Chapter 46: A Casual Chat Between Siblings (Part 1)

During hot weather, many older men liked to work shirtless in the fields, and such sights were common.

Nie Sihui had been in the countryside for several years and was used to it. She didn’t think much of it.

But when she realized who it was, her gaze instinctively moved upward, taking a quick look at the person whom the older women often praised.

She wasn’t too close, so she couldn’t see clearly.

She could only vaguely tell that he didn’t look much like Xiao Mian, but he did have a sharp, upright appearance.

Just sitting there, his presence felt different from the other men in the brigade.

Her glance lasted only a second or two. By then, Mu Mian was already walking toward her, asking, “What’s the matter, Sister Sihui? Are you looking for me?”

Standing at the courtyard gate, Nie Sihui stepped forward a few paces and handed over a piece of paper. “I ran into Xiaozhu on the way here. She had some business at the commune today and brought back your and Xiaolian’s exam results. She was in a hurry to get home, so she asked me to bring them to you since I was passing by.”

Mu Mian was surprised. “That fast?”

She took the paper and glanced at it.

Nie Sihui smiled. “Yeah, pretty quick. She said they finished grading the day before yesterday afternoon.”

Mu Mian gave a thumbs-up. “These teachers work so efficiently.”

They had taken the exam in the morning, and by the afternoon, the results were already out. That was impressive.

Nie Sihui laughed and copied her tone. “And your scores are just as impressive.”

Every subject had high marks, with even a perfect score in one.

Mu Mian grinned smugly. “Of course! I’m a little genius~”

Her self-praise made Nie Sihui burst into laughter.

Mu Mian then asked, “How did Shi Xiaolian do?”

Nie Sihui shook her head. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask. But I figure she did well too—Xiaozhu looked pretty happy.”

Nie Sihui was only delivering the results. Seeing that the Mu family was gathered together, likely discussing something, she didn’t want to interrupt. After chatting for a moment, she left.

After seeing her off, Mu Mian bounced back into the house and spread her report on the table. “Look! I’m going to be a high school student now!”

“Although it was just as a visiting student^[1]A visiting student (借读生) refers to a student who is temporarily attending a school without being officially enrolled as a regular student. This often happens when a student transfers schools … Continue reading, the graduation certificate is the same, with no difference.

The requirements for visiting students are even higher!”

Mu Fugui didn’t even need to see the paper before he started praising, “Our daughter is so accomplished!”

Liu Shuangcui leaned in for a closer look. “Wow, you even got a perfect score.”

Mu Mian beamed. “It’s all thanks to Grandma’s boiled eggs. I ate them and aced my exams!”

Zhao Meihua chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare take credit for that.”

Gutou was envious. “Sister Mian, can I borrow your brain when it’s my turn to take exams?”

Xiao Chengzi chimed in. “Me too! Me too!”

The twin sisters followed suit. “Me too! Me too!”

They weren’t even old enough for school yet, but they still joined in the excitement.

Mu Mian was generous. “If you can take it, it’s yours.”

Gutou pouted. “But I can’t take it.”

Mu Zhuo picked up the results, looking proud. “This score has to be in the top three of your grade, right?”

Mu Mian replied, “We had a different test paper from them. Ours was supposedly harder.”

Then she added smugly, “Though I didn’t really think it was that difficult.”

Mu Zhuo gave his little sister a thumbs-up and handed the paper back to her.

Since the result was expected, no one was too surprised. They had never doubted that their Mian girl would pass.

Mu Mian took the report card and stored it in her room.

After all the excitement, the sun was already starting to set.

Mu Zhuo had finished packing his two large bags of luggage, and Xiao Chengzi, Gutou, and the others had left.

The old lady was busy making dinner, so Mu Mian stayed to help, chatting idly with her brother as they worked.

At some point, Mu Zhuo suddenly remembered how he had nearly been seen shirtless by a young woman earlier. He asked, “That woman just now—was she the Educated Youth Nie you always mention in your letters?”

Mu Mian snapped off the damaged part of a green bean and set it aside to feed the chickens later.

She didn’t stop what she was doing as she answered her brother’s question. “Yes, I remember writing it down. Her name is Nie Sihui.”

Every time Mu Zhuo wrote home, his letters were several pages long. Because of that, Mu Mian also ended up filling hers with even the smallest details.

For example, how Educated Youth Nie lent her illustrated storybooks, ones she had never read before and really enjoyed.

Or how the elementary school had a new math teacher—Educated Youth Nie replaced Educated Youth Qian, and she had played a small role in the change.

Things like that were all in her letters.

Mu Zhuo had never met her, but he had a mental image of her from the descriptions.

He had always been open with his little sister, so he commented bluntly, “That Educated Youth Nie doesn’t look quite like how you described her in your letters.”

Mu Mian was puzzled. “What do you mean? Sister Sihui is really pretty.”

Mu Zhuo explained, “I don’t mean that. I just thought she’d be more like Sister Taozi.”

Mu Mian understood—it was a contrast between personality and appearance.

Their Sister Taozi had always kept her hair short, exuding a heroic and valiant aura. At first glance, anyone could tell she was a decisive, capable, and efficient woman.

Educated Youth Nie was different. She was just over 1.6 meters tall, with soft and delicate facial features. Though she was undoubtedly beautiful, her first impression might make people think she was gentle and easy to bully.

In reality, Nie Sihui was incredibly resilient at heart—strong-willed and independent.

Mu Mian spoke with a serious tone, “Big Brother, you can’t judge a woman just by her appearance.”

Mu Fugui, who had unknowingly walked up behind the siblings, chimed in, “Your big brother doesn’t even have any women to look at most of the time. Isn’t his unit filled with nothing but rough men?”

Mu Mian nodded, “That’s true.”

