Chapter 415: Chapter 412 The Girls in the City are Pretty
Time flew by, and a month had passed.
On the big day, Zhang Hao had been urging He Qianhui to get ready early. He had already purchased the new clothes for the day.
Zhang Hao had also taken a few days off for the occasion. Such a significant event required a day or two of preparation beforehand.
If time was tight, who knows if something unexpected might occur.
They drove to his parents first, loading up the car with several trips, cramming in everything they’d bought.
"We’re going back for a wedding, why have we bought so much stuff?"
"Our last trip was for the New Year, and this time it’s for a joyful celebration, so it’s okay to buy a little more."
They left early, and no one had eaten, so He Qianhui took the opportunity while everyone was busy.
She went to a nearby breakfast shop, bought some buns and soy milk, and had a little something to fill their stomachs before they left.
It would be noon by the time they reached a service area from here.
With breakfast hurriedly out of the way, He Qianhui wanted to sit with her aunt in the back, but Zhang Hao insisted she sit beside him.
Even though He Qianhui strongly objected, she couldn’t resist Zhang Hao’s wishes.
"You two sit in front, your dad and I are fine in the back," her aunt said.
Upon hearing this, He Qianhui had no choice but to agree.
Before this, everyone had gotten along just fine, but ever since she got together with Zhang Hao, their relationship had soured day by day.
Sitting in the passenger seat, He Qianhui even breathed cautiously.
The whole trip would take about seven or eight hours; it wasn’t too far.
Before reaching the service area, He Qianhui thoughtfully opened a bottle of water and handed it to Zhang Hao.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Hao opened his mouth out of habit and drank, a scene that didn’t escape the eyes of the two in the back seat.
When they arrived at the service area, Zhang Hao rushed out of the car and sprinted for the restroom.
"Uncle, auntie, aren’t you going?" He Qianhui kindly reminded.
"Maybe at the next service area, your uncle and I aren’t in a hurry right now."
However, He Qianhui checked the route and found that the next service area would take at least two and a half hours to reach.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hao’s mother immediately dragged her husband off, saying it was better to relieve themselves now rather than endure a bumpy ride while holding it in.
When Zhang Hao came back and saw only He Qianhui in the car, he asked casually.
"They went to the restroom like you. Should we eat something here?" she asked.
Just getting back into the car, Zhang Hao was a bit hesitant, "Are you hungry?"
After two buns in the morning, she had digested quite a bit by now.
"Let’s eat here. It’ll be another two hours until the next service area," she suggested.
Two hours isn’t too long to mention nor too short to dismiss.
But if you’re hungry, those two hours can feel incredibly long.
"Alright, let’s eat something here, though the food at this service area is only so-so."
He Qianhui had no special requirements for this.
When you’re on the road, unless you know of a good restaurant, the taste of food is like opening a mystery box.
As soon as the uncle and aunt opened the door, He Qianhui said, "Hao suggested that we eat here at the service area since there’s nowhere to stop on the road."
It was just half-past ten, a bit early for lunch.
"Or maybe we should just buy some bread and milk to eat whenever we’re hungry," Zhang Hao’s mom suggested.
Zhang Hao strongly opposed his mom’s suggestion.
"We can afford to eat; a meal for four won’t cost much. Why make it so hard on ourselves?"
"But we could buy some instant food and snacks to nibble on along the way."
Before, the elders used to take charge, but now that they were out, the younger ones were making the decisions.
The two elders exchanged a glance.
"Let’s just eat here. Otherwise, what will you do if you get hungry and uncomfortable?"
Seeing his dad being so understanding, Zhang Hao quickly pulled his mom and headed to the restaurant.
The restaurant operated on a semi-self-service model, where one could fill their own plate with what they wanted and then pay accordingly.
Zhang Hao naturally went with He Qianhui.
"Do you want a couple of tea eggs, there’s also roasted sausage here."
At first glance, Zhang Hao’s suggestion seemed casual, but when he put both items together on the plate.
He Qianhui’s eyebrows immediately furrowed, "You’re doing this on purpose."
Zhang Hao chuckled and said, "Not at all, it’s just a coincidence."
He Qianhui moved one of the tea eggs to Zhang Hao’s plate.
"Eating too many eggs isn’t good, one is enough."
A little jest between the couple was all in good fun.
The two carried their food back to the table, and Zhang Hao noticed his parents mimicking them.
Choosing their favorite dishes, yet Zhang Hao saw that his parents’ plates were mostly filled with green vegetables.
The only meat dish was a stir-fried chicken dish.
Zhang Hao believed that his family wasn’t poor to the extent of eating so plainly when out.
"Mom and Dad, eat more. I knew you wouldn’t pamper yourselves, so I had Xiaohui get a bit more meat when I was getting ours."
He Qianhui knew exactly how to react at crucial moments, just like a clear mirror.
Following Zhang Hao’s words, she picked up her plate and pushed over half of her meat dish to her aunt.
"We’re getting on in age and can’t handle too much greasy food, better you two eat it."
After a round of polite refusals, Zhang Hao was almost set to take He Qianhui to another spot to eat.
Seeing this, the parents simply had to graciously accept.
For the remainder of the journey, the car never stopped.
It kept on until it reached the house, a place for which Zhang Hao didn’t have a strong recollection.
He seldom returned home from the time he could remember, partly because the journey was too long and partly because his parents didn’t have a strong sense of belonging to this place.
If it weren’t for someone getting married this time, he probably wouldn’t have come back.
Looking at those, somewhat familiar faces, Zhang Hao clenched He Qianhui’s hand tightly.
It wasn’t because he was shy, but because he feared getting separated amongst so many people.
At a glance, one could tell the village had not been titled an advanced village yet.
Although a cement road had been laid, it was only on the main path.
The paths between houses were still dirt roads, complete with mud left behind from the last rain.
Those who came from afar naturally placed themselves as guests.
Zhang Hao, normally so capable of standing on his own two feet, sat on a stool like a well-behaved child, looking around curiously.
He Qianhui did the same, and just as she was feeling bored, a woman in her fifties or sixties brought over a stool and sat in front of He Qianhui.
"This young lady is quite pretty. Are you his girlfriend?"
He Qianhui nodded, and Zhang Hao immediately caught on, holding her hand as he said.
"Yes, she’s my girlfriend. We’ve been together for some time now."
The old lady’s eyes beamed with admiration, "The city girls are indeed beautiful. Do you have a younger sister, preferably one without a partner?"
Such an abrupt question left He Qianhui a little dazed, but it was Zhang Hao who responded with a smile.
"Old lady, what are you up to?"
"What else could I be up to? I’m trying to find a match for my good-for-nothing son. He’s not getting any younger. If he doesn’t find someone soon, how am I supposed to have grandchildren?"
