Liu Yong used to be quite idle, but since getting married, he had treated Li Fengmei quite well. He could be asked to help with various tasks – killing chickens, gutting fish, or even doing all the fieldwork – but cooking in the kitchen? That was absolutely out of the question! How could a man maintain his position as head of the household if he worked in the kitchen?

Liu Yong stared at Tang Hong’en in shock. How could a mayor possibly wash his dishes? Didn’t mayors have housekeepers to cook for them? He’s just spouting nonsense to Liu Fen now. Once Tang Hong’en leaves, the couples dining here today – especially those with hot-tempered wives – would surely end up arguing at home.

Xia Xiaolan wanted to cover her eyes. Heavens! Was Comrade Tang flirting with her mother in front of everyone?

Was this what passed for “sweet talk” in the unique atmosphere of the 1980s?

The fact that Tang Hong’en could say such things was practically equivalent to making an open declaration of interest. It was a completely unmasked, straightforward courtship. Xiaolan noticed Young Comrade Wang’s eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. The aunties and sisters-in-law, always sensitive to such matters, exchanged meaningful glances after their initial shock.

The most oblivious one was probably Liu Fen herself.

Liu Fen didn’t dare to think along those lines! She had no thoughts of finding a partner, nor did she consider herself in the same league as Mayor Tang. If Xia Xiaolan’s romance radar was slow, Liu Fen’s emotional radar was completely shut down.

Her marriage to Xia Dajun had been arranged through a matchmaker, with no courtship period – she had simply married into the Xia family. Her relationship with Xia Dajun had been unremarkable, with barely any intimate conversations, let alone sweet nothings. Liu Fen’s confidence was limited to her ability to make a living for herself and her daughter; romantically, she remained insecure.

No man had ever shown interest in her.

Look at the marriage prospects suggested to her – from the bottom of the barrel like Tian Laosan, to the best option being Chen Dasao’s relative, a 45-year-old widowed worker from the Anqing County Agricultural Machinery Factory. How could Liu Fen possibly imagine someone of Tang Hong’en’s status being interested in her?

But the atmosphere was so strange that even Liu Fen sensed something odd about Tang Hong’en’s words. Not responding would be awkward, but what could she possibly say?

Grandmother Yu steadily picked up a piece of crispy meat with her chopsticks and placed it in her bowl: “A woman’s marriage is like reincarnation. If your first choice wasn’t good, better make a quick change. Some treat you like a beast of burden, others treat you with respect. Even the Queen of England runs her country – aren’t men serving her? If a man’s willing to wash dishes, I suppose that shows some sincerity.”

The male villagers of Qijing Village collectively felt wounded by these words.

Chen Si’s wife was glaring at her husband, who pretended to be busy drinking with others, avoiding eye contact with his spouse.

“Please eat, Uncle Tang, try this dish.”

Xia Xiaolan felt she needed to lighten the atmosphere before Tang Hong’en’s solo performance turned into a public confession. What was Tang Hong’en thinking? He’d barely had any interaction with her mother, yet here he was, displaying such obvious interest – was he serious?

Xiaolan didn’t think her mother was unworthy of anyone. In terms of character, her mother was a hundred times better than the cynical Ji Ya.

What concerned Xiaolan was how far her mother and Tang Hong’en could go together. Even if they succeeded in getting together, could her mother handle being an official’s wife? Being a mayor’s wife was demanding, and Xiaolan didn’t want her mother to pursue such an elevated position. Her current life was comfortable – earning money easily and buying whatever she wanted – wasn’t that peaceful enough?

Yes, yes, better focus on eating.

Young Comrade Wang was just as shocked as everyone else. Previous puzzling incidents suddenly made sense. In Beijing, scheduled dinners had been canceled not for Xia Xiaolan’s sake, but to eat Liu Fen’s cooking.

Pre-arranged work during the New Year had been suddenly canceled.

Wang had been on holiday but was called back to work overtime, rushing to this small village in Southern Henan. For what?

Because a village ruffian was harassing Liu Fen!

The leader was serious about this. He and Secretary Peng had completely misread the situation. Previously, they thought it was because of closeness to Xia Xiaolan, but now… Good heavens, he had taken a fancy to Xiaolan’s mother! Naturally, he would be kind to her daughter. Wang refused to believe their leader was this type of person.

Liu Yong’s head was spinning.

What exactly was Mayor Tang implying?

How could this be possible?

He must have misunderstood or overthought it.

“Leader, let me toast to you.”

Liu Yong gritted his teeth and raised his glass, but Tang Hong’en stopped his hand. “That title is too formal. We’re about the same age, just call me by my name from now on.”

If he was serious about developing a relationship with Liu Fen, Liu Yong would become his brother-in-law.

His previous distant attitude toward Liu Yong couldn’t continue.

He couldn’t maintain his “Mayor” image in front of Liu Fen’s family; he needed them to recognize his sincerity rather than feel coerced by his authority. Otherwise, how would he be any different from Tian Laosan?

He wasn’t wrong, he wasn’t wrong. Why would someone give up being a leader to get close to common people? This wasn’t how it was supposed to work!

Liu Yong was completely speechless.

How could two people from such different worlds possibly be compatible?

Liu Yong didn’t know what to do. The calmest person was probably Grandmother Yu. Since Tang Hong’en said to use his name, why be polite?

“Little Tang, the snow’s getting heavier. Are you leaving today?”

Tang Hong’en smiled slightly, “Didn’t Xiaolan invite me to spend New Year? Being alone is quite lonely, so I’m shamelessly accepting the invitation.”

Xia Xiaolan wanted to cry. She had invited him out of kindness, thinking he would be lonely.

Wasn’t this like letting a wolf into the house? Xiaolan’s face stiffened:

“…Uncle Tang, please make yourself at home. We have spare rooms.”

Liu Fen’s mind was full of questions. She turned her head and accidentally met Tang Hong’en’s gaze. His eyes weren’t stern at all, filled with emotions Liu Fen couldn’t understand. She felt somewhat flustered.

“I’ll go get more dishes.”

Liu Fen stood up, bumping into her chair.

Tang Hong’en steadied the chair and rolled up his sleeves, “It’s difficult to carry bowls alone, let me help you.”

He followed right behind Liu Fen into the kitchen. Xia Xiaolan wasn’t sure if she should rush in to rescue her mother. Tang Hong’en was being too obvious – even the most oblivious person should understand by now. Xiaolan had been force-fed a dose of “Tang-style romance,” sweet and salty combined, leaving her reactions sluggish.

“Who exactly is this man? He seems quite distinguished. Is he interested in Ah Fen?” Chen Si’s wife whispered.

Chen Dasao felt confused. She didn’t know who Tang Hong’en was, but this man appeared steady and imposing. Just by appearances alone, he was far superior to the relative she had planned to introduce to Liu Fen.

“That can’t be right, they’re completely mismatched…”

For some unknown reason, Chen Dasao instinctively objected.

Though they were far away, Tang Hong’en seemed to have grown ears on his back. The kitchen was still messy and greasy, but Tang Hong’en’s voice carried just loud enough for those outside to hear clearly:

“Comrade Liu Fen, we’ve known each other for over a year now. I think we’re well-matched in personality and age. We’re both single. Would you consider starting a relationship with marriage as the goal?”