"Wow, there are so many people."
Gu Qinglan followed Wen Nuan's footsteps and walked into Wangfujing Department Store, holding Lele's hand tightly.
There are also a lot of people in the towns in the north on market days, but never as many as in the capital.
I thought that since people had started to go back to work, there would be fewer people in the department store, but I didn't expect the flow of people to be still so large.
After all, it still has to be the capital.
Wen Nuan looked at the crowd, which was obviously less than that on New Year's Eve, and couldn't help but say, "In fact, today's crowd is already considered small. You didn't see the scene on New Year's Eve, when Meijiao, Lele and I squeezed in."
However, Wen Nuan didn't feel that there were too many people today. It was because Gu Qinglan had been too busy in the past few months and didn't even go to the market in town very often.
Gu Qinglan used to love being in a crowd, but now she feels a little uncomfortable seeing so many people.
She looked at Wen Nuan beside her and asked, "Sister-in-law, what should we buy now?"
When Gu Qinglan submitted her marriage proposal, she planned to keep everything simple, but Wen Nuan disagreed and insisted that they must treat everyone to a drink, even if it was just one or two tables.
But she really didn't know what to expect when getting married.
When she went to the countryside before, she basically never attended other people's wedding banquets. After she joined the army, she was busy with various things, and she was even busier in the past six months. So this time when she came to Beijing and said she wanted to prepare some things for the wedding, she planned to rely on Wen Nuan.
After hearing Gu Qinglan's question, Wen Nuan looked at Li Daxiang who was following behind them.
"Da Xiang, have you thought of buying anything?"
Li Daxiang was probably like Gu Qinghan, who might not come to the department store once a year. He looked embarrassed and a little confused.
However, Wen Nuan didn't intend to let him be a hands-off manager. After all, this was their wedding banquet and he had to be involved.
Li Daxiang was stunned for two seconds, then he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and said, "I've asked someone, and now you need three turns and one ring to get married, seventy-two legs, I've applied for tickets. In addition, I plan to buy Qinglan a new set of clothes."
"The houses allocated by the army already have furniture, and the bicycles and sewing machines may be too big for us to move back to the North City. So why not buy a watch and a radio first?"
Li Daxiang looked at Wen Nuan and asked her opinion: "Sister-in-law, do you think this is okay?"
Now Wen Nuan is their "parent", and Li Daxiang and Gu Qinglan are ready to follow her instructions.
Wen Nuan was quite satisfied after hearing what Li Daxiang said, "Okay, you don't have to buy a bicycle. Let Qinglan ride ours when the time comes, so we don't waste money."
After saying that, Wen Nuan looked at Qing Lan and smiled: "Qing Lan, what do you think?"
Gu Qinglan smiled and said readily, "That's fine. Neither the bicycle nor the sewing machine is necessary, but a watch is useful. It's really inconvenient to always look at the clock. Let's go buy a watch first."
When they arrived at the watch counter, Gu Qinglan looked at Li Daxiang again and asked, "Daxiang, do you want me to buy one for you too?"
Before Gu Qinghan and Wen Nuan came to Beicheng, they had already returned her salary passbook to her. Originally, Gu Qinglan was planning to use her own money to buy things together, but Li Daxiang refused no matter what he said and asked her to keep the money.
But since it was a marriage between two people, Gu Qinglan didn't care about these things. Since everything had to be bought, she might as well buy everything now that she was in the capital.
This saves you from having to go back and forth later.
Li Daxiang looked at Gu Qinglan and smiled, saying, "No, our tickets are only enough to buy one watch. I'll buy it for you first."
Now happens to be the time for marriage, so what other lesbians have, his Qinglan must also have.
As for him, you can buy it anytime in the future.
Gu Qinglan hesitated: "Then..."
“Don’t worry about that. You’re a bride-to-be, so pick out a watch you like.” Li Daxiang raised his chin, motioning for her to choose.
Gu Qinglan then took Wen Nuan's arm and said, "Sister-in-law, please help me pick one. I'm dazzled by the sight."
Because it is the largest store in the capital, there are more watch brands and several styles here.
Unlike the supply and marketing cooperatives in Beicheng Town, which only produce two or three watches a month, many people rush to grab them.
Wen Nuan pointed to the Shanghai brand over there and said, "Let's go with the Shanghai brand. I also bought one for your eldest brother. The quality is very good."
In this era, Shanghai watches are one of the best and oldest brands. Although they are a bit more expensive, the quality is also good.
Gu Qinglan smiled when she heard this, "Since sister-in-law said she wanted to buy this, then let's take this."
