Xiang Wan nodded in agreement.
She didn't have much choice at this point. In this unfamiliar countryside, she couldn't expect too much.
"By the way, I remember that when my grandfather and Grandpa Huo made the engagement, they used a jade pendant as a token. I wonder if that jade pendant is with you?" She inquired.
While Xiang Wan knew that the token was with him, she couldn't outright ask about it. She had to ask indirectly first.
Huo Xiao's body stiffened when he heard that. He thought to himself, 'Is she finally going to tell me she wants to call off the engagement?'
"Wait a moment. I'll go get it." He responded quickly before disappearing into the house.
He retrieved a worn-out metal box from the center of his wardrobe, opened it, and found the jade pendant wrapped in a silk cloth, along with some letters and a small stack of scattered banknotes.
The memory of his grandpa's final words echoed in his mind, causing his eyes to glisten with tears.
Huo Xiao took out the jade pendant, held it in his hand, and walked out of the house with the box.
"Everything is in here." Huo Xiao pushed the box to her and sat upright on the chair as if awaiting a final judgment.
She took out the same jade pendant from her bag, its texture warm and smooth. She matched the two pendants together, fitting them perfectly.
Perfect alignment, just like a puzzle piece!
A smile spread across Xiang Wan's face as she looked at the letters in the box. She guessed they were related to the engagement, so she asked, "May I take a look at these two letters?"
Huo Song pushed the box forward again, signaling to her that she could do whatever she wanted.
Xiang Wan picked up the slightly yellowed envelope signed by Grandfather Xiang. It seemed this was written by her grandfather.
Opening the envelope, she unfolded the letter and began reading it slowly.
The letter roughly explained the origin of the engagement agreement, describing the friendship between the two elderly men, and how they sealed the betrothal with the jade pendants.
"Alright, can I take Grandpa's letter with me?" She asked politely after reading the letter.
"Of course, this is yours to begin with."
Huo Xiu watched her put away the letter, assuming that she might be hesitant to directly discuss breaking off the engagement and didn't want to burden her with uncertain feelings.
"Considering that this agreement was made by our elders, if you find it inappropriate, you can cancel it," he said but immediately regretted saying it once the words were out.
Did he just make her misunderstand his intentions? He should have chosen his words more carefully just now!
Huo Xiao pursed his lips in frustration.
"I didn't have any intention of canceling the engagement. Do you want to cancel it? Do you have someone you like?" Initially, she had indeed thought about canceling the engagement as soon as she met him, then taking the 50,000 yuan and enjoying herself back in the city.
But after meeting him today, she changed her mind.
On one hand, how could she let such a handsome man slip through her fingers? Just looking at that face could increase your appetite by two more bowls of rice!
On the other hand, she was penniless and did not even have a place to stay. She needed Huo Xiao's help with practically everything.
"N-No, I wouldn't! I'm thrilled beyond words!" Huo Xiu hurriedly explained.
Seeing his flustered state, she couldn't help but chuckle, which made Huo Xiu's face even redder.
Why didn't she notice earlier that he could be so amusing when they walked out of the forest? He looked quite silly and naive!
"Well, if you're that happy, then how about becoming my boyfriend?" She said straightforwardly.
When Huo Xiao heard this, he felt as if his soul had ascended to the heavens. Everything felt surreal.
"I am willing!" He quickly uttered the three words.
Looking at the girl in front of him with her sparkling eyes, he was annoyed at himself for being foolish and couldn't say anything else except those three words.
"Alright then! Boyfriend it is!" She gave him a sunny smile.
"Yes! Fiancée!" His eyes were filled with her smile.
"What? It's a girlfriend!" She playfully corrected him.
"Alright, fiancée!"
He continued to address her that way, and she didn't pursue the matter. It was a fact that she was his fiancée.
"Now that you've agreed, you can't go back on your word! You have to treat me well all the time!" Xiang Wan held onto his hand, making him listen attentively. "I don't have any family left in this world. Now you're my only family."
"I promise! As long as you want me to! As long as I'm capable!" Huo Xiu replied firmly.