The thing that makes Liu Yulan very happy is that Wang Miaomiao has made her laugh so much. It's been a long time since she laughed so openly.
Feeling more cheerful, she insisted on buying Wang Miaomiao some malted milk. Wang Miaomiao quickly stopped her, wondering why she couldn't get over this. She really didn't crave it.
"Mom, let's not buy the malted milk, it's too expensive. We might as well buy some meat, I'm craving meat." Actually, she wasn't craving meat. After all, she had just arrived here and hadn't yet experienced a month without a single meal of meat.
She just thought that if they bought meat, the whole family could eat it and benefit from it. She wasn't in the habit of eating alone, by herself. Of course, yesterday's brown sugar eggs didn't count; that was to recover from her injuries since she had lost quite a bit of blood, also a mother's way of loving her daughter...
Liu Yulan didn't insist anymore, after the daughter repeatedly said no. She felt even more at ease now, seeing her youngest daughter become so understanding.
In fact, Wang Miaomiao also wanted to ask Liu Yulan for a new toothbrush and a separate towel. However, she didn't mention it even after buying everything and leaving.
Upon further consideration, she still felt that you can't change too much at once. What others voluntarily offered and what you demand for yourself had very different meanings.
She had to pick the right opportunities to gradually make her case, being a bit cautious wouldn't be a mistake.
Sigh, it's a shame she had no memory of her original self; it was so inconvenient. Her persona shouldn't change too quickly or abruptly.
On their way back, Wang Miaomiao even voluntarily helped Liu Yulan carry things, even if they were the two lightest items, it was enough to make Liu Yulan smile brightly.
"Ding ring ring..." The sound of a bicycle bell came from behind, growing closer.
Liu Yulan quickly pulled Wang Miaomiao closer to the side of the road to make space.
In reality, the road wasn't that narrow, but during this era, bicycles were a big deal, especially in rural areas. Whoever owned a bicycle cherished it dearly. The bell ringing was both a reminder and a show-off.
However, this time the person had another reason for ringing the bell.
"Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Xiahe Village?" At this hour, there weren't many people on the road. Yang Zhigang had finally seen someone, so he sped up and chased after them, realizing they were acquaintances, he awkwardly greeted, "Um, Auntie."
Liu Yulan was also surprised and a bit embarrassed, but still smiled and nodded at him, "Oh, it's Gangzi. I really apologize for yesterday. My eldest daughter was quite rude and embarrassed you."
Wang Miaomiao was observing the newcomers, two men, each riding a brand-new Forever bicycle.
One of them was particularly eye-catching with sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, thin lips, an aquiline nose, and exquisite features. His hair, a full three inches long, was impeccably groomed, and his Zhongshan suit made him look upright and extraordinary, clearly someone in a high position, exuding an aura of unapproachability.
Wang Miaomiao only glanced at him and then looked away, people like him hated being stared at in adoration.
Moreover, she had something more interesting to focus on. From her mother's words, she learned that the other man in military dress was Wang Zhaodi's blind date from yesterday.
This man's name was Yang Zhigang, a soldier who had recently returned home. After ten years in the army, he was wounded during a mission last time, suffering a crushing fracture of the foot. Due to delayed treatment, the foot did not heal well, leaving a slight disability and a bit of a limp. Such a pity...
"Hehe, Auntie, you're joking." Listening to Liu Yulan's words, Yang Zhigang felt even more embarrassed, searching for words, "Auntie, you've bought quite a few things. Would you like us to give you a ride home..."
He hadn't taken yesterday's incident to heart anyway. Since the young girl wasn't interested, so be it. Still, that young girl seemed introverted, yet rather spirited.
"No, no need." Liu Yulan shook her head immediately. After all, Wang Zhaodi was indeed rude yesterday, she was too embarrassed to trouble them. Her thoughts turned, "Yesterday, my troublesome eldest daughter injured my youngest daughter, today's trip to the town's clinic was to check the injury, buying stuff was just incidental. The items aren't heavy."
She said this with her own intentions, mainly to tell Yang Zhigang that her eldest daughter wasn't that great, so there was no need to regret.
After Liu Yulan finished talking, Wang Miaomiao felt two sets of eyes glancing at her face. She instantly felt a bit shy, her fair cheeks turning pink, she unconsciously hid behind Liu Yulan.
Sigh...if it were under different circumstances, she wouldn't be afraid to let others look. However, now her clothes didn't fit, her face was devoid of makeup and scarred, diminishing her confidence, especially being observed by two such handsome men.
Yang Zhigang had a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes. His features weren't very prominent, but the aura of a frontline soldier was impossible to overlook, upright and proper, an ideal man, even in modern times.
This act of shyness actually left both men with a better impression of her. They were well-mannered and averted their eyes after a quick glance.
Liu Yulan didn't linger on the topic, changing the subject right after a hint, "You're heading to Xiahe Village, right? Just ride a bit further, and when you see a big banyan tree on your left, turn at that intersection, and you'll be there."
"Ah, thank you, Auntie..." Yang Zhigang awkwardly scratched his buzzed head, hesitating, "How about we give you a ride for a while."
Wang Miaomiao couldn't hold back her laughter hiding behind Liu Yulan. This person was so amusing; her mom hadn't said much, why was he feeling so awkward...
"No need, really no need, off you go. Our paths don't match." Liu Yulan declined.
Seeing her determination, Yang Zhigang didn't insist, "Okay then, Auntie, we'll get going. Goodbye."
"Alright, goodbye."
Their paths crossed and then they parted, each going their own way. Little did they know, this intersection had silently altered the course of the original story, leading to drastic changes in each other's fates.
However, perhaps everything had started to change the moment Wang Miaomiao unexpectedly came here...
After traveling a bit, Jiang Yan rang his bicycle bell, causing Yang Zhigang to glance over, receiving a knowing look. He self-mockingly replied, "Hey, it was just a blind date yesterday, and the girl didn't fancy me..."
Jiang Yan was displeased upon hearing this, rare in his comfort to an old subordinate, "That girl wasn't right for you, it's a blessing the match didn't work."
His subordinates were all elites, not to be subjected to others' whims. Again he remembered the young girl's forehead injury; in his experience, it would leave a scar, such heavy-handedness cemented that woman as wicked.
"I know, well... I'm not in a rush. If my mom weren't pushing so hard, I wouldn't even bother looking..." Yang Zhigang's words seemed insincere.
He was already twenty-six this year, his peers in the village, kids already in elementary school.
Jiang Yan didn't continue the topic; he too was a victim of matchmaking pressure, feeling that anything he said wouldn't be right.