Su Yueheng listened to Lu Mingjue’s teasing and showed no trace of shyness. She nodded openly. “Commander Lu is good-looking.”
The smile on Lu Mingjue’s lips deepened. “Now that that boy is back, your marriage should also be put on the agenda. I remember he submitted a marriage application a long time ago—you just need to pick a time to get your marriage certificate.”
She hadn’t heard what Su Yueheng and Lu Xingzhou had talked about, but from their reactions, she could roughly guess—they must like each other.
It was just that Lu Xingzhou was a bit too tsundere and cold in personality. She hadn’t expected him to be liked by Ah Heng.
That boy really did one good thing in his life.
She had married Su Yueheng in, and would try to take care of his health later.
Although back then the doctor said he might not be able to have children, she could still find a traditional Chinese medicine doctor to try.
If it worked out, in a couple of years she might become a grandmother!
The more Lu Mingjue thought about it, the happier she became. She pulled Su Yueheng aside and started planning. “Girl, your marriage can’t be careless. Your mother isn’t here, but I am. The bride price is your future security—four thousand yuan. I’ll give it to you tomorrow.”
The old lady switched her way of addressing her very naturally, already thinking about how to treat Su Yueheng better. She counted on her fingers. “Also, your room should be properly renovated. It was just casually arranged before. Now I’ll get a shower installed for you, and the floor needs to be redone.”
“And the living room—we should add a sofa. I’ll try to get a TV purchase permit and buy a television for you.”
Su Yueheng was completely stunned. Afraid Lu Mingjue would say something even more outrageous, she quickly interrupted, “Aunt Lu, this is too much. It’s not necessary. With Commander Lu willing to protect me, I’m already very satisfied. We don’t need bride price or anything… really, it’s not needed.”
She lowered her voice slightly. “Aunt Lu, my family background isn’t good. I don’t want to be too high-profile. It might affect Commander Lu.”
Her identity was sensitive; attracting trouble would be bad.
And besides—it was too much money.
Four thousand yuan.
In 1965, that amount could buy two courtyard houses in Beijing.
Lu Mingjue met her nervous gaze and paused for a moment, then said seriously, “If it’s from our family to you, just accept it. What’s wrong with renovating the house for a happy occasion? Girl, you only get married once. If I mistreat you, how will I face your mother after I die?”
Mentioning her deceased sister, her voice even choked slightly.
“Your mother only left me memories. The only thing she left behind is you. If your wedding is shabby…”
If Bai Shuo knew her beloved daughter had been treated so poorly by the Su family, how heartbroken she would be.
Su Yueheng fell silent. The words had reached this point—she truly didn’t know how to refuse anymore.
She coughed lightly. “Aunt Lu, I know you’re doing this for my good. Everything else is fine, but the television… let’s forget it.”
Too eye-catching.
She couldn’t say that directly.
After thinking for a moment, she changed her suggestion. “I brought a sewing machine coupon. Let that count as my dowry. Let’s save the TV for a few years later—when Shengli and An’er grow up. What do you think?”
She leaned against Lu Mingjue’s shoulder like a little kitten, rubbing gently, her eyes bright.
“It just so happens I know how to use a sewing machine. That way, we won’t need to sew clothes by hand anymore.”
Lu Mingjue sighed softly and nodded. “Alright, I agree. I’ll go talk to Xingzhou later.”
The old lady felt heartache at how sensible she was, convinced she was only thinking of them because of her sensitive identity.
If the Su family hadn’t been forced to the countryside, Ah Heng’s burden would be lighter… sigh, she had to think of a solution.
Just then, they heard movement outside.
Lu Mingjue smiled. “Alright, the little troublemakers are back from running around. I’ll leave them to you. I’m going upstairs to help Xingzhou pack.”
“Okay~”
Su Yueheng smiled obediently. Watching the old lady leave, she turned and saw the two children running in.
She teased, “You two are so dirty—if your uncle saw you, he’d spank your butts.”
Lu Sangning shook her head. “Uncle won’t hit me, he’ll definitely hit my brother.”
The little girl shamelessly shifted blame.
Lu Shengli quickly covered his butt. “Uncle never hit me just for dirty clothes before.”
Because every time he came back, Uncle had already changed clothes, and Grandma had already beaten him.
Thinking about it, maybe Uncle really would hit him this time.
Lu Sangning had already leaned against Su Yueheng, making faces at her. “Pretty sister, when is Uncle coming back?”
Su Yueheng pinched her dirty little face. “Maybe he’ll come downstairs in a bit.”
Then she pinched Shengli’s dazed face as well. “Go wash up. It’s getting late.”
“Okay~”
Shengli was carefree and believed that as long as he cleaned up, he wouldn’t get beaten.
Meanwhile.
Lu Mingjue couldn’t find Lu Xingzhou in the master bedroom, so she went to the guest room. Seeing him tidying the bed, she nodded in satisfaction. “Son.”
Lu Xingzhou turned around. “Mom…”
“How many days of leave do you have?”
“Six days, if nothing unexpected happens.”
Lu Mingjue nodded and sat on a chair nearby, motioning for him to sit as well.
Lu Xingzhou sat down curiously, only to hear his mother say, “Ah Heng is a good girl. Marrying her is your blessing—you must treat her well.”
Something about this felt off to him.
Still, he didn’t think much of it and smiled slightly. “Mom, it looks like you really like Comrade Su Yueheng.”
“Yes, she’s half my daughter. Marrying you, this wooden block… she’s really wronged.”
Lu Xingzhou: “…”
He could only laugh awkwardly. “Mom is right.”
“She was forced to cut ties with her family and isn’t married yet. I’ve decided—four thousand yuan as bride price for her security.”
Lu Xingzhou’s expression immediately turned serious. “Mom, did she ask for that?”
He carefully observed her, trying to see if she was being forced.
Lu Mingjue looked calm, satisfied and emotional. “Ah Heng didn’t want it. She was worried it would cause trouble for you and me. I only got angry before she agreed. She even offered her sewing machine coupon to help furnish the house, so I won’t have to work so hard making clothes anymore.”
Her face was full of indulgent pride, completely ignoring her son’s shocked expression.
She knew exactly what kind of son she had raised, and since she had decided to support Ah Heng, she would not allow any conflict between them.
Lu Xingzhou felt guilty. “Mom, I didn’t think of that…”
Sewing machine coupons were easy to exchange, but he hadn’t considered it at all.
Lu Mingjue waved it off. “Sons and daughters are different.”
She had to make him understand how good Ah Heng was, so he would cherish her.
She continued, “Oh right, tomorrow go find the best carpenter on the island and make a sofa. I remember we still have cotton coupons—I’ll get more tomorrow and make a soft one.”
“In the afternoon, come with me to see a traditional Chinese doctor. I’ll definitely fix your body. In two years, I’m going to be a grandmother—no, a grandmother-in-law!”
Seeing his mother excitedly planning the future, Lu Xingzhou lowered his head slightly and smiled bitterly, not expecting much regarding having children.
He also didn’t intend to tell this “fact.”
He said in a deep voice, “Mom, you really like Comrade Ah Heng.”