The day of Wang Chungen’s wedding arrived. Early in the morning, Li Qiuhua ate breakfast and went to the Wang family to help out.

Since it was Sunday, Xiao Weidong didn’t have school. After finishing his homework, he also headed to the Wang family’s home to join in the fun.

Shen Zhihuan, who slept until naturally waking, had just eaten breakfast and was preparing to join the excitement when Xiao Weidong came running back, urgently pulling her along to see the new bride.

When the two arrived at the Wang family’s house, Wang Chungen, dressed in brand-new clothes and wearing a red flower pinned to his chest, had just stepped down from the tractor’s driver seat.

Similarly, the new bride, also dressed in a fresh outfit with an equally large red flower pinned to her chest, was being helped down from the tractor’s rear compartment by the matchmaker.

The moment Wang Chungen caught sight of Shen Zhihuan, he froze momentarily, his brows furrowing slightly as a hint of helplessness flashed across his face.

“Wang Chungen, quickly carry the bride inside!”

“Yeah, hurry up, groom, pick her up and take her in!”

“Groom, what are you waiting for? Don’t be shy—just carry her!”

“Groom, if you don’t hug her now, the bride won’t let you hug her tonight!”

The relatives and friends gathered to watch all began jeering playfully.

The new bride blushed, lowering her head shyly, not daring to look up.

Wang Chungen took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage. Turning around, he bent down and lifted the bride into his arms, carrying her into the house.

Teenage boys clapped their hands as they followed, hoping for wedding candies.

Relatives and friends also crowded inside to enjoy the lively scene.

“Third Sister, let’s go ask the new bride for some candies too!” Xiao Weidong tugged at Shen Zhihuan, pulling her toward the room adorned with red paper cutouts of the Chinese character for “double happiness.”

The room was already packed with relatives and friends.

The new bride, her face flushed with nervousness, sat on the edge of the bed, her palms damp with sweat.

The bed was made with soft, bright red wedding quilts that were clearly brand-new. On the dressing table sat neatly arranged porcelain mugs and a warm water kettle.

Shen Zhihuan couldn’t help but sneak a glance at the bride’s full C-cup chest, then looked down at her own modest A-cup. A wave of gloom washed over her.

Her petite buns… were they filled with cement?

Wang Lianhua leaned over and whispered something into the bride’s ear. Blushing, the bride stood up shyly, opened the drawer of the dressing table, and took out a package of brightly wrapped fruit candies.

She began distributing candies to the relatives and friends gathered in the room.

As she approached Shen Zhihuan and Xiao Weidong…

“Zhihuan’s mother! Your eldest daughter and her mother-in-law are heading toward your house!”

Someone shouted loudly from the courtyard.

Shen Zhihuan curled her lips in a faint sneer.

So it was finally happening.

Xiao Weidong frowned, glancing at Shen Zhihuan.

Shen Zhihuan smiled, turning his little face back toward the bride.

At that moment, the bride handed over a piece of candy.

Blushing, Xiao Weidong accepted it, murmuring a shy, “Thank you.”

The bride froze momentarily before shaking her head bashfully. With the movement, her ample chest bounced slightly, making Shen Zhihuan momentarily dizzy.

Looking down again at her own petite chest—no, her flattened buns—the candy in her mouth suddenly lost its sweetness.

How could two women be so vastly different?

Meanwhile, Li Qiuhua, who had been helping wash vegetables near the well, heard about the unexpected visitors. Her smile faltered for a moment.

Seeing that neither Shen Zhihuan nor Xiao Weidong showed any intention of returning home, Li Qiuhua wiped her hands on her apron and walked toward the gate.

“Zhihuan’s mother, why don’t you invite Zhimei and her mother-in-law to join the festivities?” Wang Lianhua, holding a basin of vegetables, called after her with a laugh.

“There’s no need, really. They still have things to do at home,” Li Qiuhua replied, waving her hand quickly.

“Come now, no need to be so formal! We’re all neighbors,” Wang Lianhua persisted.

“No, really, it’s fine. Thank you, but I’ll head back first,” Li Qiuhua said, hastening her steps.

A married daughter returning to her mother’s home with her in-laws—it wasn’t appropriate at all.

As soon as she stepped out of the Wang family courtyard, Li Qiuhua spotted none other than Qian Zhizhi standing in front of their locked gate.

What is she doing here?

Li Qiuhua’s brows furrowed slightly, her instincts telling her this visit boded no good.

Her gaze shifted to her eldest daughter, Shen Zhimei, who stood nearby with a guilty expression. Li Qiuhua’s eyes darkened further.

Seeing Li Qiuhua approach, Old Lady Qian smiled and took two steps forward, speaking with a hint of apology.

“In-law, we didn’t know you’d be out visiting relatives today…”

“It’s just a casual gathering, nothing special. Please, come inside.” Li Qiuhua retrieved the gate key from her pocket, unlocked the door, and ushered them in.

“Auntie!” Qian Zhizhi greeted sweetly.

“Oh my, Zhizhi is getting prettier every time I see her. I almost didn’t recognize you!” Li Qiuhua said with a smile.

“Mother,” Shen Zhimei mumbled softly, her head lowered, too guilty to meet her mother’s eyes.

“And where are Da Ya and Er Ya?” Li Qiuhua asked nonchalantly, pretending not to know.

Shen Zhimei’s eyes flickered briefly, unsure how to respond.

Old Lady Qian, who had been scanning the courtyard with sharp eyes, shot Shen Zhimei a disappointed glance before answering with a smile, “Oh, those two little girls are at home playing slingshot with their brother.”

Li Qiuhua made a faint sound of acknowledgment, her polite smile not reaching her eyes as she led them into the main room.

After they were seated, Li Qiuhua brought three bowls of brown sugar water to the table.

Old Lady Qian discreetly signaled Shen Zhimei with her eyes, urging her to speak, but Shen Zhimei bit her lip, refusing to utter a word.

Old Lady Qian ground her teeth in frustration.

Seeing this, Li Qiuhua reached into her pocket, took out two yuan, and grabbed two meat coupons from the cupboard. Handing them to Shen Zhimei, she instructed, “Go to the village supply store and buy some meat.”

With her head lowered, Shen Zhimei took the money and stiffly left, avoiding her mother’s gaze entirely.

“Auntie, where are Zhihuan and Weidong?” Qian Zhizhi asked casually, looking around the empty courtyard.

“Oh, Weidong dragged his sister to see the new bride,” Li Qiuhua answered, taking out some sunflower seeds and glutinous rice sticks from her cupboard.

“Is it Wang Baotian’s family?” Old Lady Qian asked while grabbing a handful of seeds.

“Yes, their eldest is getting married today,” Li Qiuhua replied with a polite smile.

Old Lady Qian’s face darkened slightly. Years ago, she had desperately tried to marry Qian Zhizhi into the Su family, aiming for their second son, Su Ziyu. But the Su family’s matriarch, Zhang Fengxia, was having none of it.

Everyone in the village knew the Su family’s second son was destined to marry into a prominent family in the capital, far beyond the reach of rural women like Qian Zhizhi.

After countless rejections, Old Lady Qian turned her attention to Wang Chungen, only to be firmly rebuffed by Wang Lianhua.