Chapter 33: Hands Tightly Joined  

It wasn’t long after Zhao Shuxu came back that the two nieces and nephews who had been at school also returned.

The eldest, Zhao Youshu, was in the third grade, and the younger, Zhao Youhong, had just started first grade this year.

Although Han Shiguo hadn’t been home in several years, he had visited not long ago, had dinner at the house, and then returned, so these younger ones recognized their little uncle.

“Little Uncle, is this our little aunt?” Zhao Youshu smiled and asked.

“Yes, this is your little aunt.” Han Shiguo replied with a smile and then introduced Jiang Qian. “This is Youshu and Youhong.”

“Hello, little aunt!” Zhao Youshu immediately greeted her, and Zhao Youhong followed suit.

The eldest sister, Zhao Youshu, was especially good at speaking. She looked at Jiang Qian with shining eyes and said, “Little aunt, you’re so beautiful!”

“Thank you, Youshu, you’re very beautiful too,” Jiang Qian replied with a gentle smile.

The compliment made Zhao Youshu’s face turn red.

The last one to come in was the mischievous third child, her younger nephew Zhao Yousheng, who hadn’t started school yet. He looked like a little mud monkey, always full of energy.

It was true—he never came back before mealtime.

As soon as he got home, Han Shijia scolded him, “You little rascal! Where have you been messing around all morning? Look at you, covered in dust!”

The courtyard gate was closed, so the children couldn’t go out, but they were free to play inside the courtyard, so there was no fear of them getting lost.

However, that layer of dust was quite a remarkable achievement.

“Playing marbles,” Zhao Yousheng replied casually, showing no concern. He stood there, letting his mother brush the dust off his pants. He had just turned five and was at that age where he was both endearing and troublesome.

But when he saw his little uncle, his eyes lit up. “Little uncle!”

The reason Zhao Yousheng was so excited to see his little uncle was because his uncle had brought back two wooden guns, made from discarded bullet shells. The two brothers each got one.

This little guy treated the guns like treasures. He immediately took them out to show off, causing his friends to be filled with envy. But when he came back, he carefully placed them in his treasure box, not letting anyone touch them.

Han Shiguo smiled and waved him over.

Zhao Yousheng darted over like a little cannonball and jumped into his little uncle’s arms.

Han Shiguo picked him up, laughing, “I’ve been here for so long, and I haven’t seen you. Where have you been playing?”

“I was with Houzi and the others. Houzi was really jealous of my bullet guns…” Zhao Yousheng chattered away, nestled comfortably in his little uncle’s arms.

Han Shiguo was very patient as he patted the little guy’s chubby forehead.

He felt that he must be getting older because, when he looked at his nephews and nieces, as well as these little ones, there was a deep affection that came from the bottom of his heart. He felt like he wanted to take them all home and raise them.

But there was no rush—now that he had a wife, once he brought her home, he’d put in the effort, and by next year, he could have his own child.

Jiang Qian noticed the way he was looking at her. How should she describe it? His gaze was just so gentle!

From the way he held the child and his attitude towards them, Jiang Qian felt that this man would definitely be a great father in the future!

Han Shiguo smiled as he handed the child over to Zhao Yousheng, who was taken downstairs to wash his face and hands.

Zhao Shuxu, the third brother-in-law, and Han Shiguo had a lot to talk about.

But soon enough, it would be time to eat.

Old Lady Zhao (Old Lady Zhao), when she had nothing else to do, liked to cook, while Han Shijia, the daughter-in-law, would take over the kitchen duties. The two of them got along very well.

After having lunch at the Zhao family’s house and sitting for a while, Han Shiguo finally brought up that it was time to leave. He wanted to take Jiang Qian to see a movie.

Old Lady Zhao scolded him, “Next time you come, don’t buy so many things. You bought things the last time, and now you’re buying more.”

“I hardly get to come back often. Shouldn’t I buy some candy for Youshu and the others?” Han Shiguo smiled.

