Chapter 34: Arriving at Qingcheng

After speaking, he grabbed Jiao Jiao’s hand and was about to leave. The girl curiously glanced back and thought to herself, There’s definitely a story here.

It makes sense, though. As the male protagonist, how could Xie Zhi not have beautiful women throwing themselves at him? Country romances, childhood sweethearts—those are all standard fare.

Wen Jing’s flamboyant face was filled with sorrow, and her tone was heart-wrenching:
“Brother Xie Zhi, it’s me, Xiaojing! Have you forgotten me? We grew up together. Brother Xie Zhi, I’ve missed you so much!”

Xu Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but click her tongue at the scene. This coquettish voice—forget men, even she was a little moved.

“Brother Xie Zhi, do you actually like that country girl by your side?” Wen Jing’s voice carried a hint of resentment.

Xu Jiao Jiao instantly shot back, “What’s wrong with being from the countryside? I’m a clear and honest farm girl. Who are you looking down on?”

Xie Zhi’s cold gaze swept over briefly before he took Jiao Jiao’s hand and, without looking back, led her onto the bus. As they sat down, he said,
“Jiao Jiao, I have nothing to do with her. I only like you.”

Xu Jiao Jiao’s smiling face was so charming it melted hearts.
“I know that, of course.”

The girl’s beauty, with her fair complexion and delicate features, caught the attention of many on the bus. Xie Zhi, noticing the gazes, grew visibly irritated, a storm brewing in his dark eyes as if he wanted to hide her from view.

When the bus stopped by the roadside, the two stepped off and headed toward a large compound. At the gate, Xu Jiao Jiao spotted the guards standing at attention and asked,
“Is this the military family compound? It looks so grand, and there are armed guards too!”

“My grandfather used to serve in the military, so we’ve always lived in the compound. Later, due to a mistake in classification, we had to move out. Now, the government has returned this house to us. Our family is too big, and the old shared apartment was too cramped,” Xie Zhi explained with a smile as he led her inside.

Feeling a bit nervous, Xu Jiao Jiao tugged at her dress.
“Do you think uncle and aunt will like me?”

“They will. My parents like you very much. Besides, it’s you and me spending our lives together. As long as I like you, that’s all that matters.”

Inside, the houses were at most two stories tall, with flowers planted in front of every home. Xu Jiao Jiao was stunned for a moment. She had imagined large mansions, but it turned out to be this kind of compound.

Xie Zhi led her confidently into one of the courtyards and rang the doorbell. Xu Jiao Jiao kept her smile up the whole time.

The sound of quick footsteps came from inside. The door opened, revealing a woman in a green blouse, her newly styled hair neatly permed, and light makeup on her face.

The moment Xie Zhi’s mother saw him, she couldn’t hold back anymore. She threw her arms around him, tears streaming down her face.
“Xiao Zhi, you’re back!”

Xie Zhi, slightly emotional, set his belongings down and gently patted his mother’s back.
“Mom, I’m back. Jiao Jiao is here too.”

Hearing that, his mother quickly composed herself, wiping her tears and warmly taking Jiao Jiao’s hand. She looked her over from head to toe. The girl was stunning, wearing a pale yellow dress that made her look even more graceful and refined. Her rosy cheeks and beautiful eyes were captivating.

With a smile, Xie Zhi’s mother glanced at her son. No wonder he was so smitten. Shaking her head in resignation, she kindly pulled Jiao Jiao inside.
“You must be Jiao Jiao. You look just like a movie star. So beautiful!”

She guided her to sit on the sofa and asked,
“How old are you, Jiao Jiao?”

The girl replied sweetly, “Auntie, I’m nineteen this year.”

Seeing her discomfort, Xie Zhi’s dark eyes softened.
“Mom, let me take Jiao Jiao upstairs to freshen up. The train ride was exhausting for her. We’ll come down in a bit.”

Xie Zhi’s mother quickly waved her hand.
“Of course, of course. I’m so sorry. Go rest first. Lunch will be ready soon, and your dad will be back shortly.”

“Thank you, Auntie,” Xu Jiao Jiao replied politely. She wasn’t overly enthusiastic but kept her manners impeccable.

She firmly believed in not overly pleasing others. Although her marriage to Xie Zhi was practically certain, nothing was guaranteed until the end.

In the kitchen, Xie Zhi unpacked the gifts.
“Mom, these are from Jiao Jiao’s parents. They made them themselves.”

His mother looked at the items he pulled out—a huge pork knuckle, a marinated chicken, and several other neatly prepared things.
“Times are tough. How could you take so much?”

“Mom, it’s their heartfelt gesture.”

“Alright, alright. Now go take Jiao Jiao to rest. The bedding upstairs has all been changed and cleaned.” She waved him off, suddenly realizing how much more talkative her once reticent son had become now that he was about to get married.

After washing his hands, Xie Zhi spotted Jiao Jiao curiously looking around outside like a little animal sniffing out its surroundings. He stretched out his hand with a gentle smile.
“Come here.”

Xu Jiao Jiao immediately got up and held his hand. Their fingers intertwined tightly as she whispered,
“Your mom is so easy to get along with.”

“They really like you. Jiao Jiao, you have no idea how lovable you are. Just looking at you melts my heart.”

Xu Jiao Jiao marveled at how much his sweet-talking skills had improved. She playfully pinched his waist.
“You’ve really gotten good at this. Your words flow like poetry.”

“I mean every word,” he said sincerely.

The two of them made their way to the second floor, heading straight to the innermost room. When Xie Zhi opened the door, it revealed a spacious room, about forty square meters. The room alone was as big as the entire apartment she used to rent in her previous life.

She walked in and looked around. The interior design was the most fashionable of the era, with wooden furnishings that exuded a sense of elegance. It wasn’t the typical red wood seen in ordinary homes but a darker brown shade, giving it a medieval vibe.

What caught her attention the most was the large wall of solid wood bookshelves. Xu Jiao Jiao approached and noticed that most of the books were classics, with many foreign titles. She could understand some of the English books.

“You have so many books, honey,” she exclaimed.

“Let’s read them together in the future, Jiao Jiao. Let’s go to college together.”

“Alright,” she replied with a smile.

She lounged lazily on the sofa, watching Xie Zhi busily unpack and organize their clothes and belongings into the wardrobe. She was grateful that his house was spacious enough.

As the saying goes, no matter how much a mother likes her daughter-in-law, she wouldn’t enjoy seeing her son work so hard for her. Before coming here, Jiao Jiao had been extremely nervous, thinking his home might be like Hong Yan’s, where she’d have to share a room with others.

“Madam, is Xie Zhi back?” a voice called from downstairs.

“Yes, Xiaojing. But don’t go upstairs. Jiao Jiao and Xie Zhi are resting,” his mother responded.

The faint sound of conversation was followed by the distinct click of high heels ascending the stairs.
“Brother Xie Zhi, have you really abandoned Xiaojing?”