A Journey Through the Worlds of Film and Television.

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"This is the first time I drink vinegar when I'm thirsty."

"It's okay. I'll make you a bowl of new vinegar. It's not sour at all."

As she spoke, He Xiuying untied the red cloth covering a large vat, took out a bamboo basket from the side, filled it with half a bowl of vinegar and handed it to

To Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng took it and took a sip, only to feel a sour taste rushing into his nose, and tears were almost coming out.

"How's it going? Not sour, right?"

"This... is a bit sour. Why don't you pour me a glass of water?"

He Xiuying took the bowl, put it to her nose and smelled it, and suddenly felt embarrassed: "Oh, look at me, I was so busy talking to you that I accidentally spilled a bowl of old vinegar. I'll replace it with a new one for you."

As she spoke, He Xiuying quickly picked up another bowl and poured a bowl of new vinegar for Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng took a sip. Although it still tasted a bit sour, it was not unacceptable.

At this moment, a girl wearing a bright red cotton jacket with white dots and two pigtails walked into the yard carrying two iron buckets.

Lu Cheng looked up and met the girl's eyes. He saw that the girl had big eyes, double eyelids, and a round face with a healthy blush. She had two pigtails tied with red hairbands, hanging vertically in front of her chest. She had a shoulder pole on her right shoulder, one hand in front and the other behind, staring at Lu Cheng blankly.

If we only talk about appearance, this girl may not be considered a stunning beauty, but she is definitely a pretty girl, one in a million.

Seeing this, He Xiuying introduced the two people: "Lu Cheng, this is Xiu Lian. Xiu Lian, this is Lu Cheng from Yuanxi County."

He Xiu Lian blushed slightly, lowered her head, turned around, and carried two buckets of water into the house.

He Xiuying quickly asked: "Lu Cheng, what's going on?"

Lu Cheng watched Xiulian enter the room and replied, "It's much better than before, not so sour anymore."

He Yaozong laughed: "Lu Cheng, come on, come on, sit down."

He Xiuying quickly picked up some melon seeds and handed them to Lu Cheng: "Eat some melon seeds to fill your stomach."

Lu Cheng did not refuse and took the melon seeds.

He Yaozong smiled and said, "Xiulian is very busy. She goes out to work in the fields before dawn. I don't have time to make vinegar at home. Xiulian does all the work at home and in the fields. Even though Xiulian is a woman, she may have done it."

Chang Youlin also said: "Xiulian is a very good girl."

He Xiuying, who was sitting next to her, also smiled and said, "If you marry our Xiulian, you can expect to enjoy happiness."

"That's that."

He Yaozong then asked, "Everything is going well in your village? Is there much work in the fields?"

“It’s not busy this season yet.”

"I heard that you are a doctor in the village and you went to high school. You are an excellent student."

"Not really. I didn't even finish high school."

"That's amazing. There aren't many high school students in our village. Is it hard for you to treat patients?"

"It's not hard. There aren't many people in the village and it's impossible for us to get sick every day. I also have to work in the fields on a regular basis."

Chang Youlin also asked, "I heard that you are 22 years old this year, and you are the only one left at home. It's time to find a wife to take care of the housework for you."

He Xiuying patted her husband on the side and said, "Lu Cheng is here, why are you so anxious?"

As they were chatting and laughing, He Xiu Lian came out of the house, holding a big red washbasin and a towel, which she placed on the shelf beside her. She glanced at Lu Cheng, then quickly turned around and walked back into the house.

Seeing this, He Xiuying stood up and pulled Lu Cheng: "Courier, look, this is the water Xiulian prepared for you to wash your face. Go wash your face."

Faced with the enthusiasm of this family, Lu Cheng's original restraint disappeared instantly.

I washed and wiped my face. The white towel was obviously washed and still had a slight scent of soap.

Lu Cheng sat down again, eating melon seeds and peanuts while chatting with the three people about family matters.

This family are all honest people. Without waiting for Lu Cheng to say anything more, they have already introduced their family situation clearly.

"Xiulian's mother passed away early, and I raised the two sisters by myself. Since Xiuying got married, there are only Xiulian and I at home. Xiulian is a sensible girl, and she can do all kinds of work at home and in the fields, just as good as the boys."

"That's right. All the young men in our surrounding villages want to marry our Xiulian. But Xiulian looked at them one by one and didn't like any of them."

