Chapter Six: Courting Openly and Honestly

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Jiang Shiyi had an early shift today. Just thinking about Huo Yixun’s reaction at noon filled her with joy, so much so that she unusually helped out in the kitchen when she got home.

Zhou Huailing noticed her daughter’s happiness and couldn’t help but smile slightly. “What’s got you so happy?” she asked.

“Because I finally got an early shift today,” Jiang Shiyi replied casually.

However, Zhou Huailing, as someone with experience, sensed something was off. But considering her daughter was no longer a child, she held back from pressing further.

When Jiang Weifeng returned, the family happily gathered for dinner. After the meal, Jiang Weifeng enthusiastically recounted the day’s amusing events to Zhou Huailing, who knew how to provide emotional support.

Looking at his wife, who at forty still maintained a graceful waistline and wore a gentle, quiet smile, Jiang Weifeng spoke softly, “Xiaoling, once the army finishes paying tomorrow, we’ll go to the city and buy something you like.”

Before Zhou Huailing could respond, Jiang Shiyi, sitting on a small stool eating watermelon, spoke up anxiously, “Dad, will the army work be done tomorrow?”

Jiang Weifeng nodded, puzzled. “Why? What’s wrong?”

Then he added, “By the way, the rescue troops will be withdrawing the day after tomorrow. Has your clinic been notified to return?”

This was urgent.

Jiang Shiyi suddenly found the watermelon in her hands tasted bland. She quickly finished it, washed up, and went to her room.

Jiang Weifeng had planned to freshen up too, but Zhou Huailing pulled him aside for a whispered conversation.

“I went to see Sister Hongmei today. She agreed and said once she finds the right family, she’ll come to me,” Zhou Huailing said. Then a frown crept onto her face as she recalled, “But I felt Sister Hongmei wasn’t too happy at the time.”

Jiang Weifeng immediately became displeased. “Our daughter is so beautiful, do you really think she won’t find a husband? Look at how Hongmei’s own son keeps pestering our girl.”

He was not worried at all, full of confidence.

A father naturally sees his daughter through favorable eyes. Though Zhou Huailing shared his sentiment, having once suffered the troubles beauty can bring, her worries still outweighed his optimism.

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She recalled when Jiang Weifeng wanted to marry her, Old Lady Jiang was completely opposed. Fortunately, Jiang Weifeng stood firm for her, sparing her from hardship.

Besides, relying on looks alone is no lasting solution.

These thoughts only deepened Zhou Huailing’s concern. She gave Jiang Weifeng a sharp look. “Marriage is a major life event, not as easy as you say. Besides, our family’s well-off. Not just anyone can marry our daughter.”

Parents don’t want to push their daughters into fire, after all.

If things were that simple, they wouldn’t need help from Yu Hongmei.

“That’s true,” Jiang Weifeng said, naturally supporting his wife.

Scratching the back of his head, he sighed with some regret, “You gave up going back to the city for me. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be worrying so much now.”

At this, Zhou Huailing gently patted his hand. “Why bring up old, useless troubles? We’re living well now.”

Jiang Weifeng merely sighed. Sensing the mood, he joked, “If it weren’t for family background, I’d be happy for our daughter to marry a soldier. You haven’t seen their Minister Huo in the army—he’s so dignified and responsible. If our daughter could marry someone like him, I’d wake from dreams laughing.”

Zhou Huailing had never met this Minister Huo and could only smile awkwardly. “I don’t ask for riches or fame for our daughter, only a safe and peaceful life. As for Minister Huo, forget it—we can’t reach that high.”

“I, as a man, won’t interfere in such matters. Just discuss it with our daughter.”

“Alright.”

At dawn the next day, Jiang Shiyi hurried out without breakfast.

No sooner had she left than Yu Hongmei arrived. Seeing her, Zhou Huailing felt hopeful.

Yu Hongmei immediately showed a photo of a young man in a suit and glasses. His refined appearance matched the typical image of an intellectual.

“He just returned from studying abroad last year, now works at the People’s Hospital as a leader. His parents both have stable jobs. He has a younger sister studying abroad too.”

“Our village is far from the city, but transport is convenient—it’s just an hour by bus.”

Zhou Huailing nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds good, but our families are quite different. I think maybe…”

She was protective of her daughter and worried.

Before she finished, Yu Hongmei interrupted loudly, “I know your worries, but can’t you trust me? I showed him a photo of your daughter beforehand. His parents know you were sent down as educated youth and are willing.”

“This is a rare good son-in-law, hard to find even in ten villages. Thanks to your daughter’s beauty—normally, I wouldn’t even introduce her to just anyone.”

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“Um…”

Seeing Zhou Huailing hesitate, Yu Hongmei grew anxious. The other family promised her a big red envelope if she could arrange the marriage, and even a formal job at a pharmaceutical factory for her useless son.

“Enough. Since you can’t decide for your daughter, I’ll go to the next village and tell her myself.”

Ignoring Zhou Huailing’s protests, Yu Hongmei left.

Meanwhile, Jiang Shiyi was preoccupied with how to win over the aloof Minister Huo; she couldn’t care less about hospital leaders.

So, after Yu Hongmei talked for a long time, Jiang Shiyi barely responded. Finally, after exhausting her voice, Yu Hongmei went back to brainwash Zhou Huailing.

Shortly after Yu Hongmei left, Wang Chuxin returned with important news.

The medical system leaders had arranged a social dance with the army for their disaster relief workers.

The dance was scheduled for the next day.

Wang Chuxin excitedly discussed the army units attending and potential matches with Jiang Shiyi.

The so-called social dance was essentially a group matchmaking event.

Since soldiers and officers train in isolation year-round with little outside contact, several such dances are held annually to help young officers with their personal lives.

If two people hit it off at the dance, it’s a good match. If not, it’s just a regular dance—no one minds.

Jiang Shiyi busily finished her report while half-listening to Wang Chuxin’s chatter.

Finally, she heard something useful.

“Shiyi, I heard the officers at our dance are also from the disaster relief units. Honestly, there’s one who caught my eye.”

Jiang Shiyi: “!!!”

Wasn’t this a perfect, legitimate chance to flirt openly?