Chapter 3: Magic Attack

The Li family of three arrived at the entrance of Zhao Village half an hour earlier than the agreed time.

The women under the old locust tree were curious by nature. As soon as they appeared, all eyes turned to the Li family, especially Li Dasheng.

Li Dasheng was indeed tall and strong, with average looks, but the bicycle he was riding added extra points, making him seem more energetic and different from the average village boy.

He really looked like a fine young man.

Li Dasheng’s mother deliberately pushed the two baskets behind her, making sure the women of Zhao Village saw what her family had brought. Then she got off the ox cart, walked over to Wu Nai, and warmly said, “Aunt Wu, have you been waiting long? Come, get on the cart.”

Wu Nai smiled kindly, “It’s fine, I’ve been chatting with everyone.”

Li Dasheng’s mother helped her onto the cart and subtly adjusted the position of the two baskets.

The women glanced over, but with the cloth covering them, they couldn’t see what was inside. They exchanged knowing looks and whispered guesses.

Aunt Dong, who was always straightforward, asked directly, “Bringing gifts just for a match?”

Li Dasheng’s mother acted modest but was secretly proud. “It’s nothing much. It’s our first visit, so we can’t come empty-handed.”

In those days, when goods were scarce, bringing gifts for a matchmaking visit was a big deal.

The women, especially those with daughters, began to show envy in their eyes.

Wu Nai maintained a smile throughout. With the Li family being so attentive, she felt proud.

Even Aunt Dong, who had no daughters, couldn’t help but comment sourly, “No wonder the Zhao family is putting so much importance on this. They even called their second daughter back from the commune. We don’t have what your family has; at this rate, our sons won’t be able to find wives.”

Li Dasheng’s mother’s eyes flickered, and she discreetly elbowed her husband’s back.

Accountant Li remained expressionless, only turning to remind Wu Nai to sit tight as he drove the ox cart into the village.

Li Dasheng’s mother glanced at her son again. He held the handlebars with one hand, looking quite confident and impressive.

Her pride surged again. With a son like hers, what girl couldn’t he marry?

A few minutes later, at the Zhao household—

Zhao Feng sat by the well, washing vegetables, and shouted, “Dad! Mom! Wu Nai is here!”

Yu Xiulan and Zhao Jianguo heard the call and came out of the main room to greet them.

In the kitchen, Zhao Ke got up from the stove and stood behind the door, observing.

Accountant Li looked simple and honest.

As soon as Li Dasheng’s mother entered the Zhao family’s yard, she began looking around, her gaze pausing on the bicycle in the yard before casually shifting away.

Li Dasheng…

It wasn’t that Zhao Ke was prejudiced, but with those scattered eyebrows and slanted eyes, he didn’t look nearly as honest as his father.

Zhao Mian, on the other hand, showed no curiosity, scooping hot water into the kettle with a ladle.

In the courtyard, Wu Nai introduced the two families, first speaking well of the Zhao family: “This family earns work points, and the second daughter is a worker. Don’t worry about them spending a lot on education before; their days will be better from now on.”

Accountant Li smiled with satisfaction and nodded.

Yu Xiulan, who had met Accountant Li during production team meetings, was straightforward. She invited Wu Nai and the Li family into the main room, then shouted toward the kitchen, “Xiao Mian, bring some water for Wu Nai and the guests!”

A moment later, Zhao Mian walked into the main room carrying a kettle and several tea mugs.

As soon as she appeared, Li Dasheng stared, his eyes full of amazement.

Zhao Mian didn’t look at him, greeting the guests before lowering her head to pour water.

Wu Nai praised, “Zhao Mian is the best girl in our village, beautiful and capable, and she’s a middle school graduate. She teaches at the elementary school in our production team, and the kids adore her.”

The Li couple both turned their attention to Zhao Mian.

