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Wang Qian didn’t say much, but these few words were enough for Zhang Weiguo to know that the child had helped him once again. He affectionately patted her head, “Little rascal, but I’m lucky to have you. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have…”
“Uncle, I’ve already said I would help you; how could I go back on my word? After all, I am your niece. Once you two have set things in stone, you go pick out a house, and I’ll pay for it. It’s better to buy a house sooner rather than later; otherwise, if the prices go up, we won’t be able to afford it. Don’t worry, I’ll withdraw the money from my sister’s account first. You don’t have to feel bad about it. Just take good care of us in the future, that’s all.”
Zhang Weiguo didn’t know what to say at that moment. If he refused, he truly didn’t have the money to buy a house, but waiting for the military to provide housing could be indefinite. After all, he hadn’t graduated yet, and his future direction was not yet determined. However, it was certain that Bai Jianing’s job at the hospital was in the capital, and that wouldn’t change, which meant his housing solution had to be in the same city. After getting married, he certainly couldn’t live in his mother-in-law’s house—he didn’t have the cheek for that. Having his own place first was essential, and Wang Qian’s words really did solve a big problem for him.
“Qianqian, …”
Upon hearing Zhang Weiguo’s call, which was laden with deep feeling, Wang Qian quickly responded, “Uncle, are you moved? Don’t get too excited just yet. Once tomorrow’s matters are settled, you’ll have your work cut out for you. You and Aunt Bai should hurry up and start looking for a house. Let’s not talk about gratitude; after all, you’re my uncle. Right now everything revolves around you. Once your lifelong matter is settled, grandma and the others can rest easy.”
After leaving the Bai family home, Wang Qian parted ways with Zhang Weiguo for the time being—he went to pick up Bai Jianing, and she went out to buy fruit. But buying fruit wasn’t her only task; Zuo He and the others were waiting nearby for her.
The market was close by, so Zhang Weiguo parted ways with her without worry. Wang Qian nonchalantly made her way to the agreed-upon meeting place where Zuo He and Mingyuan had been anxiously waiting.
“Little sister, how did it go? Was it effective?” one of them asked.
With a beaming smile, Wang Qian replied, “Hehe, brother, we might as well start looking forward to the wedding candy. Tomorrow we’re all going to discuss their marriage. Just thinking about it makes me happy.”
Zuo He looked at her with a smile, “Qianqian, the old lady didn’t suspect anything, did she?”
The conversation suggests that Wang Qian had orchestrated the events leading to the favorable outcome between Zhang Weiguo and the Bai family, perhaps as part of a plan to ensure the marriage goes smoothly. Her relatives, who are in on the plan, are concerned about whether their meddling went undetected. The tone remains light and conspiratorial, with Wang Qian portrayed as a clever and resourceful character who is well-regarded by her family members for her role in resolving the situation.
Wang Qian shook her head, “Not for the moment, but we need to finalize this matter quickly. Even if she becomes suspicious, there’s no evidence, right? And the person you guys hired did a good job, right? They can’t be hanging around this area anymore.”
Zuo He nodded with a smile, “It’s okay. That person was planning to move away anyway. This was his last job before he goes back to his hometown to retire. My grandfather had helped him out before, so there’s no need to worry about him slipping up.”
Zuo He’s words evidently reassured her, “Brother, are you two going back, or are you heading to Grandpa Wu’s place? We are going to have lunch at the Bai’s, and I need to buy some gifts. It’s my uncle’s first visit, so it wouldn’t be right to show up empty-handed.”
Mingyuan chuckled, “Alright, we won’t go back then. Let’s go shopping with you. We might as well join you for lunch at the Bai’s. We’ll just say we came to look for you guys. How’s that for an excuse?”
Zuo He smiled and nodded in agreement, “Mingyuan, that’s a good idea. We’ll accompany Qianqian for lunch.”
Wang Qian didn’t object. Having more or fewer people wouldn’t make much difference to the Bai family, and since Bai Jianing and the others knew them, it wouldn’t be too presumptuous for the two to go as well. After all, she and Zhang Weiguo had left without informing anyone at home.
“Okay, let’s go shopping. Brother, we should buy some fruit, pastries, and wine. That way, we’ll have four types of gifts, not too many and not too few, just right.”
Zuo He also thought this was a good idea, “Qianqian, why don’t we balance it out in terms of quantity? This way, there will be no room for them to pick fault.”
“I think that’s a good plan. We’ll do just that. Zuo He, since you’re familiar with the area, lead the way. We siblings don’t know where the stores are around here.”
With Zuo He’s guidance, their shopping went smoothly. When they returned with their purchases, even Han Ying was a bit surprised. They had not only bought gifts but had also brought back additional dishes for the midday meal. She had been planning to go out and buy more, but to her delight, the children had been so thoughtful. However, seeing the two young men who came with Wang Qian, she was impressed by their good looks.
Wu Changyong saw Zuo He and Mingyuan had arrived and chuckled, “Old Bai, you might not know these two yet. Zuo He is Old Zuo’s grandson, and Mingyuan is Weiguo’s nephew, Qianqian’s older brother.”
For Han Ying and Bai Qingyuan, it was a day to witness what was meant by “handsome and spirited, with an impressive bearing.” The saying “Like father, like son; the son of a mouse will dig holes” came to life for them, as they saw how well these children had turned out. It was clear that Zuo He had inherited all the best qualities of his parents.
