Bai Jiaojiao didn't stand on ceremony. After the host started eating, she also took a bite of each dish: "Teacher Xu, your cooking is really good."
"No, no, he brought me two of those little pumpkins that you brought for your teacher last year. I haven't eaten anything so exquisite in years."
Xu Hong smiled and brought up something that happened almost half a year ago, which Bai Jiaojiao had almost forgotten. She quickly said, "I made some sesame brittle and brought it with me. Teacher Xu, you can try some this afternoon."
"You silly child, we invited you to our house for dinner, and you're still busy."
Halfway through the meal, Xu Hong patted Xiang Anqi's thigh and winked at him.
Xiang Anqi rubbed his thighs and hesitated before asking, "Um, Jiaojiao, did you like the food today?"
"Teacher Xu's cooking is excellent, I really like it. I usually have a small appetite, but I ate a lot today." Bai Jiaojiao added a couple more words at the end, afraid that Xiang Anqi would think she ate too little.
Xiang Anqi and Xu Hong exchanged a glance and gave an awkward laugh: "Okay, it's good that this tastes good. Um..."
"Oh, tell me quickly."
Xu Hong nudged Xiang Anqi.
"Why are you rushing me? I'm just asking." Xiang Anqi clenched his fists and looked at Bai Jiaojiao. "If you like it, would you like to come here often?"
"Aren't you usually quite eloquent?"
Xiang Anqi tried to get a clear answer for a long time but couldn't get any information out of him, which made Xu Hong extremely anxious.
"Teacher Xiang, can I become your godparent? Teacher Xu's cooking is really delicious, I'd like to come here often."
Bai Jiaojiao hadn't expected Xiang Anqi to be so eager to recognize her as his goddaughter. At the last minute, he was so nervous that he couldn't even open his mouth. To show his sincerity, she spoke for Xiang Anqi.
"Huh?" Xiang Anqi's stunned expression was completely different from his usual refined demeanor; he looked like a silly old man.
"What do you mean, 'what'? Are you stunned?" Xu Hong grabbed Bai Jiaojiao's hand and said excitedly, "Don't worry about him. He may not want to, but I do. From now on, you can call me godmother! I knew you were a good child from what your teacher had told me before. You are smart and studious. Today is the first time I've seen you, but I feel an instant connection with you. Good child, from now on, you'll feel like you have two more people to love you."
“Who said I’m unwilling?” Xiang Anqi’s eyes were a little cloudy. “I’m more than willing. You’re my apprentice whom I personally trained. Even Ji Guizhang from your courtyard might not be as close to you as I am. You child, I’m just confused by what you’ve said.”
“Come on, we’re not into those old-fashioned ways anymore. We still have half a bottle of Moutai at home. I’ll go get it, and the three of us can have a drink together. We’re happy today.” Xu Hong happily went to the cupboard and took out her treasured Moutai. As soon as the liquor was poured out, its aroma filled the entire room.
"Jiaojiao, can you drink? If you can't, then drink soda."
From her beloved little apprentice to her little daughter, Xiang Anqi has been pampering Bai Jiaojiao even more.
"Teacher Xiang, this wine is worth drinking."
"Why are you calling me Teacher Xiang?" Xu Hong said reproachfully.
Bai Jiaojiao poured wine for the two of them, and also poured herself a glass. She raised it and said, "In the past year since I enrolled, I have been very grateful for Teacher Xiang's care. Today, I am honored to have been recognized as your godparents. I toast you with this glass. Godfather and Godmother, although I call you that, I will always treat you as my own parents and be filial to you. I will never forget this moment! I toast you with this glass."
As he spoke, he drank the wine in his hand.
Recognizing a godparent is not a casual matter of expressing personal feelings. In the past, and even in most areas today, it was customary to kowtow and pay respects when becoming a godparent.
Once you've been recognized as a godfather or godmother, they truly treat you like their own daughter. They'll do just as much as your own parents when it comes to helping you. When there are important family events, like weddings or children's celebrations, they'll arrange everything for you just like your own parents, and they'll even provide real money.
Similarly, being someone's goddaughter doesn't just mean enjoying the benefits of having an extra pair of parents; you also have to be as filial as a goddaughter.
Regardless, Bai Jiaojiao felt that she had gotten a great deal in this matter. Xiang Anqi was her benefactor and had been kind to her. Even if she didn't acknowledge him as her godfather, she would still do her best to repay her mentor.
Moutai has a high alcohol content, but it tastes quite mellow. However, Bai Jiaojiao couldn't get used to it and got a headache after just one sip.
Her words almost brought tears to the eyes of Xiang Anqi and his wife. Xu Hong said, "Look at this child, saying such things..."
Before he could finish speaking, he drank the wine in his glass.
Xiang Anqi called out "Daughter," tilted her head back, and said, "From now on, we are family. You are our only child. Don't be afraid. The country will take care of us in our old age. We only ask that you stay with us and be safe and sound."
At this point, Bai Jiaojiao looked puzzled.
Seeing that Xiang Anqi and his wife were loving and harmonious, she wondered how they could not have children. Moreover, there were clearly a few photos of a boy from childhood to adulthood hanging on their wall. Although there were only a few, they showed his growth trajectory from a toddler to a teenager.
Following Bai Jiaojiao's gaze, Xiang Anqi's eyes flashed with regret and endless sorrow. This emotion was like the mournful wind on the autumn hills, strong yet only able to scatter a few withered leaves, revealing utter desolation.
“That was our son, but he’s no longer here,” Xiang Anqi said.
When she mentioned her son, Xu Hong, who was already immersed in emotions, suddenly broke down and covered her face to wipe away tears.
Xiang Anqi felt that Bai Jiaojiao should also be told about this: "Your brother was among the first batch of educated youth sent to the countryside, specifically to the Great Northern Wilderness. He wasn't originally supposed to go; we had already found him a job. But he was determined to support rural development, so he left home at only sixteen. Who knew that once he went..."
Xiang Anqi choked up as he spoke, and Bai Jiaojiao understood what he meant.
“Five years ago, the place where he was sent to work in the countryside sent us a letter saying that he had passed away from illness and was buried there, never able to return home. Actually, our ancestors weren’t from Yancheng either, so it doesn’t matter where he’s buried.”
Xiang Anqi sniffed, trying to compose herself.
Xu Hong, on the other hand, was sobbing uncontrollably: "That poor child, he hadn't even turned twenty-one when he passed away."
Xiang Anqi and Xu Hong had more than one son; they also had a son and a daughter, both of whom died young. They comforted each other and accepted their fate, believing that they were destined to have no children in this life.
Xiang Anqi never expected that being randomly assigned to that small coastal county would lead to such a wonderful encounter.
Bai Jiaojiao held Xu Hong's hand: "Godmother, my brother has fulfilled his dream and done what he wanted to do, so he has no regrets."
“Yes, you’re right. Other educated youth wrote back complaining about how hard life was in the countryside, but he never mentioned it. His letters were always about how wonderful the place was.” Xu Hong felt a little comforted.
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