Jiang Lianyue hummed a tune as she carried bowls, chopsticks, and pots back home. Only then did she notice a note on the dining table, which read. “I’ll handle the gift.”
So he wanted to accompany her to the visit.
Jiang Lianyue felt Zhou Jiajing was quite thoughtful, he knew how to prepare a gift. Impressive, truly worthy of the male lead!
With him taking care of the gift, Jiang Lianyue didn’t have to worry about it. She soaked the black fungus and pickled vegetables, then washed up. After a simple lunch, she took a short nap.
Since they were going out in the evening, Jiang Lianyue didn’t dare sleep her usual two or three hours. She woke after just one hour to soak soybeans and rice, then started cutting the pickled vegetables and black fungus.
By the time she finished, the clock pointed to four in the afternoon. The afternoon market was about to open. Jiang Lianyue picked up her purse and went to buy pork and green beans. After shopping, she hurried back and immediately minced and marinated the meat without pause.
Once most of the prep work was done, Jiang Lianyue quickly washed her hair and took a shower, then dug out her blouse-and-skirt set, getting ready.
Just as she was applying face cream, she heard the sound of the door opening, followed by footsteps and something heavy being set down.
Zhou Jiajing was back.
Jiang Lianyue quickly finished applying the cream and opened the door to see what Zhou Jiajing had brought.
He set down a mesh bag and turned, seeing Jiang Lianyue in a deep blue blouse-and-skirt, standing behind the door.
Her hair was freshly washed, black and long, falling over her shoulders, making her already fair face look even more delicate.
“You’re back?” Jiang Lianyue greeted, glancing at the mesh bag in front of him.
As she spoke, a strand of hair swung from her shoulder to her front, a droplet of water rolling down it and landing on her blouse, forming a circular wet patch.
Zhou Jiajing realized he had been staring at the drop and quickly averted his eyes, nodding politely.
“What did you buy? How much?” Jiang Lianyue asked.
He opened his mouth to answer but then heard her say: “I’ll pay half.”
Zhou Jiajing pursed his lips and gave her a curious look.
She seemed to be deliberately keeping some distance from him.
He didn’t answer immediately, and Jiang Lianyue didn’t mind, male leads are always a bit proud.
She went over to look at herself: canned fruit, malted milk…
She nodded. This gift was impressive.
Zhou Jiajing didn’t mention the price, so Jiang Lianyue started calculating herself: one canned fruit 1.5 yuan, one malted milk 3 yuan, five cans of fruit, two cans of malted milk…
As she was calculating, Zhou Jiajing spoke: “You don’t have to.”
Jiang Lianyue waved her hand: “I want to. You could have paid nothing, but since you’re coming along, I can’t let you go empty-handed. Half each is fair.”
She returned to her room and brought 8 yuan out, handing it to him: “I won’t give you the ticket, here’s the money instead.”
Zhou Jiajing looked down at the bills in her hand, then at her face, studying her for a long moment. Seeing that she genuinely wanted to contribute, he took it with a stiff expression.
It was the first time he had ever taken money from a woman outside his mother or grandmother.
Jiang Lianyue keenly sensed his discomfort and smiled slightly: “When we go out, don’t look so serious. People might think we don’t get along.”
Zhou Jiajing: “…”
Do they get along now?
Even he and Xiao Qin weren’t this formal!
The wall clock ticked, and Jiang Lianyue glanced at it. “Director Mo should be here soon. I’ll just dry my hair a bit.”
Like a gust of wind, Jiang Lianyue twirled around and returned, leaving a sweet, fragrant trail behind.
Zhou Jiajing couldn’t help but take a deep breath, recognizing the scent of sandalwood, she had taken a shower.
He looked down at himself, his hair and body slightly greasy after a day’s work.
Seeing the clock, he had enough time. Zhou Jiajing fetched clothes from his study and took a quick shower.
…
When Mo Xiuli arrived at Zhou’s, she saw the freshly washed and well-dressed young couple and couldn’t help but praise them silently, they truly were a perfect pair.
In all the surrounding towns, she hadn’t seen a more handsome couple!
“Xiao Zhou, come too?” Mo Xiuli looked at Zhou Jiajing, whose features were strikingly handsome.
Zhou Jiajing nodded: “We don’t want to be a bother.”
