Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Who Are Those Flirtatious Glances For?

Yang Zhigang understood the look in Jiang Yan’s eyes, of course.

Jiang Yan gave him a glance, indicating him to be patient.

“Jia Bao is doing well,” Yang Zhigang encouraged with a smile, “Stick with your Brother Jiang, work hard, and strive to become an officer soon.”

Wang Jia Bao straightened his back and, with a voice full of conviction, said, “I will work hard, brother-in-law.”

“Jia Bao…”

With a sudden, eager call, everyone stood up, seeing Liu Yulan rushing in like a whirlwind, “Jia Bao, oh dear, you’ve lost weight, and got tanned…”

Jiang Yan couldn’t help but twitch his lips. In the military, being sun-tanned is expected, but losing weight?

Haha… He’s actually become sturdier, isn’t he?

“Dad, Mom…”

“Aunt, Uncle…”

“Hey hey…” Liu Yulan had a very good impression of Jiang Yan, and upon seeing him, she quickly let go of her own son to hold his hand and thank him, “Xiao Jiang, it’s really great to see you. You must stay a few extra days at Auntie’s house this time. Our Miaomiao, Jia Bao, and Jian Min, really benefited from your care.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to Auntie. We’re all family, no need for formalities. Jia Bao and Jian Min are my brothers too…” Jiang Yan’s eyes flickered with a smile, looking quite like a refined, gentle man.

“Right, right, we’re all family. Come on, let’s go home. Auntie will cook water stewed buns for you.” Water stewed buns were a specialty dish made by Liu Yulan. They’re basically flat cakes made from flour and eggs, cut into pieces and then braised.

In these times, cooking with eggs was considered quite a big deal when setting a table. For poor families, serving water stewed buns to guests was a decent gesture.

Jiang Yan didn’t know if he genuinely liked it or was just trying to please his mother-in-law, but he showed that he really liked the dish.

Liu Yulan was so happy that she didn’t seem to notice anything wrong with what Jiang Yan had just said.

Wang Jia Bao knew about Jiang Yan and Wang Miaomiao’s situation. After hearing what he said, it seemed natural and he didn’t think much of it.

Wang Baoxing was an honest man. He didn’t think too much about it either and just focused on his wife, silly smiling and agreeing with Liu Yulan.

Only Yang Zhigang listened thoughtfully, feeling there was something, but he couldn’t quite grasp it as it slipped away in his mind.

Liu Yulan and Wang Baoxing had heard from people at the factory about Wang Jia Bao’s return and came just after their shifts ended. So what were they waiting for? They went home together…

On the way, they met quite a few colleagues from the factory who naturally asked about Wang Jia Bao and unreservedly gave him praises.

Everybody at the factory knew that Factory Director Yang Zhigang was Liu Yulan and Wang Baoxing’s son-in-law. Families with girls and young men were all eyeing Wang Jia Bao and Wang Miaomiao, with matchmakers eager to make proposals.

Previously, the two went to the military, taking a break for a while. Today, knowing they both returned, some people’s minds became active again, starting to make moves.

Finally returning home, Liu Yulan’s face almost cramped from smiling, but inside, she was truly happy.

“Dad, Mom, I’m back…”

“Miaomiao… It’s good that you’re back, you’ve lost weight, you’ve lost weight…” Despite saying she lost weight, seeing her daughter looking rosy and bright even after more than a year without seeing her, Liu Yulan knew she hadn’t suffered much, finally setting her worried heart at ease, and couldn’t help but thank Jiang Yan again, “Xiao Jiang, Auntie thanks you…”

She knew her daughter was doing well, thanks to his care.

Jiang Yan gently looked at Wang Miaomiao, about to say something but stopped, which earned him a glare from Wang Miaomiao. He seemed helpless and reluctantly smiled at Liu Yulan, “Auntie, you’re too polite, don’t we always say, we’re all family here.”

After speaking, he gave Wang Miaomiao a flattering glance.

Wang Miaomiao turned away unnaturally, clearly trying to avoid suspicion. Seeing this, Jiang Yan’s smile faded a bit. After helplessly and dotingly looking at her for another moment, he shifted his gaze away, keeping a smile on his face that somehow appeared infinitely bittersweet.

Even the rather oblivious Liu Yulan noticed something off, with their exchanged glances hinting at something going on…

Xiao Jiang, really? A son-in-law? Her mind began to turn, deciding to observe a bit more.

Without dinner ready yet, Liu Yulan pulled Wang Miaomiao into the kitchen to help.

“Miaomiao, help Mom crack three eggs, I’ll make some water stewed buns, Xiao Jiang likes them,” Liu Yulan instructed Wang Miaomiao before fetching some flour.

The Wang and Yang families lived next door to each other. Often dining together by the factory, Liu Yulan was very familiar with the Yang family’s kitchen.

While Wang Miaomiao skillfully cracked eggs, Liu Yulan asked, “How many days are you staying this time?”

“We can stay for five days, leaving on the 22nd.” Remembering when they got off the train that day, with Jiang Yan having thoughtfully bought their return tickets in advance, Wang Miaomiao appreciated his thoughtful gesture.

“Only five days? Can’t you stay until after the New Year?” Liu Yulan was a bit disappointed to hear this. After all, being gone for over a year and only staying for five days seemed way too short. Plus, it’s right before the New Year, staying just a few more days would mean celebrating the 1976 New Year together.

“Yes,” Wang Miaomiao’s mood also dropped a bit at this but explained, “Even getting these five days was thanks to Brother Jiang’s connections. We’ve only been enlisted for a bit over a year, and generally, this kind of leave is left to the long-serving soldiers. Think about it, there are so many troops in our country and so many soldiers. If everyone took such long leaves, who would be there to guard our nation?”

“There are lots of veteran soldiers who haven’t been home for three to five years either. And really, who wouldn’t want to come home for New Year…” As Wang Miaomiao spoke, she poured the cracked eggs into the bowl of flour Liu Yulan was mixing.

While kneading, Liu Yulan sighed, “Yes, thank goodness for Xiao Jiang.”

“Hmm…” Wang Miaomiao quietly responded.

“Is he good to you?”

“Good…” The words spilled out instinctively, and Wang Miaomiao stalled, stealing a glance at Liu Yulan, who was watching her with an amused smile, causing Wang Miaomiao to close her eyes in annoyance.

“You silly girl, what’s going on, spill it,” Liu Yulan nudged her with an elbow, though if her hands weren’t coated in flour, she might have given her a tap.

“Nothing’s really happening…” Wang Miaomiao mumbled, avoiding her mother’s eyes.

Peeved, Liu Yulan gave her a firm kick, “Quickly, how long has this been going on? Huh? Such a big thing, and you decided all by yourself?”

“Not really, and it hasn’t been long, less than half a year.” Wang Miaomiao said weakly.

Liu Yulan was agitated, “Half a year? You thoughtless girl, how big is your heart, going to make me so mad.”

Half a year and Wang Miaomiao hadn’t thought to tell her family? What’s the story here? Were there complications?

“You, tell me everything from start to finish clearly…” Liu Yulan demanded, exasperated by her daughter, her tone becoming more stern.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep