Han Shiguo smiled and said, “Auntie, this is just a small token of my regard.”
He handed over the gifts he had brought.
Zhou Guiyun accepted them and said with a playful scold, “You came, and that should have been enough. Why bring things? Could Auntie’s place really be short of a cup of tea for you?”
That was what she said, but seeing Han Shiguo so earnestly carrying things in both hands—sweets and pastries aside, he had even brought cigarettes and liquor—the sincerity of his gesture made it impossible for the smile on Zhou Guiyun’s face to fade.
It was not because of the gifts; the Jiang family was not lacking this one share of presents. It was because of the thoughtfulness shown by this prospective son-in-law who had pleased her at first sight!
That was right. He was already a prospective son-in-law!
After seeing him in person, Zhou Guiyun understood why Aunt Jiang had hurried back three years ago to arrange an engagement between her marriageable niece and him, and why Matchmaker Zhang had nearly praised him to the heavens that morning.
His character and appearance truly left nothing to criticize!
If even a man like this was not good enough, what kind of man could one possibly choose? In any case, Zhou Guiyun did not have such lofty standards. She was truly satisfied!
After sending her daughter-in-law to prepare sweetened tea, she invited them into the main room to sit.
Zhao Aiying soon prepared several cups of sweetened tea. Every cup was filled with a thick layer of sugar, sweet enough to make one’s throat ache.
When Han’s mother saw the sugar in the enamel cup, the smile on her face deepened as well.
It was the same old saying: whether people welcomed you or not could be judged by how much sugar was in your cup!
There was no need for Aunt Jiang or Matchmaker Zhang to keep the conversation going. Jiang Father, the Brigade Leader, had already begun discussing this year’s harvest with Han Father.
That opened the floodgates of conversation. Zhou Guiyun chatted from the side, and Han’s mother occasionally joined in.
That was how people of their generation were. Once they started talking, they could continue for three days and three nights without stopping. No topic? That was impossible.
Eldest Sister-in-law Zhao Aiying also kept them company and explained to Han’s mother that Jiang Shouhai and his brothers had gone into the mountains early that morning to gather firewood, which was why none of them were home at the moment.
It needed to be explained; otherwise, people might think the family had no manners, with not one son coming out to entertain the guests.
Han’s mother expressed her understanding.
If not for today’s occasion, she would have sent her sons to gather firewood as well.
As everyone chatted, they occasionally asked about Han Shiguo’s affairs in the military camp. Han Shiguo answered each question in turn. He did not need to say anything else; he only had to sit properly and let the Jiang family take a good look at him.
After staying for a while, Second Sister-in-law Zhao Aifeng smiled and went to the younger sister-in-law’s room.
Third Sister-in-law Su Zhirou was in Jiang Qian’s room. Jiang Qian was giving her Third Sister-in-law pointers on preparing lessons, along with some teaching experience and the like.
But they were not deaf. They had heard everything long ago. Now that they saw Second Sister-in-law Zhao Aifeng come in, Jiang Qian’s face flushed again.
After all, she was still an unmarried young woman. The handsome soldier she had met was now coming to her home for a blind date, so naturally she felt a young woman’s shyness and nervousness.
Su Zhirou smiled and asked Zhao Aifeng, “Second Sister-in-law, what is he like?”
“There’s nothing to criticize!” Zhao Aifeng answered without the slightest hesitation, giving him the highest possible evaluation.
“Come on, let’s go out and take a look.” Su Zhirou smiled at her younger sister-in-law.
Although Jiang Qian’s face was flushed, she still needed to confirm whether he was the same man she had met yesterday.
So she followed her Second Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law outside.
Yesterday, after learning that there would be a blind date, Jiang Qian soaked some red beans in advance.
Today, she had specially made red bean cake, and now Jiang Qian carried out a plate of it to serve the guests.
“Aunt, this is the red bean cake I made this morning. Please try some.” She was shy, but Jiang Qian carried the pastries in with graceful composure.
