On the day Cheng You moved back, she brought Cheng Wen Yu with her.
Cheng Wen Yu was very satisfied with the new house. Although he was well taken care of at Aunt Six's place, living under someone else's roof made him feel constrained. He felt much more at ease in his own home.
"Sister, how did I hear Dad is looking for a man for you?"
Cheng You sneered, "Don't mind him. He's not qualified to control my marriage."
Cheng Wen Yu lowered his head, his voice muffled, "Our hukou is still with him. I'm afraid he'll do something reckless."
His words reminded Cheng You of the consequences that Qi Cheng Yan had mentioned.
With Vice Director Qian's influence, it wasn't impossible for him to use Cheng You's hukou to register a marriage without her consent.
Once they were married in name, who would care if she had married him willingly or not.
"Wen Yu, you don't need to worry about these things. Your sister will handle them."
Cheng Wen Yu looked troubled, "Am I useless?"
He had promised to protect Cheng You, but there were many things he couldn't help her resolve.
Cheng You was only eighteen years old. Zhao Li Fang was older than Cheng You, and her family treated her so well.
"As long as you study hard, you'll have your time to shine. Then it won't be too late to protect me."
Cheng Wen Yu nodded. "Our teacher praises me for being smart. Sister, I won't disappoint you again in the future."
Cheng You smiled. She wasn't entirely alone. She still had her brother.
The brother her mother had left her.
...
The days passed peacefully, and time flew by to November.
It was the kind of weather where one needed to be wrapped in a cotton-padded jacket just to go outside. Cheng You wished she could just hide at home all day and never come out.
It was too cold.
She opened the window to a world of white.
Cheng Wen Yu had woken up early to clear the snow, gradually revealing the floor underneath.
She got dressed and went out. It was practically a daily ritual to report to Uncle Li's place on time.
"I'll make you breakfast. Eat up, then go to school. Remember to pack an extra pair of cotton socks in your bag. Change them if they get wet."
Cheng Wen Yu responded, his face flushed red from the cold, his breath misting in the air.
Cheng You finished making the noodles and called him inside to eat. After the siblings finished, they went their separate ways.
"Sister, can you give me a few more cans of the chapped skin cream? I have classmates who want to buy it."
Thanks to Cheng Wen Yu, the chapped skin cream business had already expanded to the commune.
Some people had even found out where Uncle Li lived and came to buy it in person.
Because the weather was unbearable, Cheng You hadn't been developing new medicines. She was sticking with these few for now.
Uncle Li had told her to use this time to build a solid foundation and not rush things.
"I still have some in my room. You can take them with you."
After packing, Cheng Wen Yu prepared to head to school.
Cheng You watched his retreating back, having thought about buying a bicycle many times.
Unfortunately, she didn't have a coupon.
Even Uncle Li had a hard time getting her one.
Cheng You wrapped her scarf tightly, obscuring half of her face, and put on a cotton hat. She was fully bundled up as she went out.
Not long after, she encountered Qi Cheng Yan. They passed each other without so much as a glance.
The educated youths at the commune were already used to it.
Cheng You hadn't sought out Qi Cheng Yan for a long time, which was clear evidence that they had broken up.
Cheng You lowered her gaze, her hand resting over her chest, where a dull ache still lingered.
It was just that not enough time had passed.
With more time, he would find a more suitable partner, and they would go their separate ways, truly parting ways.
Cheng You walked to Uncle Li's house and skillfully began her work.
Not long after, San Leng rushed in.
"Sister, there are so many people at your house! They say they're here to propose marriage and discuss your wedding!"
He was afraid Cheng You would be too late and be married off by Cheng Tian Hua.
Cheng You sneered, "Discuss marriage? I'm getting married, and I don't even know about it? San Leng, where's your grandmother?"
"She's at a meeting at the commune women's federation!"
It was precisely because of this that San Leng was so anxious.
They must have been waiting for his grandmother to be away to force through the marriage against Cheng You's wishes.
Cheng You's expression darkened. Cheng Tian Hua and his ilk were never a moment's peace.
"I'll go back and take a look."
"Sister, I'll go with you!"
Cheng You stopped him. "Go find your parents for me. If I can't handle it alone, have your parents come help me."
San Leng nodded quickly. "I'll go right away."
Watching him run off, Cheng You turned to Uncle Li.
"Uncle, I'll head back to take a look."
Uncle Li nodded. "If you need anything, just say the word. Don't try to bear everything alone. We're not dead people."
He wasn't intervening now because this was Cheng You's family matter.
But if Cheng Tian Hua dared to force Cheng You, he would certainly not stand by idly.
The Old Li family was not so poor that they couldn't support one more daughter.
Cheng You nodded and walked out, looking somewhat weary.
Constantly battling wits with those people, who wouldn't be tired?
At this moment, the entrance to the Cheng family home was crowded with people. Vice Director Qian had personally come to propose, bringing a substantial amount of gifts.
Among them was a brand new bicycle.
Cheng Tian Hua saw it and asked, "Brother Zhong, your son isn't here?"
How could the groom-to-be be absent from his own proposal?
Vice Director Qian chuckled, "He's a bit busy today. I figured, marriage is a major decision for parents, and my presence is enough."
Cheng Tian Hua smiled and nodded. Cheng You wasn't here either, so it was the same.
As long as today passed and the marriage was settled, they could arrange a date for the certificate, and the matter would be concluded.
It was a done deal, and Cheng You wouldn't be able to disagree.
"Please come in, let's talk inside."
Cheng Tao looked at the gifts outside, her eyes glinting with envy.
"Dad, should we bring these inside?"
Cheng Tian Hua waved his hand. "Leave them here for now."
He wanted to display them outside for everyone to see. He, Cheng Tian Hua, was about to marry into Vice Director Qian's family.
In his opinion, this was a monumental event.
What right did Cheng You have to be dissatisfied?
Cheng Tao and Song Yu Lian exchanged knowing smiles. The thought of Cheng You marrying a man old enough to be her father made them feel extremely pleased.
Two hundred yuan as betrothal gifts was truly a bargain for her.
A large crowd had gathered outside, all of them watching.
Upon hearing that Cheng You was to be engaged to the Vice Director's son, they all began to express their envy.
But who could blame them? Cheng Tian Hua had such a beautiful daughter, and she was capable.
"A bicycle! And it's new! The Vice Director's family is so generous!"
"Not only that, but two hundred yuan as betrothal gifts! Have you ever seen such a high betrothal gift for a daughter's marriage?"
"These fabrics are also good. It's clear the Vice Director's family dotes on their daughter-in-law."
Cheng Tao couldn't deny her envy. She hadn't received any of these things when she got married.
Zhao Yun Lin held her arm. "Let's go inside and sit too. You're pregnant."
Cheng Tao's movements stiffened, and she nodded.
According to what she and Zhao Yun Lin had discussed, the baby in her belly was already three months old.
In a little over a month, her pregnancy would start to show. She still hadn't figured out what to do.