Chapter 9: Falling Out

The drama at the Lin family continued, more entertaining than the outdoor movies shown during the farming off-season.

Several neighbors, who were about to leave, stopped when they saw the Ma family arriving to pick up the bride. Zhao San’s wife, hands on her hips, seemed eager to see the expressions on the Lin couple’s faces up close.

With so many people at the entrance, those on the bus also noticed and couldn’t help but tease Ma Rongliang.

“Your future uncle and aunt are quite enthusiastic, waiting for you at the door before you even arrive.”

“Of course they’re enthusiastic. Their son’s future is in your hands.”

Their words showed no respect for the Lin family, and someone even put an arm around Ma Rongliang’s shoulder, saying, “I heard your bride is very pretty. Is it true?”

“Of course, it’s true. Otherwise, why would Rongliang marry a rural girl instead of a city girl?”

Before Ma Rongliang could respond, someone else laughed and winked, and he just smiled, “You’ll see soon enough if she’s pretty.”

Although he didn’t look for a city girl due to the Zhao family’s constant troublemaking, he genuinely found Lin Qiao attractive.

Lin Qiao seemed to have inherited her parents’ best features: tall with a slim waist and bright, striking features. Even city girls couldn’t compare. Unfortunately, she was too young when he first went to the countryside, only eleven or twelve. Otherwise, he would have married her instead of Zhao Xia. Happy with the prospect of marriage, Ma Rongliang was all smiles, even straightening his suit before getting off the bus.

Suits only became popular after the reform and opening up. They were usually worn by salespeople from major units, making them quite rare.

Unexpectedly, before he could greet Lin Shouyi and his wife, a familiar old face interrupted, “Who do you think you are, wearing a suit? Just because you look like a person doesn’t mean you are one!”

The words were harsh, and Ma Rongliang’s face darkened. Remembering it was his wedding day, he refrained from arguing.

Ignoring the person didn’t mean the person would ignore him. Zhao San’s wife, almost laughing out loud, said, “Too bad some people came for nothing. Qiao Qiao has had a childhood engagement since she was young. The groom is much better looking and a military officer from Yandu.”

“Lin Qiao has a childhood betrothal?” This time, Ma Rongliang couldn’t dismiss it as nonsense. He frowned and turned to look at the Lin couple, disbelief written all over his face.

Seeing their unpleasant expressions, it was clear they weren’t there to welcome him but looked more like they had just lost a parent.

The friends who came with him to pick up the bride also noticed and stopped their joking, looking at each other in confusion.

In the silence, Zhao San’s wife’s sarcastic tone became even clearer, “Old Lin had good foresight, finding a great son-in-law for Qiao Qiao. Look at that car, much better than any bus, and it even has a driver.”

Following her gaze, Ma Rongliang finally noticed the Jeep parked not far away.

Although the rural dirt road was narrow, preventing two cars from passing side by side, the distance was enough to make his rented bus look inferior.

Moreover, having grown up in the city, he had seen more than these rural folks and immediately recognized the car’s license plate as being from Yandu.

The front passenger door was half-open, revealing a young man’s superior nose and jawline. Despite the commotion, he didn’t even glance over, whether out of disinterest or disdain.

Ma Rongliang’s face changed several times, and finally, all his shock, regret, and frustration turned into anger. “You knew about the childhood engagement and still introduced her to me? Are you making a fool of me?”

“Exactly. The wine is set, the guests are invited, and we’re ready to pick up the bride, and now you say the wedding is off!”

The friends he brought along also started making a fuss, pulling at their collars and rolling up their sleeves, demanding an explanation.

Seeing the situation getting out of hand, Lin Wei tried to mediate, but Lin Shouyi, after holding back for a while, said, “Our Lin Hui is almost of marriageable age.”

Even Sun Xiuzhi was shocked, “What do you mean?”

Having already spoken, Lin Shouyi decided to go all in, “I can’t produce another Lin Qiao. What else can I do? People are waiting. At least let Hui girl go over and get married. The certificate can be obtained when she’s of age.”

Sun Xiuzhi exploded, “Lin Shouyi, are you crazy!” She was harsh and greedy but never considered selling her own daughter. Yet here he was, suggesting it. A few days ago, he said if Lin Qiao didn’t want to marry, they should let it go, fearing it would cause trouble. Now, he was colder than anyone.

Ma Rongliang, already in a bad mood, laughed at their reaction. “You want to marry her off? I don’t want her. Do you think I’m a garbage collector?”

In truth, Lin Hui was quite pretty, but city girls of her type were common, and she couldn’t compare to Lin Qiao.

His words were harsh, and even though Lin Hui never liked him, she felt humiliated.

At this point, it was clear Ma Rongliang wouldn’t marry Lin Qiao. He gave Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi a cold look, “This isn’t over!” and left with his friends.

They came happily and left angrily, leaving the neighbors to enjoy the drama.

Zhao San’s wife felt particularly satisfied, having not felt this good since the educated youths returned to the city.

Both families had shown their shamelessness, and now neither gained anything but trouble; one didn’t get the bride, and the wedding was off, sure to be laughed at. With the families now at odds, there would likely be more drama in the future.

Since she didn’t plan to marry, Lin Qiao didn’t want to be entangled with the Ma family and didn’t go out to watch the commotion.

After they left, she came out of the house and said, “Let’s go get the introduction letter.”

