Chapter 181: Chapter 133: A Heart-to-Heart Between Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law
After I turned 16 and seriously thought about life ahead, I suddenly realized one day that if I wanted to hold on to her, to be with her forever, it would be incredibly difficult. She was too reserved, and intrinsically proud. She treated me just like a friend, never shy like the little wife in jokes. I tried hard to change that but found there was no way. She never invested emotions in anyone else, treating me as a brother was already quite rare. Her life consisted of her grandmother and reading books, occasionally chatting casually with me.
When I heard that there was a recruitment spot for soldiers with my name on it, I felt I absolutely couldn’t leave. If I left, Jiao Jiao would drift even further away from my life. So I refused the spot. I rushed to find Jiao Jiao in the small room in the ancestral hall. She was squatting alone in the corner, arms crossed around herself, staring blankly without expression. Seeing her like that, I felt even more that my choice was correct. I didn’t ask her what was wrong, knowing it would be pointless as she wouldn’t tell the truth. When she realized it was me, she relaxed, and I told her I’d given up the soldier spot. She got very angry and said a lot about the advantages of being a soldier. It was the first time I saw her angry, which made me very happy. Her being angry meant she cared about me too. I couldn’t help but tell her I didn’t want to enlist because if I left like her, who would care for her, be by her side?
At the time, she stared at me with wide eyes, then lowered her head without saying a word. After a long silence, long enough for me to lose hope, she hoarsely told me that if she chose me, she would never allow me to betray her. If my feelings changed, I’d have to say it upfront; she wouldn’t allow, nor forgive, informing her afterward. If I chose her, it would mean choosing her whole being: no dependence, no food supplies, unable to farm, a penniless orphan. She would never allow anyone to bully her. She told me to go home and seriously consider it, and talk it over with my parents. If agreed upon, then formally invite a matchmaker to discuss marriage.
Back then, I excitedly told her to wait; I was so thrilled I didn’t think about why she suddenly agreed or why she appointed me to propose marriage, considering we were about to start high school and it wasn’t urgent. But at that moment, I was just elated and shouted for her to wait; I then ran home. In the days leading up to the proposal, I couldn’t sleep. After agreeing on the wedding date, I didn’t ask her anymore, since if she didn’t mention it, she had her reasons. Once we were married and she was by my side, I just needed to protect her well.
After getting married, she would laugh out loud in front of me, act spoiled and capricious, throw tantrums and have mood swings. She seemed to come alive, living vibrantly. Even if she still smiled quietly before others, remaining her usual self, I felt incredibly honored that she trusted me, seeing me as someone reliable, and I was grateful I married her.
She is very kind, understands empathy, and often says life is hard for everyone. But she has her principles. She is wise, treating the in-laws generously but not foolishly, also privately complaining to me. She cherishes relationships and sentiment, doesn’t insist on money, seems carefree, but has high standards. She keeps a low profile, avoids trouble, ignores gossip, dislikes discussing others, carrying an intrinsic arrogance.
People who don’t know her might think she has a good temperament, but that’s because she doesn’t care. If anyone touches her boundaries and principles, she will counterattack with full force. She is mild-mannered but not without temper. Her kindness doesn’t mean she’s easy to bully. She has strategies, wisdom, understands how to act steadily and cautiously, adhering to her principles. She often says, I don’t mind because I don’t care. But when I care, that’s when it really matters.
Dad, you’ll gradually discover that Jiao Jiao is a wonderful girl, very soft-hearted, protective of those she loves, like a mother hen protecting her chicks. She’s been happiest lately, saying she’s the happiest person in the world, having a father who loves and worries about her, and a mother to share her heart with. She’s easily satisfied, knows how to be grateful. To everyone who treats her kindly, she reciprocates with gratitude. Haha, Dad, you have the best daughter in the world, and I have the best wife in the world. When Ping’an grows up, she’ll be the best mother too."
Zhou Xiaozheng listened quietly, watching the young man, no, the boy in front of him. When he spoke about Jiao Jiao, his eyes sparkled, his face was lively, talking endlessly, frowning sometimes, grinning, sometimes regretful, sometimes admiring. This little guy, he was a bit of an eyesore, but since he was talking about his daughter, Zhou willingly listened. Silly, was this the wisdom and intelligence the old man saw? Just a lad.