Wang Miaomiao sat in the car, squeezed in the backseat with Cheng Xue, Bao Jianmin, and looked at Liu Yulan in the front passenger seat. She was chatting with Jiang Yan, and the atmosphere was warm and congenial, the two were having a great conversation.
Wang Miaomiao glanced again at the back of the man’s head, somewhat incredulous.
Recalling the times she interacted with him, it seemed like he was a different person now?
"Hahaha, what did you say? Gangzi is afraid of dogs? Chased up and down by a dog while in the army? Really? What happened afterwards? Did the dog catch him?" Liu Yulan imagined her second son-in-law’s face, with a startled expression, and the thought made her want to laugh.
Jiang Yan’s eyes carried a hint of amusement, as if recalling something even funnier, he said with pleasure in his voice, "Later, he was cornered against a wall and didn’t dare come down for two whole hours. That training session got him a zero. He’s a very competitive person and didn’t want to just let it go, so he asked me for help to train him out of his fear of dogs."
Wang Jia Bao and Liu Jianmin listened with great interest, as boys often have an inexplicable longing for army life, "And then? Did brother-in-law overcome it?"
"Yeah, he did. Your brother-in-law is quite remarkable," Jiang Yan was satisfied with the soldier he had trained, knowing when to make fun of him and when to praise. "I made him sleep with the military dog Xiao Gangzi for a month."
"Haha..." Wang Miaomiao was amused, "Xiao Gangzi? Who named it?"
"He did it himself." As Jiang Yan spoke, the car burst into laughter.
At this moment, Liu Jianmin timidly asked, "Brother Jiang, did my brother-in-law sleep in the dormitory with Xiao Gangzi, or a dog kennel?"
"Hahaha..." Laughter exploded within the car.
Wang Jia Bao tapped Liu Jianmin on the head and laughed, "You’re so dumb, do you even need to ask? How could brother-in-law fit in a small dog kennel?"
The car drove all the way to the entrance of the Wang Family’s house and stopped, where Wang Pandi rushed out upon hearing the sound.
"Second sister..." Wang Miaomiao looked at the dainty girl at the door and displayed a big smile.
"Miaomiao, you’ve finally come back." Wang Pandi came up to welcome them, "Is this that little classmate of yours? So cute."
Cheng Xue’s situation was already known to the family through a phone call Wang Miaomiao made to Yang Zhigang.
"Sister is also very cute, no wonder brother-in-law likes you so much." Cheng Xue casually complimented, making Wang Pandi blush uncontrollably, not knowing how to respond, she could only playfully glare at Wang Miaomiao, thinking she had leaked their relationship.
Wang Miaomiao felt wronged; she hadn’t said anything, but apparently, Wang Pandi wouldn’t believe it.
"Can I call you Xiao Xue? Come on, let’s go home, I made some mung bean soup to cool down." Wang Pandi ignored Wang Miaomiao and pulled Cheng Xue inside. This girl was from the family of her prospective husband’s comrade, and she had to play the role of a good host for her family’s little guest.
"Really? Thank you, sister." Cheng Xue was already parched and sweating. Hearing about the mung bean soup captivated her attention, and she forgot about her friend.
Wang Miaomiao was just left behind like that, watching Wang Pandi holding Cheng Xue, Wang Jia Bao hugging Liu Jianmin, and Liu Yulan greeting Jiang Yan, all pair by pair, leaving her all alone... so pitiful...
Wang Miaomiao angrily glared at Jiang Yan’s back; it was all his fault. He had to tell embarrassing stories about her brother-in-law, making Cheng Xue have him on her mind, resulting in these unintentional compliments...
Jiang Yan, holding fish, pork knuckles in one hand, and cigarettes, alcohol, and fruit in the other, followed Liu Yulan into the house.
Liu Yulan criticized disapprovingly on the side, "You really didn’t need to bring all these things, it’s too formal. Uncle Wang doesn’t smoke or drink, you should take them back later..."
"That won’t work, auntie, saying so makes you the one being too formal." Jiang Yan said as he turned his head and keenly sensed a gaze directed at him. When he turned around, he saw a pufferfish-like face, puffed up, and honestly quite cute.
Jiang Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, the corners of his mouth curled up a bit, and a hint of amusement flashed through his eyes as he turned back to Liu Yulan and said, "My Xiao Xue will need your care in the future."
"Oh, that’s no problem, Miaomiao is older than Xiao Xue, she should naturally take care of her sister." Liu Yulan continued to refuse, "I’ll accept the fish and meat, but you take the cigarettes and alcohol back."
"Auntie, please don’t refuse anymore. It’s unheard of to take back things brought as gifts." Jiang Yan put the items on the table, sulking a bit as he said, "If you really don’t want them, just throw them away, but I’m not taking them back. Gangzi and I are like brothers, and you’ve made me feel like an outsider. I’m going to find Uncle Wang in the fields then..."
Seeing him like this, Liu Yulan softened and stopped insisting, "Oh, Xiao Jiang, auntie doesn’t mean it like that. Fine, fine, I’ll accept them. Now, don’t rush off, have a bowl of mung bean soup first..."
Liu Yulan served a bowl of mung bean soup to Jiang Yan, not feeling at ease until he accepted it and drank. Then she said happily, "You don’t need to go to the fields. Just have a good rest at home and have dinner later. If you’re tired, go to the back room and rest on Gangzi’s bed."
"No need, I need to go help Uncle Wang in the field. I just said so, a man must keep his word," Jiang Yan declined with a smile. Seeing Liu Yulan about to say something, he quickly intervened, "Auntie, if you really feel embarrassed, just help me find a pair of shoes to change into. These shoes are not suitable for working in the fields."
Wang Miaomiao entered the house, serving herself a drink of the mung bean soup. One sip and it was refreshing, it must have been chilled in the well. Very tasty and thirst-quenching.
Hearing Jiang Yan’s words, she glanced at the man before her in his white short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and black leather shoes—attired impeccably like a proper elite. Would he really work in the fields? Wang Miaomiao had her doubts...
Liu Yulan also noticed his attire, expressing helplessness and being touched, "How are you supposed to work in the fields in this outfit? It’d be a shame to get it dirty or torn."
Jiang Yan just smiled at her, and Liu Yulan conceded, "Alright, alright, I’ll find you clothes and shoes. You’re really such a stubborn kid." Feeling more kinship towards Jiang Yan as she began to see him as family.
Wang Miaomiao, however, frowned at Jiang Yan, his contrasting behavior seemed too exaggerated. Was he trying to please her family for some hidden agenda?
Liu Yulan called for Wang Pandi, "Pandi, go find Gangzi’s clothes and shoes for Xiao Jiang to change into."
Yang Zhigang often stayed there, so naturally, he had spare clothes at home, "Okay." Wang Pandi replied, overhearing their exchange, though she too found it strange why Jiang Yan insisted on working in the fields, but agreed without thinking too much.
At this moment, Jiang Yan met Wang Miaomiao’s suspicious gaze. He raised an eyebrow in confusion, "What’s up with you? Stunned?"