The Jeep circled Huaihua Village and returned to the Gu Family home. Everyone was waiting there, and the atmosphere was lively.
Sheng Ze Xi held Gu Jia Ning's hand as they got out of the car. In front of their parents and the leader's portrait, they took an oath, promising to spend their lives together as revolutionary partners.
"Good!" With a loud cheer, everyone applauded enthusiastically.
As dish after dish was served, the wedding banquet began.
The villagers attending the wedding banquet knew that Sheng Ze Xi and the Gu Family valued Gu Jia Ning, but they hadn't expected this level of importance. There were ten dishes per table, symbolizing perfection, with five meat and five vegetarian dishes.
And the meat dishes weren't just a token amount; there was a substantial and visibly generous serving of meat.
"What a grand gesture! How much must this cost?" someone exclaimed.
"Who cares how much it costs? We're definitely going to eat our fill."
"Right, we're going to eat our fill today."
Lu Weixian, upon seeing the table of food, was also shocked, especially looking at the meat dishes; he almost drooled.
He was very fortunate to have been invited by the Gu Family.
Lu Weixian had been working in the countryside for over two years, and his relationship with his city family was not good. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sent to the countryside. His city family seemed to consider him nonexistent, not sending him anything. Lu Weixian was young, and these past two years had been very difficult; he barely ate any meat.
Therefore, he remained very thin.
Now, seeing the table full of food and meat, how could he not be happy?
Especially when the meat entered his mouth, he almost wept with joy.
Gu Jia Ning was also seated with Sheng Ze Xi to eat the banquet; after all, it was their banquet, and they naturally had to be present.
Previously, Gu Jia Ning, as the bride, would not have been allowed to participate in the banquet; she should have stayed in the wedding room.
Recently, Wen Zhuqing married into the Bao Family, and that's exactly what happened.
But the Gu Family and Sheng Ze Xi couldn't bear Gu Jia Ning going hungry, and this is a new society, unlike the old feudal system.
At this banquet, the Huaihua Village villagers ate their fill.
After returning to the Intellectual Youth Point, Lu Weixian and another female intellectual youth who was invited to the banquet received a lot of jealous stares and sarcastic remarks.
However, neither of them cared much.
Having lived under the same roof for so long, they already knew the true nature of these people.
Therefore, there was no need to cultivate relationships.
Regardless of others, it's best to live their own lives; let them say what they will.
After finishing her wedding banquet, Gu Jia Ning returned to the wedding room to rest.
She had been busy since early morning, and her nerves were tense because of the stress. Both physically and mentally, she was exhausted. As soon as she could rest, she fell asleep.
When Sheng Ze Xi entered, he saw his little wife sleeping soundly.
He slowly sat on the bed, admiring his little wife's peaceful and beautiful sleeping face; his brows were full of serenity.
He leaned over and gently kissed Gu Jia Ning's forehead, then tucked the quilt around her before leaving.
Gu Jia Ning slept soundly, waking up only after dinner.
Gu Jia Ning was going to join the army and had bought train tickets for the next day. Sheng Ze Xi asked a comrade to buy two sleeper tickets; after all, the train journey would take three days and two nights.
The train tickets were for tomorrow morning, so their luggage should be packed tonight.
The Gu Family prepared many things. After dinner, Gu Jia Ning was called to her parents' room, where they gave her the dowry money Sheng Ze Xi had given, along with her share of money and tickets.
Yao Chunhua also prepared a thick, new cotton-padded jacket, a cotton-padded coat, and a quilt.
"It's the coldest time of year in the Northwest. Remember to wear the cotton-padded jacket and coat, and don't worry about the quilt; bring it."
As Yao Chunhua spoke, her eyes welled up. She was reluctant to let her daughter go. Her daughter had grown up without ever leaving her side, but now she was going to the faraway, cold Northwest.
"Mother, I know." Gu Jia Ning stepped forward, hugged her mother, and then, seeing her father's wistful gaze, hugged her father as well.
These cotton-padded jacket, coat, and quilt were all made by her mother day and night after learning she was getting married. How could she not bring them?
Even if it was a burden, it was a sweet burden.
"Over there, you can rely on Sheng Xiaozi. When you encounter problems, you two should discuss them. Don't be stubborn, understand?" Father Gu instructed carefully.
"If you need anything, call or write home, and your parents will send it to you."
"Yes, Father and Mother, I understand."
After leaving her parents' room, her brothers and sisters-in-law also gave her gifts.
Her eldest sister-in-law gave her a very thick red scarf she had knitted herself. Gu Jia Ning tried it on; it fit perfectly, was very warm, and made her skin look even fairer and more delicate.
Her eldest brother gave her many tickets, useful items in the Northwest.
"Eldest sister-in-law, today is the last day of treatment. You'll be able to conceive soon. I hope that before I've been in the Northwest long, I'll hear good news from you and eldest brother." Gu Jia Ning said.
"Yes, yes, let's take your words as a blessing, little sister-in-law." Yang Manman said happily.
Recently, she, as the person undergoing the treatment by her younger sister-in-law, was most aware of the changes in her body.
She already had her answer, but with the doctor's words from her younger sister-in-law, she had even more confidence.
Her younger sister-in-law was truly skilled.
Perhaps, before long, she and her husband would welcome their child.
Her second brother and second sister-in-law gave her a lot of cured meat, which the second brother had hunted in the mountains recently.
"I heard that in the Northwest, when it snows heavily, the mountains are closed off, and there is a shortage of food and clothing. These are all cured and can last for a long time."
"Take them all. If it's not enough later, tell me."
"Second Brother, there's too much. Keep some for Second Sister-in-law. She just gave birth not long ago and needs to replenish her body."
Su Miao, the second sister-in-law, shook her head. "Ningning, just take them. If I need them, your second brother can get more. It's easier for us to get these things, but it won't be convenient for you there."
Unable to refuse, Gu Jia Ning accepted them.
As for her third brother, Gu Yunzhou, he gave her a small box. When she returned to her room and opened it, she found many beautiful jade ornaments. Many were of very good quality and very beautiful.
Gu Jia Ning was amused and understood that her third brother knew she liked beautiful ornaments, so he had specially collected them for her.
These things, although not very valuable now, would be very valuable in the future.
The gifts from her three brothers and sisters-in-law were all thoughtful and precious.
Gu Jia Ning's eyes welled up with emotion.
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