◎ Engagement ◎ 

Xu Shengjie arrived in Damei Village carrying two jin of pork belly, one jin of peach cakes, and one jin of egg cakes. 

On the way, most villagers were working in the fields. Some turned their heads to look at him with curiosity. 

His engagement with Dong Jiayan had been unpleasant, but since he had a good temper and didn’t make a scene, the villagers whispered behind his back that he must have felt wronged. However, Xu Shengjie had long forgotten about this and went straight to the Liang family’s house. 

Song Chunhua had gotten up early to prepare. The house had vegetables, but she was short on fresh pork. Last time, she was lucky to borrow a pound of pork, but this time she wasn’t so fortunate. The day before, she had asked Liang Baojun to catch fish at the river. Luckily, he caught a big grass carp weighing over three pounds. She cut it into small pieces and braised it, then cooked some potato slices and cucumber slices. The taste was fragrant, and it was also a proper meat dish. 

She also made some sauerkraut vermicelli soup, which was just right for relieving the heat in the summer. Additionally, she stir-fried eggplant and green beans, vinegar-braised cabbage, and steamed a basket of buns. The table was full of dishes. 

She had prepared generously and saw that Xu Shengjie had also brought a gift, which was thoughtful and sincere. He also included some meat and snacks. 

Looking at the man again, he was tall, with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, quite heroic. Especially his clear eyes—he was indeed a soldier. She had always had a certain admiration for soldiers who defended the country. Now seeing him dressed so properly, she couldn’t help but scorn Chen Siming inwardly. 

“Comrade Xu, is it? Come in and have a seat.” Noticing the bags of items he handed over, Song Chunhua added, “You came all this way and brought so many gifts. That’s really thoughtful of you.” 

“It’s nothing, Aunt Chunhua.” 

Watching Xu Shengjie being greeted by Liang Zhigao and Liang Baojun, she turned and put the items in her own room. Sugar and pastries were locked in a cabinet, and the fresh meat was for lunch. She took the meat to the kitchen, calling Liang Baoying, who was currently stir-frying the vegetables, “Eldest, cut a jin of meat to make braised pork, and the rest can be salted and preserved.” 

A jin of meat was already quite a lot; they had to save some. 

“Okay.” Liang Baoying worked efficiently. She turned around and picked up the kitchen knife to cut the meat. With one cut, she cut it almost perfectly. The tender and smooth pork belly was put aside, and she rubbed salt on half of it. 

Liang Baozhen had just cooked the fish and put it in a bowl, but unexpectedly another big dish came, which really relieved her anxiety. 

Her mother was worried last night, fearing that Xu Shengjie might be disappointed with her family and feel she hadn’t treated him well because she didn’t have any pork. Now, with the meat he brought, they could entertain him properly. 

“Baozhen, you cook it. Make it delicious and add more oil.” Song Chunhua wanted her daughter to show off her cooking skills in front of her son-in-law. She wasn’t bragging; Baozhen was indeed skilled in cooking and had many recipes. If she hadn’t been good at studying, she would have sent her daughter to be a chef. 

In these times, chefs were as valued as scholars, and being well-read didn’t matter if you couldn’t fill your stomach. 

It is said that chefs from state-owned restaurants are very popular, and there are always people coming to them to act as matchmakers. 

“Okay, Baoling, go to the field and pick some more peppers and onions.” One of the cook’s skills is that he loves to order people around. 

Liang Baoling has gotten used to it. It’s worth it as she can eat more meat by running a few times! 

“Third Aunt, what about me? What should I do?” Mengmeng looked at Liang Baozhen eagerly. Everyone in the kitchen had something to do except her, which made the little girl unhappy. 

“Go with your aunt and help her pick peppers,” Liang Baozhen said. She wanted to rub her niece’s head but remembered her hands were greasy and decided against it. “Be careful not to touch your eyes; you might get peppers in them.” 

“Okay.” Mengmeng nodded and ran out in small steps. 

Liang Baozhen worked quickly. In no time, she cut the pork into pieces and arranged them neatly on a plate. She also chopped the peppers, ginger, garlic, and winter melon, gathered a few spices, and finally took out a bowl of rendered pork lard. 

Song Chunhua looked at her daughter with a pained expression as she scooped a spoonful of lard with a spatula and kept yelling in frustration, “You little girl, why did you scoop so much?” 

There was no other way. People in the village couldn’t afford vegetable oil now, and this bowl of lard was a treasure at home. They would only use a little bit for cooking on weekdays. Liang Baozhen knew her mother was reluctant to use the oil, so she scooped out a small piece, thinking the pork belly would release oil. But her mother still complained, so she shook the spatula and removed it a bit more. 

