Chapter 9 Chapter 9...
Chapter Nine
Guan Kangde is a stern-looking old man. Well, you could not really call him an old man. Guan Kangde is not particularly old. He is a few years older than Yao Anhui’s father, Yao Ruifeng. Guan Kangde is not even fifty years old this year. However, because he fought on the battlefield in his early years, he looks older than his actual age.
Another point is that Yao Anhui's description of Guan Kangde as a "little old man" is not wrong. In ancient times, at the age of fifty, one would not only have grandchildren but also great-grandchildren. At the age of forty, one was already considered to be at the age of knowing one's destiny. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that Guan Kangde was a "little old man".
"Xiao Hui, was your journey smooth? Once you're here, make yourself at home. If you need anything, just ask me or your aunt. Don't be shy." Guan Kangde forced a smile.
However, perhaps because he is usually very strict and doesn't smile often, this smile seemed a bit frightening to Yao Anhui. If it were someone with a weak heart, they would probably be scared to tears, and he would probably earn the reputation of being able to stop children from crying at night.
Fortunately, Yao Anhui was not a timid person: "Thank you, Uncle, I will."
Guan Kangde opened his mouth as if to say something, but then changed the subject: "Try your aunt's cooking. This braised goose in an iron pot is a specialty of northern China, and it tastes different from what you have back home."
"Thank you, Uncle, and thank you for your hard work, Auntie." Yao Anhui quickly expressed her gratitude. Before, Yao Anhui had always thought that Guan Kangde was about the same age as Yao Ruifeng. When she first met Xiang Jinghe, she called her "Auntie" because she thought she looked young. Now she quickly changed her address. She couldn't call Guan Kangde "Uncle" and Xiang Jinghe "Auntie" at the same time, as that would give her a sense of impropriety.
This was Yao Anhui's first time eating braised goose in an iron pot. It looked very different from the small and delicate dishes of southern cuisine, but the taste was surprisingly good. The meat was tender and fell off the bone, with a delicate texture and a fragrant but not greasy flavor.
It's just that her current body has a Jiangnan stomach, and she still prefers spicy food. The original owner's hometown is a province that eats a lot of spicy food. Even little kids can eat stir-fried pork with chili peppers without changing their expressions. The original owner was even more addicted to spicy food. When she was eating this stewed goose in an iron pot just now, she thought that if the original owner were to make it, she would probably add a lot of chili peppers.
Oh no, she used to be able to eat spicy food, but never to this extent. Does this mean she'll always be this addicted to spicy food?
However... the stir-fried pork with chili peppers was really delicious, and the stir-fried fish was also incredibly delicious.
While enjoying the stewed goose in an iron pot, Yao Anhui also savored the Jiang Province dishes that Xiang Jinghe had specially prepared. She was overthinking it; Yao Anhui's stomach was a stomach for delicious food. As long as it tasted good, she could eat it, whether it was spicy or not.
Once again, I admire Xiang Jinghe's thoughtfulness. She was worried that Yao Anhui wouldn't be used to northern cuisine, so she specially cooked Jiangxi cuisine. She really put her heart into it.
After finishing her meal, Yao Anhui insisted on washing the dishes. She couldn't help it; she wasn't thick-skinned enough to accept being waited on by an elder.
While Yao Anhui was washing dishes in the kitchen, Guan Kangde and Xiang Jinghe also started talking in the room.
"Have you asked Xiaohui what she thinks? Does she have any opinions about Wu Cheng'an and the others?"
Instead of immediately stating that Wu Cheng'an and the other two were very likely interested in Yao Anhui, Xiang Jinghe asked, "Did you arrange for the three of them to pick up Xiaohui because you intended for them to meet? Or did you make it clear to Wu Cheng'an and the other two?"
Xiang Jinghe frowned, wondering if Guan Kangde had lost his mind as he got older. Arranging for Yao Anhui and three men to look at potential partners at the same time, was Guan Kangde senile?
Xiang Jinghe's gaze was probably too blatant, and Guan Kangde noticed it. He said irritably, "What kind of look is that? Even if I were brainless, I wouldn't let Xiaohui look at all three of them at the same time."
"Then why did you arrange for them to pick up Xiaohui? I saw it today. I bet all three of them have their eyes on Xiaohui. What kind of mess are you making of this? What if Xiaohui causes a rift between their comrades? They are comrades-in-arms, they are supposed to entrust their lives to you on the battlefield." Xiang Jinghe couldn't help but roll her eyes, feeling that this man was impulsive and didn't seem to care about making things worse.
