Chapter 17: The First Visit

A secluded mountain village erupted into a frenzy as a military truck rumbled into its heart.

At three in the afternoon, the two arrived home early.

The truck parked squarely beside the dilapidated wooden gate of Ruan Xiaotang’s house.

A throng of villagers, eager for a glimpse of the spectacle, poured from the narrow streets.

They surrounded Ruan’s doorway in three or four layers, making it impassable.

Among them was Ruan Xiaotang’s cousin, Ruan Xiaomei.

Her envious and malicious eyes, hidden in an inconspicuous corner, held a bitterness that pierced Ruan Xiaotang’s chest like a sharp blade, cutting straight to the heart, a fatal blow.

Ruan Xiaotang deliberately linked arms with Zhou Xingze, feigning intimacy.

A faint smile played on her lips as she surveyed the crowd, a deliberate display for Ruan Xiaomei.

The scene was not only infuriating but utterly maddening.

Watching the affectionate couple enter Ruan’s gate, the villagers began to chatter.

Those close to the Ruan family said, “That man is handsome and well-suited to Xiaotang. Things will finally look up for the Ruans.”

“Sister, you’re so right. Ever since Guifang’s husband passed away, Xiaotang has been holding the family together. She’s so young, and she’s done all the dirty and hard work. Now, her hardships are finally over.”

“You’re just worrying unnecessarily. Instead of fretting over other people’s daughters, why don’t you find a good match for your own?”

This came from someone with little interaction with the Ruans.

“My daughter is only 18; she’s not desperate to marry. Marriage is a lifetime decision, and I don’t want her to end up with a man who treats women like beasts, a scoundrel lacking all decency.”

“You’re being sarcastic! May you rot in hell!”

“Bah! Who are you talking about, anyway!”

……………………

“Who is this?”

“Mom, this is my blind date today, Zhou Xingze.”

Liu Guifang carefully examined the tall, strong man standing before her.

He was a head and a half taller than Xiaotang.

What did he eat growing up to get so tall?

His physique suggested he was a hard worker, quick and efficient, promising a comfortable life.

Xiaotang was truly blessed.

“Aunt, hello. I’m Zhou Xingze, a People’s Liberation Army soldier. It’s my first visit, and I apologize for any disturbance.”

“Brother-in-law, you’re really a soldier?”

Ruan Xiaohai, limping, quickly emerged from the house.

He lifted the curtain, his excitement spilling out.

Grinning, he stood behind his mother.

Zhou Xingze gratefully looked at his new brother-in-law.

The boy was truly sensible.

“What are you shouting about? He’s your sister’s date, not your brother-in-law yet. Don’t be so informal.”

Liu Guifang turned and scolded Ruan Xiaohai.

“Aunt, don’t blame him. Come, Xiaohai, let’s go get things from the car.”

“A car?”

Ruan Xiaohai’s eyes lit up. He had only seen cars in storybooks, never in real life.

Driving a car was a lifelong dream.

“Xiaotang, he’s kindly bringing you home; why should he have to spend money? What if something…”

The memory of the Wang family’s unreasonable behavior during the broken engagement still haunted her.

She feared the unexpected.

“Mom, rest assured. Zhou Xingze is a kind and upright man. I trust him.”

Liu Guifang’s hands were clasped tightly by her daughter.

Her apprehension eased.

Her daughter’s certainty reassured her. As a mother, what else could she say?

Only full support.

“Xiaotang, come inside and help me cook. We may be poor, but we can’t let our guest go home hungry.”

“Okay.”

Ruan Xiaohai, carrying a piece of streaky pork, rushed into the house, ignoring his leg injury.

“Mom, Sister, look! It’s meat! My brother-in-law brought it, and there’s more delicious food. He brought my favorites! My brother-in-law is the best!”

Meat was a luxury in these times of scarcity, something rarely seen except during festivals.

Liu Guifang stared at the ten-kilograms slab of pork, at a loss for words, before being interrupted.

“Xiaotang, where should I put these?”

Zhou Xingze entered, carrying two boxes of neatly wrapped pastries and a bottle of sesame oil in his left hand, and two large bags of grain in his right. Over his shoulders hung two netted bags, one in front and one behind, containing apples and peanuts respectively.

Liu Guifang could hardly believe her eyes. It took her a while to recover.

Heavens, all these things must have cost a fortune.

They had nothing worthy of reciprocating such generosity. How could she possibly let him leave empty-handed?

She couldn’t embarrass her daughter. They had ten eggs; she’d borrow a few more to make twenty.

“Xiaohai, help.”

“No, my brother-in-law can handle the fire. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

Ruan Xiaohai sat on the kang, eating a small cake, catching the crumbs below.

“You haven’t even left, and you’re already eating? How rude!”

“Mom, my brother-in-law said these treats were for me, to eat as much as I want, and he’ll buy me more next time.”

Liu Guifang, exasperated, tapped his forehead.

“He was just being polite! Don’t take it seriously. You’re embarrassing your sister!”

Ruan Xiaohai stopped eating. “I only recognize him as my brother-in-law; no one else is worthy!”

“Keep your voice down! If he hears about your sister’s previous broken engagement, he might change his mind, and the marriage will be off.”

“It wasn’t Sister’s fault that the engagement was broken. My brother-in-law is clearly perceptive and won’t abandon my sister over some gossip. I can tell he only has eyes for my sister.”

Liu Guifang was comforted by Ruan Xiaohai’s words.

But the broken engagement was a fact.

Sigh! A daughter without a husband is a worry. A bad husband is even more upsetting.

Now, she had a wonderful prospect, but she was still worried.

After all, the Wang family were not easy to deal with, and she feared their interference.

If this engagement were ruined, Xiaotang would be destined to be an old maid.

Could her strong-willed daughter accept such humiliation?

The memory of her wielding a cleaver still sent shivers down her spine.