Chapter 31: Marriage Proposals

After Hao Li and the others left, Hua Yuanyuan returned to her room early, closed the door, and went into her private space to work.

She pondered for five minutes, realizing she couldn’t do anything about Hao Li.

She could only vent her frustration on Hua Fangfang.

Thus, for a long time afterward, Hua Fangfang’s favorite pastime of reading picture books decreased significantly.

Every night, she had to complete the assignments her sister gave her, supposedly as preparation for selling vegetables in the future.

One pound of vegetables costs 13 cents, how much do two pound cost?

If you receive 50 cents, how much change do you give back?

If you receive one yuan, how much change do you give back?

One pound of vegetables costs 18 cents, how much do three pound cost?

…

After dinner, Hua Youcai went for his usual stroll. Before he even reached the small shop, he bumped into Aunt Zhao.

Not only Aunt Zhao, but also several older women were looking for him.

He led them home, guessing it was about marriage proposals for his daughter.

He hadn’t thought about it yet, what should he do?

Many families were interested in Hua Yuanyuan’s hand in marriage. Because the Hua family were newcomers, not natives, most people were still observing, wanting to see more.

Yesterday, Aunt Zhao helped initiate a proposal from a family in the neighboring village, and everyone else became restless.

Opportunities for marriage proposals are fleeting, and all the interested families sprang into action.

So, nothing can be kept secret in the village.

This matter was overheard by a neighbor when Hua Youcai visited Aunt Zhao’s house in the morning.

The neighbor directly asked Aunt Zhao. They were long-time neighbors, so Aunt Zhao didn’t hide anything and told the truth.

She said that someone wanted to propose to the Hua family’s daughter, but the Hua father rejected them because they had a child.

A single, older man from the north end of the village, 30 years old and still unmarried, immediately sought out Wang Da Ye’s wife, Aunt Wang, upon hearing the news of Hua Yuanyuan’s marriage proposals.

Firstly, the Hua family rented a house from the Wang family, and Hua Lao Tou frequently visited the small shop, making him closest to Wang Da Ye.

Aunt Wang was urged by her husband to come out after dinner and met them on the way.

She didn’t want to be a go-between, feeling that the two sides were not suitable.

Hua Yuanyuan helped sell goods at the mountain fair. She’s a clever and articulate girl with good looks; the older single men in the village were simply not a match for her.

Wang Da Ye thought the same. Since his old friend asked for his help, he had to at least inquire. If Hua Lao Di didn’t like it, then so be it, no forcing the matter.

Hua Youcai felt a chill being watched by four women, his son left inside the house.

Hua Fangfang also wanted to listen, to see what kind of men were being proposed for his sister.

“Everyone, I’m a straightforward person, let’s just say it straight.”

Hua Youcai’s opening remarks were simple and blunt.

Aunt Zhao followed yesterday’s approach, saying directly, “From Li Jia Village, five li away from here. If it works out, it’ll be convenient to visit her parents’ home…”

“Juan’s mother, what are you rambling about? Don’t say useless things.”

“Okay, okay, don’t interrupt. Li Guang Ming from Li Jia Village single-handedly raised his younger siblings, leaving himself single. He’s capable, manages his farmland well, and is strong…”

Hua Youcai nodded: He can farm and is strong.

“It’s because the girls rejected him for being poor.”

Aunt Wang had never encountered such a situation before – several people proposing for a girl at once, and the father being unreliable.

Children without mothers are pitiful.

“Wang Yan Nian from the north end of the village, 29 years old, still unmarried.”

Hua Youcai recalled carefully, not quite recognizing him. He probably had seen him.

“Why hasn’t he married?”

…

These were villagers, all well-acquainted.

Hua Youcai was unhappy. After so much talk, when it came to the important matter, everyone became mute.

Aunt Wang didn’t intend to hide anything. She wouldn’t do anything immoral, harming the girl. She would definitely say everything.

“Ahem, when he was young, he got into a fight and injured someone. He spent a few days in jail. Later, his family spent a lot of money to get him out. The girls he was seeing were about to get married, so they broke up…”

After that, he had no luck finding a wife, searching for years without success. He gave up and became lazy and unproductive.

Fighting wasn’t a big deal. Hua Youcai thought the child might be unlucky, but his nature wasn’t bad. But being unproductive was unacceptable.

Lazy and unproductive, could his daughter tolerate that?

If they got married, wouldn’t they fight every day?

“My old sister said that after marrying a wife, he will definitely work hard, earn money to support his family, his wife and children.”

Sounds good.

…

There were four people in total: two single men around 30, one divorced man with a five-year-old child, and a widower without children.

After sending them away, father and son were speechless.

Hua Fangfang didn’t blame his sister for making him do math problems; he just felt sorry for his sister, seeing the kind of men being proposed.

He remembered when his sister was looking for a husband five years ago; they were all good young men from the neighborhood. Sigh!

“Dad, find someone my sister likes. If she doesn’t like anyone, she doesn’t have to marry. It’s fine to stay at home.”

“Okay, remember what you said now. In the future, your sister will have the final say on her marriage, and you’ll move out and live separately after you get married.”

Hua Fangfang…”What if my wife can’t cook well?”

This brat only thinks about eating, “Do you want your sister to cook for the rest of her life? As if!”

“No, my sister cooks well.”

“Then let your wife learn. After you get married, your wife will cook. There’s no reason for a sister-in-law to serve the whole family.”

“Yeah, Dad, remember to mention this when you look for a wife for me.”

…

Hua Yuanyuan stretched in the doorway in the morning, feeling refreshed. She saw her father and brother with dark circles under their eyes, just coming out of the room.

She glanced at her watch; it was 7 o’clock. Why were they up so late today? Were they too tired from working yesterday?

One was thinking about his future wife, the other about his future son-in-law, and neither slept well.

“Sister, more people came to propose marriage for you.”

Hua Fangfang yawned, not fully awake yet.

“What kind of people?”

…

Well, Hua Yuanyuan realized her situation was delicate.

It seemed she needed to seriously consider her personal matters.

The eyes of the masses are sharp. Looking at the marriage proposals, one can roughly understand people’s perception of you.

Older bachelors, divorced with children…

Although Hua Yuanyuan had experienced bad men twice, she still wanted to get married.

Good men still exist. Talking about love is a bit…

What exactly is love? She used to believe she had found love, but reality slapped her in the face.

So, it doesn’t have to be love, just two people who like each other, forming a loving family.

For this family, supporting each other and moving forward.

This was Hua Yuanyuan’s current view of marriage and family.

Of course, feelings will change over time. Maybe one day you won’t like each other anymore and fall for someone else. It’s simple; just separate.

When together, have a happy, simple, and ordinary life. After separation, one can still have a beautiful life.

If you meet a suitable person in the future, you can continue your relationship and start over.

Since she wants to get married, considering her circumstances, the possibility of falling in love is almost zero. So let others introduce her.

Matchmaking.