The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 503: Chapter 503: Who Caught Your Eye?

The next day, Han Xiaorui and Wu Jiao took the children to school together.

On their way back, Han Xiaorui asked, ”Wu Jiao, I saw you at the movies with Sun Dayong. Are you two...?”

Wu Jiao blushed. Usually so carefree, she now looked a little shy. ”We’re dating.”

”So what do you think of Sun Dayong?” Han Xiaorui asked.

Wu Jiao thought for a moment. ”Well, I’m pretty straightforward, and he’s quite shrewd and a smooth talker. He’s very serious about his work, he’s good-looking, has a trade, and makes good money. Sun Dayong’s parents are both decent people, and they’re even related to Sister Cai.”

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui smiled. ’Although Wu Jiao is straightforward and simple-minded, she has good judgment when it comes to people.’

”Can you tell me how you two met?”

Wu Jiao nodded and shyly recounted the story. ”I was out shopping when I heard someone shout, ’Dayong!’ My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to look. I knew it wasn’t my brother, but I still wanted to see who had the same name as my big brother.”

”Since Pingping and An’an started school, I’ve often come out to work with you and act as your security. Sun Dayong recognized me and started saying hello. After a while, we got to know each other. Even though he’s nothing like my brother, I know he’s a very good person—witty and kind.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Oh, so that’s how it was. Since you two are dating, Brother Ye and I are fully supportive. When the time is right, Brother Ye, your aunt, and I will handle all the arrangements for you.”

Wu Jiao smiled. ”Thank you, Sister Xiao Rui.”

”Don’t thank me,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. ”You and your sister have worked so diligently for me these past few years. I haven’t forgotten it.”

Wu Jiao thought for a moment. ”Sister Xiao Rui, if I get married, can I still work for you?”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Of course, as long as you want to. But after you get married, you’ll have to think about having kids, raising them, and all sorts of other things. A lot will change, so we’ll just have to play it by ear and see what happens.”

Wu Jiao breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. ”That’s true. I’ll just take it one step at a time. I chose to date Sun Dayong partly because he works around here, so he’s close. I don’t want to leave Jinshan Bay.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”That’s the right decision. It’s easy to find work here, and besides, I’ve already transferred your household registrations over. You’ve bought a residential plot in the village and a commercial property—they’ll be very valuable in the future.”

”Mhm, my mom told me to listen to Sister Xiao Rui and Brother Ye. That way, I’m guaranteed not to get cheated or taken advantage of,” Wu Jiao said with a laugh. ”When it comes to dating, it’s just dating. But we girls have to learn how to protect ourselves, understand?”

Wu Jiao nodded. ”I understand. I only let Sun Dayong hold my hand. He tried to kiss me yesterday, but I turned him down. Kissing is for after we’re engaged, and the wedding night is for after we’re married. I’m not stupid!”

Han Xiaorui laughed. ”That’s right, you’re not stupid at all—you’re very smart! And you’re a great listener. You take everything to heart, whether it’s from me, Wu Yao, your aunt, or your mother.”

”That’s the way! When you’re away from home, the world can be a dangerous place. If you’re ever unsure about something, listening to people you trust is the best way to avoid making mistakes.”

Wu Jiao smiled. ”My mom says the same thing. She told me to listen to you, Brother Ye, and my aunt.”

Given that Wu Jiao was dating Sun Dayong, who came from a good family and was a great guy himself, Han Xiaorui and Ye Feng were delighted to see the relationship blossom.

Next, Han Xiaorui sought out Wu Yao for a chat. ”Yaoyao, now that Jiaojiao is dating Sun Dayong, what about you?”

Wu Yao smiled. ”I got a letter from my mom, and she mentioned finding a partner, too! My aunt has also asked me about it. I’ve really adapted to life here in Jinshan Bay, and I want to stay.”

”After learning that Wu Jiao and Sun Dayong were dating, I started looking around the village myself. I’ve taken a fancy to Liu Xiangnan from the ornamental fish farm. I know he isn’t seeing anyone!”

”But I’m an outsider, not a local from Shencheng. I was worried he might not be interested in me, so I haven’t said anything. I have noticed, though, that he sneaks glances at me sometimes. And Liu Xiangnan’s mom is always really friendly whenever she sees me, complimenting me on how tall I am.”

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui laughed. ”You don’t mind that he’s short?”

Liu Xiangnan claimed to be five-foot-seven.

But in Han Xiaorui’s estimation, he was five-foot-six at best.

Wu Jiao and Wu Yao were typical girls from the Central Plains, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and tall frames.

The two sisters were already tall when they first came to Jinshan Bay, but after three years of eating well and getting good nutrition here, they’d grown another inch or two.

Wu Jiao was five-foot-seven, and Wu Yao was five-foot-eight—and that was measured barefoot.

In their usual sneakers, and even more so in high heels, they were even taller.

Wu Yao smiled. ”Good things come in small packages—you’re the one who told me that! You can’t judge a person by their looks. Liu Xiangnan is Brother Jianguo’s second-in-command now.”

”When Brother Jianguo is away, he manages everything at the farm, big and small. That proves how capable he is! He’s a good person, too—earns a decent living and doesn’t fool around.”

”My mom always says that marriage is about securing your future. You can’t just pick a man who’s a pretty face with nothing else to offer. You need to find someone resourceful and of good character, so you won’t have to suffer poverty or hardship for the rest of your life.”

Hearing Wu Yao’s words, Han Xiaorui felt a surge of respect. ’The simple, hard-earned wisdom of the older generation is truly invaluable.’

”Alright, I understand! Leave it to me. I’ll go talk to my godmother and feel them out. If his family has a problem with you being from out of town, then you should drop it. We’ll find someone else for you!”

”You have to remember, there are plenty of fish in the sea. If we’re patient and practical, you’ll find a great match. Don’t get hung up on just one person.”

Wu Yao nodded with a smile. ”Thank you, Sister Xiao Rui!”

Meanwhile, after Sun Dayong learned from Wu Jiao that Han Xiaorui would be handling her wedding arrangements, he told his mother.

Mrs. Sun went to her aunt, Granny Cai. ”Auntie, Dayong and Wu Jiao have been dating for three months now, and I’ve been watching her. That girl is really something special. She has fair skin, she’s tall, and her legs are so long!”

”She’s a simple-hearted girl, lively and cheerful! She even knows martial arts and is quite skilled. And even though she’s an outsider, she’s been living here in our Jinshan Bay for several years now.”

”President Han and her partner, Ye Feng, treat Wu Jiao and Wu Yao like their own flesh and blood. A girl like that would be a wonderful addition to any family! I’d like to ask you to act as the matchmaker and help our family formally propose marriage!”

Granny Cai beamed. ”That boy Dayong certainly has good taste! It’s not just you—I’m also very fond of that girl, Wu Jiao!”

”Her eyes are so bright, and her voice is so clear. She’s always smiling and has such a sweet way with words. She’s truly a rare find!”

”They’ve been dating for three months, so it was their own choice. But we’re a family that respects tradition. We won’t skip a single step. We’ll do everything properly and sincerely to welcome her into our family.”