"You're underestimating them, aren't you? Yes, they may each have their own agendas. Jiao Jingming is younger, Lu Yuanqing is quiet, and Wu Cheng'an has many hidden thoughts. But no matter what they do, on the battlefield they are the most trustworthy of each other. Don't worry, what you're worried about won't happen." Guan Kangde spoke with considerable confidence, showing his trust in the character of his men.
"That would be for the best." Xiang Jinghe didn't want to say more; what's done is done, and it's too late to talk about it now. "So what exactly is your plan for Xiaohui?"
"What kind of plan is there? Now it depends on Xiaohui's situation. If Lu Yuanqing and the other two don't like her, then we'll arrange for other young men to meet her, and then we'll slowly find her a job later."
Even though Guan Kangde is already a division commander, it's not like he can just find a job for anyone. Nowadays, educated youth are required to go to the countryside. Many families fight tooth and nail over a job in the city. Leaders are under the watchful eyes of countless people, and their nephews and nieces have to set an example by going to the countryside.
If Guan Kangde dared to violate regulations and find a job for Yao Anhui at this time, he would probably be close to stepping down. It can only be said that the chaos of the past few years has made the generals who used to only care about fighting wars start to be cautious in their words and deeds and start to be more cunning.
Another reason Guan Kangde brought Yao Anhui here was to help her find a partner, since jobs are hard to find these days, and Yao Anhui is of marriageable age.
“I already hinted at it to Xiaohui on the phone before, but I don’t know if she’s taken a liking to anyone during these past few days. You can find an opportunity to sound her out later.” Guan Kangde, a grown man, shouldn’t be asking this kind of question.
“I think Xiao Jiao is quite suitable. They are close in age and handsome.” Xiang Jinghe naturally had her own thoughts. Jiao Jingming came from a good family. If Yao Anhui and Jiao Jingming got together, it might benefit her family in the future. It can only be said that everyone has their own scale. While Xiang Jinghe wanted to be good to Yao Anhui, it did not prevent her from doing good for her own family.
“Xiao Jiao is not suitable, she is too young. Xiao Hui is the only one left in her family, and I’m afraid the Jiao family will not be satisfied.” To put it bluntly, in terms of family background, the Jiao family is too complicated for Yao Anhui, who is an orphan.
“Where is it inappropriate? Xiao Jiao’s parents are not people who care about social status, and besides, aren’t you here?” Ever since Guan Kangde took Yao Anhui in, regardless of whether Yao Anhui is good or bad, in the eyes of outsiders, they are inseparable.
Xiang Jinghe's thinking was simple: since they couldn't break up anyway, why not make it a happy ending for everyone? Of course, Xiang Jinghe only had this idea after meeting Yao Anhui. If Yao Anhui wasn't a good person, Xiang Jinghe wouldn't be actively deepening their relationship right now; instead, she would be trying to dilute it.
Furthermore, Xiang Jinghe genuinely felt that Jiao Jingming was a suitable candidate. He had a good family background, good looks, and most importantly, he was a promising young man. Moreover, he was cheerful, lively, and had a sweet tongue, making him the perfect son-in-law in her eyes.
"No matter how much we say or how suitable it seems, it's useless. It depends on what Xiaohui thinks for herself." After Xiang Jinghe's persuasion, Guan Kangde also felt it was suitable, but ultimately, the couple couldn't make the decision. It all depended on Yao Anhui's choice.
Unbeknownst to Guan Kangde and Xiang Jinghe, Yao Anhui, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, heard everything they said in the room. She didn't think much of it; she wasn't angry that they were trying to control her, nor was she moved that they were doing it for her own good.
Essentially, their relationship was just that of ordinary strangers with a slight connection.
Yao Anhui has never been one to let others sway her thoughts; she takes responsibility for the consequences herself, whether good or bad.
So, while Xiang Jinghe spent a whole day trying to get information out of Yao Anhui through roundabout means, Yao Anhui had already established a relationship with Lu Yuanqing and was just waiting for Lu Yuanqing to report it.
Xiang Jinghe was dumbfounded.
A note from the author:
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Metaphysics is useless!
I resumed updating at 6 PM, applied for a ranking, and will update daily from now on.
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