Mo Xiuli smiled: “My mother will be delighted to see you. She loves handsome young men.”
Zhou Jiajing glanced at Jiang Lianyue, feeling his ears warm.
“Let’s go, we shouldn’t keep them waiting,” Jiang Lianyue quickly interjected, assuming he felt embarrassed.
“Yes, let’s go. They must have started preparing the meal,” Mo Xiuli responded.
She then asked Zhou Jiajing: “Xiao Zhou, can you ride a bicycle? My husband and I brought two bicycles. If you can, you’ll take Xiao Jiang.”
Zhou Jiajing nodded: “Yes, I borrowed one from a colleague.”
“Then let’s go,” Mo Xiuli said.
The three went downstairs. A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit, with a dignified look, approached and smiled at Jiang Lianyue: “You must be Xiao Jiang. I’m Liang Zhendong. Thank you for helping my mother.”
Jiang Lianyue smiled: “I just helped a little, you don’t need to be so polite.”
Liang Zhendong said: “We should have come sooner, but I’ve been busy, and some family matters came up. Sorry for the delay.”
Jiang Lianyue waved her hand: “It was nothing, really. No need to thank me.”
They exchanged pleasantries. Liang Zhendong’s gratitude poured out like a bamboo tube, leaving Jiang Lianyue slightly embarrassed. Mo Xiuli laughed heartily: “Old Liang, Xiao Jiang isn’t like the people in your officialdom. Enough words. Just remember her when good things happen.”
Her words touched Jiang Lianyue. She nodded repeatedly: “Exactly. Brother Liang, your mother must be waiting. Let’s go.”
Mo Xiuli introduced Zhou Jiajing: “This is Xiao Jiang’s husband, Zhou Jiajing, a talented officer at the county machinery factory. You’ve probably heard of him.”
Liang Zhendong nodded: “I’ve heard of him. I didn’t expect him to not only write well but also be so handsome.”
Zhou Jiajing smiled politely: “You flatter me. I’m just grateful others think well of me.”
Liang Zhendong finished brief greetings and said: “It’s getting late. Let’s go. My mother has been eager to see you since she heard Xiao Jiang would come.”
“How shall we go?” Liang Zhendong asked. “Can Xiao Zhou ride a bike?”
Zhou Jiajing pointed to the other bicycle: “I borrowed one.”
“Then you take Xiao Jiang. We’ll lead the way,” Liang Zhendong instructed.
With arrangements made, the four rode off.
Zhou Jiajing set the bicycle for Jiang Lianyue to get on first.
To get on this way, the front rider must hold the handlebars firmly to keep the bike steady.
Jiang Lianyue glanced at Zhou Jiajing’s long arms and decided not to take a risk: “I’ll jump on myself. You get on first.”
Zhou Jiajing seemed to see through her thoughts and gave her a teasing glance: “You’re wearing a skirt.”
Jiang Lianyue looked down at her blouse-and-skirt and imagined chasing the bike while holding her skirt. She held the hem and said: “Then I’ll get on.”
Zhou Jiajing softly hummed in acknowledgment.
Jiang Lianyue jumped on, surprised the bicycle didn’t move at all. She looked at the long hands gripping the handlebars, they didn’t look strong, yet had considerable force.
Zhou Jiajing pushed a few steps forward, swung onto the bike, and with a firm pedal, they were on their way.
His movements were impressively skilled.
Jiang Lianyue curiously asked: “Do you do this often?”
Zhou Jiajing pedaled while replying: “I used to.”
“Oh,” Jiang Lianyue acknowledged without asking further.
The sky darkened, and the streetlights were sparse. In some places, it was quite dark. Jiang Lianyue took a flashlight from her bag and turned it on to illuminate the way.
Zhou Jiajing’s pedaling faltered slightly.
This woman, sometimes distant, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes infuriating, he didn’t know how to describe her.
Hengzhou Town was small. After ten minutes, they arrived at Mo Xiuli’s government housing complex.
As soon as they stopped, Liang Zhenhua came out from the stairway.
“You finally came. My mother kept asking if you had arrived,” he said, smiling. “Aren’t you tired?”
Jiang Lianyue smiled: “Not at all.”
She hadn’t been riding the bike.
Liang Zhenhua glanced at Zhou Jiajing: “This is your husband? Handsome indeed.”
