Although Han Shiguo had a big appetite, he did not smack his lips while eating, nor did he have the bad habit of rummaging through the dishes.
After Jiang Qian finished eating, she watched him eat, and the more she watched, the more pleasing he seemed to her.
Han Shiguo sensed her smiling eyes on him and smiled back at her.
They both thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
When the two of them came out of the restaurant, Han Shiguo smiled and said, “Shall we go see a movie?”
“Sure.” Jiang Qian naturally had no objection.
A lovers’ date consisted of shopping, eating, watching a movie, and… getting a room.
But getting a room was impossible.
After the movie ended, Jiang Qian prepared to go home.
But she was quite satisfied with today’s date.
Han Shiguo was satisfied too. It was his first time dating a girl, and only then did he realize how wonderful it felt to do these things he had once considered boring with a girl he liked.
But he was not in a hurry to go home either. It was still early when they left the cinema, so he pushed his bicycle and walked alongside Jiang Qian, asking, “Shall we go look at wristwatches? I’ve already found someone to order the bicycle and sewing machine. They’ll arrive in three days. But the wristwatch is for you to wear, so why don’t I accompany you and let you choose one yourself?”
After spending the day together, she should have gained a general understanding of what kind of person he was.
So he had to hurry and ask about her feelings.
Although he appeared to be making an ordinary inquiry, when facing the girl he liked, even Han Shiguo felt somewhat timid and inferior.
He was afraid the girl would look down on a rough fellow like him.
Jiang Qian would not look down on him. On the contrary, after spending the day together, she had basically confirmed her own feelings.
Since she liked him and wanted to marry him, she decided to be straightforward. Facing his expectant gaze, she blushed and said, “Then shall we go take a look?”
“All right.” Han Shiguo’s heart instantly brightened, and even his legs pedaling the bicycle became cheerful and full of strength.
The department store counter sold wristwatches, but a ration coupon was required. Naturally, Han Shiguo had made preparations before bringing Jiang Qian here.
Jiang Qian chose a fairly common women’s wristwatch because she did not have much desire for such expensive major items of the time.
Besides, even if it was only such a common women’s wristwatch, bringing it home and wearing it would certainly make people envious, jealous, and resentful.
That was because the entire Five-Star Brigade had only two wristwatches.
One was on Old Party Secretary’s wrist, and the other was on the wrist of her father, the Brigade Leader.
So even a common women’s wristwatch was a rare treasure.
However, Han Shiguo felt that this wristwatch was rather ordinary. His standards were clearly higher. “Take this one out and let her try it on.”
Seeing his extraordinary bearing, the sales clerk immediately knew he was a serviceman. Moreover, the wristwatch he wore was clearly a standard Haishi model, so she courteously took out a Haishi wristwatch for Jiang Qian to try on.
It looked especially beautiful on Jiang Qian’s wrist. However, compared with the previous one, this watch cost thirty yuan more, for a total of one hundred and fifty yuan.
“Wrap it up.” That was all Han Shiguo said as he took out both the money and the coupon.
The two soon came out of the department store. Han Shiguo did not let Jiang Qian take off the wristwatch either. “Keep it on. It looks good.”
Jiang Qian shook her head, her face slightly flushed. “Wait until you formally come to ask for my hand in marriage. Then bring it along with you.”
Han Shiguo’s gaze softened. “All right.”
He took the wristwatch from her and put it away, then brought Jiang Qian over to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy some things.
They bought two pounds of milk candy and one pound of brown sugar.
On the way home, Jiang Qian said, “Major items like bicycles aren’t easy to buy. My mother said that if you can’t get them now, it’s fine to make up for them later. There’s no need to rush.”
“My Third Older Sister’s family has many connections, and she’s already made all the arrangements,” Han Shiguo replied.
Jiang Qian also knew about the circumstances of his Third Older Sister’s family. Her husband’s younger sister had told her about them.
This Third Sister-in-Law was a legendary figure in the Han family.
She had married ten years ago, directly marrying into the County Party Committee Compound. As it happened, Han Shiguo had been able to serve in the military because she introduced him.
“We came into town today without stopping by to visit. Would that be rude?” Jiang Qian asked.
Han Shiguo smiled at her. “No. We can come in again tomorrow and stop by for a visit. It will be the same.”
He also wanted to take her to meet his Third Older Sister. But since this was their first day coming into town, the main purpose was still their date. The most important thing was to establish their relationship as soon as possible.
Visiting his Third Older Sister’s home was a minor matter.
However, since she had agreed now, they would certainly visit the County Party Committee Compound the next time they came into town.
The two chatted as they headed home, but because they were in such good moods and were not paying attention to the road, they accidentally stepped into a pit again.
Jiang Qian instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist again. The corners of Han Shiguo’s lips rose, though he merely said, “Hold on tight. This stretch of road is difficult to travel.”
Jiang Qian could not resist reaching out and poking him in the waist. Did he think she could not see through that little scheme of his?
The poke softened Han Shiguo’s gaze as well. In a gentle voice, he said, “Qianqian, I’ll treat you well. I’ll treat you well for the rest of our lives.”
Jiang Qian had once sneered at this kind of romantic confession, but when it happened to her, she unexpectedly blushed and felt her heart race.
“Why don’t we get off and walk for a while?” Jiang Qian did not hesitate, however. She wanted to make one final confirmation with him.
Han Shiguo understood what she meant and stopped the bicycle.
After he got off, Jiang Qian followed suit. The two walked silently for a short distance before she stopped, and Han Shiguo stopped as well.
Jiang Qian looked at him with complete seriousness. “Han Shiguo, are you truly certain that you want to marry me?”
Han Shiguo looked at the girl who perfectly matched his preferences. “Yes!”
He did not need to think about this question at all.
Jiang Qian looked at him. “What do you like about me?”
“You’re beautiful!” Han Shiguo answered honestly. “And gentle, too.” She was beautiful, spoke softly and gently, and was especially considerate. He had already made up his mind to marry this girl and have children with her.
His direct answer made Jiang Qian’s face redden slightly. She said, “You were originally supposed to marry my older female cousin. Would you feel bad about changing to someone else?”
“That was arranged by my parents. I didn’t even know what the other person looked like. Why would I feel bad?” Han Shiguo shook his head.
That was also what he truly felt. He had not felt anything at all. On the contrary, he was very glad the engagement had been called off, because if it had not been, he would never have had a blind date with the girl he had taken a liking to at first sight.
“I’m very grateful that your older female cousin came to break off the engagement,” he added.
Looking at the heat in his eyes, Jiang Qian turned her face away slightly and said, “You submitted a marriage report, but the person you’re marrying has changed. Will that affect anything?”
“It won’t affect anything. After our blind date yesterday, I came into town that afternoon and sent a telegram to report it to my superior. I already submitted your name and information,” Han Shiguo said.
Jiang Qian gave him a light, reproachful look. “Were you really that certain I would agree?”
Han Shiguo laughed. “I wasn’t certain that you would agree. I was certain of my own sincerity.” As he spoke, he took the bankbook he had brought from his pocket and handed it to her. “Qianqian, this is my bankbook. From now on, you can keep it.”
Jiang Qian accepted it instinctively. Only after taking it did she react. She simply opened it and glanced inside, then froze at the enormous balance.
Unable to hold back, she asked, “Is this yours, or does it belong to your family?”