Huang Guihua returned from the fields unusually early today. As soon as she saw Su Tian come back, she closed the door, her eyes sparkling, and crept up to Su Tian like a little thief, whispering, “So? So? Did it happen?”
Su Tian: “???”
“Mom, don’t be like that. We just went to meet— it’s not like I drugged him or anything!” She had a feeling her mom thought she was trying to force things.
In response, her mother gave her a loving smack on the arm, making a sharp clap: “What nonsense are you talking? I’m asking about that man, Su Lili’s cousin?” That was such a distant relative!
Su Tian smiled and corrected her: “His name is Qin Yan. Just call him Xiao Qin from now on.”
Huang Guihua’s eyes lit up: “Nice name! You two match perfectly!”
Su Tian knew her mom was judging her future son-in-law as a mother-in-law would—everything about him looked pleasing in her eyes. She didn’t mind and teased: “Congratulations, Mom. My future fiancé has been found. We’re already in a relationship, so don’t introduce anyone else to me—I already belong to someone.”
“Already belongs to someone…” Huang Guihua wanted to tease more, but Su Tian cupped her face with both hands, blinking sweetly. She looked so cute and beautiful—like a flower, even at this age. Well, a little daughter narcissism is natural.
Mom asked, “So when will our flower bring him home? Su Lili already got pregnant, and you’re still playing around as the older sister!”
In Huang Guihua’s mind, once someone looks right, it’s time to take action. Su Lili had gone to the city for three days, booked the marriage, and in less than a month, was already living as a city resident with commercial grain—no more farming. How nice! Huang Guihua’s daughter was just as good; why couldn’t she marry into the city too? Luckily, Su Tian wasn’t silly—she had picked Xiao Qin. Even though he was a single parent, he was already the head of a transport team and could drive a small truck. That was a skilled, capable young man. Sure, he might not be as good as Su Lili’s husband who was a factory director, but compared to anyone else in their town, he was excellent. Huang Guihua had checked—no one in the town was better than Xiao Qin. She was very satisfied and said, “Next time, we’ll invite Xiao Qin over for a meal. Mom will make him salted duck.”
Efficiency is key in the countryside. Their family wasn’t the type to drag things out. Marriage preparations could start—Su Tian was nearly twenty, and delaying would waste her prime time.
Su Tian nodded: “Okay. When he passes by delivering goods next Monday, I’ll tell him that his future mother-in-law will make him a big duck leg. If he doesn’t get it, then my daughter won’t be happy!”
“You little rascal…” Huang Guihua laughed and chased Su Tian around.
From outside, Su Daguo knocked on the door, interrupting their mother-daughter play: “Did you forget there’s still someone else at home?”
Su Tian opened the door, smiling at her father: “Dad, you’re back! Come in, lunch is ready. We’re having chive and duck eggs—delicious!”
Su Daguo nodded with a smile. He exchanged a silent look with his wife, realizing their obedient daughter had a boyfriend. His heart felt a mix of melancholy and pride—his sweet girl was about to marry.
Huang Guihua didn’t announce Su Tian’s relationship with Qin Yan yet. She’d wait until he came to the house; she wasn’t like Li Xiaomei who bragged at the slightest opportunity. Su Lili had married well, and her daughter wouldn’t be worse off. Xiao Qin was tall and handsome—their future children would definitely be beautiful. Huang Guihua felt proud; thanks to genetics, her daughter could be beautiful and elegant too. If Su Tian knew her mother’s thoughts, she’d probably say, “Vanity and narcissism are hereditary…”
Another Monday came—the day Qin Yan would deliver goods. The fields were busy, and Huang Guihua knew Su Tian would go to the road intersection. She made sure to warn her: “You better not do anything reckless, and neither should Xiao Qin. If I don’t see you by noon, watch out—your legs might get broken.”
Su Tian laughed and rolled her eyes: “Mom, you’re overthinking. How could we be reckless? The round trip only takes about an hour. You’re giving me too much credit.” She wasn’t careless.
“Go on, I’m only doing this for your own good. If you dare, I’ll hit you!” In the conservative countryside, if you did anything out of line, gossip alone could ruin you. Her daughter was so beautiful, and young men were hot-blooded—better warn her ahead of time.
Su Tian shook her head, understanding her mother meant well. Su Lili had been a cautionary tale—if she hadn’t had those issues with Chen Xiaojun, she wouldn’t have been trapped by circumstances. Bad history is hard to erase.
This time, Qin Yan arrived first. Su Tian was walking since the village bicycle was borrowed. It was almost May, the weather hot, and she broke into a sweat from walking quickly. Her cheeks flushed pink, eyes bright and moist like juicy peaches.
Qin Yan was captivated, unable to look away, staring at her with intense, slightly possessive eyes.
Su Tian smiled at Qin Yan’s heated gaze, removed her straw hat to fan herself, and dabbed sweat with a handkerchief, her forehead dotted with fine beads of sweat. She was utterly sweltering.
“Don’t recognize me?” Su Tian waved the handkerchief to catch his attention, seeing him staring silently.
Qin Yan took Su Tian’s straw hat and fanned her: “Why didn’t you ride a bike?”
“The owner of the bike was using it, and it’s not far. Walking’s fine,” Su Tian smiled.
“Weren’t you riding your family’s Erba Dazhang last time?” Qin Yan was surprised and felt sorry that she had to walk. Actually, it wasn’t very close—he’d been there before; even by car it takes ten minutes, so walking would take at least half an hour. No wonder she was sweating so much. Feeling guilty and concerned, Qin Yan fanned her vigorously.
Su Tian enjoyed the “boyfriend fanning” service and said with a smile, “No, our family doesn’t have a car. You need an industrial permit, which is hard to get, so we’ve never bought one.”
“What brand do you like?” Qin Yan had connections and didn’t need the industrial permit.
“Yongjiu brand!” Su Tian’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. “Can you get one? Could you help me buy a car? Money isn’t a problem—we… we have some.”
Her family didn’t have much, but Su Tian herself was now a “big rich girl.” From her last livestream selling the Monkey Stamps, she’d earned nearly 900,000. That’s ten-thousands, not thousands, not just yuan.
“No rush. I’ll get it first, then we’ll talk,” Qin Yan said, thinking he’d give it to her without taking any money.
Su Tian didn’t know Qin Yan’s thoughts. She thought she could pay once the car arrived—big purchases shouldn’t be taken for free. She had the money anyway!
Su Tian recounted her mother’s advice to Qin Yan. Without hesitation, he said, “I’m off on Sunday. I’ll come to your house that day.”
Su Tian had no objections; she knew it was the right time to discuss marriage. She wasn’t one to tease or toy with someone. Qin Yan had good character, looked good, and for her, he was the best choice.
Su Tian nodded: “Alright, I’ll wait at home.”
Qin Yan’s ears turned bright red. Thinking of something, he asked, “What kind of wine does your uncle like? I’ll bring two bottles for him.”
Su Tian smiled: “Just Huangjiu (yellow wine).”
Qin Yan: “…”
“And my mom likes peach cookies. Just get two pounds of them.”
Qin Yan nodded and asked Su Tian, “And you?”
Su Tian smiled: “I’m happy as long as you come!”
Qin Yan, usually cool and expressionless, suddenly flushed, slightly turned his head, and shyly smiled—a pure and bashful expression that left Su Tian stunned.
Qin Yan felt delighted inside; even without eating candy, it felt sweet.