Started as a thatched house and ended up as a female figure

The wedding banquet was drawing to a close, and the air was filled with the lingering aroma of wine and meat and the slight drunkenness after the jubilation.

The guests left one after another, and the neighbors who stayed behind helped to clean up the tables, chairs, and dishes.

Cheng Wan had just seen off the last group of distinguished guests and was just about to take a look at the drunken groom Cheng Erping when a figure approached her somewhat awkwardly.

"Marquis Zhaoping." Village Chief Jia rubbed his hands, with a loyal yet somewhat nervous smile on his face.

"Village chief?" Cheng Wan turned around with a friendly smile on his face: "Long time no see, how are you?"

"Okay, okay, thanks to you, I'm in good health!" Village Chief Jia nodded quickly. He moved aside to avoid several villagers carrying large baskets and lowered his voice, "Your Majesty, I have something to tell you."

Seeing his serious expression, Cheng Wan's heart moved slightly: "Let's go over there."

The two walked to a secluded corner, and the only sound behind the courtyard wall was the faint sound of dishes being cleared away.

Village Chief Jia took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind: "This is what happened, Lord. My eldest grandson Jiaju and the girl Jinxiang...they, they like each other."

Jia Jiaju?

Golden incense?

Cheng Wan was slightly stunned, his eyes full of surprise.

Village Chief Jia looked at the surprise on Cheng Wan's face and felt more at ease.

"Well, this is fate.

Ka Kui... Didn’t Ka Kui survive the battlefield? When he first came back, he felt a little depressed.

I thought that instead of being bored at home, he might as well go to Suiyilou to help with some odd jobs, get along with strangers, see the world, and feel more lively.

Who would have thought that after all these interactions, he and Jin Xiang would become close friends.”

Village Chief Jia couldn't help but smile, and finally said, "You know Jiaju's character. He is honest and down-to-earth. He has set his sights on Jinxiang. And Jinxiang seems to have feelings for this boy... too."

Cheng Wan frowned slightly. This "feeling" came suddenly, but the most crucial issue could not be avoided.

Cheng Wan looked at Village Chief Jia and asked calmly but directly, "Does Jia Jiaju know what happened to Jin Xiang?"

Cheng Wan meant something.

The human traffickers, the chopped-off little finger, and those days that are too painful to recall.

The smile on Village Chief Jia's face faded, and complex emotions welled up in his eyes. He felt sorry for Jin Xiang, but also a little relieved for his grandson's determination.

"I know! Ka Kui knows everything! Lord Hou, don't worry, this matter was not spread by someone in the village, but it was Jinxiang who told Ka Kui herself!"

Village Chief Jia took a half step forward and lowered his voice, speaking with the unique emotion of the older generation:

"My Lord, think about it, Ka Kui's right eye was shot blind by an arrow in the pile of dead bodies! He is the one who crawled back from the gate of Hades!

Our Ka Kui is not stupid. The things he saw on the way back and the dangers he experienced made him clear-headed.

The crime Jin Xiang suffered was not her fault! It was the fault of those damned human traffickers!

When Ka Kui found out, he was so heartbroken for Jin Xiang that he didn’t even have time to care.

He was just, just worried that Jin Xiang would look down on him!

Jin Xiang is a capable and talented girl, and she has grown up. There are many young men in our village who secretly like her..."

Cheng Wan listened quietly, and the doubts in his heart gradually dissipated as the village chief narrated.

She had seen how Jia Jiaju looked when he had just returned, and his silence and tenacity did not seem like a disguise.

Two young people who have both struggled in the darkest moments of their lives and been scarred by fate may really be able to understand and heal each other.

"If it is true as the village chief said, that the two of them are of the same mind and Jinxiang herself is willing, then I naturally have no objection."

Village Chief Jia's tense shoulders collapsed instantly, his face was filled with joy as if he had been relieved, his eyes even moistened: "Hey! Hey! Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord! I feel relieved! Thank you Lord for your help! Then let's ask Jin Xiang what she thinks?"

Cheng Wan nodded: "Of course she has to agree in person. I'll go talk to Jin Xiang."

