After lunch, the group moved to the living room and sat down.
“Dad, Ming’an’s leave doesn’t have many days left. Let’s discuss his and Tangtang’s wedding,” Lu Xingguo said.
“Alright. How are the preparations coming along?”
At the mention of the wedding, Lin Zhitang’s ears turned slightly red. Lu Ming’an looked calm on the surface, but inside, he was overjoyed.
Father Lu and Mother Lu shared their ideas regarding the wedding arrangements. The Lu family held important positions, and under the current circumstances, although the Lu family could protect Lin Zhitang despite her background, it was still better to keep things low-profile.
Lin Zhitang was not an unreasonable person. Especially after sensing the disdain from some of the Lu family members toward her identity, her favorable impression of Father and Mother Lu rose sharply.
When Lu Xingguo and Lan Shaoying talked privately at night, they had already discussed the matter of the dowry and betrothal gifts.
Lin Zhitang no longer had parents by her side, but they were certain her parents must have left her a dowry. As for the specifics, they would not ask further.
Regarding the betrothal gifts, they treated both sons equally.
The betrothal gift was 1,000 yuan, with an additional 2,000 yuan as settling-in money, plus a wristwatch, bicycle, sewing machine, radio, and the “thirty-two legs.” Since Ming’an and his wife would be accompanying the army, the four major items and the thirty-two legs would instead be converted into cash for them to purchase things at the military base themselves.
They explained everything clearly in front of both sons and daughters-in-law, mainly so the daughters-in-law would understand and so there would be no misunderstandings. As parents, they knew their sons would not fuss over such matters, but although their eldest daughter-in-law had a good personality, she was still a daughter-in-law after all. Some things needed to be made clear openly and fairly.
Tian Jiaojiao came from a good family background and was the youngest child in her family, spoiled and pampered since childhood, so she was not short of money. After marriage, although she did not work, her husband handed over his salary to her.
Naturally, she was pleased that her parents-in-law were so reasonable and fair-minded.
After settling the betrothal gifts, Lin Zhitang and Lu Ming’an’s wedding date was also decided. Because time was tight, the wedding would be held the day after tomorrow.
After all, they still had to travel three days to accompany the army, so they would depart for the Northwest the day after the wedding.
“Good, good! This old man has something to contribute too!”
Whenever any grandchild got married, Old Master Lu would give them a subsidy. As for how much he gave, it depended entirely on his own wishes, and no one had any objections to that.
Lin Zhitang had no relatives here, so there was no need to invite anyone.
Aside from relatives, the Lu family only invited a small number of guests to the wedding banquet.
When Lu Ming’an submitted his marriage application, he had also applied for housing at the same time.
There were two options: a bungalow or an apartment building. After asking Lin Zhitang for her opinion, Lu Ming’an chose the bungalow.
There were apartment buildings in the factory family compounds in Shanghai as well, but Lin Zhitang felt they lacked soundproofing. It was inconvenient no matter what you did, so a bungalow was better. Moreover, she had asked Lu Ming’an about it, and he said the bungalow could be renovated slightly, making it more comfortable to live in.
As a battalion commander, Lu Ming’an was assigned a small three-bedroom house by the army.
Once the house was confirmed, Lu Ming’an called his comrades and asked them to clean it up in advance so that when they arrived, they would only need to tidy it up slightly before decorating it.
As for furniture and such, they could have them made and decorate the place after arriving.
Lin Zhitang’s room in Shanghai had been exquisitely decorated. Since they would likely live there for several years after accompanying the army, the arrangement naturally had to satisfy Lin Zhitang.
“Tangtang, let’s go shopping. Your wedding dress hasn’t been prepared yet,” Tian Jiaojiao said as she grabbed Lin Zhitang’s hand, already addressing her affectionately.
Tian Jiaojiao was someone who cared greatly about appearances. She had little resistance toward beautiful people or things.
Back then, she agreed to marry Lu Mingze because he was the most handsome among all her blind-date candidates.
The moment she first saw Lin Zhitang, she liked this younger sister-in-law. It was just that from yesterday until now, she had not had the chance to properly spend time with her.
Now that Lin Zhitang was about to get married, although most of the household items had already been prepared, there were still some things left to buy.
It was the perfect opportunity to chat and bond.
“That’s right, Zhitang. Mom still has things to handle, so I won’t accompany you. You and Jiaojiao go together. Buy whatever you need, and Ming’an can carry the bags for you,” Lan Shaoying said.
With one soft and fragrant eldest daughter-in-law already, and now an additional beautiful younger daughter-in-law, she had also wanted to go shopping and improve their relationship. Unfortunately, with Ming’an and Zhitang’s wedding so near, there were too many matters that required her personal attention.
