Chapter 24: She Is My Future Wife

Tang Xiaoxiao looked at him, and when she met his determined gaze, she couldn’t say the words she wanted to refuse.

“Okay, I’ll help you back.”

Tang Xiaoxiao helped him off the tractor. Song Wei was about to park the tractor at the entrance of the village and walk them back first.

“Xiao Wei, you drive the tractor back first, we’ll go back ourselves.” Song Jingzhi said to Song Wei, turning his head.

“Second Brother.” He was afraid that his second brother and Tang Zhiqing would encounter some gossipy people.

“Go, Xiaoxiao is your future second sister-in-law, the only second sister-in-law.” Song Jingzhi said this while looking at Tang Xiaoxiao.

“Okay, Second Brother.”

After Song Wei drove the tractor away, Tang Xiaoxiao helped Song Jingzhi walk forward.

Sure enough, they met many villagers who were getting off work on the way. Everyone was surprised to see Song Jingzhi, after all, many people had seen him leave in a wheelchair yesterday.

“Jingzhi, are you better now?” The speaker was Cui Da Niang, whose family had a good relationship with the Song family.

“Da Niang, I’m better now. I’ll be fully recovered in a few days.”

“That’s good. It’s all thanks to Tang Zhiqing. Jingzhi, you have to treat her well.”

“Of course, Da Niang.”

After saying goodbye to Da Niang, the two continued walking forward. Many people had heard about what happened yesterday, so they didn’t say anything about Tang Xiaoxiao helping Song Jingzhi.

They just asked a few questions about Song Jingzhi’s leg. After all, their identities were there, it wasn’t like Chen Fengya, looking for excitement, was it?

But there were also those who would go for the jugular. It was Yang Zhaodi, Chen Fengya’s sister-in-law, who had a daughter. Seeing that Song Jingzhi was handsome and a military officer with a high allowance, she had thoughts of marrying him off.

But this time, seeing Song Jingzhi come back walking, she was afraid that he wouldn’t recover, so she wanted to wait and see. Who knew that he would recover before Tang Xiaoxiao appeared, and now he was even better.

“Oh, isn’t this Jingzhi? You’re better now, aren’t you? Oh, this isn’t right. I say, Tang Zhiqing, since Jingzhi is better now, this isn’t appropriate.”

She said this while walking towards them, “Come, come, Jingzhi, Auntie will help you back.”

“No need.” Song Jingzhi took a step back with Tang Xiaoxiao. “I’ve already gotten engaged to Tang Zhiqing. She’s my future wife, there’s nothing inappropriate about it.”

Tang Xiaoxiao blinked at him. When did we get engaged? I don’t know anything about it!

“This, you two have only known each other for a short time, and you’re already engaged? Don’t fool Auntie. I’m telling you, Jingzhi, it’s better to marry someone you know well. Our family…”

“I’m telling you, Yang Zhaodi, your sister-in-law just paid money yesterday, and you’re causing trouble again today. Do you think our Song family has no one?” The speaker was Song’s mother.

It was Song Wei who went to deliver the wheelchair and told her that Song Jingzhi was better. She rushed out to see, and happened to see this scene.

Tang Xiaoxiao was worried that he had walked for a long time and had stood and greeted many people, afraid that he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“Auntie, let’s go back.”

“Okay, let’s go home.” Song’s mother went to help Song Jingzhi on the other side, and the three of them left Yang Zhaodi standing there.

“Yang Zhaodi, are you still thinking about introducing your little Mei to Jingzhi?” The speaker was Cao Guafu, a widow in the village.

Although she was a widow, she had been widowed for over twenty years. She had taken care of her in-laws until they passed away, and raised her three children until they got married. She had a good reputation and was well-liked in the village.

“I’m telling you, don’t even think about doing something so shameless. Tang Zhiqing is not someone anyone can compare to.” She was also present yesterday.

Originally, she thought it was inappropriate for Tang Xiaoxiao, a young girl, to take care of Song Jingzhi, but Tang Xiaoxiao’s words yesterday made her look at this young girl in a new light.

“None of your business.” After saying this, Yang Zhaodi quickly left.

Cao Guafu was accompanied by several gossipy women in the village. If she said anything, it would spread throughout the village in no time.

On the other side, Tang Xiaoxiao and the three of them returned to the Song family. Song’s father soon returned from work. Song’s father and mother were very happy about Song Jingzhi’s recovery.

“Dad, Mom, I want to invite Uncle and his family to dinner tonight. First, I want to thank them for their care during this time, and second, I want to get engaged to Xiaoxiao and ask them to be witnesses.”

After lunch, the four of them sat in Song Jingzhi’s room chatting. He told Song’s father and mother his thoughts.

“Of course, it’s good to get engaged, but we need to tell Xiaoxiao’s parents about this.” Song’s mother naturally wanted to get her daughter-in-law settled as soon as possible.

Song Jingzhi knew that he had to tell Tang’s parents about this, but after yesterday’s incident, his leg was now able to stand.

If Xiaoxiao continued to come and go from their house, people would inevitably gossip, but if they got engaged now, they wouldn’t.

“I’ll write a letter to my parents later. They’re very open-minded, and Song Jingzhi is so good, they’ll definitely agree.” Tang Xiaoxiao naturally knew Song Jingzhi’s concerns.

Song’s father nodded at Song’s mother. Song’s mother got up and went back to her room. When she came back, she brought a thick red paper package.

“This is the betrothal gift that your uncle and I prepared. It’s not much, a total of six hundred and sixty-six. The rest will be made up by Jingzhi.”

Tang Xiaoxiao looked at Song Jingzhi in astonishment. Even in the city, the betrothal gift wasn’t this high, was it?

“Xiaoxiao, take it. It’s a little token of our affection. I know you guys in the city need three rounds and one ring, but your aunt and I don’t have that. Jingzhi will give you that. After our house is built, Jingzhi’s allowance will be his own.”

“Uncle, I’m not saying it’s too little, it’s too much.” In rural areas, a betrothal gift of sixty-six yuan was already the top.

“Take it. It’s your parents’ intention.” Song Jingzhi nodded at her.

“Thank you, Uncle, thank you, Auntie.” Since he said so, she accepted it.

Seeing her accept it, Song Jingzhi walked to the wardrobe, took out his military duffel bag, and took out a passbook and two envelopes.

“Comrade Tang Xiaoxiao.” He held the things in his hand, walked in front of her, looking serious and a little nervous.

“Yes.” Seeing his serious expression, she couldn’t help but become serious too.

“This life, I have already pledged my body to the country, but my heart is yours. I hope you will accept it.” He handed her the things in his hand.

“Comrade Song Jingzhi, this life, you have already pledged your body to me once. I accept your heart too.” She took the things from his hand and shyly lowered her head.

Song’s father and mother saw her accept it and smiled at each other.

“I’ll go to your uncle’s house and invite them to dinner tonight.” Song’s father smiled and went out.

“And ask for a leave of absence for me. I’ll go to the city to buy some meat this afternoon.” Song’s mother also went out.

“Don’t you want to see how much money is in the passbook?” He pulled her to sit on the bed.

“Oh.” She opened the passbook, her eyes wide. “4600?”

“Yeah, my monthly allowance is 121.3 yuan. I eat at the fire station canteen, and I only send ten yuan to my parents every month for their living expenses. I don’t have any other expenses. Sometimes I get bonuses when I go on missions.”