“You really dote on them,” Old Lady Zhao chuckled, then turned to Jiang Qian. “Qian, whenever you have time, come by and visit. I’m always at home, and when I go out, it’s just to visit the neighbors!”

Han Shiguo really liked Jiang Qian.

Jiang Qian smiled and responded.

“Take it slow while carrying Jiang Qian, okay?” Han Shijia reminded her younger brother.

“Got it.” Han Shiguo waved his hand, and Jiang Qian followed suit, walking at a distance before lowering her hand.

Jiang Qian wasn’t a particularly curious person, so she didn’t ask too much about how Han Shijia got married into the County Party Committee compound.

However, she wasn’t blind. She could see that Old Lady Zhao was very pleased with Han Shijia. Han Shijia and Zhao Shuxu had a great relationship, and they raised their three children very well.

It was only later, when Han Shiguo’s mother came to take care of her during her pregnancy, that Jiang Qian learned the reason why Han Shijia had been able to marry into the Zhao family.

Looking at Zhao Shuxu’s current state, it was impossible to tell that he had once been in a car accident and lay bedridden as a vegetable.

For the Zhao family, this was truly a devastating blow.

At the time, Old Lady Zhao almost couldn’t pull through. She barely managed to survive with the help of the neighbors.

She then began looking for someone to take care of her son, since Old Lady Zhao herself was still weak from the shock and couldn’t provide the care.

Han Shijia had learned about the job of caring for a bedridden person by accident, so she specifically came to apply for it.

And it was under her meticulous care that Zhao Shuxu miraculously began to recover.

Old Lady Zhao was convinced that Han Shijia’s luck was especially good for her son. She even had someone calculate her fortune, and sure enough, it was extremely fortunate!

So, she didn’t care at all about the rural household registration. Plus, since Zhao Shuxu’s previous engagement had been called off, they went ahead and married Han Shijia directly.

In fact, it turned out that Han Shijia’s fortune was indeed remarkable. Over the years since she entered the Zhao family, she had given birth to two sons and a daughter, each of whom was lively and adorable.

And Zhao Shuxu, not only did he miraculously recover, but his career also flourished, and eventually, he even moved into the county party compound.

When neighbors talked about it, who didn’t praise Han Shijia’s excellent fortune?

So, even though Han Shijia came from the countryside, she never felt inferior or uncertain—her confidence was rock solid.

Especially since Han Shijia was outgoing and straightforward, her relationship with Zhao Shuxu was also very good. She was very ambitious as well. Now that the children were older and her mother-in-law helped with the childcare, she had even taught herself accounting.

Zhao Shuxu supported her a lot, helping her out and teaching her many things, but Han Shijia was also very diligent. Not long ago, she passed the certification exam and was now planning to work as a temporary accountant at an organization!

With such a fortune-bringing, ambitious daughter-in-law, she never had to worry about being looked down upon, no matter where she went!

This daughter was also Han’s mother’s greatest pride.

Of course, all of this was a story for another time.

…

It was still early when they left the county party compound, so there was no need to rush back. They decided to watch a movie first.

Just like yesterday, Han Shiguo stood in line to buy soda and popcorn. When it was time, he led her into the theater to watch the movie.

Yesterday, they really hadn’t done anything, but now that their relationship had been established, Han Shiguo was a bit more daring.

While watching the movie, taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, Han Shiguo held her hand and intertwined their fingers.

Jiang Qian glanced at him. It was clear that this was his first time doing something like this, and he seemed a bit embarrassed.

 Although Jiang Qian didn’t have much experience either, her heart was racing, but she responded thoughtfully by locking their fingers together.

This was her way of telling him: “Man, feel free to take advantage of me, I’m not afraid of it!”

The wild, mischievous little “yellow” side of her resurfaced.

Jiang Qian quickly suppressed it with all her might, maintaining an innocent and shy expression—she definitely wasn’t about to give him any ideas.

Han Shiguo was quite pleased, seeing her shy demeanor. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and after their fingers were intertwined, his thumb became a little restless, gently caressing the back of her hand.