I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

Qiaoqiao overheard Zhou Wenhui and Liu Songming's conversation in her bedroom, and was filled with mixed emotions.

She had long been aware of those subtle changes: her father-in-law was injured, Commander Pu had been transferred, and apart from Yu Fu, the logistics department and the labor union were extremely indifferent.

When the meat ration coupons were first reduced, someone explained the situation. Then a young soldier came to deliver his wages and meat ration coupons, put them down, and left. When asked why there were only half a pound of meat ration coupons, the soldier replied, "If it's not right, go find the leader. I'm just responsible for delivering them."

Until Qiaoqiao gave birth, all the work lines were busy and could not be reached. It was clear that they were tired of Commander Zhou's family affairs.

Qiaoqiao also heard that Cheng Zhaoying had been transferred from the library and returned to the communications platoon. After her three-year compulsory military service was completed, she would also be transferred to a local job.

Qiaoqiao didn't tell Zhou Wenhui about these things. Each generation has its own responsibilities. She and Zhou Wenhui should be independent and not rely solely on their father-in-law.

Fortunately, Zhou Wenhui is a true man. He travels all over the country giving speeches, and Qiaoqiao has a little over 10,000 yuan in savings.

My father-in-law has fallen, but my husband has stood up. While I feel a sense of loss, I am also gratified. He is a good son, a good husband, and a good father. He will also be a pillar of strength, just like his father.

Qiaoqiao looked at Zhou Xiaowei, poking at his little mouth, her face full of happiness.

Yu Fu was seconded to the propaganda department. After Zhou Wenhui's personnel file was transferred to the newspaper, Yu Fu also returned to work in the logistics department.

He no longer takes care of Zhou Wenhui's daily life, but he will help take care of the child voluntarily after get off work in the evening.

Qiaoqiao's mother took care of all the housework, while Zhou Wenhui took care of Qiaoqiao and Xiaowei's daily life.

Changing diapers, washing diapers, serving tea and water—it only took him ten days to go from clumsy to skilled.

Qiaoqiao's mother grew to like this son-in-law more and more. When he first came to Qiaoqiao's house, he was like a noble young master, cold and unpredictable.

These days, everyone calls her "Mom" and doesn't even mind Xiaowei's poop. This is what life should be like, this is what it means to live an equal life.

Qiaoqiao is young and strong, and recovered very well after giving birth. She was able to walk around freely after only ten days.

Mingming was living a comfortable life. Zhou Wenhui said, "Qiaoqiao, during the last speech, I saw that there were many more students in the high school, and the learning atmosphere was very good. The principal told me that they had received the news that the college entrance examination would be reinstated soon. I will take care of Xiaowei's life, and I will take care of the housework. You should pick up your books now."

"Zhou Wenhui, I'm still in my postpartum confinement period, and you want me to read? No, reading is bad for my eyes."

Qiaoqiao immediately objected. Now that she had a son, her mind and eyes were only on him, and she couldn't concentrate on reading at all.

"Qiaoqiao, you've been studying for several months now. Your level is no worse than those high school students. If the college entrance examination is reinstated, you will definitely pass."

"If I actually get accepted, what am I supposed to do? I still have to study for four years in university."

"As long as you pass the exam, your mother and I will take care of the child. Qiaoqiao, the college entrance exam is a very important opportunity, you must give it your all," Zhou Wenhui advised.

"Is it really necessary to take the exam? I stay home to take care of our son and provide you with three meals a day, which is fine too." Qiaoqiao felt extremely aggrieved.

"You absolutely have to take the exam. If you fail, I'll support you. If you pass, your life will enter a different level. Yang Zheng is already a full-time employee at the machine factory, why does he still need to take the exam? If you want to fly higher, you must have a diploma."

"Okay, then I'll study. Aren't you afraid I'll abandon my husband and children once I pass the exam?"

Qiaoqiao said in a huff that she had never seen her husband urge her to study hard.

"Don't worry, Qiaoqiao is excellent, and I'm not a fool either. We can improve together." Zhou Wenhui chuckled.

Yang Zheng had planned to visit his nephew on Sunday, but because Liu Dabao was getting married, he would have to go next week.

