Back To The 80s-Chapter 611 - 604: Hosting a Banquet_1

After the wedding of Cheng Qijia, it was followed by the wedding of Li Juan and Zhou Tiezhu.

Although the wedding of Li Juan and Zhou Tiezhu wasn’t as grand as the one set up by Cheng Qijia’s family, it excelled in warmth and comfort.

The few tables of guests were all relatives and close friends, so everyone felt relaxed in each other’s company.

Gu Xiaobei sat together with Xiaopang and Li Fengmei.

Lu Zhanguo sat at a table with Mo Wang and Zhang Lijun.

Li Fengmei, who loved lively gatherings, laughed and said, "Thinking back to when we were living in the town, we saw each other every day. But since moving to the city, we can hardly meet a few times a year, it’s hard to know what everyone is busy with."

Ge Chunling chuckled and nodded, "Exactly, back then I felt restless at home, eager to find a job. Ever since opening a shop, all I’ve thought is how I wish I could just take a few days off and sleep in."

Li Fengmei jokingly replied, "You could just stay home and sleep in, nobody’s stopping you. You’re too attached to your business, fearful of making less money."

Ge Chunling burst into laughter, "That’s exactly it, I’m afraid of losing money if I don’t go, but also I feel like I’m working all the time once I go."

Gu Xiaobei joined the laughter, "In a few years, once your store has grown, hire a few employees, and it will be a lot easier."

Ge Chunling laughed and waved her hand, "Oh, I don’t dare to dream about that! I’m satisfied as it is. Look at my mother-in-law spoiling me with good food, she must be worried that I’ll make so much money that I won’t need her son anymore."

Their laughter echoed as Ge Chunling finished her sentence.

Gu Xiaobei sighed with amusement, realizing that though they all had been in the city for years, they’d still had few gatherings. Seeing them all together like this was rare. It was strange how they all lived in the same city, but were always too busy for each other.

Suddenly, Ge Chunling asked, "Why didn’t you invite Xiangmin?"

Li Fengmei, who had no clear idea, shook her head saying, "I’m not sure, maybe Xiangmin moved? Perhaps they couldn’t find her?"

After Li Juan finished toasting with Zhou Tiezhu, she hurried over to join Li Fengmei’s table.

Li Juan looked at everyone and suddenly said with a hint of nostalgia, "Looking back now, living in the residential compound seems like a dream, it seems so ridiculous, doesn’t it?" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Li Fengmei smiled and replied, "Back then, we were idle and naïve, having experienced little. But as time went on, we went through more and more, learning not to sweat the small stuff and becoming more open-minded."

Li Juan nodded as the conversation shifted to Xiangmin, "I told Xiangmin about my wedding and invited her to join, she gave me five bucks but refused politely, saying she felt uncomfortable to meet everyone."

"It is indeed awkward. However, it’s a good thing that she is able to make money by herself now." Li Fengmei sighed.

"I heard that her younger brother divorced the woman he married and moved south. That woman had a premature baby, but somehow, the baby seemed full-term. Xiangyang began to doubt the baby was his. Eventually, they had a big fight just a month after the baby’s birth, and the woman admitted, the baby is not his."

Gu Xiaobei and Li Fengmei expressed surprise at the audacity of the woman.

Gu Xiaobei wondered how this Jiang Jiayan woman could act so audacious and blatantly.

"Come on, let’s drink and not discuss these foul matters in front of the children." Li Fengmei poured some beer for everyone.

Ge Chunling nodded, "Right, we should focus on living our own lives well, these people and their affairs have nothing to do with us."

Since they were all familiar with each other, the feast that started at noon didn’t end until three or four in the afternoon.

As they were leaving, Li Fengmei kept saying, "We must gather twice every month from now on."

Gu Xiaobei, Ge Chunling, and Li Juan all felt it was a great idea.

On their way back home, Gu Xiaobei was still in high spirits. She happily said, "Things are so good now, everything is finally perfect. If Jin Cheng can wake up, it would be even more perfect."

Lu Zhanguo was holding a child with each arm. After a full day of fun, both children were worn out and yawning. Xiaopang was leaning sleepily on their dad’s shoulder, but still remembered to say, "Daddy, buy me a red skirt just like Aunt Li Juan’s."

Gu Xiaobei added in, "I want one too, Lu Zhanguo, we should take wedding photos."

This time, Lu Zhanguo didn’t refuse but agreed, "Sure!"

...

In the one-person sickroom of the military hospital...

Qin Li wetted Jin Cheng’s lips gently with a cotton swab soaked in water.

Uncle Axing visited every morning, but then spent the rest of his time engrossed in researching Western medicine.

Gently talking to Jin Cheng as she worked, Qin Li said, "It’s October again. Do you remember our last conversation? It’ll be five years soon. Time is flying, isn’t it? For you, those five years must feel like one night’s sleep. But for me, it’s been more agonizing than a decade. Jin Cheng, how about this? Sleep for one more year. When you wake up, we’ll go eat tripe soup, my favorite. It doesn’t taste as good without you."

The sleeping Jin Cheng showed no response.

Zhuang Shuxian brought food for Qin Li and sighed at the sight. "As long as Jin Cheng isn’t in pain, I will be content."

"Mother, I am also content. However, I have something I want to discuss," Qin Li said after she put on gloves and the cotton swab.

"What is it? Eat while you talk, otherwise the noodles will clump up." Zhuang Shuxian opened the lunch box and urged Qin Li over to eat.

After washing her hands, Qin Li didn’t rush to eat but said, "Mother, I want to keep Jin Cheng company in the evenings. I want to work in the shop during the day. I haven’t been there for a while. I’m thinking of continuing to make money so I could take Jin Cheng abroad for treatments. He Qin said that the medical equipment abroad is more advanced than in our country."

Zhuang Shuxian sympathetically replied, "Kid, I know you’re not giving up. Alright, go ahead and do what you think is best. I will stay here and take care of him during the day."

Qin Li nodded and started eating noodles.

Zhuang Shuxian sat silently at Jin Cheng’s bedside, holding his hand, and watched her son sleep.

...

Shen Heng’s little princess finally arrived in the city.

Shen Heng brought Qin Mei and their little girl, Little Shen Qi, who was just over a year old, to visit the courtyard.

Gu Xiaobei excitedly hugged Little Shen Qi, "Look at how pretty Shen Heng’s little princess is!"

Xiaopang also came over and poked his sister’s little face, laughing "Mama, look! Sister’s cheeks are so soft, softer than Doudou’s even."

Bai Xiaolan joked, "Shen Heng, your daughter can marry my Doudou, and we can be in-laws."

Sitting arrogantly with one leg over the other, Shen Heng replied, "It is obvious that you wouldn’t be a good mother-in-law. My son-in-law-to-be is Mo Wang. Mo Wang, come on, hold your sister."

From the beginning when Shen Heng’s family arrived, Mo Wang was standing at the entrance to the courtyard. But hearing Shen Heng’s words, he maintained a poker face, turned around, and walked into the house.