every day without a serious demeanor. To prevent him from causing trouble, it was better for him to hurry up, get married, and have children.
Approaching six o'clock, Qin Yuanzheng and Qiao Lanshu arrived.
Coming over for dinner this time, Qiao Lanshu didn't arrive empty-handed.
She brought two jars of canned fruit and two loaves of bread.
In this era, in northern cities, people generally gave canned fruit and bread as gifts because they were expensive, and most people were reluctant to eat them on a regular basis.
Yang Wenyan was very happy to see Qin Yuanzheng. "Yuanzheng, ever since you got married, I haven't seen you in ages. How is your wound? Is it getting better?"
The last time he heard Qin Yuanzheng was injured, Yang Wenyan had made time to visit him once.
A few days had passed, and he hadn't gone to check on him again.
Qin Yuanzheng showed Yang Wenyan his arm and said, "It's almost completely healed. I can go back to work tomorrow."
If this were in the past, how could he rest just for an arm injury?
On the battlefield, there was no such thing as recuperation. As long as you could still move, you had to keep fighting.
Qin Yuanzheng didn't take this wound seriously.
However, he would occasionally use his injured arm to play the victim in front of Qiao Lanshu, getting her to coax him and listen to him when he wanted certain things done. It was actually quite effective.
Hearing the commotion, Deng Xiaozhen walked out. Seeing Qiao Lanshu holding things, she quickly said, "Oh my, you could have just come over. Why did you bring gifts?"
Qiao Lanshu smiled and said, "Cousin-in-law, this is the first time Zheng and I have visited since we got married. We definitely had to bring some gifts. It's not much, I hope you don't mind."
Deng Xiaozhen exclaimed, "Not at all, not at all! Go take a seat for a while, I'll go cook."
Qiao Lanshu placed the items on the table and then followed her into the kitchen. "Cousin-in-law, do you need any help?"
Then, she saw Deng Weijun sitting in front of the stove, eating his bun.
Deng Weijun's mouth was stuffed full, making him look quite comical.
He embarrassedly called out, "Sister-in-law, you're here."
Qiao Lanshu nodded. "Sister Xue and Haitang should be here soon too. Sister Xue even got off work early today."
Deng Xiaozhen's stew was ready as well. She quickly took off the pot lid and said, "Perfect timing, the stew is done. Let's clear the table and get ready to eat."
Deng Xiaozhen had made a huge pot of stew, prepared a few cold dishes, cooked some coarse grain porridge, and steamed multigrain buns.
She also took one of the loaves of bread Qiao Lanshu brought, sliced it up, and placed it on a plate.
The food was laid out, filling a large table. Right at that moment, Wang Xue and her sister arrived.
Wang Xue didn't bring her husband; she only brought Wang Haitang. She was carrying a bag of eggs in her hand.
In this era, food was precious. It was never good manners to show up empty-handed when going to someone else's house for dinner.
Even though they were the woman's side coming to the man's home for a blind date—where generally no gifts were required.
But who could ignore the fact that Yang Wenyan was the director of the food factory?
Wang Xue worked at the food factory, so even if this matchmaking attempt didn't work out, she still wanted to stay on good terms with the factory manager's family.
Deng Xiaozhen went to open the door and warmly greeted Wang Xue. The two women linked arms and instantly fell into endless chatter.
They couldn't help it; their personalities were just too compatible. Whenever someone mentioned something funny, they would burst into laughter together.
Deng Weijun stood somewhat stiffly by the table, stealing glances toward the front door.
Wang Haitang was very thin. Although her appearance was rather ordinary, she had a certain charm that grew on you.
She wore her hair in two thick braids, dressed in a floral padded jacket and a red scarf. Standing next to Wang Xue, she kept her head bowed, too embarrassed to even look at the people in the room.
After Wang Xue and Deng Xiaozhen exchanged pleasantries for a while, Deng Xiaozhen looked at Wang Haitang behind her and smiled. "Oh, is this the sweet little sister you mentioned?"
Wang Xue smiled and nodded. Pulling Wang Haitang forward, she said, "Haitang, hurry up and say hello to your sister-in-law."
Since Wang Xue called Deng Xiaozhen sister-in-law, Wang Haitang naturally had to follow suit.
Blushing, Wang Haitang softly called out, "Sister-in-law."
Her voice was so quiet that it barely left her mouth.
Seeing her acting like this, Wang Xue felt a bit anxious and nudged Wang Haitang with her elbow.
Deng Xiaozhen looked Wang Haitang up and down, knowing the girl was just shy. She smiled and said, "You came at the perfect time. I just finished making dinner. Come on, sit down and eat. Weijun, hurry and bring a stool over for Haitang."
Deng Weijun quickly agreed, grabbed a chair, and moved it over. Blushing, he said, "Comrade, please sit."
Only then did Wang Haitang lift her head and glance at him.
Their eyes met, and Deng Weijun smiled awkwardly.
Wang Haitang lowered her head again and took a seat.
The room wasn't very large, so it felt a bit crowded with everyone inside.
Yang Wenyan and Qin Yuanzheng also walked over. After another round of greetings, everyone sat down.
