Lin Shu stood up to greet them, glanced at the man, and asked Zhao Meifeng, “Who will make it?”

Zhao Meifeng pointed at the man beside her and said with a smile, “My brother will.”

Lin Shu glanced at the man again and asked, “Isn’t he from Langfang?”

Zhao Meifeng replied, “He’s just a relative from around here.”

Then she went on to talk about her relative’s job, how much he earned each month, and that he lost his wife last year.

Lin Shu noticed that the man’s gaze was too eager and knew what was going on.

She thought, You want to play matchmaker, but I’m not Pan Jinlian.

She sneered and said coldly, “Sister-in-law, I don’t make clothes for outside men. I told you before, how could you forget? Was it intentional?”

Zhao Meifeng was taken aback, “When did you say that?”

The man’s expression suddenly changed, and he grabbed the cloth and left.

Zhao Meifeng glared at Lin Shu and said angrily, “Third Brother’s family, are you foolish? I’m kindly introducing a match for you, worried you might be gossiped about, and you’re playing it clean here!”

She hurried after the man.

She caught up with him and smiled, “Section Chief Xu, don’t be angry. She’s just not very clear about things. Today is just a viewing. How do you think it went?”

The man shook his head repeatedly, frowning and saying, “She’s too alluring and charming; we’re not suited.”

This woman looked too beautiful and intelligent, not at all like Zhao Meifeng described her as plain and easily manageable.

Her glance was filled with sarcasm and disdain, making him feel like he was looking at a cockroach.

Such a woman is like a thorny rose; no matter how beautiful, he couldn’t handle it and wasn’t suited for it.

He might even end up being accused of harassment.

He quickly got on his bicycle and left, not wanting to say another word to Zhao Meifeng.

Zhao Meifeng, furious, cursed under her breath, “Old lecher, trying to find a second marriage partner just two months after your wife died. You’re not even worthy.”

She thought that the man was too short and older, so Lin Shu would definitely not be interested.

Instead, she decided to bring that Section Chief Wu.

He was younger, taller, and better-looking, so as long as Lin Shu liked him, everything would be fine.

The next day, she excitedly brought a woman in her forties and two men with her, one 25 and one 35, both tall and good-looking.

The younger one was Wang Shouke, an intern police officer at the county public security bureau, and the older one…

The older man was named Wu Xuan, who had retired from the army and now worked as the head of the security department at a textile factory.

Zhao Meifeng was arranging matches for Lin Shu, aiming to benefit her family, whether by advancing Lu Shaocai’s career or finding jobs for herself and her son.

Wang Shouke was a match for her daughter, Lu Jinling.

Wang Shouke and Wu Xuan were cousins and knew each other.

Zhao Meifeng had spent a lot of money to introduce these two through a matchmaker in the county.

Today, the matchmaker brought the two men over to make introductions and have a look.

Zhao Meifeng had already informed them about Lin Shu’s situation.

This meeting was just to see if the man was interested. If he was, they would discuss a formal proposal next year.

She had already said that Lin Shu’s sewing skills were excellent, not worse than those in the county’s tailor shops.

The matchmaker brought cloth and the man over for the viewing.

Wu Xuan also brought cloth.

If the man was satisfied, they would ask the woman to make clothes for both men. If not, they would only make one set, and the manual fee would be slightly increased, so it wasn’t a wasted visit.

Wang Shouke was merely accompanying Wu Xuan, to help him feel at ease and avoid being fooled.

He was unaware that Zhao Meifeng had picked him as a potential in-law.

Lin Shu was grinding soybeans with her mother at home, preparing to make tofu. When she saw Zhao Meifeng and the others come in, she asked her mother to continue working and went over to greet them.

Zhao Meifeng had learned her lesson and didn’t bring up anything unnecessary, only mentioning that Aunt Zhang wanted some clothes made.

A woman making clothes was hard to refuse, wasn’t it?

Lin Shu glanced at the matchmaker and smiled, “Which village is Aunt Zhang from?”

The matchmaker had a sharp eye and quickly assessed Lin Shu.

