When Ronghua arrived at Han Chan's house, she saw that the door was tightly closed, and she couldn't help but think of Han Chan's thin face.
Compared to their first meeting, Han Chan's face had filled out, her dark eyes were bright and dazzling, completely different from her previous sorrow and fear. Even her figure had become fuller, no longer as thin and bony as before. She looked much more energetic, like a flower bud slowly blooming, gradually becoming delicate and alluring.
Her personality has changed drastically, becoming more approachable. She always has a smile on her face, and the smile is reflected in her eyes, making people feel very comfortable at first glance.
In his mind, Han Chan's image became clearer and clearer, especially her face, which seemed to be engraved in his brain.
Suddenly, Rong Hua felt his face burning hot, an unnatural heat that made him feel somewhat at a loss.
Whew~
Rong Hua took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Han Chan had just returned from the greenhouse, changed out of her work clothes, and was about to wash them in a wooden basin when she heard someone knocking on the door.
She quickly put the wooden basin into the storage room and came out to open the door.
When she opened the door and saw Rong Hua, her body stiffened instantly, her expression became unnatural, and a shadow of sadness crossed her eyes.
"Brother Ronghua, what brings you here?" Han Chan asked, feigning composure.
Ronghua said, "My mother is back from the county town. She said she wants you to come to my house for dinner!"
"No need, I've already eaten!" She didn't want to have any contact with Rong Hua for the time being, worried that the same thing would happen again like that day.
Although the village head and village chief criticized the villagers of Shanggui Village and Xiagui Village, everyone secretly admitted their own shortcomings. Although they talked behind closed doors, the way they looked at her changed.
Ronghua was taken aback when Han Chan refused, and was momentarily stunned, unsure of what to say.
Han Chan said, "It's quite cold outside, I'm going inside first, you should go back soon!"
As Han Chan closed the door, Rong Hua stepped forward, putting one foot inside to block her from closing it. "Miss Han! You just got home. Where have you eaten? Hurry up and close the door and come with me. Otherwise, my mother will come to pick you up herself soon!"
"And... I want you to come to my house for dinner!" Rong Hua stared intently at Han Chan and said, "Ever since you were talked about last time, you've been so cold to me, so I want to know why Miss Han has changed her usual behavior and become so cold to me?"
Han Chan was shocked that Rong Hua would say such a thing; it was not something he would say at all. "Brother Rong Hua, you misunderstand. I wasn't being cold to you. I just didn't want people to gossip about me anymore, and I didn't want to follow in my mother's footsteps!"
Rong Hua felt a pang of pain in her heart: "Miss Han, I'm sorry! It was indeed my fault that day. I apologize to you again! I hope you can forgive me!"
"Brother Ronghua, I'm not angry!"
“Since you’re not angry, why don’t you lock the door and come home with me for dinner? My mother is waiting for you at home!” Ronghua said.
"I really have eaten!"
However, Rong Hua didn't give Han Chan a chance to speak. He forcefully pulled Han Chan out of the yard, took the lock from behind the door, closed the door, and then forcibly dragged Han Chan into the house.
After walking a few steps, Ronghua let go of Han Chan. Now that people were talking about her, he wanted to consider Han Chan's feelings and keep his distance. They could talk about it when they got home.
Han Chan felt a little disappointed when Rong Hua let go of her, but she didn't say anything and silently followed behind Rong Hua toward their house.
The two houses were not far apart; it only took about two minutes to walk to Ronghua's house.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Madam Xu came out happily and warmly, "Girl, you've finally arrived! Mother has prepared all the food and was just waiting for you!"
When Ronghua heard Xu's words, her dark eyes flickered, and a strange feeling arose in her heart. It was as if it was not at all inappropriate for Xu to call Han Chan "mother". It should be like this.
Han Chan said, "Auntie, I've already eaten at home. You and Brother Ronghua, please eat."
"You've already eaten?" Madam Xu asked, a little disappointed. "It's alright, you can eat some more. I bought a few pounds of beef from the county town today, and I've already started cooking it. Can you smell the aroma? I learned this cooking technique from the chef at Xiaoxiang Restaurant. It's braised beef, and it tastes different from what we make at home, but it's very delicious! I bought this especially for you, so don't let my good intentions go to waste, eat more!"
"I..." Han Chan wanted to refuse, but Madam Xu was too enthusiastic and didn't give her a chance to refuse. She took her hand and led her into the house, and didn't forget to ask Rong Hua to pour her tea.
Xu Shi pulled Han Chan along, looking her up and down. Han Chan didn't seem to be in good spirits, but she had gained weight and looked much prettier than before, which made Xu Shi's heart flutter. Such a beautiful girl with the eldest son was like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung.
"Eldest son, watch the fire! Mother wants to talk to the girl!" Then, Madam Xu showered Han Chan with concern, but she didn't bring up the events of the past few days. She simply asked Han Chan how she was doing, whether she was used to being home alone, and if she was scared.
Han Chan answered honestly, and then turned around to ask Xu Shi how she was doing in the county town and how the Huimin Medical Clinic was doing. These questions made Xu Shi even happier, as if she had eaten candy.
After speaking, Madam Xu took out the things she had prepared for Han Chan and handed them to her: "This is something I bought for you specially in the county town. Take it back with you and eat it at home!"
Xu brought Han Chan a lot of food, including pastries and candies that Han Chan had never eaten before, as well as meat buns.
"Auntie, these things are too valuable, I can't accept them!" Han Chan refused.
Madam Xu said, "Why can't we accept them? In my eyes, you are my child, and I've always treated you like my eldest daughter-in-law! Besides, you have no family. Your younger brother is studying in the county town, and you're all alone at home! I just want to show you some concern, so I'm accepting all these things! And..."
Madam Xu took out a set of clothes: "These are clothes and shoes that I sewed in the county town these past few days. They were made according to your size. Take them home and try them on to see if they fit. If not, I'll alter them!"
Xu was so focused on stuffing the clothes into Han Chan's hands that she didn't notice how shocked Han Chan looked, and almost thought she had misheard.
The aunt has always treated me like her eldest daughter-in-law?!
Rong Hua also heard this. He looked at Han Chan with a gleam in his dark eyes, and when he saw the shock in Han Chan's eyes, he curled the corners of his mouth.
"Auntie! I can't take it! I can't take it!" Han Chan hurriedly put the clothes, pastries, and other food on the kang (a heated brick bed), saying, "I have things to do at home, I have to go back first!"
She liked Ronghua very much and even thought about marrying him, but Ronghua clearly had no feelings for her, so why should she make herself disliked? Therefore, Han Chan left quickly. She couldn't stay in this place anymore, and she couldn't come back again. She couldn't let Ronghua misunderstand.
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