Lu Zhengan's search for someone to help was the person Lu Changgen invited in person. Five big bucks a day, when I was looking for someone, I made it clear. Now that the work has been completed, it is naturally more appropriate to have him present when the salary is settled.

So, Lu Changgen nodded. instructed his daughter-in-law to prepare a few more dishes, and then went out with Lu Zhengan.

……

Lu Zhengan invited a total of 16 people, although the number of families is not much, it is already an hour later.

At this time, Lu Yang's had already prepared a meal, and when he saw the two of them coming back, he hurriedly beckoned the two of them to come into the house to wash their hands and prepare for dinner.

When guests come to eat in the countryside, women are not allowed to serve them. Lu Zheng'an watched Lu Yang and Xiao Yingchun bring the wine and food to the table and went to the stove house, and wanted to call them to come over and eat together, but seeing Lu Changgen's natural look, he was embarrassed to open his mouth.

At the dinner table, there were only two big men, and the atmosphere was very awkward. Lu Zhengan glanced at Lu Changgen's calm face, took the wine jug and poured him a glass of wine.

Seeing Lu Zhengan's obedient appearance, Lu Changgen couldn't help but sigh. After taking the wine glass and drinking it all, he slammed the wine glass on the table.

Lu Zhengan was taken aback by Lu Changgen's big move, but when he saw the peaks of his eyebrows that had been stretched, he knew in his heart that the knots that he couldn't understand must have been unraveled.

"Zheng'an, uncle will ask you one last time, do you really regret finding a man to live with?!"

Lu Changgen looked at Lu Zhengan's solemn expression, obviously planning to accept this fact, as long as Lu Zhengan nodded, then he would admit it.

However, Lu Zheng's peace of mind has already identified Song Huaishu, so naturally he will not regret it. Hearing him ask, he nodded solemnly like Lu Changgen. "Uncle Changgen, I have no regrets."

Hearing Lu Zhengan's answer, Lu Changgen did not seem too surprised. After pouring himself another drink, he wiped his mouth and said: "I have figured it out in the past few days, since you are willing, then I will not say anything, as long as you do not regret it and can live well." ”

Hearing this, Lu Zhengan nodded, "Thank you, Uncle Changgen, I told the Song family that I will go over and make up my mind when I finish the work in the field, and I will bring Huaishu into the door at the beginning of spring next year." I don't have any elders in my family, and I don't really understand this matter, so I'm afraid I have to worry about Uncle Changgen and my aunt. ”

Although Lu Changgen does not approve of Lu Zhengan's contract, he is not a serious elder after all, and further persuasion will only seem redundant. And now that people have handed the ladder to their feet, it looks a bit of a show to hold it again.

"Don't say anything outside, now that you've thought about it, then you two will have a good time."

At this meal, the uncle and nephew ate until twilight.

During the banquet, Lu Changgen told Lu Zhengan a lot of old things about Old Man Lu and Lu Zhengan's father. He also told a lot of anecdotes about him when he was young and when he was guarding the border.

Lu Changgen said that these things were unheard of by Lu Zhengan, and he was a little fascinated by them for a while. The two chatted and drank until Lu Changgen couldn't make out what he drank, and the two of them left.

Although Lu Zhengan didn't drink a few glasses, the wine was extremely strong. When he came out of Lu Changgen's house, Lu Zhengan's feet were a little floating.

Forcing himself home, Lu Zhengan took a hasty shower and collapsed on the bed. Looking at the rituals that had already been prepared in the house, Lu Zhengan thought of Song Huaishu, who he would see tomorrow, squinted his eyes and smiled, and then closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Maybe he thinks about it day and dreams at night, or maybe he has been alone for a long time, and Lu Zhengan had a dream that night.

In the dream, he stood at the foot of Hualong Mountain, dressed in a red wedding dress, holding red silk, and walked step by step to the mountain with Song Huaishu. Wildflowers of all colors are already in full bloom on both sides of the mountain road, and the fragrance of the spring breeze is blowing.

Lu Zhengan saw that Song Huaishu on his side had been staring at him, and saw that the other party was dressed in a red wedding dress, and his originally white cheeks were lined like jade by the wedding dress.

Seeing Lu Zhengan turn around, the corners of Song Huaishu's mouth were hooked upward, and there was unbreakable affection in his eyes.

Looking at Song Huaishu like this, Lu Zhengan involuntarily stopped, raised his hand and stroked the other party's cheek.

In the dream, Song Huaishu was very well-behaved, and his face, which was as tender as white jade, rubbed a few times in his palm, and opened his mouth to call his name.

