Chapter 18: Let’s Talk

Wen’s family hall.

The two sides sat facing each other.

Wen Wan smiled sweetly and said, “Dad, this is Grandma Guo, and next to her is her grandson, Zhou Haoting.”

“Comrade Zhou Haoting, thank you for saving my daughter,” Wen Dafu said excitedly, his gratitude genuine.

He couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Comrade Zhou Haoting hadn’t been there that day; whether his daughter would still be standing before him.

Zhou Haoting stood up abruptly, “Uncle Wen, it was my duty.”

“Heh… Haoting, sit down, don’t be so serious,” Grandma Guo reached out to pull her silly grandson, who always became serious when nervous.

Zhou Haoting sat down, appearing calm and composed on the surface, but his heart was pounding wildly, unlike his usual self.

“Dafu, Yulan, is Xiaowan feeling better?” Grandma Guo asked gently.

Wen Dafu responded with a chuckle, “Auntie Guo, thankfully, Comrade Zhou’s timely rescue meant Xiaowan wasn’t seriously hurt.”

Then, Wen Dafu scratched his head, “Auntie Guo, I’m so sorry, we should have come to thank you in person, but you see…”

He had planned to go after he finished his work the day after tomorrow, but he never expected his savior to come to his door.

Grandma Guo glanced at her serious grandson beside her and chuckled, “Dafu, have you heard the rumors in the village?”

“Those rumors are nonsense, we’ve done nothing wrong,” Wen Dafu stiffened, secretly glancing at Wen Wan.

Last night, he and his wife had talked about this, and these past few days, they had kept Wen Wan indoors to avoid hearing those harsh words and affecting her mood.

When Xiaochao informed them to come home, they were so scared their legs went weak, fearing their daughter had heard those hurtful words and something bad had happened.

Seeing this, Grandma Guo said seriously, “I know Xiaowan’s fall into the water was an accident, and Haoting did nothing wrong in saving her. Because of this incident, the village is full of gossip about Xiaowan and Haoting.

Since it’s happened, if you’re willing, I’d like to ask for your permission for my Haoting to marry Miss Wen Wan.”

The plain water Wen Dafu had just taken nearly sprayed onto Zhou Haoting’s face. Cough, cough… His mind was filled with the word “marriage proposal.”

Cui Yulan looked embarrassed, hurriedly taking out a handkerchief, “Dafu, look at you, don’t rush when drinking water.” She said, wiping Wen Dafu’s face.

Wen Wan raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Zhou Haoting, thinking that this wasn’t in the original book.

“Dafu, rest assured, my Haoting is a soldier, now a deputy battalion commander. After marriage, Xiaowan can join him in the army, you won’t be separated.

And we have a house over a hundred square meters in town, just me and Haoting, spacious and comfortable…”

After Wen Dafu caught his breath, suppressing the anger in his chest, “Auntie Guo, you don’t need to say anymore, we don’t care about the gossip.”

“Dafu, we’re close by, living in Tao Hua Town, you can come visit anytime.” Grandma Guo pretended not to understand the refusal in Wen Dafu’s words.

She had been longing for Haoting to get married, and now that he finally liked a girl, she had to help them get together.

Cui Yulan took over, “Auntie Guo, my Xiaowan is still young, finding a job is her priority, marriage is not something to consider for now.”

Now that their daughter’s engagement with Chen Jianbing was broken off, those who knew the inside story would feel relieved for her.

Those who didn’t know, their words were too harsh. She and Dafu had decided to find a job for their daughter first, and think about marriage later.

“Yulan, to be honest, as long as Xiaowan comes to our family, she’ll be the one in charge.” Grandma Guo continued, “If Xiaowan wants to work, we’ll find her a job in town, if not, she can stay home.”

Before Cui Yulan could speak, Grandma Guo continued to list her advantages, “And, if Xiaowan wants to join the army, I won’t interfere, let them live their own lives.”

Cui Yulan was tempted.

Since childhood, their daughter had never farmed, and didn’t know much housework.

She had agreed to Xiaowan and Chen Jianbing’s marriage this year because Chen Jianbing was becoming a platoon leader and could let his family join the army.

She thought that after marriage, Xiaowan could join the army, avoiding farm work, and she heard that the army had a canteen, so they wouldn’t have to cook.

Now, if she married Zhou Haoting, Xiaowan could have a job and earn money, or choose to join the army, but Zhou Haoting was a bit older.

Wen Dafu saw his wife’s wavering eyes and quickly said, “Auntie Guo, no matter how good you say it is, it’s useless if my daughter doesn’t agree.”

His daughter had said she wanted to stay home for another two years, he didn’t care what others said, he would support his daughter for a lifetime if she didn’t marry.

After listening to the conversation between the three elders, Wen Wan made a decision, raised her eyebrows and stood up, “Comrade Zhou Haoting, shall we talk outside?”

“Okay.” Zhou Haoting nodded, his dark eyes fixed on Wen Wan, a smile playing on the corners of his eyes.

Hearing this, Wen Wan turned her head, nodded to Wen Dafu and Cui Yulan, signaling them to wait.

Zhou Haoting stood up and followed, calmly nodding, “Grandma, Uncle Wen, Auntie Cui, please sit down for a while.”

Then, he followed Wen Wan into the courtyard.

Zhou Haoting’s lips curved slightly, and he took the initiative to say, “Comrade Wen, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have knocked you unconscious.”

Later he learned that Wen Wan had been pushed into the river and splashed with dirty water, and realized that knocking her unconscious had almost caused a huge mistake.

Wen Wan was stunned, and calmly said, “You were trying to save someone, I understand.”

Then, she raised her eyes and said lightly, “Comrade Zhou, you don’t need to marry me because of the gossip, after a while, the rumors will naturally disappear.”

Besides, she didn’t want to get married now, she just wanted to make money, making money was much better than getting married.

“Am I not good enough?” Zhou Haoting pursed his lips.

Wen Wan nodded sincerely, “You’re very good, very excellent.”

A 25-year-old deputy battalion commander, even in modern times, was a very excellent man.

Looking at the calmness in Wen Wan’s eyes, Zhou Haoting had an idea.

“Comrade Wen, do you have someone you like?”

“No.”

“Do you have any plans to get married in the next two years?”

“No.”

“You…”

Before Zhou Haoting could finish, Wen Wan raised her hand to interrupt, “Comrade Zhou, just say what you want to say.”

Zhou Haoting lowered his eyes, his voice slightly low, “Comrade Wen, I do have something to ask for your help. I came back this time because my grandmother’s health is not good, and her biggest wish is to see me find a partner.

Last night, when I heard about you and me, she packed her things late at night, and this morning before dawn, she asked me to come and propose marriage, to take responsibility.

Of course, if you’re willing, I’ll be a good husband, if you’re not willing, I…” He wouldn’t say the rest.

He silently muttered: He wasn’t lying, his grandmother was indeed unwell, but it wasn’t a big problem, just take medicine on time.

His grandmother always talked about him getting married, it was indeed her biggest wish.