Hearing this, Jiang Qiao was almost startled and turned to look at Ning Hao, "Are you drunk? Why are you talking nonsense?"

Ning Hao said in a serious tone, "I'm telling the truth, Jiang Qiao. You'll have to face this sooner or later. We know each other pretty well. It's better to find someone you know than a stranger."

I'm not in a rush, I just wanted to tell you my thoughts first. I just feel that the two of us are a good match. Don't tell me you're too young; I've never treated you like a child.

Jiang Qiao shook her head with a wry smile. "I really don't know why you said that today. I can't give you an answer for now. After all, I'm still young. Even if I'm mature, don't forget that I'm still a student."

"If you're going to wait, you're in for a long time. Besides, it's not just about queuing, is it?"

Jiang Qiao's subtle glance left Ning Hao speechless for a moment, and he lowered his head guiltily.

"I just don't want that woman and my bastard father interfering in my future marriage. I want to choose for myself, to choose someone I like—"

Jiang Qiao gave him a meaningful look. "You need to find someone capable of standing up to your father and stepmother, right?"

Ning Hao nodded generously. "How about it? You can consider it?"

Jiang Qiao smiled and shook her head. "I haven't thought about that yet, but I'm wondering why you suddenly thought of me? To be honest, with my appearance, I shouldn't be able to attract your attention, right?"

Ning Hao shrugged. "What's the big deal? You're still young and haven't fully grown up yet. Even if you still look like this in the future, so what? I'm choosing a future wife, not participating in a beauty pageant. As long as I find her pleasing to the eye, why should I care about other people's opinions?"

Besides, girls change a lot as they grow up. How do you know you won't become more beautiful? So, I should be the one worrying. I should reserve you early, otherwise, if some blind person discovers your beauty and snatches you away halfway, who will I cry to?

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "You really dare to think. However, I really haven't considered this matter right now. Well, one reason is that I'm young, and another is that everyone is growing up, and their experiences and environment are changing. Of course, their mindset and thoughts will change as well."

I don't make promises easily, but once I do, it's for life. For the sake of my own well-being in the second half of my life, I need to choose carefully.

So, my suggestion is that you look around first; you might find something suitable.

Ning Hao shook his head. "There's no one suitable except you. No matter if you're beautiful or ugly, in my eyes, only you and I are a perfect match."

Well, it has nothing to do with age or family background. It's just that feeling, like you're God's other half. There's no rush, we have plenty of time to think it over. I'm waiting for you.

Jiang Qiao gave a wry smile. "If you're willing to wait, then wait. Anyway, I don't have any plans right now; my studies are my priority."

"Oh, by the way, I still have some of the money and tickets you mailed me last time. I'll give them to you in a bit."

Ning Hao shook his head. "No need, no need. Keep it for you to buy food. To be honest, my grandparents have already told me about you. What can I do with my little money and coupons? It's not even enough for the clothes you got for my grandma."

"Joe, I really need to thank you properly for this."

The two stopped dwelling on the topic of marriage. Ning Hao wasn't stupid; if he talked too much, Jiang Qiao would get annoyed. Since he had already shown his intentions, he had achieved his goal. After helping Jiang Qiao pack up, he took his leave and went back.

Just as Ning Hao left, Chunming sneaked over, calling out, "Qiao'er, Qiao'er—"

Seeing the way this guy looked like he was stealing landmines, Jiang Qiao chuckled and pulled him inside. "What's wrong with you? Why are you sneaking around? What happened? Didn't you go out?"

Chunming sighed and sat down in a chair. "Why should I go out? Our house is practically invaded by the Japanese!"

"Is your family like this too? What happened? Aren't your relatives supposed to be nice?"

Chunming shook his head helplessly. "We can't stand the lack of food and clothing. It's not just our family; several families in our courtyard are in the same situation. Didn't you see Li Meilan's family? They've all run away."

Jiang Qiao was curious about why Chunming had come at this time; she didn't believe he had no ulterior motive.

But upon closer inspection of the child, it hadn't been that long since they last met, yet the child looked just like her—dark-skinned and thin.

"No, your mom wouldn't be skimping on your food rations to give to the people back home, would she?"

Chunming sighed, "What do you think? Our family only has so much food. If people from our hometown come, where else can we get it if not from here?"

Look at my brother's appearance. Even my mother felt sorry for him. She really had no other choice. She couldn't afford to offend either her own family or her husband's family. If she wasn't forced into this situation, who would willingly do such an annoying thing?

"We'll eat less, as long as we don't starve. But, Qiao'er, I really do have a favor to ask you. Is there any food at home?"

Jiang Qiao looked at Chunming in surprise, "Are you hungry?"

Chunming waved his hand and said, "My hunger is a small matter. My master is sick and can't eat our cornbread that's been mixed with other things. Do you have any fine grains? Give some to me, I need to take them to my master."

By the way, don't tell anyone about my acknowledgment of a master yet. I haven't even told my family.

Jiang Qiao was even more surprised: "When did you recognize a master? How come I didn't know? We go to and from school together every day, there's no way I wouldn't know?"

Jiang Qiao is someone Chunming can trust. They've grown up together over the years, and she's not a gossip. She's also sensible and knows what she's doing, so it's fine to talk to her about this.

After hearing Chunming's story of becoming a disciple, even Jiang Qiao found it somewhat amazing. "You just gave him some food, and he's willing to teach you skills? Really? If you hadn't said this, I would have thought I was reading a storybook."

Chunming clearly approves of his master: "My master is a very good person. I've learned a lot from him, but I'm not proficient yet. When I've learned it well, I'll show you."

Jiang Qiao waved her hand and said, "Alright, as long as he doesn't teach you to kill, set fires, steal, or rob, that's fine. As for what skills he has, you're not a child anymore and you have the ability to discern. If what your master teaches is really good, then you should learn it well. They say every profession can produce an expert, so maybe you'll excel in something else."

Jiang Qiao's words were exactly what Chunming wanted to hear: "That's right, I love hearing that. Unlike Zhao Jianjun, who uses my grades to belittle me every day, he's really not a good friend."

Jiang Qiao sighed, "Zhao Jianjun's ability to study well is probably not just due to his good brains. Maybe he's been cheating on us, but that's not our business."

There are still some leftovers at home. Why don't you take them over to heat up your master? I'll also take some other things over to visit him.

"By the way, why didn't you take your master to see a doctor?"