574 Coming to Propose Marriage

"Why did you chop up so much firewood? This firewood can last us until next summer," Qiao Mei said.

"I'm worried that there's no one to chop up the firewood after I go back. It'll be easier for grandfather if I prepare more," Xia Zhe said.

As Xia Zhe counted the days, he realized that it was almost time for him to go back. He did not expect one month's vacation leave to pass so quickly.

Qiao Mei originally thought that they still had a lot of time. One month was a long time and the two of them had plenty of time to spend together. Now that the deadline was almost up, she felt reluctant to part with him.

"Then when are you leaving?" Qiao Mei said as she looked at Xia Zhe sadly.

Xia Zhe stroked Qiao Mei's head. If it was possible, he also wished he could be by Qiao Mei's side at all times. He had devoted himself to the army for so many years and had not taken a single day off. Actually, he still had more than a month's vacation leave left.

However, he could not leave his troops without a leader. Not long ago, he received news that Zheng Yuan's father had left the army because of that incident when Zheng Yuan caused a scene, and he had gone to a small place to train new recruits.

There were a lot of things waiting for him to deal with in the army.

"Probably the next few days. Maybe after three days," Xia Zhe said.

"Three days… Then I have to start preparing some stuff for you to bring back," Qiao Mei said.

Xia Zhe did not want to bring too many things with him. He was often out on missions and could not bring along the things that Qiao Mei made. If he left them in the camp, Zhao Wu and the others would just snatch them away.

He intended to only take some raisins and two jars of pickled vegetables. He did not need anything else while in the army. In the army, everyone ate and used the same things. It was not good for him to have anything special.

"I'll come back to see you when I can take more leave. Then, I'll bring you and grandfather around the capital to have fun. When I have some time, I'll talk to Aunt and ask her to bring you and grandfather to the capital. When the time comes, there will be someone to take care of you when you give birth. I'm also concerned that it will be hard on grandfather if he's alone," Xia Zhe said worriedly.

Although Li Gui was Qiao Mei's biological mother, she also had four other children to take care of. Zhang Chao and Zhang Miao were still undergoing treatment and she could not do so many things at the same time.

Qiao Mei had also already thought about what Xia Zhe said. Although her grandfather's condition had improved, he still had not gone to a proper big hospital for a checkup yet. She must find time to bring him to the capital to get him checked out. Furthermore, the medical equipment in the county city was really too lousy. If she really gave birth here, she would have a slim chance of survival!

She could recall from the memories of the original owner of the body that she had given birth to the children in a hospital in the county city. At that time, she had encountered a quack doctor and all three lives were almost lost! Fortunately, the original owner of the body had a strong will and she survived, so the children were also safe and sound.

At the moment, she did not know what kind of fate she would have, but it was always good to play it safe.

"Let's wait and see. I remember Aunt's phone number. I'll just contact her when it's time," Qiao Mei said.

The sound of gongs and drums could be heard from the village entrance. The matchmaker from the Guo family had come to choose a girl from Qiao Zhuang's house!

The matchmaker was dressed brightly and went to the door with the betrothal gifts from the Guo family. The Guo family had announced that they would marry whichever daughter was available in Qiao Zhuang's family!

Wang Qin rushed all the way out to welcome the matchmaker, smiling widely from ear to ear. Those who did not know better would think that she was the one marrying off her daughter!

"You're here! The whole family is waiting for you! I've been looking forward to seeing you!" Wang Qin said excitedly.

"I haven't seen you for so many years, but you're still so eloquent! The things you say! So melodious to my ears~" the matchmaker said as she held Wang Qin's hand.

"Come in quickly. Everyone at home is waiting!" Wang Qin said.

The people with her carried the betrothal gifts into the house and Qiao Zhuang's eyes lit up.

Then, the matchmaker took out a red cloth bundle from her pocket and said, "Big brother! This is the betrothal gift money from the Guo family. It's 1,000 dollars! See if the amount is correct!"

She knew Qiao Zhuang's family too well. If she did not make things clear in person now, it was possible for them to say anything contrary in the future. It was not a big deal for them to say that she was greedy for money, but if word got out, it would ruin her reputation!

She was a famous matchmaker in this area! No one was as good as her and she had matchmade half the number of couples in every village!

"We're rest assured given that you're the matchmaker! Who doesn't know what kind of person you are! We don't have to check the amount!" Qiao Zhuang said with a smile.

The matchmaker reached out to hold Qiao Zhuang back and said, "Big brother, these are two separate things. We all have to do what we have to do. Otherwise, it will be difficult for me to do business in the future!"