Chapter 138: Chapter 138

The first day Meng Cheng’an left, Tian Xiang didn’t sleep well at night, thinking about him quite a bit.

However, the New Year was approaching, and there were many things to do. The next day was New Year’s Eve. In the morning, she went to the factory to help clean the office, and in the afternoon, the holiday started, and she returned home to help with cooking.

In the evening, after having the reunion dinner, Tian Xiang asked her second brother to bring out the TV, thinking that since it’s the New Year, they should watch TV for a while.

At first, the whole family disagreed, saying it was her dowry to be taken when she got married.

Tian Xiang felt it wasn’t necessary. Her marriage was still years away, and storing electronics for too long would be troublesome if they broke.

Moreover, the Meng Family Military and Political Courtyard there also had a TV. If they got married here, there was no need to have two TVs at home, and if she moved out with Meng Cheng’an in the future, she could afford to buy a TV herself.

Finally, with Tian Xiang’s strong insistence, the family brought out the TV.

Once the TV was turned on, neighbors gathered to watch, and the small hall quickly became overcrowded, so Hu Honglian simply set up a table outside and moved the TV to the doorway.

Soon, the courtyard was packed as well.

This was something everyone hadn’t seen before, even the Tian Family’s main branch next door blushingly joined the excitement.

Tian Xiang watched for a while, then returned to her room, spread out the stationery, and began to write a letter to Meng Cheng’an.

When he left, Meng Cheng’an left her a phone number, but calling was inconvenient. She had to go to the post office, and it was particularly expensive. Writing letters was more practical, though not as timely for conversation, but she could write much more.

At this time, Tian Xiang couldn’t help but think if Meng Cheng’an were here, what could the two of them do? Watch a movie, stroll through the park, or gather with friends. It’s a rare three-day holiday, happening only once a year.

But he’s not here, and Tian Xiang had no interest in doing anything, not wanting to go anywhere.

During the three days off, except for going to pay respects to her master, Tian Xiang spent her time amidst the sound of the TV.

On the fourth day of the New Year, the factory resumed work.

In the morning, upon arrival, first, the factory held a general meeting, followed by group and departmental meetings.

By the time these meetings were over, it was already noon.

As Tian Xiang was about to go to the cafeteria, Chen Yong approached and handed her a few pieces of candy.

Tian Xiang: "What’s this about?"

Chen Yong, somewhat embarrassed, smiled and said, "I got engaged yesterday."

Tian Xiang was a bit surprised, "When did you meet the person?"

Chen Yong: "The day before yesterday."

"Congratulations! Bring her over sometime for us to meet."

Chen Yong: "You already know her."

Chen Yong lightly coughed, "Song Lan."

Tian Xiang was initially stunned but then remembered, it was a classmate from last year’s cadre training program.

This guy can really be something, liking someone quietly.

She remarked on how quickly things moved, turns out they were already seeing each other.

It’s nice, now that he has a partner, Chen Yong not only shed his label as a small villain but wasn’t a street loafer either.

Men change quite significantly when they have attachments and responsibilities.

In the following two days, Tian Xiang diligently handled her work, with not much change from usual.

On the fourth day of work, she received a letter from Beijing, and seeing it, she knew it was Meng Cheng’an who wrote it to her.

This person acted quickly, it must have been New Year’s Eve, sending it before the holiday started.

Seems he started writing to her as soon as he arrived there.

Thinking about it, she realized she had been a step behind. Even though she missed him a lot, she only picked up the pen after the year-end.

In the end, he had put in more effort in their relationship.

Tian Xiang smiled, looking at the azure sky, missing him more and more.

Meanwhile, far away in Beijing, Meng Cheng’an sat alone on a bench on the campus, lost in thought.

Mr. Meng was chatting with the principal not far away, making arrangements for his beloved grandson’s admission.

This was one of the best universities in Beijing, and Meng Cheng’an had already received a district recommendation slot. Soon, he would be able to join the class when the school started.

This was an opportunity many dreamed of. Before coming here, Meng Cheng’an had heard about the university and occasionally longed for it.

But arriving here, he found the surroundings were all grey and white, nothing special.

No one knew that separated from her, he lost the only touch of color in his eyes.

After work in the afternoon, Tian Xiang rode her bike back home, encountering Granny Liu at the alley entrance.

She was a rare visitor!

Usually, everyone buttered her up, even sought out the bridge to ask her to mediate for matches. She wouldn’t actively visit.

So who was she matchmaking for today?

Granny Liu spotted Tian Xiang, smiled brightly, greeted her enthusiastically, and even laughed while conversing with her for a bit.

Once Tian Xiang returned, she learned Granny Liu came to propose a match for her second brother.

The prospective bride was from the Red Fifth Street Textile Factory, and her father was the director of the factory. If Tian Chenhui agreed to the marriage, he could immediately transfer to the textile factory, and the barber shop job could be passed on to the eldest, allowing the family to return to the city.

Granny Liu knew Hu Honglian was picky, so she didn’t rush to bring the girl over but came to assess the situation, suggesting Hu Honglian could see the girl first and talk further if she was suitable.

Tian Xiang: "Mom, you didn’t agree, did you?"

The conditions on the girl’s side seemed considerably better than theirs, but anyone with a little brain knew they wanted to climb up to the Meng Family. Their agenda was focused on them.

Hu Honglian: "I certainly didn’t agree."

She’s not foolish, she knew exactly what those people were thinking.

Moreover, Mr. Meng had already mentioned he’d help solve the two sons’ work issues. Once their jobs were stable, they could discuss further, so she wasn’t in a hurry.

Hu Honglian not only rejected Granny Liu but in the following days, also refused several other matchmakers from Sanli Lane.

When those looking to marry saw she rejected everyone, rumors began circulating secretly, saying she was now putting on airs after connecting with a good family!

Hu Honglian couldn’t care less about those people; she was proud, so what?

Alright, she’s not just proud, her tail’s even up in the clouds.

Some with ill intentions began spreading rumors that Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an’s relationship was not going well. Initially, it was the Tian Family disagreeing, now it’s the Meng Family looking down on them. Otherwise, why didn’t Meng Cheng’an arrange for Tian Xiang when he went to Beijing for university?

And Tian Xiang’s two brothers hadn’t secured good jobs yet, with the eldest brother’s family even moving back to the countryside.

Their connection had been made, besides some large gifts, nothing seemed to change!

Eventually, some people seemed to be waiting for the Tian Family to make a joke of themselves.

This time, He Cuifen didn’t join the gossip group, having been affected by the last incident, becoming quieter, with a much more normalized mindset.

Tian Chuying, needless to say, started studying instead.

But those wanting to see the joke were destined to be disappointed. Soon after, Tian Chenhui passed the recruitment selection at the cultural center, smoothly transitioning from a cleaner to a junior cadre, moving to Red Fifth Street.

Tian Haiyun managed to secure a job at the place where he was sent, gradually transferring toward this side. He and his wife could both move back, solving housing issues, much better than squeezing into a crowded hostel.

These things happened so naturally, even Tian Xiang didn’t notice, thinking she had become the protagonist with her family’s luck having turned.

The daughter was fair and honest, an excellent worker, a model socialist youth, while Hu Honglian and Tian Weibing kept quiet.