“That’s right. Let that brat Ming’an carry your things. Grandpa will give you money and foreign exchange coupons. Buy whatever you want!” Perhaps because he was getting old, Old Master Lu especially enjoyed seeing the whole family living harmoniously together.
“Alright, thank you, Grandpa,” Lin Zhitang and Tian Jiaojiao answered in unison, understanding his good intentions.
Seeing them accept his offer so naturally made the old master extremely happy. He was willing to give, so they should simply accept it. Unlike those who clearly wanted something yet pretended to refuse, which only annoyed him.
The three of them wandered around the department store for a while. Lin Zhitang did not take a fancy to any clothes, but Tian Jiaojiao liked a light blue skirt.
“It’s beautiful. Sister-in-law, you’ll definitely look gorgeous in it.”
“I like it too. It’s a pity they don’t have a red dress.”
Then Tian Jiaojiao leaned close to Lin Zhitang and whispered in her ear, “Tangtang, I know a private tailor shop. Their craftsmanship is excellent. Mom already gave them the red fabric prepared for you. They can definitely make a stunning dress. If we pay extra, it’ll surely be finished in time.”
Moreover, the tailor shop did not accept random customers. If someone had not brought her there before, she would never have known about it either.
“Alright.”
Lin Zhitang agreed, but the two women still decided to first visit the Friendship Store and spend their foreign exchange coupons.
Without foreign exchange coupons, it was impossible to buy anything at the Friendship Store, and such coupons were extremely difficult to obtain.
Today, Lu Ming’an’s only responsibility was carrying bags. He did not voice any opinions, and even if he did, they probably would not be adopted.
The three arrived at the entrance of a small courtyard inside an alley.
After knocking, an elderly woman with graying hair opened the door.
“Grandma, I’ve come to see you again!”
“So it’s you little girl again. What do you want made this time?”
“Grandma, not for me today. This is my younger brother and younger sister-in-law. They’re getting married the day after tomorrow, and I wanted you to help make her wedding dress.”
The old woman looked at Lin Zhitang and nodded repeatedly. “Wonderful. Such a beautiful young lady and such a handsome young man. A perfect match, truly a perfect match.”
“Grandma, your eyesight is excellent!” Tian Jiaojiao beamed as though she herself had been praised.
“You little thing…” The old woman tapped Tian Jiaojiao lightly and laughed happily as well.
The old woman measured Lin Zhitang’s dimensions.
Lin Zhitang took out the bright red fabric and handed it over.
“Grandma, I want the dress to be spaghetti-strap style, with a detachable shawl outside. It should cinch at the waist, reach the ankles, and have a fishtail hem. Is that possible?”
“Yes. This old woman will even embroider a few flowers along the collar and hem. I guarantee you’ll be the most beautiful bride.”
“Thank you, Grandma.”
After discussing the design of the dress, they paid extra for the rush order. None of the three cared about the money.
After arranging to return tomorrow afternoon to collect the dress, the three left.
Lin Zhitang and Lu Ming’an escorted Tian Jiaojiao back to the military family compound. Then Lin Zhitang changed clothes, and the two headed straight to the photo studio.
After all, since they were getting married, they naturally needed wedding photos as keepsakes.
Lin Zhitang changed into a white dress with red polka dots and puff sleeves. Her thick black hair was braided into a large braid that rested over her left shoulder.
Lu Ming’an wore a military uniform, his upright posture like a pine tree standing on a cliffside.
Because of Lu Ming’an’s tall stature, Lin Zhitang, who was not short herself, looked petite and delicate standing beside him.
“Master, we’d like to take wedding photos.”
At this hour, most people had already eaten dinner, so there were not many customers at the studio. When Lin Zhitang and Lu Ming’an entered, the studio was empty.
“Alright!”
Hearing the voice, the elderly photographer looked up, amazement flashing in his eyes. The newlyweds before him were exceptionally attractive.
“Please sit. I’ll prepare things immediately.”
The photographer adjusted the camera and began taking their pictures.
Lin Zhitang and Lu Ming’an took full-body photos and half-body photos. Lin Zhitang also took individual full-body and half-body photos herself.
Lu Ming’an ordered six copies of each photograph.
No matter how efficient the studio was, developing the photos would still take about a week. Since they would leave in two days, they left behind both the military family compound address and the Northwest military base address.
The clothes had been ordered, the photos had been taken, and the remaining matters no longer concerned Lin Zhitang.
Now, she could simply wait peacefully for the wedding banquet to arrive.