Chapter 89 Mu He Arrives "What? You're actually getting married?...
In June, the scorching sun relentlessly bakes the earth in Xinjiang, tanning the farmers working in the fields several shades darker. But it is precisely this abundant sunshine that gives all kinds of fruits more sugar, making them taste even sweeter.
The Chen family is still quietly waiting for the peaches to ripen, but unlike in the past, they also have another matter to attend to.
The eldest daughter of the Chen family is getting engaged.
"Have you chosen a hotel for the engagement?"
"I recommend the Populus euphratica restaurant. Their food is delicious, and the second floor is spacious. I just don't know if we can make a reservation."
"It's alright, I'll have Ji Yu's dad put in a good word."
"Old Chen, haven't you chosen a date for your engagement yet? You've practically worn out this almanac."
"The best time to prepare is at the end of June, but the peaches at home will be ripe soon, and I'm worried that everyone will be too busy and the preparations will be too rushed."
But another good day is a bit far off, in August.
The parents, who are about to officially become in-laws, chatted enthusiastically and even began to imagine their future days taking care of their granddaughter.
The two people involved in the engagement banquet, Chen Mianmian and Ji Yu, were sitting hand in hand on the sofa, their faces showing the same confusion and shock.
The two exchanged a glance, confirming that they had the same look in their eyes.
I want to run away.
No one told her/him that marriage is such a complicated thing.
Chen Mian's head peeked out from Ji Yu's broad shoulder as she tentatively asked in a low voice, "Mom, can we skip the engagement and just get married?"
The four people answered her with two words in unison: "No! You can't!"
She tried to struggle a few more times, but Chen's mother stared intently at her with her large, watery eyes, as if she would make her see something if she dared to say anything.
Seeing this, Chen Mian silently shut her mouth.
After sitting quietly for a few minutes, Chen Mian turned her head and gestured to Ji Yu with her eyes: "Want to go for a walk?"
Ji Yu's unfocused gaze instantly sharpened, and she stood up decisively. "Let's go."
The two tiptoed toward the door, bypassed the three beautiful women lying in the center of the living room, and lowered their hands toward the big yellow dog lying across the threshold.
With victory in sight, Chen Mian quietly turned her head and glanced at her parents.
Very well, no one noticed they had slipped away, and a smug smile appeared on his lips.
"Click..."
Someone had placed the trash can in front of the refrigerator, and Chen Mian tripped over it. Just as she was about to fall to the ground, Ji Yu swept her up in his arms.
The metal trash can was kicked over and rolled a few times on the ground, making a clanging sound.
Chen Mian looked annoyed, her breathing becoming rapid. It was just as she feared most things.
Her arms tightened around Ji Yu's neck unconsciously, and Ji Yu felt as if her fate was being choked.
To save his life, he decisively and quickly carried his fiancée away before anyone could react.
.
Are there any bags in the car?
"I think so, I'll go check."
Ji Yu turned and walked into the jeep, rummaged around for a moment, and then took out two bamboo baskets.
"Would a bamboo basket be acceptable?"
Thanks to his family's goji berry farm, he always keeps several baskets in the trunk of his car so he can easily help his elderly mother with manual labor.
At this moment, Yu Xiaoyue, who was still sitting in the Chen family worrying about her son's marriage, sneezed: Who is talking about me again?
“Okay,” Chen Mian paused, then added, “It would be best to put a cloth underneath, the peaches are delicate.”
"OK."
It was early summer, and the peaches stretched across the fields, their branches laden with fruit. From their bright, translucent green to their pinkish-white hues, and then to the shy blush on the faces of young men and women, each peach playfully hid among the dense foliage.
Chen Mian knew that her peaches were finally going to ripen.
The two continued their stroll through the woods, with Chen Mian busy observing the condition of each peach tree and estimating this year's peach yield and market availability.
Ji Yu then took off the jacket tied around her waist and carefully laid it in the basket she was carrying.
He knew that Chen Mian had been somewhat anxious lately and was constantly worried about the farm.
Chen Mianmian still looked the same as always, sweet-talking, always smiling, and joking around with her family.
Ji Yu couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong, but she felt that Chen Mian was different from before. Maybe it was because she was going to Taoyuan twice a day recently, or maybe it was because she had stopped dressing up.
On second thought, Chen Mian is only twenty-two years old this year, still a young girl, yet she dares to lead a large family and support such a big farm.
Ji Yu couldn't help but sigh quietly, looking at the thin girl in front of her with heartache, thinking about stewing a chicken for her to nourish her when they got back.
Chen Mian's birthday is coming soon, and the birthday gift he prepared in advance is nearing completion.
"Ji Yu," Chen Mian reached out and tugged at the man's sleeve, "What are you thinking about? I've been calling you for ages."
"Oh? It's nothing, I was just spacing out."
"I think these peaches are ripe, you should try them." Chen Mian casually handed a pinkish-red peach to Ji Yu.
The color looks good, and it feels quite soft to the touch, so it should be almost ripe.
Ji Yu didn't mind, wiped the peach on her clothes a few times, and then put it in her mouth.
One bite, and just as Chen Mian had guessed, it was soft, juicy, and perfectly ripe. This peach was sweeter than any he had ever eaten before, and a rich, sweet aroma filled the air.
