Chapter 3

Jiang Yao’s sister-in-law, Xu Lihong, sensed the tension and quickly tried to ease the situation. “Dad, of course our Yao Yao deserves a good man. I know the young man that Aunt Meng mentioned.”

“He’s good-looking and gentle. Sure, he used to be a bit unruly, liked to get into fights…”

“But now he’s matured a lot. These days, he’s making a living on his own in the county.”

“I heard he just became a permanent employee at a state-owned restaurant not long ago. If Yao Yao marries him, she could eat whatever she wants—might even get to have meat dishes every day!”

The better her sister-in-law’s marriage, the more it could benefit their whole family. Who knows—her son Shitou might end up living like a city kid, all thanks to his aunt.

Jiang Jianguo also chimed in to persuade Jiang Chaomin, “Eldest son, since your wife passed early, Yao Yao’s marriage falls entirely on your shoulders. It’s right for you to be cautious.”

“But meeting someone doesn’t mean she has to marry him.”

Jiang Chaomin thought for a moment. “If Yao Yao is willing to meet him, I won’t object. But if I find out this Deng boy isn’t decent, I won’t agree to the match—no matter how good his job is.”

…

Not long after, sister-in-law Xu Lihong came over with an embarrassed smile to pick up the child, handing Jiang Yao a piece of fruit candy.

“Little sister, I’m here to take Shitou back. Thanks for helping me look after him—here’s a candy to sweeten your mouth.”

She couldn’t hide the smile on her face and teased as she took the child back, “Your good fortune is just around the corner. Don’t forget our Shitou when you’re living the good life.”

What luck her sister-in-law had! She didn’t even get into college, yet a young man with a proper job in the city had taken a liking to her.

Soon she’d be enjoying life in the city. Given how kind she usually was to Shitou, he’d surely benefit from her marriage.

None of the neighbor kids could compare to their Shitou in closeness to Jiang Yao—any good things would naturally go to him first.

“Big Sis!” Jiang Yao called out, pretending to be shy, while thinking that this man must be the one the mysterious voice had mentioned to the original host.

That voice had only revealed a memory of the third childbirth—she didn’t even know the name of that cold man.

But from the way that man had muttered to the original host during labor, it was clear they had met through an arranged match this very year, married the next, and began the cycle of three children in three years.

The thought made Jiang Yao shudder, so much so she didn’t even notice when Xu Lihong left.

There was no way she would repeat the original host’s fate. That man—absolutely not.

She wasn’t going to be used as a baby-making machine, only to be blamed in the end for nearly harming his precious eldest son.

After Xu Lihong left, Jiang Yao lay on the bed, her mind full of worries. She closed her eyes, trying to figure out her next move.

As she was drifting off to sleep, the door creaked open.

“Jiajia, Grandma found a nice young man for you to meet.”

Li Guihua carefully entered the room, closed the door, sat beside Jiang Yao’s bed, and only spoke after studying her granddaughter’s expression.

“Once you’re back from the county this time, let’s go meet that young man, alright?”

Li Guihua’s heart ached for her granddaughter. If she’d started school a year earlier or later, she wouldn’t be in such an awkward spot now.

Still, she had a high school diploma, making her an educated person. That alone earned her more respect in the village.

“Grandma, I don’t want to go.”

Jiang Yao’s eyes remained tightly shut, trembling slightly before she finally opened them.

Seeing Li Guihua’s face, her heart softened. She had originally wanted to object more firmly, but her tone changed.

Li Guihua looked so much like her own grandmother—it made it hard to argue with her.

Jiang Yao closed her eyes again, then opened them as she calmed down and listened.

“Jiajia, this young man works at a state-run restaurant in the county, and he’s very handsome.”

Li Guihua leaned closer to Jiang Yao. “Silly girl, going to the city for work or marrying a city man and enjoying life there—it’s the same thing. Don’t let this great opportunity slip away.”

“Haven’t you been running to the county town every day recently looking for a job? This young man is a good option.”

The more Li Guihua talked, the more Jiang Yao rejected the idea of this supposedly perfect man.

“Grandma, if being a state-run restaurant worker is such a hot commodity, why wouldn’t he find a working girl in the county? Why come back to the village to find a country girl?”

He was either physically or mentally flawed—or his family was a complete mess—scaring off all the county girls.

Li Guihua chuckled. “My granddaughter isn’t just some ordinary village girl. You’re the only female high school graduate in our brigade!”

In her eyes, her granddaughter was so excellent it was no surprise she attracted attention. “You’re just as good as any girl from the county. Why shouldn’t you be matched with a city worker?”

“The young man’s name is Deng Hongda. He’s from your sister-in-law’s hometown and is the youngest of eight—four older brothers and three sisters.”

“He’s done well for himself—not only does he have a job in the county, but also a place to live. He’s a great catch.”

Li Guihua had asked around and heard nothing but praise about Deng Hongda from the neighboring brigades. Honest, hardworking, sweet-talking—he had won over the family elders, who spoiled him and gave him financial support.

In Li Guihua’s eyes, this match was ideal: no in-laws to live with (so no mother-in-law drama), yet support from the elders. Perfect.

“Grandma, if he’s as perfect as you say, he shouldn’t have trouble finding someone. Why come all the way back here?”

“Jiajia, you’re the only female high school graduate in several brigades. Don’t underestimate yourself.”

Li Guihua thought Jiang Yao was just feeling insecure, so she tried to comfort her.

“Any man would be lucky to marry you.”

But no matter how much Li Guihua tried to persuade her, Jiang Yao remained firm—she refused to meet Deng Hongda.

Li Guihua had no choice but to leave the room, paying no mind to Jiang Yao’s suspicion that there must be some hidden reason behind Deng Hongda’s eagerness to marry her.

Soon after, Xu Lihong, having been entrusted with the task by Grandma, braced herself and returned to Jiang Yao’s room to try persuading her.

Jiang Yao sighed upon seeing her return. She knew exactly why Xu Lihong was back—to convince her to meet Deng Hongda.

Sure enough, the moment Xu Lihong opened her mouth, she said:

“Jiajia, that young man’s conditions are among the best in our whole brigade. If he wasn’t from my hometown, you wouldn’t even have a shot.”

“It’s not like I’m trying to marry you off just for the sake of it. But you’ve already been to the county so many times and haven’t found a job—you can’t waste time like this anymore.”

“Otherwise, you’ll end up an old maid!”