Bai Qingyuan was indeed familiar with Zuo Zhanshan, and he had met Zuo He’s parents before. While Zuo He was a good-looking child, Bai Qingyuan hadn’t expected him to grow up to be so strikingly charismatic. Bai Qingyuan, no stranger to impressive figures, couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe upon seeing Zuo He, thinking to himself about the whims of nature, wishing for such an outstanding child in his own family.
Though Wang Qian’s brother was not quite on par with Zuo He, he was still a handsome and impressive young man. Seeing the siblings, Bai Qingyuan even harbored a fleeting wishful thought: could his own daughter bear children as attractive as them in the future? It is often said that cousins resemble each other, and Bai Qingyuan mused that even if a child had only eighty percent of Mingyuan’s looks, it would be remarkable.
“Grandpa Bai, Grandma Bai, hehe, I’m sorry for coming over without notice,” Zuo He apologized with a light-hearted tone. “My aunt was worried that Qianqian might get lost, so she sent Mingyuan and me to look for her. We suspected they might have gone to Grandpa Wu’s place, and we ran into Qianqian on the way as she was buying some stuff. So, we decided to come along and join you for a meal.”
The old couple was delighted at the arrival of two more beautiful children; they would be more than happy to have them dine at their home. The last time Zuo Zhanshan had interceded, Han Ying hadn’t dared to refuse outright but had expressed her opinion very tactfully over the phone. Although it was indirect, she felt as though she had offended someone, especially considering their status was quite a few notches above that of her husband. The fact that Zuo He was willing to come over for a meal was considered an honor for their family—something they would have wished for but might not have been granted under normal circumstances.
“Hehe, Zuo He, we are more than happy for you and Mingyuan to visit us, there’s nothing to apologize for. Whenever you two have time, feel free to come over. We live close to Grandpa Wu’s place, so just drop by. If there’s anything specific you want to eat, just let me know, and I’ll cook it for you.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Weiguo had arrived at the hospital to meet Bai Jianing. Seeing her beloved appear before her, she would have thrown her arms around him if they hadn’t been in a public place full of people. Clutching his arm in surprise, she asked, “Weiguo, how come you’re here? Aren’t you afraid my mom will find out?”
Lately, the old lady had been keeping a close eye on them, which had Bai Jianing feeling quite anxious. Initially, Zhang Weiguo had intended not to provoke the old lady, fearing that their situation might deteriorate further. Thus, for the past few days, both had been enduring their longing for each other. Now, they were truly understanding what the ancients meant when they said that a single day apart felt like years.
Aware of the many eyes watching them, Zhang Weiguo quickly led Bai Jianing to the stairs where there were fewer people, although his grip on her hand never loosened. Smiling warmly at her, he shared the news, “Jianing, your mom asked me to come and pick you up and to tell you some good news. Your mother has agreed to our marriage. Tomorrow, both families will meet officially. Are you happy?”
This moment of personal happiness for Zhang Weiguo and Bai Jianing is set against the backdrop of family dynamics and traditions, with the older generation’s approval playing a crucial role in the progression of their relationship. Zhang Weiguo’s visit to the hospital to share the news reflects the urgency and significance of the message, and Bai Jianing’s reaction underscores the emotional weight of the situation for both of them.
Zhang Weiguo’s news was indeed a tremendous surprise for Bai Jianing. “Really?”
With her eyes wide in disbelief, Bai Jianing asked for confirmation, and Zhang Weiguo teasingly whispered and nibbled gently on her fair earlobe, “It’s true, your mom just agreed.”
Overwhelmed with sudden joy, Bai Jianing didn’t know how to express her excitement. Impulsively, she planted a quick kiss on Zhang Weiguo, thankful that no one on the staircase witnessed the act. She then hurried away, glancing back at him, “Wait for me, I’ll just ask for leave and then I can go with you.”
Zhang Weiguo smiled affectionately and called after her, “No rush, walk slowly, be careful not to trip.”
But Bai Jianing, caught up in her excitement, possibly didn’t hear his cautionary words. The sound of her hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. Zhang Weiguo shook his head with a smile, amused by her impatience.
After getting her leave approved, Bai Jianing reappeared before Zhang Weiguo, her smile radiant. Her summer military uniform accentuated her fair complexion, making her look even more vibrant, perhaps still riding the wave of excitement. This made Zhang Weiguo, a man usually composed, feel a bit overwhelmed. He now eagerly hoped that his future mother-in-law would agree to their marriage soon, as he wasn’t sure he could withstand the strain of waiting.
Recalling his niece’s suggestion, Zhang Weiguo quickly began to discuss with Bai Jianing about buying a house. Given his limited familiarity with the capital, where he had been mostly stationed in military camps and academies, he thought it best to let the future lady of the house make the decisions regarding their home.
“Jianing, have you seen any suitable houses recently? It doesn’t matter the size; as long as you like it, we’ll buy it. It will be our marriage home. You know I’m still at the military academy and my future placement is uncertain, but since your work is here, I think we should buy a house in this area. It would be nice for us to have a home.”
The idea of a home was very appealing to Bai Jianing. Having a house meant having a cozy nest with her beloved, a thought that filled her with warmth and longing.
However, she had some concerns, knowing Zhang Weiguo’s situation, “Weiguo, where would you get the money to buy a house? Even with some savings, I don’t have enough to buy a house. Shouldn’t we consider renting instead?”
She didn’t want her hero to be burdened with financial worries. Zhang Weiguo chuckled and took her hand, reassuring her, “Jianing, don’t worry about that. Qianqian said the house would be her gift to us. So, you don’t have to fret over money. Just focus on choosing the house.”