Chapter 45
“To be honest, I’m thinking about how to make my future in-laws trust me enough to let you marry me,” Jiang Yexun said with a lowered head, his tone filled with concern.
They had agreed earlier that they needed to get Su Xiaoxiao’s family’s approval before they could officially get married. But in case her parents didn’t agree and he had to face Su Xiaoxiao’s teasing every day, he feared it might drive him crazy.
“Don’t worry, my parents are very easygoing. As long as I like you, they won’t make things difficult for you,” Su Xiaoxiao said with confidence.
“Are there any other things they particularly like?” Jiang Yexun asked anxiously. Although he had already asked someone to help find rare items from various black market vendors, there was a saying that money can’t buy happiness, right? So, giving the right gifts was crucial.
“My dad likes to drink a little, my mom likes to save money, and as for my brother… he probably likes the feeling of being envious by others. But, what they like the most is me,” Su Xiaoxiao replied.
“But if you think you can exchange these items for their precious daughter, you’re in for a rude awakening.” Su Xiaoxiao didn’t say the second part aloud; instead, she shook her head and smiled sweetly.
Jiang Yexun lowered his eyelids, his hot gaze fixed on the girl in front of him. Finally, he couldn’t resist leaning down and giving her a gentle peck on the lips.
“I like you the most as well,” he said affectionately.
The two of them had a brief moment of intimacy, and then Jiang Yexun escorted Su Xiaoxiao back to the dormitory. As soon as Su Xiaoxiao entered, the other educated youths crowded around her. On a normal day, they would have been asleep at this hour, but Su Xiaoxiao’s official engagement was such a big event that everyone was awake.
“Xiaoxiao, is it true that your future in-law’s family is giving you so much dowry? I heard that for other marriages in the production team, the dowry is only about twenty or thirty yuan. Won’t your two future sisters-in-law be jealous? Won’t they make things difficult for you?” one of the female educated youths asked, sounding concerned but also envious.
“They can think whatever they want; it’s their business. Besides, they all share the family’s finances equally, so if they want to spend more, they have to earn it themselves. If they really have any objections, they can talk to their own husbands,” Su Xiaoxiao replied nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders.
The other educated youths nodded in agreement, and their gazes toward Su Xiaoxiao were filled with envy.
“Su Xiaoxiao, you’re really lucky to have met such a great guy like Jiang Yexun. I heard he’s not only good at hunting but also skilled at making furniture and catching eels. Although he doesn’t earn many work points, he makes a lot of money on the side.”
“But most importantly, he cares about you. After you marry him, you’ll definitely have a good life.”
The other educated youths chatted, and Su Xiaoxiao’s sweet and happy expression made her even more enchanting.
However, all this happiness and fortune filled Su Xiaoxiao’s face, much to the annoyance of Dong Jiaxuan. She thought that Su Xiaoxiao was foolishly believing that those country bumpkins were being good to her. Little did she know what hardships awaited her when she married into that family.
Dong Jiaxuan couldn’t help but imagine Su Xiaoxiao’s difficult days in her mind, a cruel and satisfied smile playing on her lips.
But the next moment, she saw Pan Yongsheng walking out of the educated youth dormitory with a stern face, and she hurriedly followed him.
Seeing the two people who were always putting on a show together, everyone couldn’t help but roll their eyes in disdain.
However, they returned a short while later. Pan Yongsheng still had a stern expression, but Dong Jiaxuan seemed strangely pleased and even looked provocatively at Su Xiaoxiao.
Su Xiaoxiao found their behavior rather inexplicable, but she had a feeling that these two were up to no good. She decided to wait and see what they were planning.
In the afternoon, Jiang Yexun had finished all of Su Xiaoxiao’s work, so she didn’t have to do anything in the afternoon. She sat on a small hill, holding her high school textbooks, and started reviewing.
Although she still had three years before she could retake the college entrance exam, she had decided to work hard from now on. There were so many outstanding people out there, and being reborn didn’t guarantee that she would get what she wanted without effort.
Until around 4 o’clock in the afternoon, when she felt a bit refreshed, Jiang Yexun came to pick her up.
He took the textbooks from Su Xiaoxiao’s hands and handed her a freshly washed peach. The vibrant red color and juicy appearance made it incredibly tempting.
“Bother Yexun, where did you get these peaches?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, her eyes filled with joy. Fresh peaches were almost impossible to find given the limited transportation in this area.
“I picked them in the mountains. If you like them, I’ll pick more for you when the others ripen. But promise me you won’t go into the mountains alone. There are many wild animals there, and even a chance encounter with a wild goat could leave you injured,” Jiang Yexun warned, clearly concerned for her safety.
Su Xiaoxiao nodded obediently, not wanting to worry him. She was aware of her own limitations.
Jiang Yexun wasn’t going to let her walk back alone. He squatted down in front of her, his back ready to give her a ride.
“Come on, I’ll carry you up,” he said.
Su Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment, reluctant to let him exert himself, but her body acted faster than her thoughts. She was already leaning against him.
The warmth from Jiang Yexun’s body, even through their not-so-thick clothes, seeped into Su Xiaoxiao’s body. She felt like a little kitten who had sniffed catnip, and she couldn’t help but rub against him.
Jiang Yexun, on the other hand, felt like he had been drinking strong liquor. His whole body was heating up, and even his breath had become scorching. The softness pressed against his back amplified all his senses.
It was as if an invisible bubble enclosed him and the educated youth behind him, and the sweet fragrance combined with the warmth was driving him crazy.