Jiang Lianyue pulled a few bills from the pile and pushed the rest back. “Half each, then.”
At this, both the small shop owner and Zhou Jiajing looked at her, surprised.
The shop owner had never seen such a proactive young girl pay for her own items, while Zhou Jiajing had never heard of splitting the bill half-and-half.
Jiang Lianyue said, “We’re visiting someone together. Isn’t it normal for each of us to pay half?”
The shop owner glanced at Zhou Jiajing, then back at Jiang Lianyue, unsure what to do.
Truth be told, he felt it would be slightly awkward to take money from this young girl.
Zhou Jiajing shoved the cash and sugar coupons in his hand into the owner’s palm, then handed Jiang Lianyue her bills back, efficiently picking up the sugar and noodles from the counter.
“Let’s go. Village Chief Chen must be waiting.”
Jiang Lianyue raised her eyebrows, stuffed the money into her pocket, and quickened her pace to catch up.
If he wouldn’t take it, fine, she could use it later to buy pork. Tonight, after cooking, she treated him.
Zhou Jiajing carried the sugar and noodles, feeling an odd sensation rise in his chest.
Growing up, countless people had insisted on paying for him, and they would always agree shyly when he offered. But no one had ever suggested splitting the bill evenly like Jiang Lianyue just had.
It felt novel and oddly vexing at the same time, leaving him with a strange, inexplicable feeling.
The more he thought about it, the slower his steps became.
Jiang Lianyue caught up to him and said, “Earlier, I asked the pork vendor in Xiaoyi Town to reserve a piece of meat for me. Tonight, I’ll make braised pork for you.”
Zhou Jiajing paused mid-step.
Was she trying to settle accounts with him?
He hummed a sound he didn’t even recognize, unsure whether he’d agreed or not.
Jiang Lianyue didn’t continue talking. The two of them walked in silence along the village path toward the village chief’s home.
Before reaching the big banyan tree, Village Chief Chen came out looking for them.
“I was worried you might get lost, so I came to check,” he said warmly.
The two followed him into his home and sat in the main room. Chen called out, “Amei, pour two cups of water.”
After a moment, a young girl in a floral cotton blouse came in carrying an enamel tray with two glass cups.
Chen introduced, “This is my daughter, Amei. She’s a senior this year. Today the school gave her a holiday, so she’s studying at home.”
When Jiang Lianyue accepted a cup and thanked her, she noticed Amei’s cheeks flushed slightly.
Jiang Lianyue raised an eyebrow, subtly sneaking a glance at Zhou Jiajing. The young man was drinking water with his head down. His nose was straight, his lips well-defined, perfectly sculpted from the side.
Jiang Lianyue clicked her tongue silently.
No wonder he’s the male lead, girls are drawn to him wherever he goes.
After serving the water, Chen called to his daughter, “Amei, you should sit too.”
He introduced Zhou Jiajing to her. “This is Officer Zhou, the publicity officer from the county machinery factory. You mentioned you’re unsure which university to apply to. Take this chance to ask him for advice.”
Amei looked up briefly at Zhou Jiajing, then lowered her head, her ear tips reddening, and softly said, “Hello, Officer Zhou.”
Chen then introduced Jiang Lianyue. “This is Miss Jiang.”
He considered saying more but realized he didn’t know anything about Jiang Lianyue, so he stopped there.
Amei turned to Jiang Lianyue. “Hello, Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Lianyue smiled and nodded. “Hello, Amei.”
After the greetings, the conversation turned to which universities Amei might apply to. Zhou Jiajing naturally talked the most, while the others listened.
Jiang Lianyue knew which universities were considered good in the future, but at present, she didn’t know the faculties or campus conditions as well as Zhou Jiajing did, so she remained mostly quiet.
She only asked Amei in passing, “Have you decided on a major?”
Amei replied, “I’m good at Chinese, so I want to study Chinese literature.”
At that moment, a voice called from outside: “Yimei! Chen Yimei, are you home?”
Amei?!
Jiang Lianyue froze.
The female lead appears so soon?
She remembered that in the original story, the female lead only appeared four years after the protagonist married, but now it wasn’t even four days yet.
Amei shouted back, “Uncle, my classmates are calling me. I’ll go see.”
Chen nodded. She smiled at Zhou Jiajing and Jiang Lianyue. “I’ll come back later to listen to you two.”
Zhou Jiajing offered a polite smile and nodded slightly.
Jiang Lianyue composed herself and gave a dry laugh. “Alright.”
After Amei left, Chen smiled at Zhou Jiajing. “Thank you, Officer Zhou, for taking the time to guide Amei so carefully.”
Zhou Jiajing instinctively glanced at Jiang Lianyue, replying politely, “It’s us who were imposing. Thank you for your patience.”
Chen laughed heartily. “You’re too polite, Officer Zhou.”
