Given Molly's parents' enthusiasm, Jiang Wanqing didn't feel awkward anymore and followed them to their room to change clothes before coming out to eat.
Molly must have told them beforehand what Jiang Wanqing liked to eat, so four of the seven dishes on the table were her favorites, and the other three were her mother's specialties, plus a soup. In those days, this was considered a very high-class meal for entertaining guests.
"Come on, eat it while it's hot, and try my mom's cooking." Molly put some food on her plate.
"Thanks."
Jiang Wanqing lowered her head and took a bite of the braised pork. It was tender but not greasy, and the spices were just right, without masking the original aroma of the meat.
Meat in this era is all original and has a slightly sweet taste; with a little bit of cooking skill, it's easy to make it delicious.
Her eyes lit up, she took two more bites, and gave a thumbs up: "Auntie's cooking is really good. You must teach me how to make it so I can make it myself when I get home."
"Hahaha……"
Mother Mo was so pleased by the praise that she forgot to pick up her chopsticks.
"I'm glad you like it. Molly is tired of it."
"No way, Mom, you're talking nonsense again. I'm going to eat your cooking for the rest of my life."
Molly gave a coquettish hum and served her mother a bowl of soup.
The two elders exchanged a glance, and Mr. Mo looked at his daughter with a doting smile.
"Alright, alright, you'll eat this for the rest of your life. Xiao Jiang cooks for herself and her husband, but you're the opposite. You'll have your seventy- or eighty-year-old mother cook for you. You should hurry up and find me a son-in-law."
"puff……"
She was drinking soup when she was suddenly interrupted by her mother urging her to get married. She almost spat it out, quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, and blushed.
"Mom, why did you suddenly bring this up? I'm still young."
"We used to worry that you would marry someone from the countryside, far away from us. But now it's all good. You've come back from university. You can find a like-minded boyfriend while you're in college, work hard together, and get married. What's wrong with that?"
Jiang Wanqing suppressed a laugh, and Molly gave her a pleading look.
Before they could even intervene, Mo's mother spoke up again.
"Xiao Jiang, I need your help with something."
"Hmm? Please go ahead, Auntie," she replied politely.
“You and my Molly are close, and now you’re studying at the same school. Keep an eye out for good resources for us. Isn’t your husband a soldier? Can a reliable colleague help you make connections?”
Jiang Wanqing blinked, genuinely surprised by this turn of events, while Molly pouted in protest.
"Mom, you just said I should date in college, how did you bring up the military again?"
"Oh, you silly child, it's not like we're asking you to get married right away. What's wrong with getting to know each other better and comparing things? Look how happy Xiao Jiang is, aren't you envious?"
"If I actually contact you, you won't be happy..."
Molly muttered to herself, poking at the meat in her bowl, her eyes slightly dazed.
"What did you say?"
"It's nothing, this can't be rushed. You and Dad better not urge me, otherwise I'll become rebellious and you'll be in for a world of trouble."
She was indeed spoiled by her parents growing up, so she speaks casually, and her parents don't get angry.
"Okay, okay, take your time, just don't turn yourself into an old maid."
“Auntie, Molly told me that she wants to focus on her studies first and then settle down in her job later. As for men, they are just icing on the cake. There’s a saying that goes, ‘If you blossom, the breeze will come.’”
Jiang Wanqing spoke up to help Molly out of the predicament, saying only things that the elders liked to hear, which made the two elders smile.
“Look, this college student is cultured and knows how to talk. Molly has this awareness, so her dad and I don’t have to worry.”
After dinner, Molly wanted her to stay the night, but then she remembered that her parents had asked her to keep an eye on her finding a boyfriend, so she decided not to get involved.
After seeing the person out, she took Jiang Wanqing's hand and apologized.
"I'm sorry, I didn't expect my mom to suddenly bring up my dating life. Luckily you helped me out."
"It's alright. I think your uncle and aunt are reasonable people. Just talk to them nicely, and they will understand."
"Okay, I'll take you."
Molly nodded, took her arm, and the two slowly walked outside. The rain had stopped, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth.
As the farewell drew near, Molly hesitated, then looked at Jiang Wanqing and opened her mouth as if to speak.
Sensing that she had something to say, Jiang Wanqing waited quietly.
"What are you still hesitating about with me? Just say what you have to say."
"Um... Wanqing, could you ask Battalion Commander Cheng about Hongxing's current situation? Well... cough cough, after all, we're friends, and I hope he's doing well too."
Jiang Wanqing raised an eyebrow, understanding her meaning, and naturally agreed.
"I'll ask around for you when I get back."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome, I'll be going now."
She let go of Molly's hand and walked out. After a few steps, she turned back and looked at Molly intently.
"I need your help in two days."
...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Zheng Yuan arrived as promised, and his eyes darkened when he saw Jiang Wanqing and Molly appear together.
He quickly took two steps forward to greet them: "Comrade Wanqing, Comrade Moli."
"Comrade Zheng, you're quite punctual! I can tell you're eager to find talent. I'll definitely say a few good words for Wanqing later." Molly jumped up and laughed.
"Thank you very much. I hope you can persuade Comrade Wanqing. I'll treat you to dinner another day."
"It's a deal!"
Molly was just joking. She already knew Jiang Wanqing's thoughts on the way here, but even after calming down, she was still shocked.
"Last time you said you wanted to get an advance on your salary, I went back and checked the money I could come up with right now, and I only have less than 10,000, I'm still short 500, but don't worry, there will definitely be more in the future. Do you think this is enough?"
He waited for her answer with slight trepidation. Nine thousand five hundred yuan was a huge sum of money in this era. Jiang Wanqing moved her lips and calculated in her mind.
With the money she's saved up, it should be just enough to buy a house.
She nodded: "Okay, give me nine thousand five hundred, and I can provide you with assistance within my capabilities for the next four years, but only as a consultant. Is that alright?"
She was still unsure about the scope of Zheng Yuan's business and dared not fully commit, so her answer was very conservative.
Zheng Yuan happily handed the money to her: "It's a deal!"
“Let’s go then. There’s too much money in our hands. It’s not safe to keep it. Let’s go get what you want!” Molly pretended to help hide the money.
"etc!"
"Is there anything else?"
Hearing Zheng Yuan's words, Molly frowned in confusion, wondering if he would go back on his word.
"You...you want to use this money now?"
Nine thousand five hundred is no small sum of money; he was curious about what he could buy to spend it all at once.
"Uh... is it not allowed?"
"Of course not, I'm just worried you might get scammed. If it's about buying big-ticket items, I might be more familiar with the market, and I can offer some advice if you don't mind," he said.
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