The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 557 - 528

Chapter 557: 528

He Tiantian knew that it wasn’t easy for Qi Xiaoyan and Niu Dajun to come together, and she didn’t want to delay her friend’s most important moment in life, so she didn’t want to stay here any longer.

At the same time, with Niu Lili here, He Tiantian wasn’t worried that anyone would bully Qi Xiaoyan.

He Tiantian came over to bid farewell to Qi Xiaoyan, saying, "Xiao Yan, we should head back now, I wish you a joyful wedding night!"

Now that she was about to leave, He Tiantian also couldn’t resist teasing Qi Xiaoyan one last time.

He Tiantian would definitely not admit that she just loved to see Qi Xiaoyan’s shy, helpless look—it was especially amusing to her.

"You little rascal, always talking nonsense," scolded Qi Xiaoyan with a smile, "If I kept you here, you would continue to tease me non-stop. Hurry up and go with your little lover."

"Alright, then I’m off. We’ll catch up when you return," said He Tiantian with a smile. "I’ve also prepared a gift for you, you will definitely like it."

This was He Tiantian’s way of relieving Qi Xiaoyan’s nervousness with such words.

Getting married is a major milestone in life, and even after several years of dating, they had only held hands or shared innocent kisses, never crossing the line. So the most precious moment was saved for the wedding day.

It was no wonder she was nervous and excited today!

Niu Lili came in from outside and said, "Tiantian, don’t worry, I’m here too, I will take care of Xiao Yan."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Sister Lili," replied He Tiantian. "We’re heading off now."

"Come on, everyone grab some more wedding candies," said Niu Lili, "You can’t leave empty-handed."

For those who smoked, Niu Lili also gave each one a box of cigarettes.

Sitting on the back seat of Huo Yingjie’s bicycle, He Tiantian’s face, once filled with joyful cheer, now carried a hint of melancholy.

Huo Yingjie could feel He Tiantian’s dejection and said, "Tiantian, what’s wrong? Are you unhappy now?"

He Tiantian wrapped her arms around Huo Yingjie’s waist and rested her face against his back, murmuring softly, "I was too happy before, and now that the happy time has passed, I feel a bit melancholic."

"Ha ha!" Huo Yingjie chuckled, "To some extent, this is what’s called ’joy’s extreme causing sorrow.’

"Yes, when you reach a peak, you have to come down eventually. Whether it’s emotions or anything else," He Tiantian said, finding insight from even the smallest of things.

"Ha ha, that is what people call ’what goes up must come down,’" laughed Huo Yingjie. "But at least you still have me by your side!"

Upon hearing this, He Tiantian indeed felt a bit better and said, "That’s right, I have you by my side, and we’ll always be together from now on. Let’s never be apart again."

She couldn’t bear too much separation anymore!

"Sure, wherever I go, I’ll take you with me," Huo Yingjie said. "We will be inseparable!"

He Tiantian nodded and agreed, "Okay!"

Only when together with Huo Yingjie could He Tiantian truly feel that everything was real.

Sometimes, in her dreams, He Tiantian would doubt reality, which, from another perspective, was a manifestation of insecurity, an uncertainty about the future that made her have such dreams.

The people in front saw Huo Yingjie cycling slowly, and since it wasn’t good to disturb them, they just sped up.

Huo Yingjie and He Tiantian thus returned to the village at a leisurely pace, chatting along the way, and He Tiantian’s mood gradually improved.

Upon arrival at Qijia Village, they didn’t return home but went to Secretary Qi’s house to report the situation of the groom’s family and to reassure Secretary Qi.

Secretary Qi invited them to stay for dinner, and without standing on ceremony, they all enjoyed a meal of communal dishes at his house before dispersing.

In the village, people who had helped began to tidy up the pots and pans, tables, and chairs.

He Tiantian noticed that Village Chief Qi and Liang Hongyu, who had been exuberant and joyous in the morning, now looked somewhat lost and melancholic.

He Tiantian understood, as a friend, she too would feel melancholy, not to mention Qi Xiaoyan’s parents.

Leaving home for the army and getting married are two different things.

Once a daughter is married, changes have already begun; her identity is different, and so are the responsibilities she must shoulder.

However, He Tiantian didn’t step forward to console them, knowing that even if she did, Secretary Qi and Liang Hongyu would only force smiles.

This was a process that they needed to adapt to, not something to be resolved by someone else’s consolation.

Once He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie had finished helping with the cleanup, they left.

Back at home, Third Grandma Qi, Wang Shuping, and He Jingyu were drinking tea.

"Are you done?" Third Grandma Qi asked. He Jingyu had something to take care of, so the task of helping out at Village Chief Qi’s had fallen on He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie.

"Yes!" said He Tiantian. "Hehe, we’re done now."

"Ah, now that it’s quieted down, it’s the time for Dazhu and Hongyu to feel gloomy." Third Grandma Qi said. She didn’t have a daughter, but she understood the sentiments of marrying one off.

"That’s true," said He Tiantian. "When we left, Secretary Qi and Aunt Liang were putting on brave smiles."

"It’s okay, you don’t need to worry," Third Grandma Qi reassured them. "It’s the psychology of marrying off a daughter. They’ll adjust tonight and will be better tomorrow. After all, this is a joyous occasion. Hehe, when it’s your turn to get married, your Dad and Mom will probably feel the same way."

He Jingyu looked at his precious, delicate daughter, then at the noble and elegant Huo Yingjie. He felt both happy and a tinge of sourness in his heart, and sighed, "The day Tiantian gets married, I’ll just get drunk on a bottle of wine and won’t sober up until the next day. If I don’t face it, I won’t have to be sad or force a smile."

Upon hearing this, Third Grandma Qi laughed heartily, "Hehe, you can say that now, but when the time comes, you won’t be able to let go. As much as you’re happy, you’ll be even more worried about your daughter."

"Don’t talk about such things, you’ll make your mother-in-law laugh at you," Wang Shuping said. She glanced at the two younger ones, "You two have had a long day. There’s hot water in the pot. Go wash up, and get to bed early."

"Mmm," responded He Tiantian. "Grandma, Dad, Mom, I’m going to wash up and rest."

Huo Yingjie grinned sheepishly and said, "Grandma Qi, Uncle He, Aunt Wang, I understand how you feel. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Tiantian in the future."

"That’s a must," said He Jingyu. "Hurry up and go wash up, don’t be an eyesore in front of me."

Feeling unwelcome in the eyes of his future father-in-law, Huo Yingjie quickly made himself scarce.

Only after Huo Yingjie went back to his room to grab his wash basin did Wang Shuping give He Jingyu a stern glance and say, "Your daughter isn’t married yet, and you’re already putting on the airs of a father-in-law."

He Jingyu had had a few drinks today. Although he wasn’t drunk, he was quite emotional and retorted stiffly, "He’s about to take away my daughter, of course I can’t show him a good face!"

"Alright, alright, enough," urged Wang Shuping, not wanting He Jingyu to say too much and embarrass Huo Yingjie.

Third Grandma Qi waved them off, "Yes, go get some rest, I’m off to bed myself."

Only when Huo Yingjie saw his future parents-in-law retreat into their room did he finish washing up and somewhat reluctantly went to rest.