"How about it?"
Meeting Chen Mian's expectant gaze, Ji Yu simply nodded, holding up the half peach in her hand, indicating that she should also quickly taste this long-awaited delicacy.
As expected, Chen Mian was also captivated by the sweetness of the peach after the first bite.
Ji Yu casually picked a peach from a tree beside her. It felt a little hard to the touch, but it was crisp when she bit into it. "I think this peach can be eaten raw; it's sweet."
"It's just that it's a little less sweet than when it's fully ripe, and some people might like that taste. Plus, the firmness of the flesh makes it easier to transport."
Chen Mian fell into deep thought. She had been waiting for the peaches on the farm to fully ripen, but she had overlooked the transportation issue.
This is the first time the peach trees have borne fruit this year, so the yield isn't very high. It only takes a few hours to transport them from the farm to the city, and if handled carefully, they won't be damaged.
But as production increases and the farm expands, transportation issues will inevitably need to be addressed. If the peaches can be harvested before they ripen, transportation can begin quickly.
By the time the peaches are delivered to the customer, they will be perfectly ripe and ready to be enjoyed.
Will her peaches also have a chance to leave Xinjiang and be transported to all parts of the country?
Chen Mian decided to conduct an experiment. She found peaches at different stages of ripeness in the peach orchard, ranging from 10% to 20% and up to 70%, and marked them with a pen.
She prepared two peaches for each level of ripeness, intending to test how long it would take for these peaches to fully soften with and without ripening agents.
And will the timing of harvesting affect the final taste and appearance of the peaches?
Ji Yu carried two bamboo baskets in one hand and held Chen Mian's hand with the other, walking towards the roadside where the jeep was parked.
Chen Mian's eyes were vacant, still preoccupied with her experiment. Her legs followed unconsciously as she muttered to herself, pondering ways to improve it. Suddenly, she felt a gust of wind.
"Sister! What are you doing here?" Chen Muhe looked at her sister in surprise, dropped her luggage, and darted to hang on Chen Mianmian.
With her hands empty, Ji Yu could only silently take two steps back, then walk past the two sisters who were deeply in love, pick up the luggage that someone had dropped on the ground, and put it in the trunk of the jeep along with the peaches.
A man should be observant. What does it matter if he can't hold his fiancée's hand? What does it matter if his fiancée is being held by someone else?
Things will be better after we get married.
Ji Yu, with a blade of grass dangling from her mouth, swayed it up and down, crossed her arms, leaned against the car window, and gazed at the two sisters in the distance.
My future father-in-law's words flashed through my mind: "The most auspicious day recently is at the end of June..."
Late June is great! The weather isn't hot, the peaches are ripe, and it's perfect for a wedding—lots of people, lively and fun.
Chen Mian was surprised by her sister's sudden appearance. "Didn't you just go back not long ago? Are you on summer vacation?"
"Sis, you're so busy you've forgotten everything. I've already graduated, why would I need a summer vacation?" Chen Muhe affectionately linked arms with her sister, her smile relaxed and carefree, nuzzling her head against her sister's arm with obvious dependence.
She can finally be with her sister all the time, that's wonderful.
Chen Mian: "I know you've graduated, but shouldn't you continue doing research with Professor Shen right now?"
Chen Mian tacitly agreed that after her younger sister graduates from undergraduate studies, she will continue to pursue a master's degree under Professor Shen's guidance, and may even pursue a doctoral degree and stay on to teach at the university.
This was the promise Professor Shen made to Chen Mian last time.
“I don’t like doing research,” Chen Muhe said stubbornly, her eyes darting around. “I’ve already been accepted into the Agricultural Bureau of Wumu City, so our family can continue to be together.”
Aren't you happy for me, sister?
"Happy, but..."
"Okay, enough with the buts, let's hurry home, I'm starving. It's been so long since I've had Mom's jiaotuan (a type of porridge)."
.
"Are there any guests at home today? Why is it so lively?" Chen Muhe noticed the noise coming from the living room as soon as she stepped into the house.
"Uh..." Faced with her sister's questioning gaze, Chen Mian suddenly felt a little embarrassed. She looked around and quietly stuck out a finger to poke Ji Yu.
Ji Yu was confused, but said confidently, "My parents came, and they were discussing my marriage with Mianmian."
What? You're getting married?
"Yeah, what's wrong? Mianmian accepted my proposal." Ji Yu said proudly, carrying things in his hands, and using his eyes to strongly signal to his future sister-in-law to admire the gold ring on his fiancée's hand.
“I typed this myself. And we're getting married soon; my uncle said one of the auspicious dates is at the end of this month…”
Ji Yu wanted to continue showing off, but Chen Muhe, who was usually quiet and gentle, was secretly furious.
She took every precaution, even giving up graduate school to come here, all to change her sister's fate. How come in this life, her sister is still getting married, albeit to a different man?
"I disagree!"
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Author's Note: My chronic laziness is acting up again. First day of my diet challenge – I ate two small steamed buns for dinner and I'm starving. Whatever, by the end of the year, I'm going to lose weight and finish planting. Please, can't I just inexplicably lose weight, finish my novel, and become rich? [emoji]
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