Where did Lu Zhengan resist such a Song Huaishu, stretched out his hand and hugged the person into his arms, lowered his head and was about to take a step further, when he suddenly felt his body fall down suddenly.

When he opened his eyes again, Lu Zhengan realized that everything about Fang Cai was just a dream for him......

Lu Zhengan sat on the bed for a long time with the quilt in his arms, until the ducks quacked a few times in the chicken pen, and then Lu Zhengan remembered that today was a big day when he was going to Song's house to visit his relatives.

……

Because Lu Zhengan was not the son-in-law of the Song family, Song Xiren and Song Lan never thought that Lu Zhengan would come to the door to deliver a festival gift.

When the two of them saw Lu Zhengan carrying a basket full of rituals, carrying a chicken in one hand and a fish in the other, it took a long time for the two of them to react. Subsequently, he hurriedly beckoned Song Huaishu to come forward to help.

Lu Zhengan carried about 20 rice dumplings, some fresh vegetables from his homeland, and a few catties of dried peaches. Seeing that Song Huaishu stepped forward to help, he was not polite to him, and after handing over the chicken and fish in his hand, he rubbed his aching shoulders that were strangled by the basket and breathed a long sigh of relief.

"You've been here since you kidd, why are you still bringing so many things? It's so tiring to carry it all the way. ”

Song Lan had already regarded Lu Zhengan as his son-in-law in his heart, and the tone of his conversation with Lu Zhengan was extremely kind. Seeing that Lu Zheng'an's forehead was covered with sweat, he asked Song Huaishu to wash his face in a basin of water.

Although Song Xiren, who was on the side, was dissatisfied with his wife's call to Song Huaishu like this, he also felt a little distressed when he saw Lu Zheng'an's sweaty appearance. As for the arrangement of the wife, he could only pretend that he did not hear it.

However, Lu Zhengan looked at Song Huaishu, who was busy with his feet on the ground because of his arrival, and was a little embarrassed. Seeing that he was going to fetch water for himself to wash his face, he hurriedly said, "I'll just go over and wash it myself, so it won't be so troublesome." ”

With that, Lu Zhengan nodded at Song Xiren and Song Lan, and then followed Song Huaishu to the courtyard.

The basin rack for the Song family's washing was placed under the eaves of the kitchen, and Lu Zhengan took advantage of Song Huaishu to help him pour water, and asked in a low voice, "Is there something going on at home tomorrow?" I don't have much work to do at home these days, so let's go out for a walk if you have time. ”

Hearing this, Song Huaishu couldn't help but feel a little moved, glanced at Lu Zhengan, and asked curiously, "Where are you going?" ”

"When I went to Jiang'an Town, I just heard someone say on the way here that Jiang'an Town is a Dragon Boat Festival temple fair these two days, and it is very lively. I asked, Jiang'an Town is only more than 20 miles away from Hualong Town, I will come to pick you up early tomorrow, let's rent a carriage and arrive in less than an hour. ”

Although Song Huaishu went to Lu Zheng'an's house to help a while ago, Lu Zheng'an's house was so busy that he almost hit the back of his head at that time. Although the two can talk together, they don't really spend much time sitting together, let alone hanging out together.

Now, when Song Huaishu heard Lu Zhengan say this, he naturally felt a little moved in his heart. However, considering the parents at home, I was still a little hesitant for a while.

Lu Zheng'an didn't understand Song Huaishu's concerns, and seeing his contradictory face, he continued: "Don't worry about your uncle and aunt, I'll tell them. ”

Song Huaishu didn't expect Lu Zheng'an to see his thoughts at a glance, and although he was a little surprised, he still nodded his head.

However, looking at Song Huaishu, who was slightly red on his side and had a well-behaved face, Lu Zhengan couldn't help but think of the beautiful dream he had last night, and for a while he only felt that his throat was a little dry, and the temperature between the two seemed to be hotter.

Song Huaishu saw the beads of sweat on Lu Zhengan's forehead, remembered the full backpack he was carrying when he came, and complained in his mouth: "You said you just came, why did you bring so many things here?" Not only is it tiring to carry, but it also costs a lot of money. If you can't finish it, won't it be all wasted? ”

Lu Zhengan washed his face in the basin again, listened to Song Huaishu's 'complaints', and explained with a smile: "I made the zongzi myself, and the dried peaches were homemade. I bought the two knives of meat and chicken and fish, and it didn't cost much to get together. ”

After that, Lu Zhengan looked back at the hall and saw that the two elders were not there, so he leaned his head in front of Song Huaishu and teased: "Don't feel distressed, our family can still afford this little thing." Besides, my uncle and aunt have worked hard to raise you, and if I am reluctant to give away this little thing, then my uncle and aunt will be too bad. ”

The words "our family" in Lu Zhengan's words made Song Huaishu's heart skip a beat, and he hurriedly looked back in the direction of the hall, and when he saw that his parents had not come out, he immediately glared at Lu Zhengan. "Don't talk nonsense, beware of being heard by my parents."

