Chapter 16: Taking a Dose of Gunpowder

Inside the house.

Ding Guihua, supporting herself with her hands on her knees, gasped for breath, “It’s done…”

“Chen Jianbing and Wen Wan broke off their engagement, right?” Liu Xiaoling clutched her clothes, anxiously confirming.

Ding Guihua nodded repeatedly, “Yes… you’re right.”

She thought to herself, thankfully she listened to her daughter last night. Since they had already started, how could they just give up?

If, as her sister-in-law suggested, she just found someone who could afford the betrothal gift and married Xiaoling off, Xiaoling would certainly never help her younger brother, Xiaojun, in the future.

“Mom, wait a moment, go find Dad, and have him approach Grandpa and Grandma. Tell them you’ve found a suitable match, and that the other family will be proposing marriage in a day or two,” Liu Xiaoling exclaimed joyfully.

Hongxia had visited her that morning, saying that Jianbing had decided to propose and marry her. She needed to persuade her family, she couldn’t lose face.

Ding Guihua felt uncertain, “Xiaoling, if Chen Jianbing finds out about you pushing Wen Wan away, will he still come?”

Understanding the implication in Ding Guihua’s words, Liu Xiaoling straightened her tall, full figure and confidently said, “Mom, you have to believe I can convince him.”

After Wen Wan took the money, she realized she had fallen into Wen Wan’s trap.

As long as there was no evidence in front of her, no matter what others said, she shouldn’t admit it.

“What about his parents?” Ding Guihua asked frankly. As a mother herself, if her son were to find a malicious woman, she certainly wouldn’t agree.

“Hehe…” Liu Xiaoling’s lips curled upward, “When do parents ever win against their sons?” Her mother wouldn’t have forgotten how she married her father, would she?

Ding Guihua swept her hair back with her right hand and said with a light smile, “You’re just like me, my daughter.”

Yes, she, Ding Zhaodi – no, Ding Guihua – had also worked hard to marry Liu Sanmu, aiming for his honesty, obedience, and hard work.

“Mom, the rest is up to you. If you can take this opportunity to divide the family property, that would be even better,” Liu Xiaoling guided her.

Ding Guihua paused, “Dividing the family property is out of the question. I don’t want to work.”

She wasn’t a fool. Her son was only a few years old; his education and marriage would all require money. If they divided the property, the family funds wouldn’t support them.

Liu Xiaoling gave up, quickly adding, “Mom, I was hoping you could take charge, but if you don’t want to, then forget it.”

“Daughter, you’re so thoughtful,” Ding Guihua praised.

She then examined Liu Xiaoling’s face, feeling extremely proud. Her daughter was even more beautiful than she was in her youth; choosing a wealthy husband was a must.

Liu Xiaoling and her mother were overjoyed on one side.

On the other side, the Chen father and son returned home with a belly full of fire.

“San’er, did you bring back the marriage contract?” Seeing Chen Jianbing return, Chen’s mother rushed over to ask anxiously.

She had just gone to see a matchmaker and was waiting to propose marriage to the Liu family the next day.

Chen Jianbing felt heavy in his heart and silently nodded.

Chen’s mother happily slapped her thigh, “Great, I have to prepare things for the proposal tomorrow.”

“What’s great? We lost face today!” Chen’s father turned around, pointing at Chen’s mother and roaring, “It’s all because of your bad idea. Now our Chen family has a bad reputation.”

He could imagine that within three days, the whole village would know what happened today, and their family’s reputation would be ruined.

“What are you yelling about? Breaking off the engagement damaged Wen Wan’s reputation the most. My San’er is capable, he won’t lack someone to marry,” Chen’s mother retorted unconvinced.

She had instructed Chen’s father to shout loudly when giving the money, hoping that passersby near Wen Wan’s house could hear.

Nowadays, no one was wealthy. Spreading the news that Wen Wan demanded a large sum of money for breaking off the engagement would make it impossible for her to marry in the future.

Seeing Chen’s mother’s self-satisfied look, Chen’s father slapped her across the face, “Troublemaker, wasteful woman, you have no filter on your mouth, and your brain is full of mush.”

“Enough, do you want to make things even worse?” Chen Jianbing roared, unable to bear it any longer.

Seeing Chen Jianbing’s sudden change of face, everyone in the yard was startled.

Chen Jianbing took a deep breath and rubbed his brow, “Mom, let’s go propose marriage tomorrow. My vacation is almost over, I have to return to the army in three days.”

After saying this, he turned and went back to his room, slamming the door shut.

“Mom… waaaaa… I’m scared,” Chen Xiaobao, with a runny nose, threw himself into Qian Zhaodi’s arms and cried.

Qian Zhaodi comforted him with a trembling voice, “Xiaobao, don’t cry, Mommy is here…” This was the first time she had seen her third son lose his temper.

“San’er, did he take gunpowder?” Chen Jianmin muttered softly.

In the kitchen, Zhao Guizhen glanced at her two children, making sure they weren’t scared before she breathed a sigh of relief.

She knew that the family would be noisy these days, so she would avoid it with her children as much as possible.

Chen Hongxia quietly pulled Chen’s mother to a corner, “Mom, did you tell Dad to shout loudly when giving the money?”

Chen’s mother covered her face and nodded.

“Oh, you don’t know, there were so many people around Wen Wan’s house watching…” Chen Hongxia quickly recounted what happened when they broke off the engagement.

Chen’s mother gritted her teeth in anger, “That bitch, a worthless thing, she deserves to be alone…”

…

The next morning, as soon as it got light.

“Knock knock knock… Sister-in-law, open the door?”

Hearing the knock, Ding Guihua diligently got up, “Mom, I’ll go see who it is?”

Opening the door, she saw Zhang, the famous matchmaker from the neighborhood. Ding Guihua’s mouth almost reached her ears.

“Guihua, congratulations.” Zhang’s face was full of smiles.

“Hahaha, Aunt Zhang, what’s there to congratulate me for?” Ding Guihua pretended not to understand and led her inside.

Zhang smiled without saying a word and stepped inside.

“Brother Liu, Sister-in-law, I’ve come to bring you good news.”

Seeing the Liu family looking puzzled, Zhang sat down next to the old Mrs. Liu, “Sister-in-law, I’m here for a serious matter, to propose a marriage for your Xiaoling.”

Old Mrs. Liu turned to her eldest daughter-in-law, her eyes asking: Did you call her?

Li Xiaohua shook her head, still wondering. Her sister-in-law had said they should wait a while before negotiating the betrothal gift, and the difference would be split between her and her sister-in-law.

“Ahem…” Zhang cleared her throat, “Sister-in-law, I’m talking about Chen Jianbing from the next village. He and Xiaoling are a match made in heaven.”

“What?” Old Mrs. Liu sat up straight, “You… you mean Chen Jianbing, the soldier?”

“Yes, him. His parents specifically asked me to come and ask about your family’s opinion early.” Zhang nodded, “If it’s suitable, we’ll come to propose marriage tomorrow, and get married the day after.”

Two voices rang out at the same time.

“Not suitable.” Old Mr. Liu roared in refusal.

“Suitable.” Ding Guihua shouted in agreement.