Refusing to marry a widower, I went on a crazy spree of sending my children to the army.

Chapter 204: Focusing only on external affairs, neglecting internal moral cultivation.

To be honest, Kyoto is quite different from Yang County. Especially the Lu family, who not only have electric lights but also heating.

Although it didn't burn as fiercely as in later times, wearing a sweater kept you warm.

Qiao Manman took a black sweater and a pair of black pants out of her suitcase and put them on. She casually tied her hair up and prepared to go downstairs.

But Lu Yuan embraced her, saying, "You're too delicate!"

"Oh, really?" Looking down, she realized it was true. She grabbed her dark green wool coat and put it on, which barely covered her figure, but it made her skin look even whiter and more charming.

Lu Yuan's eyes were deep, but he said nothing. He held her hand tightly and went downstairs, where they were greeted by the teasing gazes of the family of three.

"Look at this newlywed couple, they have such a good relationship!"

Xie Susu raised her hand: "Manman, come here. Aunt Zhou steamed some eggs for us."

Qiao Manman obediently sat down in front of Xie Susu, thanked her, took a couple of sips of her drink, and handed the bowl to Lu Yuan: "I can't eat anymore, could you please help me out!"

Lu Yuan didn't mind and finished all the steamed egg custard. The family chatted and laughed, and soon the food was served.

Lunch was a welcome feast, a very lavish meal. Dinner was a simple home-cooked meal, just a pot of noodle soup, a mix of wheat and brown noodles, with some pickled vegetables.

Qiao Manman had no appetite and only ate a couple of bites before stopping.

Xie Susu, being observant, asked her, "Is it because you're not used to the food?"

Xie Susu thought to herself that compared to the "small and humble" Qiao family, this food was almost like feeding pigs, so it was normal for Manman not to be used to it.

She smiled and shook her head: "No, I just slept too long at noon and my head is a little throbbing. I was just telling Lu Yuan to come out with me to get some fresh air and clear my head."

Xie Susu understood and instructed Lu Yuan, "It's windy tonight, take Manman to see a movie!"

Lu Yuan hummed in agreement, finished his soup noodles, went upstairs to get his military overcoat, and had Qiao Manman change into it.

The two went out together, rode their family bicycles, and left the military compound in the middle of the night.

A gust of wind stung her cheeks. Qiao Manman felt the Kyoto night was truly cold. She couldn't understand how Lu Yuan, riding his bike, could endure it!

Unlike Yang County, the capital city was not pitch black at night. The streetlights were on, giving it a sense of tranquility reminiscent of later generations.

Lu Yuan parked his car at the entrance of the movie theater. Before he could buy a ticket, he ran into Wang Xingwen, his childhood friend.

Wang Xingwen was surrounded by a bunch of cronies, their sisters, and their lovers.

In short, a large group of men and women greeted Lu Yuan with smiles.

"Brother Lu, it's been a long time. This is... your cousin?"

"My wife!"

Lu Yuan said with a smile, "We just got our marriage certificate and are planning to hold the wedding in a couple of days!"

"Oh, you got married? How come that's so sudden?"

"Well, it wasn't that sudden. I pursued Manman for almost half a year before she agreed to get a marriage certificate with me." Lu Yuan smiled proudly.

"May I ask whose wife she is?"

"She's not from our circle."

Before Wang Xingwen could speak, a shrill female voice rang out: "Could it be that she's a former educated youth sent to the countryside, trying to seduce you so she can get back to the city?"

Lu Yuan's expression turned cold: "Miss Meng, please refrain from speaking recklessly."

My wife had a proper job before she married me. She was an outstanding employee at her factory, and we got engaged to each other through the factory manager's introduction.

How did it become a secret transaction in your mouth?

"Brother Lu, that's not what I meant. I just think that with your family background, even if you can't find someone of equal social standing, you don't have to settle for marrying a country bumpkin!"

As soon as she finished speaking, her friend tugged at her sleeve: "Sister Shanshan, look at your sister-in-law, she's not unfashionable at all!"

"Hmph, she's just using the Lu family's money to put on an act. If you ask me, like father, like son. Lu Yuan, you should marry my sister..."

Lu Yuan interrupted her, "I didn't expect that after so many years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, Miss Meng Shanshan still has such strong class consciousness. It seems that Political Commissar Meng only does external work but doesn't cultivate her own private morality!"

"What right do you have to talk about my dad like that!"

"And what gives you the right to criticize my wife!"

"Alright, alright, we're all friends, let's not be so confrontational. Shanshan is only trying to help you, so don't take it to heart."

"For my own good? For my own good, you mean to ridicule my wife? Wang Xingwen, it's been years, I never expected you to take sides like this. We're on different paths, so please do as you see fit!"

"I'm telling you, why are you still so stubborn?"

In our capital, every prominent family consolidates its status through marriage alliances. Shanshan said that because she thinks you should marry someone who will benefit your career.”

"I! Don't! Need!"

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, word by word, he asked, "My Lu family has come this far through hard work and a pure heart. Even if we form a marriage alliance, how much higher can we rise?"

Besides, I sincerely want to marry Comrade Qiao Manman. For her, it's a marriage down. For me, it's a marriage up! You simply don't understand how good she is!

"Tch, she's just a woman, what's so special about her? I think she's just a vixen who's bewitched Brother Lu!" the chubby Meng Xiaoyun said sarcastically.

Qiao Manman was very angry that she was insulted like that.

But she didn't show it on her face, and asked with a smile, "Comrade, you know a lot about this place."

What's wrong? Has someone in your family been bewitched by a vixen, or are you in love with my Lu Yuan and just jealous that I get to marry him?

"What nonsense are you spouting? It's utterly absurd!"

"It's better than you being jealous!" Qiao Manman rolled her eyes: "At least I'm his lawfully wedded wife. If you look down on me, you're looking down on him."

We grew up wearing the same pants as each other, and this is what friendship is? I wouldn't even give it to a dog!

"Young lady, that's really rude of you!"

"It's none of your business that you made a mess of things!"

"Now that you're in Kyoto, I advise you to tone down your temper. This isn't like your backyard, where a single brick could kill a minister. Watch your words, and don't cause trouble for the Lu family."

Qiao Manman nodded: "I've got it. And please remember this, comrade: fortunes change every thirty years."

The leaders all say that workers and peasants are one family, and we are all proletarian fighters. Please internalize this sentiment and put it into practice.

Wang Xingwen looked at Qiao Manman carefully, feeling that Lu Yuan's wife was not as weak and simple as she appeared.

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, Comrade Qiao. To show my sincerity, I'll treat you and Brother Lu to a movie today."

Qiao Manman politely declined: "Thank you for your kind offer, Comrade Wang, but we have different tastes. Let's buy tickets separately!"

Lu Yuan nodded and looked at the ticket seller: "Comrade, please give me two tickets for 'Battle Against the Flood'."

"Okay, comrade, that's four mao in total, please keep it safe!" The ticket seller quickly tore off two tickets and handed them to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan paid the money, and Qiao Manman took the ticket.

As soon as the two turned around, they heard someone behind them say, "What a coincidence! We're also looking at 'The Battle Against the Flood'!"