Li Dasheng’s mother, usually critical, couldn’t find a fault in her looks and smiled as she complimented Yu Xiulan, “Director Yu, how did you raise such a pretty daughter?”

Li Dasheng’s gaze never left Zhao Mian, burning with intensity.

Zhao Mian’s face flushed.

Wu Nai laughed, teasing, “Our big girl is shy. Calm down now.”

Li Dasheng’s mother, noticing her son’s infatuated expression, coughed heavily.

Li Dasheng snapped out of it, but his eyes still couldn’t help wandering toward Zhao Mian.

Zhao Wu Nai laughed even more heartily, and Li Dasheng’s mother echoed her, laughing aloud.

In the kitchen, Zhao Ke heard the laughter and frowned.

The atmosphere seemed quite good?

After a while, the kitchen door was pushed open, and Zhao Mian walked in.

“Jie?”

Zhao Mian shook her head slightly. “Mom asked me to get something from her cabinet to entertain the guests.”

Zhao Ke’s expression didn’t change as she took a plate from the rack and handed it over.

Outside the courtyard, Zhao Feng, who was carrying water, glanced at the plate in Da Jie’s hand and guiltily turned his head.

In the main room, Zhao Mian placed a plate of sunflower seeds and peanuts in the center of the table.

There were no candies.

Yu Xiulan instinctively looked outside, and sure enough, Zhao Feng was peeking around.

That brat was up to no good again.

Yu Xiulan didn’t want to scold her son in front of guests, so she took a deep breath.

Beside her, Zhao Jianguo acted as if nothing had happened and continued to entertain the guests.

In these times, sunflower seeds and peanuts were already a good treat, and the Li family didn’t feel slighted.

Li Dasheng’s mother cracked some shells on the table and glanced toward the door. “Director Yu, I heard from your villagers that your second daughter is back too? Why not call her out so we can have a look?”

As soon as she said this, the room fell silent.

Li Dasheng’s eyes darted around, searching for someone.

Yu Xiulan felt irritated.

Look? Look at what? It’s not a performance.

Besides, this is matchmaking. Unmarried young people need to avoid suspicion. If there’s a misunderstanding, won’t it cause conflict?

This mother was inappropriate, and the son wasn’t any more proper.

Zhao Wu Nai, knowing Yu Xiulan well, stepped in to smooth things over. “Why are you in such a rush? If Dasheng and Xiao Mian get along, there’ll be plenty of chances to visit in the future. Let’s leave it for today.”

As the matchmaker, Zhao Wu Nai spoke, and Accountant Li tapped his wife with the stem of his pipe. “Wu Nai is right. What are you in such a hurry for?”

Li Dasheng’s mother, heeding her husband’s words, quickly tried to smooth things over. “I just adore daughters. I’ve long heard how accomplished your second daughter is, and I envy you. I thought that if we became in-laws in the future, we’d all be family, so I didn’t treat it as an outsider’s business.”

Zhao Wu Nai had been matchmaking for years, and Yu Xiulan dealt with village women and young wives every day. They both saw through the small schemes at a glance.

Though both were cooling off the matchmaking today, the process still had to go on, given the village ties.

Zhao Wu Nai turned to Yu Xiulan. “Xiulan, let Xiao Mian take Dasheng out for a chat.”

Yu Xiulan called to Zhao Mian, “Xiao Mian, take good care of the guest.”

Zhao Mian wasn’t foolish. She didn’t mind on her own behalf, but she cared when it involved her younger sister.

Still, with her gentle demeanor, no one could tell.

The kitchen was in the west room, where Zhao Ke was. Zhao Mian led Li Dasheng under the east eaves, where there was a bench. She often sat there to work when the weather was good.

However, Zhao Ke had been listening to the sounds in the main room all along. Thinking there was no way Da Jie would bring Li Dasheng to the kitchen, she snuck around the wall to the back of the house and climbed through the rear window to eavesdrop.

