In the evening, the courtyard of the zhiqing residence was bustling. The five male comrades were chatting and laughing. Although dinner did not include at, there were eggs, which was quite a rarity.
In stark contrast were Wu Hong and Huang Ying, whose room was quiet. Although they weren’t talking to each other, they both resented the few people outside. Why were they being excluded? This was division, pure individualism.
Huang Ying thought about taking a leave tomorrow to report them to the zhiqing office. Anyway, the gloves were off; there was nothing to be concerned about anymore.
However, she didn’t think that every al’s firewood wasn’t gathered by herself; she used others’. In this aspect, Wu Hong was better than her.
Wu Hong, though annoying, genuinely had no harmful intentions. She was just unhappy with being isolated, but she never thought of retaliating.
This is the fundantal difference between people.
After dinner, Ding Xiaojuan refused to let Chen Hui work and asked him to rest, as the day hadn’t been easy.
"Xiaojuan, let’s go to the zhiqing office tomorrow, then we can move there." Chen Hui was quite anxious. Previously, he hadn’t thought much of it, but now that he was going to get married, and his wife was right beside him, how could he not have ideas?
Ding Xiaojuan thought of Wu Hong and Huang Ying today and nodded eagerly. She was really reluctant to see them often.
Chen Hui laughed, "Then I’ll go find Captain to request leave now."
Ding Xiaojuan watched his cheerful back, blushing suddenly, but she felt a bit sweet inside.
Chen Hui went to Captain’s house; the family had already eaten and was about to rest.
He explained the situation, and of course, they didn’t refuse, agreeing to them going to the zhiqing office and providing a letter of introduction.
Chen Hui felt a lot relieved. Tomorrow, he would truly have a ho and a wife.
Upon returning, he saw his wife boiling water, approached her, and handed her the letter of introduction. "Let’s leave early tomorrow, I’ll push the cart from our yard. There are too many things to buy on the return."
Ding Xiaojuan nodded with a blush, finally feeling like she was forming a family. The one she spoke to was soon going to be her husband.
The other male zhiqing went to take a bath, and Ding Xiaojuan urged Chen Hui to go quickly as well; today must have been exhausting.
Chen Hui left with a smile but returned to whisper, "I’ve packed your things, we’ll move there when we return tomorrow."
Ding Xiaojuan nodded, "I’ve packed my things."
Both eagerly anticipated living their lives alone.
The male comrades returned from bathing and lay on the kang for a chat.
"Chen Hui bro, tomorrow you’ll be a married man."
"Yes, you’re the oldest among us and the first to get married."
"Zhao Xiaoli was the first, wasn’t she?"
"I ant among the male comrades."
Chen Hui smiled listening to the four teasing each other; it was his last night with everyone, even if he was particularly tired, he still chatted casually with the group.
The next day, Chen Hui got up at half past four.
He washed up and knocked on Ding Xiaojuan’s door, which was imdiately opened.
"Get washed up, let’s leave. The road might be bad, and we don’t want to return late."
"Alright, I’ll wash up quickly. You light the fire, we’ll make so porridge."
"Forget it, let’s eat at the township."
"Then bring all the glass jars I prepared, soy sauce, vinegar, kerosene; we need to bring them back."
Chen Hui thought about it and agreed. At ten to five, they set off pushing the cart.
The road was still very muddy, "Hop on the cart, I’ll push you."
"No need, it’s too muddy, hard to push. I better walk. Oh, did you bring the rope? I can pull when we return."
"Got it."
The two chatted as they walked and didn’t feel too tired. Although their pace was slower, it wasn’t by much.
Upon reaching the township, they had breakfast. Though it was three-grain buns, after walking a long way, they were quite hungry and ate contentedly.
After eating, they filled their kettles at the restaurant and left the cart at the township governnt courtyard, then went to the station to wait for the bus.
When they reached the county zhiqing office, it was a quarter past nine.
They handed in all the paperwork, and the office was very accommodating.
"Congratulations to both of you."
Chen Hui laughed, saying, "We also have revolutionary ties, wanting to take root here and realize our value. Be builders who listen to the Party."
"Good, Chen Zhqing’s awareness is indeed high. This is your subsidy, congratulations again."
"Thank you, leader."
They left the zhiqing office and went straight to the civil affairs bureau. With all the paperwork in order, after a few symbolic questions, they beca a legal couple.
Holding their marriage certificate, they glanced at each other, both smiling.
Leaving the civil affairs bureau, they discussed and went directly to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy what they needed.
"The vouchers from the zhiqing office are quite a lot."
"See if there are any date restrictions?" Chen Hui asked with a smile.
"I checked just now, none, and there are fifty pounds of food tickets."
"Wow, quite generous. Let’s exchange all our food tickets for food, there surely aren’t many grains left at the zhiqing residence, right?"
"Each has about fifty pounds left."
"We can last until grain distribution, but we should invite Fu Xiaoping and the others for a al when we move out."
"Absolutely, there are still at tickets, if we can buy at, that would be wonderful."
The two chatted and laughed as they arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, proceeding straight towards the big iron pot.
They had enough industrial tickets, so they bought the iron pot. Ding Xiaojuan gritted her teeth and bought a thermos bottle too. Drinking warm water in winter wouldn’t be that difficult. Knives, scissors, spoons, spatulas, all required industrial tickets. Fortunately, they received a wedding subsidy; otherwise, they wouldn’t have enough industrial tickets.
Chopsticks and bowls didn’t need tickets; if you paid money, you could get them. They prepared four sets; when they invite zhiqing for als, they would bring their own tableware. They also bought plates.
Finally, they purchased four basins of different sizes.
There were many things to buy, and since it was sumr and cotton was available, Ding Xiaojuan bought five pounds of cotton. In winter, even if they had tickets, they might not be able to buy it.
Then bought two pieces of cloth and so small sewing supplies.
Lastly, they bought condints. After a lot of persuasion by Chen Hui, Ding Xiaojuan painfully bought a pound of brown sugar, hardly willing. Soon they would need to buy grain too.
Leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, Chen Hui was almost entirely laden; the five pounds of cotton was carried by Ding Xiaojuan.
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