Outside, Zhou Guiyun and Han's mother, as well as Jiang Father and Han Father, found plenty to talk about. However, after staying for a little over an hour, Han Father and Han's mother brought up taking their leave.
As for the gifts Han Shiguo had brought, the Jiang family put up a token protest, but they were the sincerity of the Han family, so they ultimately kept them.
Keeping Han Shiguo's gifts said everything that needed to be said.
Although neither family discussed Han Shiguo and Jiang Qian much from beginning to end, they both understood perfectly well.
And all of this still required Matchmaker Zhang to run back and forth, convey both sides' intentions, and leave everyone some room to maneuver.
Sure enough, Matchmaker Zhang came out with them. She told Han Father, Han's mother, and Han Shiguo to wait for her at the village entrance, while she stayed behind.
“It’s too late today. How about tomorrow? Have Shiguo ride his bicycle and take Qianqian into town for a look around?” After the Han family left, Matchmaker Zhang asked Zhou Guiyun with a smile.
Zhou Guiyun was in an excellent mood. She had a very good impression of the Han family and could tell what kind of people Han Father and Han's mother were. They were not the sort of harsh and petty parents-in-law who would make life difficult.
Aunt Jiang knew this best of all. She had been married into Han Family Village for more than ten years.
If Han Father and Han's mother had been deceitful and crafty people, then no matter how good Han Shiguo was, she would never have returned to her parents' home to recommend him.
Clearly, Han Father and Han's mother were both good people.
That was why Aunt Jiang had dared to take the lead in arranging this matter.
Since the elders were good people, and Han Shiguo also suited the taste of this prospective mother-in-law, Zhou Guiyun agreed to the match for her daughter without a second thought. “All right. Tomorrow, have Third Sister-in-law substitute for her teaching class. Then Qianqian can go into town with Shiguo and look around. Just have Shiguo come over and pick her up.”
Iron Lady was the sort of person who said exactly what she meant. Her decisive answer made Matchmaker Zhang's smile deepen. “Shall I have Shiguo come over at around eight tomorrow morning?”
“That works.”
After Zhou Guiyun agreed, Matchmaker Zhang immediately went to the village entrance.
Han's mother hurriedly asked, “How did it go?”
“No problem, no problem. Shiguo, tomorrow morning at eight, come to the Jiang family home and pick up Qianqian to go into town. If you can’t borrow a bicycle elsewhere, come borrow mine. You know where my home is, right?”
Han Shiguo said, “My Uncle's Family has one. I’ll come to pick her up on time tomorrow.”
His brisk and straightforward manner made Han Father and Han's mother exchange a glance, their eyes full of smiles!
They had thought he wasn’t in a hurry to get married. No matter how much they urged him, he never came home, always saying he was too busy.
Over the past few years, there had been a period when Han's mother tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep, so worried and agitated over her younger son’s marriage!
Several times, she had wanted to send a telegram directly: “Mother critically ill. Return immediately!”
The reason she ultimately didn’t send a telegram to deceive him into coming home was that, on two occasions when they called him, they were told he had gone on missions. Clearly, he really was busy.
But no matter how busy he was, he couldn’t be so busy that he wouldn’t even marry a daughter-in-law.
So they were anxious, but it was useless. He himself didn’t take the matter seriously at all.
Now that they looked at him, it seemed he wasn’t actually in no hurry, was he?
Look at him! Once he had found someone he was satisfied with, he cared more than anyone!
Han Shiguo wasn’t afraid of his parents teasing him. He glanced toward the Jiang family’s home, his eyes filled with a smile.
A true man naturally wanted to get married. He simply hadn’t met someone who had captured his heart.
Now that he had, of course he was eager to marry the sweet little girl and bring her home.
He then returned with his parents.
The Han family left first, but Aunt Jiang did not leave so quickly. Although she had come back today to keep company, it was rare for her to return to her parents’ home, so Zhou Guiyun, as the eldest sister-in-law, insisted on having her stay for lunch before leaving.