“All packed?” Ji Duo asked as if nothing had happened.

“Just a few clothes left. My mom is folding them.”

Ji Duo said nothing, went inside, and saw the patched old clothes, “No need to bring these. We’ll buy new ones.”

He clearly didn’t want to stay here any longer. They had already lost a night, and if they didn’t hurry, time would indeed be tight.

Lin Qiao didn’t bother with the clothes anymore. She packed the important things into her backpack and made a small bundle with the rest. “This will be enough.” It was pitifully little.

Liu Yulan sensed something, and her gentle expression tightened. “Are you leaving already?”

Lin Qiao nodded and, after a moment, held her hand. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll write to you once I’m settled.”

It was hard enough for her daughter not to reject her, but now they had to part again. With Lin Qiao far away in Yandu, seeing her would be even harder. Liu Yulan nodded, her smile a bit forced. “Can I talk to you alone for a moment?”

Lin Qiao was about to take her outside when Ji Duo turned and left. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”

As soon as he left, Liu Yulan reached into her pocket and pulled out all the money she had. “I didn’t bring much this time, but take this.”

Lin Qiao was surprised that she was giving her money and instinctively wanted to refuse.

“Good girl, let Mom be at ease.” Liu Yulan squeezed her hand, not allowing refusal, and pressed the money into her palm, her eyes reddening. “Our families haven’t been in contact for over ten years. I don’t know what they’re like. Keep some money with you in case you need it.”

She squeezed her hand again. “If they don’t treat you well, come back. We don’t have to cling to this high branch. I’ll find someone for you here. The conditions might not be great, but at least he’ll be reliable and treat you well.”

No matter what the future holds, Lin Qiao believed that Liu Yulan’s words were sincere at this moment. She wondered if the original character in the book knew that Liu Yulan had paid child support.

Lin Qiao felt that the original character, having been educated and with a decent personality, wouldn’t have acted out so much if she hadn’t been so starved for love, making the male lead her only focus in life. She didn’t refuse anymore and tucked the money into a pocket sewn inside her clothes.

Liu Yulan finally let go and picked up the bundle. “Let’s go. I’ll see you off.”

As they walked out, they encountered Sun Xiuzhi and Lin Shouyi arguing in the courtyard.

The onlookers had dispersed, but Sun Xiuzhi’s eyes were still red, clearly not over her anger. “Lin Shouyi, you fool! Don’t you know what kind of person Ma Rongliang is? You wanted our daughter to jump into the fire pit. How could I have been so blind to marry someone so heartless!”

“You have a conscience now? Why didn’t you say it was a fire pit when you introduced Qiao Qiao to him?”

If this had worked out, it would have been fine. But it didn’t, and Lin Shouyi felt utterly humiliated, not knowing how the villagers would gossip about him. He was fuming and, seeing Lin Wei, immediately shouted, “You brat, come here!”

He was about to settle the score with Lin Wei, who instinctively flinched but quickly straightened his neck.

Unfortunately, before Lin Shouyi could act, Lin Qiao’s voice rang out, “Brother, come here. I need to talk to you.”

The couple wanted to tear Lin Qiao apart, but with Liu Yulan and Ji Duo present, they couldn’t do anything to her.

Lin Wei quickly changed direction, following Lin Qiao through the front and back doors of the main house to the vegetable garden behind the courtyard.

Spring had just begun, and the garden looked sparse, with only a few green shoots poking through the soil. Lin Qiao took out a few bills from the money Liu Yulan had given her and handed them to Lin Wei. “This is the money you lent me. I wouldn’t have known what to do without you.”

When Lin Wei was eight months old, Sun Xiuzhi became pregnant with their second child, Lin Hui. Her reaction was so severe that she couldn’t take care of Lin Wei, leaving him with Grandma Lin. Lin Wei grew up drinking the rice porridge Grandma Lin made and Liu Yulan’s milk, practically growing up with the original Lin Qiao. He was closer to her than to his biological sister, Lin Hui. So when Sun Xiuzhi wanted to use Lin Qiao to get him a job, he refused.

Unfortunately, some parents are self-righteous, believing they know what’s best for their children without considering their wishes. Lin Wei, unable to defy his parents, secretly gave all his savings to Lin Qiao, telling her to hide for a while. But in this era, it was hard to move without an introduction letter. Where could a young girl like Lin Qiao hide? And even if she did, what then?

Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi were determined to sell her. If not Ma Rongliang, there would be Zhang Rongliang or Zhao Rongliang…

So Lin Qiao chose to go to Yandu and find the Ji family.

Seeing Lin Qiao trying to return the money, Lin Wei quickly stepped back. “I gave it to you. Why return it?” He smiled bitterly, lowering his head. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t need this money.”

Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi probably didn’t realize that every action they took hurt their son, crushing his pride and conscience.

Lin Qiao sighed inwardly. “What are your plans for the future?”

“Whatever happens, happens,” Lin Wei said nonchalantly. “What can they do to me? At most, they’ll beat me a couple of times. They won’t kill me.”

“I mean, what about the future, without a job in the city?”

“I never had a job. I think farming is fine. Why do I have to be a worker in the city?”

Lin Wei couldn’t stand hearing about work and turned to leave. After a few steps, he suddenly remembered something. “By the way, I heard my parents mention the Ji family. It seems there’s some bad blood between them and Old Mr. Ji. Be careful not to get bullied.”