Not long after, Amei returned with a girl her age, saying her classmate wanted to listen too. Zhou Jiajing continued to explain the situation at domestic universities.
Jiang Lianyue quietly observed Amei. The young girl hadn’t fully grown yet but had pale skin and striking features, clearly, she would become stunning once matured.
At the moment, like her classmate, she gazed at Zhou Jiajing with bright, almond-shaped eyes, cheeks flushed with admiration. It was hard to tell if she was listening carefully or just daydreaming.
After drinking two mugs of water, a young man called out “Uncle” from the main room doorway.
Chen introduced, “This is my son, Chen Xiao.”
He introduced Zhou Jiajing and Jiang Lianyue to Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao nodded to Zhou Jiajing. “Hello, Officer Zhou.”
He then turned to greet Jiang Lianyue. After seeing her face, he hesitated slightly, then said softly, “Hello, Miss Jiang.”
Chen told him, “Go help your mother with cooking.”
Chen Xiao acknowledged and left.
Jiang Lianyue, having drunk plenty of water, wanted to use the bathroom. Chen asked Amei to take her.
Outside, Jiang Lianyue asked, “Do you feel confident about your university exams?”
Amei smiled. “The teacher says that if I perform normally, I should be able to get in.”
Jiang Lianyue thought: Four years later, when Amei graduates from university, that’s when the story in the book should begin.
When they returned, the dishes had already been set on the table. Six people, Chen family of four, Jiang Lianyue, and Zhou Jiajing, sat down.
Three dishes were served: boiled white carp, braised pork, and stir-fried hollow-stemmed vegetables.
Zhou Jiajing couldn’t help recalling the tempting aroma from yesterday’s lunch. Afraid Jiang Lianyue wouldn’t like it and might get fussy, he peeked at her secretly, she was smiling, showing her pearly teeth.
“Smells delicious. Aunt, you cook really well,” she said.
Your cooking’s even better, he thought silently, amused.
Zhou Jiajing politely said with a smile, “No need to be so courteous, cooking so many dishes.”
Though he couldn’t compliment the flavor, he could at least compliment the variety. These days, most households are poor. A typical meal might only have one dish, mostly homegrown vegetables. Two meat dishes indicated hospitality for important guests.
Chen laughed. “You’ve helped Amei a lot today. If she succeeds, I hope you’ll come for her graduation celebration.”
Zhou Jiajing smiled. “If she gets in, I’ll definitely come to congratulate her.”
After the pleasantries, they began eating. Perhaps the Chen family didn’t usually have such a meal. Everyone’s chopsticks moved quickly. Before long, the dishes were half-empty. Zhou Jiajing noticed Jiang Lianyue still sipping her soup slowly and worried she’d finish after all the dishes were gone.
Finally, when Jiang Lianyue finished her bowl of soup, Zhou Jiajing immediately picked a piece of lean pork and put it in her bowl. “Try Aunt’s cooking.”
Jiang Lianyue blinked. The table went silent. For half a day, Zhou Jiajing had been neutral toward Jiang Lianyue. Chen and the others assumed their relationship was ordinary. Now, offering her food so directly was surprising.
Zhou Jiajing felt his face warm under their gaze and hastily made an excuse: “She doesn’t usually eat pork at home. Being picky isn’t good.”
This only made things more confusing.
They live together?!
Amei’s eyes widened. Even the usually composed Chen had a look of surprise. The aunt looked startled.
Jiang Lianyue cast Zhou Jiajing an awkward glance, laughing dryly. “I just don’t like fatty meat much, you knew before we married.”
They’re married?!
Chen raised his eyebrows slightly. Amei’s expression froze, and Chen Xiao looked down. The aunt just stared blankly.
“Oh my, did you just get married?” the aunt teased. “So you’re shy to admit it in front of strangers?”
The aunt was perceptive as always.
Jiang Lianyue gave her a grateful glance, feigning shyness. “I still feel like a young girl, so I don’t want him announcing we’re married.”
Chen laughed heartily. “When I first got married, I felt like that too.”
The two women bonded over shared feelings, chatting about the mindset of a newlywed. The atmosphere at the table gradually warmed, though it never fully returned to the earlier liveliness. Amei’s crisp laughter didn’t ring out again.
Jiang Lianyue sipped her post-meal tea, stealing glances at the silent Amei tidying up, then at Zhou Jiajing, secretly sighing.
That one chopstick just dug another big hole in his future “chasing wife” plan. He was digging his own pit… task. Truly, the path of love for the leads was never smooth.
After a short rest, Jiang Lianyue suggested going to the flower fields.
Chen nodded. “Then let’s go.”
Zhou Jiajing stood and asked Chen, “May I bring some water?”
“Of course,” Chen said, picking up the thermos to pour.
Zhou Jiajing took Jiang Lianyue’s military water bottle, filled it from the thermos, and slung it naturally on his back.
Jiang Lianyue: “…”
Wait, that’s my water bottle!