For the elders, visiting soone is a big deal, representing certain matters. That’s why she staged such a big spectacle, killing chickens and ducks, letting everyone in the village see.
This is also the village’s custom. Other girls bring their boyfriends back like this, even if a match is successful, people visit this way.
Now that Pei Ji’an is visiting, Mrs. Qu sees it as a sign of his sincerity. She thinks it’s ti to discuss their lifelong matters.
Qu Fulan didn’t think much of it, after brushing it off casually, she brought him so hangover soup; if he doesn’t drink it, he’ll surely have a headache tomorrow.
After he finished the hangover soup, she didn’t leave right away but sat down to chat.
Pei Ji’an, still a bit tipsy, couldn’t help pulling her hand and holding her in his arms. Qu Fulan felt like she was doing sothing bad under the family’s watchful eyes, struggling to get up.
"Don’t move, I haven’t held you for a while." He whispered in her ear.
Qu Fulan’s heart softened inexplicably, she stopped struggling but kept her ears perked for any sounds outside. If her mom ca looking for her, she could retreat in ti.
Like that, they embraced. He didn’t say anything, nor did she, and the quiet atmosphere brought a sense of contentnt.
But this kind of romantic embrace wouldn’t stay peaceful for long. When a man and woman are alone in a room, it won’t be calm like still water, especially with him having drunk.
Slowly, there were movents, and Qu Fulan was both startled and afraid, worried soone might hear.
"Don’t ss... mm..."
When Qu Fulan finally prepared to leave, her clothes were still a bit wrinkled. She repeatedly fixed them in front of the mirror, tidied her slightly ssy hair, and gave him a fierce glare through the mirror before going out.
Mrs. Qu had long returned to her room to sleep; Qu Fulan was worrying for nothing, but guilty as a thief, her heart was still pounding fiercely.
While sleeping at night, Qu Fulan dread about getting married.
But oddly enough, she dread they were dressed in ancient attire, with a bunch of ancient people celebrating around them.
Qu Fulan still rembered everything from her dream the next day, the dream felt so real as if she had truly experienced it.
She attributed this to thoughts in the day turning into dreams at night; maybe because their relationship had reached a certain stage, or perhaps the good atmosphere last night made her dream of them getting married.
This reaction showed she didn’t reject the idea of marriage.
Mrs. Qu was the earliest to wake in the family, followed by Pei Ji’an, and finally Qu Fulan, who surprisingly woke later than him even though she didn’t drink.
Walking into the living room, she heard voices from outside and understood after listening to a couple of sentences.
Her mom was packing things for Pei Ji’an, while he made polite exchanges.
They had many local specialties here, not to ntion that the preserved at was very authentic, along with other specialty foods, all handmade and pure, with no additives.
Though Pei Ji’an’s family had a farm and lacked nothing, he didn’t refuse since it was all goodwill.
Once everything was packed in the back trunk, Qu Fulan finally got up, yawning in her fuzzy pajamas, unable to help asking, "Won’t you have breakfast before leaving?"
Pei Ji’an hadn’t spoken yet when Mrs. Qu spoke first, "You’ll make breakfast today. I still have things to discuss with Little Ji."
That was strange; what could Mrs. Qu possibly have to say to Pei Ji’an? Without her curiosity killing the cat, Qu Fulan obediently went to make breakfast, while on the other side, Mrs. Qu took him to the backyard to talk.
By the ti Qu Fulan finished making breakfast, they had co out to eat, and nothing on their faces suggested what had been discussed.
But one could imagine.
Eventually, when sending Pei Ji’an off from the village, Qu Fulan couldn’t help asking what he had discussed with her mom.
"Auntie said we should get married soon and have two children. She wants to be a grandmother." He said.
"...Are you joking?"
"If you don’t believe , ask Auntie when you go back."
There was no way Qu Fulan would ask, "You should be going now," she said after a pause, then added, "Be safe on the road."
After chatting for a bit more, he drove off.
Rather than saying he left to get back early for New Year, one could say he returned early for work, given the responsibilities he carried in his position.
Thinking about how he made ti amid his busy schedule to co for New Year visits ward Fulan’s heart.
Watching his car leave until it disappeared from view before she turned back inside.
At the sa ti, she felt a bit empty inside.
...
Afterward, it was New Year. At noon, Qu Fulan went to town with her mom to shop for New Year goods.
Though as a mother and daughter, they couldn’t use much, gifts were necessary for New Year greetings, so they bought so, despite Pei Ji’an having brought quite a bit when he ca. They had to add so.
In the afternoon, Qu Fulan received a ssage from him; he had returned ho and said the things he brought back were liked by his grandfather. Even though farm produce was good, the chef was fixed, aside from fixed tastes, an occasional change to a specialty could feel delightful.
Qu Fulan relayed the ssage to her mom, making Mrs. Qu happy, and then she said, "After New Year, when you return to G City, find a good ti to visit Mr. Pei. It’s only proper for the younger generation."
The answer Pei Ji’an gave her in the morning had put Mrs. Qu’s heart at ease. What mother doesn’t wish well for her daughter? Since there was a marriage plan, so etiquette couldn’t be overlooked.
So elders are easy-going from their upbringing, yet one still must be polite.
"I got it," Qu Fulan replied.
Now that he had visited her house, she had to reciprocate sohow.
"Have you been to the Pei Family before? Are the family easy to get along with?" Mrs. Qu asked again.
"I haven’t had much chance to engage with the others, but Mr. Pei is easy to talk to."
"Either way, you’ll need to prepare gifts for his family."
"I have it covered."
...
As they were happily chatting, they encountered the matchmaker.
As they say, a matchmaker’s information is extrely well-inford; Pei Ji’an just left, and she already knew.
While buying things, the matchmaker grabbed Mrs. Qu’s hand and talked.
"As they say, it’s best to marry soone of similar standing; too much difference and post-marriage happiness won’t be possible."
"I heard this family doesn’t mind Little Qu having a boyfriend. They say as long as she’s orderly after marriage, everything else is negotiable."
It’s an unavoidable matter. That man who beca a civil servant has high standards, won’t even consider other won; the mont soone appeared prettier than a celebrity, he fancied her intensely.
The matchmaker didn’t even ntion Qu Fulan has a boyfriend because she thought Fulan’s boyfriend would surely not marry her. The disparity was too great, Fulan was destined to be left, so no need to ntion, lest it prompts extra thoughts.
The matchmaker said these words rely as her own opinion; she couldn’t tolerate those who lived with n before marriage, lacking self-respect, intentionally saying these things as a reminder that won must be orderly for happiness.
Mrs. Qu didn’t know what to say; the matchmaker was indeed difficult, having already said much, yet still so passionate.
"Really, it’s unnecessary. Little Qu has a boyfriend; how could she still go on blind dates?"
The matchmaker chuckled, "Not to be forward, but Little Qu’s relationship might not work out, so why not et this person, maybe she’ll fancy him?"
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