Around lunchtime, the group set off for the state-run restaurant.
With Song Ze present, Zhang Hongyan didn't hesitate when ordering food, directly ordering four meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and one soup, making it a lucky number.
This dish is definitely more presentable than what Zhang Hongyan makes at home. After all, meat isn't easy to buy at grocery stores, let alone all four kinds of meat and vegetables at once.
You can't stay silent while waiting for your food, that would be so awkward.
Song Ze was also good at handling things, so he steered the conversation to Shihe Brigade, asking about the current situation of the brigade and whether there was any difference from before.
When this topic came up, Zhang Hongyan and Xia Heping immediately got excited. The two of them chatted back and forth, occasionally sharing gossip about the team members, while Song Ze also cooperated with an enthusiastic expression.
When the dishes were served, Gou Dan was the one who ate the most. Although there was no braised beef today, the braised pork, chicken stew with mushrooms, meatballs, and spicy boiled fish were also very delicious. He ate two bowls of rice all by himself.
During the meal, Song Ze thoughtfully served Xia Qingqing food. Zhang Hongyan nodded secretly, thinking that no matter what would happen in the future, at least for now, this person still cared about others.
In Zhang Hongyan's mind, when a woman looks for a partner, she doesn't care about his conditions first; the first thing she has to consider is whether the man is willing to treat her well.
If they're not willing to treat you well before marriage, do you expect them to treat you well after marriage?
Xia Heping noticed that his wife was staring at Xiao Song and assumed she was envious, so he quickly put several pieces of braised pork into her bowl.
Zhang Hongyan gave him a strange look. This man actually served her food; it was truly a rare occurrence.
......
After returning home from dinner, Xia Heping called Song Ze into the room for a private talk, while Xia Qingqing was stopped by Zhang Hongyan: "Qingqing, let your dad and Song Ze chat for a while, come over here and let Mom talk to you."
Xia Qingqing followed Zhang Hongyan into the room step by step: "Mom, is there something you want to ask me?"
She had a bad feeling. Was her mother going to pressure her to get married again?
Zhang Hongyan pulled her daughter to sit down on the edge of the bed: "Qingqing, Mom wants to talk to you about Xiao Song. You and Xiao Song have been talking for quite a while now. Has he ever mentioned taking you home to meet his elders?"
“Song Ze mentioned it once before, but I didn’t agree because we’re still in school,” Xia Qingqing’s premonition came true; her mother had indeed come to urge her to get married.
Hearing her daughter's words, Zhang Hongyan's expression softened a bit. Since Song Ze had mentioned taking Qingqing to meet his parents, she would say that Song Ze valued Qingqing and that it wasn't just a casual fling between young people.
"Qingqing, you're almost 21. I was already born when I was your age. I know you're still in school and it's not the right time to get married, but how about we get engaged first and then get married after you graduate?"
Zhang Hongyan has never been a dictatorial matriarch. The final decision on her daughter's marriage still rests with her. However, her daughter is young and doesn't understand many things. What Zhang Hongyan needs to do is provide her daughter with some useful experience.
Xia Qingqing knew, of course, that her mother was doing this for her own good. She pursed her lips and said, "Mom, I will think about this matter carefully with Song Ze."
"Okay, as long as you and Song Ze understand," Zhang Hongyan said with relief.
On the other side, Xia Heping was also talking about this with Song Ze.
When Song Ze heard that Xia Heping wanted him and Qingqing to meet his parents, he was overjoyed. He had long wanted Qingqing to come home, but since Qingqing didn't want to, he could only respect her opinion.
Now that his future father-in-law has spoken up, he has gained an extra ally.
"Uncle Xia had already made preparations to take Qingqing home to meet her grandfather. As soon as Qingqing asked, I could take her back immediately."
Xia Heping frowned when Song Ze only mentioned his maternal grandfather: "Should we inform your parents?"
When Song Ze thought of his parents, he was reminded of his family's troubles. However, he didn't think there was anything he couldn't talk about, since he wasn't the one who had done anything wrong.
"Uncle Xia, my mother passed away when I was young. My father's stepmother was kind on the surface but cruel on the inside. She wasn't very nice to me when I was little. Later, my grandfather took me to live with him. After I grew up, I basically had no contact with her. So Qingqing doesn't have to worry about mother-in-law issues in the future."
Xia Heping had initially felt sorry for the child, but after hearing the last sentence, he paused, thinking... "So, he's actually not bad?"
Before the Xia family split up, Xia Heping lived a miserable life caught between his mother and wife. Every time the two women had a conflict, it was the most painful time for him.
Although most of the time it's the mother who's unreasonable, as long as Xia Heping dares to speak up for Zhang Hongyan, he'll definitely have to endure his mother's fury and be accused of being unfilial by his older brother.
Later, after the family split up, Zhang Hongyan had a fierce outburst, establishing her authority as a tigress and making Old Lady Xia dare not be presumptuous in front of her.
After all, even the most ruthless are afraid of those who have no fear of death. Old Mrs. Xia only dared to throw a tantrum on the ground, while Zhang Hongyan meant that she would actually use a knife to kill people.
Song Ze's situation has both advantages and disadvantages. Without his parents-in-law to look after them, the young couple is more relaxed, but without their help, things will be harder after they have children.
There's no need to worry about any of that. With him and Zhang Hongyan around, they'll definitely help take care of Qingqing's baby after she gives birth.
Song Ze had no idea that in such a short time, Xia Heping's thoughts had wandered far away, and he was already thinking about having a grandson.
Before Xia Heping could ask, he continued, "Uncle Xia, let me tell you about my maternal grandfather's situation."
“I have an older uncle and a younger aunt. My older cousin works at a military hospital, and her younger cousin is also in the army. My younger cousin’s two younger cousins are still in school.”
“My maternal uncle’s family lives in the Northwest Military Region and rarely comes back except for the Spring Festival. My aunt and uncle both work for the government and only come back occasionally to visit my maternal grandfather.”
“My grandfather is now retired and receives a monthly pension. He has someone to take care of him. After Qingqing gets married, she can live at home if she wants, or we can move out if she doesn’t want to.”
If it were up to Song Ze to choose, he would still prefer to spend time alone with Qingqing.
Xia Heping was confused. Song Ze didn't go into detail about his family members' positions, but he figured they probably weren't low-ranking.
In any case, those who serve in the military and hold official positions are better off than those who farm in the countryside.
Thinking of this, Xia Heping couldn't help but worry: "Xiao Song, have you told your family about our situation? Will your family have any objections?"
"As I said, my family has no objections, and I'm an adult; I can make my own decisions," Song Ze said solemnly.
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