The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 64 - 63: Watching a Movie

Xue Yue was puzzled. "Don’t they approve?"

Yang Xiaoxia laughed. "Well, I’m here, aren’t I? My mom is willing, but my dad wants to meet He Zhendong first before deciding."

Xue Yue nodded. "He should meet him. At least get to know him a little."

"Exactly, that’s what my dad meant. Hehe, I’ll take He Zhendong to meet my parents one of these days."

Xue Yue gave a helpless smile.

Then Xue Yue added, "Oh, right, the brigade is showing a movie tonight. You guys should stay and watch."

"Huh? They’re showing a movie? Then I have to watch," Yang Xiaoxia agreed immediately.

Xue Xingzhou nodded. "But I have to head back after the movie. The brigade has people taking turns guarding the granary, and I’m on duty for the second half of the night."

"Okay. Xiao Xia, tonight’s a good chance for you to tell Zhen Dong about your family’s thoughts."

Yang Xiaoxia was suddenly tongue-tied. "Uh... uh, just the two of us? Alone?"

Xue Yue rolled her eyes. "Girl, aren’t you usually so direct about this? You’re straightforward with everyone else, so why are you chickening out now that you have to say a few words to him alone?"

Yang Xiaoxia stuck out her tongue. "I’m just a little shy, that’s all."

Xue Yue feigned surprise. "You have that in you?"

Xue Xingzhou burst out laughing, which made Yang Xiaoxia chase after Xue Yue, playfully trying to hit her.

Xue Yue waved her hands. "Don’t chase me! See my belly? There’s a baby in here."

Yang Xiaoxia stopped immediately. She stared at Xue Yue’s belly in amazement and said, "Hey, I couldn’t even tell last time I was here. It hasn’t been that long. How did it get so big?"

Xue Yue caressed her belly. "You last came when I was just over three months along. Now I’m almost five months. Of course it’s gotten a little bigger."

Xue Yue found it magical, too. Her belly was slowly growing, and in another five months, the baby would be here.

Xue Xingzhou also looked at Xue Yue’s belly, his eyes full of anticipation.

That afternoon, He Lang came back early, bringing a watermelon with him.

Since they were going to the movie that evening, they had an early dinner.

Spicy rabbit, braised chicken, minced pork with eggplant, scrambled eggs with chives, and a three-delicacy mushroom soup.

It was too hot inside, so they moved the table into the courtyard to eat.

After dinner, they cut open the watermelon. It was very refreshing, as it had been soaking in cool water.

Yang Xiaoxia couldn’t help but sigh. "This is the life."

The corners of Xue Yue’s mouth curved up. She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and felt the cool evening breeze. The air carried the fragrance of their meal, mingled with the fresh scent of flowers and grass.

Life was wonderful. Xue Yue would never have dared to believe she could have such a good life, and this life was a gift from the man by her side.

Xue Yue couldn’t help but look at He Lang, and their eyes met. His gaze was full of gentle, doting love, while hers sparkled with a brilliant smile.

They only got up and headed for the brigade headquarters when they heard the sound of a gong. He Lang brought a stool for Xue Yue.

When they arrived, the movie had just started. It was a patriotic war film, and a large crowd had already gathered.

He Zhendong had also just arrived. He spotted Yang Xiaoxia, Xue Yue, and the others the moment they walked in.

"Third Brother, Sister-in-law, Brother Xue, you’re here too." As he spoke, his eyes kept glancing toward Yang Xiaoxia.

Yang Xiaoxia’s hand, which was holding Xue Yue’s arm, tightened. Xue Yue glanced at her.

Xue Xingzhou nodded. "The autumn harvest just finished, so I came to see them."

He Lang said, "You’re here early."

He Zhendong smiled. "I just got here myself."

Yang Xiaoxia kept stealing glances at He Zhendong. The more she looked, the more she liked him.

Xue Yue stifled a laugh and said to He Zhendong, "Zhen Dong, why don’t you take Xiao Xia for a walk? It’s a good chance to talk."

