Chapter 10

There were only two rooms in the house. Yan Fangming was already 23 years old, and Wu Xiaoying and he were not biological mother and daughter, so he took the initiative to move to the west room and sleep with Xiang Nuan and Shuangxi, allowing the two of them to sleep in the east room and chat together.

No one had any objection to this arrangement. After dinner, Shuangxi couldn’t wait to take a shower and put on her skirt, and then everyone went back to their rooms.

At night, the father and son were lying on the kang. Yan Fangming thought about how good his stepmother was to Xiang Nuan, and asked curiously, “Dad, is Nuan Nuan related to my aunt? It doesn’t look like they have only known each other for a few days.”

Yan Mancang nodded, “Well, didn’t your aunt work for a wealthy family in Beijing when she was young? Xiang Nuan is the daughter of that wealthy family. Some time ago, her father and her stepmother tried to sneak her brother to Hong Kong City, but were caught. Now they have been sent to the northwest. This child published an advertisement in the newspaper to sever ties with her family and came to our countryside.

When your aunt was at their house, her mother treated your aunt very well. During the years of famine, her mother even gave your aunt food to send back home, saving the lives of their family. Now that the child has come to us, your aunt must protect him.”

“So that’s how it is.”

After hearing his explanation, Yan Fangming finally understood what was going on. No wonder he felt that Xiang Nuan was not a child from an ordinary family. It turned out that she was the eldest daughter of a capitalist. Only such a wealthy family could raise such a delicate girl like her.

Yan Mancang turned over and looked at him and asked, “How are you? Have you made any progress in the army in the past two years?”

The person he was most proud of in his life was his son. Although his son could not be with him to take care of him in his old age, defending the country was more important.

Yan Fangming grinned, “I have made another contribution and was promoted to deputy battalion commander. I came back this time to visit my family and to tell you the good news in person! How is your son? Isn’t he good?”

Yan Mancang smiled heartily and nodded at him, “Good boy, you didn’t embarrass your father!”

“Of course he is. Otherwise, how could he be your son?”

Yan Fangming praised both of them with just one sentence, and Yan Mancang laughed again, feeling very happy.

“Oh, I can’t worry about your work, but you are already an adult, it’s time for you to start a family. I’ll let your aunt arrange something for you during these few days at home. If you like someone, you should decide on him/her right away. I can’t delay any longer. I’m still waiting to have a grandchild. You have to pay attention to this matter!”

All the grandchildren of his age in the village can already help with cooking, and he was really envious of them. He had already planned to get his son married as soon as he came back.

“I know you’re anxious, but this can’t be rushed.”

Life is only a few decades long, so he wants to find a woman who shares his soulmate’s character to live with, and doesn’t want to rush into a marriage.

“Bullshit! If you have the ability to not let us worry about it, then bring a wife back for us to see. You can’t find one yourself, but you don’t want us to help you find one. What’s the matter? Do you want to be single?”

There’s no rush at the age of twenty-three. By the time he finds me, I’ll be almost buried. The more Yan Mancang thought about it, the angrier he became, and his good mood just now was gone.

Yan Fangming laughed helplessly, “Look at you, I didn’t say I wouldn’t look for you, why are you so angry?”

“Tomorrow I’ll ask your aunt to find out which girl is suitable. You must fully cooperate! Blow out the lights and go to sleep!”

After Yan Mancang finished speaking, he turned over and slapped him on the back of his head, then ignored him again.

Yan Fangming smiled bitterly, shook his head, blew out the light and went to sleep.

The next morning, Wu Xiaoying got up and saw Yan Fangming chopping firewood in the yard, so she went to the east room to ask Yan Mancang.

“What were you two talking about last night? Why did it sound like you were arguing?”

This shabby house has no soundproofing. Last night, Yan Mancang was laughing and cursing, and the three people in the west room were all unable to hear it.

Yan Mancang took two puffs of his cigarette and looked at her. “I was just about to tell you, Fang Ming is back, you should arrange a marriage for him. Take advantage of the time when you are at home to see some couples, it would be best if you can settle it this time.”

“This is a good thing. Fang Ming is already grown up and it’s time for him to get married. What kind of person does he want?”

After all, the child is not her own and she did not raise him, so she dare not make decisions on her own.

“As long as she’s not ugly, works well and is good at giving birth, that’s enough. Farmers don’t have such high requirements.”

Although his son was promoted again, he still held the old idea that a good daughter-in-law who could manage the household frugally and have children is the one who could support the family.

“Fang Ming has made great contributions this time and has been promoted to deputy battalion commander. He can follow the army after getting married and doesn’t have to stay at home to take care of the elderly. The most important thing is to have a baby as soon as possible.”

Wu Xiaoying nodded with a smile, “Fang Ming is a good and capable kid, don’t worry, as long as I spread the word, there will definitely be many people who want to follow him!”

She was not saying this to flatter the father and son. Yan Fangming was definitely the best in their area in terms of appearance, work and family conditions. If she had a daughter, she would definitely want to find a son-in-law like him.

Yan Mancang felt relieved after hearing this, and a smile appeared on his sunburned face. “Once this boy gets married and has a baby, I won’t have anything to worry about anymore. I will be doing my best for his mother.”

“Okay, after dinner I’ll go out and ask around!”

The item was for her son, so she couldn’t just listen to her husband. Wu Xiaoying was a thoughtful person, so after dinner she found Yan Fangming alone to ask about his preferences.

“Fang Ming, your father has told me everything. Tell me what kind of person you like and I’ll go find out for you.”

Yan Fangming knew his father would not just let it go. Thinking that he was indeed old enough to get married, he said frankly, “I actually don’t know what kind of person I want to find. Aunt, you decide. Anything is fine.”

He himself couldn’t say what kind of person he wanted to find. It all depended on feeling. It would be fine if the two of them liked each other. Zuoyou Yi would not find a bad one for him. He would decide when they met.

Wu Xiaoying chuckled, “Kid, okay, I’ll just watch and find it, okay?”

Yan Fangming nodded, “Okay.”

After talking to him, Wu Xiaoying went to find Xiang Nuan again, “Nuan Nuan, I have something to go out for. If you feel bored, go talk to those female educated youth. Tomorrow you will officially start arranging work, and then you will have fewer free days.”

“Aunt, what are you doing? Can I help you?”

Xiang Nuan thought she was going to work, so she wanted to help.

Wu Xiaoying smiled and whispered, “You can’t help me with this. Your uncle asked me to ask for something for your brother Fang Ming.”

Xiang Nuan also laughed when she heard that. “Really? Then I can’t help you. Auntie, go ahead and don’t worry about me.”

“Okay, I’m leaving now.”

After Wu Xiaoying left, Xiang Nuan glanced out through the half-open window. Yan Fangming was still swinging an axe to chop wood. He was tall and strong, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The muscles on the half of his arms exposed were tight and neat, and he looked very strong. Coupled with his handsome and resolute face, Xiang Nuan thought he was a high-class handsome guy. It was a pity that there was not much description of him in the book.

Yan Fangming noticed that someone was staring at him, and he looked over and met Xiang Nuan’s bright eyes. Xiang Nuan suddenly felt like she was caught peeping, and she dodged to the side with a red face.

Yan Fangming curled his lips into a smile and continued to chop wood.