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The next morning, Han Shiguo arrived at the old Jiang family’s house on time, riding his bicycle. He wasn’t empty-handed. Hanging on the front of his bike was a basket, its bottom lined with oil paper, and inside was a basket full of meat buns.
“Aunt, I went out this morning to get some meat and made some buns. I brought some for you to try. How do you think they taste?” Han Shiguo came in the glow of the morning sun, holding out the basket with a bright smile on his face.
Zhou Guiyun already had a favorable impression of this future son-in-law, like a mother-in-law who kept finding more reasons to appreciate her son-in-law. Now, seeing him bring over a whole basket of buns so early, her smile deepened, and she warmly said, “You made these yourself? You can make buns too?”
“I can,” Han Shiguo immediately replied. “I spent some time in the cooking camp before, so I can basically do everything.”
“Your brothers can’t do this. That’s one thing they can’t compare to you,” Zhou Guiyun said with a smile, then asked, “Have you tried them?”
“I had some at home already.”
“Alright then, when you come back from the city, stay for dinner. After you eat, you can head back,” Zhou Guiyun said.
Visiting the city was just a formality. The marriage arrangement was set, and there was no need to keep things so distant. She wanted to give her future son-in-law a clear signal.
Han Shiguo, being smart, immediately smiled and said, “Then I won’t be polite with you, Aunt.”
“Why be polite with Aunt?” Zhou Guiyun was very pleased.
As she was speaking, Jiang Shouhai, Jiang Shoutao, and Jiang Shouhe, the three brothers, all came out of their rooms. They had specifically stayed behind today to meet Han Shiguo.
To their surprise, after meeting him, all three of the brothers were satisfied.
While Han Shiguo was chatting with the three brothers, Jiang Qian had already changed into her clothes and come out.
She was wearing the typical Lenin suit that girls of this era liked. The neat outfit complemented her, with two long, shiny braids hanging down on each side.
There was no makeup on her face, just a light dab of clam oil.
But Jiang Qian was naturally beautiful, and even in such simple attire, it was impossible to hide the youthful glow of collagen on her face.
The moment Jiang Qian stepped out, she exuded a natural, unadorned beauty. Her bright, lively peach blossom eyes turned toward Han Shiguo, causing the 26-year-old bachelor’s heart to skip a beat.
By this time, the whole family had gathered. Knowing that their younger sister had gotten up early to get ready, her brothers and sisters-in-law all wore smiles, their eyes sparkling with pride.
Their little sister wasn’t just kind and a good cook, she was also known far and wide for being a beauty!
With her black braids, sparkling eyes, and fair skin, which young man wouldn’t be smitten?
It was the first time Jiang Qian was going out with her suitor in front of her family, so her cheeks flushed. She shyly said, “Father, Mother, we’re going to the city for a walk.”
“Alright, you two go ahead,” Zhou Guiyun smiled.
Jiang’s father then said to Han Shiguo, “Take it easy on the road.”
Han Shiguo nodded, “Uncle, don’t worry, I will.”
Jiang Qian followed him out, and the whole family watched as she gracefully settled into the car beside Han Shiguo.
As he drove off with his future fiancée, Han Shiguo turned to Jiang Qian’s parents and said, “Uncle, Aunt, please rest assured, I will take good care of Qianqian.”
“Alright,” Zhou Guiyun smiled.
After Han Shiguo nodded to Jiang Shouhai and his brothers, as well as to Zhao Aiying and the other sisters-in-law, he got on his bicycle and rode off with Jiang Qian.
“Hey, the way he spoke just now made it sound like he’s already taken our little sister to his home,” Second Brother Jiang Shoutao chuckled.
Zhou Guiyun chuckled and scolded, “What do you expect Han Shiguo to say?”
“Tsk, Mother, now you’re already defending him? He’s not even your son-in-law yet,” Jiang Shoutao teased.
The playful banter made the whole family laugh.
However, the brothers were all in agreement. Jiang Shouhai said, “Father, Mother, this future brother-in-law is good!”
Jiang Shoutao and Jiang Shouhe both nodded in unanimous approval, “He’s leagues ahead of that guy named Wang!”
Zhao Aiying, Zhao Aifeng, and Su Zhirou, the sisters-in-law, all felt the same way, didn’t they?
If this marriage can go through, it would truly be wonderful!
Zhou Guiyun and Captain Jiang, the couple, were in a great mood. Their impression of Han Shiguo was flawless.
And seeing their daughter’s delicate demeanor, they didn’t need to say anything to know exactly what she was thinking.
When they saw Han Shiguo taking Jiang Qian into town, the neighbors in the village couldn’t help but feel envious.
They all knew that this marriage was practically set in stone.
Of course, the news soon reached the second branch of the family.
Jiang’s Second Uncle didn’t have any objections. The situation was already set, and Jiang Qian was his own niece, so it made sense that the good fortune would stay within the family.
But Sun Shi had a different opinion.
And the wife of Shouliangang, who had heard the news early in the morning, couldn’t help but bring it up with Sun Shi. “Yesterday, when Shouliangang and I had some free time, we went to check out that Wang guy. He’s nothing special, just looks ordinary. He doesn’t have the strength to carry a load or the ability to lift a finger—like a weak shrimp. How could he compare to Han Shiguo? Han Shiguo has an aura about him; you can tell he’s someone who could become an important official. Plus, he’s got real skills—only 26 and already a Battalion Commander! What’s in store for him in the future? Your little girl is being foolish; rejecting someone like Han Shiguo and picking that soft shrimp!”
Sun Shi had seen Han Shiguo as well, and it was clear that he fit exactly into the type of young man that would appeal to a mother-in-law’s taste. Anyone who saw him would be satisfied.
If even Zhou Guiyun was happy with him, it was no surprise Sun Shi felt the same way.
Last night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep the entire night.
She vaguely dreamed of Han Shiguo’s success, and Jiang Qian becoming a military officer’s wife. The two of them returned home in a military car, a grand display of wealth and honor, drawing the attention of thousands!
Around her, she could hear people congratulating and praising Zhou Guiyun, the big sister-in-law, while mocking and ridiculing her.
They said that her family was unlucky and her fate shallow, which was why she didn’t end up marrying into such a good match.
She gritted her teeth in anger, even dreaming that she had just learned her daughter was pregnant with Wang Hesong’s child. She quickly urged her daughter to get an abortion, and after it was done, no one would ever know. She could still marry off her daughter without anyone suspecting a thing!
As for the wedding night, it would be simple enough to prick a finger and pretend to have blood. That would be enough, wouldn’t it?
But then she dreamed that her daughter had an abortion and bled heavily, which terrified her and caused her to wake up with a start.
In the end, the entire night was filled with chaotic, unsettling dreams, which left her in a bad mood when she woke up this morning.
Now, as she listened to her daughter-in-law talk, Sun Shi glared at her and said, “How do you know he’s a soft-shell shrimp? He’s a department officer at his workplace. If he does well, he’ll rise up the ranks. He might not even be worse than Han Shiguo!”
Shouliang’s wife curled her lips. She didn’t think Wang Hesong looked like someone who would amount to much, but she didn’t dare say anything more. Who knew, she might actually need his help one day?
“Mother, if little sister gets married, does that mean I have to take her job?” Shouliang’s wife asked.
Sun Shi immediately disagreed. “You take over her job? Do you think they’ll want you? You can’t even recognize a single character!”
Shouliang’s wife: “…!” Her face was as black as the bottom of a pot!