The two middle-aged women said cheerfully and happily.
"Oh, what a young girl! Ah! She must be Captain Xu's girlfriend! She's so pretty! It must be! We're from Dongtang, like sisters. Captain Xu saved our old man from drowning before. We tried to give him things, but he wouldn't accept them, not even banners. It really worried us. We even tried to introduce him to other women, but he wouldn't take them either!"
Look at that! Captain Xu has such good taste; he found such a beautiful wife! Aren't you two getting married? It's only two months away. Let me tell you, we'll definitely be there to help out on your wedding day. If you need any help, just ask us!
We'll do anything you ask, from washing dishes to cooking, please don't be shy with us!
Two middle-aged women in their fifties patted Yu Jiu's thin shoulders a few times in a cheerful manner. Yu Jiu took a deep breath; she almost got hurt by their pats. It wasn't their fault; she was just too afraid of pain!
Yu Jiu subtly stepped back two steps and went to bring two stools for the two of them to sit on.
"Yes, I am Xu Zijiang's girlfriend, the one we are getting married to soon. Thank you for coming to help. We don't have any family or relatives, so we have to rely on our neighbors and friends for help. If you are free that day, you can come and help us. Xu Zijiang and I are very grateful for your kindness."
"Once we're all done with the work, we'll all have a feast together. I promise the aunties won't go home empty-handed."
Yu Jiu smiled broadly and started chatting with the aunties. She spoke confidently and naturally, without being coy or making excuses. The aunties liked her even more, not only because she was good-looking, but also because she had a good personality, which was even more rare.
No wonder Captain Xu looked down on the blind date they chose for him. Tsk tsk tsk, he's a sent-down youth, extremely cultured!
The aunties gave Yu Jiu a thumbs up, chatted with her for a while, and after confirming that they would come to help two days in advance, they left satisfied. They couldn't be happier to be able to help Xu Zijiang. After all, if it weren't for Xu Zijiang's efforts to save their mothers from drowning back then, their mothers would have been reincarnated and wouldn't be alive and well now.
The two aunties had to go back to earn work points, so they didn't chat for long. After confirming that they could come and help, they left hand in hand, even happier when they left than when they arrived.
Later, several more people arrived, all of whom had received favors from Xu Zijiang. They said that they had to help with such a big event as their benefactor's wedding. In addition, some brought gifts, and some even brought their own old hens.
"It's good to give you some nourishment, or even save it to add a dish to the banquet. It's what we should do. Captain Xu is such a kind person! I'd gladly give you several more chickens, let alone just one!"
Aunt Qiu stuffed the old hen into Yu Jiu's hand. This hen could no longer lay eggs. They couldn't bear to kill it for themselves, so they gave it to Xu Zijiang and his girlfriend. It was a glorious death for this hen!
Yu Jiu quickly pushed the chicken back.
"No, we can't take your chicken, Auntie. You said you were coming to help, but how can we accept gifts? Please take it back. Besides, Xu Zijiang isn't here. If I accept your things, what will he think of me when he comes back? Please don't put me in a difficult position, Auntie. Please take it back."
She chuckled and then, with a mix of amusement and exasperation, shoved the chicken back into Aunt Qiu's arms. She'd just touched the chicken's warm body, and it felt strange; it had given her goosebumps. She rarely saw anyone raising chickens in the city, as there wasn't enough space. Even in the countryside, she'd only ever seen chickens, never actually touched a live one, so she was a little scared.
And some chickens even bite. This chicken is so big, it looks like a pro. It must hurt a lot when it pecks at you.
"Okay, I'll bring the chicken over next time Captain Xu is home."
“That’s not what I meant. Xu Zijiang definitely wouldn’t want your things. If he wanted them, he would have taken them long ago. Auntie, listen to me. Take them back and slaughter them for the children to eat. It will help them grow stronger. The children will be happy, and if you’re happy, Xu Zijiang will be happy too. He really won’t want your things.”
Yu Jiu knew Xu Zijiang's personality, so he repeatedly declined and tried to persuade him to stay.
"Alright then, I'll bring a few more people to help. You don't need to worry about anything, just focus on welcoming the bride!"
Aunt Qiu hesitated for a moment before taking the chicken back home.
Others brought snacks, pork, and candy, but Yu Jiu sent them all away. She knew Xu Zijiang had helped many people, but she hadn't realized he had helped so many! He's so popular! Just today, more than a dozen people have come to his door!
When it was lunchtime, Xu Zijiang strolled back leisurely, his hands behind his back, eyebrows raised, and asked in a tone befitting an official.
"So, did you resist the temptation, Comrade Yu Jiu? And, did you feel your masculine charm?"
He's so arrogant! Humph, everyone says he's very capable and highly respected in this area!
Seeing his arrogant and smug look, Yu Jiu felt an itch to pinch him a couple more times, like a cocky little kid.
"You're testing me with this? Who do you think you are? If I can't resist this kind of temptation, what temptation can I resist? But I really feel your personal charm. Where did you get so many people on your side?"
Yu Jiu was incredibly curious. She propped her chin up and leaned close to him, staring intently at him with her big, dark eyes.
Xu Zijiang saw that only his own reflection could be seen in her brown pupils. He pinched Yu Jiu's little face with great satisfaction and explained with a smile.
"Actually, I don't know either. I just happened to run into them and helped out a little. I'm a bit of a busybody, so I help when I can and there's nothing I can do about what I can't help. Over time, I've helped quite a few people."
"This isn't called being nosy, it's called being helpful and kind!"
Yu Jiu corrected him, her face puffed out, unhappy that he was belittling her like that. In her heart, Xu Zijiang was a truly upright and honorable man! And kind and warm-hearted—who wouldn't like that! How could he possibly be meddling in other people's business!
"Okay, okay, I'm warm-hearted and kind, so I've helped a lot of people. They've always wanted to thank me, but haven't had the chance. So I'm sure that as soon as they hear about my wedding, they'll all come to help. So we don't need to worry about the banquet. Just leave it to those uncles and aunts. They're very experienced."
Xu Zi chuckled a few times before continuing.
"Then why are you so sure that news of your marriage will spread and reach the other team, and even the team after that?"
This is something that puzzled Yu Jiu, and it spread so quickly. The wedding date had only just been set, and the engagement ceremony hadn't even started yet, but almost everyone already knew.
"Then I'll have to ask Gouzi why he's so keen on gossiping about me. If I hadn't kept quiet, he would have spread the news of our relationship far and wide."
Xu Zijiang shrugged, somewhat helplessly. Besides, gossip is human nature; everyone loves to hear gossip, so it's not surprising that it spreads quickly.
····
"I never would have guessed that this dog, who's so skinny and tall, is such a gossip!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
