Chapter 49: There’s no better match for miles around…

Chapter 49: There's no better match for miles around...

Zheng Jiamin was still in a daze as they came down the mountain, feeling like he'd lost track of time. Finding out his buddy was suddenly in a relationship hit him like a ton of bricks.

Wang Qiutong was just as stunned.

But as a girl, she was a bit sharper. Back during the harvest, she'd noticed Fu Mingze was extra nice to Shen Moer, unlike his usual cold demeanor at the youth brigade. Plus, Shen Moer had risked speaking up for Fu Mingze in front of the local revolutionary committee, which made Wang Qiutong secretly feel that the two were getting quite close.

Seeing them holding hands today, and Fu Mingze admitting they were together... thinking back, it wasn't that shocking.

They were so stunned they hardly said a word the whole way back.

It was only when they got to the village that Zheng Jiamin blurted out to Fu Mingze, "I didn't think you'd bail on the youth brigade so fast. Man, ditching me like this, don't you feel bad?"

Fu Mingze just gave him a look and stayed quiet, not even bothering to reply.

Zheng Jiamin didn't really expect an answer. He was just reflecting on how he'd been lamenting just a couple of days ago about not finding a way to move out of the youth brigade, and now, Fu Mingze was about to move out.

"No wonder you roped me into helping build the Shen family's new place. You were setting yourself up!" Zheng Jiamin exclaimed with genuine astonishment.

Fu Mingze hadn't planned it, but that's how it turned out.

So, Fu Mingze didn't argue. He let Zheng Jiamin ramble on, and sure enough, after blowing off steam, Zheng Jiamin got over it and started talking about their haul from the mountain.

"I really have a keen eye. That thick patch of grass, and the rabbit was so cunning, hiding there without bolting. Who would have thought I'd still spot it, hehe."

Speaking of this, Zheng Jiamin couldn't help but feel proud.

At the time, he had noticed the rabbit in the grass and turned to call Fu Mingze and the others. Little did he know, upon turning around, he would see Fu Mingze holding Shen Moer's hand... Thankfully, Shen Moer reacted quickly and skillfully, or else they would have missed the rabbit and suffered a great loss.

One wild pheasant, two rabbits, and two baskets of chestnuts—they hit the jackpot today!

Wang Qiutong got all excited, shaking Shen Moer's arm, "Moer, you're seriously amazing!!!"

Back at the Shen family's place, the four of them jumped right into work.

Fu Mingze and Zheng Jiamin were naturally in charge of slaughtering the chicken and rabbits. Fu Mingze had observed the process a few times before, so this time he didn't need Shen Moer's help and efficiently dispatched one chicken and one rabbit.

The remaining rabbit, which had narrowly escaped, was temporarily placed in an empty chicken coop.

Shen Moer and Wang Qiutong were responsible for washing the rice and vegetables. Soon, the stewed loach with tofu was cooking, and the enticing aroma began to waft through the courtyard.

When Aunt Chen showed up with Mao Mao, the pheasant was bubbling away, and the smell of the soup made Mao Mao's mouth water. "It smells amazing!"

"Oh, I figured I'd come early to lend a hand, but looks like you don't need me. It smells fantastic! Mao Mao, we're in for a feast today."

Even so, Aunt Chen barged into the kitchen, shooing out Zheng Jiamin and Wang Qiutong, who were just in the way, leaving Fu Mingze to stoke the fire. She rolled up her sleeves and got down to business.

Every so often, she'd sneak a look at Shen Moer cooking and Fu Mingze stoking the fire, her eyes twinkling, thinking what a great pair they made!

With Aunt Chen pitching in, things moved fast. When there was just one dish left, Fu Mingze got sent out too. He and Zheng Jiamin hopped on their bikes to round up folks for dinner.

In those days, timing was uncertain. When invited for a meal, guests were afraid of arriving too early, as the host might not have finished cooking, which would not only require waiting but also make them seem greedy. So, they usually wouldn't arrive too early.

Typically, the host family sends the younger members to invite the guests again when the meal is nearly ready, as a sign of respect and to avoid wasting time waiting for each other.

After cycling around, everyone arrived in succession. Zhou ManCang, Ding Shouchang, Zhou Peijun, and others came alone, while Zhou Qingguo arrived holding the baby Congcong.

