Return to 1983 Hunting Xing'an Mountains

Chapter 561 My Wife Bought Me a Watch and It Was Bad

The mall was crowded with people.

Xu Ning and Chen Hedong squatted at the sour plum soup stall for half an hour, seldom drinking water during that time, as the toilet in the mall required payment. It was not that they were reluctant to spend money, but they thought it was a bit unreasonable. Xu Ning considered himself an outstanding young man of the new generation, but he had no say, and had worries when he wanted to manage it.

He sat on the railing next to the stall, glancing at the people passing by while observing the whereabouts of Meng Ziyan and others.

At about 3:, a plain-looking girl squeezed through the crowd. When she saw the man sitting on the railing, she smiled, waved her hand and shouted, "Second Brother!"

Xu Ning heard the sound and looked to see Meng Ziyan leading Guan Hua, with Su Yawen and Zhang Er running quickly behind them. When they ran to the sour plum soup stall, Li Fuqiang, Guan Lei and Wang Hu appeared from the crowd. They were holding bags in their hands, about a dozen of them, big and small, and they looked sad and helpless.

Xu Ning jumped down from the railing and stood in front of Meng Ziyan. He was more than a head taller than her. He pulled her arm and asked with a smile, "We walked around the mall for two or three times but didn't see you. We just have to wait and see."

"Yeah! Are you done?"

"It's already been done, what did you buy?"

Meng Ziyan said: "It's just clothes and shoes, all the things for the wedding."

Guan Lei said: "Sister-in-law bought some clothes for Hua and Lianfang, and spent ..."

Xu Ning nodded with satisfaction after hearing this: "Great! She really acts like a sister-in-law. I don't need to say how much money it costs, that's what I mean."

Su Yawen said: "Yan also bought things for you, isn't she a good wife?"

"Hey, sister-in-law, Yan has long been a good wife in my heart!"

"Hahaha..." Everyone gathered in a circle and laughed.

Meng Ziyan lowered her head and unzipped her bag, taking out a red box. Xu Ning asked, "What did you buy for me? It can't be a watch."

"Oh my god, look at my brother's IQ, he guessed it right away."

Xu Ning smiled and said, "I know your sister-in-law. She is like that. She will definitely finish what she has decided to do, otherwise she won't be able to sleep well. I didn't let her buy it last time in the city, and I didn't put it in front of her this time in the province, so she must have bought it secretly."

Meng Ziyan raised her slightly red face and said, "Try it on and see if it looks good."

"What you bought must be beautiful. Oh! Plum blossoms?"

"Yes! My sister-in-law and Sister Zhang helped pick it out."

Plum brand watches are very popular nowadays, because it is a Swiss watch, so it looks very classy when worn. It is not because of admiring foreign things, but the fact of the times. This Plum brand watch is about 260 yuan. Why is it so cheap? There are two or three reasons. One of the most straightforward reasons is that it is not obtained through formal channels, but shipped by private individuals across the ocean...

The strap is made of brown calfskin. There is a plum blossom printed on the outside of the red box that holds the watch. There are also plum blossoms printed on the dial and the watch cover. It looks quite novel and fashionable.

Xu Ning did not say that Meng Ziyan was spending money in vain. Since she had already bought it, saying such things would seem unromantic, ungrateful, inappropriate, and would rather spoil the fun.

"nice!"

Seeing that he didn't get angry, Meng Ziyan asked with a smile, "Do you like it?"

"I don't care what you buy. Then I'll just put it on."

"Wear it! You bought it to wear. I'll wear it for you..."

"I have to show off when I get home. Brother Dong, what do you think of the Plum brand watch your sister-in-law bought for me?"

Chen Hedong was stunned for a moment, then reacted: "Okay!"

Just as he was about to say something, Su Yawen took over and said, "That's quite a good match! Sister-in-law has a great eye."

"Hahaha, my sister-in-law knows how to chat."

Meng Ziyan felt very happy when she heard the compliments from everyone. After putting the Plum brand watch on Xu Ning, she put the Sanfeng brand watch that Xu Ning used to wear into the box and said with a blushing face, "Shall we continue shopping?"

Li Fuqiang was a little confused and asked blankly: "Still shopping?"

Xu Ning said with a smile: "Brother, why don't you go to the mall to find Dazhi and the others? That's a good place to deliver the things. Otherwise, it's too tiring to walk around carrying the things."

"That's fine, both of you give me everything."

Wang Hu and Guan Lei were reluctant to let go, but Li Fuqiang grabbed it with a smile and said, "Go shopping! I'll wait for you in the car."

After Li Fuqiang left with a dozen or so bags, Wang Hu and Guan Lei followed behind Xu Ning quietly. He had rested for more than half an hour and was full of energy. Facing the vitality of the four girls, he was not afraid at all. Chen Hedong chatted with Su Yawen for a while, and then chatted with Wang Hu and Guan Lei. The three of them had too many common topics...

