When Liang's parents returned, they learned that the place where their daughter had been sent to the countryside was Zhang Jianguo's hometown, and they felt that the two were very destined to be together.
Liang's mother looked at Zhang Jianguo with a subtle, calculating gaze.
She was worried as her daughter turned 22.
When Liang Shuang returned home for the holidays, her mother subtly inquired whether she had met any male classmates she liked at school.
She thought that if her daughter could handle her own marriage, she wouldn't have to worry. But Liang Shuang had no interest in that at all and wasn't very familiar with the male classmates.
Liang's mother was extremely anxious, but the men around her who were the same age as her daughter were either already married with children or had partners, or their conditions were not good enough for her daughter.
Suddenly seeing her son bring home a comrade-in-arms who seemed good in every way, she subconsciously thought of matchmaking the other party with her daughter.
At the dinner table, Liang's mother smiled and put a piece of pork belly on Zhang Jianguo's plate: "Xiao Zhang, eat as much as you like. Make yourself at home and don't be shy."
"Thank you, Auntie," Zhang Jianguo said stiffly, somewhat overwhelmed by Liang's mother's enthusiasm.
"Xiao Zhang, I think you're about the same age as my Xiao Feng? Are you married?" Liang's mother asked tentatively.
Zhang Jianguo shook his head: "I'm a year younger than Liang Feng, and I'm not married yet."
Liang's mother's eyes lit up, and she continued to ask, "You're almost 25, haven't your family been pressuring you?"
“Why don’t you urge me? When I went home to visit my family before, she asked me to go on a blind date, but it wasn’t a good match.” Zhang Jianguo felt there was no point in hiding this kind of thing, and since Liang’s mother asked, he would tell her the truth.
Liang's mother expressed her understanding, saying that it would be strange if the family wasn't worried about her not being married at 25.
Liang Feng felt that something was off with his mother. Why was she always prying into Zhang Jianguo's privacy? Could it be that she wanted to introduce his sister to Zhang Jianguo?
Although he thought Zhang Jianguo was a decent person, he was still not good enough for his sister.
Liang Feng looked at his mother unhappily: "Mom, let's eat. Why do you keep asking these questions?"
With just this one sentence, he successfully diverted Liang's mother's attention to him.
Liang's mother glared at her eldest son: "Shut up! If you want to be a bachelor, then be one yourself. Don't hold others back."
Liang Feng was hurt by his mother's words. How could he, a fine young man, become an old bachelor? Where could he find justice?
Liang Feng looked at his mother with a wronged expression and protested, "Mom, how can you say such things about your eldest son? Aren't I your precious son?"
"My heart, my foot! From now on, don't come home until you find a boyfriend. Seeing you makes my heart ache," Liang's mother said, clutching her chest with her right hand.
Mr. Liang also agreed with his wife's words: "Your mother is right."
Whose son is 26 and still not married? All his peers are already grandfathers. This son of his doesn't even have a girlfriend. It's embarrassing to even talk about it.
When Liang Lei saw his older brother being scolded by his parents, he covered his mouth and chuckled to himself.
His eldest brother, being the eldest in the family, was sensible and composed from a young age. After graduating from high school, he went straight into the army. Perhaps due to the influence of his family, Liang's parents viewed their eldest son, who was often away from home, with a strong sense of kinship.
Every time he reprimanded Liang Lei, he would nag him to learn from his older brother.
Seeing his parents scolding his older brother, who was always praised, how could Liang Lei not feel gloating?
Fortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Liang knew that there were still guests present, so they didn't press their eldest son for more information.
......
After finishing their meal and resting for a while, Liang Feng and Zhang Jianguo prepared to leave.
With red eyes, Liang's mother held Liang Feng's hand reluctantly: "Son, take good care of yourself while you're away, and remember to write back often."
"Mom, didn't you just say you wouldn't let me come back if I couldn't find a boyfriend?" Liang Feng felt bad seeing his mother's red eyes and deliberately said something witty to cheer her up.
Sure enough, upon hearing her eldest son's unserious behavior, Liang's mother showed no sadness whatsoever. Instead, she slapped Liang Feng's arm and said, "You little rascal, get out of here! Just looking at you gives me a headache."
"Big brother, remember to come visit me at school next time you have time, at least before I graduate," Liang Shuang gently hugged her older brother, her tone tinged with reluctance.
Liang Feng patted her head: "I know, I'll come see you when I have time."
Standing next to Liang's mother, Liang's father looked at his son, who was taller than him, and felt a pang of sadness: "Take care of yourself. I'm here for you."
After the two left, Liang's mother finally let out her tears, which she had been holding back for so long.
"Mom, don't be sad. I'm sure my brother is feeling bad too knowing you're so upset," Liang Shuang said, helping her mother back to her room.
Liang's mother was just feeling reluctant for a moment; she would feel better after venting her emotions.
Her eldest son has been in the army for seven or eight years, and she can no longer get used to being apart from him, but she has no choice but to get used to it.
Having composed herself, Liang's mother was ready to get down to business.
"Shuangshuang, what do you think of Zhang Jianguo just now?" Liang's mother changed the subject so quickly that Liang Shuang was a little caught off guard.
She looked at Liang's mother in surprise and said, "Mom, weren't we talking about my eldest brother? Why are you bringing up Brother Jianguo again?"
"I just think Zhang Jianguo is a good person. I heard he's been promoted to battalion commander now. He's a promising young man. Although his family is from the countryside, it doesn't matter as long as you like these things," Liang's mother said with a smile, looking at her daughter.
Although it was her first time meeting Zhang Jianguo, she had a pretty good impression of his parents.
When Liang Shuang was an educated youth in Shihe Brigade, she often wrote back. In her letters, she mentioned that the brigade leader of the place where she was assigned was a very nice person, fair and just, and took good care of them, the educated youth.
Not all educated youth sent to the countryside could enjoy such treatment. In some places, it was considered good if the villagers didn't bully you. Worse cases were not uncommon. She had even heard of girls being abused after being sent to the countryside.
When Liang's mother first heard this gossip, she was terrified and wanted to call her daughter back immediately to take over her job. She only breathed a sigh of relief when her daughter insisted that she was doing well in the countryside.
Liang Shuang had a pretty good life during her years as an educated youth. She was not short of money and would not mistreat herself. Her parents would send her packages often, and the people in the brigade were simple and honest. Apart from the hard work of farm work, there was really nothing else to do.
Upon hearing her mother's suggestion to matchmake her with Zhang Jianguo, Liang Shuang gave a helpless smile: "Mom, don't worry about my marriage. I want to talk about this after I graduate."
Her mother became even more worried after hearing this. By the time her daughter graduated, she would be 26 years old. Even if there were eligible men of the same age, they would still be looking for girls in their early twenties.
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