Only then was Song Chunhua satisfied. 

A little pork lard melted in the iron pan as Liang Baozhen stirred the fire. She added pieces of pork belly with a good mix of fat and lean meat. When they hit the melted lard, they sizzled. Soon, the aroma of the meat filled the air, almost as festive as during the New Year. 

Everyone was already seated at the table in the main hall. Liang Baozhen took the dish bowl and placed the last dish on the table. She didn’t look at Xu Shengjie at all. She only noticed a pair of eyes passing by her and then disappearing in an instant. 

The braised pork was soft and tender, with a golden color, and had a smooth, chewy texture. It released a delicious aroma, and the rich brown sauce made everyone drool. 

“Come on, Comrade Xu, try this. Baozhen specially made this braised pork. She’s really good at cooking,” Song Chunhua invited Xu Shengjie to eat. 

Xu Shengjie picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth. The roasted pork belly seemed to melt as soon as he chewed it, and the aroma was fragrant. Seeing everyone’s eyes on him, he did not hesitate to praise, “It’s delicious.” 

Liang Baozhen’s hand holding the chopsticks paused. “Isn’t it too short and simple?” 

Heaven knows, this was already a rare high praise from Xu Shengjie, which most people wouldn’t receive. 

At the dinner table, the Liang family was less reserved. When Chen Siming came to eat before, everyone was careful with their words because of his status. But it was different with retired soldiers. Soldiers were the most approachable people and were close to everyone. 

Liang Zhigao took a few sips of wine and started chatting. He kept asking Xu Shengjie about his military training and battlefield experiences. Although he knew which questions to avoid, he listened just for fun.

 

Xu Shengjie originally thought he was here to be evaluated by the Liang family, but unexpectedly, the focus shifted to his life in the military. Liang Zhigao had reviewed all his military experiences. 

Who doesn’t have a dream of being a soldier? Liang Baojun also wanted to join back in the day, but being the only son in the family, his mother, Song Chunhua, couldn’t bear to let him go. Now, listening to his future brother-in-law, he was so enthusiastic that he forgot to eat and focused on the conversation.

 

“Comrade Xu, you really haven’t lived in vain these years. Being able to fight on the battlefield, your life has been worth it!” Liang Baojun spoke from the heart, and the others at the table listened with great interest. 

Even Song Jianguo looked up at the man opposite him. He didn’t expect that this man, despite having an ordinary family background, was so imposing. He didn’t speak as eloquently as Chen Siming, who came last time, but he made people want to listen. 

Liang Baozhen was the only one at the table eating quietly. This was the time she listened to Xu Shengjie talking the most. He told stories about his time in the army, with all its ups and downs. She didn’t look over, but she kept listening. 

“Brother-in-law, you’re so incredible!” Liang Baoling became more and more excited as she listened and directly called him brother-in-law. 

Song Jianguo looked over reflexively, not understanding why his sister-in-law suddenly praised him. When he saw that Liang Baoling was looking at Xu Shengjie, he realized what was going on and turned his head away. 

The people at the table suddenly fell silent, as the little girl’s call of “brother-in-law” had caught everyone off guard. 

Liang Baozhen stretched out her finger and poked her sister under the table, thinking that she was just calling people randomly. It was too soon for her to call him her brother-in-law. 

“Hahaha.” Song Chunhua’s laughter broke the silence. By the end of the meal, she was very satisfied with Xu Shengjie. He answered every question honestly, without flattery, and was genuinely sincere. He was someone who could handle the family’s burdens, so she followed her daughter’s comment and said, “Baoling, we’ll discuss how to address him later. After that, just ask your brother-in-law for a fee for the change.” 

According to village tradition, if a family member changes how they address someone, they are rewarded with a few candies as a token of good luck. 

Song Chunhua’s words finally settled the matter of Xu Shengjie’s visit this time. 

***

 

After dinner, everyone went outside to work, except for Liang Zhigao, Song Chunhua, and Xu Shengjie, who stayed at the table. Even Liang Baozhen was “driven” out. 

“Uncle, Aunt, my grandma is old and in poor health. She should have come with me this time, but I was worried she couldn’t handle the hardship, so I didn’t let her come,” Xu Shengjie explained the situation to Liang’s parents. “My parents are no longer around, so I can make decisions on my own.”

 

Zhou Yun couldn’t come, and there were no other elders above him, so Xu Shengjie got straight to the point. Liang Zhigao understood what he meant. 

