As soon as Lin Xun finished speaking, Huo Yanzhou had not even had time to say anything when an excited voice came from the side, Lü Yuzhi:
“Xiao Lin, you agreed? That is wonderful! Do not worry, from now on you can live comfortably in the residential area. If Huo Yanzhou dares to bully you, just call me. I promise I will not let him off.”
Lü Yuzhi had secretly slipped over earlier, worried that Huo Yanzhou might say something to ruin her relationship with Lin Xun.
Huo Yanzhou, trained as a reconnaissance soldier, had noticed right away. Lin Xun, however, had been lost in thought and had not realized it. Hearing Lü Yuzhi say that, her cheeks flushed instantly.
Huo Yanzhou cleared his throat lightly, “Then I will go submit the application.”
Lü Yuzhi waved her hand, “Go on, go on.”
Huo Yanzhou did not move immediately. He lowered his gaze toward Lin Xun and only rose to leave after she nodded.
In the rush to finalize the marriage, they had not even ordered food. Lü Yuzhi asked Lin Xun what she wanted to eat, and after finishing, they would go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things for the new home.
Lin Xun hesitated, “Is this not a bit too fast?”
One moment they had just discussed marriage and the next they were setting up the new home.
“What is too fast? Let us buy as much as we can before the snow falls.”
Lü Yuzhi had only taken five days off this time and wanted to personally attend their wedding before returning to the capital, so she was eager to do everything quickly.
Hearing this, Lin Xun no longer refused. Setting things up early would be fine. It would help her start work sooner.
The only problem was that she had no money.
Xu Zhicheng’s wages were all in Aunt Cai’s hands and the work points Lin Xun had earned from farm labor were mostly taken by Aunt Cai as well.
Now she had only twelve yuan. What could she buy at the cooperative? Maybe just a hot water bottle.
The more she thought, the angrier she became. She vowed that once she was on her feet, she would retrieve every penny from Aunt Cai.
Lü Yuzhi said, “Xiao Xun, let us go to the county department store. Things are more complete there.”
Lin Xun’s hand, still in her pocket, trembled more. The department store had everything, but it was more expensive. Now she could not even afford a hot water bottle.
Just as she was about to speak, Xiao Wang came running over, panting. “The unit has an urgent task. The commander cannot come, so he asked me to take my auntie and sister-in-law to the county town.”
Seeing the military jeep behind him, Lü Yuzhi snorted. This young man had a keen eye.
Xiao Wang then looked at Lin Xun, “Sister-in-law, the commander asked me to give this to you.”
He handed over a thick envelope. Lin Xun opened it and found it full of large-denomination bills. “What is this?”
“The commander said 800 yuan is the bride price.”
Lin Xun was stunned. She had never seen so much money.
Even when she married Xu Zhicheng, villagers called him a “golden turtle,” but the bride price from the Xu family had been only fifty yuan.
Now, she had known Huo Yanzhou for less than half a day, and he had already sent 800 yuan. These days, even city bride prices are only 200 yuan.
Lü Yuzhi was satisfied and quickly said, “Xiao Xun, you must accept it. It is only right to give a bride price when you get married.”
Not only was the bride price generous, but Lü Yuzhi took full charge of the shopping at the department store.
In the northwest, buildings were low; the department store had two floors and was the most impressive building in the county. Naturally, the goods were higher quality and more expensive.
Ordinary people would compare prices for a long time before buying anything, but Lü Yuzhi was different. She led Lin Xun through the store, picking out cookware, furniture, bedding, food, and drink, all the best quality, without asking prices.
Everyone around was shocked by her extravagance. Someone asked, “Is there some big celebration?”
Lü Yuzhi smiled, “Of course! Our family is getting a daughter-in-law. That is a huge joy.”
All eyes turned to Lin Xun, filled with admiration. “Your daughter-in-law is really beautiful. She is a perfect match for your son.”
