Before Grandma Huang finished speaking, the dining table had already fallen silent.
Because of Liang Zhenhua and Liang Zhendong’s positions, countless people tried to curry favor with the elderly lady. Many sought to connect with Grandma Huang for personal gain, but she knew her status was special. She had never nodded to anyone before. Today, when she suddenly said she wanted to take Jiang Lianyue as her goddaughter, it was more than a gesture, it was a promise. From now on, Jiang Lianyue had her as a backing in Hengzhou.
Liang Zhenhua paused in surprise, then laughed. “Mom’s really gone all out just to give Jiang Mei’er her food properly.”
Her words revived the lively atmosphere at the table. Mo Xiuli smiled. “I think Jiang Mei’er is quite likable too. If she can become part of the family, all the better.”
Liang Zhendong said, “Xiao Jiang, over the years, many people have wanted to become Mom’s relatives, but she never nodded at anyone. You’re the first.”
Jiang Lianyue collected her thoughts, lowered her eyes in consideration, and smiled. “Thank you, Grandma. But I’d like to discuss this with my family before making a decision.”
The original girl’s mother had adored her to the bone. If she casually accepted a godmother, it might hurt her mother’s feelings. Jiang Lianyue had yet to meet the original mother and was wary of slipping up; if she agreed immediately, it would be even harder to explain.
Her refusal, however, impressed the Liang family even more. Such an opportunity, which many could never get, she was able to stay calm about and choose to consult her family first, a display of composure, dignity, and integrity.
Grandma Huang nodded with a smile. “Yes, you should discuss it with your mother. I’ll wait to hear from you.”
Jiang Lianyue said, “Once I get home, I’ll tell them for sure.”
“All right, let’s eat,” Liang Zhenhua laughed. “If we don’t, my brother will finish all the chicken.”
Everyone laughed heartily, and the table’s atmosphere warmed again.
Zhou Jiajing, who had only eaten quietly the whole time, felt a strange mix of emotions. He had accompanied Jiang Lianyue because of that bowl of pig-tail peanut soup, feeling softened, worried she might be embarrassed to visit alone. But he hadn’t expected that, in the end, it would be him who felt out of place!
She had come, secured support for her tea factory, and even gained a godmother with immense influence. Meanwhile, he was just the green leaf to her bright flower.
After the meal, while drinking tea, Grandma Huang’s face showed fatigue. Seeing this, Jiang Lianyue quickly stood. “Grandma, it’s a bit late. I have to set up my stall early tomorrow, so I’ll take my leave.”
Grandma Huang was reluctant, but she understood Jiang Lianyue was considerate, suggesting departure because she noticed her fatigue. She held Jiang Lianyue’s hand. “Then come often. No one else lets me visit, and I get bored staying at home.”
Jiang Lianyue responded politely, always patient in conversation. Grandma Huang enjoyed talking with her.
Jiang Lianyue nodded. “I’ll come when I have time. Just don’t mind me visiting so often.”
In a family like Grandma Huang’s, people always came forward, one more or less didn’t matter.
Grandma Huang chuckled. “I’d love for you to come every day. They’re busy with work and never have time to chat with an old lady like me.”
Liang Zhenhua protested. “Mom, you’ve always taught us to prioritize work, to care about the people. Now you complain we don’t spend enough time with you?”
Grandma Huang rolled her eyes. “You focus on your work. Xiao Jiang focuses on her career. When you have time, just remember to visit.”
“I’ll come often since Deputy County Chief Liang and the others are busy with work,” Jiang Lianyue said.
“Oh, that’s good,” Grandma Huang said. Then she added, cautioning her: “Next time, don’t bring anything. You just started a family and are running a factory. You have plenty of expenses. Don’t waste money.”
She turned to Mo Xiuli. “Xiuli, pick some of the fruit cans and malted milk for Xiao Jiang to take home. I can’t finish so much myself.”
“Oh, and that can of imported milk powder, I’m not used to it either. Give that to Xiao Jiang too.”
Mo Xiuli acknowledged and went to get them.
Jiang Lianyue quickly said, “Grandma, these are gifts from everyone. How can I take them?”
She had already brought fruit cans and malted milk to the visit. Now to carry them back, plus another can of milk powder, it would be ridiculous.
Grandma Huang said, “You saved me, and I haven’t said much. Just this little bit, I even feel a little embarrassed. If you don’t take it, I’ll go buy a bicycle for you. Zhenhua told me you wanted one.”
With her words at this point, Jiang Lianyue could only nod. “Then I’ll take some fruit cans. Keep the malted milk and milk powder for yourself. They’re nutritious; you need them to take care of your health. If you stay healthy, you can come to eat the rolled rice noodles I make.”
“All right, all right,” Grandma Huang said, delighted at the mention of the rolled rice noodles.
Mo Xiuli brought out a large net bag filled with fruit cans, malted milk, and a can of fully English-labeled milk powder.
Jiang Lianyue said, “Director Mo, I told Grandma to keep the malted milk and milk powder. I’ll just take a few fruit cans.”
