The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 61 - 60: Making a Trip

He Lang could finally stop sleeping alone.

"I have one request," He Lang complained. "From now on, no matter who visits, you can’t kick me out to sleep somewhere else. With you gone, I haven’t slept well these past two nights."

Xue Yue coaxingly took He Lang’s hand. "Oh, come on. It’s not often she gets to visit."

"I don’t care how many times she visits. She can’t just monopolize my wife at night."

Xue Yue chuckled. "Alright, alright. It won’t happen again. Now, you should get some sleep."

He Lang wrapped his arm around Xue Yue’s waist and stared at her. "You sleep with me."

Xue Yue nodded. "Okay."

After they lay down, Xue Yue took the opportunity to tell He Lang about Yang Xiaoxia’s intentions.

He Lang looked at her in surprise. "She’s interested in Zhen Dong?"

"Mhm, and it was love at first sight. Xiao Xia is the production team leader’s precious daughter. Her whole family dotes on her. Plus, she’s a high school graduate. While she might not be a stunning beauty, she’s still quite pretty. She’s more than good enough for Zhen Dong, right?"

He Lang mulled it over for a few seconds. "Alright. I’ll go ask Zhen Dong what he thinks in a day or two."

What had happened to He Zhendong in the past was somewhat related to them, so if these two actually got together, it would put Uncle He’s mind at ease.

He Lang was a man of action. Not two days later, he went to find He Zhendong.

"So, that’s what the young lady is thinking. I’m just here to ask if you’re interested."

He Zhendong was so stunned by the news that he seemed to be in a daze.

He Lang clapped He Zhendong on the shoulder. "Be a man about it. If you’re interested, go for it. If not, then just pretend I never said anything."

A smile slowly crept into He Zhendong’s eyes, growing wider and wider.

"Of course I’m willing, Brother."

He Lang smiled and nodded. "You lucky dog. Yang Xiaoxia is the only daughter of Yang Shugou’s production team leader. She’s a high school student, graduating at the end of June this year. She’s the same age as your sister-in-law, and they grew up together. She could have easily found someone with better prospects, but no, she saw you at my place the other day and took a liking to you. And your sister-in-law really sang your praises."

He Zhendong said happily, "Please thank Sister-in-law for me."

He Lang waved his hand dismissively. "We’re family, there’s no need for thanks. Go back and tell Uncle He and the others. See if you should get a matchmaker to make a formal visit. We should follow the proper procedure to avoid gossip. Your sister-in-law and I will also make a trip to Yang Shugou first to let them know. We still don’t know if the team leader will even agree."

Hearing this, He Zhendong instantly sobered up. That was right. The girl’s family didn’t know yet. If they didn’t agree, he would have gotten excited for nothing.

"Alright, head on back. I’ll go tell your sister-in-law."

When He Lang got back and told Xue Yue, she clapped her hands and said happily, "They’re both interested! This is great news! I have to go tell Xiao Xia so she doesn’t worry herself sick."

"You should tell her. We also need to ask her family’s opinion. I’ve already told Zhen Dong about Yang Xiaoxia’s family situation and had him go discuss it with Uncle He and his wife."

Xue Yue nodded. "It’s still a long time before dark. Let’s go now."

When the two arrived in Yangjia Gou, they didn’t go to their own home but headed straight for the production team leader’s house.

The Yang Family was just about to have dinner.

The moment Yang Xiaoxia saw Xue Yue, she knew there was news. She grabbed Xue Yue and pulled her out the door.

"Yue’er and I have something to talk about. You guys eat first."

Zhang Cuihua watched them go, then smiled at He Lang. "Those two are always acting so mysterious. Kid He, have you eaten yet? If not, sit down and have a bite with us."

He Lang shook his head. "I already ate before coming."

The production team leader said to He Lang, "Kid He, come have a seat. I heard from Xiao Xia that you started working at the transportation team?"

