Chapter 68: Playing Matchmaker

Hearing that Xiao Qingru and Xu Muzhou planned to start their own vegetable plot, Mother Xiao went early in the morning to lend a hand. When she arrived at the building, the couple was having breakfast.

“Mom, have you eaten?” asked Xiao Qingru.

“Yes, I have. You two have to go back to work tomorrow, so I thought we could get the garden done today since more hands make lighter work.”

Xu Muzhou brought out an extra set of utensils. “Mom, please have a little more.”

“I already ate, you two go ahead.” In those days, most people had two meals a day morning and evening usually consisting of porridge with some coarse grains. Mother Xiao had already had a bowl of mixed grain porridge and some sweet potatoes, so she was half full.

Xiao Qingru added, “My husband made these pancakes, and they’re delicious, especially with pickles. You should try some, or else you’ll be hungry later while working.”

Mother Xiao smiled, “These pancakes are beautifully golden and perfectly cooked. I can tell they’re made by my talented son in law.”

“Then have some more,” said Xu Muzhou, placing a pancake on her plate.

She didn’t refuse, splitting the pancake in half. “Half is enough for me.”

The pancakes were crisp on the outside, soft inside, and not dry at all. The mixture of white flour and coarse grain made them easy to eat. Mother Xiao was more than pleased with Xu Muzhou, feeling her daughter was lucky to have such a hardworking husband.

Turning to Xiao Qingru, she said, “Little Xu got up early to cook, so you should help around the house too sweeping, washing, and so on. A good marriage takes two to make it work.”

Xiao Qingru, not wanting to admit she had just woken up, nodded in agreement, avoiding a lecture. Xu Muzhou, amused, glanced at her, only to receive a subtle nudge under the table. Their eyes met as she expressed her “discontent,” blaming him for her late start.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Mom, Qingru does a lot of the small chores around the house. I’m quite clumsy at times, and this place would be a mess without her.”

Mother Xiao shook her head with a smile, “You spoil her too much.”

“A man only marries once, so he should treat his wife well.”

Mother Xiao laughed, “That’s the right attitude,” inwardly praising him again. In her eyes, her daughter was indeed lucky to have married well.

After breakfast, Xiao Qingru did the dishes while Xu Muzhou prepared the gardening tools. Mother and daughter took the chance to chat.

“How did Xiao Song’s matchmaking go yesterday?”

“It didn’t work out.”

“Didn’t you mention she already had someone she liked? Why did she agree to meet someone else?”

Xiao Qingru didn’t want to say much since it was a personal matter for Song Yuan, even though her mother could be trusted. Respecting boundaries, she simply replied, “They weren’t a good match.”

Mother Xiao, who had been through it all, said, “When it comes to relationships, it’s better to break things off early if it’s not right.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

Then, lowering her voice, Mother Xiao asked, “What do you think about matching Xiao Song with your brother?”

Back to her favorite topic, Xiao Qingru replied, “Aren’t you worried it might affect the relationship between our families if it doesn’t work out?”

“What’s the harm? As long as we don’t deceive anyone, there’s nothing wrong with trying.”

“It’s really up to my brother and Song Yuan, not us.”

“Of course, it’s their choice. We can’t force anyone, but the real issue is they don’t have a chance to get to know each other. If they do, they might hit it off.”

Romance is unpredictable, but while she knew her mother’s intentions were good, Xiao Qingru feared it might backfire. She said, “Maybe let’s take it slow. Next time Song Yuan visits, I’ll ask if she’s interested.”

“Since you’re close friends, will she be uncomfortable refusing your brother if she’s not interested?”

“No, we’re both direct with each other.”

If someone arranged a match for her without discussing it, she’d feel uneasy. Better to be open about it. Smiling, she thought having Song Yuan as her sister in law would be nice. She knew her brother hadn’t liked anyone else growing up and would be loyal if he ever did marry.

After doing the dishes, the family set out to the back hill where they had a small plot ready. Most families applying for land got one or two portions, but since Xiao Qingru and Xu Muzhou worked long hours, they only took one.

Mother Xiao remarked, “Growing a garden’s a great idea. I’d like a plot too, but your father won’t let me.”

“He just doesn’t want you to work too hard,” said Xiao Qingru.

“Gardening isn’t heavy work,” she countered.

Xu Muzhou added, “We can’t eat much, so feel free to take whatever you want from ours.”

“One plot grows enough for all of us,” agreed Xiao Qingru.

“In that case, I’ll check in on it and help with the watering,” Mother Xiao offered.

Watering the garden could be a heavy job, so Xu Muzhou said, “I can water it after work.”

“Alright.”

Many were already busy in the fields, and neighbors greeted them warmly. People praised them for their frugality, remarking how even a small vegetable garden could save a household a lot.

Some muttered, “Look at Xiao Qingru and Xu Muzhou good job, good home, and still working in the field. And then there’s Du Wanqiu, her plot is left unattended.”

“She married well, her husband sends her money and tickets every month. Why would she garden?”

“Her first husband sent money and tickets too, and she still gardened then, didn’t she?”

“Maybe, but her first husband was devoted to his family and sent most of his money back home. She probably didn’t get much.”

Others murmured that Du Wanqiu was spending her days poorly. One woman, Sister Wang, overheard them while working nearby. Annoyed but unwilling to argue, she blamed Du Wanqiu for dragging her into an awkward situation with the other neighbors.

Reflecting on her choices, Sister Wang regretted helping Du Wanqiu. She observed that even after their marriage, Du Wanqiu and Jiang Chuan rarely seemed close, fueling her frustration that nothing good had come from her support.

As she continued working, she bitterly thought, “Some people just can’t be helped.”