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After talking to the Golden Swallow for a while, Chen Feng’s mood calmed considerably. Listening to the crisp calls of the birds under the eaves and the scent of osmanthus flowers wafting in through the window, her spirits lifted. This world was so beautiful, and she was still a fifteen-year-old girl in her prime. She have her son, Golden Treasure, and her family’s love, she couldn’t let those things ruin her mood.
At worst, she just wouldn’t marry.
During dinner, before Dabao could come and get her, she willingly went to the old courtyard.
Perhaps to comfort Chen Feng, they made the minced meat sauce noodles that she liked for dinner.
As she entered the room, a delightful aroma and warmth enveloped her. Mrs. Wang was busy around the steaming pot, and Dabao, with a big smile on his face, was tending to the fire at the stove.
When Chen Feng went to help, she was firmly pushed into the east room by Dabao, and Chen Ming quickly gestured for her to sit on the heated brick bed. Chen Lu, who was already sitting there, came over and held her hand, speaking attentively. Even Qiqi and Gray, crouching in the corner of the heated brick bed, were unusually quiet.
First, Mrs. Wang brought over a large bowl of noodles, topped with protruding pieces of flavorful minced meat. Chen Feng inclined and said, “This bowl is for dad.”
Mrs. Wang smiled and replied, “I’ll bring it to your dad right away.”
Chen Ming urged her to eat first with a smile.
The whole family, afraid that her mood might not be good, spoke and acted cautiously, even the usual slurping sound of eating noodles was absent.
Sitting in this room filled with the aroma of noodles, Chen Feng was surrounded by overwhelming love. She felt deeply apologetic and said, “Dad, mom, I really am fine. If I feel someone isn’t good, I just won’t agree.”
Seeing that Chen Feng was indeed feeling better, everyone relaxed.
Chen Lu also comforted Chen Feng, “I’ve grown up and have never seen a prettier young lady than my sister. In the future, my sister will surely find a good brother-in-law.”
Chen Feng, with a thick skin, smiled and said, “Yes, I think so too.”
Dabao added, “Yeah, yeah, my mom is the prettiest young lady, she will definitely find a good…” a good what? He didn’t want to say “good dad,” so he pouted and fell silent.
Chen Feng smiled and changed the subject, “Who’s prettier, mom or little Hanyan?”
Dabao eagerly chimed in, “Mom is the first prettiest, and little Hanyan is the second prettiest.”
This playful banter brought joy to the whole family, dispelling the previously oppressive atmosphere.
At night, the bright moonlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a hazy glow inside the room.
Through the half-open lattice, the deep sky, the bright moon, the glittering stars, the scent of osmanthus carried by the night breeze, and occasionally the faint fragrance emanating from Dabao’s pillow, created a charming night scene.
The night was so enchanting, it made Chen Feng’s mood as beautiful as a flower.
However, she had to ignore the little rascal beside her, who was lying on the heated brick bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, and sighing.
Faintly, she saw Dabao’s large eyes wide open, his brow furrowed. This child was fine in the old courtyard, so why did he seem troubled when lying on the heated brick bed?
Chen Feng pinched his little ear and said with a smile, “Son, mom isn’t angry anymore, why are you still upset? A young man shouldn’t be so petty.”
Turning his face toward Chen Feng, Dabao said, “I’m not upset, I’m thinking that it was wrong for grandpa and grandma to decide to have me be your son instead of their son-in-law. If I had been their young son-in-law, I would definitely have been good to you for a lifetime, and it would have ended those people’s thoughts. When I grew up, I would have been a perfect match for you.” After saying this, he pouted, waiting for his mom to praise him for being so intelligent.
Chen Feng looked at the earnest little guy in front of her. In the dim moonlight, his once pointed face had become as round as a full moon, his features startlingly handsome, his chubby arms resembling little fat lotus roots, dressed in a bellyband and split pants.
This image and his profound words were completely incongruous. Chen Feng burst into giggles.
The little rascal, feeling teased, blushed and sulkily said, “Mom, why are you laughing? What’s so funny? It’s true. Why can’t I be their young son-in-law? If I were their young son-in-law, I would have been good to you for a lifetime, even better than grandpa is to grandma.”
Chen Feng stopped laughing. These were the most touching sweet words she had ever heard in this life and the last.
She stood up and embraced the little rascal, saying, “Thank you, son. Your words have deeply moved me. But you’re still better off being my son. It’s much better for you to be my son. While you’re young, I will nurture you. When I’m old, you will take care of me. This way, we’ll never be apart in this life.”
Whether as a young son-in-law or a son, as long as they were never separated from each other, it was fine.
Dabao thought about it and nodded, “In that case, I’d still like to be your son, and I’ll take good care of you in the future.”
Chen Feng smiled, kissed his little face, and advised, “Don’t say these things about being a young son-in-law in front of grandpa and grandma, it would upset them.”
Dabao nodded and said, “Okay, son understands, son isn’t foolish.”
Dabao lay down. With no more worries, he closed his eyes and soon, the room was filled with his snoring.
The next morning, after breakfast, Mrs. Wang went to town to buy red dates, glutinous rice flour, and sesame. There were some red dates at home, but only a little over a pound, so they needed to buy more.
Chen Feng soaked the red dates in water and then carried a bucket of water to the stream to water the vegetable garden, accompanied by Zhui Feng.
As she busied herself in the vegetable garden, she heard Zhui Feng barking furiously, followed by a strange smell. When she looked up, she saw Wang Yingjun standing outside the vegetable garden fence, gazing at her affectionately.
Wang Yingjun was wearing a faded short jacket. It was not just dirty, but also had many patches sewn onto it. He was barefoot, despite the onset of autumn. In this weather, only a beggar or him would go without shoes.
His face was flushed, and he seemed very shy.
Chen Feng stood up, glanced at him, and said sternly, “What are you doing standing here? Don’t you know it’s impolite to stare?”
Wang Yingjun’s face turned even redder, and he stammered, “Feng, please reconsider our situation. If you agree, I’ll bring two acres of land to your family and treat you and Dabao well. Oh, I’ve also saved over three taels of silver, and at home, there’s a pig and a few egg-laying hens, all of which I’ll bring to your home. I eat very little, and my clothes don’t require much fabric. If you marry me, you won’t lose out.”