Chapter 36: Secretly Investigating the Prospective Bride

After Qiao Fangfang left, Mother Chen went home to find her son.

Although they’d put the word out, few had come to propose. The few who did introduced unsuitable women: lazy women in their mid-twenties, unattractive women with bad reputations, and even a divorced woman.

Did they think the Chen family would accept anyone?

The more people looked down on her son, the more determined she was to find him an outstanding wife.

Chen Sheng didn’t move when his mother told him to go to Gaoshi Village to see the girl.

“It’s so hot. Can’t the girl come to town?  I’m not going.  Go yourself.”

His mother pushed him. “You’re not serious about finding a wife!  This time is different.  She’s pretty, hardworking, and not yet seventeen…”

Chen Sheng waved his hand. “No way. You always say that. Last time, you tricked me into going to Xiwan Village.  What was she like? A sharp-faced, black, buck-toothed woman who looked like a monkey! 

Can you trust matchmakers? They can make the dead seem alive; they turned a buck-toothed woman into a fairy. You haven’t even seen her, and you’re praising her. If you want to see her, go yourself.”

Unable to persuade her son, Mother Chen gritted her teeth. “Fine, ancestor, I’ll go.  If I like her, you can see her later, alright?”

Chen Sheng perked up, looking at his mother’s back. “Make sure she’s pretty.  I don’t want an ugly wife; people will laugh at me.”

That day, Mother Chen cycled to Gaoshi Village.

She asked her relative, Cousin Liu, about the Qiao family.

What she learned was alarming.

The Qiao family was a mess.

Qiao Jiuwang was biased and unkind; Qiao Youcai’s brothers were disobedient and rebellious; Qiao Jianguo was lazy and injured; and Qiao Jianhua was a sycophant to his father-in-law.

Mother Chen’s heart sank.

A family like that could their daughter be any good?

Cousin Liu was a gossip.  In their circle, whoever had the latest scoop was the queen bee.

The Qiao family’s situation was common knowledge in the village.

But for Mother Chen, this was breaking news.

She spoke passionately, condemning Lei Honghua and her husband, then Qiao Youfu and his brothers.

People love to find fault with the powerless and praise the powerful.  Cousin Liu was no different.

But as she spoke, she noticed Mother Chen’s expression darkening.

Cousin Liu paused.  What was it?

Did she not want to hear the gossip?

Her niece’s family owned a shop in town, and she couldn’t usually get close to them.  She wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

If she didn’t want to hear the bad news, she’d hear the good news.

“Well, every family has its problems. 

Youfu and Youcai have been a bit unruly lately, but they’re both very capable. 

And their eldest daughter, Daya, earned work points to support herself at a young age. 

Even before the collective farms were disbanded, she could do a man’s work.”

Mother Chen’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Seeing her method worked, Cousin Liu nodded repeatedly. “Of course, ask anyone in the village; is there a single lie in what I said?”

Mother Chen asked, “If she’s so capable, isn’t she big and strong, like a man?”

Cousin Liu lowered her chin, her face serious. “No way.”

“Daya is very pretty, like her grandmother.  Her grandmother, Yang Mei, was a beauty in her youth.  If she were still alive, she’d be the most beautiful old woman around.”

Seeing Cousin Liu rambling, Mother Chen steered the conversation back. “Aunt, which one is Qiao Daya? Can I see her?”

Cousin Liu was about to agree when she paused, looking back at Mother Chen. “Why do you want to see Daya?”

Remembering Chen Sheng and the rumors about his family looking for a wife, Cousin Liu said, “You came all this way… you wouldn’t be…”

Mother Chen didn’t hide it. “That’s right, I’m looking for a wife for my son, Chen Sheng.”

Cousin Liu raised her voice. “Your Chen Sheng and Daya???”

The smile on Mother Chen’s face faded. “What? Is my son not good enough for a country girl?”

Cousin Liu recovered. “No, that’s not what I mean.  Daya isn’t even seventeen yet.”

Mother Chen smiled. “Seventeen isn’t young.  I remember you were talking about marriage at sixteen, weren’t you?”

The sun began to set, the harsh light fading.

Qiao Jiangxin and Liu Afang went home to cook.

The house was still empty, and Liu Afang was relieved.

Qiao Jiangxin checked the kitchen and picked up a water bucket. “Mom, sit down. We’re out of water. I’ll fetch some.”

“Aunt Niu, picking vegetables?”  Passing a house, Qiao Jiangxin greeted Aunt Niu.

Aunt Niu was conflicted but decided after Qiao Jiangxin’s greeting.

Looking around, she beckoned Qiao Jiangxin. “Daya, come here. I need to tell you something.”

Qiao Jiangxin, carrying the bucket, approached.  “What is it?”

Aunt Niu said, “When you were washing your face at the well, a woman in a plaid shirt was there. Do you remember?”

Qiao Jiangxin nodded. “Yes, what about it?”

Aunt Niu lowered her voice. “I overheard her talking to Cousin Liu.  It seems your aunt and grandmother promised you to her son. I asked Cousin Liu; she’s her niece.  They own a coffin shop in town, and her son is named Chen Sheng. He’s…” Aunt Niu’s eyes narrowed in disgust.

Qiao Jiangxin understood.  In her past life, Lei Honghua also tried to marry her off to Chen Sheng.  This time, it was a year earlier.

Aunt Niu continued, “Mother Chen seems to like you, but you should check out her son.

Don’t get a fiancé without knowing anything.”