Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 193: The Huang Family Comes to Arrange the Engagement

"Yingzi, your cooking skills are truly exceptional; even the chefs at state-run restaurants might not match up to you." Mrs. Huang looked at Li Hongying with a warm smile, having eaten quite a bit today, the taste so good she couldn’t stop herself.

"Next time you come over, auntie, I’ll cook for you again." Li Hongying replied with a smile. She sincerely liked this Mrs. Huang, who possessed a distinguished temperament but was free of any airs, seamlessly fitting in wherever she went with her genuine gaze. No wonder she raised such a good son and grandson, and her daughter-in-law was kind-hearted too.

"Oh yes, that’s a deal then." Mrs. Huang nodded happily.

After the meal, as Mrs. Huang sipped tea, she clutched Li Hongying’s hand and said, "Yingzi, I’m getting old, and what weighs on my heart is our family’s Bao... Xiaobao."

Mrs. Huang, who had been sternly forbidden by Huang Xiaobao from calling him "Bao Bao" in public, couldn’t resist her little grandson and changed her way of addressing him.

"Xiaobao is my youngest grandson, the smallest of his generation, and being able to see him marry would truly ease my heart." Mrs. Huang spoke with emotion, "That’s why I’ve been anxiously picking out auspicious dates, Yingzi, let’s have a look together, both kids aren’t that young anymore, it’s time they got married."

Li Hongying looked at the paper handed to her. Although she wasn’t well-versed in reading, she could decipher numbers and a few simple words. Yi Roujing, who was right behind Li Hongying, glanced at the three auspicious dates written on the red paper, unable to suppress a twitch at the corner of her mouth - the Huang Family was indeed in quite a rush.

Ding Anmin couldn’t stay in the corner any longer, while Huang Xiaobao grinned widely, and with the elders’ permission, the two of them went to sit in Ding Anmin’s room, leaving the door open, of course.

The three dates chosen by the Huang Family were November 3rd, December 25th, and January 18th, all very close to each other, with the latest date being only half a year away now.

"Ahe, Yingzi, well, our southern winters aren’t cold, and it’s the idle farming season then, what do you think?" Mrs. Huang’s face brimmed with anticipation, "Just right, I could be staying in Huaixi County then, and I’m hoping it’s before the New Year so I can take the child to Jing City to visit relatives."

Standing behind, Wan Baohua understood her mother-in-law’s real intention of "visiting relatives" was just to flaunt, which she also desired, "Mom, before going to Jing City, we should stay a few days in the provincial capital first."

"Alright, alright, we should stay a few days, Xiaobao’s grandparents on his mother’s side are very fond of him too. They’ve wanted to visit since knowing Xiaobao found a partner; however, they’ve been called back for work and can’t make it." Mrs. Huang spoke with a hint of glee.

Under the successive persuasions of Mrs. Huang and Wan Baohua, the date was finally set for December 25th.

While outside the conversation was lively, inside the room with Huang Xiaobao and Ding Anmin it was much quieter, with Huang Xiaobao’s eyes practically glued to Ding Anmin’s face.

Ding Anmin, not oblivious to his gaze, glared at him crossly, but it only brought joy to Huang Xiaobao. In his eyes, this was all part of the affection between them.

Glancing at the door, seeing they weren’t visible from outside, Huang Xiaobao grew bolder, reaching to grasp Ding Anmin’s hand, causing her face to instantly flush red. She struggled a bit but didn’t manage to pull free.

"They can’t see us." Huang Xiaobao whispered near her, unconsciously rubbing the smaller, fairer soft palm enveloped in his hand.

"By the end of the year we can get married." Huang Xiaobao said happily, "I’m so delighted, I’ve already started having our marital home renovated. In a few days, we can go have a look, then pick out our favorite furniture together."

Ding Anmin was a bit surprised, "Are you going to renovate?"

Ding Anmin had been to Huang Xiaobao’s home before, it was similar to Heping’s two-story courtyard, with freshly painted walls and complete furnishings.

"It’s never been renovated." Huang Xiaobao blinked, realizing his mistake, "Anmin, my mistake, I haven’t taken you to see our future marital home yet. We’ll be living apart from my parents, our new home is at Red Star Lane, number eight."

"It’s my mom’s dowry, but she transferred it to me once I became an adult, and it’ll be our marital home." Huang Xiaobao explained.

"We won’t be living together?" Ding Anmin was extremely surprised. Normally, except for living in employee housing without family, few lived separately even if in the same county, mostly due to lack of housing.

"We’ll still eat together, we can visit every day, and sometimes cook for ourselves. We can invite my parents over, or we can even move in together, whatever you like." Huang Xiaobao’s voice grew closer, carrying a hint of sweetness with him.

Ding Anmin tasted that sweetness, feeling warmth on her lips, the taste of sugary milk candy, disappearing quickly.

Before she could react, Huang Xiaobao, already red to the neck, murmured, "Anmin, you taste so sweet."

"Boom—" Ding Anmin finally realized, they had kissed, cutely glaring at Xiaobao, seeing he wasn’t angry. His boldness grew, as he leaned in for another quick peck, pulling her into a hug.

"Thump-thump—" Their heartbeats were audible to each other, pacing quickly. Sharing a glance, they laughed, with a bashful Ding Anmin burying her head in Xiaobao’s shoulder. She suddenly felt she could understand the intimate scenes she’d once caught of her older brother and sister-in-law, knowing what they were feeling.

Not yet married, and at someone else’s house, rationality held Xiaobao back, and after a while, he released the embrace but still kept holding hands, "Still, Anmin, I think living separately might be better."

Ding Anmin raised her head, puzzled.

Xiaobao explained, "Though I don’t have firsthand experience, it’s what grandma says. My aunt and uncle, my parents, they didn’t live together with their in-laws after marriage. They visited frequently, eating meals together almost all the time."

"It’s said that daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law should give each other space. Even living long term with parents and children can create conflicts, but visiting occasionally keeps the relationship warm."

Ding Anmin didn’t understand fully either, with innocent eyes, she said, "I can accept either way, whatever you think is best. By the way, was it you who initiated the renovation, or was it prompted by your parents?"

"My grandma asked initially, and then I started planning. After all, it’s our business, and the renovation has to be to our liking." Xiaobao said with a smile.

"Alright, when we return to the county, I’ll go check it out." said a blushing Ding Anmin, her expression making Xiaobao’s eyes shine brighter, leading to another quick kiss.

The Huang Family set the wedding date, chatted for a while, then left. Ding Weihuo and his family personally saw them off to the car, waving at Mrs. Huang and the others until the car disappeared from view before heading back inside.