Lele saw Gu Qinglan trying on a watch, so he pulled Li Daxiang's hand and asked, "Uncle Daxiang, I want a watch too!"
Li Daxiang touched Lele's head and said with a smile: "Uncle Daxiang doesn't have enough tickets now. I will buy you a ticket next time when we get there."
Wen Nuan heard what Le Le said and instantly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She said, "Da Xiang, don't listen to her nonsense. She thinks it's a fun toy."
Then, Wen Nuan pinched Le Le's big face again and said, "You guy, your aunt is getting married. Besides, you are a child and you can't use a watch. This is not a toy."
The little guy is curious about what he sees and thinks about what he wants. He actually thinks it is a toy!
Lele pouted and said, "When I save enough New Year's money, I will buy it myself."
Gu Qinglan looked at the watch on her wrist, hugged her directly, and said lovingly: "If you have ambition, your aunt will make up for you when the time comes."
Lele jumped up with excitement, hugged Gu Qinglan and said, "Aunt is the best to me, I love you."
Gu Qinglan rubbed her little face with her nose and said with a smile: "Auntie likes you the most too!"
Wen Nuan glanced at them unhappily and said, "Alright, she's so young, there's no watch suitable for her."
Then she urged, "Go and see if there's anything you need to buy, otherwise Lele will get hungry and tired and won't be so easy to talk to."
So they went to the place where radios were sold. Gu Qinglan looked at them and shook her head, "Forget it. I don't have much time to listen to the radio. I'd better listen to the broadcast."
And after watching the TV at Li Yunhua's house, Gu Qinglan really felt that the radio was not enough.
I wish I could buy a TV someday!
Li Daxiang came out today to pay, and when he heard Qinglan said she didn't want it, he frowned and said, "You don't want the radio either?"
Doesn't that mean you just bought a watch
How is this enough
Wen Nuan looked at Gu Qinglan and asked, "Really?"
Gu Qinghan said that before the New Year, Li Daxiang borrowed some tickets from others and applied for some more, probably intending to prepare them all for Gu Qinglan.
"Really? I don't have the time to listen. Let's save this money and buy Lele a skirt." After saying that, Gu Qinglan took Lele and went directly to the place where clothes were sold.
Because it was a wedding, Wen Nuan asked Gu Qinglan to choose red. There were not many styles here, mainly because people nowadays like to sew by themselves.
After trying on two pieces, Gu Qinglan felt a little uncomfortable looking at her bloated figure.
She looked at Wen Nuan and Li Daxiang and asked, "Why don't we postpone the wedding to July or August? I can wear a skirt then!"
It’s so cold to get married, and I’m wearing thick clothes. It won’t look good in photos!
Li Daxiang immediately turned gloomy and refused: "I can agree to everything else, but not this."
It has already been postponed for several months. If it is postponed further, who knows what might happen again.
Now that he has joined the flying squadron, he is much busier than before. Summer is the busiest time of the year because he has to do night patrols and can no longer postpone them.
Gu Qinglan curled her lips and said, "Okay, then I'll take this one. I don't want to choose anymore."
When Gu Qinglan saw the men's clothing on the side, she smiled and said, "Should I buy you one too?"
Gu Qinghan also has a coat like this. Her elder brother looks so handsome in it. Li Daxiang can also have one!
Li Daxiang raised his eyebrows and looked at her with a smile: "Didn't you ask me to wear a military uniform to hold the wedding banquet?"
Gu Qinglan put the men's coat back and said, "Yes, it's better to wear a military uniform. It looks more energetic."
The two looked at each other, and no one knew what they were thinking about, and they turned their faces away embarrassedly.
*
Wen Nuan had already bought lipstick and skin care products for Gu Qinglan and handed them to her, "This is for you. See if you need anything else?"
She had to dress up on her wedding day. Gu Qinglan was already tall and outstanding, and she would be even more beautiful with a little dressing up.
Gu Qinglan took the things and hugged Wen Nuan directly, saying with emotion: "Thank you, sister-in-law. I was wondering if you still owed me something. It turned out to be this."
"Next time you take a photo, you can put this on, it will make you look more energetic." Wen Nuan leaned close to her ear and added softly: "Just don't let men buy it, they won't know how to do it!"
When Gu Qinghan went back to the south, he said he wanted to buy her a lipstick, but when she heard his description of it being pink, Wen Nuan felt desperate.
Later I just said no.
As he was saying this, Li Daxiang on the other end said, "Qinglan, do you think this one looks good?"
Wen Nuan took a look and found that it was indeed the deathly Barbie pink again…
However, Lele on the side shouted excitedly: "Pink looks good, I like pink the best."