She judged Lin Shu’s slim waist, white skin, and big, watery eyes as indicative of someone who was both attractive and likely to be a good wife.

Hmm, a top-notch catch.

She gave Wu Xuan a knowing look, implying that if he was interested, he should give the matchmaker a generous red envelope.

Wu Xuan was immediately impressed and handed over the fabric to the matchmaker.

The matchmaker smiled and said, “I’m from the county town.”

Lin Shu welcomed them and then looked at the two men, “Aunt Zhang is making clothes and also brought bodyguards?”

Matchmaker Zhang laughed heartily, “The young lady is quite amusing.”

She explained that she and her nephew were here to make clothes and placed three pieces of fabric on the table.

Zhao Meifeng watched Lin Shu intently, hoping that she would agree, which would make things easier.

Hmph, saying she wouldn’t make clothes for men—was it because she found the previous man too short and unattractive?

Now that this one was handsome and tall, she was willing, wasn’t she?

What a show.

Zhao Meifeng was just waiting for Lin Shu to give her approval, eager to laugh at Lin Shu.

Lin Shu frowned and shot Zhao Meifeng an unhappy glance, “I say, Sister-in-law, you’re just in your early forties, aren’t you? Why do you look like you’re in your seventies or eighties?”

Zhao Meifeng’s expression changed, “What are you joking about?”

Lin Shu snorted lightly, “Yesterday, you brought a strange man here and asked me to make clothes for him. Didn’t I say I don’t make clothes for outside men?

I’m a military wife, and I need to be mindful of my actions and their impact. As a military family member, don’t you know these taboos? Or are you doing this on purpose?”

Aunt Zhang Si, who was good at smoothing things over, immediately smiled and mediated, “Oh, don’t be upset, Sister-in-law. We didn’t mean any harm. I thought your sewing skills are rare and excellent, so we just wanted to have a few outfits made. We didn’t think much of it.”

She reassured Lin Shu that she was only there to have clothes made and meant no harm, asking Lin Shu not to overthink it.

Lin Shu’s expression softened, and she smiled at her, “Aunt Si understands. I had no choice but to explain things clearly; otherwise, there will always be people with ill intentions who might stir up trouble. It wouldn’t be good if rumors started spreading.”

Aunt Zhang Si repeatedly assured her there was no other intention, only clothes-making, and that no one would start any rumors.

Lin Shu had her take the man’s fabric away and then used a soft tape measure to take Aunt Zhang Si’s measurements.

She wasn’t a professional tailor, and making clothes for men who showed interest in her wasn’t something she was comfortable with.

No matter how others talked, she knew Lu Shaotang would be uncomfortable with it.

Although she and Lu Shaotang didn’t have feelings for each other, she couldn’t disregard his reputation.

However, she would naturally make money where she could.

Zhao Meifeng immediately turned to look at Wu Xuan, worried he might be upset, but to her surprise, he seemed even more favorably inclined towards Lin Shu.

She didn’t notice that her preferred In-law candidate, Wang Shouke, looked at Lin Shu with even more intense interest.

Aunt Zhang Si said with a smile, “It’s fine. If you won’t make clothes for my nephew, then just make them for me.”

Lin Shu proceeded to take her measurements, saying as she worked, “When people don’t know each other well, they often guess others’ intentions based on their own thoughts.

They see me as young and assume I can’t be steadfast. Don’t laugh at me for bragging, but my in-laws are the best in the world, my children are the best, and Lu Shaotang is the best man in my eyes.

Whether he comes back or not doesn’t change anything for me. I’ll love him all my life. If he doesn’t come back, I’ll wait for him for a lifetime.”

Quickly, matchmaker, use your eloquence to spread the word!

Spread it until Lu Shaotang hears it too, and reassure him that even if he doesn’t come back, his wife won’t run away.

He can focus on making money out there!

Aunt Zhang Si turned to look at Wu Xuan, who wore a look of great satisfaction.

Lin Shu finished measuring and said the clothes would be ready in a week.

