Chapter 60 You Are Thinking Far Too Ahead

Sunlight slanted through the window, casting a warm glow across Li Xiangyang's profile.

With his upright posture, composed demeanor, and a temperament as gentle as refined jade, he bore no resemblance to a crude peasant.

The young man was exceptional in every way, except for the fatal flaw of being from the countryside.

The more Zhang Yulan looked at him, the more anxious she felt.

She inwardly cursed her bad luck: How could this possibly end well?

If her daughter ever developed any romantic notions about him, they would truly be doomed.

"Comrade Li," she softened her voice as much as she could, though her tone remained aloof, "thank you so much for getting my father to the hospital in time. Please accept this small token of appreciation to buy some New Year goods."

With that, she pulled an envelope from her leather purse, taking half a step backward as she handed it over, as if terrified of the slightest contact.

Li Xiangyang, however, took it without hesitation and tucked it straight into his jacket. "Thank you, Sister Yulan. As long as the veteran branch secretary is alright, that's all that matters. I'll take my leave now."

Zhang Yulan breathed a sigh of relief, but the old branch secretary protested, "What's the rush to leave? It's cold outside. Have a cup of hot water first."

"No, thank you. As long as you're well, I'm content," Li Xiangyang waved his hand. "Oh, and you needn't worry about the warehouse; our cat caught every single rat. I need to hurry back and buy a fish to reward it properly."

This remark left Zhang Yulan stunned. Why on earth was this young man keeping a cat?

If that cat happened to look appealing, it would only hold an even greater attraction for a young girl.

At this thought, she shifted herself a fraction closer to her daughter.

Feeling somewhat constrained by her mother's protective stance, Chu Qingxuan couldn't help shifting slightly to the side.

She cast a sidelong glance at the rural youth and noticed that despite his simple attire, he showed not a shred of awkwardness. Instead, he possessed the proud and elegant bearing of a winter plum blossom in the snow.

"Um..." Chu Qingxuan was about to speak when her mother silenced her with a sharp glare.

Li Xiangyang smiled. "Sister Yulan, Qingxuan, you keep the branch secretary company. I must be going."

With that, he strode out of the hospital ward.

Only after he had left did Zhang Yulan finally breathe easy, immediately turning to lecture the old branch secretary. "Dad, what on earth are you trying to do? Qingxuan is still young, please don't..."

"I know, I know," the old branch secretary waved a feeble hand. "You city folk care about social standing and matching family backgrounds, I was just speaking off the top of my head."

Zhang Yulan was about to press the matter further when Chu Qingxuan suddenly spoke up. "Mom, don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

This statement sent a jolt through Zhang Yulan's heart.

She knew what she was doing?

If her daughter truly had a grip on the situation, would she need to be so fiercely on guard?

In any case, her daughter's words had to be interpreted in reverse, which only made Zhang Yulan's anxiety spike even higher.

She stole a glance at her daughter, only to find Chu Qingxuan looking toward the doorway with considerable interest.

This is terrible, simply terrible. Could this girl possibly be...

Gazing at her daughter's back, Zhang Yulan's heart remained in turmoil.

"Mom," Chu Qingxuan turned around, "you don't need to worry so much. I understand your concerns, but it's much too early to be talking about all this."

Zhang Yulan opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat.

Her daughter had possessed a strong will since childhood; the more she tried to lecture her now, the deeper the girl would likely dig in her heels.

"Let's go. We'll head home for now and come back to visit Grandpa another day."

Sighing heavily in frustration, Zhang Yulan didn't want to stay another second.

Just as she reached out to pull her daughter away, the old branch secretary's voice drifted from the bed.

"Qingxuan, whenever you have time, come down to the village to visit your grandfather," the old man said, his tone brimming with paternal affection. "The village has changed a lot lately, and I'd love for you to see the new face of our countryside."

Hearing this, Zhang Yulan felt her heart skip a beat.

She knew her father far too well; she was fully aware of what the old man was plotting.