Even the sales staff offered a pair of embroidered pillowcases. “For you two, wishing you a hundred years of happiness.” Buying so much, a small gift was no problem.
Suddenly receiving so much blessing, Lin Xun felt embarrassed. She and Huo Yanzhou were just living together. They might separate soon.
Lü Yuzhi, however, was overjoyed and bought two coal stoves at once.
She added, “For cooking, there is an earth stove, but you can use these two coal stoves for hot water. Washing and bathing will need hot water. As women, you must take good care of yourselves. Do not skimp on coal, or it will be hard when you are older.”
In the south, winters were cold too, but Lin Xun had always washed clothes in the river because Aunt Cai had said a “hen that cannot lay eggs” like her did not deserve hot water.
Listening to Lü Yuzhi’s advice, Lin Xun felt a warm current in her heart.
Next, Lü Yuzhi took her upstairs to buy clothes. “It is so cold here. We need thick clothes. Otherwise, you will get sick. It is miserable.”
Though Lin Xun had been mistreated by Aunt Cai for two years, her pale complexion and thin figure could not hide her beauty. Her tall, slender frame made anything look good, and Lü Yuzhi bought several sets of clothes before stopping.
“This red one suits you best. Wear it when you get your marriage certificate. Have your mother take a photo back to the capital so everyone can see what a remarkable daughter-in-law our Huo family has.”
Lin Xun felt shy but did not remain silent. She said, “Then you should take photos with us too. Let us do it as a family.”
Hearing this, Lü Yuzhi beamed. This daughter-in-law was so clever and well-spoken.
She happily picked out a few more items, only stopping reluctantly when Lin Xun held her back.
They bought so much that the department store offered free delivery to the residential area, though furniture and other custom items would take longer.
As Lin Xun prepared to pay, Lü Yuzhi stopped her. “Mom will handle it.”
Lin Xun was anxious. “How can this be? Huo Yanzhou gave me the money.”
“That is your bride price. How could your mother-in-law let you use it? Besides, I want to give you a wedding gift. Listen, take the money.”
Lin Xun’s mother had died young. After marriage, she had been disregarded for being unable to bear children. This was the first time someone had treated her so well.
She pressed her lips into a smile and sincerely said, “Thank you, Mom.”
She promised herself she would work hard and later buy Lü Yuzhi the finest cashmere coat, a warm, high-quality one, highly sought after in the capital.
Perhaps thinking of this, when Lin Xun returned from the county, she was stopped immediately after getting out of the car.
“Comrade, you are finally back. I have been waiting for you for half a day.”
The person was Director Xiong. He had hurried to the hospital, searched extensively for Lin Xun, and, unwilling to leave empty-handed, waited at the main gate and finally found her.
Lin Xun asked, “Do you need something?”
Director Xiong, previously aloof, now seemed entirely different, extremely eager. “Comrade, do you remember the mad sheep disease you mentioned? Today at the farm, some sheep suddenly went mad. Could it be related to what you said?”
Director Xiong raised sheep, but he was not a veterinarian. Previously, a barefoot doctor at the farm had been injured delivering a calf and was now bedridden at the clinic.
With such a serious situation, Director Xiong had no choice but to try his luck here, not daring to contact the farm office in case it escalated.
“It is possible. Mad sheep disease does make sheep irritable and aggressive, but the exact situation needs further examination.”
Lin Xun, eager to find work and earn money, seized the opportunity. “If convenient, I can go with you to check.”
“Great. Comrade, come with me.”
Director Xiong excitedly led Lin Xun to the farm. Outside the sheep pen, Secretary Sun anxiously said, “Were you not supposed to call a veterinarian?”
Director Xiong nodded. “Comrade Lin is a veterinarian, Secretary. Let her try.”
Secretary Sun looked at Lin Xun, his expression immediately sour. “Xiong, are you out of your mind? This delicate, frail girl, are you telling me she is a veterinarian? Are you kidding?”