Unexpectedly, the front window wasn’t closed. As she moved to close it, she found herself face-to-face with the two people outside.

The sisters’ eyes met. Zhao Ke: “…” Was this telepathy, or just bad timing?

For a few silent seconds, Li Dasheng looked Zhao Ke up and down, his gaze full of appraisal.

She looked quite good, but too tall—not as delicate and charming as her elder sister, which suited his taste more. But being a wage earner added points.

Li Dasheng spread a smile and, pretending to be suave, ran a hand through his hair, introducing himself. “This must be Zhao Er Meizi? I’m Li Dasheng.”

Who’s your Meizi?

Zhao Ke was speechless, especially after seeing the way he had just eyed her—below.

Zhao Mian didn’t like it either. She politely said, “Li Dage, don’t disturb my sister’s rest. Let’s head over there.”

Li Dasheng didn’t move, smiling again at Zhao Ke. “Since we’ve met, why not get acquainted? I’ll treat you to a meal at the state-run restaurant sometime.”

Zhao Mian’s face was expressionless.

Zhao Ke’s smile was faintly mocking.

Li Dasheng confidently extended his hand. “Care to sit for a bit?”

Zhao Ke didn’t respond. She deliberately stepped back, her gaze falling on his hand first.

Li Dasheng laughed heartily. “Why so shy, huh? Haha…”

Zhao Ke’s gaze slowly moved from his arm to his face, her frown deepening.

Li Dasheng’s fingers twitched awkwardly before he withdrew his hand and unnaturally ruffled his hair.

At that motion, Zhao Ke openly showed a look of disdain. Her eyes swept him up and down, her face full of criticism, even clicking her tongue.

Silence spoke louder than words.

She hadn’t said a single word, yet Li Dasheng felt humiliated, his face gradually flushing red, his breathing growing heavier.

He gets mad so fast…

Zhao Ke silently mocked, shrinking her shoulders and gripping the window frame with both hands as she leaned toward her elder sister. In a timid voice, she said, “Jie, why is Gege suddenly angry? I’m so scared~”

Zhao Mian immediately stepped in front of her sister, shielding her unconditionally. “Li Dage, my sister is still young. Please don’t hold it against a child.”

This damned silly girl is a child?!

Li Dasheng clenched his jaw tightly and took a step forward, wanting to ask if she was blind.

Suddenly, a sturdy arm inserted itself between them, gripping Zhao Mian’s shoulder and pulling her behind.

“Jie, what’s going on?”

Zhao Feng shielded Zhao Mian completely, his curious gaze shifting between Zhao Ke and Li Dasheng.

At seventeen, his face still carried a hint of boyishness, but the muscles beneath the fabric of his shirt hinted at the readiness to transform from a harmless pup into a fierce wolfdog.

Li Dasheng went silent instantly, his expression changing twice before he forced a magnanimous tone. “It’s nothing, just a minor issue. I won’t make a fuss.”

Zhao Mian stepped out from behind her brother and gently said, “The elders are still waiting. Let’s head back to the main room.”

Such a gentle girl was indeed more pleasing.

Li Dasheng’s gaze lingered on her face reluctantly, but he accepted the out, following Zhao Mian back inside.

Zhao Feng looked at his second sister, utterly bewildered.

Zhao Ke watched Li Dasheng’s retreating back, her gaze cold. Remembering how he was crippled in the original story, she patted Zhao Feng’s strong arm. “You’ve been working hard since childhood. No wonder you’re so sturdy.”

Zhao Feng grinned and raised his arm, showing it off. “Right?”

“Keep it up.”

Just as Zhao Ke lowered her head, she noticed the corner of a paper package sticking out of his pocket. She pointed at it. “What’s that?”

Zhao Feng jumped in fright, leaping back a good distance, both hands covering his pocket as he stammered, “N-nothing.”

Zhao Ke felt conflicted. It was fine to have a guilty conscience, but he was way too obvious.