The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 932: Chapter 910: Top Student in the 1980s 38

Hou Jun and Xiangling’s engagement was settled.

Both of them are no longer young, so it’s impossible for them to date for years before getting married. Therefore, the wedding date was set rather hastily; now that winter has come, the day is set for a little over a month away, on November 16.

Hou Jun doesn’t have much family, so the wedding arrangements rely entirely on the Zhang Family and the Xiao Family’s help.

After Hou Jun paid a visit to the Zhang Family, he and Xiangling went to the Xiao Family with gifts.

Over at the Xiao Family, Xiao Heizi was quite satisfied with Hou Jun, and Sister Xu also thought Hou Jun was a good person.

Once the date was set, Xiao Heizi and Sister Xu came over to the Zhang Family in the evening as guests, and the four elders began discussing preparations for Xiangling’s dowry.

Xiao Heizi and Sister Xu now have money on hand, so they want to prepare a decent dowry for Xiangling.

The two of them always felt they owed Xiangling, especially given Xiangling’s engagement to Zhang Erzhu; it was their poor judgment that led Xiangling to suffer for many years. Now Xiangling has finally found a good man, and Xiao Heizi wants to prepare a proper dowry for Xiangling.

Both Xiao Baohu and Wang Gui Fen had no objections to this.

Primarily because Xiangling’s real father helped them get their jobs; their family managed to establish themselves in the county thanks to Zhang Heping’s considerable effort, and for this reason, they couldn’t mistreat Xiangling.

Additionally, Xiangling is genuinely great, and she gets along well with Wang Gui Fen, so Wang Gui Fen strongly supports this.

Actually, as Anning sees it, the most important reason is that the Xiao Family now doesn’t lack money.

When money is available and life is not tight, as long as one’s conscience remains intact, one appears generous in many situations.

Over there, Hou Jun is preparing the bridal chamber, while over here, Xiao Heizi and Zhang Heping are busy looking for good items for Xiangling.

Zhang Heping put together another batch of materials, asking Anning to help make a washing machine for Xiangling. Additionally, he made a special trip to the city to buy a set of furniture from a city mall.

Secretary An and Sister Xu are preparing quilts and mattress covers or the like.

Wang Gui Fen bought Xiangling a television.

By November 15, Xiao Yuan returned from the Provincial City — he came specifically to send Xiangling off.

While Hou Jun doesn’t have family, he does have some friends and old clients who, upon hearing of his wedding, came to help.

Among Hou Jun’s friends are some capable people; one friend was in the transport team but later resigned to work independently, buying a vehicle to start his own transport business. When he came, he brought along several vehicles.

Another friend came from the city; over the past two years, this friend has earned enough to buy his own vehicle.

He bought a van, which in the county is considered quite significant.

With these friends’ help, Hou Jun’s wedding was quite a grand occasion.

Early in the morning, Hou Jun’s home started with fireworks and firecrackers.

Before dawn, his friends drove over to help him pick up the bride.

The Zhang Family was all set too.

Hou Jun personally made Xiangling’s wedding dress, a woolen bright red long gown. Xiangling got up early to wear the gown, and Secretary An personally helped her do her hair; she barely put on any makeup, just defined her eyebrows and applied lipstick.

But even just like this, Xiangling looked exceptionally beautiful, earning compliments from the neighbors from the steel plant who came to help.

When Hou Jun’s group arrived, Xiao Baohu started directing people to load the dowry onto the vehicle.

Apart from the washing machine that Anning made, which was delivered to Hou Jun’s home in advance, the remaining set furniture, over ten quilts, all kinds of sheets and bed covers, as well as the television, stereo, etc., and even a full set of kitchenware, were included as part of the dowry.

The dowry items filled two large trucks, causing the steel plant employees who came to watch to feel quite envious.

But none could say anything.

Everyone knew Zhang Heping and his wife worked hard for most of their lives to finally reunite with their daughter; they would naturally send over most of their dowry to her.

Moreover, everyone was aware that this dowry included contributions from Xiangling’s former adoptive parents. Over there, her parents, brothers, and sisters also gave some items.

There were those struck by jealousy who whispered to Anning: ”Did you see? Your parents gave most of the family assets to your sister. Maybe there won’t be money for your education in the future.”

Anning wore a smile, seemingly unaffected and calmly responded, words that could make a person angry: ”Auntie, what you say shows how little you think of me. I’m not lacking in prospects that I would need money for education? Surely, you’ve underestimated me.”

The aunt who tried to incite Anning had a child who was struggling academically, chased after daily at home. Anning’s response left the aunt fuming, her face flushed red.

The Zhang Family spent the day busily; Zhang Heping and Secretary An didn’t have a moment to rest.

Many of the old friends, old comrades of the couple, made room in their schedules to attend the daughter’s wedding.

A large group gathered at the house, and Anning even called Secretary An over to help entertain guests.

She moved around frequently, boiling water for tea, arranging snacks, serving sunflower seeds and candies, keeping busy incessantly.

Finally, when the guests left, the family was exhausted. Lacking energy to cook, Zhang Heping heated the leftover food from entertaining guests for the three of them to share.

When the third day after the wedding came, Xiangling and Hou Jun returned with gifts, Xiangling’s face full of happiness — it was clear their days had been wonderful.

Secretary An had prepared the meals and drinks in advance and invited Xiao Heizi and Xiao Baohu to join, sparing Xiangling the need to visit both families in one day.

Sister Xu also brought her grandchildren to join the meal.

She assisted Secretary An in the kitchen making dumplings, while Anning played with Nana.

It wasn’t long before Xiangling also came into the kitchen to lend a hand.

Seeing Secretary An wanted to speak with Xiangling, Anning took Nana along with Xiao Jian Country’s group to play in her room.

Over there, Secretary An asked Xiangling: ”Does Hou Jun treat you well?”

Xiangling nodded: ”Very well.”

She hugged Secretary An and then hugged Sister Xu: ”Only these past few days have I realized how happy life can be when a woman marries the right person — compared to now, those years with Zhang Erzhu feel wasted.”

Secretary An heard this and knew Hou Jun was genuinely good to Xiangling.

Sister Xu also felt relieved.

”You two take care; I’ll arrange for an old doctor of traditional Chinese medicine one day to help you take care of your health. Once your health is well-maintained, maybe you’ll have a child — without a kid, something is still missing for a couple.”

Secretary An said while rolling out dumpling skins.

Sister Xu agreed: ”Don’t think just because you’re older you can’t have children. Look at me, when I had your brother, I was quite old, but isn’t your brother robust now?”

Indeed, Sister Xu was nearly in her forties when she had Xiao Yuan, and hasn’t Xiao Yuan grown up strong?

Secretary An smiled: ”First, we will nurture our health; children come along in their own time.”