Chapter 279 - 111: Leading Lady of the 1960s Cultural Troupe (50)
Chapter 279: Chapter 111: Leading Lady of the 1960s Cultural Troupe (50)
The crowd couldn’t help but shake their heads and sigh. You really couldn’t judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought the Zhang couple, with their simple, honest farmer-like appearance, could be so shameless as to make up stories about a young woman just to find a roundabout way to get money.
Xia Zhaoyun’s gaze lingered on Song Zhenbao’s stomach for a moment. She wondered if she was being paranoid, but in the past half hour, Song Zhenbao had stroked her belly no fewer than five times.
’That was a subconscious gesture typical of an inexperienced woman who had just become pregnant and was craving attention.’
The women from the factory were all sharp; when one of them noticed Xia Zhaoyun’s gaze, she followed it to Song Zhenbao’s stomach.
"Mr. Fan, have your two families decided when you’ll be holding the wedding for the young couple?"
Mother Tong was extremely annoyed. Regardless of whether the Zhang family’s claims were true, she didn’t want Song Zhenbao marrying into the Tong family. But the girl was supposedly pregnant and had shamelessly latched onto her Yuanbin.
Every time she thought of her outstanding son being taken by a village girl like Song Zhenbao, she felt so nauseated she could hardly breathe easy for days.
And now this whole spectacle today... If Father Tong hadn’t been tugging her sleeve and constantly signaling for her to calm down,
she would have stormed off. She certainly wouldn’t have stood there and let the crowd question her.
Mother Tong took a deep breath and glanced at Xia Zhaoyun, who had remained standing by the door without taking a single step forward.
’A girl this beautiful, elegant, and intelligent... now *she* was worthy of my outstanding son...’
But for now, she had to save face for the Tong family. She forced a smile and said, "My Yuanbin is about to start his summer break, and he’s thinking of finding a temporary job to support himself."
"Their feelings for each other are growing stronger, and as a mother, I’m on edge all day, worried they won’t be able to control their impulses. Since they’re both of age, we old folks don’t want to be the villains who break up a pair of lovebirds."
"We’re planning to pick a date soon and have the wedding. We’ll send everyone invitations when the time comes..."
Since Mother Tong had so frankly discussed the young couple’s affairs, the crowd’s suspicions began to fade.
Xia Zhaoyun pursed her lips and smiled faintly. ’I really have no idea what these factory women eat,’ she thought. ’Every one of them is so calculating. Their words twist and turn so much they could lead you by the nose before you even knew what was happening.’
’If you dropped them into ancient times, they’d be absolute masters of household intrigue.’
After all the commotion, the Song and Tong families could only force smiles; any trace of festive joy they felt had been completely ruined.
Song Zhenbao was incredibly annoyed and utterly baffled.
’How has the Xia Zhaoyun of this life become so different?’
’And how did Little Hero Huo come back to life? Could this be some kind of butterfly effect from my rebirth?’
Because the situation outside the factory was growing tense, the Song and Tong families didn’t dare hold too extravagant a celebration. They simply set up three large tables inside their respective homes and courtyards and hired a chef at a premium to cook the meal.
Even though they were in the city, meat rations were limited, so it wasn’t as if people could eat meat every day. The guests, though trying to be reserved and save face, were quick with their chopsticks. A single strike could clear a noticeable patch on a serving plate.
Besides, everyone else was a seasoned veteran of such feasts; it was only Xia Zhaoyun and her two children who found it a little hard to adjust.
Fortunately, Huo Tianhao was tall, had long arms, and possessed a speed others couldn’t match. As soon as a dish was served, he would snatch two or three portions with his chopsticks. He could go without eating, but he wouldn’t let his wife and children go hungry.
Besides, having a group of strangers rummaging around in the serving dishes was one thing, but some people were even slurping loudly on their chopsticks.
For the sake of hygiene alone, Huo Tianhao had to swallow his pride and, without batting an eye, take care of his one big and two little family members the instant a new dish was served.
Xia Zhaoyun and the children were thus responsible only for lowering their heads and eating their fill.
After eating, they lingered with the other guests for a short while before leaving.
When they returned home, there was no sign of He Qingran or Liu Mingkun.
After putting the children to sleep, the couple snuggled up together, kissing and cuddling, but they didn’t take things any further. After all, they had no idea when He Qingran and Liu Mingkun would return.
Xia Zhaoyun usually took an afternoon nap to preserve her strength and energy.
But now, with her man watching over her, she couldn’t bear to close her eyes. She just kept affectionately nuzzling against his broad, secure-feeling chest, acting completely spoiled.
’This woman,’ he thought, ’is just thoughtlessly fanning the flames without any regard for the fact that the timing is wrong and she can’t put out the fire she’s starting.’
Huo Tianhao, disgruntled, pulled her tightly against his chest and growled in her ear, "Go to sleep. Conserve your energy."
"And let’s not go to the guesthouse. The beds there are always creaky, and the walls are too thin..."