When everyone sat down at the table, Congcong saw the large pots of meat on the table and drooled, her saliva plopping onto the table.

Shen Shaoyuan, who had a soft spot for chubby little girls, smiled and immediately placed half a chicken leg into her small bowl: "Dig in!"

Watching the baby grab the bone with her tiny hands and start gnawing, he chuckled, then raised his small wine cup and said, "Thank you all for coming. As I've previously mentioned, I'll now formally announce that our Moer and Fu Mingze, the educated youth, have officially established a relationship. Given the current situation, we'll skip the engagement formalities. Today, by inviting you all here, we're treating it as an engagement ceremony."

Everyone at the table smiled and cast friendly, teasing glances at Shen Moer and Fu Mingze.

Aunt Chen chuckled, "Even though I'm just stepping in as the matchmaker, I dare say there's no better match in the entire region than these two!"

Zhou ManCang, typically stern, also broke into a rare smile: "Although Fu Zhiqing hasn't been with our brigade for long, it's clear he's a capable and dependable young man, quite a match for Moer. You two should grow and progress together."

Others nodded in agreement, and even Congcong, gnawing on a chicken bone, mumbled, "Good, a pair, good!"

Mao Mao, devouring the meat, glanced back and forth between Shen Moer and Fu Mingze, thinking, I knew it all along, Moer sister and Fu Zhiqing are definitely a couple, hmph!

Shen Shaoyuan still held up his wine cup: "Of course, today is also about thanking everyone for their support of Fu Mingze. Please continue to support these two young people in the future."

"This cup of wine is to all of you."

With that, he downed the wine in one swift gulp.

Zheng Jiamin led the applause.

Among those present, Zhou Peijun, who was most familiar with Shen Laoqi, couldn't help but say, "Lao Qi, being a worker really changes you, huh? You speak so eloquently, just like an educated man!"

Zhou Qingguo added, "He's in the propaganda department. If he gets a permanent position, he'll be a cadre. Isn't that what an educated man is?"

Zhou ManCang laughed, "This wine is truly excellent."

In these times, grain is precious, and few are willing to use it to make wine or spend money on bulk wine from the cooperative, so drinking opportunities are truly rare.

Others couldn't tell much, only finding the wine fragrant and smooth, unlike Zhou ManCang, who had more opportunities to drink and could appreciate the quality of the wine.

Zheng Jiamin could also appreciate it a bit; his father was a wine enthusiast, and their family was well-off, occasionally buying a few ounces of wine or even some high-end bottled wine, but none seemed as mellow as the wine in this small cup.

Fu Mingze could also tell, coming from a bourgeois family where the elders still clung to some "bourgeois habits" behind closed doors. He had tasted not only domestic wines but also foreign spirits.

However, he knew that his father-in-law was highly regarded at the kiln factory, and the propaganda department was a somewhat prestigious department, so it wasn't surprising that he could get some good wine.

Given the tight financial situation of his father-in-law's family, it was remarkable that he chose to serve good wine to guests today instead of quietly selling it for cash. Fu Mingze once again realized the depth of his father-in-law's love for his daughter.

Naturally, he felt grateful for the honor.

Fu Mingze conscientiously refilled Shen Shaoyuan's wine cup, then did the same for others, raised his cup, and first said to Shen Shaoyuan, "Uncle Seven, thank you!"

Then to the others: "Thank you all!"

After speaking, he also downed the wine in one gulp.

"Aiya, now you call him Uncle Seven, soon you'll be calling him Dad!" Aunt Chen laughed heartily. As the matchmaker, she was very dutiful and immediately asked Shaoyuan, "When are you planning to set the wedding date for the two kids?"

Shen Shaoyuan slowly finished his wine, glanced at Shen Moer who was being pulled aside by Wang Qiutong for a whisper, and said, "Next month, first get the marriage certificate, then hold a couple of tables for a feast. You're all invited."

Zheng Jiamin immediately led the teasing again. Mao Mao and Congcong, hearing they could come again for another meal, were so delighted they could hardly contain their joy and joined in the teasing. Seeing the two mischievous kids also joining in, Wang Qiutong didn't feel embarrassed anymore and joined in the teasing as well.