"Yes, our Xiulian said that if she doesn't like him, she won't marry him no matter how much dowry you give her. If she likes him, she won't ask for any dowry. Besides, she doesn't care where he is from, she is willing to follow him wherever he goes."

"That's right. One time, Xiulian's brother-in-law said that he would find a man for her from another place. I didn't expect that this girl would really listen to him and wait for the man she chose."

The family said so much and it was obvious that they were very satisfied with Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng's conditions are impeccable. He is 180cm tall, with regular features and a handsome face. He has a masculine and bookish air, and his appearance is proven.

What's more, Lu Cheng has graduated from high school and is a doctor. He doesn't have parents at home, so there is no need to worry about conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

After the family met Lu Cheng, they became more and more satisfied.

After chatting for a while, He Xiu Lian had already prepared the meal.

He Yaozong and Chang Youlin pulled Lu Cheng into the house. The three of them sat cross-legged on the kang. In the middle was a small square table with low legs. On the table were two dishes, a soup, a plate of steamed buns, and a large bowl of boiled eggs.

There were two dishes, one was a fried egg with chopped green onions, and the other was stir-fried vegetables. Although there was no meat, the portions were large and it was a rare delicacy to serve to guests.

If this happened in Shuangshui Village, there wouldn't be many restaurants that could serve guests such dishes.

Chang Youlin picked up the white flour bun and handed it to Lu Cheng: "Lu Cheng, how many buns can you eat in one meal?"

"I can still eat four or five more, but not more. I usually only eat three or four."

He Yaozong laughed: "Being able to eat well means that you are in good health and can work."

He Xiuying also laughed: "Lu Cheng, this is Hezi rice. Xiulian was afraid that you would not be used to it, so she specially steamed white flour buns for you. You should eat more. Dad, Xiulian and I will go to his hut to eat. I want to tell her about Lu Cheng's ability to eat four or five buns in one meal."

Chang Youlin asked, "Why is Xiulian hiding?"

He Xiuying: "You don't understand this, you are shy."

Chang Youlin laughed: "That's right, Lu Cheng, Xiulian looked at you before and hid away. The more she dared not look at you, the more you are in her heart. I don't know how many times she has thought about you in her heart now."

As he spoke, Chang Youlin had already peeled a boiled egg and placed it in Lu Cheng's bowl.

Lu Cheng held the bowl in one hand and the chopsticks in the other, and quickly replied: "It's normal for girls to be shy."

He Yaozong went on to say, "Xiulian is a miserable child. She lost her mother when she was a teenager. I was both her father and mother, but I didn't take good care of her."

Lu Cheng nodded: "It's the same for me. When I was 17 and in my second year of high school, my parents had an accident and I came here alone. Thanks to the villagers for taking care of me."

He Yaozong went on to say: "Fortunately, I brew good vinegar. We can't produce much grain in our stone stall. My vinegar sells well, so my business has not collapsed, and I live a better life than ordinary people."

Lu Cheng nodded: "You can already trade freely here?"

"Yes, our policy has changed a long time ago. Has it not changed yet in your place?"

"currently there is not."

"That's probably going to be soon."

As he was talking, Lu Cheng looked down and saw that there were already four or five boiled eggs in his bowl. He quickly refused, "Stop peeling eggs for me. I can't eat any more."

Although eggs are cheaper than meat these days, ordinary families cannot eat them often. This family is really real.

While Lu Cheng was eating, He Yaozong and Chang Youlin exchanged glances, and He Yaozong asked, "Lu Cheng, our Xiulian is not pretty, I'm sorry to embarrass you. You have to tell me what you think."

"Xiu-Lian is pretty good too. I think she's pretty good."

"Good? How good?"

When they heard Lu Cheng say yes, their voices rose a few degrees.

"Tell us quickly, how is Xiulian?"

"She has a good appearance, big eyes and double eyelids. She is in good health and looks healthy. She has a good personality, is hardworking and capable, and is also clever and can cut paper-cuts. She also cooks good meals."

They both laughed when they heard this. Chang Youlin then asked, "Can Xiulian win your heart?"

"Of course I can win my heart, but I don't know if I can win Xiulian's heart."

He Yaozong laughed even more happily: "How can Xiulian please your heart? Tell us more..."

(Photo by He Xiulian)