Chapter 8: Demanding

Lin Qiao from the old Lin family has a childhood engagement?

Is it true?!

The neighbors, who had come out to watch the commotion, were now treated to this juicy gossip.

Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi were even more stunned, their faces stiffening as they looked at the newcomer. After a long pause, Sun Xiuzhi, unwilling to give up, said, “What childhood engagement? We don’t know anything about it. Did you just find someone to fool us?”

Find someone randomly? Could you randomly find someone who looks this distinguished?

Not to mention his appearance and demeanor, just the fact that he has a driver indicates his rank isn’t low…

No one believed her words. Liu Yulan, who had been holding onto Lin Qiao, brightened up, “You are Ji, Ji…”

The name was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t recall it immediately due to the long time that had passed.

However, as Lin Qiao’s biological mother, her reaction suggested the betrothal was likely true. The man nodded, “I am from the Ji family.” He handed a large red contract to Sun Xiuzhi, “This is the marriage agreement between the Ji and Lin families.”

Now, even if Sun Xiuzhi didn’t want to believe it, she had to. She stared at the contract for a long time without moving, as if trying to bore a hole through it.

Finally, Lin Shouyi gritted his teeth, stepped forward, took the contract, and opened it. The more he read, the worse his expression became.

Ji Duo watched from the side, “I heard you found another match for her.” His tone was calm, but his deep-set eyes and stern demeanor were intimidating.

In those days, rural people rarely saw much of the world. Moreover, breaking off an engagement and finding another match for Lin Qiao was clearly their fault. Lin Shouyi, feeling guilty, couldn’t find the words to respond.

At this moment, Lin Qiao added fuel to the fire, “Uncle, Aunt, did you really not know about my betrothal to the Ji family?”

Lin Shouyi’s gaze turned sinister, but in front of Ji Duo, he could only struggle to find an excuse, “We didn’t really…”

Before he could finish, Liu Yulan interrupted, “You knew.”

Liu Yulan looked at Lin Qiao with certainty, “He knew. Your grandfather wasn’t very literate. When he received the military medal and arranged the marriage with the Ji family, it was your uncle who accompanied him.”

“And the letters between our family and the Ji family were written by him.”

Lin Qiao had suspected that her uncle and aunt couldn’t be completely unaware. If Grandpa Lin and Grandma Lin were illiterate, who wrote and read the letters?

Seeing that Liu Yulan didn’t deny it, the neighbors eavesdropping outside the Lin family’s courtyard began to buzz with gossip.

Zhao San’s wife spoke even more harshly, “If they knew Qiao Qiao had a childhood engagement, why did they find her such a match? Are their heads filled with dung?”

Anyone who heard this would think it was like losing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed. Moreover, her voice was loud enough for everyone inside and outside the courtyard to hear clearly.

Lin Shouyi’s face turned red, then white, then green, and his hand holding the contract trembled.

“Be careful,” Lin Qiao quickly reminded him. “Anyone who doesn’t know might think you’re trying to renege and tear up the marriage contract.”

Lin Shouyi: “…”

Unable to bear it any longer, Lin Wei spoke up to help his parents, “Let’s talk inside.”

With him speaking, Lin Qiao didn’t embarrass Lin Shouyi further. She glanced at Ji Duo, “Shall we talk inside?”

Ji Duo didn’t refuse. He took the marriage contract back from Lin Shouyi and walked inside first.

Sun Xiuzhi couldn’t help but whisper to her husband, “Didn’t you say the Ji family wouldn’t want her?”

“Who are you asking? How should I know?” Lin Shouyi practically hissed. “Enough, think of what to do.”

The Lin family lived in a self-built adobe house. The eastern side had two rooms separated by wooden boards, housing Lin Shouyi’s family of four. The western side had one room for Lin Qiao and Grandma Lin.

Lin Wei initially wanted to take them to Lin Qiao’s room, but seeing the narrow space and Ji Duo’s long legs, he led them to the eastern side instead.

When the couple entered, Ji Duo was already seated on a chair opposite the kang, looking somewhat impatient as he checked his watch.

Their movements became unconsciously cautious, and they carefully sat on the edge of the kang. Sun Xiuzhi forced a smile, “We didn’t mean any harm. It’s just that our families haven’t been in contact for over ten years, and Qiao Qiao really isn’t a good match for you. How could we dare to hope for such a good thing?”

Her words were overly flattering, making Lin Wei’s face show discomfort.

Lin Qiao, however, felt a spark of realization.

Sun Xiuzhi’s words clearly indicated she thought Ji Duo was the one betrothed to Lin Qiao, and Ji Duo didn’t deny it. “Where is her household registration?”

Ji Duo was too lazy to deny it. Explaining that he was Ji Ze’s uncle would require explaining why Ji Ze and his parents didn’t come, but he did. He was there to solve the problem and didn’t want to talk too much with this family, nor did he need to. From the moment he entered, he hadn’t wasted a word. First, he questioned them, taking control of the situation, then asked for the household registration, always keeping the conversation on his terms.

Sun Xiuzhi, predictably led by the nose, hurried to unlock the wooden chest on the kang, “It’s here, it’s here.”

She found the documents and even handed them to Ji Duo before realizing and clutching them tightly again, “This, this…”

If she handed them over, the Ma family’s matter would be truly ruined, and she was reluctant.

But facing Ji Duo’s emotionless eyes, “Is there a problem?”

She finally let go bit by bit, “No, no problem.”

Ji Duo took the household registration paper and stood up, “I’ll go get the introduction letter.” He was decisive and swift, leaving no room for negotiation.

