Back To The 80s-Chapter 412 - 422: Marriage_1

After Lu Zhanguo and the others left, Gu Xiaobei took the children, brought Bai Xiaolan and Fang Jing, and they went to rest and take a bath in the housing complex.

While holding Mo Wang, Bai Xiaolan curiously asked, "Why is there so much secrecy with those two? What are they up to?"

Fang Jing, leading Yueyue by the hand, laughingly responded, "When men don’t want to tell you what they’re doing, they just say it’s work-related."

At those words, the three of them burst out laughing.

Xiaopang watched as Yueyue walked with a bounce in her step, wanting to do the same. Dressed heavily in winter gear, he looked like a little penguin, with his arms flailing, struggling to keep up with Yueyue.

Bai Xiaolan simply put Mo Wang down, watching the two little ’penguins’ waddle along.

Yueyue took on the role of an elder sister, leading one child by each hand, guiding the two little penguins forward.

Behind this merriment, Gu Xiaobei, Bai Xiaolan, and Fang Jing walked along, laughing.

Fang Jing couldn’t help but complain to Gu Xiaobei, "Do you think Lu Aiguo is really busy with work all the time and that’s why he never comes home?"

"It’s the end of the year, of course he’s busy with work. You have to trust him. And even though Aiguo may seem brash, he’s actually very family-oriented," Gu Xiaobei said, trying to comfort her.

Fang Jing sighed while watching the children and said, "Sometimes I want to trust him, but I can’t help doubting. We’ve been married for several years and the novelty has worn off. Now, when he’s at home, I find him especially annoying. When he’s not here, I miss him. Sometimes when he’s at home all day, I don’t want to say a single word to him, and he can’t stop rambling on and on."

Gu Xiaobei, who had never been in a situation like this and didn’t understand it, felt it was just a mindset issue. Laughing, she advised, "It’s okay, just go out more, relax."

To which Fang Jing candidly replied, "During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Aiguo and I almost divorced. If it wasn’t for Yueyue, we would have separated."

Bai Xiaolan objected, "Why would you think like that? So many people envy the life you two share."

Fang Jing looked at the three small figures walking ahead and explained, "I don’t know either. At that time, Lu Aiguo kept saying I didn’t understand him. But how could I? The affair with the widow, everyone at work knew about it. After that, I told him if it happened again, we’d divorce. I’d take Yueyue and leave."

Gu Xiaobei was at a loss for words. When it came to matters of marital feelings, she had no idea how to advise them.

On the other hand, Bai Xiaolan suggested, "Why bring up divorce whenever you hit a rough patch? You could do what you want and keep Lu Aiguo on his toes."

At this, both Gu Xiaobei and Fang Jing burst out laughing.

The Lu brothers prepared lunch and once the food was almost ready, Lu Zhanguo went to fetch Gu Xiaobei and the others for the meal.

The whole family gathered around the round table in the central room to have their meal.

After lunch, Lu Songyuan began to discuss with everyone, "This New Year, we have so many people celebrating together. We should discuss early what preparations need to be made."

"Zhanguo and I said we should buy a sheep for the New Year," Gu Xiaobei was the first to propose.

Wen Xiuqing agreed, "With so many people, we need a sheep, and also four chickens."

As soon as Lu Aiguo heard this, with his superstitious nature, he retorted, "Why four? That sounds so ominous! If we’re buying, let’s buy six. Six is a lucky number."

"Will we be able to finish all that?" Wen Xiuqing hesitated.

With a wave of his hand, Lu Aiguo assured her, "We have so many people. Even if it’s just me, I could finish everything. How about this? We’ll buy a sheep, six chickens, six fish, half a pig, one beef leg. No, let’s get two beef legs, double the good fortune..." His ideas started getting more and more outlandish.

Wen Xiuqing rolled her eyes at him and consulted with the daughters-in-law, "We’ll go shopping ourselves, ignore his ramblings. Also, if there’s anything special you want to eat, let me know."

Very enthusiastically, Bai Xiaolan stated, "This year for the shopping, our family will pay. No one else fight me on it."

Lu Aiguo chuckled, "You don’t even have a job, and you’re offering to pay? How did my big brother end up with such a spendthrift daughter-in-law? If anyone is going to pay it should be me - I’ve been making a lot of money lately."

Just as he finished that sentence, Lu Songyuan smacked him on the back of his head, "Show-off, whose child do you think you are?"

"I am my own child," Lu Aiguo replied, grinning.

This made everyone burst into laughter.

They then resumed their discussion about what to buy and when to buy it, and who should go.

Lu Aiguo exclaimed, "I should definitely head this operation. I’m sure Second Brother doesn’t have time, and Big Brother is hopeless when it comes to bargaining. Towards the end of the year, prices surge."

Lu Songyuan then decided they would split up. He and Wen Xiuqing would go to buy the sheep, chicken, fish, and meat.

Ji Xiangdong and Bai Xiaolan would be responsible for buying vegetables, candy, and couplets.

Lu Aiguo would go buy firecrackers, lanterns, and new dinnerware.

Gu Xiaobei and Fang Jing would stay at home to watch over the three children.

Lu Aiguo winked at his wife Fang Jing, "Our house got off easy, we can eat and drink to our heart’s content this New Year."

Fang Jing couldn’t be bothered with him and turned to Gu Xiaobei, "Have you all bought clothes for the kids yet? We haven’t bought for Yueyue yet, let’s go shopping together when we have time."

Gu Xiaobei scratched her head, "We haven’t bought any yet, too. After they finish buying the New Year goods tomorrow, we will go shopping for clothes the day after."

The more they discussed, the more they realized they had too much to buy. They were in high spirits, looking forward to a bustling New Year.

Since the house was packed, they had to strategize even for sleeping arrangements. Finally, they decided that Lu Aiguo’s family of three would stay at the housing complex. Gu Xiaobei’s master bedroom had perfectly available bunk beds.

Ji Xiangdong and Bai Xiaolan decided to stay behind and chose to sleep in the west room.

The very next morning, Lu Songyuan and his wife left for the market near the bridge, which sold live sheep and chicken.

Ji Xiangdong took Bai Xiaolan to the farm produce wholesale market to buy vegetables, candy, and couplets.

Lu Aiguo sprawled on the heated brick bed, not budging. Fang Jing nudged him with a broom, "Everyone is out shopping. Why are you still lying around?"

"I’m going to head out after I listen to the 9 o’clock storytelling on the radio. The market isn’t going anywhere, is it? I can go later," Lu Aiguo said, fiddling with the radio and crossing his legs.

Fang Jing, disgruntled, hit him again, "All you do each day is chatter. When it comes to actual work, you’re far too lazy."

Lu Aiguo sat up abruptly, glaring at Fang Jing, "You hit me again and I’m going to get mad. You’re hurting me!" After saying this, he laid back down.

Fang Jing laughed at the entertainment provided by Lu Aiguo’s last sentence, "I can’t be bothered with you! You had better hurry up. Don’t have the entire family waiting for you when it’s time for lunch."

On the west room’s heated brick bed, Gu Xiaobei and the three children were folding paper boats.

Yueyue offered proudly, "Auntie Xiaobei, I’ll sing a nursery rhyme for you."

"Okay," Gu Xiaobei directed Xiaopang and Mo Wang to sit properly, "Now, let’s listen to Sister Lele’s nursery rhyme."

Yueyue stood up, swaying her head as she sang, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star....."

Xiaopang clapped joyously, joining her in song, "Star, star....."

Mo Wang, eyes wide with curiosity, mouth agape as after a while, he finally chimes in, "Mama...."

With that, Yueyue sang even louder and the other two joined in chorusing.