Traveling back to 1952, starting a comeback from a relief station

As soon as she spoke, Qin Huairu realized she had answered too hastily, and her cheeks flushed even more, but she didn't regret it at all.

If he could really become my man.

What does face matter!

Seeing Wang Anping's satisfied expression, Qin Huairu felt inexplicably relieved, and a surge of joy followed.

But after the initial joy, a sense of unease crept in. He frowned and whispered:

"I had arranged to come over beforehand with Aunt Li to find out what was going on today."

"What...what should we do now?"

It's always embarrassing to back out at the last minute.

If it were for any other reason, it would be fine, but since he found someone better, people might gossip if word got out.

Wang Anping waved his hand dismissively:

"What else can we do but cancel it?"

"If you have no other objections, I'll go to your house next Saturday to propose, and then bring you back to get our marriage certificate and start living together."

"There's no one else in my family, so I'll skip those complicated procedures if possible. Keeping things simple is better."

"After we get our marriage certificate, we'll pick a time to visit your family and have a meal together, that way we'll officially become familiar with each other."

Weddings these days are so simple and unpretentious.

Qin Huairu's face flushed crimson, and she lowered her head, responding in a barely audible voice:

"good!"

Seeing how obedient and well-behaved she was, Wang Anping naturally took over the "leadership" and said with a smile:

"It's still early."

"Come on, I'll take you for a stroll in the streets."

"I'll go make you two new outfits first; I reckon it'll be ready in about a week."

"Let's get our marriage certificate next week and wear new clothes to celebrate."

"We also need to prepare new shoes and socks, as well as new bed sheets, washbasins, and other everyday items."

Thinking about it this way, there's actually quite a lot to prepare.

Wang Anping thought for a moment and then added:

"Oh, right, I also need to prepare some gifts. Take them back with you as my way of paying respects to your parents."

"As for the bride price, I'll give twenty yuan. It's not much, but it's a small token of my appreciation."

These days, the bride price is usually between five and twenty yuan.

Wang Anping gave 20, which is considered the maximum dowry. Hmm, that's less than a month's salary for an average worker. Getting married these days is really easy!

Qin Huairu listened as if in a dream, her heart filled with both sweetness and panic, and she quickly waved her hands:

"Brother Wang, I'll do whatever you say."

"Once I start working at the factory, I'll hand over all my earnings to you. You can just give me some spare change for groceries each month. I'm not very smart and can't manage money well."

Wang Anping couldn't help but chuckle.

Thinking to myself, girls these days are really honest.

She had only said it casually, and without even meeting her family, she eagerly went along with it.

If you encounter a scammer, they can easily fool you with just a few words. If you are tricked into doing something, even if you find out the truth later, you will probably have to swallow your pride and accept it.

No wonder people say that "bad boys" can easily fool good girls.

When girls are heartbroken, they want to find an honest man to settle down and live a stable life; it's the same in every era.

Qin Huairu was naturally happy to go shopping with Wang Anping.

However, there is still something to deal with right now.

She led Wang Anping through two bustling streets and into another courtyard house.

She told Wang Anping to wait a short distance away, then quickly went inside. Soon after, she came out with a woman in her fifties. The two stood at the door and whispered something to each other.

Wang Anping immediately guessed that this woman must be the matchmaker, Aunt Li.

Aunt Li's expression was not good.

His brows were furrowed tightly, and he was muttering something to himself.

Qin Huairu persisted, arguing quietly and persuasively. After a while, the woman relented and nodded helplessly.

Seeing that the deal seemed to have been reached, Wang Anping walked over, and Qin Huairu looked slightly nervous.

Wang Anping didn't say much, and simply took out a dollar and handed it over.

"Aunt Li, right? Consider this a reward for your hard work running errands."

Aunt Li's eyes lit up instantly, and she quickly reached out to take it, immediately guessing what was going on.

Although she was puzzled as to why this young man, who was so eligible, had chosen to be with Qin Huairu, a country girl, she knew that once you're paid to do something, you shouldn't ask questions you shouldn't.

Having accepted this one dollar, she knew how to explain herself if the Jia family questioned her about it later.

This is exactly the effect Wang Anping wanted.

He didn't care.

I'm afraid this matchmaker will continue to frequent courtyard houses in the future.

If things are arranged properly here, she'll know how to respond if they bump into each other.

……

After squeezing off the bus with Qin Huairu, Wang Anping felt it was really inconvenient, since there were few bus routes in those days and many places were inaccessible.

He turned around and headed straight for the department store with Qin Huairu to buy a bicycle.

A 28-inch Shanghai Forever brand bicycle is currently priced at 148 yuan, definitely a large item.

A family was standing around a bicycle nearby.

He touched and looked at it, studying it for a long time but still couldn't make up his mind.

Wang Anping, however, was quite decisive. He pointed to a cart and asked the salesperson to bring it out. After paying, he pushed it away, quick and efficient.

Bicycles these days are really high quality.

It goes through countless testing procedures before leaving the factory; it's very sturdy.

He pushed the bike to the public security department to register, get a license, and register the vehicle. He also had someone stamp a steel seal on the frame. All the procedures were completed smoothly.

Then, Wang Anping got on his bike, patted the back seat, and invited Qin Huairu to sit down.

Qin Huairu, who had been following along, witnessed all of this.

I was completely stunned.

At this moment, Qin Huairu finally believed that what Wang Anping said, "Without the constraints of the elderly, life is more comfortable," was true.

After all, back in my hometown, even a man in his forties or fifties has to discuss it with his elders and get their permission before he can buy something even slightly expensive.

Unlike Wang Anping, who can do whatever he wants and make decisions on his own.

Qin Huairu felt incredibly lucky!

Follow Brother Wang.

They'll definitely have a good life in the future.

There wasn't a single bicycle in their entire village, but Brother Wang bought one without hesitation!

As for having no one to take care of my child after I give birth, I can always ask my mother to come and help.

Qin Huairu didn't think it was a disservice to her mother.

They can live in the city.

That's something many people would love to have.

At the entrance of Xue Ru Silk Shop.

Looking at the upscale shop in front of her, Qin Huairu hesitated at the door, not daring to go in.

He looked at Wang Anping somewhat guiltily and said:

"Brother Wang, this place looks really high-end. The things inside must be very expensive. Why don't we go to another place and save some money?"

Wang Anping saw Jiang Chuntao standing at the shop entrance, looking at him and Qin Huairu with a surprised expression, and greeted her with a smile.

This is a shop assistant; she seems to be a distant relative of Chen Xueru.

I know Wang Anping helps with the store's accounts.

Of course, we know each other.

After greeting her, Wang Anping said to Qin Huairu:

"See? I know the owner of this shop; we're friends."

"Let's go in and take a look."

"Her shop is quite famous on Qianmen Street. The shop has a full range of fabrics and has its own tailors so you can have your clothes made right there."