Chapter 49: Getting Closer (Part 1)

Everyone in this family had a bit of a decisive streak in them.

Mu Mian was no exception.

Since she had said she would help her brother find out Nie Sihui’s thoughts, she decided to go that very evening.

She didn’t go in the afternoon only because Nie Sihui had work. Otherwise, she would’ve gone right away.

Nie Sihui had taken leave that morning to help Jian Mulan get medicine.

Unlike city teachers, teachers at the brigade elementary school didn’t receive salaries. Naturally, there were no paid vacations either.

They earned work points for each day they taught. If they didn’t teach, they didn’t get any points, so they had to work the fields as well.

That said, winter breaks were long, since there wasn’t much farm work during that time.

—

Soon, it was time for the afternoon work shift to end.

Mu Mian put down what she was doing, her face filled with excitement as she announced to Mu Zhuo and Zhao Meihua, “I’m heading out now!”

Her matchmaking journey was about to begin!

Mu Zhuo was helping the old lady sort old thread. His face looked calm, but he was so distracted that he didn’t even notice the knots forming in the thread.

Zhao Meihua chuckled, her eyes narrowing with amusement. “Hurry up and go! If you don’t, your brother will end up tangling that whole bundle of thread beyond saving.”

Mu Zhuo didn’t try to argue with his grandma. He scratched his head and admitted, “I just don’t know what she thinks about me yet.”

He had a feeling there might be something there, but without confirmation, he didn’t want to assume anything about what the young woman was thinking.

Mu Mian patted her brother on the shoulder with a serious look. “Don’t worry! From my experience, Sister Sihui is at least eighty to ninety percent interested!”

Zhao Meihua burst into laughter. “And where did you get this experience from?”

Mu Mian lifted her chin. “Even if you haven’t eaten pork, you’ve definitely seen pigs run. Lele’s sister-in-law took one look and was immediately interested in Brother Xu. My brother and Sister Sihui have already taken a second glance at each other too.”

As she spoke, she glanced at the ball of thread in her brother’s hands, let out a mischievous laugh, and added, “Alright, I won’t say any more. If I don’t leave now, my brother will be so anxious his butt will catch on fire.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the lively little girl, who always seemed to have endless energy, darted three meters away in an instant.

Seeing its owner run outside, Shiyi quickly followed, wagging its tail happily.

Mu Mian looked down at the big black dog and kept chattering as she walked. “I’m not going up the mountain. Why are you following me? Go back inside.”

Naturally, Shiyi didn’t go back. It stuck to her like a little shadow.

This dog was incredibly smart. It clearly understood some words, but at times, it chose to ignore them.

Seeing that Shiyi wouldn’t leave, Mu Mian stopped trying to shoo it away. “Don’t tell me you want a wife too? That’s out of my hands. Where am I supposed to find you a pretty dog wife?”

Shiyi: “Woof woof!”

Mu Mian: “Why don’t you go find my brother? I’ll help him find a wife, and he can help you find one. We’ll take turns.”

Shiyi: “Woof woof!”

Mu Mian: “But I think your chances aren’t great. A wife for you won’t be easy to find, so don’t get your hopes up too high.”

Shiyi: “Woof woof!”

…

All the way there, the girl and the dog kept chattering back and forth. Even though neither truly understood what the other was saying, they both responded to every sentence.

Before long, they arrived at the educated youth dormitory.

At this time of year, the days were long. The sun rose early and set late.

After finishing work in the afternoon, there were still about two hours before nightfall. No one would be cooking at this time since it was still too early.

Most people used this time to take care of personal chores, like washing clothes by the river or tending to their small plots of land.

The educated youth dormitory also had a communal plot of land. It was collectively farmed, and the harvest was shared among everyone. No one had a personal plot.

When Mu Mian arrived, she immediately spotted Nie Sihui bending over in their communal plot, seemingly busy with something.

She waved her arm high and called out in a bright voice, “Sister Sihui!”

Nie Sihui turned around and looked over. “Xiao Mian, what are you doing here at this hour?”

Mu Mian quickly ran over and grinned. “Hehe, I came to ask you something. What are you doing? I’ll help you.”

Nie Sihui waved her hand. “No need, no need. I’m not doing much, just checking if the cucumbers are touching the ground.”

If they touched the ground, they could rot. Growing vegetables wasn’t easy, and it would be a shame if they spoiled.

Hearing that Sister Sihui wasn’t too busy, Mu Mian immediately latched onto her arm. “Then can I ask you something, Sister Sihui?”

For some reason, when faced with the girl’s bright smile, Nie Sihui suddenly felt a little nervous. “W-what is it?”

Mu Mian glanced around. This wasn’t a good place to talk. There were other educated youths nearby.