"I'd love to, Grandpa." Before her mother could react, Chu Qingxuan readily agreed. "As soon as you're feeling better, I'll definitely come."

"That's wonderful!" The old branch secretary's smile widened. "I'll have Li Xiangyang show you around; nobody knows the village better than he does."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yulan nearly fainted from anger.

This old man was utterly determined to pave the way for Li Xiangyang.

"Dad!" she couldn't help raising her voice. "Qingxuan still has to go to school, where would she find the time..."

"So what if she has school?" the old branch secretary dismissed unconcernedly. "She can come during her holidays. Besides, getting more exposure to rural life is good for a youngster."

"Exactly, Mom," Chu Qingxuan chimed in. "I really should learn more about the countryside. Didn't you always say we shouldn't forget our roots?"

Zhang Yulan looked from her father to her daughter, feeling as though the two of them were singing from the exact same sheet of music.

She wanted to argue, but the words eluded her.

Seeing her dilemma, the old branch secretary chuckled cheerfully, "It's settled then. Yulan, children and grandchildren have their own destinies. Stop driving yourself crazy with worry."

Chu Qingxuan also smiled and linked her arm through her mother's. "Mom, let's go back."

As her daughter pulled her toward the exit, Zhang Yulan's mind was a complete tangle of chaotic thoughts.

She never imagined that this hospital trip would fail to bring her father back to the city, and instead hand him the opportunity to play matchmaker.

As she stepped out of the ward, she could still hear her father's delighted laughter echoing from behind—a sound that, to her ears, was far more unsettling than the howling of wolves in the mountains.

The old branch secretary watched the departing figures of Zhang Yulan and Chu Qingxuan with a beaming smile, his expression akin to someone enjoying an entertaining play.

He turned to Dr. Qian and remarked, "Dr. Qian, don't you think my daughter is being a bit too uptight?"

Dr. Qian wiped his reading glasses and smiled without a word.

"Old Zhang," Dr. Qian finally began slowly, "are you trying to play matchmaker for Li Xiangyang?"

The old branch secretary gave a light cough. "I just think he's a fine young man. Look at how steady and responsible he is—if he hadn't rushed me to the hospital..."

"However," Dr. Qian interrupted, "I heard he's already spoken for?"

"Oh?" The old branch secretary's interest was piqued. "Whose daughter is she?"

"An educated youth from the city, I believe her name is Li Xiaoyun."

Hearing this, the old branch secretary's smile deepened. "I know that girl, she's a good one. But..."

He shifted his tone, "Young people, you know how it is. Are their minds really that easily made up? Besides, whether the educated youth's family would even agree is another story..."

Dr. Qian caught the underlying implication. "So you're dead set on matchmaking here, this..."

"What are you talking about?" The old branch secretary lowered his voice, his weathered face burning slightly. "I just want the two young people to get acquainted."

Just getting acquainted?

Dr. Qian was rendered speechless.

He didn't even want to humor the old fox anymore.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yulan was dragging Chu Qingxuan along the hospital corridor at a brisk pace, their footsteps echoing sharply in the empty hallway.

"Qingxuan," Zhang Yulan abruptly stopped, turned around, and grasped her daughter's hands. "What did you mean by 'knowing what I'm doing' just now?"

Chu Qingxuan looked up into her mother's anxious face, the corners of her lips curving upward slightly. "Mom, you're being overly sensitive. I just think Grandpa is right—there's no harm in getting to know someone."

"You!" Zhang Yulan stamped her foot in exasperation. "How can you keep saying such infuriating things, child?"

"Mom," Chu Qingxuan said softly, "don't you think he's very special? He's clearly a rural youth, yet his bearing..."

"Stop right there!" Zhang Yulan made a halting gesture. "Don't let appearances fool you. No matter how special he seems, it doesn't change the fact that he's a country boy. Just think about it—what kind of life could you possibly have if you followed him?"

Chu Qingxuan gazed quietly at her mother. "Mom, I only said I wanted to get to know him. You're letting your imagination run way too far."