Left with no other choice, Jiang Tang could only let Fu Wenci pull her along to the department store and the supply and marketing cooperative to buy a mountain of goods, before returning to the Jiang residence laden with large bags and small packages.
Fu Wenci didn’t pry into Jiang Tang’s personal background, acting as though she had already fully accepted her as her daughter-in-law.
From Fu Wenci’s reaction, Jiang Tang could easily tell that this future mother-in-law was exceptionally satisfied with her.
It seemed Xiao Xun hadn’t exaggerated—his family members truly were very pleasant to get along with.
After checking with Jiang Tang to make sure she was okay with it, Fu Wenci accompanied her home to pay a formal visit.
Sang Suxiang and Jiang Minghong had never expected Xiao Xun’s mother to visit in person. Though somewhat nervous, they gave her a warm and enthusiastic reception, serving tea, bringing water, and preparing candies—eager to display all the best things their household had to offer.
With a warm smile, Fu Wenci waved her hand, her eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at Jiang Tang. “Dear in-laws, I didn’t come here with any ulterior motive today. It’s just that now that we’ve finally managed to locate the maternal grandson—ah, granddaughter—of Elder Wei, as an elder, I simply had to make this trip to express how much importance our family places on this marriage. It’s a pity that rascal was called back to the military camp early; I hope my sudden visit didn’t startle you. Rest assured, once they are married, I will not interfere in their lives. However, should Xiaotang ever have need of me, I will gladly look after her just as I would my own daughter.”
Even though Fu Wenci hadn’t asked, Sang Suxiang felt it best to clear the air right from the start.
Speaking with utmost earnestness, Sang Suxiang said, “Our Xiaotang was separated from her biological parents when she was an infant and grew up by my side. She is indeed the biological granddaughter of the Elder Wei you’re looking for, but the Su family also has an adopted daughter who was raised by Wei Cuiying. I sincerely hope you won’t let this matter cause difficulties for our Xiaotang in the future. If you have any reservations, you are welcome to call off the engagement right now.”
Of course, Fu Wenci had already heard about Jiang Tang being lost in her childhood. If she had harbored any misgivings before making the trip, after meeting Su Yinyin and Jiang Tang separately, she fully understood why her son had made up his mind about the marriage at first glance.
“I understand the family’s concerns, but to be completely honest, our family set out to find Elder Wei’s grandchild without any rigid requirement to fulfill a betrothal. It is simply that my boy crossed paths with Xiaotang and took a liking to her, which made this marriage possible. Put simply, Xiao Xun agreed to the match not because Xiaotang is Elder Wei’s granddaughter, but because of who Xiaotang is as a person. So you can set your minds completely at ease—Xiaotang will not suffer any grievances after marriage.”
Hearing these words from Fu Wenci, Sang Suxiang finally felt a weight lift from her heart.
Jiang Minghong, who had remained silent for a long time, finally spoke up: “I know your family is happy with Xiaotang right now, but I want to get my ugly words out first: if a day ever comes when Xiao Xun doesn’t want to live with Xiaotang anymore, don’t bully her—just send her back home to us.”
Fu Wenci said with absolute certainty, “That day will never come. That son of mine has spent his entire life up until now completely immersed in his work, and this is the absolute first time he has ever cared so deeply for a female comrade. Of course, if he ever genuinely dares to bully Xiaotang, I will be the very first person not to let him off.”
Fu Wenci had a great deal of confidence in the son she had raised with her own hands, firmly believing that Xiao Xun would never mistreat a female comrade—let alone the woman of his heart.
Having settled these matters, Fu Wenci brought up the other purpose of her visit.
“Actually, I had another matter in mind today, and I wanted to ask for your thoughts on it.” Pausing for a moment, Fu Wenci continued, “After Xiaotang agreed to the engagement, Xiao Xun submitted his marriage application to the organization. However, there’s no telling when the marriage application and the family accompaniment application will be approved; if it’s slow, it might take a few months. As it happens, I know the military post’s dependents’ school is currently recruiting teachers, and I heard Xiaotang is a high school graduate who is about to marry Xiao Xun. If Xiaotang is willing, she can head over to the military post in the capacity of a teacher first. That way, not only can she go over ahead of schedule, but she can also spend some time getting along with Xiao Xun before the wedding and cultivate their relationship.”
