CHAPTER 932: CHAPTER 630: CLOSER TIES

First watch is over.

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"Mom, actually it’s good to break up now..." Zhang Dabao chuckled as he comforted his mother, "It’s better than really getting married and then running away at the first sign of trouble, never to return."

Zhang Erniu happily clung to Zhang Dabao’s arm: "Brother, it’s great that you think that way. I will definitely work hard to find you a perfect wife."

"You just focus on your work, don’t always worry about your brother." Zhang Dabao looked at his sister with a pleased expression, "Having a soldier for a sister gives me face wherever I go, and in the future, if I have a brother-in-law who’s also a soldier, it’ll be even more impressive."

"Brother..." Zhang Erniu blushed, "I’ve found someone. My future father-in-law, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law are here too. They’re all in Dad’s hospital room."

"Ah?" Zhang Dabao looked at his sister in disbelief, then turned to look at Li Xiangfen, who nodded, "Your sister is telling the truth. Her quick return is all thanks to them."

"Mom, I... I’m dressed so... so informally..." Zhang Dabao anxiously tugged at his sleeves and shirt corners, "Luo Xiaomei took back the clothes she made for me, so I had to put on my old clothes again." He was wearing coarse blue cloth pants and a matching jacket, with thick patches on the knees, elbows, and seat.

Li Xiangfen was also a bit embarrassed. Although their family’s circumstances couldn’t compare with their future in-laws, Zhang Dabao did look a bit inappropriate for a first meeting like this.

Her husband was shorter than their son, so giving her son’s clothes to wear was definitely not an option. Besides, it wasn’t as if they had cloth coupons or money, and even if they did, most stores weren’t open right after the New Year, and there were hardly any ready-made clothes to buy...

"Mom, Sis, I’ll go home and change clothes..."

As Zhang Dabao said this, he was about to turn around and leave when Zhang Erniu quickly grabbed him: "Brother, my future father-in-law and mother-in-law are good people; they won’t mind such things.

Besides, you didn’t know they were coming earlier, so it’s not really rude. If you really leave now, that would be considered rude."

"Erniu..." Zhang Dabao hesitated, looking at his sister, "This concerns the biggest decision of your life. Don’t mention to them that your brother was here. Later, I’ll just pretend like I came over just now, won’t that work?"

"Brother, it’s really not a problem, I’ve already explained our family situation to them, and they won’t mind..." As Zhang Erniu spoke, she pulled Zhang Dabao toward the hospital room, while he resisted.

Just as Luo Xiaoqiong and Luo Hongqi came out to find the mother and daughter, and saw Zhang Erniu and Zhang Dabao pulling each other, Luo Hongqi was slightly startled, then warmly greeted them: "Erniu, this is your brother, right?" Having known Zhang Erniu for so long, he certainly understood her personality. Besides her brother, it’s unlikely she would be so familiar with any other young man.

Zhang Dabao, standing about 1.76 meters tall, wasn’t especially tall among ordinary people, but he was definitely not short either. However, standing next to the towering Luo Hongqi, he suddenly appeared small, like he was from a miniature world. He tilted his head up, smiling at Luo Hongqi as he let the other man shake his hand.

Seeing her brother just standing there, foolishly smiling and saying nothing, Zhang Erniu hurriedly introduced him: "Brother, this is Luo Hongqi..." She then pointed to the smiling Luo Xiaoqiong standing to the side, "And this is my best friend, Luo Xiaoqiong."

Luo Xiaoqiong teased her with a smile: "If Chuxia heard, she’d probably be mad at you. Without her, how could we have come?"

"Chuxia is also my best friend, you all are..." Zhang Erniu explained anxiously, "Xiaoqiong, I consider both of you my best friends."

"Alright, alright, I understand. Look at how flustered you are." Luo Xiaoqiong smiled at Zhang Dabao, "Hello, Big Brother Zhang. I’m Erniu’s sister-in-law."

"Hello, hello, nice to meet you all..." Zhang Dabao, with Luo Hongqi still holding his hand, responded nervously. Glancing at the patch on his knee, he shrank back involuntarily. He truly felt embarrassed for his sister. Had he known, he would have found a set of clothes from the cabinet to change into. Alas, there’s no medicine for regret in the world.