Sun Xiuzhi was sweating, and Lin Shouyi couldn’t help but stand up from the kang. But before they could say anything, Lin Hui, who had been staring at Ji Duo and Lin Qiao since they entered, suddenly spoke up, “No!”

This unexpected outburst caught everyone off guard, and they all turned to look, with Lin Qiao raising an eyebrow.

Lin Hui, only a year younger than the original Lin Qiao, never got along with her. She saw Lin Qiao as a pitiful orphan to be bullied at will. Lazy herself, she always pushed chores onto Lin Qiao and went off to play with her friends. The gifts from the Ma family, like snow cream and milk candies, were all in her drawer now.

With so many people watching, Lin Shouyi even scolded her, “Is this your place to speak?” But Lin Hui gritted her teeth and continued, “Did I say anything wrong? The betrothal gifts have been given, and the date is set. Lin Qiao just left like this, so who will marry into the Ma family?”

Hearing this, Sun Xiuzhi also began to cry, “Yes, how can we repay all that money?”

While wiping her tears, she glanced at Ji Duo, “Dawei and his father farm in the village all year and barely make any money. This is killing us. Your family is influential in Yandu. Can you help your in-laws?”

Lin Qiao had guessed right. Knowing about the betrothal, they still promised her to someone else and now sought to climb the social ladder…

Ji Duo glanced at Lin Qiao, who surprisingly smiled and warmly linked arms with Sun Xiuzhi, “I know it’s hard for you and Uncle. Repaying the money is too difficult.”

Sun Xiuzhi quickly nodded, “Exactly, this small amount is nothing to the Ji family. And Dawei, he’s your brother and has always been good to you. If he does well, you’ll have face too.”

Not only did she want the Ji family to pay, but she also eyed Lin Wei’s job.

Listening to these shameless demands, Lin Qiao’s expression didn’t change, “How about this? If not me, there’s still Lin Hui. You can marry her off…”

Before she finished, Lin Hui jumped up, “I won’t marry that scumbag who abandons his wife and kids!”

This reaction was like a slap in the face to Sun Xiuzhi, who had been praising the Ma family.

Lin Qiao’s smile widened, “You can’t say that. Comrade Ma, though divorced, has good conditions. And it’s due to family planning. You may not trust others, but you should trust Aunt’s judgment, right?” She returned all the words Sun Xiuzhi had said to the original Lin Qiao.

“Such a good match. Miss this chance, and it’s gone. Lin Hui is almost of marriageable age. Why let good things go to outsiders, right?”

Finishing with a smile, Lin Qiao didn’t look at their faces and hugged Liu Yulan’s arm, “Mom, help me pack. He has military duties, and I need to leave once the introduction letter is ready.”

Having had little contact with Lin Qiao in recent years, Liu Yulan was stunned by her sharp tongue and followed her to the west room.

Seeing Lin Qiao actually opening the chest to pack, she quickly spread out a cloth bundle and whispered, “Did you find him in Yandu?”

The wooden chest on the kang was made when Liu Yulan married Lin Shouyi. She didn’t take it when she left. Grandma Lin, with bound feet, couldn’t work the fields and survived by raising chickens and ducks and weaving baskets. There wasn’t much of value inside.

Lin Qiao first packed some letters and photos left by the old couple and replied, “Yes.”

Liu Yulan, watching her, tears welling up, “It’s all my fault. I should have taken you with me.”

Lin Shouyi had only one daughter, the original Lin Qiao. Even if Liu Yulan wanted to take her, the old couple wouldn’t let her go. Her new husband had never been married and had a harmonious family. Who would want an outsider? Even if he agreed, it wouldn’t be easy with a stepfather. It might not be better than now, so why make everyone unhappy?

Lin Qiao didn’t respond to this, instead smiling brightly, “Mom, do you think they’ll really make Lin Hui marry?”

Liu Yulan expected her to be resentful or distressed, but not to have the mood for such remarks, “You child, why are you enjoying this?”

Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi wouldn’t really make Lin Hui marry in Lin Qiao’s place. Lin Hui was also worried about this. She knew her parents well. Her father cared about face, but her mother could squeeze water from a stone. Making her give up what she had was harder than killing her, especially concerning her brother’s job…

Seeing Ji Duo leave to get the introduction letter, Lin Hui didn’t dare speak, fearing her parents’ attention. Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi were too worried to notice her.

After a long silence, Sun Xiuzhi ground her teeth, “I knew that girl was ungrateful, dragging her brother into this. And that Ji family boy, after all that fuss, they still want her. I thought the Ji family was more reasonable.”

She didn’t think she was wrong to find someone else for Lin Qiao. Even if she was, it was Lin Qiao’s fault for being ungrateful.

“Exactly,” Lin Hui cautiously agreed, “I think Brother let her go. How else could she afford a ticket?” She wanted to shift the blame to Lin Wei, hoping to quash her parents’ idea of getting him a job.

Her parents grew angrier when they remembered Lin Wei’s odd behavior. Lin Shouyi, veins bulging, tried to keep his voice down: “Did you let her go? You get along with her, and your mother does all this for whom?”

“I didn’t tell her to do this…” Lin Wei couldn’t hold back.

Lin Shouyi, unable to contain his anger, was about to hit him when the small clock on the table chimed.

Sun Xiuzhi’s face changed, “Oh no! I forgot to tell the Ma family.”

Lin Shouyi stood up, “I’ll take you on the bike. Maybe we can catch them on the way.”

The couple hurried out, only to see a small car with a big red flower on the dirt road, followed by children shouting, “Here comes the bride!”