"Wow, that's really old. No wonder you need your children and grandchildren to look after you when you go out."
In this day and age, living to eighty or ninety is considered a long life. Moreover, Sun Jihai is not sick, can still walk, and can take care of himself. He just has some difficulty walking and needs to use a cane. Compared to other elderly people, he is much luckier!
"But if it were me, I'd rather live happily for a few years. Although I'd live longer that way, there's no fun in it, and it's unpleasant."
Xu Zi shook his head, not quite agreeing with this approach.
"You dare? Are you going to leave me all alone? I'll send you away right now and find another young man! If you die before me, I'll find a handsome old man, and you can watch me and him being all lovey-dovey from the afterlife."
Yu Jiu rolled her eyes at him, arrogantly raised her chin, and turned to go back into the courtyard.
Xu Zijiang hurriedly chased after him, running over with his long arms and legs, pulling Yu Jiu into his arms and giving him a back hug, while he complained.
"No, I disagree. What old man could be as handsome as me? I'm so good-looking, even when I'm old, I'll still be one in a million handsome old man. Nobody can compare to me!"
"What good is it if you're handsome? What can I do if you die young? The one who laughs last is the one who lives the longest."
Yu Jiu shrugged and deliberately said something to provoke him.
Xu Zijiang admitted defeat, biting Yu Jiu's earlobe as he apologized.
"I was wrong. I will definitely try to live a long and healthy life from now on, and I will never give you the chance to find someone else!"
"That's more like it."
Yu Jiu pinched his waist with her other hand. The two of them should live a long and loving life together, and neither of them should leave too early!
"Come on, come on, I've learned a new dessert recipe. I'll make it for you so you can try it."
Xu Zijiang curled his lips, picked up the remaining wine, and carried it into the kitchen.
Yu Jiu was now used to his sudden high hugs, and she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck to maintain her balance. Speaking of cooking, Yu Jiu suddenly remembered something.
"Now that we've set a wedding date, have you found someone yet? We also need to find someone to cook for us and help us out. We don't have any relatives, so we have to take care of things ourselves."
Yu Jiu takes her marriage very seriously, as it's a once-in-a-lifetime event.
"Don't worry, once I announce that I'm getting married, everyone will be eager to help me. Do I need to go out of my way to find people?"
Xu Zi slapped Yu Jiu's butt and said arrogantly.
"Oh, so confident?"
Yu Jiu raised an eyebrow. It's common for neighbors to come up and offer to help serve dishes and wash dishes; it's all about helping each other out. But finding someone to cook is not easy, let alone someone who comes to your door.
"Confidence must be built on a foundation of strength. If you don't believe me, just wait until tomorrow. You won't have to wait a single day longer."
Xu Zi smiled, placed the remaining wine on the chair, rolled up his sleeves, and began to work.
"Alright, then I'll see what you're capable of tomorrow."
Yu Jiu became interested. He knew Xu Zijiang was popular, but he didn't know he was popular in this way. This time he could see it for himself.
"You'll be satisfied."
Xu Zijiang dabbed some flour on Yu Jiu's nose and laughed heartily. A little white flour also clung to his muscular arms, creating a striking contrast that made him look very much like a married man. Yu Jiu couldn't help but curl her lips, thinking how wonderful it was to be with Xu Zijiang.
Tall, handsome, considerate, and funny! She's even more excited about the future.
The next day, Yu Jiu still didn't go to work. She wouldn't be going to work before the wedding; she was officially entering the skincare routine, a must for country girls, and she was going to follow local customs. She arrived at Xu Zijiang's house early in the morning to wait, but Xu Zijiang had gone out on patrol. He often conducted surprise inspections, deducting work points from anyone who was lazy, while rewarding those who worked hard. So, his frequent inspections were a mixed bag of opinions.
Yu Jiu opened the gate to Xu Zijiang's house and sat in the courtyard. There was a piece of paper spread out on the table. She pursed her lips and wrote something on it, pausing from time to time to think before continuing to write. Before long, the paper was filled with dense writing.
It was 8:30 when Xu Zijiang's house welcomed its first group of guests. The man was not tall, but he was very strong and had a thick beard. He had the air of a bandit who had become an outlaw, and he also looked a bit like a butcher. Was he a pork seller?
Recalling Xu Zijiang's confident demeanor yesterday, Yu Jiu made a guess about the man's profession the moment she caught a glimpse of him.
"Hey you... is this Captain Xu, Xu Zijiang?"
Seeing the door open, I assumed Xu Zi would be home, but when I came in, I saw a porcelain-white little girl with such big eyes and such a small face, so fair it seemed to glow! Good heavens, who is this?!
The "butcher" stared wide-eyed, then stammered a question.
"Yes, he went out and will probably be back later. Who are you? What do you need him for? Why don't you sit down and wait, or should I just pass on the message for you? Oh, by the way, I'm his fiancée."
Yu Jiu was a little embarrassed when she introduced herself. She pursed her lips shyly, a blush rising on her porcelain-white face. This was the first time she had officially used the title of Xu Zijiang's fiancée, and there were still a few days until Xu Zijiang's marriage proposal! Was this introduction inappropriate? How embarrassing!!!
"Oh, so it's your sister-in-law! Wow, Captain Xu has such good taste! Look how beautiful the sister-in-law he found for me is! I thought she was Captain Xu's sister. I didn't think he had a sister, but she's so pretty, who else could it be but his sister? I..."
Oh dear, I'm speechless. Hello, sister-in-law. My name is Liu Jin. Captain Xu helped me out before. I was the head chef. I can cook, and I often help others prepare banquets. I heard that Captain Xu has a girlfriend and is getting married, so I rushed over. Have you decided on a head chef yet? If not, use me. I guarantee I'll make your banquet look beautiful!
"You could give me a single radish and I could cook eighteen dishes for you, and I wouldn't even charge you, it'd be free! Sister-in-law, please give me a chance! I especially want to thank Captain Xu; without him, I wouldn't be where I am today. Sister-in-law, please don't be so polite, it's a deal! Remember to tell the captain I'll be the head chef! I'll come to help beforehand!"
Liu Jin was afraid that Yu Jiu would refuse him, so he refused to drink the water Yu Jiu poured for him or sit down. He boldly made his decision and left immediately, running out without stopping. Yu Jiu couldn't catch up with him.
"Hey Liu, at least finish your water before you leave."
Yu Jiu stood at the door, both amused and exasperated, watching him leave. She hadn't expected him to be the head chef; his demeanor had made her think he was a butcher. But she hadn't realized Xu Zijiang was telling the truth—the head chef had delivered himself to her doorstep without her needing to worry. Did that mean Xu Zijiang had agreed? However, they couldn't let him work for free. If he refused to accept payment, they could at least give him some extra food to take home.
Yu Jiu took out the densely written paper and ticked the chef's name. Just as she finished ticking it, two more people rushed in through the door, their voices preceding their arrival.
"Captain Xu, we've come to help you!!!"
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