Chapter 19: So That’s How It Is

So that’s how it is.

A glint of appraisal flashed in Wen Wan’s eyes, and she recalled the conversation she’d overheard last night.

In this era, women’s reputations were held to an incredibly harsh standard. Even if it wasn’t their fault, some people, with their narrow-minded and victim-blaming attitudes, would still spread vicious rumors.

Just last night, she’d heard three or four different versions of the story from Wen Dafu and Cui Yulan’s conversation, all insinuating that she and Liu Xiaoling were not innocent.

Wen Wan pondered. Zhou Haoting before her was good-looking, capable, and excellent in many aspects.

In her previous life, she’d lived for thirty years, focusing solely on studying hard and making money.

Now, an excellent man stood before her. Why not seize the opportunity? She could date a “young sprout,” and experience the joys of being a queen.

Zhou Haoting was filled with anxiety. His hands, in his pockets, repeatedly clenched and unclenched.

“Comrade Zhou, I’ve decided,” Hearing Wen Wan’s voice, Zhou Haoting held his breath, his gaze fixed on Wen Wan, awaiting her verdict.

Wen Wan gave a playful smile. “Let’s get engaged first, for a year. If we’re compatible, we’ll get married; if not, we’ll dissolve the engagement. Are you willing?” Her words hadn’t even settled.

“It’s a deal,” Zhou Haoting replied without hesitation, a smile uncontrollably spreading across his lips.

Wen Wan was speechless. She extended her right hand. “Comrade Zhou, pleasant cooperation.”

“Pleasant cooperation.” Zhou Haoting calmly and composedly grasped the delicate hand before him. He had held his wife’s hand, and he would never let go in this life.

Remembering that he only had two days off, Zhou Haoting said solemnly, “Xiaowan, I’ll go find a matchmaker right away. How about coming to propose at noon?”

Without waiting for Wen Wan’s answer, he continued, “By the way, what customs are there for engagements here? I need to prepare.”

Xiaowan should have everything others have, and even more.

Wen Wan was stunned for a few seconds. Could she say she didn’t know?

“Zhou Haoting, aren’t you rushing things? We’ve agreed, but we haven’t gotten our families’ consent yet.”

“Xiaowan, don’t worry, I’ll definitely persuade Uncle and Auntie,” Zhou Haoting assured her confidently.

Wen Wan shrugged, saying lightly, “Alright, let’s go inside.”

She didn’t want her own affairs to cause Wen Dafu and Cui Yulan to be gossiped about and lose face in the village. No matter what, she needed her parents’ approval.

“Uncle Wen, Auntie Cui, I…” As soon as Zhou Haoting entered the house and began to speak,

Wen Dafu waved his hand, interrupting him, his face stern as he warned,

“We heard everything just now. You better not bully my daughter, or I’ll kill you even if it costs me my life.”

He had wanted to stop Xiaowan earlier, but Yulan had held him back, telling him to trust Xiaowan to not let herself be taken advantage of.

“Dafu, Yulan, we’re family now. If Haoting does anything wrong, feel free to discipline him,” Grandma Guo said, her mouth practically splitting into a grin.

She grabbed Wen Wan’s right hand. “Xiaowan, Grandma is your strong backing. If Haoting dares to bully you, I’ll beat him up.” She quickly pulled out a jade bracelet from her pocket.

“Xiaowan, don’t dislike this bracelet for being dusty. It’s magical, it can protect you from harm.”

Wen Wan smiled faintly. “Thank you, Grandma, I like it.” The jade bracelet was clearly no ordinary item. She had intended to refuse, but once she held it, she genuinely liked it.

She couldn’t refuse the elderly woman’s kindness. If they broke up later, she would return it as it was.

Watching Zhou Haoting and Grandma Guo leave, Wen Dafu said sourly, “Xiaowan, don’t just agree to date him because he’s handsome. A man must be able to earn money.”

“Dad, he’s a deputy battalion commander now, his monthly salary must be higher than Chen Jianbing’s,” Wen Wan replied.

“Xiaowan, don’t you mind that he’s twenty-five? Seven years older than you,” Wen Dafu said with disdain.

Wen Wan paused. Oh, right, this body was only eighteen, but her mental age was thirty.

“Wen Dafu, you’re five years older than me, should I dislike you?” Cui Yulan glared at Wen Dafu with a smirk.

At first, she thought Wen Dafu was just a father’s reluctance to let go of his daughter, but as he became more and more unreasonable, she couldn’t help but speak up.

Wen Dafu pouted, not daring to provoke the “mother tiger.”

“Alright, go work in the fields, and ask for a leave for me. I’ll prepare lunch,” Cui Yulan pulled Wen Dafu out the door.

Wen Dafu twisted his arm. “Yulan, I won’t say it anymore, okay?”

“Wen Dafu, think about it, Zhou Haoting’s family only has Grandma Guo, a simple family. Our daughter won’t have to deal with mother-in-law issues.”

“No mother-in-law also means no one to help with the children. It’ll be tiring for the daughter alone,” Wen Dafu instinctively retorted.

Cui Yulan couldn’t help but laugh, patting her chest. “Our daughter has me, and you. We won’t lack people to help with the children.”

Hearing this, Wen Dafu’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t thought of that.

“We should be nice to Zhou Haoting and Grandma Guo. Once we’re family, our daughter can stay with us for a long time,” Cui Yulan whispered her plan.

Wen Jianguo, still working in the fields: I must have been picked up by my parents in the mountains. They say raising children is for old age, but the couple never thought of their simple-minded son, Wen Jianguo.

After dismissing Wen Jianguo, Cui Yulan slammed the door shut.

“Daughter, do you want braised pork or meatballs for lunch? Little Zhou brought over a big piece of pork.”

At the mention of braised pork, Wen Wan’s mouth watered. She had only eaten a piece of cured meat and some chicken the night she treated everyone to dinner.

“Mom, you decide. What can I help with?”

Cui Yulan stuffed two packets of biscuits into Wen Wan’s hands. “Go to your room and read a book, eat some biscuits. You have to work hard at the job Little Zhou finds for you.

Remember, in a family, whoever controls the finances has the say. After you get married, make sure Little Zhou hands over his salary…”

Listening to Cui Yulan’s rambling, Wen Wan’s heart felt warm, like it was soaking in a hot spring.

Looking at the ever-growing pile of things in front of her, Wen Wan pulled Cui Yulan. “Mom, you and sister-in-law can share the malted milk essence, I’m strong enough, I don’t need to drink it.”

“No, keep it all for yourself. Little Zhou brought it for you,” Cui Yulan insisted.

Wen Wan flexed her fist. “Mom, I can punch a cow to death, don’t compare with me.”

“Put it down.” Cui Yulan looked nervously at the door. “Daughter, I told you, don’t show off your strength. Girls should be gentle and delicate to be loved.”