The atmosphere immediately became exceptionally lively, with Zhou Peijun even slapping the table: "When the girls from our Eighth Team get married, we must make sure it's a big, lively celebration!"

Shen Moer then raised a toast to everyone with a cup of wine.

Later, even Mao Mao and the baby Cong Cong joined in the fun, holding cups filled with chicken soup to toast everyone, causing the adults to burst into laughter.

After the meal, everyone was a little drunk. Fu Mingze asked Zheng Jiamin and Wang Qiutong to go home first, while he stayed behind to help clean up.

Fu Mingze volunteered to wash the dishes, while Shen Moer grabbed a broom to sweep the floor. Shen Shaoyuan came in, glanced at them, said nothing, and took away a small bowl of chicken soup that had been set out on the stove.

Fu Mingze raised an eyebrow but didn't ask.

After Shen Shaoyuan left, Shen Moer whispered, "That's for Old Wang in the barn next door. I don't know when my dad started talking to him, but he thinks Old Wang is very knowledgeable and worldly, so he enjoys chatting with him."

However, they always got together when no one else was around. Occasionally, when the family made something good, they would send some to him.

Old Wang was quite old, living in a barn, eating rough fare, and was very thin. Shen Moer had seen him a few times and sometimes worried if he would survive the winter.

Shen Shaoyuan and Old Wang hit it off. Fortunately, they lived at the village entrance, so villagers rarely came by, making it hard for others to notice their interactions.

But Fu Mingze was different. Once they started living together, even if no one told him, he would find out.

Since they were planning to get married, Shen Moer naturally wouldn't hide anything from him except for the matters of time travel and the treasury.

The idea of time travel was too shocking, and the existence of the treasury was not only unbelievable but also a temptation that could spark greed. Unless absolutely necessary, Shen Moer didn't plan to mention it.

Fu Mingze, wiping the dishes, asked thoughtfully, "Don't you think it's bad to interact with someone like Old Wang, a troublemaker?"

Shen Moer was slightly taken aback, then remembered that Fu Mingze was an educated youth who had eagerly answered the national call to contribute to rural construction. It was said that these people held particularly high ideals and firm beliefs, though Yang Qingqing and Shi Wei were exceptions.

Especially Fu Mingze, who clearly seemed like a determined person. Shen Moer weighed her words and said, "Interacting with troublemakers is definitely not good, but as the old saying goes, 'Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat.' Occasionally understanding the thoughts of troublemakers can actually help in supervising and reforming them."

She even added to her earlier statement: "Old Wang is from the capital and used to work in a pretty important department. His knowledge and broad experience are objective facts. Of course, my dad will surely take the good and leave the bad."

Fu Mingze, who had only intended to probe the situation: "..."

He realized that his partner was indeed a genuine proletarian with a firm revolutionary will and strong critical awareness.

The only comforting thing was that both his partner and her father weren't the type to write someone off entirely. They critically engaged with Old Wang and even secretly sent him chicken soup.

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble and inner conflict for his partner, Fu Mingze held back the words he was about to say.

He thought to himself, "I'll wait until it's absolutely necessary to confront my partner's criticism."

After all, under normal circumstances, such a moment would rarely come.

The family elders had made arrangements for everyone, and their records had been altered. The Fu family was now scattered across the country, making it difficult even for family members to contact each other, let alone for outsiders to track their records.

Fu Mingze considered for a moment and followed Shen Moer's lead: "You're right, take the good and leave the bad. We must always remain vigilant."

Shen Moer: "..."

She glanced at her partner's handsome and righteous face and thought, "Thankfully, you don't know I'm a 'feudal leftover,' or I wonder how you'd be vigilant against me."

Both harbored their own thoughts, but their hands moved quickly, and soon the work was done. Then, one holding a flashlight and the other a bucket, they went to fetch water from the brigade's courtyard.

As they approached, they saw a thin figure by the well. Startled like a rabbit, the figure grabbed a bucket and quickly disappeared into the night.

Fu Mingze: "...Is that the minor landlord the villagers talk about?"

Shen Moer shone the flashlight into the well: "Yes, his name is Lin Kaicheng."

After some hesitation, Shen Moer decided to mention the time Lin Kaicheng warned them about someone stealing bricks in the middle of the night: "I wanted to give him something as a thank you, but every time I go to knock on his door, he never opens it. Lin Kaicheng always avoids me like a mouse avoiding a cat, staying as far away as possible."