Li Daxiang looked at Wen Nuan and asked her, "Sister-in-law, should I buy one for you too?"
Wen Nuan smiled without showing her teeth: "I need to take care of some children, so I don't need them for the time being."
Even if I need it, I won't buy the pink one.
Lele then held Wen Nuan's arm and said, "Mom, buy it. The pink one looks good!"
Gu Qinglan and Wen Nuan looked at each other, then picked up Lele and left the cosmetics counter.
*
When I came out of the store, it was already past twelve noon.
Gu Qinglan bought a watch and new clothes, as well as some lipstick and skin care products. When she was about to leave, Li Daxiang said that he still had some industrial tickets left, so he bought a camera.
He said that he could take more beautiful photos in the future.
After leaving the department store, they went to the state-owned restaurant where Chen Meijiao worked to have dinner.
When Gu Qinglan saw Chen Meijiao, her eyes lit up, "Meijiao, you are so beautiful, I almost didn't recognize you!"
Chen Meijiao smiled, feeling very pleased with Gu Qinglan's words, "How can you be as pretty as the bride-to-be! By the way, when are you planning to hold the wedding?"
On New Year's Eve, Chen Meijiao met Wen Nuan and learned that Gu Qinglan was going to get married.
Then she looked at the man behind Gu Qinglan and seemed to have some impression of him. He was Gu Qinghan's subordinate.
From this perspective, the two of them are quite compatible.
It was just that Li Daxiang was a little shy. After saying hello to her, he played with Lele the whole time.
Gu Qinglan glanced at Li Daxiang subconsciously and said, "Next month."
Chen Meijiao smiled regretfully: "It's a pity that I don't have time to go back. Then I wish you a happy marriage and a long life together."
Gu Qinglan nodded: "Thank you."
After sitting down, Chen Meijiao also had work to do, so Gu Qinglan asked Wen Nuan curiously: "Sister-in-law, that Zhang Zhibin should not harass Meijiao anymore, right?"
I heard before that Zhang Zhibin, who divorced Meijiao, changed his job and returned to his hometown, but he hasn't found a job.
Wen Nuan said Meijiao wrote to her and Zhang Zhibin came to see her, and she didn't know if anything else had happened.
Wen Nuan took a sip of tea and said, "It's okay. Meijiao's family is here, and Zhang Zhibin can't cause any trouble."
Zhang Zhibin lost his military status and his wife, and he just wanted to win them back, but Meijiao was no longer the silent girl.
No matter what Zhang Zhibin does, he will not change Meijiao's mind.
Gu Qinglan breathed a sigh of relief. She still remembered clearly that she had accidentally seen Chen Meijiao with bruised eyes and a swollen nose because she had found the wrong door.
This reminded her of her experience in her hometown, so she definitely hoped that Meijiao would not look back.
Just like she doesn't want to pay attention to Gu Qingsong now.
Gu Qinglan thought about it, then suddenly looked over at Li Daxiang who was chatting and laughing with Lele, and snorted: "If you dare to hit me in the future, I will let my eldest brother beat you up."
Li Daxiang listened to Gu Qinglan's inexplicable words. Although he was still a little out of his mind, he raised his hands directly: "While my sister-in-law is here, I can swear to God that if I hit you in the future, I will not die a good death."
Wen Nuan glanced at him, but she didn't look like she was joking. Instead, she said seriously, "Da Xiang, no matter what Qing Lan does wrong in the future, or if she makes you unhappy, you can't hit her. You can just send her back to my house."
"Gu Qinghan and I will always be her supporters."
Gu Qinglan looked at Wen Nuan and couldn't hold back her tears: "Wuwuwu sister-in-law, I know you are the best to me..."
Li Daxiang was at a loss as to what to do. For a moment he didn't know whether he should assure Wen Nuan that he would not do anything to Qing Lan, or try to coax his wife first.
Instead, Wen Nuan reached out her hand to wipe away Gu Qinglan's tears and smiled: "You are getting married next month. You are already a grown-up, and you are still crying in public. Lele will laugh at you."
Gu Qinglan cried and said, "Then I won't get married!"
Lele walked over, pretending to be warm, and said, "Aunt, don't cry. If you don't want to get married, just stay with me."
"My father said that he would never let me get married."
When Gu Qinglan heard this, she cried and laughed, hugged Lele and said with a sob: "That's fine, but Lele, can you eat less, otherwise your aunt can't afford to support you."
Lele frowned and immediately refused. He went back to hug Wen Nuan and said, "Then I'd rather not. I want to be with my mom. She can give me delicious food."
Gu Qinglan: “…”
You have no conscience!