Following his gaze, Luo Xiaoqiong understood what he meant and couldn’t help but sigh quietly. She had heard from Zhang Erniu about how challenging their family life was, but seeing it for herself brought a deeper understanding, even worse than what Zhang Erniu described.

In the past, Chuxia’s family also lived modestly, but she never remembered seeing Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan dressed so poorly.

Luo Hongqi was oblivious to Zhang Dabao’s discomfort. Wanting to leave a good impression on his brother-in-law upon their first meeting, he warmly shook the young man’s hand, trying to come up with a few nice words but struggling to find the right ones, his face reddening in embarrassment.

This side of Luo Hongqi actually made Li Xiangfen more at ease with him. Initially, due to the disparity between their families’ conditions, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence towards him. Now, though, she felt a sense of kinship, so she smiled at her son: "Dabao, Hongqi greeted you. Aren’t you going to respond?"

By now, Zhang Dabao had calmed down a bit, so he quickly introduced himself: "Hello, Hongqi. My name is Zhang Dabao, and I’m Erniu’s elder brother."

Luo Xiaoqiong was at a loss... Zhang Dabao’s personality was strikingly similar to Luo Hongqi’s before he joined the army. Could it be fate?

Li Xiangfen nudged her son: "Dabao, go in and greet your uncle and aunt."

At this point, there was no avoiding it. Glancing at his patched-up clothes, Zhang Dabao summoned his courage to walk into the hospital room, not even realizing his hand was still in Luo Hongqi’s grasp.

Fat Auntie saw her son leading a young man in and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. But upon seeing Zhang Erniu and Li Xiangfen following behind, she understood.

She nudged Luo Gongshun, who was still chatting with Zhang Lizhu, and got up, greeting Zhang Dabao with a smile: "This is Dabao, right? He’s really spirited."

"Auntie, hello. Uncle, hello. I... I’m Zhang Dabao." Seeing the elegantly dressed couple, Zhang Dabao’s voice began to tremble again.

"Hello, hello..." Luo Gongshun smiled at him, "You must be tired from the journey. Come and sit down to rest for a while."

As the village secretary of Dalin Village, Luo Gongshun was particularly adept at engaging with young people like Zhang Dabao. Soon, his affable nature calmed the young man’s nerves, making him act naturally.

Zhang Lizhu had already anticipated the breakup situation, so he wasn’t surprised when his son told him. He and his wife shared the same thought that if this match wasn’t suitable, they could just look for another one later.

After all, observing their daughter’s development, they believed that things wouldn’t turn out poorly for her in the future. Whether their daughter could help the family or not, with her reputation solidified, it wouldn’t be difficult for their son to find a suitable wife.

Additionally, he shared the same sentiment as his son — that it was fortunate the marriage hadn’t happened. Otherwise, dealing with chaos post-marriage would have been truly exhausting.

After listening to the details, Luo Gongshun and Fat Auntie expressed views identical to those of the two couples, which brought the in-laws even closer together.

The closeness between people always requires a catalyst, and the matter of Zhang Dabao’s marriage was the perfect opportunity for the Luo and Zhang families to grow closer.

Towards noon, when Chuxia and the others returned with lunch, Luo Gongshun, Fat Auntie, Zhang Lizhu, Li Xiangfen, and Zhang Limei had already grown intimately connected, as if they had known each other for years.

Zhang Lizhu needed to stay in the hospital for a few more days, so both sides agreed that Zhang Erniu and Luo Hongqi would stay behind to help care for him, while the others returned to Dalin Village.

When Chuxia and the others headed back to A City, they would come back to fetch Zhang Erniu and Luo Hongqi.

Having sorted out the arrangements, Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong shared the porridge and buns they brought with the other beds, leaving the rest on the bedside cabinet, where everyone gathered together for lunch.

The buns, bought by Zhou Mikang and Lin Wenbin from the famous Radiance Hotel in the county, were tastier than those at the hospital cafeteria, meat or vegetarian. The group began to eat, and the aroma spread far.

Before long, the attending doctor approached, his face stern: "This is a hospital, not your home. Behave yourselves and don’t disturb other patients’ rest."

This was clearly an unnecessary complaint. While the group was large, everyone was mindful and spoke in low voices. For other beds, aside from visually seeing a large group of people, there were hardly any auditory disturbances.

Moreover, who would complain when the large buns were being shared? (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)