At around 4:, Xu Ning had eight more oil paper bags in his hand, which contained mung bean cakes. Wang Hu, Guan Lei and Chen Hedong did not escape. The three of them were holding curtains, door curtains and other things in their hands. Meng Ziyan and Guan Hua did not buy things randomly. They bought only things that were needed at home. They also bought hair flowers and hairpins for Su Yawen and Zhang Er, and a kerosene lighter for Li Fuqiang, Guan Lei and Chen Hedong. Of course, they did not forget to buy Wang Hu a pair of leather shoes.

It was impossible to buy everything at any time, so when they were losing interest, Xu Ning arranged to go back to the police station first. Although they were a little reluctant, time was limited, so they had to follow Xu Ning and others out of the mall.

When they got to the car, Li Fuqiang saw that they were carrying a lot of things, so he and Dazhi and Scarface hurriedly greeted them, saying with a smile: "Oh, thank you for your hard work!"

"Hey, my legs and feet are not my own anymore, Brother Qiang, you pulled me before you left!"

Li Fuqiang said, "Why are we dragging you around? Are you asking my brothers and Hedong to do the hard labor? Hahaha, just bear with it!"

"Oh my god, I finally know why."

Xu Ning put the things in the back of the car and said, "We have only just arrived. We have to go out and play tomorrow."

"Oh, it makes me want to pee."

"Hahaha……"

Su Yawen said: "If we go to Sun Island tomorrow, I'll go home and get my camera. How about we take some photos?"

"Okay! Sister-in-law, this is a great idea."

Zhang Er asked, "Can I still go tomorrow?"

"Sister Zhang, what are you talking about? Just come if you have time. I see you four are having a great time."

"Well, I'll just watch the fun."

Su Yawen said with a smile: "Then let my little brother come over tomorrow? He can use the camera..."

Chen Hedong said: "I can do it too, tell him to do it..."

Su Yawen pulled him and signaled him not to speak. Xu Ning understood instantly and said with a smile: "Okay! Call him over to play together. Sister-in-law, how old is your little brother?"

"He is 22 years old this year and just celebrated his birthday last month. He graduated from a technical secondary school and was assigned to work on the railway."

"Oh, this is a good job! Will he be available tomorrow?"

"Yes! He is not busy at work. He works in an office and does not travel north and south."

Xu Ning smiled and said, "Very good, Sister Zhang, you must come tomorrow."

"Oh, then...then I have something to do tomorrow."

“Hahaha, I’ll tell Uncle Wan and Uncle Liu, and you’ll be fine.”

Zhang Er rolled his eyes and said, "How annoying! Yan, go talk to him."

"I dare not..." Meng Ziyan shrank her neck. Li Fuqiang smiled and said, "My brother is the best matchmaker in Qing'an, Zhang'er, don't worry."

"Hahaha..." Everyone laughed at the back of the car.

In fact, when Su Yawen met Zhang Er, she revealed that she had a younger brother. Zhang Er understood what she meant, but he just didn't respond. Why?
Because they knew each other, if she didn't like him or he didn't like her, how could she make friends with Su Yawen in the future? She didn't have many friends in the provincial capital. She had been alone since she was a child. It was not easy for her to meet these interesting people. She didn't want to break the friendship because of this.

After everyone got on the bus, Meng Ziyan, Su Yawen and Guan Hua started chatting. The gentlemen didn't interrupt, but just talked loudly about other things to avoid making Zhang Er look abrupt and awkward.

Xu Ning, who was holding the steering wheel with both hands, asked Chen Hedong, who was sitting next to him in the passenger seat, "What's your brother-in-law's personality like?"

"You are so bad..."

Hearing Chen Hedong's comments, Xu Ning was a little dazed and asked, "Why are you so mean?"

"Before I married his sister, he secretly stuffed my long johns with hair scraps! This thing tickled me, it was so uncomfortable, I get angry just thinking about it!"

"Hahaha, why are you so mean?" Xu Ning said with a shameless face.

Chen Hedong curled his lips and said, "It's because of this that I don't want to bother with him. If he had cheated me of my money, I wouldn't have said anything. He only does things like this that irritate me. During the Chinese New Year two years ago, I was sleeping after drinking, and he held my child and stuffed Xiaoqiao into my mouth and asked me to drink water..."

"Oh my god! Hahaha, that's mean. Does he look down on you?"

Chen Hedong said: "I beat him up a while ago. Hey, this guy holds a grudge..."

Xu Ning suppressed his laughter and asked, "What about his character?"

"Whatever happens, there's nothing wrong with his character, except that he's a bit mean! His family is relatively wealthy, but he never spends money recklessly, and he doesn't have any bad habits. He's similar to you, he drinks but doesn't smoke."

"what……"

The car slowly drove into the police station yard. Zhang Er jumped out first and turned around and said, "Put all the things in the warehouse, otherwise we'll have to move them upstairs."

"Okay, Sister Zhang, I'll put it wherever you say."

Afterwards, everyone emptied the rear compartment and moved everything into the small warehouse next to it. In the warehouse were some shovels, brooms, dustpans, watering cans and other tools. Zhang Er was the only one in the entire branch who had the key to this warehouse. On the way, they met a few people. Zhang Er chatted with them casually and then saw Wan Faqun and Liu Aimin.