Jiang Lianyue nodded, introducing him: “Zhou Jiajing, officer at the county machinery factory.”
She then introduced Liang Zhenhua to Zhou Jiajing: “This is Deputy County Chief Liang, my grandmother’s daughter.”
Zhou Jiajing raised an eyebrow, noticing that with one small act, Jiang Lianyue had saved a truly lucky elder.
Hearing Zhou Jiajing’s name, Liang Zhenhua looked him over again, laughing: “So this is Hengzhou’s talent Zhou Jiajing. I wondered what kind of man someone as outstanding as Xiao Jiang would like, talent truly meets beauty!”
Zhou Jiajing instinctively glanced at Jiang Lianyue, who smiled faintly: “Deputy County Chief Liang, you flatter us.”
Ah, it’s a joke! Zhou Jiajing thought. We aren’t real spouses. What else could it be?
Thinking this, Zhou Jiajing mirrored Jiang Lianyue’s slight smile: “You overpraise us, Deputy County Chief. That’s just idle talk.”
“Haha, let’s go upstairs. My mother has been calling for you,” Liang Zhenhua said heartily.
He led the way, Jiang Lianyue followed, Zhou Jiajing carried the gifts behind her, and Mo Xiuli and her husband brought up the rear.
Mo Xiuli’s home was on the second floor. A few steps and a turn up the stairs brought them to the door.
“Mom, Xiao Jiang and her husband are here,” Liang Zhenhua said, opening the door.
“They’re here! Come in quickly,” an elderly, weak voice said.
Jiang Lianyue stepped in and saw an elderly woman with a pale face sitting on a wooden sofa across the door, the same grandmother who had fainted on the street not long ago.
“Grandma Huang, are you feeling better?” Jiang Lianyue asked with a smile.
“I’m better now. A little rest and I’ll be fine. That day, thanks to you… I wanted to thank you, but they stopped me, saying to wait until I felt better. Now I can walk, and they insist I invite you here. Really, ”
Grandma Huang sighed, a mixture of complaint and relief.
The living room wasn’t large. To the right of the entrance was a dining table, beside it a five-drawer cabinet with a thermos and teacups. Next to the cabinet was Grandma’s wooden sofa. In front of the sofa was a tea table with some candy.
Jiang Lianyue walked over and sat beside Grandma: “I came to see you because your health is most important.”
“Well, well, such a good child,” Grandma Huang patted Jiang Lianyue’s hand and asked: “Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready soon.”
Jiang Lianyue shook her head: “Not yet.”
Grandma Huang studied Jiang Lianyue closely, seeing her fair skin, bright eyes, and red lips. She clicked her tongue in admiration: “So pretty. Not another girl like you in all of Hengzhou. No wonder Xiuli found you so quickly.”
Mo Xiuli at the doorway said: “Yes. I asked around for a fair-skinned girl, and they immediately remembered you were from the machinery factory’s residential area. That’s how I found you so fast.”
Only then did Jiang Lianyue understand how they tracked her address and said shyly: “Thanks to my mother for making me so fair.”
Her remark drew laughter from everyone.
After the laughter, Grandma Huang looked up at Zhou Jiajing: “This is your husband, right? Very handsome indeed.”
“Grandma, hello,” Zhou Jiajing, accustomed to his identity as Jiang Lianyue’s husband today, smiled politely. “Sorry for visiting so late. I hope you’re feeling better.”
Grandma Huang nodded: “Much better. Have a seat.”
She gestured for Zhou Jiajing to sit, then turned to Jiang Lianyue: “Are you thirsty?”
Before Jiang Lianyue could answer, she called out to Mo Xiuli: “Xiuli, make Xiao Jiang a cup of malted milk to soothe her throat.”
Mo Xiuli replied and went to prepare the drink.
Jiang Lianyue quickly stopped her: “I’ll just have water. Save the malted milk for Grandma.”
Mo Xiuli laughed: “There’s plenty at home.”
Soon, a cup of prepared malted milk was in Jiang Lianyue’s hand. She had no choice but to take it.
Mo Xiuli also handed a cup to Zhou Jiajing.
Holding the drink, Zhou Jiajing once again reminded himself of his identity today, Jiang Lianyue’s “husband”, benefiting from her connection in every way.