This was Jiang Jingyu’s first time seeing Tong An’s father.
He was a very honest and simple middle-aged man.
Upon meeting him, there were no extra pleasantries, only an embarrassed refusal of his gift, with him constantly saying,
“You’re here, why did you bring gifts? An’an, why didn’t you stop him?”
Tong An’an didn’t know what to say either. Seeing her father put down the gifts with Jiang Jingyu and sit down, she quickly darted into the kitchen to help her mother.
Her mother was extremely happy today, humming a tune while stir-frying and instructing her to wipe the plates clean and arrange them prettily.
“Although the dishes we make aren’t expensive, they at least need to be clean and tidy. We can’t leave a bad impression.”
“Right, we don’t have any good wine at home. It’s his first time visiting, and he even bought us such an expensive gift. We can’t be too shabby. You go to the supermarket quickly and buy the best bottle of wine you can find.”
Tong An’an had no idea what good wine was, thinking she’d just buy whatever was expensive. She didn’t dare ask her mother for money. As she grabbed her electric bike keys to head out, she activated Huabei, planning to use some of her credit.
Tong’s father didn’t know what to say and kept pouring tea for Jiang Jingyu. Jiang Jingyu didn’t want to make it feel like an interrogation from a superior, putting pressure on him.
Seeing Tong An’an heading out, he nodded to Tong’s father and hurried to follow her.
“You’re going out? Where to?”
Tong An’an certainly couldn’t say she was going to buy wine for him, so she stammered,
“To buy a small item.”
Jiang Jingyu wanted to go with her, but she refused, “It’s inconvenient for me to give you a ride on my electric bike.”
“Then I’ll drive. I’ll take you.”
“The road is bad, the car can’t get through.”
“Then we’ll walk there together.”
Tong An’an was flustered by his insistence, “You’ve been busy all day, aren’t you tired? It would be nice to sit at home, have some tea, and chat with my dad.”
Jiang Jingyu spoke the truth, “I have nothing to say to your dad, and I feel pressured. Just let me go with you.”
Tong’s mother came out with a dish and saw Tong An’an still standing at the doorway, scolding her.
“Tong An’an, what are you doing? You’re so slow doing anything, why are you still at the door? Hurry, hurry!”
Tong An’an stopped talking to Jiang Jingyu and bolted outside.
Jiang Jingyu could only watch her leave and return alone.
Fortunately, Tong’s mother was talkative. She pulled him to sit beside the dining table and chatted with him about this and that.
Tong An’an hadn’t returned yet. Tong’s mother said, “Come, come, sit. We’ll eat first.”
Jiang Jingyu was taken aback, “We’re not waiting for her?”
“We won’t wait for her. She’ll be back soon. We’ll eat first. These are just home-style dishes, Mr. Jiang, please don’t be put off.”
Jiang Jingyu didn’t care what they were eating; he was there for Tong An’an. While casually eating the dishes, he frequently glanced towards the door.
Her mother wasn’t foolish and quickly noticed his concern for Tong An’an seemed to exceed a normal superior-subordinate relationship.
From childhood to adulthood, everyone praised Tong An’an for being smart, beautiful, and sensible. Tong’s mother had always been proud of having such a daughter.
She didn’t allow her to have early romance or date casually, lest it tarnish her reputation and affect her chances of finding a good husband in the future.
Although she fantasized about her marrying into a better family, she had never imagined she could marry someone so wealthy.
So, at that moment, she thought that if Jiang Jingyu truly had intentions towards Tong An’an, she wouldn't blindly let her marry him just for money. She would need to thoroughly assess his character.
Money could always be earned, but she only had one daughter!
She kept calling him Mr. Jiang. Jiang Jingyu found it too formal and told her,
“You can just call me Xiao Jiang. Jingyu is fine too. Don’t always call me Mr. Jiang, it sounds too distant.”
Tong’s mother then became less formal and started calling him Xiao Jiang.
“How many people are in your family?”
Jiang Jingyu answered truthfully. Tong’s mother gasped.
“Then your mother must be quite capable. What do your parents do now?”
Jiang Jingyu answered truthfully again. She then asked,
“Have you ever been in love? Am I asking a foolish question? With your excellent conditions, you surely wouldn’t lack girlfriends.”
Jiang Jingyu replied truthfully, “I dated once before, but something happened to the other person, so we broke up. I haven’t dated in many years.”
“No way? With your excellent conditions, you’ve been single for so long?”
Jiang Jingyu said, “What do you mean by excellent conditions? Finding a partner isn’t solely based on conditions. I value destiny more.”
“Yes, yes, yes. Young people nowadays pursue destiny. An’an also tells me that. However, 25 years have passed, and she still hasn’t met the feeling she talks about. I’m worried. If she keeps drifting like this, when will she meet a suitable partner?”
Jiang Jingyu said, “An’an is smart and beautiful, and has principles. It’s right for her to think that way. Better to be single than to settle for less, right?”
Tong’s mother thought for a moment, then couldn’t help but say it.
“Xiao Jiang, don’t laugh at me for being honest. Auntie has lived in this town her whole life, hasn’t been anywhere far, and hasn’t worked in a company. I don’t understand your office matters.”
“But I watch TV, and bosses don’t seem to call their subordinates by their first names. How can you directly call An’an by her name?”
Jiang Jingyu was a bit embarrassed by her words, then smiled.
“That’s something from years ago. Young people in the workplace nowadays don’t have so many rules; we all call each other by name. Besides, you can’t always believe what’s on TV.”
Tong’s mother feigned belief, “Is that so? No wonder you could get discounts for An’an. You’re truly a good boss.”
Jiang Jingyu said sincerely, “Auntie, please don’t be so formal. I’m not just here for her, but also for you. We have a connection. If we keep talking like this, it will feel too distant.”
This child was too good at speaking. So wealthy yet so humble and low-key, saying he had a connection with a rural woman like her, Tong’s mother liked him more and more.
Although these casual chats didn’t reveal much about his character, she just had a gut feeling that he was a good person, a good match for their An’an.
More than ten minutes had passed, and Tong An’an still hadn’t returned?
Jiang Jingyu was getting anxious, “What did she go to buy? Why isn’t she back yet? What if something happened?”
Tong’s mother gave Tong’s father a look, conveying a "I see it now, this guy truly likes our daughter" expression, and then said,
“It’s a bit far. But nothing could have happened. She’s been running this road for over 20 years. Don’t worry, you eat.”
“A bit far? Then the food will get cold by the time she gets back. Why don’t we cover it up and wait for her to eat together?”
“No, no. How could it get cold? It’s only been a short while. You eat.”
But Jiang Jingyu was still worried, “Why don’t you tell me where she is? I’ll go pick her up.”
Tong’s mother was completely at ease.
Caring about her daughter even more than her own mother, Tong An’an, oh Tong An’an, you truly are blessed to have met such a good man.
Amidst Jiang Jingyu’s string of concerns, Tong An’an ran back, her forehead beaded with sweat.
In her arms, she held a bottle of beautifully packaged wine.