Chapter 32 Chapter 32 The group returned to Dahe Village to celebrate the New Year...
Jiang Xiaoci called her family and told them about buying a storefront to open a matchmaking agency. Grandma Xie immediately started looking for workers to renovate the house for her.
Jiang Xiaoci hurriedly said, "Thank you, Grandma. My family is still discussing it and is not 100% sure to agree to buy it. Let's wait until the transfer is completed and then we can do the repairs ourselves."
Even if she couldn't buy the house, she could still rent it to her. As long as Jiang Xiaoci opened a matchmaking agency, she could stay in Beijing. Just for this reason, Xie Shuju was happy.
She smiled and said, "Xiaoci, this renovation is mainly to get rid of the old and replace it with the new. It won't cost much. You are not familiar with Beijing City and can't contact the workers. Just think of it as a grandma's opening gift to you."
Jiang Xiaoci was worried: "What if my family disagrees? All your efforts will be in vain."
Xie Shuju comforted her and said, "The house needs to be renovated eventually. Look at the rooms next to each other. They belong to grandma. It's a good opportunity to renovate them together."
Hearing about the renovation, Cheng Lianjin was hesitant to speak. Xie Shuju saw it and said, "You are still a secretive person. Just say whatever you want to say."
Cheng Lianjin mustered up his courage and said, "Mom, I don't really like the jobs you recommended. You know, I've loved dealing with flowers and plants since I was a child. I want to open a flower shop."
Xie Shuju: ...She has come to terms with it. Both her son and daughter are content with what they have. Fortunately, her grandson is enterprising and has finally seen the light after going through so much. Her son is in his forties and it is a blessing for him to be able to do what he likes.
After thinking it through, she happily agreed: "Okay, then I'll give you the decoration and furnishings, and three months' rent, but you have to pay the rent afterwards."
Cheng Lianjin smiled happily: "Mom, you have really changed a lot. Thank you for your understanding."
Aunt Cheng at the side said hurriedly: "Mom, I have a suggestion too. Du Shunmin is an apprentice in a photo studio. The master chef is my classmate and is willing to teach. He said that when he finishes his studies, he will open a photo studio. He is unfamiliar with the place, so it is better to open one together so that we can look after each other."
Du Shunmin is Shi Lerong's ex-husband, and the two are divorced, but since Du Shunmin stayed with the child, they were bound to meet.
The Cheng family is really open-minded. They did everything they could to prevent the child from resenting his mother in the future.
Xie Shuju sighed. Her daughter's second marriage was worrying enough, but the current result was already very good.
She asked Jiang Xiaoci: "Xiaoci, do you think it's appropriate for Du Shunmin to open a photo studio here?"
Jiang Xiaoci looked at the extensive road network and nodded, "It's perfect. I run a matchmaking agency. If the matchmaking is successful, I can go to the next door to take photos, and then go to the flower shop to buy flowers. How perfect! The more I think about it, the better it seems."
Xie Shuju thought that what a kind-hearted child he was. Fortunately, Dushun was a nice person. The child and the one in her daughter's belly were cousins, so it would be better to have a good relationship with them.
She decided: "Okay, luckily you guys brought it up first, then let's decorate it like a photo studio, a matchmaking agency, and a flower shop. The appearance is unified, and after the renovation is completed, it will also be a beautiful sight.
…
At the same time, after Jiang Weihai hung up the phone, he did not delay at all and called the Shengli Police Station to inform his son: "Please take a leave and go to your grandmother's house. Be sure to bring Han Jingyuan with you."
Jiang Yunzhong was confused: "Dad, please explain it clearly, otherwise I will be very nervous."
"It's hard to explain over the phone, let's talk in person." Jiang Weihai emphasized: "We must bring Han Jingyuan with us."
Jiang Yunzhong panicked even more. After hanging up the phone, he placed the water cup in his hand heavily on Han Jingyuan's desk: "What did you do behind my back?"
Han Jingyuan: "…Why are you so crazy? What can I do?"
"I didn't do anything. My dad asked me to go to my grandparents' house. Why did he emphasize taking you with him?"
Han Jingyuan: ...Maybe it’s about buying a storefront?
…
After Jiang Weihai gave his son instructions, he went to the tailor shop to find Gu Wenying and told her about Jiang Xiaoci's call.
