Chapter 10.2 

Xu Yinlian had guts, throwing out a heavy bomb at this time. Her family was shocked and overwhelmed. Her father, now truly enraged, picked up a stick from the door.

Wang Yingui saw the situation was bad and quickly intervened, offering soothing words one after another. “Dad, Dad, don’t be angry, calm down…”

“Get lost, who’s your father? I don’t have a son-in-law like you.”

“Hey, Old Xu…” The village secretary, who was related to the Wang family, was called over. As the village leader, Old Xu hesitated, giving some face.

“These two have already registered their marriage, which is recognized by the state. What, do you want to break the law?”

“I, anyway, I don’t recognize it.”

“Can you be bigger than the law? Do you need to go to the city for some lessons? Your thinking is wrong. Individuals should never override the collective.”

As expected of the village chief, he spoke in a way that imposed blame. What kind of times are these where such labels can be imposed? Old Xu, who hadn’t read much and attended many village meetings, understood and quickly tried to make amends.

“I didn’t say I don’t recognize the state’s certificate. I just don’t recognize this daughter. If my daughter is unfilial, I don’t recognize it; it’s not illegal.”

Well, one sentence was enough to leave the village chief speechless. He had tried to mediate before, but Old Xu was like a stubborn stone in a latrine, foul and hard, and he couldn’t do anything about it.

Luo Lan quietly watched from the side. Today, Xu Yinlian, who should have been the bride, looked dirty and embarrassed. The groom, Wang Yingui, showed no joy at all. The key point was Old Xu’s words; it seemed he intended to sever relations with his daughter.

System: “Wow, severing ties with her family but still marrying him, I wonder if she will regret it later?”

Luo Lan: “The path she chose, she has to walk it through, even if it means kneeling. It looks okay now; they’re sharing hardships.”

System: “Human hearts are the most changeable.”

Luo Lan: “Who tricked you?”

System: “Your thinking is so jumpy.”

Luo Lan: “Am I wrong in my guess?”

System: “Guess how this will end?”

Luo Lan: “Why are you asking me if you already know all this? You’re not giving me any points.”

System: “You’re too practical.”

Luo Lan stopped arguing with it. Sometimes she felt the system was like a fallen aristocrat; other times, it seemed quite eccentric. She didn’t know what it needed energy for, but as long as she got tangible benefits, it was fine.

The points she had accumulated were enough to exchange for a military coat and an eight-pound Xinjiang long-staple cotton quilt. She wouldn’t have to worry about this winter. She just needed to save a little more to exchange for a thermos and a hot water bottle.

“Dad,” in the brief moment of her conversation with the system, Old Man Xu was already pushing his daughter out of the house. Xu Yinlian, with a face full of reluctance, could hardly believe that her father and brother could be so heartless.

“Get out. You are never allowed to set foot in the Xu family home again.”

After saying this, Old Xu stepped back inside the house, and his eldest son shut the door behind him. The door closed in front of everyone. Xu Yinlian, crying and sobbing, followed Wang Yingui away, and the onlookers gradually dispersed in twos and threes.

Luo Lan, along with her sister, waited until the system credited her with the points before she relaxed and chatted with her sister. While she ignored the system’s complaints about her, she was in high spirits and walked lightly.

“Lan’er, do you think Xu Yinlian will regret this in the future?”

“Anyway, this start is rather unlucky, with all the crying and fuss on what should have been a joyous occasion.”

The sisters chatted as they quickly arrived at their destination. Luo Lan went to her shed to wash up and sleep. She had to get up early for work the next day. She woke up early, ready to work in the wheat fields, which was a good job for idling and not too tiring.

When she returned home for lunch, her sister unexpectedly appeared in front of her shed. “You’re back. Come, come, let’s go to my place.”

“What for?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Can’t you just tell me now? Why the need for a special occasion?”

Luo Mei glanced around at the people who had finished work. “Let’s go, you’ll understand when we get there.”

Luo Lan stopped questioning and followed her sister to her home. As soon as she entered, a middle-aged woman was sitting on the kang. This was the matchmaker from the previous day. What’s going on? Is she here to find a match for her as well? Given her sister’s attitude, she seemed quite pleased. Who could it be?

“This must be Lan’er, right? Oh my, no wonder Da Zhou took a liking to you; you’re really quite beautiful.”

Wait a minute, Da Zhou—wasn’t that the name mentioned yesterday? Could it really be him? With a face full of inquiry, Luo Lan didn’t need to ask as the woman answered her directly.

“Yes, it’s the one who came yesterday, Zhou Qingshan. The one you’ve seen.”

She guessed correctly; the matchmaker was indeed talking about the tall man from yesterday. Her sister looked at her with bright eyes, wanting to say something but unable to articulate it. Her younger sister was decisive and should make her own choices.

“What are his family’s conditions? Why is he looking for a match in the countryside?”