The Delicate Darling with Her Rough Man

From inside the room, Chen Ruoyu watched the scene unfold, a little speechless.

"Jiaojiao, it’s amazing they can still bring themselves to cook. They’re really something else."

She was genuinely impressed. After what had just happened, if it had been her, she would’ve been too embarrassed to stay. She’d have covered her face and run off.

Gu Jiaojiao couldn’t agree more.

She couldn’t have done it either.

Still, Gu Jiaojiao had a feeling. The way the second and third branches of the Leng Family were trying to butter her and Leng Yuan up... she’d probably find out why today.

Chen Ruoyu glanced at the bustling scene outside, then back at the calm and composed Gu Jiaojiao, feeling increasingly lost.

There were quite a few educated youths sent to the countryside—twenty or thirty of them.

Several of them had already married local village men and women.

Some had even married other educated youths at the settlement.

Those who were better off applied to the brigade leader for a plot of land to build a house. Those who weren’t as well-off just rented a place from the brigade leader to get by.

She’d been in the countryside for several years now.

’She’d always wanted to return to the city.’

’But as the years went by, her future only seemed to grow foggier.’

’She was already twenty-two, an age when she should be getting married. Was she also fated to marry a local and spend the rest of her life in the countryside?’

Chen Ruoyu pressed her lips together. ’This wasn’t the life she wanted. But Gu Jiaojiao was so beautiful and likely came from a good family, and even she had married into a rural village. Should she keep holding out?’

She wanted to ask Gu Jiaojiao for her thoughts on the matter.

But it was the girl’s wedding day. How could she bring up something like that?

Chen Ruoyu forced the question from her mind and turned to look cheerfully out the window.

As Aunt Leng and Third Aunt Leng bustled about, Leng Qiushou and the others also pitched in.

Their "help" consisted of the three brothers taking turns carrying firewood. As soon as the pile dwindled, they’d go get more.

It couldn’t be helped. Carrying firewood was the only task they were allowed to do.

A wedding day was usually a hectic affair. Beyond cooking all the food, there was cleaning the courtyard, moving tables and benches, putting up the "double happiness" decorations, and running back and forth for various items as part of the ceremony.

It was all tedious and troublesome.

But Chen JianShe was a diligent worker. He swept the courtyard as soon as he arrived. As for everything else, there was nothing left to tidy up; Leng Yuan had already prepared it all.

The tables, benches, and other furniture had been brought over by guests from the Chen Family, the Zhao family, the brigade leader’s family, and the village chief’s family when they arrived.

Later, Chen JianShe went out to borrow some more things, and by the time he returned, Xu Chongfeng and Xu Chongshan had arrived as well.

They were all strong young men, so they made quick work of such tasks.

This was why the three Leng brothers, despite being sturdily built, could only stand in front of the iron wok, staring intently at the small pile of firewood and hoping it would burn faster.

After mocking them to his heart’s content, Chen JianShe pulled Xu Chongshan aside.

"What do you think the Leng Family is up to?"

They’ve already cut ties and don’t normally interact. Now, today of all days, on Brother Leng’s big day, they’re suddenly being so helpful.

Xu Chongshan was just as baffled.

Just then, another stir at the entrance made everyone turn their heads.

Lu Yuanbin arrived carrying several bags. His bicycle was laden with them—five or six hanging from the handlebars, several more on the crossbar, and a basket tied to the rack on the back, which held a few old hens.

The sight of this guy made Chen JianShe’s eyes ache.

The man was dressed up like a peacock fanning its tail. Anyone who didn’t know better might mistake him for the groom.

Lu Yuanbin parked his bicycle and gave his hair a suave flick.

He had taken great care in dressing up for the occasion: a new shirt and pants, leather shoes, and a bicycle to top it all off.

Walking in, you might have mistaken him for some visiting official at first glance.

And you had to admit, that impressive air of his really did take people aback.

Aunt Leng and Third Aunt Leng gave him a thorough once-over, their minds already scheming.

’When did that Leng Yuan get to know such an important figure?’