Chapter 310: Gifts

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Jiang Chuan pondered for a moment. He really couldn’t bear for his wife to walk on this muddy road. He added, “Dear, 1’11 carry you so you won’t get all muddy from the ground.”

Jiang Xia responded, “Dad, why don’t you show the same concern for your two precious daughters?”

Zhou Lan playfully stuck out her tongue and said, “Then you should hurry up and find a boyfriend to pamper you.”

Jiang Xia retorted, “I’m only thirteen! How can you push me to have a relationship at this age?”

Jiang Chuan carried Zhou Lan into the village. It was dinner time, and every household was cooking. The air was filled with the aroma of food.

They immersed themselves in this familiar atmosphere. The fatigue from days of travel gradually faded, giving them the warm feeling of finally coming home.

Before entering their home, Jiang Chuan set Zhou Lan down at the entrance. He placed the prepared dishes and fish into the basket, slung it over his shoulder, and headed straight to Zhou Fang’s house.

After a while, when Zhou Lan starts cooking, the villagers will know that the Jiang Chuan family has returned. By the time the news of Jiang Chuan’s return reaches Zhou Fang, it wouldn’t seem that genuine if Jiang Chuan hadn’t made a pointed effort to visit Zhou Fang directly.

When Jiang Chuan arrived, Zhou Fang’s family was just starting dinner. Their eldest daughter answered the door. Upon seeing Jiang Chuan, she greeted him without any hesitation, “Uncle Jiang,” and then ran back inside to eat.

Knowing Jiang Chuan had returned, Zhou Fang, with half a bun in his hand and a piece of meat in his mouth, came out to greet him.

Setting the basket on the ground, Jiang Chuan politely said, “Captain Zhou, we’ve just entered the village, and I’ve brought you some souvenir from Grand Cloud Mountain.”

Such words were heartwarming, showing Jiang Chuan had Zhou Fang in mind, as he visited even before entering his own home.

Zhou Fang, known for his poker face, didn’t react much. His wife, Wan Fang, expressed gratitude on his behalf. Excitedly, she took the basket from Jiang Chuan. Inside were two pieces of cured meat, a box of wild mushrooms, and two large, plump fish, each appearing to weigh about five pounds.

The gifts were so lavish that Wan Fang hesitated, looking at her husband for guidance.

In the village, Zhou Fang was notorious in the village for his cold demeanor. Therefore no one dared to approach Zhou Fang with gifts, so Wan Fang wasn’t used to receiving such offerings.

After some contemplation, considering his relatively good relationship with Jiang Chuan. They would greet each other when they met in the village, and Jiang Chuan even knew his younger brother. He thought it wouldn’t be inappropriate to accept gifts when Jiang Chuan visited. He signaled to Wan Fang to accept.

Only then did Wan Fang placed the basket in the courtyard and warmly welcomed Jiang Chuan into the house. She added a set of chopsticks for him and poured wine for both of them. She said, “You’ve just returned, and surely you haven’t started cooking at your home. Why not eat here?”

Without declining the offer, Jiang Chuan sat down with a smile.

Zhou Fang, being one of the wealthiest in the village, had a meal that was more lavish than what most could afford. Two meat dishes, one vegetable, porridge, and white buns – who wouldn’t be envious?

Everyone clearly understood the purpose of Jiang Chuan’s visit, so there was no need for further pleasantries. Zhou Fang asked first, “How has your daughter’s family been since your trip to Grand Cloud Mountain?”

Jiang Chuan replied, “They’re doing alright, but the conditions in the mountains are challenging, certainly not as good as our village. I’ve discussed with my son-in-law about bringing them to the village.”

Jiangchuan tried to depict life in the mountains as grim, hoping to persuade Zhou Fang to expedite the procedure.

Zhou Fang took a sip of wine and asked expressionlessly,” Have you thought of a place for them to stay?”

Jiang Chuan emptied his cup, nervously rubbing his hands, “There’s a plot of land next to our house. Could it be allocated to me? It would be nice to have my daughter closer.”

Zhou Fang seemed troubled, “It’s hard to say. In the ten days since you left, a lot has happened in the village. The plot you’re interested in is also desired by your elder brother.”

Jiang Chuan was taken aback. Why was Jiang Gui suddenly interested in that plot? Was he planning to move out?

That seemed improbable. In the Jiang family, Jiang Gui was the most favored. If there were any divisions, it should be the second son, not him.

Noticing Jiang Chuan’s confusion, Wan Fang explained, “Jiang Hong is about to get engaged, and Jiang Gui wants to build a house for her.”

This revelation left Jiang Chuan even more confused.. Given the Jiang family’s traditional values of favoring sons over daughters, how could they be willing to construct a house for a daughter about to marry off?