He was reluctant to let her go: "Xiao Ci went out to study, and suddenly said she would stay in the capital and open her own matchmaking agency."
Gu Wenying accepted it in a flash and was very happy for Jiang Xiaoci.
Children will always grow up and leave home. Gu Wenying will not use her own ideas to imprison a free mind. Besides, Xiaoci is a girl with her own ideas. Matchmaking is what she is good at, so there is no reason to object.
She was relieved: "Xiaoci finally has something she wants to do. We should be happy for her. Her aunt and uncle are in Beijing, so they can take care of each other. The house is still Aunt Xie's, so there won't be any disputes over the sale. You see, what a good thing."
No matter how reluctant Jiang Weihai was, he had to respect the decision of his wife and daughter. They went home together and told their parents about Jiang Xiaoci's decision.
He Suwen really couldn't bear to let go and complained that the old sisters had taken her well-behaved granddaughter away and wouldn't return her, and she was so angry that she wiped away tears.
"I feel sad when I think about not seeing each other for a few times a year."
Jiang Peizhong comforted her: "Before Xiaoci came, how could our family have the lively and harmonious days we have now? She has a better future. We can't stop her from leaving just because we are afraid of loneliness."
He Suwen thought of what she had heard before, that Xiaoci would have her own adventures in Beijing, and she also knew that she couldn't hinder her.
Everyone agreed and supported Jiang Xiaoci to stay in Beijing and open a matchmaking agency, so there was only one problem left.
Jiang Yunzhong was suspicious and questioned Han Jingyuan: "My sister runs a matchmaking agency and wants to buy Grandma Xie's house. Why did she say that you paid for it? Han Jingyuan, give me an explanation."
He Suwen was also puzzled: "Xiaoci used to discuss everything with me, why would she ask you for money? Han Jingyuan, we watched you grow up, you can't lie."
Jiang Weihai put his big hand on Han Jingyuan's shoulder and patted him hard: "Yes, Jingyuan, your uncle recommended you to the police academy, so you can't lie to us."
Han Jingyuan was at a loss: "... We were chatting before, and she mentioned that my grandmother left me a legacy, and I didn't know what to do with it. She said that she would start a business in the future and asked me to invest. Maybe this is the reason."
The reason was too far-fetched. Jiang Yunzhong was skeptical, but Jiang Weihai didn't believe it.
Gu Wenying suddenly said, "You don't understand, but I do. Xiaoci let Jingyuan invest in the company out of consideration for our family. Just think about it, the money I earned from running the tailor shop for half a year is not enough to buy a house."
Before she finished speaking, Jiang Weihai couldn't wait: "I still have some savings."
He Suwen even wanted to give all of it to Jiang Xiaoci: "We are an old couple, we have saved a little over our lifetime, why do we need outsiders to pay for it?"
As an outsider, Han Jingyuan was silent like a transparent person.
Gu Wenying smiled and said, "Dad, Mom, I know you have good intentions, and Xiaoci knows it too, but outsiders won't think so. Wei Hai and I have only been married for a year, and I have used up all our savings to buy a house for Xiaoci. Outsiders will say that I am a scheming stepmother who is trying to make money for my daughter. Xiaoci thought of this and only then did she talk to Jingyuan about buying a share. Jingyuan is also stupid. How could you agree to Xiaoci privately for such a large sum of money? How are you going to explain this to your grandfather's family and your mother?"
Han Jingyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this reason was reasonable and logical. If he didn't know the inside story, even he would have believed it.
He said hurriedly: "That money is my grandmother's dowry. My grandfather's family has no control over it, and my mother will not control me either."
Jiang Yunzhong felt very disappointed: "Aunt Gu, we are all family. If you think like this, you are treating us as outsiders."
Gu Wenying said, "It's okay. Now that I think about it, Xiaoci's arrangement is very appropriate. When you and Yunyi get married in the future, she will bring this up again and again. Just do as she says."
…
There were some changes to the matter of paying for the storefront. Gu Wenying's tailor shop had earned several thousand dollars in the past six months, so she paid half and Han Jingyuan paid the other half. In this way, from the house to the matchmaking agency, Jiang Xiaoci and Han Jingyuan each owned half.
If he only paid half, Gu Wenying's money would be just enough and he wouldn't have to take money from his family. Jiang Xiaoci also thought this arrangement was very good.