Liu Shuangcui had been tending to the cucumbers in their private plot. Upon hearing the conversation, she turned her head and asked, “He couldn’t see any before, but now he can, right? What kind of girl are you looking for?”

Her son was about to turn twenty-four, yet there wasn’t even a shadow of a daughter-in-law in sight.

When he was stationed far away, she had let it slide, but now that he was home for a few months, if he could find someone suitable, things could be settled quickly. There was still plenty of time.

Back then, it had taken less than a month for her and her husband to go from meeting to marriage.

Mu Zhuo, who had just returned on his second day and was already being urged to get married: “……..”

He cast a pleading look at his younger sister.

Mu Mian shrugged, helpless.

Even Sister Taozi had been urged countless times by their mother and aunt, yet she still hadn’t found someone.

Liu Shuangcui keenly noticed the silent exchange between the siblings and turned to Mu Zhuo. “Why are you looking at Mian girl? Are you hoping she’ll introduce someone to you?”

Mu Zhuo shook his head. “No, I want to find someone I like.”

Of course, he wanted a wife. Who wouldn’t want a wife, kids, and a warm home?

But it wasn’t easy to find someone while serving in the army. There were too many single men.

Liu Shuangcui replied, “Whether you like it or not, you still have to meet someone first.”

Mu Fugui, looking interested, suggested, “I think that Xiaozhu girl is pretty good. In our brigade, the only girls with a high school diploma besides Xiao Qiu are her. Her family situation is simple too—just her, her younger sister and her mother.”

“Plus, Xiaolian and our Mian girl are close. The only question is whether that Xiaozhu girl would be interested in our Xiao Zhuo.”

The more Mu Fugui spoke, the more excited he became. Mu Zhuo, on the other hand, was confused. He barely remembered what Shi Xiaozhu looked like. He only vaguely recalled that there was someone by that name in the brigade.

The Shi family’s eldest branch had previously lived in the commune. By the time they moved back, Mu Zhuo had already left for the army. Their houses were far apart, so they had hardly interacted.

As Mu Fugui continued talking, he even dragged Mu Mian into the discussion. “Daughter, what do you think?”

Mu Mian raised an eyebrow. “You’re asking me?”

She deliberately coughed and straightened her back, putting on a serious expression. “Ahem, since Dad insists on my opinion, I shall humbly share my thoughts.”

Mu Fugui burst into laughter. “Alright, alright, let’s hear it.”

Mu Mian said, “I don’t think it’s a good match. Sister Xiaozhu’s personality is too different from Big Brother’s—she wouldn’t be able to keep him in check.”

If Nie Sihui only appeared easygoing but was actually strong-willed, then Shi Xiaozhu was genuinely easygoing. She had a very agreeable personality.

In the Shi family, the one making most of the decisions was already becoming Shi Xiaolian. Many major matters in their household had been orchestrated by her, including arranging for Shi Xiaozhu to continue high school.

With job recruitment around the corner, everyone was saying that Shi Xiaozhu’s decision to get a high school diploma had been a brilliant move.

As Mu Mian thought about this, she turned to glance at Mu Zhuo.

Her big brother had a personality similar to their father’s. Though his years in the army had made him seem steadier, deep down, he was still playful and carefree. He needed someone slightly strong-willed—like their mother—to keep him in line.

That was what Mu Mian thought, and that was exactly what she said.

Mu Zhuo let out a “heh,” clearly unconvinced. “Why do I need someone to keep me in check?”

Mu Mian huffed, feeling completely justified. “Mom manages Dad very well. Dad, don’t you need Mom to keep you in line?”

Mu Fugui’s bull-like eyes widened. He had no idea how the conversation had suddenly turned on him.

He turned to look at his wife and hurriedly said, “Yes, yes, yes! How could I not need your mother? I need her very much! If she didn’t keep me in line, I wouldn’t be happy.”

Liu Shuangcui ignored her husband and continued the original topic. “The Xiaozhu girl really isn’t a good fit. I actually asked around before—she wants to marry someone close to home. She probably doesn’t want to leave her mother behind.”

Zhao Meihua, who had been quietly listening, added, “Then that wouldn’t work. If Xiao Zhuo keeps moving up the ranks, won’t he be assigned housing? It’s better for a young couple to live together when possible.”

A long-distance marriage wouldn’t be practical. That wouldn’t be the life of a proper married couple.

Mu Mian, enjoying the drama, added, “If there’s no suitable match in the brigade, Auntie can keep an eye out in the commune. Maybe there’s someone there for Big Brother. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to introduce him to someone.”

Her aunt had tried to introduce countless men to Sister Taozi, but most of the time, before they even got to the meeting stage, Sister Taozi would hear about their situation and immediately refuse.

As a result, her aunt, who was eager to marry off her niece, had nowhere to direct her enthusiasm.

Liu Shuangcui said, “Your aunt only knows which men are single—she doesn’t know much about the women.”

Mu Mian patted her brother’s shoulder. “Then Big Brother should find one himself. You’re the most handsome young man in the area. How could you not find a wife?”

Mu Zhuo puffed out his chest, looking smug as if to say, “My little sister sure has great taste!”

Of course, he never had to worry about finding a partner!

Mu Fugui said, “Daughter, didn’t you say last time that your father is the most handsome man in ten villages?”

Mu Mian grinned. “You’re both handsome, both of you!”

Liu Shuangcui glanced at her daughter and chuckled. “You’re really good at saying whatever suits the moment.”

Mu Mian replied cheerfully, “Well, I have a mouth, so of course, I use it to talk!”

Zhao Meihua interjected, “Enough with the chatter, go wash the beans. The pot’s about to dry out.”

After all that back-and-forth, the topic of marriage matchmaking came to nothing, without any conclusion.