“This is my private savings.” Han Shiguo looked at him.
He had been sending his wages home. Otherwise, where would the Han family have gotten that brick-and-tile house?
The reason the Han family was so well-off was because their son who served in the military sent money home.
But Han Shiguo was no fool. On the contrary, he was quite shrewd and had saved up money for his future wife long ago.
He only sent part of his wages home, saying that he needed the rest for expenses. That was indeed true—he did have some social obligations—but aside from those, he had practically no expenses. Eighty percent of it had probably been saved.
There were also bonuses for completing missions and various allowances. Added up, they amounted to quite a lot, but he hardly spent any of it. It was all here.
Over the years, he had saved two thousand yuan.
Two thousand yuan in 1968 was completely different from two thousand yuan sixty years later.
Two thousand yuan at this time was a genuine fortune!
“Marry me. Spend the money in here however you like. And from now on, you can spend my monthly wages however you want too!” Han Shiguo looked at her as he spoke.
Jiang Qian’s face was burning. This man didn’t know how to say sweet things, but his practical words were truly too tempting!
Han Shiguo’s expression was solemn. “Qianqian, this bankbook represents my sincerity in wanting to marry you. As long as you’re willing to marry me, leave me some face outside, but at home, I’ll listen to you. In our family, you’ll have the final say.”
The man’s expression was serious and sincere.
Jiang Qian’s face turned bright red, and she did not dare meet his heated gaze. Turning her face aside, she said, “You’re handing it over to me just like this. Aren’t you afraid I’ll deceive you out of your money and squander it recklessly?”
“I’m not afraid. Men earn money and women spend it—that’s only natural.” That was all Han Shiguo said.
How could Jiang Qian, a grown woman who had been single in both her lives, withstand such an assault?
She had truly been deeply moved by the grand promises he had painted for her.
Han Shiguo looked at her, waiting for her answer.
Jiang Qian was moved, but she had not forgotten her principles. “I can’t tolerate even a grain of sand in my eyes. If you want to regret this and call off the wedding now, it’s still not too late. But if you choose me, then from this day forward, you must be faithful to me alone. If you dare do something behind my back that betrays me, then unless you can hide it from me for the rest of your life, we’ll consider it settled. But if I find out, there will be no turning back for us…”
“I won’t…” Han Shiguo was about to refute her.
Jiang Qian interrupted him. “Wait until I’m finished.”
“Go on.” Han Shiguo simply listened to her.
“If it really comes to that, it means you’ve grown tired of me and no longer have feelings for me. But don’t worry—I won’t cling to you. As long as you say you want a divorce, I’ll pack my things and leave. However, I have one demand: the child must be mine.” Jiang Qian decided to make the unpleasant terms clear in advance.
If it truly came to that, the marriage could end, but she would take the flesh that had come from her own body with her.
Han Shiguo’s temples throbbed as he listened. This little woman was getting more and more carried away. They were not even married yet, and she had already planned as far as custody of the child after their divorce.
Once they were married, he would have to drag her into the small woods nearby and teach her why flowers were so red, just to see whether she would still dare think about divorcing him and taking the child away!
But for now, he could only suppress his thoughts. Looking into her doe-like eyes, he said seriously, “I understand your concerns, but I’ll also tell you sincerely that I’m not the kind of man who is fickle or easily lured by someone new. I take marriage very seriously. Either I don’t marry at all, or, once I do, I’ll be responsible for my family, my wife, and my children!”
“If we get married, I, Han Shiguo, will recognize only you, Jiang Qian, as my wife for the rest of my life. You’ll also be the only woman I ever have. There can never be a second one.”
“I also swear in the name of the Party that if I, Han Shiguo, ever dare do anything outside that betrays my wife, Jiang Qian, then I’ll…”
Jiang Qian interrupted him. “You don’t need to say the rest.”
Han Shiguo still wanted to continue. “Then I’ll…”
Jiang Qian quickly covered his mouth and glared at him. “No need to say it!”
A hint of amusement shone in Han Shiguo’s eyes. Only after she lowered her hand did he look at her and ask, “Then do you believe me?”
“I do.” Jiang Qian’s face reddened as she looked at him. “But remember what I just said too.”
Looking at the young woman’s delicate, bashful appearance, Han Shiguo’s heart softened completely. “Don’t worry!”
As his wife, she would be cherished by Han Shiguo with his very life. How could he ever do anything to betray her?
That was impossible.
With that topic put aside, the atmosphere between them grew even closer during the rest of the journey.
However, Jiang Qian was rarely bold enough to try something on the way. When they hit a small bump, she let out an “ouch” and wrapped her arms around his waist.
She had been coveting those eight-pack abs for ages. The feel of them was absolutely lethal!
But now that they had officially confirmed their relationship, it should be all right to hug him, right?
Han Shiguo lowered his head and looked at the hands around his waist, his eyes filled with tenderness. Knowing that she was shy, he did not dare say anything. Whenever she felt embarrassed and was about to let go, he deliberately steered over a small pothole.
That way, she would naturally continue holding him.
When no one was around, Jiang Qian did not mind taking advantage of his good looks a little early, but she let go whenever someone appeared.
She had not felt the distance when they entered the city, and now that they were returning to the countryside, it felt just as fast. Han Shiguo was clearly riding along at a leisurely pace.
She did not want to arrive home so soon, but they still reached the commune before long.
They even encountered two people while passing through the commune.
Han Shiguo did not know Jiang Yue or Wang Hesong, but after Jiang Qian glanced at them, she inwardly cursed her bad luck and immediately turned her face away, pretending not to see them.
Watching Jiang Qian being carried away by Han Shiguo, Wang Hesong stood rooted to the spot for a long time. He felt as though a huge piece of his heart was missing.
Jiang Yue also remained dazed for a long while. She had known from the original story that Han Shiguo’s physical attributes were flawless, but she had not expected him to be this handsome!
Compared with him, Wang Hesong beside her was instantly reduced to nothing.
This made her feel puzzled and resentful, but when she thought of Han Shiguo’s fate, the jealousy and sourness in her heart eased considerably.
What use was it to be handsome and have such excellent conditions?
Wouldn’t he soon become a sacrifice anyway?
Thinking this way made her feel better.
However, when she turned and saw Wang Hesong looking utterly lost, she could not help snorting coldly. “See that? That’s Han Shiguo. Look how happy Jiang Qian is! She’s completely infatuated with him. You’d better stop thinking about her!”
“What are you talking about?” Wang Hesong withdrew his gaze and frowned.
Jiang Yue did not know why, but she suddenly felt irritated. “Are you regretting not choosing Jiang Qian and choosing me instead?”
Wang Hesong frowned. “Stop making trouble for no reason!”