Yang Zheng was very surprised when he received the wedding invitation. Was he getting married?

Then he thought about it again, and realized that the two of them hadn't seen each other for several months since Liu Dabao had escorted him back to his dorm last time.

Yang Zheng gave a ten-yuan red envelope, which was a third of his salary.

Yang Zheng's feelings for Liu Dabao were extremely complicated. He remembered everything, from that bowl of noodles to that word of concern and that half portion of braised pork.

Putting aside Kong Xiange's death, he was a friend whom Yang Zheng valued highly.

But was Kong Qiange's death actually related to him?

Liu Dabao's marital home is his own separate bedroom, where he still lives with his parents.

Today is the day for the wedding procession to pick up the bride by bicycle, but Yang Zheng doesn't have a bicycle, so he stayed home to set off firecrackers.

"Brother Yang Zheng, Brother Yang Zheng!" Yang Zheng saw Chen Hong running towards him in a red floral dress.

"Honghong, what brings you here? Where is Master?"

Chen Hong has just entered the first year of junior high school and has grown quite a bit taller.

"Mom and brother went to work, and Dad said he had something to do, so he asked me to come find you."

Chen Hong held her head high with pride, as if she were the head of the household.

"Alright, you'll follow me and set off the cannons." Yang Zheng patted Chen Hong's head. This little girl was so clever and mischievous.

"My dad gave me a five-yuan red envelope to give to my older brother, Da Bao. You can give it to him later."

Chen Hong handed the red envelope to Yang Zheng, who accepted it, saying, "Okay, I haven't given you my gift yet."

"How much longer until the bride arrives?" Chen Hong asked.

"Do you enjoy watching brides?"

"Of course, the brides are the most beautiful. They even wear red flowers in their hair," Chen Hong said earnestly.

"It's almost time, it's already ten o'clock. They're going to set off firecrackers later, so stay far away so you don't get hit."

"I'll hide right behind you, so far away that you won't be able to see the bride anymore."

Chen Hong clung to Yang Zheng like an older brother.

A short while later, the groom arrived on a tricycle, followed by a group of young workers on bicycles.

"The bride is here... set off the firecrackers..." the young worker shouted, and Yang Zheng hurriedly went to light the firecrackers.

The sound of cannons, laughter, and shouting filled the entire apartment building with excitement.

Chen Hong hid behind Yang Zheng and called out, "The bride is here, Brother Yang Zheng, I'm going upstairs to get some wedding candy."

He ran away after saying that, and Yang Zheng did not stop him.

As the tricycle drew closer, Yang Zheng saw the bride smiling broadly. She looked so familiar, like someone he knew.

Kong Qiange, it is Kong Qiange.

Yang Zheng had heard his colleagues talk about it; Liu Dabao's girlfriend was a newly arrived educated youth who worked as a substitute teacher in a primary school.

The young workers at the machinery factory had good jobs, high salaries, and top-notch benefits. They married a young woman who had returned to the city from the educated youth movement and didn't even have a formal job yet. Many people were curious about what kind of educated youth had captured Liu Dabao's heart.

The bride was not particularly outstanding; she had worked in the countryside for many years and was not much different from other rural women.

But her every smile and frown was just like Kong Qiange.

The bride and groom were escorted upstairs to the simple tenement building, which was filled with laughter.

Yang Zheng followed him upstairs. His task today, besides setting off firecrackers, was to entertain guests, serve cigarettes and tea.

Yang Zheng took the empty tea tray to the kitchen to get tea. Liu Xiaocao was pouring tea, and there was a young man next to her. The two were behaving intimately, so he must be her boyfriend.

"Little Grass, that's enough soaking for now. Let's have some fun for a bit, then it's time to go to the cafeteria for a feast."

Yang Zheng generously broke their intimacy, and Xiao Cao said in a flustered manner, "Okay, Brother Yang Zheng, thank you for your hard work."

"Brother Liu is just like my brother; it's only right that he works hard."

Yang Zheng glanced at Xiaocao's boyfriend; he was fair-skinned and clean-cut, so he probably wasn't a worker.

That's great, she has found her own happiness.