This was Jiang Jingyu's first time meeting Tong An's father.
He was a very honest and simple middle-aged man.
Upon seeing him, there were no extra words, only an embarrassed refusal of his gift, with constant murmurs of, "You shouldn't have come, and why bring gifts? An'an, why didn't you stop him?"
Tong An'an didn't know what to say either. Seeing her father put down the gifts with Jiang Jingyu and sit down, she quickly ducked into the kitchen to help her mother.
Her mother was very, very happy today, humming a tune while stir-frying and instructing her to wipe the plates clean and arrange them nicely.
"Although our dishes aren't expensive, they at least need to be clean and tidy, so as not to leave a bad impression."
"Right, we don't have any good wine at home. It's his first time visiting, and he even bought us such an expensive gift. We can't be too stingy. Hurry up and go to the supermarket to buy the best bottle of wine you can find."
Tong An'an had no idea what constituted good wine. Thinking that whatever was expensive would do, she didn't dare ask her mother for money. As she grabbed her electric bike keys to leave, she activated Huabei, preparing to use some credit.
Tong's father didn't know what to say and kept pouring tea for Jiang Jingyu. Jiang Jingyu didn't want to make him feel like he was being interrogated by a superior, putting pressure on him.
Seeing Tong An'an leave, he nodded to Tong's father and hurried to follow her.
"You're going out? Where to?"
Tong An'an certainly couldn't say she was going to buy wine for him, so she stammered, "To buy a small item."
Jiang Jingyu wanted to go with her, but she refused, "It's inconvenient for me to give you a ride on my electric bike."
"Then I'll drive, I'll take you."
"The road isn't good, the car can't get through."
"Then we'll walk there together."
Tong An'an was exasperated by him, "You've been busy all day, aren't you tired? It would be much better if you sat here, had some tea, and chatted with my dad."
Jiang Jingyu stated the truth, "I have nothing to say to your father, and I feel pressured. Just let me come along."
Tong's mother came out with dishes and saw Tong An'an still standing at the door, scolding her.
"Tong An'an, what are you doing? You're so slow at doing things. Why are you still at the door? Hurry up, hurry up!"
Tong An'an stopped talking to Jiang Jingyu and bolted out the door.
Jiang Jingyu could only watch her leave and return alone.
Fortunately, Tong's mother was talkative. She pulled him to sit by the dining table and chatted with him about various things.
Tong An'an hadn't returned yet, so Tong's mother said, "Come, come, sit, let's eat first."
Jiang Jingyu was taken aback, "Don't we wait for her?"
"We won't wait for her. She'll be back soon. We'll eat first. They're all home-style dishes, Mr. Jiang, please don't mind."
Jiang Jingyu didn't care what they were eating; he was there for Tong An'an. He ate the dishes listlessly, his eyes frequently glancing towards the door.
His mother wasn't foolish and soon noticed that his concern for Tong An'an seemed to exceed a normal superior-subordinate relationship.
From childhood, everyone praised Tong An'an for being smart, beautiful, and sensible. Tong's mother had always been proud of having such a daughter.
She forbade her from dating early and from casually falling in love, lest it ruin her reputation and make it difficult to find a good husband in the future.
Although she fantasized about her marrying into a better family, she never imagined she could marry someone so wealthy.
So at that moment, she thought that if Jiang Jingyu truly had feelings for Tong An'an, she wouldn't blindly let her marry him just for money. She needed to properly assess his character.
Money could always be earned, but she only had one daughter.
She kept calling him "Mr. Jiang," which Jiang Jingyu found unfamiliar. He said to her,
"Just call me Xiao Jiang. Jingyu is fine too. Don't always say Mr. Jiang, it sounds too distant."
Tong's mother then became more casual and directly started calling him Xiao Jiang.
"How many people are in your family?"
Jiang Jingyu answered truthfully, and Tong's mother gasped.
"Then your mother must be quite capable. What do your parents do now?"
Jiang Jingyu answered truthfully again. She then asked,
"Have you ever been in love? Am I asking a foolish question? With your excellent conditions, you surely wouldn't lack girlfriends."
Jiang Jingyu replied truthfully, "I dated once before, but the other party had an accident, so we broke up. I haven't dated for many years."
"No way? With your excellent conditions, you've been single for so long?"
Jiang Jingyu said, "What do you mean by excellent conditions? Finding a partner isn't entirely about conditions; I value fate more."
"Yes, yes, yes. Young people nowadays pursue fate. An'an also tells me the same thing. However, after 25 years, she still hasn't met the kind of feeling she talks about. I'm worried. If she keeps drifting like this, when will she meet a suitable partner?"
Jiang Jingyu said, "An'an is smart and beautiful, and she has principles. It's right for her to think that way. Better to be alone than to settle for less."
Tong's mother's mind raced, but she couldn't help but speak her mind.
"Xiao Jiang, don't laugh at me for speaking the truth. Auntie has lived in this town her whole life, never been far, and never worked in a company. I don't understand your workplace matters."
"But I watch TV, and it seems bosses can't call their subordinates by their first names. How can you call An'an by her name?"
Jiang Jingyu was embarrassed by her words, then smiled.
"That's from ages ago. Young people in the workplace nowadays don't have so many rules. We all call each other by our names. Besides, you can't believe everything on TV."
Tong's mother pretended to believe him, "Is that so? No wonder you could even get discounts for An'an. You're truly a good boss."
Jiang Jingyu said sincerely, "Auntie, please don't be so polite. I'm not just here for her, but also for you. We have fate. If we keep talking like this, it will truly feel distant."
This child was so eloquent. So wealthy yet so humble and low-key, saying he had fate with a rural woman like herself. Tong's mother liked him more and more.
Although the casual conversation didn't reveal much about his character, she had a gut feeling he was a good person, a good match for their An'an.
More than ten minutes had passed, and Tong An'an still hadn't returned?
Jiang Jingyu was getting anxious, "What is she buying? Why isn't she back yet? Could something have happened?"
Tong's mother gave Tong's father a look, as if to say, "I see it now, this fellow truly likes our daughter," and then said,
"It's a bit far. But nothing will happen. She's run this road for over 20 years. Don't worry, you just eat."
"A bit far? Then won't the food get cold by the time she gets back? Why don't we cover it up and eat together when she returns?"
"No, no. How could it get cold? It's only been a short while. You eat."
But Jiang Jingyu was still worried, "Why don't you tell me where she is, and I'll go pick her up?"
Tong's mother was completely reassured.
Caring more about her daughter than her own mother. Tong An'an, Tong An'an, you truly are blessed to have met such a good man.
Amidst Jiang Jingyu's continuous concern, Tong An'an ran back, sweating profusely.
In her arms, she held a bottle of beautifully packaged wine.