country bumpkin

The next morning, after waking up, he went to the steamed bun shop in town and had breakfast. He then bought some gifts and fruit, intending to visit the village chief.

He hasn't been back for many years. I wonder if the village chief still recognizes him or remembers him.

Fang Qing stopped the car, took the gifts, and went into the village chief's house. Just as he stepped through the gate, the village chief's wife saw him.

The village chief's wife looked at him for a while before asking, "Young man, who are you looking for?"

Fang Qing quickly greeted her, "Auntie, don't you recognize me? I'm Fang Qing."

The village chief's wife thought for a moment, then slapped her forehead: "Oh my! It's Qingqing! You're Xiaoqing."

Fang Qing smiled brightly and nodded happily, saying, "Yes, Auntie, it's me, the little Qingqing who used to come to your house to play when I was little."

The village chief's wife was also very happy, smiling broadly with her wrinkled face. "Oh my! You've grown so much! If you hadn't called me, I definitely wouldn't have recognized you if we met on the street."

Fang Qing said with a smile, "Yes, I was only 8 years old when I left, and now I'm 19. Eleven years have passed."

The village chief's wife warmly pulled him into the house. The village chief was eating breakfast inside. He heard someone coming from outside, but didn't pay much attention.

Now, seeing his wife pulling a tall, handsome young man into the house, he looked at them with some confusion.

Before he could even ask who it was, the young man smiled and said, "Uncle Youliang, long time no see! I hope you're in good health!"

Kong Youliang looked at the young man suspiciously and asked, "Who are you...?"

Fang Qing chuckled, then mimed firing a gun with his finger, accompanied by the sound, "Uncle Liang, pew pew... pew, pew..."

Kong Youliang's memories were awakened. Her eyes stung as she looked at him, and she asked in a trembling voice, "You...you are...you are Xiao Qingqing."

Fang Qing knelt down with a thud, preparing to kowtow to the village chief and his wife.

Kong Youliang quickly stopped him and pulled him up. He hugged him and patted his back, saying, "Good boy, you've grown into a young man."

When Fang Qing was 5 years old, he was bullied by the children in his village. The village chief saw it and helped him get rid of the children.

The village chief also taught him how to avoid being bullied: point a gun at your finger. This gesture was useless, but it gave him courage and warmth.

This move is their unique weapon. Other children simply can't understand what it means.

Fang Qing's eyes also reddened. Back then, during the time when his father stopped coming home altogether, his family went through a very difficult period, and it was the village chief and his wife who helped them through it all.

The village chief's wife wiped away her tears and asked, "Xiaoqing, have you eaten yet? Wait here, Auntie will go and make you something nice to eat."

Fang Qing quickly pulled her aside: "Auntie, I've already eaten in town, so don't bother. Sit down and rest for a while, and let's have a good chat."

Fang Qing casually handed the gift he had brought to the village chief's wife. The village chief's wife didn't stand on ceremony, simply saying, "Why bring a gift when you're going home? What's the point of spending money?"

Fang Qing felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this. It was so kind of him that Uncle Liang and Aunt Liang still treated him like family.

The nicer they treated him, the less he dared to mention the purpose of his visit. He was afraid that the village chief and his aunt would refuse.

After all, he hadn't been back for over ten years. Now that he's back, he's thinking of marrying someone else's daughter. No one would agree to that.

It seems this matter can't be rushed; we need to proceed gradually. I should come back a few more times, reconnect with my parents, and rekindle our old feelings before discussing marriage.

Thinking of this, he started talking about his childhood, which immediately brought him closer to the two elders.

The village chief's wife sat to Fang Qing's left. The village chief, Kong Youliang, sat opposite him and they started chatting.

The village chief inquired about their current living conditions. Fang Qing told Kong Youliang everything in detail.

He now owns a large space in a shopping mall in the city. There are several counters. One sells gold and silver jewelry, and another sells well-known brands of watches.

As Fang Qing spoke, he took out two watches from his pocket and gave them to the village chief and his wife.

The two elders were flattered and quickly declined. Fang Qing, however, put one of the watches directly on the village chief's wrist.

He picked up another watch and put it on the village chief's wife. As he put the watch on, he smiled and said, "Uncle and Aunt, don't be so polite with me. Xiao Qingzi is like a son to you, a child you've watched grow up."

The two elders' eyes welled up with tears again upon hearing this; those words had truly brought back all their affection.

The two elders didn't refuse. Since things had come to this point, there was no need to stand on ceremony. They had indeed always treated him like their own child.

While they were talking animatedly, in the east wing bedroom, Kong Siyu had just woken up. She sat up, stretched, and got up to wash.

As I passed through the living room, I heard that guests had arrived. My parents were chatting with them.

She went to the yard to wash up. After washing up, she went back to her room to comb her hair. As she returned to her room, she thought she heard Fang Qing's voice.

She walked to the living room doorway and listened carefully; it was indeed Fang Qing. Startled, she quickly ran back to her room to get ready.

She didn't want Fang Qing to see her disheveled appearance. That would be so embarrassing. In front of her sweetheart, she had to dress up beautifully and leave a good impression.

After she finished dressing and getting ready, she tiptoed into the living room.

Fang Qing was chatting and laughing with the two elders when Si Yu walked in.

Fang Qing's eyes lit up when she saw Si Yu enter. Si Yu was wearing a floral print blouse today, her hair neatly combed and tied into two braids, looking fresh and charming. Fang Qing's heart skipped a beat.

Siyu lowered her head shyly and said softly, "Brother Fang Qing, you're here."

Fang Qing nodded hurriedly, "Yes, it's been a long time." The village chief and his wife exchanged a glance, their eyes full of smiles.

At this moment, the village chief joked, "Siyu, when you were little, you always followed Fang Qing around."

Siyu's face flushed red instantly, and she scolded, "Dad, what are you saying?" Fang Qing also scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.

Afterwards, everyone chatted for a while, talking about the changes in the village over the years and some interesting childhood stories.

Fang Qing noticed that his and Si Yu's eyes would always meet unintentionally, and each time they did, it felt like an electric current was running through his body.

Before she knew it, it was almost noon. Fang Qing thought it was time for her to go back, so she got up to say goodbye.

The village chief's wife and the village chief themselves pulled him back, not wanting him to leave, and invited him to stay for dinner. He didn't stand on ceremony and naturally stayed.

During the meal, Siyu waited for Fang Qing to bring up the engagement with his parents. But throughout the meal, Fang Qing didn't mention it once.

Siyu felt a little disappointed, but still politely served Fang Qing some food. Fang Qing noticed her disappointment and thought he would find an opportunity to explain to her later.

After finishing his meal, Fang Qing said goodbye, saying that he needed to keep an eye on the new merchandise coming to the mall. The two elders reluctantly saw him off as he left the courtyard.