Anyway, it was quite a hassle!
But she felt the trouble was worth it!
"That’s easily said. I know the principal of your school; I’ll go and make the change for you," Zhang Yun said happily.
"Thank you, Auntie. I appreciate your help," An Hao said with a smile.
"What’s there to thank me for? You’ll soon be calling me mom."
Zhang Yun’s words made An Hao’s face turn red with shyness. Happiness had come so suddenly; she had thought that Qin Jian would be going to the Northwest and that they would have to wait a long time before they could get married.
Now, they had a long vacation to spend together.
"In-laws, let’s not leave at noon today. Let’s finalize the details of the wedding. What do you think?" An Shuchao discussed with the Ning family couple.
"Sure. We’ll just have lunch here today and try some of the local farming dishes. It’ll also give the kids more time to spend together," Ning Yibin decided, slapping his thigh.
"That’s perfect. An Hao, go prepare the meal. Cook some good dishes, as I want to have a few drinks with the in-laws," An Shuchao said in high spirits.
"Okay, then!" An Hao walked out with a spring in her step.
She went out to the courtyard, and Qin Jian followed her: "I’ll help you cook."
"No need," An Hao said, looking at him with a giggly smile. "Why don’t you rest inside and listen to how they’re planning our wedding?"
Qin Jian smiled: "No matter how it’s planned, you’re going to marry me! And I won’t let you be wronged."
"I trust you," An Hao said, all smiles and sweetness. "Since you’re here to help me cook, then come on over."
In the cold of winter, the local people’s favorite winter dish was the pot stew: slices of white and red radish combined with dried Chinese cabbage from the fall, pork seasoned with salt, and vermicelli noodles. It tasted truly fantastic.
The ingredients were the cheapest, but the flavor could be amazing if well prepared!
The vermicelli was so soft, and the cabbage and radish so steaming that one bowl would make you sweat profusely, making you feel thoroughly refreshed.
An Hao prepared the vegetables in the kitchen while Qin Jian brought firewood in from outside, squatting by the stove to light a fire.
From time to time, they turned their heads to glance at each other and then shared a smile.
This was the life An Hao had longed for, simple and heartwarming.
An Hao started frying the vegetables in the pot before beginning to stew them.
Qin Jian, working the bellows to keep the fire going, had the fire inside the stove burning bright and fierce, reflecting a rosy glow on his rugged yet handsome face.
"You’ve worked hard today." An Hao grabbed a towel to wipe her hands and pulled up a stool close to Qin Jian to sit down. "Today feels like a dream; it all seems so unreal."
Qin Jian turned to her with a smile: "How can it be unreal? Aren’t I right beside you? After this holiday, you really will be my wife. I’ve dreamed of this countless times, and it’s finally come true."
Hearing this, An Hao smiled and teased, "Tell me, what did you dream about me?"
"I dreamed that... you were lying beside me, and we..." Qin Jian began, then gave a light cough and stopped, his ears turning red first.
"Were you having a spring dream?" An Hao asked, holding back laughter.
"You could say that," Qin Jian admitted.
"You’re shameless," An Hao said, smiling shyly and looking down.
"I’m of the age where there’s nothing shameless about having a spring dream," he said, gazing at her affectionately. "You don’t know how many times I’ve woken up wishing I could turn that dream into reality."