Qiao Lanshu occasionally glanced at Deng Weijun, then at Wang Haitang.
It was her first time witnessing someone else's blind date, and she found it quite interesting.
Meanwhile, Qin Yuanzheng chatted with Yang Wenyan while placing food into Qiao Lanshu's bowl.
When they were almost done eating, Deng Xiaozhen suddenly spoke up. "Oh my, there are still a few roasted sweet potatoes in the stove, and I haven't checked on them. I wonder if they're done. Weijun, go in and take a look for me."
Before Deng Weijun could grasp the hidden meaning, he quickly stood up and said, "Sure, sis, I'll go right now."
Wang Xue immediately caught on and told Wang Haitang, "Haitang, go in and help Weijun out. He can't carry that many all by himself."
Wang Haitang was speechless.
Having no choice, she stood up and silently followed Deng Weijun into the kitchen.
When Deng Weijun saw Wang Haitang following him in, he was startled.
He glanced outside and said, blushing, "I don't need... I don't need your help. I can manage it on my own."
Wang Haitang looked up at him but didn't say a word.
Deng Weijun said awkwardly, "Really, I used to roast sweet potatoes all the time when I was a kid in the village. I'm really good at this."
Wang Haitang remained standing beside him, showing no intention of leaving.
Deng Weijun felt even more awkward.
He rarely interacted with female colleagues and honestly had no idea how to communicate with women.
After a moment, it suddenly dawned on him that this was a blind date. What was he supposed to say on a blind date?
Squatting in front of the stove and staring at the roasting sweet potatoes inside, he scratched his head and asked, "What's your name?"
Wang Haitang also squatted down, looking at the sweet potatoes. In a low voice, she replied, "I'm Wang Haitang."
Deng Weijun said, "I... I'm Deng Weijun."
Wang Haitang glanced at him again and said, "I know."
Deng Weijun was at a loss for words.
He cleared his throat and continued, "I'm 22 years old. I work as a boiler man at the food factory. I'm a regular employee, and my monthly salary is 35 yuan."
Hearing this, Wang Haitang assumed that reporting one's salary was standard procedure for a blind date. She replied, "I work as a ticket seller at the train station. I'm also a regular employee, and my salary is 30 yuan."
After a brief pause, she added, "I'm 21 years old."
Wang Xue had already told Deng Xiaozhen about the incident between Wang Haitang and Liu Jianguo.
Deng Xiaozhen had passed it on to Deng Weijun, and he didn't mind it at all.
After all, it was Liu Jianguo's fault, not Wang Haitang's.
After exchanging these few sentences, Deng Weijun felt much less nervous.
He turned his head and snuck a few glances at Wang Haitang.
Wang Haitang also peeked at him a few times.
After a moment of silence between them, Deng Weijun asked, "As a ticket seller, you have to work night shifts, right? What time do you get off work at night?"
Wang Haitang replied, "The latest I get off is eight in the evening."
Deng Weijun immediately offered, "Then how about I pick you up from work from now on?"
Wang Haitang pursed her lips. Looking at the sweet potatoes in the stove, she neither nodded nor shook her head. She simply said, "The sweet potatoes are done. Let's take them out together."
Deng Weijun felt a wave of disappointment, thinking Wang Haitang wasn't interested in him.
He silently dug out the roasted sweet potatoes, blew the ash off them, and placed them in a basket.
Just as they were walking out the door, Wang Haitang suddenly spoke up again. "I get off the night shift tomorrow."
Then, she ran out as soon as the words left her mouth.
Deng Weijun stood there, stunned.
He scratched his head, still trying to process what Wang Haitang meant by that.
He carried the roasted sweet potatoes out and placed them on the table. By this time, everyone was full and sitting around chatting.
Wang Xue didn't hold anything back and directly brought up the matter with Liu Jianguo, cursing him out for quite a while.
Wang Xue said, "That Liu Jianguo actually dared to block Haitang on her way home from work! If Xiao Qiao hadn't reminded me to file a report at the public security bureau, I wouldn't have even thought of it!"
Deng Xiaozhen chimed in indignantly, "People like Liu Jianguo should be sent to struggle sessions and paraded through the streets so everyone can see what happens to hooligans!"
Wang Xue continued, "You have no idea, there are plenty of people like that in our factory. Just a few days ago, a temporary worker from the supply and marketing cooperative was following Xiao Qiao. Good thing he hasn't shown up these past few days, or he'd be sent off to a labor camp too."
Yang Wenyan and Deng Xiaozhen were unaware that Chu Liangjun had been following Qiao Lanshu.
However, Qin Yuanzheng knew about it because Xiao Yang reported everything to him.
Qin Yuanzheng had even instructed Xiao Yang to have someone keep an eye on Chu Liangjun.
It was just that Qin Yuanzheng had injured his arm recently and was recovering at home instead of going to the office, so Xiao Yang hadn't updated him on the progress yet.
Hearing this, Deng Xiaozhen said in surprise, "Xiao Qiao is a military officer's family member. Everyone in the neighborhood knows that. Who would be so fearless of death as to target a military family member?"
The military wielded significant power. Bullying a military officer's family member was basically asking for a bullet.