Aunt Jiang beamed. “Good, good.” She also introduced Han’s father and mother, as well as Han Shiguo, to her niece. “This is your Uncle Han, your Aunt Han, and this is Shiguo.”
“Hello, Uncle Han. Hello, Aunt Han.” Jiang Qian smiled faintly and greeted them. Naturally, she also glanced at Han Shiguo. When she saw him looking at her as well, she became slightly bashful and invited them to eat the pastries.
“Qianqian, do you remember me? I sprained my ankle last year, and you helped me,” Han’s mother said happily.
“I remember. Auntie, is your foot better now?” Jiang Qian asked with a smile.
She also felt a little amused inwardly. Both of her marriage prospects had come from helping an Old Lady cross the street. It seemed that, whenever circumstances allowed, one really should do more good deeds.
Of course, she had not thought of any of that before doing the good deeds.
Do good deeds without asking what the future will bring.
“It’s better. The doctor you recommended had excellent medical skills. I was fine that very day,” Han’s mother said, clearly in an extremely good mood.
“That’s good.” Jiang Qian smiled and nodded.
Aunt Jiang also found a topic. “Are you busy at school usually? Are the students all very mischievous?”
“Not particularly. The students are quite good too. There are a few mischievous ones, but they can still be reasoned with.” Jiang Qian smiled.
Aunt Jiang smiled at her gentle niece. “That is because you have a good temperament and plenty of patience. You never hit the students.”
Education in those days had no concept of avoiding corporal punishment. If a student was disobedient, the teacher would simply pick up a bamboo switch and reason with them.
But Jiang Qian could not bring herself to hit anyone. However, whenever the teacher in the neighboring class struck students, she would take the mischievous ones over to watch and tell them, “If you don’t behave, and I can’t teach you anymore, I’ll have no choice but to send you to the neighboring class.”
Under that threat, not a single one dared to misbehave. Every one of them chose Teacher Jiang, who was gentle and never hit anyone!
“If they can be reasoned with, there’s no need to hit them.” Jiang Qian smiled, then said to Han’s mother and the others, “I still have to go back and prepare my lessons. Auntie, please continue chatting.”
“All right.” Han’s mother looked at Jiang Qian’s scholarly air and found herself more and more satisfied. Smiling broadly, she nodded.
After appearing briefly, Jiang Qian returned to her room.
Su Zhirou followed her back and said softly with a smile, “No wonder you took a fancy to him at first sight, Little Sister. His looks are truly one in ten thousand!”
Jiang Qian’s face flushed, but she retorted, “Isn’t my Third Brother handsome?” She was not bragging; the Jiang family’s genes were truly exceptional. They were a whole family of handsome men and beautiful women.
Even the second branch of the family was not lacking in looks. Jiang Yue and Jiang Shouliu were both quite attractive.
“Your Third Brother is certainly handsome too, but speaking honestly, compared with this one, he is still a little inferior!” Su Zhirou smiled gently.
The reason she had married Jiang Shouhe after being sent to the countryside was not merely because she was afraid of doing farm work. More importantly, Jiang Shouhe really was tall and handsome.
He was 1.8 meters tall, handsome, dependable, and the Jiang family truly had good family values. That was why she had married him without hesitation.
“When Third Brother comes back, I’ll tell him that Third Sister-in-law thinks he is inferior to other men. Just wait and see whether he scolds you, Third Sister-in-law.” Jiang Qian put on a show of bravado.
Su Zhirou laughed. “Am I not even allowed to speak the truth? Come on, tell me. Are you satisfied or not?”
“I don’t know.” Jiang Qian’s face was bright red.
Although she had only glanced at Han Shiguo when she first carried the pastries in and Aunt Jiang introduced him, and had not looked at him again from beginning to end, her heart was still pounding like a startled deer.
She really had no self-control when it came to handsome men.
But one had to forgive her. Han Shiguo really was handsome, and he had struck every point of her aesthetic preferences!
As a young woman, her state of mind had not yet reached that level of cultivation. She truly could not withstand it!