Chapter 338 – Lovefool Xie Ting’an
As the person got out of the car, Xu Jinning saw a familiar face—it was indeed Xie Ting’an.
“Ningning…” Xie Ting’an’s gaze fell on Xu Jinning immediately, his eyes filled with tenderness and longing.
No one knew how agonizing the separation had been for Xie Ting’an.
Before finding Xu Jinning, it was bearable; during that time, Xie Ting’an had been muddling through life. It wasn’t until he embraced Xu Jinning at the door of that small courtyard that Xie Ting’an felt his life and existence had become vibrant again. Everything finally seemed meaningful to him.
So, after finding Xu Jinning, the longing that came with their separation was torturous for Xie Ting’an.
Otherwise, even if he had transmigrated and gained another chance at life, it would have been meaningless to Xie Ting’an.
Some might say that Xie Ting’an was a lovefool, placing all his hopes and meaning in another person, which was unfeasible.
Indeed, for anyone else, this would be wrong.
But for Xie Ting’an, from the moment he was a child in his past life and met Xu Jinning, who was also a child, their fates had begun to intertwine.
Xie Ting’an’s core was also somewhat obsessive. Xu Jinning belonged to him, and he belonged to Xu Jinning.
Only he knew how wonderful Xu Jinning was, so if that person was Xu Jinning, he was willing to be a lovefool and place everything on her.
However, Xie Ting’an had not told Xu Jinning about this obsession, nor did he dare let her discover it, fearing it might scare her.
“You’re here.” Xu Jinning was undoubtedly happy to see Xie Ting’an.
She jogged up to him, her face lit up with a smile.
If it hadn’t been for the large number of people around, Xu Jinning might have hugged him on the spot. However, although she didn’t embrace him, she held Xie Ting’an’s hands with both of hers, and love flowed between their gazes.
“By the way, where’s Grandpa?” Xu Jinning asked.
“He’s over there.” Xie Ting’an then led Xu Jinning to the back seat and opened the door.
Xu Jinning immediately spotted Grandpa Xie sitting inside.
“Ningning, we meet again,” Grandpa Xie greeted Xu Jinning with a warm smile.
“Grandpa Xie, you’ve had a hard journey,” Xu Jinning said as she and Xie Ting’an helped the elderly man out of the car.
Grandpa Xie was already in his eighties, and the bumpy ride from Beijing to here was indeed taxing.
She could see the visible fatigue in Grandpa Xie’s eyes.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’m thrilled to meet my future granddaughter-in-law and the in-laws,” Grandpa Xie said as he got out of the car, patting Xu Jinning’s hand gently to reassure her.
Once he steadied himself, he looked around and his eyes brightened.
“This Qinghe Production Brigade is a wonderful place with great mountains and waters.”
“Indeed, old man, not only is the place good, but the people are too,” the villagers agreed with Grandpa Xie’s sentiment.
Grandpa Xie laughed heartily. “Exactly, exactly. The place is good, and the people are even better.”
Although Grandpa Xie had held a high status in the past, he was very approachable and cheerful, with a gentle demeanor that made him easy to connect with.
Now, he was chatting with the villagers as if they had known each other for a long time.
“Old man, you came from Beijing. What are you here for?” the villagers asked.
“I’m here to propose to the Xu family on behalf of my grandson.”
“Oh, you’re here to propose.”
“Yes, it’s Ningning.”
“Old man, Ningning is a wonderful girl. Not only is she beautiful and kind-hearted, but she’s also the blessing of our village. To be with your grandson is, well, what’s the word…”
“Couple of talents and beauty!”
“Yes, a match of talents and beauty. To marry Ningning is a tremendous blessing.”
This comment made everyone—Grandpa Xie, Xie Ting’an, Xu Jinning, and the Xu family—very happy.
Especially since it wasn’t just the speaker who agreed. After she spoke, the villagers present nodded in unison.
Grandpa Xie saw how well-regarded his future granddaughter-in-law was in the village.
Of course, he also knew that Xu Jinning was a good person.
Although he was old, his eyes were sharp, even carrying a wisdom that others lacked.
So he understood that Ningning was extraordinary.
“Indeed, I also think it’s a great blessing for my grandson to marry Ningning. For our Xie family, having Ningning as the future mistress is also a great fortune. That’s why we came here to propose.”
After speaking, Grandpa Xie turned to the Xu family members who had come out and focused his gaze on Xu Aiguo and Zhang Ailian.
“Future in-laws, hello.”
“Hello, old leader, hello…”
“Haha, no need to call me ‘old leader.’ I’ve already retired. Just call me Uncle Xie.”
“Alright, Uncle Xie.”
As the two families exchanged pleasantries, Xu Aiguo and Zhang Ailian, who had been somewhat nervous, quickly relaxed upon meeting the amiable Grandpa Xie.
Soon, Grandpa Xie was welcomed into the Xu home.
“Why are there three cars?” Xu Jinning asked Xie Ting’an, stepping aside.
“The first car carried me and Grandpa. The second car has the betrothal gifts and the ‘three turns and one ring’ for this era, as requested by Grandpa,” Xie Ting’an explained. He knew that while the ‘three turns and one ring’ might not seem very appealing to Xu Jinning, it was a significant gesture of sincerity for people of that time. It represented the groom’s family background and respect for the bride.
Thus, Xie Ting’an was not opposed to it.
“The last car has my brother-in-law’s books and fruit seedlings.”
“Don’t worry, once we unload the items, the last two cars will head back.”
“Alright.”
Seeing the large number of villagers gathered, it was evident how impactful three jeeps must be to people who might have only seen police cars in their lifetime.
If possible, Xu Jinning would have preferred not to attract so much attention.
She thought that if the three cars stayed longer, not only would the villagers of Qinghe Production Brigade be curious, but people from neighboring production brigades might also come to see the spectacle.
“I appreciate you bringing all these things from Beijing,” Xu Jinning said, acknowledging the long journey and the bumps along the way. She felt a bit of sympathy for Xie Ting’an and Grandpa Xie who had made the special trip.
Xie Ting’an patted her head and said, “It’s nothing. Grandpa might need to rest for a bit,” given his age.
“Hmm, I understand.”
Once inside, Grandpa Xie and Xie Ting’an quickly enjoyed a meal prepared by Zhang Ailian herself.