Chapter 34: Elbows Pointing Outward

This was the first time in both her and his life that their hands touched like this—his rough fingertips brushing against her soft skin. The sensation really made Jiang Qian’s face feel hot.

It was just holding hands, nothing else, but with her delicate hand enclosed in his large, rough, and strong hand—his fingers firm and defined—it felt like an electric shock running through her. It was a tingling, numbing sensation that made her cheeks flush and her heart race.

Although she hadn’t experienced much, she had seen enough to know the difference—this was nothing serious. It was just holding hands, a simple gesture. It shouldn’t be anything too overwhelming.

 The moment had arrived, yet she felt ridiculously innocent!

It was a little embarrassing.

Jiang Qian thought to herself, but her face was like that of a shy little quail, while the sensation of his hand kept spreading up her arm.

That damned feeling of friction.

What must it feel like with the real thing…?

Ah, no! The little yellow character was back again—time to suppress it!

Outwardly, Jiang Qian looked as if nothing had changed. She remained completely composed, allowing him to play his little tricks, content to simply enjoy it and feel shy.

But after watching the movie, both of them felt great, with hand-holding and physical contact adding to their good mood.

 After the movie, they had dinner in the city, enjoying some lamb.

The lamb at this place was especially delicious, tender and smooth, and with every bite, the sense of satisfaction was simply amazing!

Most importantly, it was nourishing, particularly perfect for the season.

Jiang Qian thought it was incredibly tasty as well. Every year, she would cook lamb a couple of times to supplement her family’s diet. The flavor of the lamb in the state-run restaurant was almost identical to what she made at home—absolutely delicious.

Both of them were quite content as they left the restaurant.

Since it was getting late, Han Shiguo slowly drove Jiang Qian back.

 “Qianqian, the sky’s getting a little dark. Hold onto me, so you don’t fall,” Han Shiguo said as he carried her home, his tone unusually “thoughtful.”

Jiang Qian secretly grumbled to herself, I almost believed you, but her hands instinctively wrapped around him. “Aren’t you cold?”

During the day, the temperature had already dropped, and in the evening, it would fall even more.

Han Shiguo was dressed quite lightly: just a base layer, then a thin sweater vest, and a Lenin-style jacket on top—nothing else.

“It’s a little cold,” he said. “Can you hold me a bit to keep me warm?”

Satisfied with the way his wife was holding him around the waist, he playfully added, “Help me warm up.”

In reality, he wasn’t cold at all. His body was full of warmth, and there was nowhere for it to go. He just hoped she would marry him soon, so her gentle, feminine warmth could balance out all the fire inside him.

 Jiang Qian wasn’t sure whether she believed it or not, but she was satisfied as she wrapped her arms around his waist. The feeling was so good—his waist had that solid, powerful strength, just like a strong, sturdy male dog’s!

Sisters, she was going to be so happy!

Once again, the mischievous little “yellow person” inside her broke free, but this time, Jiang Qian didn’t suppress it. She let it run wild.

So much so that Han Shiguo could feel her hand on his stomach!

Yet, with a straight face, he said, “The wind’s a bit strong on the way back. Let me cover you up, so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Okay.” Han Shiguo’s lips curled up in a smile.

He rode slowly, and by the time they got home, the sky had completely darkened.

 Fourth Brother, Jiang Shouchuan, was also home.

He had returned this afternoon, and after finishing his work at the unit, he heard from Grandpa Wu, the gatekeeper, about what Jiang Qian had told him yesterday.

So, he came back.

It was only when he got home that he learned his younger sister had gone on a blind date, and the match had changed.

The whole family was very satisfied with this new potential brother-in-law, and the wedding was set for the day after tomorrow!

Of course, Jiang Shouchuan was eager to see what the man who would marry his little sister looked like.

 Upon seeing him, Jiang Shouchuan couldn’t help but nod in approval. Well, no wonder the family was so satisfied. He himself was quite pleased.

The man had the right build and appearance, and he was a company commander—his sincerity in marrying his little sister was clear!

He was very pleased!

Han Shiguo, today, had made thorough arrangements for his day. He had planned everything, including telling Zhou Guiyun not to prepare any dinner, as they would eat in the city and return afterward.

At this moment, there was no rush to head back to Han Family Village, so he stayed to enjoy some tea.

 The tea at home was all brought back by Jiang Shouchuan; it was high-quality tea.

Jiang Shouchuan was an especially talkative person—among all the brothers, he was the most eloquent. Not only could he talk, but he also had thick skin, the type to excel in social situations.

However, despite his sharp mind, Jiang Shouchuan carried a certain rustic, honest air, something that resembled his older brothers, Jiang Shouhai and the others.

But Jiang Qian knew that these were just acts to deceive others, part of the clever tricks her cunning Fourth Brother played.

According to her mother, all five siblings had their guile hidden in the faces of the ever-smiling Third Brother and the scheming Fourth Brother!

However, to be fair, Jiang Shouchuan really did care for his younger sister. Although he believed Han Shiguo had great potential and could transform into something extraordinary in the future, his sister would always be more important than anyone else to him.

 When Han Shiguo was about to leave, Jiang Shouchuan walked him all the way to the village entrance before saying, “Qianqian is a bit lazy. If she doesn’t do something well in the future, feel free to call our work unit and talk to me. I’m her twin brother, and she’ll listen to me. But don’t be harsh with her; she’s not very bold, and if you’re too strict with her, she’ll definitely be scared. And don’t hit her. If it ever comes to that, just send her back or let us come and pick her up. But if you hit her, the Jiang family will never be done with you. I have to make this clear to you upfront.”

Jiang Shouchuan had seen too many men who hit their wives, and for those men, it seemed like a normal thing to do.

However, Jiang Shouchuan would never allow his sister to be hit. That was absolutely impossible!

So, even though he might offend someone, he felt the need to speak his mind to Han Shiguo in private.

No hitting. If things go wrong, we’ll come and take her back!

 Han Shiguo understood his meaning and seriously replied, “Qianqian is marrying me, don’t worry, Fourth Brother!”

He didn’t say anything else, just that one sentence.

Jiang Shouchuan was merely reminding him, and Han Shiguo quickly changed the topic, laughing as he said, “It’s getting late. Brother-in-law, take care on your way. I’m not exaggerating, but you really have good taste. My sister has a famous good fortune, and everyone who meets her praises her. She’ll definitely bring good luck to her husband!”

Han Shiguo chuckled. This Fourth Brother was a seasoned man, using a sweet word after a firm reminder, and now even calling him “brother-in-law.”

“Fourth Brother, you should head back. I’m leaving now,” Han Shiguo said.

“It’s already dark. Take it slow,” Jiang Shouchuan replied.

 Han Shiguo responded and rode his bicycle back.

Jiang Shouchuan watched him leave before turning around to head back inside.

“Fourth Brother, you didn’t say anything inappropriate to Shiguo, did you?” Jiang Qian asked, eyeing him suspiciously as he returned.

The two siblings were twins and had grown up together, so how could they not understand each other?

“Mom, you should keep an eye on your daughter. She’s not even married yet, and already her elbow is turning outward!” Jiang Shouchuan immediately shouted.

This earned a round of laughter from the family.

Jiang Qian’s face turned bright red, and she quickly kicked him before hurrying back to her room.

Zhou Guiyun also scolded her son with a smile before going into her daughter’s room to talk about how the marriage had been settled. “Your father and I are both very satisfied with Shiguo, and we have no objections to the Han family. So today, when they came over, we agreed to it. The wedding date is set for the day after tomorrow.”