He Zhendong glanced at Yang Xiaoxia, scratched the back of his head, and nodded at Xue Yue.

"Xiao... Xiao Xia, come with me."

Yang Xiaoxia’s face flushed red with shyness. She gave Xue Yue a look before following He Zhendong out of the brigade courtyard.

After they left, Xue Yue laughed out loud.

He Lang asked her, "What are you laughing at?"

Xue Yue said in a cheerful tone, "I just think it’s fun watching other people court each other. They’re both so shy."

He Lang and Xue Xingzhou both smiled.

He Zhendong led Yang Xiaoxia to a tree not far from the brigade headquarters. It was nighttime, and the moonlight was bright, but not bright enough to see the blush on both their faces.

He Zhendong looked at Yang Xiaoxia. He hesitated for a few seconds before finally speaking. "We haven’t really had a chance to talk properly before, so let me introduce myself again. My name is He Zhendong, and I’m twenty-three. I have older brothers and sisters, and they’re all married. I was actually set up for a match before, but it fell through on the engagement day because the woman’s family suddenly demanded a higher betrothal gift. I felt I had to be clear about that with you. Do you mind?"

Yang Xiaoxia was stunned for a moment, then shook her head. "I don’t mind. That’s all in the past. My name is Yang Xiaoxia, and I’m an only child. My mother’s health was damaged when she gave birth to me, so I’m the only kid in the family. I had originally thought about finding a husband who would marry into my family, but my dad disagreed. The reason I’m telling you this is that I will be the one taking care of my parents when they’re old."

He Zhendong nodded. "Mm, your parents only have one child, so it’s right for you to care for them. I’ll do it with you in the future."

Hearing this, Yang Xiaoxia smiled, her reserved demeanor melting away. "Now that we’ve cleared the air, I feel relieved. I like you a lot. As for my parents, my mom doesn’t object. But I just graduated from high school and spent most of my time at school, so my dad isn’t ready for me to be talking about marriage this year. He wants to meet you. When are you free to visit my family?"

He Zhendong was also a bit taken aback by the girl’s directness, but he thought it was a good thing. "I’m free anytime. How about the day after tomorrow? I’ll go to town tomorrow to buy some things."

Yang Xiaoxia nodded. "That works. I’m going home tomorrow, so I’ll wait for you at my house the morning after."

"Okay."

After settling the important matters, they suddenly fell silent. The atmosphere grew a little charged.

Just as He Zhendong was wondering what to say next, he suddenly felt a small, incredibly soft hand slip into his palm and grasp his larger one.

He looked over at Yang Xiaoxia and saw that her head was bowed, but her hand was still holding his tightly.

A smile spread across He Zhendong’s lips. He squeezed her small hand, his heart pounding in his chest.

By the time Xue Yue was halfway through the movie, Yang Xiaoxia and He Zhendong came back, though they were no longer holding hands.

Xue Yue saw that they both had smiles on their faces and figured their talk must have gone well.

Yang Xiaoxia squeezed in next to Xue Yue and started watching the movie too.

He Lang raised his eyebrows at He Zhendong, who smiled and nodded in return. He Lang smiled back.

Not far from them, Mrs. He and He Zhendong’s mother were standing together, whispering and occasionally glancing over at Xue Yue’s group.

He Zhendong’s mother, in particular, was beaming.

A few educated youths were standing in a corner. Wang Shumin kept her eyes fixed on Xue Yue’s face, and of course, she also noticed her belly. Her expression was a mix of confusion and curiosity.

A few steps away, Gu Yuwei was digging her nails into her palm, her gaze locked on Xue Yue’s group. She watched He Lang place the stool in front of Xue Yue for her to sit, then gently pat her head. He stood protectively behind her, shielding her from the crowd. Gu Yuwei kept telling herself to let it go. ’The man is coarse, and besides, he’s another woman’s husband. He isn’t worth pining over.’ But seeing this scene still made her ache. She desperately wished she were the one receiving all his care.

Her gaze, filled with resentment and hatred, suddenly met a pair of sharp eyes.