Chapter 6: First Meeting – Parents’ Love

Lin Guilan held Jiang Zhimiao in her arms, gazing at her husband’s lean yet upright figure ahead, feeling an indescribable happiness in her heart.

Little Jiang Zhimiao opened his big eyes, observing his mother’s expression, and immediately knew what she was thinking at that moment.

Outsiders always said his mother was shrewd and capable, but after what had just transpired, little Jiang Zhimiao suddenly realized something important.

His father wasn’t as harmless as he appeared on the surface – perhaps his father was actually quite cunning!

Pretending to be weak and useless in front of others while actually being more decisive than anyone, it seemed like his mother supported the family, but in truth, his father was the one steering this household! To outsiders, his capable mother appeared to be the head of the family, but in his father’s eyes, his mother might just be a simple, pure white rabbit.

As little Jiang Zhimiao thought this, he couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile. When Lin Guilan saw her son like this, she exclaimed in delight.

“Husband, Miao Ge’er is smiling! I feel like Miao Ge’er has been smiling much more since recovering from his illness!”

Jiang Zhimiao had been too carried away and had carelessly revealed his emotions. Hearing Lin Guilan’s words, he wanted to suppress his smile, but then thought that would be even more obvious. Instead, he smiled even more brightly and reached out his little hand toward Lin Guilan.

Lin Guilan became even more delighted, extending her index finger for Jiang Zhimiao to grasp.

“Husband, husband! Miao Ge’er is actively holding my hand!”

Hearing his wife’s girlish exclamations of delight, a faint smile escaped Jiang Qingshi’s lips.

Guilan might seem fierce in temperament, but in truth, her thoughts were the simplest. He still remembered that day when they first met at the market – he had walked past Guilan wearing winter clothes that had been washed until faded, and the woman had stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes…

He had been exceptionally handsome since childhood and was accustomed to various admiring glances. But living in the village, he didn’t meet most people’s standards for a son-in-law. Even if some women fancied him, their parents would persuade them to find an honest, capable farmer.

His stepmother and elder brothers deliberately suppressed him, casually telling everyone he was an embroidered pillow – good-looking but useless, spending all day at home idly reading trivial books instead of working. But he didn’t care. He firmly believed that a man should achieve great deeds, become a noble or minister, and leave his name in history. As for physical appearance, it was merely fleeting clouds, unimportant.

Women who were attracted by his looks must be shallow, ignorant, and foolish, probably incapable of managing his household affairs properly.

Jiang Qingshi hadn’t paid that woman any mind, until he went to the bookstore to buy some inferior ink and unexpectedly saw that woman hiding behind the corner of the bookshop. That day she wore a newly made light purple round-collar robe printed with flowers and butterflies, and a dark green satin horse-face skirt. Most women in the village had to do farm work and rarely dressed so formally. She hid behind the pillar, thinking herself perfectly concealed, but in reality, she stood out conspicuously.

Only then did he begin to think this woman was somewhat interesting. Although village women were generally bold, none were as daring as her to directly chase after a man, and while dressed so… brightly at that.

Later he learned that her brother had intended to arrange a marriage with Butcher Liu from the town, yet didn’t want to disregard his sister’s wishes. That was why he had new clothes made for her and asked her to meet Butcher Liu. However, before she even saw Butcher Liu, her gaze was drawn to him instead, compelling her to watch him closely, curious to know what kind of person he truly was.

After marrying her, he discovered this and felt displeased. Deliberately, he told her that purple didn’t suit her, forcing her to lock away the scarcely worn new outfit in a chest. He rarely acted so childishly, but seeing how much she valued his words, he couldn’t help feeling secretly pleased.

Finding her amusing at the time, he intentionally dropped a worn-out pouch. Sure enough, she fell for it naively, picking it up and rushing to return it to him. Gazing into her eyes, he said gently, “Thank you, miss.” He clearly saw her blush, the breeze tousling the hair at her temples as she pressed a hand lightly against her wildly beating heart.

What followed unfolded naturally. He had agreed to marry her partly because he admired her virtue and capability. He knew she had endured many grievances after joining his family. Initially, he had no intention of concerning himself with such matters, focusing solely on his studies in hopes of future achievements.

His father’s favoritism had already delayed him for many years. Without any official rank to his name, his path to an official career seemed endless and uncertain—how could he spare attention for domestic affairs?

But when did things begin to change…

Was it when she deliberately softened her voice to please him?

When she flushed with embarrassment, afraid he’d notice she couldn’t understand the books?

Or when they heard Miao Ge’er’s first cry and felt their hearts leap?

…

None of it mattered now.

He had believed his heart was as unyielding as iron, impervious to change or damage. Yet even the firmest stone can quietly melt away…

Gradually, he couldn’t bear to see her constantly suppressing her temper or watch her humble herself within the Jiang Family. He slowly realized that only she and Miao Ge’er were his true family.

It was enough to be good to his real family.

As for the rest… none of it mattered.

“Miao Ge’er is so happy—he must be delighted too.”

Jiang Qingshi responded with a smile. As they reached a natural bamboo grove, he reined in the ox cart and his expression turned serious. “Wife, the cart can’t go any further from here. We’ll have to walk the rest of the way. This stretch isn’t easy, especially when it rains—it gets extremely muddy.”

Lin Guilan held Jiang Zhimiao securely and was about to jump down from the cart as usual when she saw Jiang Qingshi’s hand already extended toward her. Grateful for his thoughtfulness, she placed her hand in his and let him help her down.

Jiang Qingshi unloaded all their belongings from the cart and tethered the ox to a sturdy tree trunk. Seeing how heavy the items were, Lin Guilan moved to assist, but he waved her off.

“Wife, just hold Miao Ge’er. Though I may be of little use, I can still carry these things.”

Lin Guilan hurried to explain, “Husband, I didn’t mean it that way. Your hands are precious—I was worried you’d tire yourself.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s you who’ve been wronged, having to live in such a place with me.”

Jiang Qingshi reached out and gently patted Jiang Zhimiao’s small head. The child peeked out and gave his father a sweet smile.

Jiang Qingshi was also momentarily stunned: “Miao Ge’er’s temperament seems to have become much more lively indeed.”

“That’s right,” Lin Guilan, who had been smiling, immediately grew somber at the thought of Jiang Zhimiao’s life-threatening illness days prior. “Husband, when Miao Ge’er fell so gravely ill before, even the village physician declared him immune to medicine… and gave up on treatment. I nearly thought our Miao Ge’er wouldn’t pull through this ordeal. Little did I know our child is so thoughtful—he fought through it fearing his parents would grieve if he left them.”

Seeing Lin Guilan’s darkened expression, Jiang Qingshi comforted her: “The village physician’s knowledge is limited. Our Miao Ge’er is blessed with heaven’s favor—anyone can see he’s destined for profound blessings.”

“After going through such a heart-stopping experience, I no longer expect Miao Ge’er to achieve great things in this lifetime. I only wish for him to be safe and sound.” Lin Guilan gently stroked Jiang Zhimiao’s small head. “Even if Miao Ge’er grows up slow-witted, as long as he remains happy and smooth-sailing, that’s enough for me.”

Jiang Qingshi: “Well, wife…”

Jiang Zhimiao: Well, mother…

Author’s note:

Miao Ge’er: Urgently recommending my mother the book “The Art of Speaking” overnight [facepalm]