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Chapter 86: Bringing Gifts
Chapter 86: Bringing Gifts
"I'll come too." Jiang Xia linked arms with Zhou Chenglei and carefully stepped out of the car, avoiding the mud.
"No need, I can handle it alone. I don't want to get your shoes dirty."
Jiang Xia wasn't too concerned. "Just take them off, then."
After helping Jiang Xia dismount from the bicycle, Zhou Chenglei placed the three large bags hanging from the handlebars and the basket on a slightly cleaner patch of grass. He then parked the bicycle securely.
Jiang Xia slipped off her high heels and stepped onto the muddy road barefoot.
Zhou Chenglei glanced at her delicate, pink toes, which stood out starkly against the mud.
He also took off his shoes and led her toward the stranded car.
Zhang Fuyan was furiously pressing the gas pedal, the car engine roaring as the wheels spun in the mud, unable to gain traction.
She had already tried pushing the car several times, her shoes and the driver's seat covered in mud.
Frustrated, she slammed the steering wheel and caught sight of Jiang Xia and Zhou Chenglei in the rearview mirror.
Her eyes lit up with relief, and she quickly got out of the car, running over to Jiang Xia in her mud-covered shoes. "Comrade Jiang Xia!"
Jiang Xia glanced at her feet, surprised. "You came to find me?"
"Of course! I drove all the way here, asking for directions for a while, and then the car got stuck. There was no one around to help."
Jiang Xia hadn't expected a stranger to drive all the way to find her. "It's no wonder. At noon, everyone is usually at home having lunch. How long has your car been stuck?"
"Not long, just a few minutes!" It had taken her quite a while to find the place.
"Go back to the car and drive while my partner and I push from behind."
"Okay!" Zhang Fuyan hurried back to the car, started the engine, and pressed the gas pedal.
Zhou Chenglei and Jiang Xia walked to the back of the car and pushed with all their strength. The car started moving, primarily thanks to Zhou Chenglei's strength.
After driving a short distance, Zhang Fuyan stopped the car and poked her head out, waving at Jiang Xia. "Comrade Jiang Xia, get in my car and show me the way!"
Jiang Xia, fearing her muddy feet would dirty the car, declined. "I'll ride the bicycle in front and guide you."
Zhou Chenglei had already put the three large bags back on the bicycle and was now standing in front of Jiang Xia, holding her shoes.
Jiang Xia hopped on, wrapping her arms around his waist, and took the shoes from him. He pedaled the bicycle, leading the way for the car.
Villagers rarely saw cars, and the last time one appeared was when Jiang Xia had arrived for her wedding.
The sudden appearance of a car drew the attention of many, especially when they saw Zhou Chenglei riding a bicycle in front.
Everyone assumed Jiang Xia's parents had come to take her away, given that Zhou's mother had recently driven her out.
A wealthy young lady suffering such humiliation would surely leave, they thought, anticipating a spectacle.
Fortunately, the road in front of the Zhou family's old house was wide enough for a car, and it drove straight to the front door.
Zhou's mother heard the car and came out, noticing the two large red, white, and blue bags hanging from the bicycle's handlebars and another tied to the basket, almost blocking the view.
Zhou Chenglei and Jiang Xia both greeted her.
After stopping the bicycle, Zhou Chenglei helped Jiang Xia dismount, supporting her.
Zhou's mother was surprised. "Why so many things?"
Then she noticed the parked car, her heart sinking. "Are your parents here?"
"Are they here to settle accounts and take Jiang Xia away?" she wondered. "Did I cause my son to lose his wife?"
Jiang Xia explained, "No, it's my friend. She brought back some old things from home, so there are quite a few."
When Zhou Mother heard that Jiang Xia had brought back some old items, she was finally at ease and felt a wave of relief. She was glad that Jiang Xia wasn't planning to leave!
Zhou Chenglei took down the three bags and placed them on the ground.
Grandma Zhou had also been worried that someone from the Jiang family might come to take Jiang Xia away. Hearing Jiang Xia's words, she smiled warmly and shooed the onlookers to the tree garden to enjoy the shade, so they wouldn't disturb their guests.
Jiang Xia had brought over the things she used when she was a young girl, showing her sincerity in wanting to build a life with Ah Lei.
She knew that Jiang Xia was a good girl, and Ah Lei had married a treasure.
With Grandma Zhou's kind words, the onlookers felt embarrassed to stay and watch, so they left one by one.
Zhang Fuyan got out of the car, smiling as she greeted Zhou Mother, "Auntie, hello."
Zhou Mother smiled back, "Hello, hello!"
She glanced down at Zhang Fuyan's mud-covered feet and asked in surprise, "What happened to you?"
Zhang Fuyan laughed sheepishly, "The car got stuck in a pit halfway, and I had to push it."
Jiang Xia handed her a pair of slippers, "Comrade Zhang, go wash your feet by the well."
Zhou Mother added, "Yes, come wash up. I'll get you some water."
Zhou Mother hurried to the well to draw water, calling out, "Everyone, come wash your feet."
Jiang Xia let Zhang Fuyan wash her feet first.
Zhang Fuyan didn't hesitate, took the slippers, and removed her mud-covered leather shoes to rinse her feet.
Zhou Chenglei took out a pair of his own slippers, placed a bamboo chair next to the wooden basin in the courtyard, and pulled Jiang Xia to sit down. He then squatted down and started to wash her feet.
Zhang Fuyan: "..."
Zhou Mother: "..."
She suddenly understood what her husband meant by "being a good memorial tablet"!
Jiang Xia's face turned red, "I can do it myself."
"Does it matter who washes your feet?" Zhou Chenglei held her ankle and placed her foot in the wooden basin.
Jiang Xia was embarrassed.
Was it the same? Didn't she see Zhou Mother and Zhang Fuyan's shocked expressions?
Zhou Chenglei didn't care what others thought. Shouldn't he take care of his own wife?
Was he supposed to consider others' opinions when taking care of his wife?
He lowered his head and started to rub her small feet with care.
In the small rural courtyard, under the shade of a pomegranate tree, a blushing woman sat on a bamboo chair, while a man knelt and gently washed her feet, his movements soft and his expression serious.
The sky was a clear, refreshing blue, and the white clouds seemed within reach. The man was handsome, and the woman was beautiful.
Zhang Fuyan, moved by this heartwarming scene, couldn't help but take out the camera hanging around her neck and snap a couple of photos.
She suddenly thought that maybe listening to her mother and going on a blind date to find a partner wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Hearing the camera click, Zhou Chenglei looked up, and Jiang Xia turned her head.
Zhang Fuyan smiled, "I'll send you the prints when they're developed."
Zhou Chenglei glanced at the camera for a second before turning back.
After both of them washed their feet, Zhang Fuyan went to the back of the car, took out a pair of high heels to change into, and brought out the gifts she had in the trunk.
She smiled at Jiang Xia, "I didn't know who else was in your family or what you like, so I just bought a few things."
Jiang Xia looked at the bags in her hands, filled with bags, clothes, health supplements, skincare products, milk powder, canned food, cookies, candies, fruits, and toys...
It was truly a little bit of everything!
But how could she accept such generous gifts from a stranger she had only met once?
"You're too kind. I can't accept these things."
Zhang Fuyan laughed mischievously, "I'm here because I have a favor to ask. It wouldn't be right to come empty-handed, would it?"
There will be one more update at 8 PM tonight.
(End of Chapter)
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