Song Xiren and his wife in the back room stood at the window, watching their children and Lu Zhengan talk together in the courtyard, and their hands holding the windowsill unconsciously exerted force. glanced sideways at his wife, who looked relieved, and couldn't help but scold: "Look at the two of them, they are too disagreeable!" Talk, talk, what are you doing so close? Huaishu is really, I don't know how to refuse. ”

Hearing this, Song Lan glanced at the indignant and dissatisfied Song Xiren, and couldn't help but be a little speechless. "What kind of vinegar do you say? The two of them are about to get married, what's wrong with talking together? ”

As he spoke, Song Lan pushed Song Xiren, who was still unconvinced, "I said, don't stand here stupidly, Zheng'an is a newcomer, so we can't be shabby." You go to the street to buy a few vegetables and come back, and I'll get a few more with Huaishu. ”

Song Xiren eats and tastes, but the business is still unambiguous. Besides, the mother-in-law's mother-in-law will not beat her son-in-law's stick behind the door, they will be better to Lu Zheng'an, and after the two of them get married, Lu Zheng'an will think that their old couple will be good to him, and they can also be a little better to Song Huaishu.

Thinking of this, Song Xiren sighed and said nothing else, and said hello to his wife with two taels of silver, and went out.

……

Although it was the first time for a newcomer to come to the door, Lu Zhengan did not have the slightest consciousness of treating himself as a guest, chopping wood and carrying water, and serving him diligently and filial piety. Song Lan, who was already satisfied with him, was even more satisfied. In addition, Song Xiren, who originally had some taste for him, felt that he was not generous enough.

Because of Lu Zheng'an's presence, the Song family's lunch was extraordinarily rich. There are not only fragrant chicken from Gaosheng Restaurant, but also red stewed mutton from Huixiangzhai. Because the weather was too hot and the fish meat was not durable, Song Lan burned the carp brought by Lu Zhengan.

In addition, Song Huaishu mixed a few more refreshing side dishes, and when all the meals were served, the Song family's Eight Immortals Table almost couldn't fit down.

"Zheng'an, don't look at it, sit down and eat."

Hearing Song Lan's greeting, Lu Zhengan answered and waited for Song Xiren and Song Lan to sit down, and then sat down with their hands.

Although there is no rule for the Song family to eat, neither Song Xiren nor Song Lan are talkative, and apart from Song Lan's occasional remarks that Lu Zhengan does not want to be polite, there is no more topic of conversation.

Ever since Song Huaishu was eating, he had been thinking about Lu Zhengan's intention to take him to Jiang'an Town tomorrow, and seeing that Lu Zhengan had never mentioned this matter to his parents, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious. Just when he was about to lose his breath, suddenly his knee was pinched.

Song Huaishu was taken aback, lowered his gaze and saw that Lu Zhengan's dark left hand was about to be withdrawn. Cautiously glanced at his parents, saw that they didn't notice, and was about to take his hand away, but saw that Lu Zhengan opened his mouth to make a 'no hurry' mouth shape when he lowered his head to pick up food.

Song Huaishu, who was originally a little anxious, saw Lu Zhengan like this, and immediately made up his mind. However, seeing his hand on his knee, for fear that his parents would notice the abnormality, he hurriedly turned his right leg and motioned to Lu Zhengan to let his hand be taken away from his knee.

Lu Zheng'an was obedient, but he took his hand away and poked him with his finger at the same time, so startled that Song Huaishu, who was unprepared, almost forgot to breathe.

Fortunately, Song Xiren and Song Lan did not notice the strangeness of the two, and Song Huaishu silently breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, quietly glared at Lu Zhengan, and never dared to look up at him again.

Because Song Xiren and Lu Zhengan didn't drink, it didn't take long for several people to finish the meal.

When helping Song Huaishu and Song Lanshi clean up the dishes and chopsticks, Lu Zhengan asked Song Huaishu casually: "Huaishu will have something to do tomorrow?" I've had a few days to spare, and I'm going to Jiang'an Town tomorrow. If you're okay at home, can you come with me? ”

After Lu Zhengan finished speaking, Song Huaishu immediately looked at his parents with a nervous expression.