Li Daxiang stood aside in panic, his eyes full of Gu Qinglan. Seeing that she was finally not as excited as before, he coaxed her, "Qinglan, don't get excited. I will definitely not do anything to you."
Wen Nuan smiled when she heard this and said, "Don't listen to her nonsense. Besides, she eats so much that I can't afford to support her. You should marry her back home as soon as possible."
Li Daxiang nodded immediately and said nervously: "I will marry her. I can afford her. I have already received a salary increase."
Wen Nuan chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, the marriage report has been submitted, you have no choice but to marry her."
Li Daxiang breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.
*
After leaving the state-owned hotel, Wen Nuan took Gu Qinglan and the others to the courtyard house in Daqianmen.
Gu Qinglan walked into Fang's yard and shouted in shock: "Isn't this too big? Are all these houses Commander Lu's?"
Just on the way here, Wen Nuan told them the twists and turns of this courtyard house. Now when she saw this spacious courtyard house, Gu Qinglan finally understood why Lu Mingde and his family tried so hard to buy the house.
It is really too big, many times bigger than the residential buildings for family members in the northern city. There are six or seven houses in the front and back yards combined.
Wen Nuan nodded: "Yes, it's a whole courtyard."
In fact, there are several large houses in Daqianmen, but there is also a courtyard house where more than a dozen families live, with one family occupying one house.
After Gu Qinglan was shocked, she immediately thought of something and asked, "Sister-in-law, are you planning to move to Beijing?"
In fact, Gu Qinglan had already felt it. After her elder brother made meritorious service and was promoted, his work assignments tended to be located in Beijing.
And Commander Lu is here, so it's probably only a matter of time before Wen Nuan takes over.
Now seeing this big house, she guessed that Commander Lu had taken it back and planned to let Wen Nuan's family live in it.
Thinking of this, Gu Qinglan felt a little sad for some reason. She had thought that she could live in the same compound with her sister-in-law in the future, so it would be more convenient to visit her home.
Wen Nuan smiled faintly and did not deny: "Probably in October, when this place is repaired, we will move in first."
This day will eventually come.
She wanted to let Qinglan know first so that she could be mentally prepared.
As for Sisters Guihua and Juxiang in the family compound, and a group of good comrades in the kitchen team, she hadn't figured out how to start the conversation.
When I think of my two sisters-in-law, I really can’t bear to leave.
Then Wen Nuan said, "Didn't Doctor Li ask you to learn more? Then maybe you can come to the hospital in Beijing."
Wen Nuan also hopes that Gu Qinglan can pass the exam to become a doctor. If she is willing to come to Beijing at that time, it shouldn't be too difficult, after all, Li Yunhua and Mr. Zhao are there.
If we stay in North City, it will be even easier.
When Gu Qinglan heard this, she looked over at Li Daxiang who was playing hide-and-seek with Lele and sighed, "Let's talk about this later."
Wen Nuan hugged her shoulders and smiled, "Okay, let's go back to the compound. Doctor Li and Elder Zhao should have already gone there. They are probably waiting for us to eat."
Li Yunhua is Commander Lu's health consultant and occasionally goes to the Air Force compound.
After Commander Lu learned that Qinglan was going to get married, he said he wanted to meet her, have a meal with her, and by the way, give Qinglan's husband, Comrade Li Daxiang, a thumbs up.
Li Daxiang: “…”
I knew that this trip to Beijing would not be an easy one.
Wen Nuan happened to see Li Daxiang's indescribable expression, so she said, "Don't worry, Commander Lu is very easy-going, just treat it as your own home."
Lele also smiled and said, "Yes, my great-grandfather is very kind. He would buy me small cakes and dolls."
Gu Qinglan glanced at Li Daxiang when she heard this and said, "Comrade Daxiang, please take care of yourself."
It's not just Commander Lu, the most important one is actually her eldest brother.
Apart from that time when he admitted their relationship in front of Zhao Wuzhu, Gu Qinghan didn't ask them about it for a while afterwards...
I don't know whether I agreed or was forced to agree.
Gu Qinglan was a little confused.
While Wen Nuan and Le Le were walking out the door, Li Da Xiang took Gu Qing Lan's hand and smiled, "Don't be afraid. The elders are just showing their concern for us, not opposing us."
He went from being a soldier to becoming a pilot, all for this day.
He could stand beside Gu Qinglan with his back straight.
Gu Qinglan pretended to pull her hand back and scolded, "Sister-in-law is still here, don't move your hands or feet!"
Li Daxiang: “…”
"Don't worry, my sister-in-law and Captain Gu are even closer than we are."
