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“Mommy, I also want to study and learn with my brother,” Xiao Bao looked at Wang Jinhe with eager eyes and said earnestly.
“You’re still young, you can’t go to school yet,” Wang Jinhe shook her head, not agreeing to let Xiao Bao go.
Seeing Wang Jinhe’s resolute expression, Xiao Bao could only lower his head in defeat. Zhang Zhilin looked at his disappointed face and quickly said, “Don’t be disappointed, Xiao Bao. When Brother is on break, I will come to teach you how to read. How about that?”
Xiao Bao then nodded contentedly, “Okay, brother is the best, and Mother is a big troublemaker.”
Wang Jinhe pointed to herself. Was she the big troublemaker now?
Who was she doing this for?
In the following days, Zhang Zhilin came over every day, playing until the afternoon before returning home. Until one day, when Zhang Zhilin was leaving, he held onto Xiao Bao’s chubby hand, “Brother will start studying from tomorrow and won’t be able to come and play. I’ll come to see you when I have breaks.”
“Okay.”
Reluctantly, Zhang Zhilin left, and when he got home, both Gu Jing and Zhang Qin were there.
Seeing her son return with a disappointed look, Gu Jing felt a bit perplexed. “Son, do you like going to other people’s houses that much?”
“I like playing with Xiao Bao.” Although Xiao Bao’s family wasn’t well-off, the people in his family were nice, and there were big and little flowers too.
The big flower is really smart.
“When you have breaks, you can go visit. You’re the older brother, so you have to set a good example for your younger brother, right?” Gu Jing coaxed softly.
Zhang Zhilin nodded, “I already told Xiao Bao that when I have a break, I’ll go see him and teach him how to read.”
“Well, you better study well so you can teach your younger brother. That’s how it should be,” Zhang Qin smiled at his son.
Well, of course.”
Since Zhang Zhilin started his studies, Xiao Bao had returned to being by himself, playing alone. But he often ended up not playing and left Wang Jinhe somewhat helpless.
Mrs. Gu observed Little Bao’s lack of enthusiasm, “Recently, Xiao Bao used to play with Xiao Zhi. Now that Xiao Zhi is going to school, he doesn’t have a playmate, so he’s not having fun.”
“That’s right.”
Mrs. Gu looked at Wang Jinhe, who remained silent for a moment before speaking, “Xiao He, what are your plans for the future? Are you just going to continue like this at the age of 17?”
Wang Jinhe gazed at Mrs. Gu, and after a long pause, she finally spoke, “Mother, for now, I don’t want to think about that too much. Taking care of Xiao Bao is enough for me.”
“I just want to earn a bit more money right now,” Wang Jinhe said seriously.
In this world, the idea of having multiple wives and concubines was something she disliked. If she couldn’t find the right person, she believed that living like this with Xiao Bao would be quite satisfying.
“Why are you suddenly asking me about this, Mother?” They hadn’t asked about this before. Why did Mrs. Gu bring up this topic today?
“Someone came to ask me if you have any intention of getting married. If you do, they offered to help arrange a match. That’s why I wanted to ask your thoughts about it. You don’t need to consider our opinions. Just follow your own heart,” Mrs. Gu explained to Wang Jinhe.
Wang Jinhe furrowed her brows. She hadn’t expected something like this. Someone actually wanted to arrange a match for her? That was quite intriguing.
“But Mother, no one has mentioned this for so many years. Why suddenly now?” Wang Jinhe squinted.
“It’s probably because they saw our new house and thought we have money,” Mrs. Gu was no fool, and she quickly grasped the situation.
Why would this come up now, if not for the money their family had?
Wang Jinhe looked surprised at her mother; she hadn’t expected her to deduce this.
“What? Did you think your mother is that foolish?” Mrs. Gu chuckled as she saw her daughter’s astonished expression.
Wang Jinhe couldn’t help but laugh. “No, not at all. It’s just that people who bring up marriage for money usually aren’t good people.”
“You’re right.”
“If anyone talks to you about this in the future, just tell them I haven’t thought about it yet and they don’t need to bother,” Wang Jinhe said assertively.
She wasn’t going to let these people meddle in her decisions about marriage. They weren’t worthy.
“Alright, as long as you have a plan.”
Wang Jinhelooked at her mother, feeling grateful. If this were happening in someone else’s family, who would care about your thoughts? They’d simply agree without asking.
“Mom, you’re really great,” Wang Jinhua said gratefully, hugging Mrs. Gu.
Mrs. Gu patted Wang Jinhua’s back and smiled, “No matter what decision you make, Mom supports you. If you want to get married, go ahead; if not, stay at home. Your dad and I can afford to support you and Xiao Bao. Besides, you’re earning your own money now.”
Wang Jinhua held Mrs. Gu tightly with both hands, and after a while, she spoke, “Mom, rest assured, I’ll make sure you and Dad have better days, days that everyone will envy.”
Ruffling Wang Jinhua’s hair, Mrs. Gu smiled and said, “Just take care of yourself and Xiao Bao.”
“Alright, I’ll take good care of myself and Xiao Bao, and I’ll take care of you too.” She was determined to make those who had once mocked Mrs. Gu and her family envy them.
The bond between mother and daughter grew stronger because of this matter.
Wang Jinhua had thought that the matter was already behind her, but little did she know that it was just the beginning.
One day, as Wang Jinhe was watering the garden, a flamboyantly dressed woman walked in without any regard for whether someone was inside or not.
Looking at the newly arrived person, Wang Jinhe frowned, “Who are you? What are you doing in my house?”
The person didn’t speak but instead circled around Wang Jinhe once, then looked her up and down, “Hmm, not bad, you have good bearing.”
Wang Jinhe’s gaze turned chilly as she watched this impolite person. Her face darkened, “Get out.”
“What’s wrong with you, young lady? How can you drive a matchmaker away?” the newcomer said indignantly, “Someone has taken an interest in you, and I’ve come to propose a marriage.”
Seeing the condescending attitude of this matchmaker, Wang Jinhe couldn’t help but chuckle out of anger. She pointed her finger at the person, “Who do you think you are? A rude person like you dares to talk to me about this?”
“You…”
“Are you leaving on your own, or should I throw you out?” Wang Jinhe looked at the person coldly and spoke without politeness.
Li the matchmaker had never encountered such a situation before. Everywhere she went, she was treated with deference, but now she was being repeatedly driven away.
“Aren’t you afraid that you won’t be able to marry in the future?” Li the matchmaker threatened.
Aren’t they doing all this just for that reason? Worried that rumors from them could affect the marriage prospects of the children in the family.
“Well, I really should thank you then. If I can’t marry, I have my parents to support me. Do you think I’m eager to get married?” Wang Jinhe sneered, looking down on the proposition.
“You, an unmarried girl with a pregnancy, dare to be so picky?” Li the matchmaker retorted with a touch of insolence.