At dinner time, the savory aroma of chicken soup filled the He family’s main room. Yang Donghui had specially slaughtered an old hen, stewing it until the broth was a rich golden hue, topped with a few goji berries and red dates. To accommodate Han Qingmo’s condition, they moved the dining table directly into his room.
“Xiao Mo, eat more,” Yang Donghui said warmly, placing a chicken drumstick in his bowl. “You need to nourish yourself with that injury.”
“Thank you, Second Aunt,” Han Qingmo replied with a polite nod, shamelessly following He Yanchu’s lead in calling her ‘Second Aunt.’
Watching Han Qingmo’s bold behavior, He Yanhua could only roll his eyes privately. This guy has thick skin; he really doesn’t treat himself like a stranger at all.
He Jiashu took a sip of his homemade sorghum liquor and squinted at Han Qingmo. “Xiao Han, tell us about your family.”
He Yanchu’s chopsticks paused. She knew her Second Uncle was vetting his background. She grew tense, realizing she was also quite curious about his family situation.
Han Qingmo set down his chopsticks and straightened his back, his military bearing instantly apparent. “Uncle He, both my parents are in the military. My father is in the Northern Military Region, and my mother is in the Air Force.”
“Oh?” He Jiashu’s eyes lit up, his wine cup hovering in mid-air. “Both soldiers? And your mother is in the Air Force!”
“Yes,” Han Qingmo nodded. “I also have three older sisters. The eldest is in the Air Force, the second is in the Navy, and the third is with my father in the Northern Military Region as an Army officer.”
The table fell silent for a few seconds. He Yancheng and He Yanhua exchanged surprised looks, while He Yanchu’s eyes widened—she hadn’t expected him to come from such a prestigious military lineage.
Yang Donghui was the first to react, clapping her hands together. “Oh, that’s wonderful! A military family… a whole household of pillars of the nation!” She looked at her husband with approval.
The wrinkles on He Jiashu’s face smoothed out as he grinned widely. “Good! Good! Soldiers are great! Protecting the country is glorious!” He raised his cup. “Come, Xiao Mo, have a drink with me!”
Han Qingmo hesitated, looking at the cup. “Uncle, I’m injured…”
“Oh, you old man!” Yang Donghui scolded, swiping at her husband. “Xiao Mo isn’t healed yet, he can’t drink!”
He Jiashu slapped his forehead. “Right, right, my mistake.” He turned back to Han Qingmo, his attitude notably more affectionate. “Then eat more, eat more!”
Watching her aunt and uncle care so much about her future, Yanchu felt deeply moved. She vowed silently to honor them in the future; they had looked after her and her sister meticulously ever since their parents passed away.
“Xiao Han,” He Jiashu spoke again, his tone even heartier. “How old are you? What is your position in the army?”
“I am twenty years old, serving as a Battalion Commander in the Chun City Military Region,” Han Qingmo answered concisely.
At the mention of “Chun City,” Yanchu’s eyes sparkled. Her brother and sister were stationed in that region.
He Jiashu was clearly stunned. He put down his chopsticks and asked solemnly, “The Chun City Military Region?”
Han Qingmo nodded. “Yes. It’s not far from here, just on the outskirts of the provincial capital.”
“That’s amazing! Xiaochu’s siblings are in that same region! Her brother, He Yan’en, is also a Battalion Commander there, and her sister, He Yannuo, is a surgical doctor at the military hospital in that district,” He Jiashu exclaimed excitedly.
Han Qingmo’s expression stiffened slightly. “He Yan’en?”
Too much had happened today for him to think clearly. When he first heard He Yanchu’s name, he’d thought it sounded familiar. He muttered to himself, “I never imagined Chuchu was the sister of that old fox, He Yan’en!”
Yanchu keenly caught this. Realizing he seemed to know her brother, she asked instinctively, “You know my brother? And your relationship isn’t exactly… smooth?”
Han Qingmo turned to her, shaking his head like a rattle. “I know him. He’s very talented and famous in our region. We are excellent comrades; we’ve collaborated many times.”
Despite his serious tone, Yanchu inexplicably didn’t believe him.
Suddenly, He Jiashu slapped the table. “Good! It’s settled!”
Everyone jumped at the sudden noise. He Yanhua nearly choked on his rice. “Dad, what’s settled?”
He Jiashu’s face was flushed with excitement. “We’ll hold the banquet in three days! Xiaochu and Xiao Mo will get married first! They can get the certificate after Xiao Han files his report back at the base!”
“What?!” He Yancheng and He Yanhua cried out in unison.
Yanchu’s chopsticks clattered onto the table. She stared at her uncle, completely shell-shocked. Second Uncle really just does whatever comes to mind! This is way too fast!
Han Qingmo was also startled, but he quickly regained his composure. After a brief thought, he nodded gravely. “I have no problem with that. Uncle He is being very thoughtful. My staying here might cause gossip, so this is best for Chuchu’s reputation.”
Hearing him call her “Chuchu” so affectionately again, Yanchu felt a rush of heat rise from her feet to her head. She felt like she was on fire. “S-Second Uncle… isn’t this… a bit too fast?”
“Fast? What’s fast about it!” He Jiashu glared. “You’re twenty! Most girls your age in the village have kids running around already. Besides, a catch like Xiao Han is hard to find even with a lantern!”
Yang Donghui nodded repeatedly. “He’s right, Xiaochu. Xiao Han is a soldier with a guaranteed character, and his family is prestigious. This is a perfect match!”
Yanchu said weakly, “I know he’s great—that’s why I liked him. I’m just worried about the speed. Han Qingmo is still injured. We should at least wait until he’s better. In three days… he won’t even be able to stand.”
As she finished, she caught Han Qingmo watching her with a deep, gentle gaze, almost as if he were acting spoiled.
“I object!” He Yanhua stood up. “Mom, Dad, this is too reckless! They’ve only known each other for one day!”
He Yancheng also frowned. “Yeah, at least let them date for a while and get to know each other…”
“What is there to ‘know’?” He Jiashu waved them off. “When your mother and I met for our arranged marriage, we saw each other once and settled it. Haven’t we lived happily?”
Yang Donghui added meaningfully, glancing at Yanchu’s bright red face, “Xiao Han is a soldier; how bad could his character be? Besides, I can see Xiaochu is quite fond of him herself.”
Yanchu wished the floor would swallow her whole. She did like him, but having it called out so bluntly by her aunt made her die of embarrassment.
Seeing this, Han Qingmo cleared his throat to rescue her. “Uncle, Auntie, my injury is fine. We’ll do as you say—the banquet in three days.” He turned to Yanchu with a soft, coaxing tone. “Chuchu, we’re getting married sooner or later. Getting it done early gives us peace of mind, don’t you think?”
Yanchu thought about it—she was mostly worried about his health, but since he agreed, she didn’t have much else to say. She turned to her aunt and uncle. “Fine, Second Uncle, Second Aunt. We’ll do it your way. We’ll hold a wedding feast here in three days and invite the villagers for a meal.”
He Jiashu laughed heartily. “Good! It’s a deal! Three days!”
He Yanhua tried to say more, but Yang Donghui shot him a sharp look, and he immediately wilted, sitting back down to eat in silence.
He Yancheng sighed, whispering to his brother, “Forget it. Once Mom and Dad decide something, there’s no stopping them. And honestly, I think Comrade Han and Xiaochu look pretty good together.”