A courtyard house; Li Yunlong, a subordinate of the deputy director of Harbin Military Engineering I

At the entrance of the Heavy Industry Bureau, Zhang Renfeng parked the car, turned off the engine, and sat in the driver's seat for a while.

A few minutes later, Zhang Xiyue came out of the gate. Today she was wearing a military uniform, also a woolen overcoat for officers. It made her stand tall and straight, and the belt was tied tightly around her waist, highlighting her slender figure. She walked over with a heroic and neat demeanor.

Zhang Renfeng leaned against the car door and glanced at her. The thought popped into his head again—damn, I'm so lucky.

Zhang Xiyue walked up to them, a slight smile on her face: "Have you been waiting long?"

"Just arrived." Zhang Renfeng opened the car door. "Get in. We need to go to the Nie family today to formally discuss the marriage. My older brother has already spoken to him about it."

Zhang Xiyue got into the car, sat in the passenger seat, and glanced at him sideways: "What did your older brother say?"

Zhang Renfeng started the car and casually said, "I'm overjoyed. You know him, he grumbles and complains, but he cares about this even more than I do. I told him about your situation, and he kept saying yes and urging me to get it done quickly."

Zhang Xiyue smiled slightly, but didn't say anything.

The car drove all the way to the entrance of the Nie family's alley. After stopping, Zhang Renfeng brought out two bottles of wine and several packets of pastries that had been prepared in advance. His elder brother, Zhang Rende, had personally picked them out, saying that one should not come empty-handed when proposing marriage, and that proper etiquette must be observed.

Zhang Xiyue walked beside him, and the two entered the courtyard side by side.

The person who opened the door was Sister Zhang. Today she was wearing a clean blue cotton jacket, her hair was neatly combed, and her smile was as kind as usual.

This time, she was accompanied by a girl of about eighteen or nineteen years old, wearing a Lenin suit, with two short braids, a round face, and her eyebrows and eyes bore a resemblance to Director Nie.

The girl was quite cheerful; as soon as she saw Zhang Renfeng and Zhang Xiyue walk in, she called out, "Brother-in-law! Sister!"

Zhang Xiyue introduced them generously: "Renfeng, this is Xiaoli."

Xiaoli is Director Nie's biological daughter, whom they have been searching for all these years.

Zhang Renfeng had heard about this before, but seeing the girl's graceful and fluent manner upon first meeting her, he was quite pleased.

"Hello, Xiao Li," Zhang Renfeng said with a smile, then turned to Sister Zhang, his smile becoming even warmer, "Aunt Zhang," he called out naturally, as if he had been calling her that for many years.

For a moment, Sister Zhang was stunned and didn't react. She stood there for a good two seconds, still clutching the doorknob.

It wasn't until Xiao Li tugged at her sleeve and giggled to remind her that she snapped out of her daze, exclaimed "Oh dear!", and couldn't hide the smile on her face.

"This child, you... come in quickly, come in quickly!"

Upon arriving at the reception room, Director Nie was sitting there drinking tea. When he saw Zhang Renfeng enter, he waved and said, "Hey, Renfeng's here. Come over and chat with me for a bit."

He was clearly in a good mood today, with a smile on his face and a steaming teacup on the table.

Zhang Renfeng walked over and sat down on the chair next to him, casually calling out, "Dad Nie..." He felt a little awkward after he said it, but his expression remained calm and composed.

Director Nie paused, his hand holding the teacup still. He was stunned, staring at Zhang Renfeng with his mouth half open. His lips twitched but he didn't say anything, and he didn't dare to laugh out loud, afraid that laughing would ruin the atmosphere.

He coughed lightly, lowered his head to take a sip of tea to cover it up, but the smile in his eyes was already impossible to hide.

Zhang Xiyue watched from the side, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she suppressed a laugh.

This guy really knows how to get things done. Last time he came, he addressed me respectfully as "Director," but only half a month later, he's already calling me "Dad" and even brought "Mom" along. He's moving pretty fast.

Zhang Renfeng was actually a little uneasy, but he didn't show it on his face.

He had thought it through. In war, you have to strike while the iron is hot. The same goes for dating and getting married. Since both parties have made up their minds, there's no need to drag things out.

It's best to address someone by their name early on so they get used to it. The more you use it, the more comfortable it becomes. If you wait until your wedding day to change how you address them, it will feel unnatural.

These principles were something he learned from leading troops in battle; what was it called again? It was about seizing the initiative.

Director Nie put down his teacup, finally regaining his composure, and cleared his throat: "Since both of you are willing, then your mother Zhang and I have no objections. Let's settle your matter. Xi Yue has been with me since she was little. Although she's not my biological daughter, she's like one to me. You must treat her well from now on."

Zhang Renfeng sat up straight and nodded earnestly: "Dad Nie, don't worry."

Director Nie then turned to Zhang Xiyue, his eyes filled with the loving gaze of an elder looking at a child: "Xiyue, you must also live a good life with Renfeng. He's busy with work, risking his life in battle, so you must be understanding. You are both revolutionary comrades, support each other."

Zhang Xiyue nodded, her voice soft and steady: "I know."

Sister Zhang, who was listening nearby, already had tears in her eyes. She secretly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and quickly stood up: "I'll go prepare the food. We'll eat at home today. Nobody should leave."

Zhang Renfeng and Zhang Xiyue exchanged a glance and then laughed at the same time.

This era is so good! Everything is so efficient and organized, progress is rapid, and we don't have that messy issue of bride price.