Jiang Chiye’s expression darkened. “Whoever told you that go find them I never said any such thing.” Dammit people really had too much free time! Who jokes about something like this?
“Chiye brother I…” Su Yurou bit her lip gently her body trembling slightly. Tears glistened on her face making her look delicate and pitiful.
“Enough!” Irritation flashed across Jiang Chiye’s face. “Don’t call me Chiye brother. My dad and Ms. Lin only had me and Jiang Chiyue what kind of sister are you to me?” “Save your act it won’t work on me.”
“Waa…” Humiliated like this by the boy she liked and with Xu Yaoyao watching Su Yurou could no longer hold back her hurt pride. She burst into tears and ran off.
Xu Yaoyao watched the scene the corners of her mouth twitching. She looked up at him and teased “Your tongue is sharp enough to cut!”
Jiang Chiye looked down at her a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. “My tongue’s not just sharp it’s sweet too. Care to try?”
“Get lost! Who’d want to try anything of yours!” Afraid he’d catch her off guard Xu Yaoyao instinctively covered her mouth yet the tips of her ears turned pink and the blush crept down her fair neck. She shifted uncomfortably. “I I should head home now. It’s getting late.” She hurried toward the house and this time Jiang Chiye didn’t stop her hands in his pockets he followed at a leisurely pace. Only after seeing her safely inside did he turn and head home himself.
No sooner had Xu Yaoyao stepped through the door than Chen Lifen pulled her in for a thorough lookover her gaze settling knowingly on her daughter’s red lips. She chuckled. “Well? How was it?”
“How was what?” Xu Yaoyao feigned ignorance heat rising to her cheeks her mother really did say whatever came to mind.
“Tsk tsk I know I know!” Her mother gave her a knowing smile. She’d been around the way Chiye looked at her daughter he might as well have eaten her alive. And just look at those swollen lips! “You’ll thank me later sweetie!”
Xu Yaoyao was utterly baffled wondering what her mother was going on about now. Her father meanwhile looked as though someone had just nibbled his prized cabbage and there was nothing he could do about it! Her mother glanced at him then led Xu Yaoyao by the hand into her room and sat beside her on the bed looking mysteriously pleased. “You know how much your future motherinlaw gave as a betrothal gift?”
“How much?” Her eyes lit up.
“One thousand two hundred plus the three turns and one sound!” Her mother beamed. “That’s more than anyone else in the whole compound got! And since you’re moving to the base with Chiye they converted it all to cash. I’ll still pick up some quilts and send them along later.” She pulled a bankbook from her pocket and pressed it into Xu Yaoyao’s hand. “Here take it. It’s no use carrying bulky things on the train buy whatever you need when you get there.”
Xu Yaoyao opened it and stared at the figure in shock. “Mom since when did we have this kind of money?” She’d always thought they were barely getting by her father never seemed to have a penny to his name. A tenthousandyuan household? All these years of scrimping and saving had been for nothing!
Her mother looked surprised. “You didn’t know?”
“You never told me!” Xu Yaoyao stared at her utterly speechless. How could she keep something that important a secret?
“Doesn’t matter just keep it safe.”
“But what will you and Dad do without it?” Xu Yaoyao asked.
“Pfft we won’t starve! We’re both employed remember? And you’re our only daughter everything we have will be yours someday anyway.” Her mother stood up brushing off her hands. “Now get some rest. Tomorrow’s the big day! We’ll have you looking so lovely that everyone’s eyes will pop!” Her daughter was beautiful and bright people used to whisper that she’d never marry. Well not only was she getting married but to the most handsome man in the whole compound!
The next morning Xu Yaoyao was dragged out of bed. She rubbed her eyes and looked at her wrist in disbelief. “Mom it’s barely six! Why are we up so early?”
“Early? It’s six already! Hurry and get dressed Chiye’s waiting outside!” Her mother rummaged through the wardrobe and pulled out a dress holding it up with satisfaction. “Here put this on. We’ll be waiting.”
“Why is he here so early?” Xu Yaoyao frowned.
Her mother winked. “Why do you think? He couldn’t wait to see you of course! Now hurry up and come out for breakfast.” She left the room closing the door behind her.
Downstairs Jiang Chiye sat in the living room listening politely to her father though his eyes kept drifting toward the hallway. Her father noticed and huffed “You’ll wear a hole in the floor staring like that!” If it weren’t for the countryside assignment looming he wouldn’t be letting his little girl go so soon. Chiye was goodlooking and capable but no father ever thought any boy was quite good enough.
“Chiye” he said “Yaoyao’s all we have. We’ve spoiled her she can’t even cook a proper meal. And your post is on some island I worry about her going so far from home.”
Jiang Chiye’s heart sank was he having second thoughts? “Sir I give you my word I’ll take good care of her. I can cook so she’ll never go hungry. If I’m busy there’s always the mess hall. She’ll never be mistreated she can do whatever makes her happy and I’ll support her fully.” He knew he never would have had the chance if not for her posting and yet the moment he came back there she was. Fate pure and simple. He’d meant to wait another couple of years but he couldn’t wait any longer. Someone else might claim her.
Satisfied by his earnestness every word spoken with her wellbeing at heart her father nodded slowly. Then he narrowed his eyes. “You’ve had your eye on her for quite some time haven’t you?”
Jiang Chiye coughed softly a sheepish smile spreading across his face. “You see right through me sir.”
Her mother came out then beaming. “Chiye! Have you eaten? I can fix you something!”
“Thank you Auntie no need I ate at home.”
“Nonsense sit and rest a while. She’ll be out soon.”
And she was. The moment Xu Yaoyao stepped out Jiang Chiye forgot how to breathe.