NOVEL WEB Chapter 197: 197 Newlywed
During the brief moment they were eating, the ground outside was already completely covered by snow.
The four siblings hurriedly drove away. Before leaving, Sun Yun reminded them that they couldn't leave the donkey out in the barn; otherwise, it would freeze to death.
Zhao Yanli and the others weren't as particular as Su Yuanyuan, so keeping the donkey in the living room didn't bother them.
After the siblings left, Zhao Qingxiang also led the other donkey and four sheep inside. He also filled another room with many sweet potato vines and brought in a lot of firewood.
The couple busied themselves for almost two hours before everything was sorted.
"Qingxiang, you missed the heavy snow here. Do you know why our houses here are all low? It's to prevent them from collapsing under the weight of the snow."
"Alright, we've brought everything in. Even if it snows heavily, we don't have to worry about anything."
Zhao Qingxiang fetched water for Sun Yun, letting her wash up, and then led her to the bed.
As newlyweds, they were exploring matters between men and women for the first time. Zhao Qingxiang was indeed savoring this new experience.
While it snowed outside, the atmosphere inside was bustling with warmth.
With plenty of time and no disturbances, Zhao Qingxiang was completely indulged.
Meanwhile, the four siblings at home began to prepare the necessary items, also leading the donkey into the living room because if it froze, it would be troublesome and heartbreaking. It was a major helper in farming.
The three girls sat on the bed, not being picky about their seats.
Since it was daytime, and moreover afternoon, the three sisters were making shoes.
After Zhao Qingjie woke from his nap, he also joined in sewing the shoe soles.
He never thought it was unmanly to do such tasks; as long as it brought in money, he was willing to do it.
The four siblings worked while having a casual chat.
While talking, the topic shifted to Su Yuanyuan.
"Xiao Li, you have the best relationship with Yuanyuan."
"Yeah, back in the old home, Xiao Ling and the others told me not to approach Yuanyuan, but I just thought Yuanyuan was good, and I liked talking to her."
"Yes, I remember her helping us with work."
"Who wouldn't say so? At that time, I was really touched. I thought, see, my close friend can come to help us. I remember seeing her work for the village head and the women's director."
"Well, they also did some work for her."
"No doubt! I watched her single-handedly managing two acres of land, and it was hard to believe.
You guys don't know; people used to say she'd starve."
"I didn't believe it. I thought she'd definitely make it." Zhao Yanping said with a smile. The first time seeing sheep pulling the plow, that's what I thought.
"Yuanyuan truly is smart." Zhao Xiaojing nodded.
Zhao Qingjie listened from the side. Perhaps it was then that he started to pay attention to the young girl.
In the evening, the siblings ate cabbage soup, reluctant to eat the radishes. When they were harvested, they sliced them into shreds to preserve them longer.
With salt and oil, it wasn't difficult to eat, and this time Zhao Yanping fried some scallion in the wok.
Everything tasted better, and the four siblings ate their fill. They didn't want to use the lamp, so they all went to rest.
In the middle of the night, they woke up from the cold. Zhao Qingjie heard the noise and got up. He felt cold too, but as an older boy, he had energy.
"You guys get on the bed; I'll make a fire."
"Second Brother, why don't you stay in the same room with us? I'm afraid the firewood won't be enough."
"Alright, bring my luggage inside."
The next day, they didn't know what time it was. "Second Brother, if we earn money next year, you should buy a watch."
Zhao Qingjie nodded; without time, it was really inconvenient.
They wanted to open the door; it swung inward. As they opened the main door, snow instantly rushed in, falling directly on Zhao Xiaojing.
The three siblings were shocked and quickly pulled Zhao Xiaojing out.
What a situation, with so much snow, how could they go out?
They swiftly shoveled the snow away and decided to cook; eventually, they had to shovel snow to go out.
Su Yuanyuan and Tan Shaoting also encountered the snow, but it wasn't as heavy. They were almost leaving the northern region, where temperatures weren't as low.
"I wonder how heavy the snow is at home?"
"It should be quite a bit."
"Our wheat was planted in vain." Su Yuanyuan sighed, resigning herself.
"Well, it might actually turn out okay."
"Let's hope so."
"Yuanyuan, you've grown taller again."
Su Yuanyuan was suddenly taken aback by Tan Shaoting's words. She knew she had grown taller since her clothes were getting short.
"Yuanyuan, you're about 1.6 meters now, right?"
"Can you help me measure?" she said, taking out a tape measure from the space.
Tan Shaoting smiled as he took it, asking Su Yuanyuan to step on one end. "1.58 meters."
Su Yuanyuan smiled, thinking she would soon be 13 years old in 1961, and by New Year, she could claim to be 14. Now at 1.58, if she could reach 1.65, it would be great.
She hadn't noticed Tan Shaoting's unusual demeanor.
Just now while measuring her height, Tan Shaoting felt like he was hugging her. Now at 17, he felt different from before; this time was special.
"Looks like drinking milk really works. Tan Shaoting, don't you think?"
Tan Shaoting composed himself and nodded, "Yes, it does. I've grown taller too; can you measure for me?"
Su Yuanyuan nodded with a smile, took the tape measure, stood on tiptoe, and stretched out her arm to barely measure him. "You're 1.83 meters. You don't need to grow any taller; you're tall enough."
Tan Shaoting nodded with a smile, "Yes, tall enough." Indeed, these past few years of growth had been rapid. After living with Su Yuanyuan, he grew a lot. With good nutrition, while people fretted over food, they enjoyed varied meals. How could they not grow? He was taller than his previous life and close to his first life height.
Tan Shaoting just felt another heartbeat; Su Yuanyuan was especially close to him again, experiencing that accelerated heartbeat.
"Yuanyuan, what do you think about us getting married?"
Su Yuanyuan was putting away the tape measure when Tan Shaoting abruptly asked, leaving her stunned.
"Why do you have this idea?"
"We've lived together for several years. Isn't it natural for us to be together?"
"I thought you considered me as a sister."
Tan Shaoting shook his head. "I never thought of you that way. Never regarded you as a sister; initially, I thought of you as a companion."
Su Yuanyuan laughed, "That's the most unique relation term I've heard. Companion? Yes, indeed, a companion."
Watching Su Yuanyuan laugh, Tan Shaoting laughed too, not minding her changing the topic.
They were still young, in no hurry, having been together for so many years, with no change in their relationship.