"Who said that?" An Ping came back from picking vegetables in the greenhouse and saw An Hao and Qin Jian snuggled up together tending the fire. Then, looking at his sister’s flushed face, he let out a meaningful chuckle, "Sis, did I interrupt you two from doing something naughty?"
"What? How could you call it doing something naughty?" As soon as An Hao heard An Ping say this, she hurriedly explained, "We were just talking."
"Don’t explain, don’t explain! There’s a saying, ’To explain is to cover up.’" An Hao chuckled mischievously as she put down the vegetables she had picked on the stove, "You two carry on, I won’t disturb you further."
"Carry on what? Don’t get the wrong idea!"
"It doesn’t matter if I get the wrong idea." An Ping said with a face begging to be punched, addressing Qin Jian, "After all, she’s going to be your wife, don’t hold back with her. Do whatever you want to do!"
After saying this, he turned around and walked outside.
"An Ping! You little rascal..." An Hao couldn’t help but give a wry smile, grabbing a cornstalk from the ground to throw at An Ping, but she missed.
Reaching the doorway, An Ping made a face at her and happily left.
"What a headache-inducing guy." An Hao said with a hint of frustration, shaking her head.
"How so? I actually quite like my little brother-in-law," Qin Jian said with a suppressed smile.
As the pot stew bubbled away, An Hao took out the vegetables that An Ping had brought back and began to wash and chop them. Greenhouse farming was indeed beneficial; even in this desolate winter, besides radishes, potatoes, and dried cabbages, they could also enjoy fresh vegetables.
There were zucchinis, tomatoes, and even fresh, green spinach. An Hao started to stir-fry on the coal stove, her movements deft, and in no time the vegetables were cooked.
When the delicious dishes were served, An Shuchao took out his treasured liquor, which he’d saved for several years, prepared to treat Qin Jian’s family of three.
An Hao also took her seat at the table, while the big pot stew continued to simmer in the iron pot, getting more flavorful.
"Come on, let’s all have a toast!" At home, An Shuchao played host, raising his glass with emotion, "We’ve agreed on everything, so we’ve tentatively set the date for the twenty-sixth of the twelfth lunar month. At that time, An Hao, I’ll be entrusting you to them."
Only then did An Hao realize that over the course of the meal, they had settled all the wedding matters.
When to marry, where to hold the ceremony, and the day’s proceedings—all were agreed upon, even foregoing the need for a matchmaker.
By her reckoning, there was just half a month left. Suddenly, An Hao began to feel nervous.
"An Hao, you can rest assured with us! We’ll treat her like our own daughter!" Zhang Yun assured.
"Alright! Then let’s say no more, let’s drink and eat!" An Shuchao said with some excitement.
After lunch, it was time for Qin Jian and his family to leave.
As they were about to go, Zhang Yun insisted on leaving An Hao with two hundred yuan, urging her to take a trip to the city and buy whatever she wanted.
An Hao refused to keep the money, no matter what. Over the past six months, she had discovered the business opportunity in jeans and had made a hefty profit.
Seeing the greenhouse flourishing and the vegetables growing well, she anticipated another considerable income when she would sell them just before Chinese New Year.
Last year, her family was indeed poor, but this year was a different story. They weren’t struggling at all, and she could afford to buy clothes and prepare for the wedding.
"Take it, Mom is giving it to you!" Qin Jian said.
PS: Fifty Chapters complete. Babies, if you love it, remember to smash me with your monthly votes!