Since Zhou Xing got married, the girls from the charity hospital have been eyeing the position of Jiang Chan’s maid, with Hong Yu being the most enthusiastic. She is purely captivated by Jiang Chan’s personal charm and hopes to stay by her side forever.
In other words, Hong Yu is Jiang Chan’s little fangirl. During this time, she has indeed learned a lot from being around Jiang Chan.
Lin Shi, Jiang Sen, and Jiang Dan were sitting in another car. In this car sat Jiang Chan and Wang Ma. As for Hong Yu, she went to work as a part-time driver, something Jiang Chan could also do.
After all, those who often went to the charity hospital couldn’t always rely on Uncle Zhong to drive them. Jiang Chan tried a few times and soon mastered the art of driving the carriage.
The carriage moved along, and after an hour, they reached the village. Jiang Mu’s place was small, so Jiang Sen and others first went to Jiang Lin’s house, where there was a large courtyard to let the horse rest.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Zhou Xing came over. She had returned the day before to help with the wedding arrangements, as it was a family celebration.
Although Zhou Xing married Jiang He, she still worked at the dim sum shop on weekdays and only came back during her days off. Jiang He had officially become a master carpenter at the woodworking shop.
The couple was living harmoniously, and after returning last night, Zhou Xing kept talking about Jiang Chan’s visit. Now, seeing Jiang’s carriage arrive, Zhou Xing naturally came out to greet them.
Hongyu didn’t feel awkward when she saw Zhou Xing. Smiling, she called out, “Sister Xing,” and then ran off to feed the horses. She was perceptive and understood that Zhou Xing and Jiang Chan had not seen each other for a long time and naturally had things to talk about.
Jiang Chan looked at Zhou Xing, who seemed a bit plump. It looked like she was doing well. Listening to the laughter coming from the other side of the courtyard wall, Jiang Chan nodded her chin and asked, “Why is Jiang Xing getting married so suddenly? I haven’t heard any news about her engagement.”
Zhou Xing pouted, “I’m not very clear on this either. I only heard about it from my mother-in-law last night.”
She leaned closer to Jiang Chan and deliberately lowered her voice: “I heard that Aunt’s family has been doing quite well these past few years. Isn’t Jiang Miao a teacher in town? He earns quite a bit each month, so Aunt’s family has been standing a little taller lately.”
“Jiang Xing’s temperament,” Zhou Xing frowned, finding it hard to put into words, “She’s been relying on Jiang Miao to make some money these past few years, and her arrogance has grown. She no longer looks favorably on ordinary rural young men.”
Jiang Chan frowned, “She’s always had high demands and thinks everyone should cater to her.”
“Isn’t it? She doesn’t even look at what her reputation has become,” Zhou Xing sneered, “Aunt painstakingly selected so many options for her, yet she wasn’t satisfied with any of them. I don’t know how she managed to meet a scholar from the town, but she insists on being with him no matter what.”
“A scholar?” Jiang Chan raised an eyebrow. From the original memory, Jiang Xing seemed to have married a scholar and became a proper scholar’s wife.
“That’s right, I’ve heard that it’s Jiang Miao’s classmate. Initially, they were not interested in Jiang Xing at all, but somehow now they’re together.”
Jiang Chan listened attentively, thinking it over carefully. She estimated that there was something suspicious about this marriage. However, it had nothing to do with her. She was just there to offer a small gift and enjoy a wedding feast.
“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. I’m going to add to Jiang Xing’s makeup, are you coming?”
Zhou Xing, of course, was going. She supported Jiang Chan as before, with Jiang Chan holding her hand, “You’re my cousin now. I have to flatter you more.”
Zhou Xing couldn’t help but laugh.
Adding makeup refers to the custom where friends of a newlywed bride give her gifts. Those who are more financially well-off might give jewelry such as hairpins and bracelets, while those with tighter budgets typically give handmade embroidered items, such as handkerchiefs or quilt covers.
In farming families, it was simpler. For example, some older women come over to add makeup, some bring seeds of crops, or they might give household decorations, such as vases, and so on.
Zhou Xing nodded, “I also prepared something for her. After all, she is our youngest sister, despite her personality…”
Zhou Xing found it hard to describe. Jiang Chan pursed her lips and walked toward Jiang Mu’s house.
At Jiang Mu’s house, Wang Shi was joyfully chatting with others in the main room, boasting about her son-in-law’s achievements and knowledge.
Several older women gathered around Madam Wang kept nodding continuously, their faces full of smiles. When Jiang Chan and Zhou Xing entered, the commotion in the main hall paused for a moment.
A kind-looking woman stood up, “Are you Xiao Chan? You’ve grown so beautiful!”
Jiang Chan recalled from the original memory that this was Zhou Shi, the wife of the village head and Chun Ni’s mother.
After greeting everyone, Jiang Chan familiarly headed to Jiang Xing’s room.
Once Jiang Chan went inside, the atmosphere in the main room became somewhat tense. Chun Ni’s mother, Madam Zhou, quickly started speaking, “You are truly fortunate, sister, to have found such a suitable son-in-law for Xingzi. As for our Chun Ni, who knows what kind of husband she’ll find in the future.”
Wang Shi’s smile returned to her face. She paused and then said, “Chun Ni is beautiful; she definitely won’t have any trouble finding a husband in the future.”
After the incident years ago, Jiang Chan had never visited Jiang Mu’s house again, and Wang Shi hadn’t seen her in four years. Seeing Jiang Chan now, Wang Shi almost didn’t recognize her.
To say that the events of that year had a significant impact on her would be an understatement. The fact that she got beaten was acknowledged by Jiang Xing, a pig teammate.
Later, when everyone found out about her scheme to steal Jiang Chan’s dessert recipe, Wang Shi stayed at home for a long time. Then something else happened in the village, which finally helped cover up her little incident.
It was precisely because of this matter that Jiang Xing’s marriage prospects became exceptionally difficult. It was no longer realistic to arrange a marriage in the nearby villages. Everyone knew her personality and character, and naturally, they knew that a mother like hers wouldn’t raise a daughter with a pure and good character.
But looking for a suitor in more distant villages wasn’t ideal either, as they didn’t know each other well. Wang Shi was worried that if Jiang Xing married far away, she wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on her. If Jiang Xing were bullied, it would be harder for her to intervene.
Caught in this dilemma, Jiang Xing’s marriage was delayed for a long time. Eventually, Jiang Xing herself chose a groom. Wang Shi saw that the young man was good-looking and a scholar, so she agreed without hesitation.
She didn’t stop to think why the young man would come to propose marriage. Was there something behind it? Wang Shi was completely overwhelmed with joy, and all she saw was her ideal son-in-law.
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