Feng Qiaozhen was even happier. Making money was secondary. For some reason, she just wanted her son to be closer to Jiang Xiaoci.
Han Jingyuan and Jiang Yunzhong's internship is over. They have collaborated on cases, and they have also solved cases of varying sizes on their own, which add up to exactly ten, and they are evenly matched.
The director was stumped: "Now there is an opportunity to transfer to the city bureau, and the other one to go undercover to solve a case, but there is a chance to be transferred to the capital. You two should discuss it."
Jiang Yunzhong said without hesitation: "Do we need to discuss this? My sister is in the capital, so of course I will go there if I have the chance to go undercover."
Han Jingyuan retorted without hesitation: "My grandfather's family is in Beijing, so I can't fight for the opportunity to go to Beijing?"
Jiang Yun hit him hard and said, "Han Jingyuan, this is not nice of you. You can't take away my chance to accompany my sister. Besides, you are the only son in your family. If you run away to Beijing, what will happen to your mother?"
Han Jingyuan counterattacked: "My mother is eager to live alone with Dr. Zhu. She has already agreed that I should move out after I get married. Jiang Yunyi has joined the army, and Xiaoci has gone to Beijing. It is your responsibility to stay at home and fulfill your filial duties."
The director saw that what they both said made sense, so he proposed the fairest way, saying, "Let's draw lots. Whoever draws the right thing gets it, and no one is allowed to raise any objections."
The director prepared two pieces of paper, one saying "go to the municipal bureau" and the other saying "go undercover".
Han Jingyuan was chosen to go undercover. He was a little hesitant at first, but when he drew the lot and saw the result, he was relieved. Going undercover was God's arrangement, so he should just let it go.
…
After Qiao Shaoyao was arrested, Jiang Xiaoci took over the matchmaking agency for two months. The new person in charge was finally sent in before the New Year. Jiang Xiaoci's study time was also completed, and she received her certificate of completion. She had it framed and hung it on a conspicuous wall.
She came up with the name of the store herself, "First-line Matchmaking Agency", which she thought was quite appropriate.
Brother Han transferred the money and said that he didn't have time for the time being, so he asked Jiang Xiaoci to transfer the ownership and have the house registered under her name. Jiang Xiaoci agreed, and her family was so scared that they asked her if it was suitable.
Jiang Xiaoci doesn't understand others, but she understands herself. She doesn't take advantage of others. Brother Han trusts her because he understands her.
She said: "I won't cheat Brother Han. If he wants to go back someday, I'll just give him half. The matchmaking agency will definitely make money. He's stupid if he wants to go back."
She was so confident that no one mentioned her and Han Jingyuan's consensual relationship anymore.
The opening date is set for January 18th of the Gregorian calendar. Since it is a personal matchmaking agency, we will have to charge a fee.
It’s the same no matter who comes, the fee is half of last month’s income.
Most people have a fixed salary. If the introduction is successful, they will need to pay half a month's salary. If converted, for ordinary people, twenty or thirty yuan is just the price of a thank-you gift. No one is optimistic about the profit and thinks that Jiang Xiaoci's personal matchmaking agency is probably only enough to earn enough for her own food and drink.
Jiang Xiaoci is very confident. Nowadays, more and more people are running small businesses. If she can facilitate a marriage like this, she can earn a very good income.
…
On the opening day, the sky was a little gloomy. When I went out in the morning, Grandma Xie asked, "Xiaoci, why don't we go to a sunny day? Otherwise, it's not a good omen."
Jiang Xiaoci thought this was a great omen, as it coincided with the time when she decided to buy the house and open a matchmaking agency, as it was raining.
"Thank you, grandma. Let's do it today. Aunt and uncle need to bring people here. We can't let them go empty-handed."
"Okay, today then."
In order to support her, Xie Shuju brought a few people who were in need of marriage to register. Together with those brought by Jiang Hongyu and Yu Changqing, Jiang Xiaoci registered more than ten members in the morning. She used her ability as a little flower demon to take a look and found that three members had red strings tied around their bodies. She decided to help these three people get married first to accumulate some reputation.
At noon, Jiang Xiaoci booked a table at a nearby restaurant and treated everyone to an opening dinner. After the meal, the sky outside became even darker, and it looked like it was going to rain at any time.