“Xiao Xu,” Liang Zhigao said, becoming more familiar after a few glasses of wine, “Since you and Baozhen are satisfied with the matchmaking, we have no objections.” 

Song Chunhua continued, “There is only one thing. I don’t ask for anything else. I just want you to be devoted to our Baozhen after you get married. Our Baozhen is a kind-hearted child so don’t let her suffer.” 

Her current thoughts are simple; the most important thing is that the person has a good character. No matter how much she carefully selected before marriage, no one could predict the future. She could only trust her judgment this time. 

Xu Shengjie recalled a few encounters she had with Liang Baozhen, and it was as if a seed had broken through the soil and was growing in his heart. He nodded and solemnly promised, “I will. You can rest assured.” 

*** 

“Baozhen, pick some vegetables and bring them back to Shengjie.” Song Chunhua called out to her daughter, who was staying in the house. With the arrangement settled, she now considered Xu Shengjie as part of the family. 

“Okay.” Liang Baozhen went to the yard with a knife and a net bag. Xu Shengjie stood in the yard while watching her approach silently. 

After just a few steps, Liang Baozhen finally got rid of her nervousness. Her heart started pounding wildly, and she felt strange. It seemed that the sun was too hot today, and her face was burning.

 

The two of them went to their private plot in silence. Liang Baozhen picked four or five tomatoes, four cucumbers, and two eggplants, placing them in the bag. She then picked up a knife and prepared to cut the pumpkins from the vine. 

“Let me do it.” Xu Shengjie, who was standing beside her, gestured that he would do the chopping. 

“No need.” Liang Baozhen skillfully cut the vine a few times with the knife. When she saw that the vine was about to break, she reached out to catch it. The man next to her was even quicker and caught the pumpkin with one hand. 

“Look, Baozhen and Comrade Xu are really a perfect match.” Liang Baoying was cleaning the chicken coop in the yard. She secretly glanced at the other end of the private plot. The two people over there seemed to be moving in perfect harmony. She turned around and talked to her husband. 

Song Jianguo weighed things over and felt that this prospective brother-in-law might not be very helpful, so he merely gave a perfunctory response and moved on. 

After Xu Shengjie said his goodbyes and left, Liang Zhigao and Song Chunhua went back to the house to discuss the matter. They were quite satisfied with the person, and both parties decided on the gift and dowry. They were going to find Lai Fengxia to look at their natal charts and decide on a date for their wedding. 

These days, that scoundrel He Dazhuang has been hanging around their yard from time to time. Song Chunhua yelled at him a few times and chased him away, but he had done nothing wrong, so she couldn’t really do anything to him. 

However, thinking of a girl in the neighboring village whose reputation was ruined by a village scoundrel who peeped through the window while she was bathing, and who was almost forced to jump into the river, she now just wants her daughter to settle down as soon as possible. 

“I’ll go see Fengxia tomorrow and choose an auspicious date. I’ll get it done as quickly as possible.” 

“Okay, go ahead. Don’t forget to bring two eggs as a thank-you gift. We’ll also give Lai Fengxia a red envelope at the wedding.” 

With the wedding arrangements settled, the Liang family happily went to work in the fields, leaving only Liang Baozhen at home. Along the way, many villagers asked about it, and Song Chunhua talked about the marriage generously, which led everyone to congratulate her. 

Most people in the village still disliked the behavior of Chen Siming and Dong Jiayan, and thought it was a great joy that Liang Baozhen had found a good man again. 

*** 

After leaving the Liang family, Xu Shengjie went to Lai Fengxia’s house to tell the situation. As the matchmaker who had been trying to bring the two together, Lai Fengxia was very pleased. After years of matchmaking, nothing made her happier than seeing a couple go from strangers to being married. 

“Alright, go back and tell your grandmother. Prepare well; you’re young and might not understand all the tradition, so ask your grandmother for guidance.” 

“Okay, I understand, Auntie. I’ll go first then.” 

Xu Shengjie came out of Lai’s house and went to the village entrance. He passed by Liang’s yard again. At this time, Liang’s house was quiet, and most people in the village had gone off to work. However, with his sharp ears and eyes, he noticed something wrong after walking a few steps. 

On the left side of the Liang family’s yard, there was a row of trees with a slope underneath, where a narrow strip of land was usually planted with onions. At that moment, a few onion plants were trampled into the mud, and someone was squatting on the wall while peeking into the house.” 

The author has something to say: 

Xu Shengjie: Let me see who dares to peek at my wife!