When the time comes, Zhao Meifeng can arrange for the clothes to be delivered.

With a sewing machine available, Lin Shu could actually finish the clothes in two days, but she didn’t want to rush.

Wu Xuan gave Aunt Zhang a meaningful look, indicating that he wanted a red floral fabric to be made into a top for his future wife.

Aunt Zhang said, “Girl, please make an outfit from this fabric for my daughter too. Her size is similar to yours, so you can use yours as a model.”

Lin Shu replied coolly, “Aunt Zhang, if you want clothes made for your daughter, she should come and have her measurements taken. Even if the sizes look similar, there can be significant differences.”

Aunt Zhang had no choice but to agree.

She realized that Lin Shu wasn’t as foolish as Zhao Meifeng had described but was actually more intelligent than most.

Lin Shu then requested a deposit.

Making a jacket with labor and materials costs 80 cents at the tailor’s shop, so she also asked for 80 cents, with a 50-cent deposit to start.

Zhao Meifeng was frustrated and wanted to say that Lin Shu was too stubborn, asking about money directly in front of the customer.

Lin Shu said, “Even with close family, accounts need to be clear. Sister-in-law, you don’t think I’ll do it for free, do you?”

Zhao Meifeng: “…”

She had hoped that Lin Shu would do the work for free and that she could gain some favor.

That was the implication she had given to Aunt Zhang.

Wu Xuan immediately took out a dollar and placed it on the table.

Lin Shu returned 20 cents as change to Aunt Zhang.

Aunt Zhang smiled, patted Wu Xuan on the back, and reassured him that she would make sure he got this wife.

Since the man’s wife had just passed away, he was probably not in the mood for marriage right now, but things would be easier after the New Year.

A woman without a man is always lonely; no one can replace the man who knows her needs.

Wu Xuan saw that things were looking good and signaled to Aunt Zhang that it was time to leave.

Wang Shouke, however, took the initiative to chat with Lin Shu.

Lin Shu had received two commendations from the police station and had two certificates.

They also had mutual acquaintances like Li Guodong and Zhang Jianguo, so he easily found common topics to discuss.

Lin Shu was more friendly with him than with others.

Seeing this, Zhao Meifeng quickly pulled Wang Shouke and the others to say goodbye.

Since Wu Xuan was interested, she planned to give Lin Shu more fabric later.

With Wu Xuan’s stature and looks, she wasn’t worried that Lin Shu wouldn’t be moved.

Zhao Meifeng invited Aunt Zhang and her companions to stay for dinner, while she still needed to arrange for her daughter to meet Wang Shouke.

However, Wang Shouke had no interest at all and found an excuse to leave with Wu Xuan.

Zhao Meifeng was anxious, “Aunt Zhang, why the rush? Stay for a meal!”

Aunt Zhang wasn’t in a hurry.

She gave the two men a look, but Wang Shouke refused to stay for dinner.

Who needs that meal?

He left with Wu Xuan, leaving Aunt Zhang to stay and have dinner.

As they watched the two men leave, Zhao Meifeng was stamping her feet in frustration, “Aunt Zhang, what do you mean by this?”

Aunt Zhang sighed, as if it were obvious.

Wang Shouke is also interested in that little vixen!

Although she’s a young widow, she’s irresistibly charming.

Lu Jinling isn’t that attractive and acts like a spoiled city girl.

How can she compare to that little vixen?

She has two children with the Lu family; they definitely won’t let her take them away.

Marrying her is no different from marrying a grown daughter.

These men are quite shrewd.

---

Lin Shu didn’t waste time overthinking.

She made it clear that she wouldn’t remarry.

If anyone collided with Zhao Meifeng after that, it would be their own fault; she wouldn’t take responsibility.

If she hadn’t known Lu Shaotang was still alive, Lin’s mother might have been pleased.

Now that she knew her son-in-law was alive, she was very cautious.

Lin’s mother said, “Your cousin-in-law isn’t a good person.”

Lin Shu replied, “Mother, I know. If she’s making clothes, I’ll make them. For anything else, let my mother-in-law deal with her.”