Xie Shuju reminded: "Xiaoci, it's almost the New Year, not many people will come to register, you should go back early in the afternoon, don't wait until dark."
Jiang Xiaoci nodded, and everyone left one after another. Jiang Xiaoci also returned to the matchmaking agency.
She opened her business before the New Year. Uncle Cheng's flower shop on the left opened on the 16th day of the first lunar month after the New Year. Brother-in-law Du's photo studio, he said, will open after he finishes his apprenticeship in March. At present, both sides are very deserted, not to mention it is a rainy day. There is no one in her matchmaking agency. She plans to copy the membership information registered in the morning and go back. ”
The rain outside was falling in a continuous line, and the visibility was getting lower and lower. Jiang Xiaoci would look up at the rain after copying for a while, thinking that she would wait until the rain was lighter before going to the bus station to catch the bus.
Suddenly, she saw a person walking in the rain at a leisurely pace. That person looked so stupid. It was raining so heavily, why didn't he run faster?
The more Jiang Xiaoci looked, the more familiar he looked. She dropped her pen and ran to the door. She saw clearly that it was Brother Han.
She took a big black umbrella from the store, opened it, ran into the rain, picked up Han Jingyuan, and dragged him to run a few steps, ran up the steps of the matchmaking agency, and asked him to answer: "Brother Han, what day is today?"
Han Jingyuan: "January 18th, the day your matchmaking agency opens."
Fortunately, such heavy rain was a natural phenomenon, not the unnatural drizzle that occurred on that cloudy and rainy day.
Jiang Xiaoci sighed and patted his chest to calm down: "Fortunately, I thought you came from a few days ago."
Han Jingyuan laughed and said, "Of course not."
Jiang Xiaoci asked: "The Chinese New Year is only ten days away, why are you here now?"
Han Jingyuan said calmly: "Oh, I performed an undercover mission some time ago and performed well. My grandfather's family happened to be here, so I applied for a transfer."
Jiang Xiaoci was very surprised. Could it be that Brother Han’s behavior wasn’t entirely because of his grandfather?
Han Jingyuan wore a raincoat, but it was of little use. His luggage was wrapped in several layers of plastic sheets, so the clothes inside didn't get wet. He asked, "Is there a place for me to change clothes?"
Jiang Xiaoci nodded repeatedly: "There are rooms upstairs, go upstairs and change, are there any towels?"
"It's in the bag."
After changing into new clothes, Jiang Xiaoci looked for a hanger to hang up her wet clothes. Han had paid for the house, but they hadn't seen it yet. She took him to visit the first floor and said, "Thank you, grandma, for renovating it. We should remember this favor."
The first floor is divided into two areas, the front is for reception and the back has an archive room with compartments for storing documents.
The second floor is where people live, with a three-fold staircase that can accommodate two people walking side by side.
After going up to the second floor, there is a corridor with a beauty chair. The corridor is connected to three rooms, two large and one small, and is also equipped with a separate bathroom.
The corridor faces the patio. Uncle Cheng has carefully trimmed the previously messy flowers and plants, leaving mostly evergreen plants and trees. The tallest tree is near the corridor and can be reached by hand. When it blooms next year, the room should be filled with fragrance.
Jiang Xiaoci said, "I originally wanted to live in the store, but Grandma Xie was worried. When I told her to move out, she got angry. I had no choice but to continue living in her house. There are three rooms upstairs. Why don't you come and live here?"
Han Jingyuan thought the house was worth the money, but he still refused, saying, "You run a matchmaking agency here, and it would be bad to have a man living in the store, and it would affect business."
Jiang Xiaoci wanted to say something but didn't, if she got married, she could live there.
…
The rain outside was getting heavier and heavier, and they couldn't leave for a while, so the two of them sat on the beauty's backrest in the corridor, looking at a large clump of marigolds in the courtyard, their large green leaves swaying from side to side in the rain.
Han Jingyuan did what he was supposed to do when the time came. His mission was completed and the transfer procedures were completed with the help of Uncle Jiang. In fact, he could come back in the first month of the lunar year, but he calculated the time and found that he could buy a ticket and arrive in time for the opening day.
He went to the station to queue up, and with a give it a try attitude, he bought the ticket, so he came over.
Han Jingyuan said, "I'll finish my job here, go visit my grandpa, and then go back to Yuncheng to spend the New Year with my mother."
