Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 166: Pursuing a Relationship with Marriage in Mind
"Mr. Huang, at first glance I almost didn’t recognize you, but you look more energetic this way," Yi Weiliang said with a smile to Huang Xiaobao.
"Yi, just call me Xiaobao." Huang Xiaobao chuckled sheepishly, rubbing his head.
"Xiaobao, where’s Anguo? Didn’t he come with you?" Yi Weiliang asked.
"Anguo had something to do and will be back later. I was thinking of having smoked goose for dinner, so I came ahead."
"Leave the smoked goose to me, I promise it will be delicious. You should come over for dinner again," Anmin warmly invited.
"But next time, don’t bring anything. Being so polite makes you seem like an outsider," Yi Roujing said with a smile.
"Oh, sure, sister-in-law." Huang Xiaobao agreed obediently.
While Anmin went to the kitchen to get busy and Huang Xiaobao was stopped outside, Yi Roujing straightforwardly asked, "Xiaobao, do you like Anmin?"
Huang Xiaobao’s face instantly turned crimson, and his eyes wandered as he dared not look at Yi Roujing, but he still nodded honestly, "S-sister-in-law, y-you figured it out."
Yi Roujing found it a bit funny, such a pure young man.
"Sister-in-law, I will work hard to soon become a regular employee on my own merit. By then, I want to propose marriage. C-can I?" Huang Xiaobao looked hopeful.
Yi Roujing shook her head helplessly, "If you want to marry Anmin, the most important thing is to get Anmin’s consent."
"I-I’m afraid of scaring her, so I thought of becoming friends first to get familiar, and then express my feelings," Huang Xiaobao said seriously, with earnestness in his eyes, which made Yi Roujing feel somewhat satisfied.
"By the way, is your family simple?" Yi Roujing asked, as it was a requirement Anmin had mentioned before.
Huang Xiaobao suddenly sat up straight, and began solemnly as if reporting important work, "Sister-in-law, my family is as simple as it can be. My parents only have me. My father is the youngest son of my grandparents, and they spend half the year living with us. But my grandparents are very kind and will surely like Anmin."
"My parents also understand things, and as long as I like someone, they will too." Huang Xiaobao said confidently, though Yi Roujing was skeptical.
"Sister-in-law, how, how do you see me?" Huang Xiaobao asked with flushed cheeks, his eyes wide with innocence, which showed that his family had protected him well, or he wouldn’t have maintained such a disposition at his age.
However, the better the family, the more they value equal social standing, and the higher the requirements for a daughter-in-law. But there are exceptions, like County Magistrate Lou’s family, which is reasonable, but there are underlying premises, mainly because Lou Wenjian had been through things.
Also, there’s the issue that Huang Xiaobao is an only child. Being an only child is rare in this era. Although a simple family is good, being too simple can lead to higher pressure, especially on women, who would bear childbearing pressure. But these are secondary; the most important thing is if they like each other.
"Xiaobao, to be honest, our family genuinely loves our children, so whether marrying a wife or marrying off a daughter, we hope it’s out of mutual love. It’s a very important point. Since you both have jobs, the pressure of life will be a bit less."
"As for conditions, though I don’t know the specifics of your family, from the things you bring here and how you dress, I can tell you have pretty good conditions; our family is also doing okay, so this probably won’t be a big issue."
"Thus, your main issue is whether Anmin likes you. This is the prerequisite for everything; you should discuss other matters only after Anmin agrees."
"A real man shouldn’t be shy. If you like someone, just say it," Yi Roujing encouraged, "No matter the result, at least there will be a conclusion."
Huang Xiaobao suddenly tensed, but then his confidence was boosted, "Sister-in-law, I will work hard."
After saying this, Huang Xiaobao stood up and went to the kitchen. Yi Roujing was dumbfounded, not expecting him to be in such a hurry...
"Comrade Anmin, please consider dating me with marriage in mind!"
A loud voice suddenly echoed from the house at number 6 Bright Alley, stunning everyone present in the room, courtyard, and kitchen.
In the kitchen, Anmin was waving a spatula; suddenly hearing the high-pitched voice that began with her name, she understood the content, but somehow didn’t comprehend. Turning, she saw Huang Xiaobao still bent over in a bow, and when he looked up, his face was red, and his eyes were serious, it startled her, making her drop the spatula.
"You, you, I said don’t come into the kitchen; why are you here again? Go out, go out." Anmin, blushing, scolded while almost jumping, and Huang Xiaobao obediently ran out.
So, did she agree or not?
But, during dinner, it was obvious to everyone that Anmin was not her usual self.
"Anmin, today’s meal doesn’t meet your usual standards," Yi Roujing remarked, taking a bite of cucumber strips that were soggy and yellowish.
Anmin blushed first and then glared at Huang Xiaobao fiercely, "It’s all his fault."
Huang Xiaobao happily ate the food, "I think it’s great."
Yi Roujing raised an eyebrow; he wasn’t a fool after all.
"Tonight, I’ll go home and tell my parents about this. Next time, I’ll bring you home to meet them, and then I’ll go to see your parents. I’ll treat you well, and I’ll work hard. In the future, we’ll advance and retreat together," Huang Xiaobao said after swallowing a bite of food, rattling off a list.
"What are you talking about? Can’t you stop your mouth even while eating?" Anmin gave another stare to Huang Xiaobao.
Yi Roujing looked at Ding Ancheng across the table, seeing his calm and unaffected demeanor, nudged him with her foot.
Ding Ancheng turned his head and placed a piece of smoked goose wing into Yi Roujing’s bowl; Ding Ancheng spoke not, nor did Ding Anguo.
The table was filled with only Huang Xiaobao’s cheerful chatter and Anmin’s embarrassed retaliations.
After Huang Xiaobao left, Anmin went to the kitchen to clean up, and Yi Roujing hurriedly followed, with Xia Xingchen joining in, and the three of them huddled in the kitchen, whispering.
"Anmin, do you also like Huang Xiaobao?" Xia Xingchen asked with bright eyes, "I actually think his character suits you quite well."
"I..." Anmin hesitated, but her face turned rosy.
"What is it? Is there something we don’t know?" Yi Roujing hit the nail on the head.
"He, he came to the food factory to find me several times, under the guise of my second brother, bringing me food," Anmin said softly, "He used to dress so flashily that I was embarrassed. I just mentioned it the first time he came, and the next day, he cut his hair and changed his style..."
