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Although Han Shiguo had a big appetite, he didn’t slurp his food or have the bad habit of flipping dishes while eating.
Jiang Qian finished eating and watched him, her gaze becoming increasingly fond.
Han Shiguo noticed her smiling eyes looking at him and gave her a smile in return.
Both of them were quite satisfied with the meal.
After they left the restaurant, Han Shiguo smiled and said, “How about we go watch a movie?”
“Sure.” Jiang Qian had no objections.
Dating for lovers typically involves shopping, eating, watching movies, and… booking a hotel room.
But booking a hotel room was obviously out of the question.
After the movie, Jiang Qian was ready to head home.
However, she was quite satisfied with today’s date.
Han Shiguo was also happy. It was his first time dating a girl, and he finally realized how enjoyable doing these things—things he had once thought were boring—was actually enjoyable when he was with a girl he liked.
But Han Shiguo wasn’t in a rush to go home. It was still early after the movie, so he pushed the bicycle and walked with Jiang Qian, asking, “How about we go look at watches? I’ve already ordered the bicycle and sewing machine, they’ll be here in three days, but the watch is for you to wear. Want me to go with you to pick one out?”
By now, after spending the day together, Jiang Qian probably had a general understanding of what kind of person he was.
So, he needed to ask her opinion as soon as possible.
Though he appeared to be asking casually, in front of the girl he liked, even Han Shiguo felt a bit shy and insecure.
He was afraid she might look down on him, this big, rough guy.
But Jiang Qian certainly wouldn’t look down on him. On the contrary, after spending the day together, she had already made up her mind about her feelings.
Since she had already set her heart on him and was ready to marry him, Jiang Qian decided to be straightforward. Meeting his expectant gaze, she blushed and said, “Then let’s go look.”
“Good.” Han Shiguo’s heart brightened instantly, and his legs pedaled the bicycle more cheerfully and powerfully.
The mall did have a counter selling watches, but they required a voucher, and of course, Han Shiguo had prepared for this when he brought Jiang Qian along.
Jiang Qian chose a fairly standard women’s watch because she didn’t have much desire for big-ticket items like these.
But even this relatively common women’s watch, if she wore it back home, would surely make people envious and jealous.
After all, there were only two watches in the entire Wuxing Brigade.
One belonged to the old branch secretary, and the other to her father, the brigade leader/captain.
So, even a standard women’s watch was a rare item.
However, Han Shiguo felt that this watch was somewhat ordinary. His tastes were clearly higher. “Bring out that one for her to try on.”
The saleswoman, noticing his distinguished appearance and immediately recognizing him as a soldier, and seeing the watch on his wrist—clearly a genuine item—was very polite and brought out the premium model for Jiang Qian to try on.
When Jiang Qian put the watch on her wrist, it looked stunning. However, compared to the first one, this one was 30 yuan more expensive, totaling 150 yuan.
“Wrap it up.” Han Shiguo simply said this, taking out the money and voucher.
Soon, the two of them exited the mall. Han Shiguo didn’t let Jiang Qian take off the watch. “Keep it on, it looks great on you.”
Jiang Qian shook her head, her face flushing slightly. “Wait until the official proposal, then you can bring it over.”
Han Shiguo’s gaze softened. “Alright.”
He took the watch from her and carefully put it away. Then, he led Jiang Qian over to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things.
They bought two pounds of milk candy and a pound of brown sugar.
On the way home, Jiang Qian said, “Big items like bicycles aren’t easy to get. My mother said if we can’t find one, we can get it later, there’s no rush.”
“My third sister has many connections, and she’s already taken care of everything,” Han Shiguo said.
Jiang Qian knew about his third sister’s situation. Her aunt had mentioned it before.
This third sister was quite a legendary figure in the Han family.
She had married ten years ago and went straight into the county committee’s compound. In fact, Han Shiguo’s enlistment had been arranged by her.
“Should we have gone to visit today? Would that be impolite?” Jiang Qian asked.
Han Shiguo smiled at her. “No, it’s fine. We can go tomorrow and visit her as well.”
He did want to take her to meet his third sister, but since today was their first day in the city, the focus was mainly on their date. The most important thing right now was to solidify their relationship.
Visiting his third sister’s house was a small matter.
But now that she had agreed, the next time they came to the city, he was definitely taking her to visit the county committee compound.
The two continued chatting as they headed home, but because they were in good spirits, they weren’t paying attention to the road and accidentally stepped into a pit again.
Jiang Qian instinctively tightened her hold around his waist again. Han Shiguo smiled, his lips curling up. He said, “Hold on tight, this stretch of road isn’t easy to navigate.”
Jiang Qian couldn’t help but poke at his waist, thinking to herself, Do you think I can’t see through your little intentions?
Han Shiguo, feeling the poke, let his gaze soften. His voice turned gentle as he said, “Qian, I’ll treat you well, always. I’ll be good to you for the rest of my life.”
Jiang Qian had always sneered at such declarations of love in the past, but now, when it was her turn, she couldn’t help but feel a bit flushed and her heart race.
“We should get off and walk for a bit?” she asked, her tone steady but hinting at a desire for clarity as she wanted to solidify their relationship.
Han Shiguo understood what she meant and stopped the bicycle.
After getting off, Jiang Qian followed suit. They walked silently for a short distance before she finally stopped. Han Shiguo also came to a halt.
Jiang Qian looked at him seriously and asked, “Han Shiguo, are you really sure you want to marry me?”
Han Shiguo gazed at the woman who perfectly matched his ideals, and without hesitation, he answered, “Yes!”
He didn’t need to think about it.
Jiang Qian continued to look at him, her voice calm but curious, “What is it about me that you like?”
“You’re beautiful!” Han Shiguo answered honestly. “And you’re very gentle.” She was not only pretty, but also spoke in such a soft, gentle way and knew how to be considerate. He had already made up his mind—he wanted to marry this girl and have children with her.
His straightforward words made Jiang Qian blush slightly. She lowered her gaze and said, “You were supposed to marry my cousin. Does it hurt to change partners?”
Han Shiguo shook his head, “That was arranged by my parents. I didn’t even know what the other person looked like. How could I possibly feel bad?”
That was the truth. He had no feelings for her, and on the contrary, he was glad the engagement was broken off. If it hadn’t been for that, he never would have had the chance to meet this girl, the one who had caught his eye at first sight.
“I’m actually really thankful that your cousin came to break off the engagement,” he added with sincerity.
Jiang Qian looked at his intense gaze, and turned her face slightly, saying, “But you filed a marriage report, and now the person you’re marrying is someone else. Doesn’t that have any consequences?”
Han Shiguo answered confidently, “No problem. I filed the report yesterday after our blind date, and in the afternoon I sent a telegram to inform my superiors and submitted your information. Your name has already been officially registered.”
Jiang Qian playfully scolded him, “You’re so sure that I’ll say yes?”
Han Shiguo chuckled, “I’m not sure you’ll say yes, but I am sure of my own sincerity.” He then pulled out a bankbook from his pocket and handed it to her. “Qianqian, this is my bankbook. You can keep it from now on.”
Jiang Qian instinctively took it, but only after receiving it did she realize what she had done. She opened it and glanced at the balance. The large sum left her momentarily stunned.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Is this yours, or is it your family’s?”