Xie Sui burst into laughter, while Xie Chen flushed red, a mixture of shame and indignation. He just didn't want to be labeled as someone living off his wife, which was why he had refused Hu Pan.
The eldest aunt also felt a little embarrassed; it was all so unexpected. Then pride swelled within her. Her son was truly outstanding, with the mayor's daughter chasing after him, seemingly determined to marry him. Her son was bringing such honor to their family.
Xie Sui immediately doused her enthusiasm. "Eldest Aunt, don't get too cocky just because she's the one pursuing. If I'm not mistaken, your cousin's current position was also thanks to her help. Otherwise, he'd at most be a clerk in a factory, starting from the bottom. He wouldn't have such a great opportunity. This girl is simple and enthusiastic, but we can't take advantage of her, nor can we do anything disrespectful. Otherwise, this marriage will be difficult to arrange."
Xie Sui mused that girls these days were so easy to fool. In the future, "naive and sweet" girls would be almost extinct, all focused on manipulating men. Where would he find such a simple girl? His cousin was quite lucky.
Seeing his cousin still uneasy, he advised, "Cousin, don't think of it as living off your wife. Even if it is, being able to 'eat soft rice hard' is also a skill. Having a good father-in-law can save you ten years of struggle. This is an opportunity many people wish for. You do your job as town mayor well, and advance step by step. You'll be bringing honor to your father-in-law. Of course, the girl might be simple, but her father won't be easy to please. There will be a lot of negotiation to finalize this marriage."
Xie Chen was stubborn and proud, but he genuinely liked Hu Pan, otherwise, he wouldn't have brought her home. "What do you think I should do?" Having returned this time, he noticed his cousin had changed and couldn't help but seek his advice.
Xie Sui said, "Observe the situation, treat her with courtesy. First, focus on your own work. A blacksmith needs a strong hammer. Once you achieve something, you'll have the confidence to stand before your future father-in-law. Don't be insecure. Love is a matter of mutual willingness. As long as you don't betray the girl, you'll have done right by her."
Xie Chen nodded. He did feel insecure. When he went to university, the pride he had as a local prodigy vanished when he felt the gap between himself and city dwellers. They were fashionable and confident, while he wore cloth shoes, carried a snakeskin bag, and brought his own food. The scornful and mocking glances made Xie Chen lower his head in shame. Fortunately, there were other poor students like him. He gradually made friends and got familiar with the school. Hu Pan's affection caught him by surprise and also made him feel a hidden pride, but due to his insecurity, he had always refused her. It was Hu Pan's father who arranged this job after meeting him. Then Hu Pan followed him. Xie Chen didn't know how to handle these relationships.
"Dinner's ready. Let's eat first, then talk about whatever it is." Xie Sui went to the kitchen to eat and chuckled when he saw Hu Pan's attire. "You're dressed quite nicely. Don't just go for style in this cold winter, or you'll suffer from the cold." Hu Pan was wearing Lin Wan's bright red floral padded jacket and a new pair of cloth shoes, giving her the appearance of a sturdy rural girl.
Lin Wanwan rolled her eyes at him. "I don't have a coat, that's why. Panpan is pretty, she looks good in anything."
Xie Sui laughed heartily. "This is your coat? I've never seen you wear it. It's quite unique!"
Lin Wanwan pinched him. "Don't you dare laugh! Do you think you've seen all my clothes? Let's eat. Shut your mouth, talk less, and no laughing!"
"Okay, I won't laugh. I'll listen to my wife. Or maybe you can feed me?"
"Get lost!"
Everyone burst into laughter. Xie Sui was indeed a master at livening up the atmosphere. With Xie Sui's guidance, the eldest aunt stopped sulking and instead treated Hu Pan with reverence. The mayor's daughter! This was a golden phoenix flying into their home, and they had to dote on her. She proactively served her food, her awkward display of warmth making Hu Pan feel unaccustomed.
Lin Wanwan was surprised. This eldest aunt was usually arrogant. Because her son was a university student, she looked down on everyone in the village, considering herself superior. This sudden change from haughty to obsequious was very unusual. Xie Sui whispered an explanation to her, and Lin Wanwan understood. She then looked at Hu Pan with concern. This girl was truly naive. If she married Xie Chen, wouldn't she be jumping into a fire pit? She had jumped once, and couldn't bear to see this naive girl jump again.
Xie Min returned from picking up the children from school, and the courtyard became livelier with the children's laughter. After dinner, everyone gathered in the main hall to watch television, after the children had finished their homework. Gu Pan was surprised; they had a television. It was more than she had expected. The dinner was also rich and delicious, especially the pickled cabbage with pork belly, which she hadn't tasted even in city restaurants. She also observed the Xie family, her gaze finally settling on Xie Sui, the cheerful young man who seemed to be the real decision-maker in the household.
"Gu Pan, you'll sleep with Second Sister tonight. Uncle and Aunt will have their own room. Cousin, you'll squeeze in with the boys. I'll take you back to the village tomorrow. Cousin, when do you officially take office?"
"In three days."
"There's enough time. Rest at home for a few days. There's a bicycle here, take it. If there's anything work-related, come find me. Hu Pan, what about you? How do you plan to conduct your research?" Hu Pan studied economics and didn't know where to start. In truth, she had come along with Xie Chen under the pretense of research. Seeing her expression, Xie Sui understood. "Why don't you start by observing in my factory, spend time with Wanwan, and then visit other state-owned factories in the county town? You can stay here with me during this period, sharing a room with my Second Sister. Would that be alright?"
Hu Pan immediately nodded. "Yes, thank you."
The eldest aunt hesitated. "Why not come back to the village to stay? You'd be bothering them too much here. She's Cousin Chen's guest, not yours."
Xie Sui knew his eldest aunt was being petty. "We're all family. It's most important to host our guests well. You'll stay in the village for a few days tomorrow. My grandmother is very fun; talk to her more, keep her company, and that will be helping me out."
Hu Pan just nodded. "Okay, whatever is fine." For their relationship to succeed, their grandmother's approval was needed. If they relied on the eldest aunt, everything would fall apart.
That night, Xie Sui clung to his wife, their conversation naturally revolving around Hu Pan. Lin Wanwan seemed preoccupied. "Do you think Hu Pan will be happy if she really marries Xie Chen?"
Xie Sui knew this was weighing on her mind. He asked, "Are you happy now?"
Lin Wanwan said proudly, "Tolerably so."
Xie Sui replied, "This life is lived by two people together. If Hu Pan likes it, even drinking water will taste sweet. If she doesn't like it, even dragon meat will taste bland. So, let's not worry about their lives; we just need to do our own part. Can't sleep? Shall we have some fun?"
"Get lost! Go to sleep immediately. I'm exhausted. You don't even manage the factory, and I run back and forth every day. You still have the mood for fun? Go busy yourself!"
Xie Sui insisted, "With my wife here, I'd be too pathetic if I had to manage everything myself! Alright, I'm here. Will I let my uncle's family bully that little girl? You're so good to others, yet so indifferent to me, your husband. Lin Wanwan, you're being unfair to me."