A bright look of realization dawned on Jiang Tang. She had just been racking her brain for a valid reason to leave Yuan City early.
Otherwise, if she ended up selling her factory job later on, not only would Su Yinyin be left without a job and forced to go down to the countryside, but she herself would end up sent away too.
Leaving ahead of schedule happened to be a wonderful solution.
However, Jiang Tang had never been a teacher before and wasn’t entirely certain whether she could handle the job well with her current abilities.
Sensing Jiang Tang’s hesitation, Fu Wenci offered reassuring words: “Xiaotang likely knows that the military post where Xiao Xun is stationed is in a remote area. There aren’t many military dependents accompanying the troops there, and even fewer who possess a proper education. Because of that, the dependents’ school is desperately short of teachers. Since Xiaotang is a high school graduate, teaching elementary subjects won’t be a problem at all. If it turns out she truly feels unsuited for it later, we can always look into other work opportunities.”
Having met countless people in her lifetime, Fu Wenci possessed the ability to discern a great deal from a person’s speech and demeanor without needing to ask too many questions.
Thus, even though they had only just met recently, Fu Wenci could readily tell that Jiang Tang was fully capable of handling a teaching position.
She wouldn’t have proposed this idea if she hadn’t observed her closely first.
Jiang Tang looked toward her parents. After exchanging a brief glance with them, she gave her reply: “If it’s not too much trouble, I’d be willing to go ahead of time.”
Sang Suxiang and Jiang Minghong respected their daughter’s decision. Furthermore, they also felt it was a good idea for their daughter to spend some time getting to know Xiao Xun better beforehand.
On top of that, their son was stationed at the same military post, meaning someone would be there to look after their daughter when she arrived early.
Nodding, Fu Wenci said, “Wonderful. I’ve already clarified the situation with the military post over there. Knowing you are Elder Wei’s granddaughter, they are more than willing to have you come over early. As it happens, I plan to stay in Yuan City for three days. If Xiaotang has everything ready by then, she can board the train with me. Although I’m heading back to Beijing, I’ll be able to look after you along the way.”
Sang Suxiang and Jiang Minghong were indeed worried about Jiang Tang taking a long-distance train all by herself. Although Jiang Tang was already an adult and on the verge of getting married, as parents, they couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
Calculating the timeline, leaving in three days would work out perfectly. She would sell her job tomorrow, and by then, Su Yinyin—left without a job—would have no choice but to head down to the countryside.
“Alright, Auntie Fu. I’ll get my things packed as soon as possible.”
Without staying much longer, Fu Wenci took her leave and returned to her room at the guesthouse.
The next day, taking advantage of her shift at the textile factory, Jiang Tang sought out Director Cao in the administrative office.
Jiang Tang had heard previously that Director Cao’s daughter had graduated from high school but hadn’t managed to secure a job yet.
Without a job lined up, Director Cao’s daughter would inevitably be sent down to the countryside in the upcoming wave.
During Jiang Tang’s time working at the textile factory, Director Cao had treated her very kindly, and she was more than willing to sell her job to Director Cao’s daughter.
No matter how one looked at it, that was vastly better than leaving it behind for Su Yinyin.
Director Cao initially thought Jiang Tang was coming to request another leave of absence. Having already heard rumors that Jiang Tang was preparing to get married, she assumed Jiang Tang needed more time off to run errands and buy wedding supplies.
To her utter surprise, the moment Jiang Tang opened her mouth, it brought her an incredible wave of joy.
“I heard Director Cao’s daughter is currently looking for a job? Would you be interested in taking over my position here?”
Director Cao’s eyes lit up instantly. Pulling Jiang Tang down to sit beside her, she asked, “Xiaotang, aren’t you getting married soon? Why are you selling your job?”
Previously, Jiang Tang had only mentioned that she was getting married without specifying who the groom was. Now that she wanted to part with her job—especially since she would be leaving Yuan City very soon—she had no intention of keeping secrets from Director Cao.