"Uncle Wan! Uncle Liu, I was just looking for you." Xu Ning hurried to greet them.

Wan Faqun said with a smile: "What's the matter? Have you bought everything?"

"I've bought everything, but my uncle also told me to go to the Third Department Store to get the washing machine. I'll pick it up on the day we leave."

"That's fine." Uncle Liu nodded.

Xu Ning glanced back at Zhang Er and whispered, "Didn't I meet a friend yesterday? This friend's wife has a younger brother, who is 22 years old this year and works on the railway. He either travels with the trains north and south or works as a clerk in the office. There's nothing wrong with his character, but I heard from his brother-in-law that he seems a bit mean. But I don't think that's a problem. After all, his brother-in-law's evaluation is biased. I'm thinking of letting Sister Zhang meet him tomorrow."

Wan Faqun and Liu Aimin looked at each other, then clapped their hands and said, "Okay!"

"Then let Zhang Er go and see him, and see if it works..."

Xu Ning complained: "My sister Zhang knows about this, and she doesn't seem particularly happy about it."

"Not happy? Can we let her do what she wants?"

Wan Faqun shouted, "Zhang Aini!"

"To!"

"Run over here! At ease! Stand at attention!"

Zhang Er put his hands together at the bottom of his pants, and stood straight. He only heard Wan Faqun say, "You are allowed to take a rest tomorrow and go play with Erning and the others. This is an order!"

"Yes!"

Liu Aimin said with a smile: "Erning, you take care of her tomorrow. Your sister Zhang likes to be a little bit temperamental."

"Make sure to complete the mission."

"Okay, you guys get busy."

Then, Wan and Liu turned and left.

Although this matter is a bit funny and seems like a joke, it is not the case. In every unit, it is the responsibility of the leaders to solve the marriage issues of every unmarried young person, not to mention that Wan, Liu and Zhang Aini's father have a special relationship.

Zhang Aini turned her head and stared at Xu Ning. She saw Meng Ziyan, Guan Lei and others beside her covering their mouths and laughing. Her face turned red for a moment, and she was a little at a loss. She glared at Xu Ning angrily.

"Sister Zhang, come out to eat with us tonight. Your blind date's brother-in-law will treat you."

"You!" Zhang Aini's eyes widened with anger.

Chen Hedong came over and said, "Let's go together. We finally met each other and it's not easy to get together. Besides, my brother-in-law is a bit stupid, you may not like him..."

Su Yawen pinched the tender flesh on his lower back and said with a smile: "How can a brother-in-law say that about his brother-in-law? Zhang'er, your brother-in-law is joking."

Zhang Aini locked the door of the warehouse and finally followed Xu Ning and others.

It was exactly half past five when we arrived at Futai Building.

I saw Manager Li, Xu He and my brother-in-law at the door. After we got together, we went into Futai Building.

Since Chen Hedong had booked a table in advance, they were led to a private room that could seat 15 people. Chen Hedong exchanged a few words with the manager of Futailou, but did not mention anything about ordering food. In fact, Chen Hedong and his wife had already ordered the dishes and drinks. This restaurant mainly serves beef and mutton, and is considered to be one of the best restaurants in the provincial capital.

The wine was Wuliangye and there were twelve dishes. The plates were not big, but the portions were not small.

After all the dishes were served, Chen Hedong raised his glass and said a few words, and then everyone started drinking.

Why did his brother-in-law come? Because after he went back today, he told Xu He the truth. After hearing what Xu Ning meant, Xu He gave his brother-in-law two ideas and asked him to come together in the evening to get to know Chen Hedong better...

The purpose of this meal was mainly to build relationships and deepen mutual impressions, so no one was hiding anything. No matter who raised the glass, they all followed suit, sometimes splitting it in half, sometimes taking a sip, and sometimes taking a clink.

Except for Chen Hedong who could take the initiative to finish the wine in the glass, no one else had his courage to do anything. After he finished the whole glass of wine, he fell asleep. Su Yawen was so angry that her teeth itched. How could she leave a good impression by being strong at the critical moment? So she, as a daughter-in-law, hurriedly tried to make up for it.

"Hedong is so happy today. I met so many good friends. Erning, please don't pick on me."

"Why are you arguing? My brother Dong is a hot-tempered man!"

Manager Li, also known as Li Zhuang, said with a smile, "That's true. Erning, come on, let's go."

"Okay, Brother Li."

Evening, around 9 o'clock.

After the drinking party, Li Fuqiang and Scarface carried the unconscious Chen Hedong into the trunk of the car, followed by Xu Ning, Guan Lei and Wang Hu. Xu He and his brother-in-law stood at the rear of the car and waved. A Jeep 212 was parked next to it. It was a car from the pharmaceutical factory, and the driver was Xu He's buddy, who came specially to pick him up.

"Qiangzi, drive slower, don't make them vomit."

"Oh, I know! Hurry up and get in the car. We'll see you in Qing'an."

"Okay!"

(End of this chapter)