"Maybe he just doesn't want to cause trouble."

Fu Mingze said as he lifted the water bucket and started walking back: "We'll help him out if there's anything we can do later."

Shen Moer glanced at him in the dark, feeling relieved that her partner wasn't solely focused on class struggle but also appreciated gratitude and kindness.

The two of them carried several buckets of water, filling the water jar halfway.

Keeping some water at home at night was a precaution, in case of fire or an urgent need for water.

Fu Mingze put down the bucket, peeked at the closed courtyard gate, and then grabbed Shen Moer, who was about to step out, and whispered, "Partner."

Shen Moer's steps faltered, feeling his deep, smooth voice tug at her ears, making her tingle and flush.

She turned to look at Fu Mingze. The dim kerosene lamp light outlined his sharp features, and his bright eyes met hers as he smiled and said: "Now that we've officially confirmed our relationship, shouldn't we hug?"

Before Shen Moer could respond, he effortlessly pulled her close.

The moment she fell into his arms, Shen Moer felt her heart racing. Her body stiffened slightly, unused to the warmth of his presence. After a while, when he didn't move, she gradually relaxed and wrapped her arms around his lean waist.

After all, in a way, they were as good as engaged today.

At such close proximity, Shen Moer felt as though she could hear his slightly rapid heartbeat and the faint warmth of his breath. She felt uneasy, her ears itching and growing hotter.

Finally, she squirmed a little, and then she felt him suddenly bend down. In the next moment, he leaned in and kissed her lips.

His lips pressed against hers, pausing briefly to soothe her, then grew more insistent, parting her lips and deepening the kiss.

Shen Moer instinctively tried to push him away, but he only held her tighter. She couldn't support herself, her body bending slightly backward, and his hand immediately supported her waist. The heat from his palm burned through her clothes, making her freeze.

Though usually aloof, his kiss was unexpectedly passionate and possessive.

Shen Moer's entire body softened, and she unconsciously gripped his waist, her fingers lightly tracing the firm muscles of his waist.

Fu Mingze paused in his kissing, and after a moment, finally let her go, burying his face in the crook of her neck with a deep sigh. His breath brushed against her sensitive skin, and his low, hoarse voice whispered in her ear: "Partner, if you keep this up, I won't be able to control myself."

Shen Moer's hand immediately stilled. After a moment of silence, she pushed him away, flustered and annoyed: "What nonsense are you saying!"

Fu Mingze chuckled softly, indulgent as he said: "Yes, it's nonsense."

But he soon sighed, reluctantly letting go of Shen Moer and saying: "I really need to go now, or your father might come back and beat me up."

With that, he leaned in and kissed her flushed cheek once more, then straightened up, smoothing her slightly disheveled hair. Reluctantly, he repeated: "I really am leaving this time."

Without waiting for Shen Moer to react, Fu Mingze let go of her, gave her one last deep look, and then turned and walked quickly out of the courtyard.

Shen Moer stood there for a while, watching through the open kitchen door as Fu Mingze opened the gate, glanced back at her with a smile, and then ran off into the dark night.

Almost immediately, his figure disappeared into the blackness.

That rascal!

Shen Moer couldn't help but curse silently, patting her still-burning cheeks.

After a moment of thought, Shen Moer quickly realized that Fu Mingze was actually right. If her father saw them... he would most likely give Fu Mingze a beating.

Thinking this, Shen Moer, feeling guilty as if she had done something wrong, hurried to the room to fetch a towel, poured some water, and quickly washed her face. Just as she finished, the yard gate creaked again, and Shen Moer called out, "Dad?"

Shen Shaoyuan responded and then asked, "Has everyone left?"

Shen Moer knew he was actually asking about Fu Mingze and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Yes, that pretty boy is gone too."

Shen Shaoyuan seemed to chuckle, and then Shen Moer heard the sound of the yard gate closing and the latch being secured.

Shen Moer poured out the water she had used for washing and called out, "Dad, get some rest early," then hurried into the house before Shen Shaoyuan could approach.

Shen Shaoyuan, after closing the yard gate and walking in, saw his daughter scurrying into the inner room without even glancing back at him.

After a moment, Shen Shaoyuan stood there for a while, then tutted.