Chapter 14: His Little Educated Youth, No One Can Touch
Jiang Yexun heard these words, and his cold gaze suddenly shot towards the woman who had spoken. The woman felt like she was being stared at by a wild beast and shrank back in fear.
Aunt Guo was also angry and said, "Wang Cuihua, if you're willing to be a wicked mother-in-law and torment your daughter-in-law, that's your business. But when I arrange a marriage for my son, it has to be done properly, every step must be followed, and we can't force Educated Youth Su to agree. And what's this nonsense about my son doing something wrong? According to your logic, if someone runs into an accident, people should just stand by and watch?"
Hearing her words, the others felt awkward and laughed nervously. However, they couldn't help but feel that the Guo family was attaching too much importance to Educated Youth Su. She must be someone special for them to go to such lengths.
Educated Youth Su, on the other hand, had eyes high above her head and would never be interested in a country bumpkin like Jiang Yexun.
"Can I trouble you, Educated Youth Tao, to call Educated Youth Su for us?" Aunt Guo stood at the entrance of the female educated youth dormitory and waved to Tao Junlan, who was washing clothes in the yard.
Tao Junlan saw her and Jiang Yexun and immediately stiffened her posture. However, since Aunt Guo was the wife of the team leader and not directly involved in the matter, she couldn't say anything. She simply nodded and stood up, wiping her hands before entering the female educated youth's room.
Seeing Educated Youth Su lying on the bed, staring blankly with her eyes open, Tao Junlan felt a pang of sympathy and furrowed her brows. "Xiaoxiao, Jiang Yexun and his mother have come to see you. They're outside."
Educated Youth Su, upon hearing this, sat up abruptly, her eyes sparkling like clear water. She jumped out of bed like a springing fish. "Thank you."
Tao Junlan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. "You're welcome. But Xiaoxiao, you really should listen to what we told you earlier. Don't blame us if you end up suffering."
Educated Youth Su wanted to comfort her, but she didn't want to keep Jiang Yexun and his mother waiting. She hurriedly said, "I'll talk to them and see what they have to say. I’ll tell you all about it when I come back."
Tao Junlan sighed again but decided not to push further. "Okay, then. When you come back, tell me everything. I'll be here."
"Hello, Auntie." Su Xiaoxiao walked lightly to the entrance of the courtyard, greeting Aunt Guo in a soft and docile manner. After saying this, her gaze involuntarily shifted towards Jiang Yexun. This made the already upright man straighten his back even more, like a vigorous pine tree on a mountain cliff, full of vitality.
Aunt Guo, who had noticed the change in the atmosphere, was even more satisfied with Su Xiaoxiao. She took Educated Youth Su's hand and apologized sincerely, "I'm so sorry for the inconvenience my son caused you today. His actions were unreliable, and he put you in an awkward situation."
Educated Youth Su quickly replied, "Comrade Jiang did nothing wrong. He saved my life, and I don't feel wrong at all."
Her words were quite clear. Regardless of whether she wanted to marry Jiang Yexun or not, she didn't blame him for his actions. This made Aunt Guo very pleased.
"Don't be so polite, Educated Youth Su. Today, as such an incident happened, we want to bring you into our family. If you're willing and find my son somewhat likable, then I'll find a matchmaker to propose to you."
After hearing this, Jiang Yexun's mother kept glancing at Educated Youth Su, wondering if she was truly willing to marry Jiang Yexun. Educated Youth Su's face, as white as snow, had a faint blush, and she lowered her head shyly.
She hung her head shyly and said, "I am."
"That's great! Xiaoxiao, don't worry. We can tell that your family's conditions must be quite good. Although our family is not the wealthiest in the village, for the wedding etiquette on your side, we will follow it without any hesitation. We won't let you feel wronged," Aunt Guo promised.
"Thank you, Aunt," Su Xiaoxiao replied obediently without being overly polite.
She knew from her previous life, while following Jiang Yexun, that he had saved a substantial amount of money by this time. Since that was the case, there was no need to skimp on the wedding customs by a few hundred yuan.
In her previous life, whether she married Jiang Yexun or later married Pan Yongsheng, her parents had been deeply troubled. This time, if she were to get married, she definitely couldn't rush through things like before.
"Then I'll go talk to the matchmaker this afternoon, and they'll come over tomorrow. However, since the autumn harvest is only half a month away, the engagement ceremony will have to wait until after the harvest. We will prepare well during this time. If anyone in the village dares to gossip about you, just let us know, and we will handle it for you," Aunt Guo asserted confidently.
"I'll listen to Aunt."
Although Su Xiaoxiao knew Jiang Yexun's mother had a fiery temperament, this straightforward proposal and her strong defense of her still made her a bit bashful. Her ears turned red, forming a sharp contrast with her fair neck. A few strands of hair fluttered in the breeze and playfully brushed against her snowy, smooth skin, making one unable to resist the urge to replace those strands with their own hand.
Jiang Yexun squinted his eyes, and his gaze became deep and intense.
Aunt Guo had not yet noticed the gradually heating atmosphere. She held Su Xiaoxiao's soft and tender hand, continuously caressing it.
"Every year, the educated youths are allocated three opportunities to return home during the New Year to visit their families. This year, let Yexun accompany you on one of those trips. As for your marriage, it definitely has to require your parents' consent. We will respect your family's opinions, and if they want to hold the wedding in the city, our whole family will take leave and attend."
As she spoke, Aunt Guo felt that someone's gaze was fixed on her back. When she turned around, she saw her own son, Jiang Yexun, staring at the hand he was holding onto with a stern expression.
Aunt Guo couldn't help but feel both angry and amused, so she gave Su Xiaoxiao’s hand a couple more pats. Then she noticed that Jiang Yexun's originally cold face had turned completely black.
Tsk, this boy finally met his match.
In the end, it was Jiang Yexun who couldn't hold back any longer. "Mother, Educated Youth Su's hand is turning red from your touch."
Aunt Guo quickly withdrew her hand and looked apologetic. "Oh dear, my hands are so rough. I'll have Yexun bring you some ointment later. Otherwise, it might hurt when it touches water."
"It doesn’t matter. It'll be fine after resting for a while," Su Xiaoxiao declined, feeling that it was too exaggerated.
She had been in the village for about twenty days now and wasn't as delicate as she used to be back home.
However, Aunt Guo was quite insistent, and Jiang Yexun also joined in the persuasion. "We have some herbal medicine at home. It won't be a hassle."
"Alright," Su Xiaoxiao agreed sweetly.
Aunt Guo was overjoyed to see this. She couldn't understand why some people had spread rumors that Xiaoxiao was arrogant and looked down on the villagers. Her personality was so lovely. Those people simply lacked vision.
"Then you should eat first, and when you're done, just leave it there. Yexun will bring you the herbal medicine later, and you can take it back to wash."
Aunt Guo said with a smile as she handed the basket to Su Xiaoxiao.
Jiang Yexun slightly raised her eyelids and saw the young girl's eyes moistly fixed on her.
"Aren't you leaving?"
Aunt Guo turned around and, seeing that Jiang Yexun hadn't followed, she urged him, "What are you waiting for?"
Jiang Yexun also knew that he should leave. However, his heart felt like it was caught on a hook, firmly held in place and unable to move.