Mo Xiuli looked at Grandma Huang, who nodded. “Xiao Jiang said these are nutritious and told me to eat more. If I stay healthy, I can go try her rolled rice noodles. From now on, I’ll drink it every day.”
Mo Xiuli laughed. “Xiao Jiang’s words are really effective. Our mom always says she can’t get used to drinking it. Once Xiao Jiang mentions it, she’s eager.”
“If I stay healthy, I can go eat Xiao Jiang’s rolled rice noodles,” Grandma Huang laughed. “And I can even help her a bit.”
Seeing her morale so high, Mo Xiuli and Liang Zhenhua didn’t object. Liang Zhenhua even smiled. “Mom, you’re really lucky. You’ll get to eat Xiao Jiang’s noodles every day.”
“Of course,” Grandma Huang said, her face blooming with a smile.
Mo Xiuli brought out the milk powder and two more bottles of malted milk. “Take these, there’s plenty of malted milk at home; Mom can’t finish that much anyway.”
Jiang Lianyue saw the second net bag, even heavier than the one they carried in, and wanted to decline again. But worried she’d be forced to take a bicycle if she refused, she signaled Zhou Jiajing to take the bag.
“All right, we’ll accept them shamelessly. Director Mo, you’re welcome to visit my stall sometime, I’ll give you a discount.”
…
After leaving the Liang family, the street was almost empty. The bicycle sped along, and Zhou Jiajing’s mood was complex.
Earlier, he had some confidence, he was there to support Jiang Lianyue. Now…
He thought: “My ‘wife’ is growing faster than I imagined!”
Lost in thought, his pedaling unconsciously slowed.
Jiang Lianyue noticed. “Are you tired? If you are, I can ride.”
Zhou Jiajing’s pedaling froze. Then, snapping back to himself, he sped up. “I’m not tired.”
Seeing her potentially surpass him, he couldn’t let her take the lead.
Jiang Lianyue didn’t anticipate his sudden acceleration. Her body jerked backward with inertia, then hit forward, and her forehead bumped his back.
“Ouch!”
She exclaimed instinctively.
Zhou Jiajing stiffened, then awkwardly said, “Sorry, it didn’t hurt, did it?”
It hurt a little, but it wasn’t much, and she wasn’t delicate.
She rubbed her forehead. “It’s fine, just bumped suddenly. Didn’t react in time.”
Zhou Jiajing gripped the handlebars tightly, unwilling to think further, and pedaled seriously.
Jiang Lianyue held the seat firmly, not letting her hands hang loosely like before.
Zhou Jiajing said after a thought, “With a family background like Grandma Huang’s, if you become her goddaughter, you’ll have plenty of resources. If your parents don’t agree, you should explain the pros and cons to them.”
He implied it was good to discuss it with her parents, but she should ideally persuade them.
Jiang Lianyue understood and nodded. “I know, but my uncle and my mother treat me very well. If they disagree, I won’t force it.”
The original girl’s parents had truly cherished her. They never let her work in the fields, rarely made her do chores, and always used the three sons. If she struggled with something, they would immediately send a son to do it. Grandma Huang’s resources were valuable, but if the original parents disagreed, Jiang Lianyue wouldn’t violate their wishes. Their daughter had already been lost; she couldn’t bear to force them to accept another “mother.”
Suddenly, Jiang Lianyue remembered something she’d long ignored: The day she transmigrated, Jiang Lianyue hadn’t been injured or in danger, how did she suddenly die?
She pressed her chest silently. Did the original girl have a heart problem? Did she die of a sudden heart attack?
She recalled the extraordinary care her family gave the original girl and felt this guess might be true. Otherwise, how could a rural girl, adored as she was, never be made to work?
She decided to check at the hospital sometime.
If it really was heart disease, she’d take precautions in the future.
Back home, Jiang Lianyue split the fruit cans and malted milk into two halves, giving one half to Zhou Jiajing.
He pushed it back. “They’re for you.”
“To help you stay healthy,” he added, glancing at her. He hadn’t noticed before, but after Grandma Huang repeatedly mentioned it, he thought that although her face was rosy, her skin was almost unnaturally pale.
“I’ve never seen anyone this pale, not even in the capital.”
“Half each going and coming back,” Jiang Lianyue said. “Thanks for taking the time to come with me. You didn’t have to, yet you spent an evening and money buying gifts. It’s only fair you get a share back.”
At Grandma Huang’s door, many had tried to enter but couldn’t. Here, she made it seem like, “You didn’t have to go.”
Zhou Jiajing studied her, seeing that she truly meant it, and placed half of the fruit cans and malted milk in the cupboard.
“I’ll put it here. Take whenever you want.”
The cupboard was communal, so Jiang Lianyue didn’t mind. She yawned. “I should wash up and sleep. I need to get up early tomorrow.”
She went into the kitchen to heat water and wash, leaving the matter settled.
Zhou Jiajing watched her silhouette flicker in the kitchen light, emotions dark and unreadable.
After standing in the living room for a while, he turned to study.
Now, as her fake husband, he shouldn’t, and didn’t need to, think about those things.