She tugged Sister Sihui’s arm and led her away. “Let’s go somewhere quieter.”

Hearing that, Nie Sihui grew even more nervous, and a ripple of emotion stirred in her heart.

Mu Mian didn’t go too far, just about ten meters away before stopping. Then she leaned in close to Sister Sihui’s ear and got straight to the point, whispering, “Sister Sihui, what do you think of my brother?”

The little guess and slight unease in Nie Sihui’s heart were confirmed in an instant. Her heartbeat skipped a beat, and an image of a tanned, strong figure flashed through her mind.

It was strange. She hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now that she recalled it, the image was incredibly clear.

The tips of Nie Sihui’s ears turned slightly red. She suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

Why on earth was she remembering what a man looked like without a shirt?!

Nie Sihui cleared her throat, trying to cough away the image from her mind.

But as soon as she turned her head slightly, she met the bright, knowing gaze of the girl beside her.

Mu Mian’s big, round eyes sparkled, full of meaning, as if they could talk.

Her mouth was even more talkative than her eyes. She nudged Sihui lightly with her elbow and teased, “What are you thinking about, Sister Sihui? You still haven’t answered me. What do you think of my brother?”

Nie Sihui’s gaze drifted in the air, unable to find a place to settle. “He’s… a good man.”

Whether from the villagers’ words or from Xiao Mian’s praise, there was no doubt that he was an outstanding young man—more capable than anyone she knew.

But Mu Mian wasn’t satisfied with this vague answer. Her small mouth moved quickly as she pressed on. “What kind of good? The kind you’d consider for a relationship?”

Almost the second she finished speaking, Nie Sihui choked on her own saliva and coughed several times.

Mu Mian quickly patted her back.

Nie Sihui had just caught her breath when she heard the girl beside her say, “My brother asked me to ask you. He thinks there’s definitely potential!”

Nie Sihui’s face visibly reddened.

For a moment, she wasn’t sure if it was from the coughing or from the tiny stirrings of affection in her heart.

Mu Mian’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “Sister Sihui, what do you think?”

Nie Sihui was, after all, a girl who had the courage to drop out of school and head to the countryside when she was just one semester away from graduating high school.

Aside from the initial embarrassment of having her feelings so bluntly exposed, she wasn’t overly shy about it.

Of course, Mu Mian’s directness also had an effect. So, Nie Sihui was just as straightforward.

She met Mu Mian’s smiling eyes and admitted frankly, “I think we could get to know each other better.”

Mu Mian burst into laughter and even bounced twice on the spot. “Hehe, I knew it! Then you two should find some time to spend together!”

Just then, a few educated youths returned from outside and walked past them.

Mu Mian didn’t stay long. “Sister Sihui, I’m heading off first!”

She needed to rush back and share the good news!

Her path as a little matchmaker was a bright and promising one.

As soon as Mu Mian arrived home with Shiyi, who hadn’t run to his heart’s content yet, she ran into her father returning from the commune.

Mu Fugui was pushing his bicycle when he saw his daughter looking so happy she seemed about to bounce with joy. “Where are you coming back from? Why are you so happy? Did you find money on the ground?”

Only then did Mu Mian remember that her father wasn’t aware of what had happened yet.

She grinned and leaned in close to Comrade Mu Fugui, whispering, “I didn’t find money, but I found a sister-in-law. Dad, you might be getting a daughter-in-law soon.”

Once they started spending time together, wouldn’t that mean they’d be dating?

And once they started dating, wouldn’t that mean they could get married?

In other words, she was about to have a sister-in-law!

Mu Fugui’s eyes widened. “Who? When did this happen?”

He had only been at work at the commune for a day, so how had such a big event taken place?!

Before Mu Mian could answer, Zhao Meihua had already rushed to the courtyard entrance in excitement. “Stop chattering at the door. Come inside and talk. What did that girl, Xiao Nie, say?”

Mu Mian ran over and affectionately hooked her arm around the old lady’s, her voice sweet as honey. “Just like I said, Sister Sihui also thinks my brother is pretty good. They can get to know each other, and whether or not they end up together depends on my brother now.”

Mu Fugui, who had just figured out what was going on, casually parked his bicycle in the yard and said with a grin, “Oh, it’s that girl Xiao Nie? Did Xiao Zhuo meet with her today?”

Zhao Meihua immediately smacked her eldest son on the back. “Lower your voice! If it doesn’t work out in the end, it wouldn’t be good for the girl’s reputation.”

Getting to know each other meant they still needed to spend a little more time understanding one another.

Although they had already learned quite a bit about each other, there was always the chance they might discover some small incompatibility in the end.