Gu Qinglan chuckled: "...It seems so."
It's just holding hands, which is really child's play in front of her elder brother and sister-in-law.
Wen Nuan walked out of the door before them and just happened to run into Uncle Li who was coming back from buying some wine.
Wen Nuan greeted him: "Uncle Li!"
Lele also shouted with a smile: "Grandpa."
When Mr. Li saw Wen Nuan, he immediately curved his lips and asked with a smile: "You came back today too? Did you bring Le Le with you?"
Wen Nuan nodded: "Come and see how it's done. We'll have to buy some furniture then."
Because the yard is so big, there is a row of houses at the front gate and another row in the backyard.
No wonder Lu Mingde actually thought of renting it out.
"Yes, if we move in, we'll definitely need more furniture." Uncle Li thought for a moment and said, "You can usually buy them at the state-owned store in Qianmen. Of course, if you don't mind, you can also go to the Trust Store."
Wen Nuan was waiting for Uncle Li to say this, and then she smiled and said, "Then I'll have to ask Uncle Li to help me with the selection. You must be very experienced."
Uncle Li smiled and agreed readily: "Okay, when you want to go there someday, come find me. If I'm not at home, I'll be in the next alley."
Wen Nuan nodded with a smile: "Okay, then I'd like to thank you, Uncle Li first."
Uncle Li waved his hand and said, "It's just a small matter. Don't be polite to me. Let's go. I'm going home to eat."
Uncle Li walked a few steps, then turned back and asked, "By the way, did your grandfather say when he would be back?"
Thinking of the thirty-year-old wine, Uncle Li still enjoyed it with gusto when he came back.
I wish I could tie Commander Lu back and ask him for more money.
Wen Nuan chuckled and said, "If you want to see my grandfather, I'll go back and talk to him tonight."
Ever since Commander Lu saw his childhood playmates again, he has been in a much better mood. Xiao Zhang even came to tell her that Commander Lu has not lost his temper since the Chinese New Year.
When Uncle Li heard this, he shook his head and said, "No, no, no, no. Your grandfather is so petty. He made me angry all night just for a name."
He didn't even drink a few sips of the wine.
What a pity.
Wen Nuan smiled and decided to go back and tell Commander Lu that Uncle Li missed him!
*
After returning to the Air Force compound, Aunt Chen and Uncle Zhao had already prepared the meal.
While eating, Wen Nuan told Commander Lu about her meeting with Uncle Li.
Commander Lu listened to Wen Nuan's words and was very proud: "You said that Li Dazui offended people everywhere. If I wasn't magnanimous, who would be willing to drink with him?"
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "Yes, yes, Grandpa is very generous. Then I will send some Erguotou to Uncle Li tomorrow?"
We opened a jar of wine that night and it was full, but we only drank half of it. The remaining half was given back to Uncle Zhao.
But Aunt Chen didn't let him drink, so the wine remained untouched.
Commander Lu said, "Send some over. After all, it was Li Dazui who reminded us. Otherwise, I wouldn't know that Lu Mingde did so many things behind my back."
After finishing talking about Uncle Li, Commander Lu looked at Gu Qinglan and Li Daxiang and said, "Eat, eat quickly."
Li Yunhua smiled and said, "Commander, they both thought you wanted to test them."
Commander Lu picked up a piece of meat for Lele and smiled: "What era is it now? What matters is freedom of marriage and love."
Wen Nuan looked at them and said, "That's right, Qinglan and Daxiang, don't be so reserved. My grandfather is very open-minded."
Commander Lu raised his chin and said, "That's right. My granddaughter understands me. Although I look serious, I am still very open-minded. Come on, eat."
Uncle Zhao and his assistant Xiao Zhang at the dinner table looked at each other: "..."
Chief, why is your open-mindedness intermittent
Li Daxiang felt Gu Qinghan glance at him, and nervously picked up the chopsticks and said in a deep voice: "Captain Gu, it's time to eat."
Gu Qinghan smiled awkwardly, "Next time, as long as we are not in the army, you should follow Qinglan and call me big brother."
After saying that, Gu Qinglan and Li Daxiang looked at each other:
So,
Brother, do you agree
Wen Nuan pinched Gu Qinglan's cheek and said, "Look at you. When did your brother say he didn't agree?"
Agreed from beginning to end.
After having dinner in Commander Lu's small building, Gu Qinglan, Li Daxiang, and Old Man Zhao set off back to North City the next day.
Wen Nuan followed closely behind, and also took the children back to the North City Family Compound, preparing to make the quilt for Qinglan's wedding as soon as possible.
Soon, it was the day of Qinglan and Li Daxiang's wedding.