"Well, this arrangement is good." Jiang Xiaoci said happily: "Our family will go back to Dahe Village to celebrate the New Year this year, even grandpa and grandma will go with us. It will be very lively with the whole family. I am looking forward to it."
"Good."
There was another silence, and Jiang Xiaoci suddenly heard Brother Han ask: "Jiang Xiaoci, is the red string on us still there?"
Jiang Xiaoci turned his head, but Brother Han didn't look at him. He was still looking at the trees swaying in the rain below the patio.
He wants to start a family and have someone who can support him through thick and thin.
Jiang Xiaoci couldn't help but raised her lips and answered him, "Yes, Brother Han, have you figured it out? Do you want to follow the red line?"
Han Jingyuan lowered his head and avoided Jiang Xiaoci's sight.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Jiang Xiaoci thought he was shy, so she decided to just say it herself.
She said, "Brother Han, my birthday is early. It's the ninth day of the first lunar month. After my birthday, I will be eighteen. The marriage age according to the Marriage Law is also eighteen."
Han Jingyuan was horrified and looked up at her: "What do you mean by that?"
Jiang Xiaoci said sincerely: "This red string is still connected, we can't keep dragging it out, if you don't object, we can follow the fate of the red string and let nature take its course, and get married when it's time, do you agree?"
If he agrees, the two of them will progress to a romantic relationship. At least they can spend the New Year together and think carefully about what to do next.
He said, "Let's talk about this after the New Year."
Jiang Xiaoci understood what Brother Han meant. He meant to let nature take its course. When the time came to do something, they would go to meet the parents. After both parents agreed, they would confirm their relationship, make a decision, choose a time to get married, and live together.
That's good. If this person wasn't Brother Han, she would have to tell him many of her little secrets again. So let's go with Brother Han. It just so happens that he is willing, and Jiang Xiaoci is willing too.
Jiang Xiaoci was happy. The rain outside was about to stop. She found a key to the matchmaking agency and gave it to Han Jingyuan: "Brother Han, I'm going back to Grandma Xie's house. You can keep one of the keys."
"Okay, I have to report to the unit too." Han Jingyuan either lowered his head or cast his eyes, and didn't say much.
"Then I'll tell my aunt and uncle that after you report in, we'll go back to Yuncheng together?"
Han Jingyuan finally raised his eyes: "Of course."
Jiang Xiaoci was happy and stuffed a handful of candy into his pocket. The two of them got on different buses at the station.
When she returned to Grandma Xie's house, she saw that she was in high spirits and her mood brightened up: "Xiaoci, what's the good news that makes you so happy?"
Jiang Xiaoci blurted out: "Brother Han came to handle the work transfer procedures and went back with us. We will come together next year. I am happy to have another brother with me."
Han Jingyuan first paid for Xiaoci to buy a house, and then transferred his job over. He was afraid that there might be something going on with the two children. Xie Shuju joked a few words. She had some thoughts in her mind, wondering whether Xiaoci and her grandson were destined to be together. It seemed that she had to change her mind and recognize Xiaoci as her godson, which would also be wonderful.
…
In the next two days, Jiang Xiaoci introduced a couple to the members who registered on the opening day. The couple was the child of Grandma Xie's good friend. The other party was so happy that he gave one month's salary to Jiang Xiaoci, saying that it was what Jiang Xiaoci deserved.
"Fifty dollars is nothing for such a good marriage. You're welcome."
Jiang Xiaoci finally opened her business, and she made a small request: "On the day of the wedding banquet, can I take a photo with the bride and groom and hang it on the honor wall of the matchmaking agency?"
"Sure." The two families agreed readily: "So, our two families will be the first couple introduced by your matchmaking agency, so we will be the first to be listed."
Jiang Xiaoci nodded quickly: "That's for sure."
Xie Shuju's face lit up and she was very proud: "How is it, my recommendation is not bad, the marriages introduced by Xiaoci are all very happy, she is going home for the New Year, if you have relatives or friends to introduce you, come back on the eighth day of the first lunar month."
On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, Brother Han completed the employment procedures. Jiang Xiaoci closed the business and bought tickets with her aunt and uncle to return to Yuncheng.
After her father and elder brother had asked for leave, Jiang Xiaoci, her mother, grandparents, aunt, and uncle all went back to Dahe Village to celebrate the New Year.
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