When we found Jin Xiang, she was rolling up her sleeves and neatly cleaning up the dishes from the last few tables with a few other girls.

Seeing Cheng Wan coming over, the girls stopped what they were doing and saluted respectfully and eagerly.

Cheng Wan told the girls not to be polite, chatted with them briefly, and then called Jin Xiang aside.

Cheng Wan got straight to the point: "I just talked to Village Chief Jia, you and Jia Jiaju...?"

Jin Xiang's ears turned red, her long eyelashes drooped, and her fingers subconsciously twisted the corners of her clothes, but she did not avoid it: "Yes... yes, girl."

After so long, Jin Xiang and the others are still used to calling Cheng Wan "girl".

"You are willing?"

Cheng Wan looked at Jin Xiang's flushed cheeks and her uneasy but unavoidable eyes, and he had an idea in his mind.

"Yes!" Jin Xiang nodded vigorously, raised her head, and looked at Cheng Wan with a frank look: "Brother Ka Kui is down-to-earth, steady, and a reliable person. After going through all that..."

Jin Xiang pursed her lips tightly, then took a deep breath: "Girl, he said he understands me. He was afraid that I would dislike him for being missing an eye, but I..." Jin Xiang paused, raised her head and looked at Cheng Wan: "I think he is very good."

When she said the word "very good", Jin Xiang's tone had a sense of peace and tranquility, "Following him, living a stable life is good. I am willing to live a good life with him..."

Jin Xiang emphasized the word "well", as if she wanted to completely suppress the nightmare of the past in her heart and look forward to the stability of a new life.

Cheng Wan's eyes softened, and he asked again, "Have you told your parents about this?"

A trace of hesitation flashed across Jin Xiang's face, followed by a hint of embarrassment and guilt: "Not yet... not yet."

She carefully observed Cheng Wan's expression and lowered her voice: "I...I want to talk to the Marquis first. If the Marquis nods, I will discuss it with my parents."

This gesture, which was almost like "seeking parental permission", made Cheng Wan's heart tremble.

An indescribable feeling surged into my heart, a mixture of warmth and sourness.

She was touched because this silly girl cared so much about her attitude, even putting her approval before her biological parents, and regarded her as her true "backbone" and relative.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry, but it's because of the heartache and helplessness.

Behind Jin Xiang's words and actions is the deep-seated inferiority and fear left by that dark experience, and her complete reliance on Cheng Wan's powerful protection.

But Cheng Wan hopes that Jin Xiang can be more confident and take charge of her own life, without having to look at her, Cheng Wan's face for everything.

Cheng Wan looked at Jin Xiang's face, which was slightly apprehensive and expectant, and sighed softly. He stretched out his hand and quickly pinched her slightly red face, with very light force, and with a rare intimacy: "Stupid girl!"

There was no blame in Cheng Wan's tone, but instead it was filled with deep pity and a kind of tolerance of "I really can't do anything about you".

"You are my protector, not a slave who has signed a death contract. Of course, your marriage will only be finalized after your parents' approval, and you must think it through thoroughly! Whether I agree or not is not the most important thing."

Cheng Wan looked at her bright eyes and said gently, "Since Jia Jiaju already knows everything and doesn't mind, and you have made up your mind, then it's good. The adults of your two families should discuss this matter. Remember, as long as you are willing, live a good life. If he dares to..."

“No!” Jin Xiang hurriedly shook her head, interrupting Cheng Wan’s possible warning, and a bright and tearful smile appeared on her face: “Miss… Thank you!”

This "thank you" contains so much.

It was Cheng Wan's kindness in saving them from the human traffickers, the kindness in giving them a way to live and a place to stay, the kindness in supporting their reputation and future, and even more so the loving "permission" and encouragement at this moment.

Cheng Wan looked at those eyes that were filled with tears but exceptionally bright, and smiled: "Go ahead, help them clean up, I'll give you a day off, go home and discuss this matter with your parents."

Jin Xiang nodded vigorously, with uncontrollable joy and lightness in her eyes and eyebrows. She ran back almost at the speed of the wind, and her broken hand seemed extremely light as well.