Mu Fugui had no authority in front of his mother and wife. Since he was told to lower his voice, he obediently did so, lowering it by several octaves. Leaning in, he whispered to his daughter, “How did they hit it off if they didn’t even meet for a proper introduction?”

His voice was so low, he sounded like a thief.

Mu Mian played along with her father and whispered back in the same hushed tone, though her speed remained as quick as ever.

She started from the morning when they went to clear the weeds at the old man’s grave, telling the whole story up until now.

To summarize, before even meeting, the two unmarried young comrades had already gained a good impression of each other.

Once they met, they found that they got along very well and had a great connection.

So, while it seemed fast, everything had actually happened quite naturally.

By the end of her story, Mu Mian proudly lifted her chin. Most importantly…

She, the little matchmaker, had played a crucial role in this!

She was practically the bridge between the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl!

Mu Fugui understood his daughter very well. Without hesitation, he made a decision. “If they really end up getting married, your brother has to give you a big matchmaker’s gift!”

Mu Mian immediately turned to Mu Zhuo. “Brother, what do you say?”

Mu Zhuo replied, “I’ll give you however big a gift you want!”

Mu Mian beamed. “Then I’ll be waiting! If it’s not a thick stack, I won’t let it slide.”

—

The marriage hadn’t happened yet, and the bride hadn’t entered the house.

So, for now, the matter of the gift could be set aside.

The first stroke of the character had been written, but the final stroke still needed to be completed.

As someone who saw herself as a dedicated little matchmaker, Mu Mian wasted no time in carrying out her duties.

The next afternoon, not long after work, she appeared at the educated youth dormitory with a small basket on her back. “Sister Sihui, want to go dig for wild vegetables?”

As she spoke, she subtly raised her eyebrows.

The underlying message was clear…

While digging for wild vegetables, they could just so happen to run into her brother!

Jian Mulan happened to be there as well. Without thinking too much, she asked, “Now? Didn’t we agree to make winter melon soup tonight? I’ve never tried cooking it together before. Won’t it turn out bad?”

This just proved how well Nie Sihui and Mu Zhuo matched.

Before, Mu Zhuo had felt embarrassed when his little sister teased him. But before long, he had adjusted and was even able to take the initiative himself.

Now, Nie Sihui was the same. After that initial shyness passed, she was completely at ease. Facing Jian Mulan’s question, she responded smoothly without hesitation, “If we don’t eat it tonight, we’ll have it tomorrow morning.”

After saying that, she walked toward Mu Mian, leaving Jian Mulan with her half-spoken protest—“It’ll be all wilted by then”—stuck in her throat.

Mu Mian greeted Jian Mulan before leading Nie Sihui toward the base of the mountain.

At this time, there were quite a few people around, all engaged in different activities.

Some were digging for wild vegetables, some were gathering firewood, and some children were running around playing.

From a distance, Mu Mian spotted her brother digging for wild vegetables with Shiyi, along with Xiao Chengzi and Gutou.

She was a bit surprised. When had her brother invited Xiao Chengzi and Gutou along? He had clearly only brought the dog when he left earlier.

As expected, once a man opened his heart, things changed.

He had planned everything thoroughly.

Even though they were just getting to know each other, it was obvious they couldn’t be alone together.

At this time, an unmarried man and woman walking together alone would easily invite gossip.

Mu Mian had already thought about this beforehand, which was why she had come along as cover. But she hadn’t expected her brother to be even more thorough by bringing two more people.

Not bad. This ‘coincidental’ meeting was perfectly arranged!

As she silently gave her brother a thumbs-up in her heart, the two of them reached the group.

Just as she arrived, she heard Xiao Chengzi say, “Sister Xiao Mian, where did you run off to? Brother Zhuo said you weren’t around, so he asked us to come and keep him company while digging for wild vegetables.”

He wasn’t really interested in digging.

And he definitely wasn’t interested in eating them either.

He wanted to go play by the river. Dazhuang and the others were all there.

But Brother Zhuo said he hadn’t been back in a long time and didn’t know where to find wild vegetables, so he wanted them to lead the way.

Sigh, their Brother Zhuo seemed a little slow. How could he not even know where to find wild vegetables? Weren’t they everywhere?

Mu Mian glanced at her older brother.

Not bad, even his two little followers could be put to use.

Mu Mian said, “I went to the educated youth dormitory to play.”

Xiao Chengzi pouted. “What’s so fun about that? I want to go to the river and catch some snails.”

Of course, the educated youth dormitory wasn’t fun, but playing matchmaker was!

Mu Mian grinned and said to her two little cousins, “Go ahead if you want.”

She had things covered here!

Hearing that, the two little boys ran off without hesitation.