Song Lan hopes that the two can get along more, and naturally they will not object to such things. However, Song Xiren always had some bumps in his heart about Lu Zhengan, and now in front of Lu Zhengan, it is not easy for Song Lan's family to rush ahead of Song Xiren and directly nod in agreement.

However, Song Xiren knew that there was affection between the two, and he really wouldn't be the stick that beat the mandarin ducks, but after squinting at Song Huaishu who was looking nervous and expectant on the other side, he also nodded in agreement.

He just promised to return to him, but he was still a little uneasy in his heart, so he opened his mouth and instructed the two of them: "Jiang'an Town is in the Dragon Boat Festival temple fair these days, and you two must be cautious after you go." Jiang'an Town is not too close to us, so don't come back too late. ”

Song Huaishu didn't expect his father to agree so easily, who would care about what he explained. Immediately nodded his head like a chicken pecking rice.

Then Song Huaishu Xu felt that his happiness was too obvious, and he tried to restrain the corners of his mouth that were hooked upward, and nodded his head heavily. "Well, we'll be back early tomorrow."

By the time they finished eating, it was just the end of noon.

At this time, the sun outside is at its highest, and Lu Zhengan naturally does not want to go home now. Moreover, he and Lu Zhengan had not seen each other for several days, so they naturally wanted to find an opportunity to stay with him for a while.

Song Lan and Song Xiren both came from when they were young, and looking at the two of them, there was something they didn't understand. Under the pretext that he wanted to take a break at noon, he asked Song Huaishu to take Lu Zhengan to his room to talk.

Song Huaishu's room was not very large, except for a wardrobe, a bed, and a desk, there was nothing else in the room. Although there are not many things in the house, they are very tidy, and even the quilt and sheets on the bed are not wrinkled.

Lu Zhengan stood at the door, looking at Song Huaishu's room, and then comparing his own house, it was simply a heaven and an underground.

Seeing that Lu Zhengan was just standing at the door and not moving, Song Huaishu couldn't help but be a little amused. "What are you doing standing in the doorway, do you feel like my room is a little small?"

Hearing this, Lu Zhengan smiled. "It's just one person, and it doesn't matter how big or small. It's just that seeing that your room is so clean and tidy, I don't dare to put my feet down. ”

Led Lu Zhengan to the desk and sat down, Song Huaishu went outside again and brought snacks and tea.

"I see that you are not a person who likes to join in the fun, why did you suddenly want to go to Jiang'an Town?"

Hearing Song Huaishu's words, Lu Zhengan held the teacup and smiled. "We're about to get married, and I want to go and buy something you like and send it when we get married, so as not to be too shabby and wronged you."

CHAPTER XXXII

The next day, before dawn, Lu Zhengan got up from his bed.

Because it was still early, Lu Zheng'an was afraid that it would still be early to pick up Song Huaishu, so there was no small stall selling breakfast on the street, so he first went to the stove house to heat up a few rice dumplings, and then went outside to wash.

Lu Zhengan bought eight chicks, and when he grew them, he found that there were only two roosters in them. However, these two roosters have not yet grown up, and it is extremely unreliable to basically fish for three days and dry nets for three days for the job of crowing every day.

Don't look at these two little things doing their work 'stealing and cheating', they are very punctual to beg for food every day. Whenever he heard any movement in the yard, he stood at the door of the chicken pen and craned his neck and clucked.

Lu Zheng'an finally 'served' this group of small things to such a big size, how could he really be willing to let them go hungry. After the zongzi in the pot were hot, Lu Zhengan had already reconciled his hands and feet and put the food into the chicken pen.

When Lu Zhengan packed up the zongzi and cleaned up the door, the sky outside the door was still gray. Lu Zhengan locked the door in the dark and went all the way down the mountain.

When Lu Zhengan came to Song's house, it was still dawn, and Song Huaishu and Song Xiren and his wife had already gotten up.

Hearing the knock at the door, Song Huaishu knew that it was Lu Zheng'an who had arrived, so he hurriedly went to the door to open the door.

Looking at the Song couple who had already accompanied him to get up, Lu Zhengan couldn't help but feel a little sorry. After saying hello to the two of them, Song Huaishu was ready to come out of the room.

"Father, mother, Zheng'an and I will leave first. It's still early, you go to sleep a little longer, and the day is uncomfortable. ”