He Lang nodded. "Yes, as a temporary worker."

The team leader said, "That’s still great. Even temporary positions are hard to find."

Yang Xiaoxia had graduated from high school but didn’t have a job, so she could only stay idle at home. He couldn’t ask her to work in the fields, as she didn’t know how, and the team leader felt bad for his daughter. He was now in a difficult position.

A short while later, Yang Xiaoxia and Xue Yue returned.

Yang Xiaoxia’s face was glowing, and she looked overjoyed.

"Dad, Mom, I’ve found a boyfriend!"

The team leader and Zhang Cuihua’s eyes widened in shock. Even He Lang was taken aback by the girl’s bluntness.

Only Xue Yue wasn’t surprised. That was just Yang Xiaoxia’s personality—she said whatever was on her mind, which was likely related to her upbringing.

The team leader was the first to recover, asking with a frown, "Where did you find a boyfriend?"

Yang Xiaoxia said, "It’s the one I took a liking to at Yue’er’s house a couple of days ago."

The team leader looked toward He Lang and Xue Yue.

Xue Yue gave a slightly embarrassed cough and then explained, "Here’s what happened. A couple of days ago, while Xiao Xia was at my house, she met He Lang’s paternal cousin—the second son of He Lang’s Uncle He."

Yang Xiaoxia chimed in, "Dad, I took a liking to him and asked Yue’er to find out if he was interested. I didn’t expect him to like me back! Hehe, that’s how it is."

The corner of Xue Yue’s mouth twitched as she watched the reactions of the team leader and Zhang Cuihua.

The team leader just frowned in thought, while Zhang Cuihua, after a moment’s pause, came over to ask Xue Yue for more details.

Xue Yue told Zhang Cuihua everything she knew. After all, this was a major life decision and had to be handled with care.

In the end, the team leader remained silent. After Zhang Cuihua had gotten all the details, she neither agreed nor disagreed.

Yang Xiaoxia, on the other hand, was ecstatic. As Xue Yue was about to leave, she was still tugging on her hand. "How about I go home with you?"

Zhang Cuihua grabbed Yang Xiaoxia. "Don’t even think about it. You just got back two days ago. Don’t you dare try to run off again."

Yang Xiaoxia pouted. "Yue’er, I’ll come see you in a few days. Wait for me!"

Xue Yue nodded. "Aunt Cuihua, we’re heading back now."

"Alright, be careful on the road."

By the time they left the team leader’s house, it was almost dark.

Xue Yue asked He Lang, "What do you think the team leader meant? Does he not approve?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

He Lang chuckled. "It’s normal for the team leader to be reluctant to part with his daughter. Aunt Cuihua seems to be considering it. Besides, didn’t you say her family dotes on Yang Xiaoxia? Seeing how she is, they probably won’t object too strongly. What’s more, anyone who asks around will find that Zhen Dong has a pretty good reputation."

Xue Yue looked at him. "Are you saying Zhen Dong’s reputation is better than yours?"

He Lang smiled and nodded. "It’s true. If I didn’t have a proper job now, everyone in the village would think we were going to starve after splitting off from the family."

Xue Yue nodded. ’It was true. He Lang rarely worked in the fields, and right now, all the villagers relied on earning work points to feed themselves. Before they separated from the family, the He Family would have at least made sure he didn’t go hungry. But after splitting off, wouldn’t they have starved?’

"I plan to start working after three months. I only worked for two months this year, and you don’t have any work points. The grain we’ll be allotted at the end of the year definitely won’t be enough. Besides, I can’t stand being idle. Whenever I go out, I always see people pointing at me. They’re probably calling me lazy."

He Lang looked at her helplessly. "If you really want to go, that’s fine. I’ll ask my dad to talk to the village chief and arrange some light work for you."

Although lighter work earned fewer work points, it was still better than nothing.

Xue Yue nodded.

When He Zhendong returned home and told his family the news, Uncle He’s household instantly erupted.