Chapter 21: Enthralled by Cuteness

In the bright and spacious west room, Jiang Chengyan tossed away the carrot top she had finished gnawing on. He pinched the young woman’s cheek and said, “I’ve locked the door for you. I’ll be outside receiving the guests. If you need me, just call. If you’re tired, go to sleep, understood?”

Bai Yan nodded obediently, but her gaze was not on Jiang Chengyan; instead, she was searching the room for her little carrot.

“Stop looking for it. I’ve hidden that one as well and used it to make marinated noodles for you.” After settling her in, Jiang Chengyan locked the door of the west room and went out to entertain the guests.

As he reached the doorway, Zhao Chujiu popped up and said, “Big Brother, your father and mother are here.”

Jiang Chengyan looked outside and, sure enough, saw Madam Zhao and Father Jiang helping to carry dishes.

“Is the sun rising in the west today?” Zhao Chujiu clicked his tongue in surprise.

Jiang Chengyan glanced at them, and at that moment, Father Jiang looked back at him.

Father Jiang was a simple, timid man, thoroughly henpecked, but upon seeing his son in wedding attire, he seized the moment when Madam Zhao wasn’t looking and hurried over.

“Ah Yan, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on your mother. She definitely won’t cause trouble, you have my word.” Father Jiang gave his son a reassuring smile.

The two of them bore a strong resemblance to each other. Folks in the village often said that with Madam Zhao’s capable ways, she never would have married such an honest man if she hadn’t been attracted to his looks.

“Thank you, Father.” Jiang Chengyan nodded, but there wasn’t much warmth in his tone.

Father Jiang seemed not to notice his son’s attitude. He quietly pulled Jiang Chengyan aside and fished out a worn little pouch from his pocket. “I’ve been saving this up in secret. It’s not much, but now that your bride has come, you should take her out to buy some jewelry.” With that, he stuffed the shabby pouch into Jiang Chengyan’s hands.

Jiang Chengyan wouldn’t take it.

“Good child, just keep it. Your father’s not much, and your mother, well… just take it. You always give us money for the holidays anyway!” Tongue-tied and awkward, Father Jiang, afraid his son would return the pouch, scurried away.

Zhao Chujiu poked his head out from behind the wall and sighed, “It’s a pity your father’s ended up like this.”

Jiang Chengyan said nothing, only stowing the little pouch away.

After secretly giving his son the money, Father Jiang wasn’t discovered, but he still felt as if he’d done something wrong and didn’t dare meet Madam Zhao’s eyes. Madam Zhao noticed his odd behavior but said nothing.

“Hey, we’re out of oil! Go fetch some!” the cook, Zhou, suddenly called out.

Father Jiang was about to help, but Madam Zhao beat him to it and entered Jiang Chengyan’s courtyard.

Inside the kitchen, Madam Zhao immediately spotted the oil jar, but instead of grabbing it, she walked into the house.

In the west room, Bai Yan was slurping noodles. Hearing a noise, she instinctively called out, “Husband?”

As soon as she spoke, Madam Zhao knew the new daughter-in-law was in the west room.

She didn’t reply, but instead poked a small carrot, which had been left on the stove, through the crack in the door.

Madam Zhao heard some rustling, then an excited “Wow!” In the next second, a chubby little hand reached out and grabbed the carrot.

The small hand was white and plump, with dimples dotting the back. After a quick tug, the carrot disappeared inside.

Unseen by anyone, Madam Zhao couldn’t help but curve her lips in a smile before carrying the oil jar out the door.