Aunt Jiang was not polite with her eldest sister-in-law. The two of them had always been very close; Aunt Jiang had been raised by Zhou Guiyun, her eldest sister-in-law.
Even when she had married into Han Family Village, which had very good conditions, it was her eldest sister-in-law who had asked a matchmaker to make the arrangements. She had even personally investigated the prospective family and, after confirming that they were indeed good, felt at ease letting her marry into it.
Outsiders all said that Zhou Guiyun cared more about being an eldest sister-in-law than other people’s own mothers cared about their daughters, and that was absolutely true.
The person Aunt Jiang was most grateful to in this life was truly her Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law.
Now that she had a chance to repay her brother and sister-in-law in some small way, she was naturally happy as well. After the Han family left, she smiled and asked, “Eldest Sister-in-law, what do you think of Shiguo? Are you satisfied?”
Zhou Guiyun smiled. “His external conditions are good, but whether he and Qianqian are suitable for each other still depends on Qianqian spending time with him and seeing for herself.”
Seeing her eldest sister-in-law’s attitude, Aunt Jiang knew that this marriage was practically settled.
She also told her eldest sister-in-law about Han Shiguo’s circumstances. “You’ve already seen him with your own eyes, so I won’t go on about that. Let me tell you some other details. Han Shiguo is twenty-six this year and holds the rank of company commander. His monthly salary is seventy yuan. Most importantly, once he gets married, the Han family will undergo family separation!”
“Really?” Zhou Guiyun asked in surprise.
She already knew his age and military rank. A salary of seventy yuan was indeed very high and appealing, but what Zhou Guiyun cared about most was the family separation.
With such a high-earning son-in-law, family separation was naturally the best arrangement.
Besides, what mother would not think of what was best for her daughter?
As long as her daughter could live well, she did not care whether people criticized her behind her back. She was not bothered in the slightest!
Aunt Jiang said, “I only heard it from Aunt Han on the way here today. But judging from what she meant, after getting married, Qianqian will have to accompany the army.”
Zhou Guiyun had no objection to this either. “If they can get together, then Qianqian should accompany Shiguo in the army. How could a newlywed couple live separately right after getting married?”
“Accompanying the army is good. Over there, she’ll be the one running her own household, and there won’t be any mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, or sisters-in-law conflicts at all!” Seeing that her eldest sister-in-law was very optimistic, Aunt Jiang was delighted too. She no longer needed to say much.
After she finished speaking, she saw her niece standing at the doorway and called her over. “Qianqian, spend some time getting to know Shiguo properly. Auntie really thinks you two are a good match!”
Jiang Qian’s face flushed red.
“Go into town and look around properly tomorrow. If you feel that you’re suitable for each other, the Han family will probably come to formally ask for your hand. Once they choose an auspicious day, they’ll marry you into their family.” Zhou Guiyun felt somewhat reluctant, yet happy at the same time.
Jiang Qian had long since adapted to local customs, including the marriage speed of this era. Once two people took a liking to each other, they did not hesitate—they married directly!
But she still pretended to say, “Wouldn’t that be too fast? We’ve only known each other for a few days. I don’t even know what kind of person he is. What if he beats his wife?”
“That is absolutely impossible. The Han family has no such tradition. Shiguo’s father listens to his mother, and his Eldest Brother is also the sort who listens to his wife. Don’t be fooled by Shiguo’s tall, sturdy, and fierce appearance. Based on my experience judging people, he’s very likely to be henpecked too. Besides, look at how satisfied he is with you. Look at all the gifts he brought to our door. I also heard Matchmaker Zhang say that, besides one hundred yuan in betrothal money and forty-eight legs for the wedding, he’ll also prepare three rotating items and one sounding item, won’t he? You wouldn’t find a second person in all the surrounding villages who could offer betrothal gifts like these. Tell me, does Shiguo value you or not?”
Jiang Qian admitted that point as well. Han Shiguo was indeed very satisfied with her.
So if tomorrow felt right, she would marry him!