Chapter 64: The Second Matchmaking Meeting

Madam Qian Zhao looked at Jiang Fubao with gentle eyes.

Her smile was kind and warm.

Jiang Fubao also returned her a big smile.

She didn’t dislike this auntie.

Her face showed good fortune—definitely not a bad person.

“Big Sister Zhao, your temperament suits me very well. I also don’t like beating around the bush when I talk. I dare say, of my three daughters-in-law who married into my family, not one bears any resentment toward me. Although my household conditions may not compare with others, our family lives in harmony and happiness.

Yingqiu, her temperament is much like mine—forthright and cheerful. In the future, she will surely make a good mother-in-law. And my eldest grandson—he’s the most filial and obedient, respectful to elders and caring toward his younger siblings. Truly a model for others to follow…”

As Zhang Jinlan praised herself, she didn’t forget to also praise her daughter-in-law and grandson.

This made Zhu Yingqiu and her son blush red in the ears.

“Haha, then it seems I made the right trip here. Yuanlan, go take a walk in the courtyard. Adults are talking, young girls shouldn’t listen in too much.”

Madam Qian Zhao’s eyes swept toward Jiang Tongjin.

Seeing his straight posture and handsome appearance, she was quite satisfied.

So she deliberately sent her granddaughter out to the yard.

The moment she spoke, Zhang Jinlan immediately understood.

She also hurriedly sent her eldest grandson out.

To prevent the young pair from talking too boldly, Matchmaker Qian whispered a few words into her daughter-in-law Bai’s ear.

Bai then picked up a broom and pretended to sweep the courtyard, though in truth she was secretly keeping an eye on things, ensuring the young people didn’t cross any boundaries.

It was also a form of protecting the girl.

“You’re Jiang Tongjin, right?” Qian Yuanlan took the initiative to speak first.

She seemed rather outgoing.

“Yes.” Jiang Tongjin, after the incident at the Zhou family, had become even less talkative.

“If I marry you, will you bully me?” Yuanlan asked again.

“No.” Jiang Tongjin shook his head.

Why would he bully his wife for no reason?

What if someday when he’s old and bedridden, his wife slaps him left and right? He wasn’t that foolish.

He had seen it clearly as a child—his great-grandmother had done just that to his great-grandfather.

Those slaps were loud and clear.

“Then what if your mother, your grandmother, or your younger siblings bully me—whose side will you take?” Yuanlan lifted her chin, continuing her questioning.

“I’ll side with whoever is in the right.”

Obviously, Tongjin’s answer didn’t satisfy Yuanlan.

She wrinkled her nose, fell silent for a few seconds, then said:

“Then will you hand over all the money you earn to me? In my house, it’s my grandmother who manages all the money—even my grandfather gives everything to her.”

“I also have to give mine to my grandmother. We’re one family, and we haven’t split up. Of course it has to go to her. Doesn’t your mother also not manage the money?”

Tongjin felt this was rather odd.

Was this girl missing a few screws?

They hadn’t even gotten engaged, and she was already demanding to control the household?

“But my grandmother only has one son—my father. So in the future, my father’s money will be managed by my mother. Why don’t you split from your family? I heard you have many people in your house; living like that must be inconvenient. What if they bully me?

The matchmaker said your family is building new houses. Why don’t you ask your grandmother to build one just for you? Then we can live there ourselves. From time to time, you can accompany me back to my parents’ house for a while. Anyway, you have several younger brothers, so there will always be someone else to care for your parents. Unlike me—my father is the only son in his family, and I only have two older brothers.”

Yuanlan wasn’t pleased with Tongjin’s earlier reply.

But since he looked good and her grandmother was quite satisfied with his family, she put forward another demand, thinking that if Tongjin agreed, she’d be willing to marry into the Jiang family.

“As long as our parents are alive, we cannot split households. Besides, I haven’t yet fulfilled my duty of filial piety. How could I abandon my family and live separately? I’m not a live-in son-in-law of your family—why should I live in your house?

If you really miss your family, I’ll accompany you to visit them during festivals. But living there—what nonsense is that?

Don’t bring this up again. I won’t agree. My family is very good to each other, you don’t need to worry. They won’t bully you. You’re overthinking it.”

Tongjin’s face hardened.

What kind of girl brings up splitting the family at the very first meeting?

If it weren’t for being in the matchmaker’s house, he would’ve already walked out.

No.

He didn’t want to marry this girl. She was already trying to stir trouble before even marrying in. If she were to find out about Fubao’s secret later, who knows if she’d go running back to her family blabbing about it?

“Hmph.”

Not hearing the answer she wanted, Yuanlan snorted coldly, turned, and went back into the main room.

“Grandma, Mother, let’s go home. I don’t like him.”

Well then—what had been a cheerful atmosphere instantly fell silent after her words.

“You girl, how can you speak so rudely? How have I taught you at home?”

No matter how spoiled a granddaughter might be at home, in public one had to maintain face.

Her words had basically told the Jiang family that her granddaughter lacked upbringing.

Madam Qian Zhao’s face flushed red.

For the first time in her life, she scolded her granddaughter.

“Hehe, Sister Zhao, since your granddaughter doesn’t like my grandson, there’s no point in talking further. A forced melon isn’t sweet. Well, we’ll be going. Matchmaker Qian, we still have things to do at home, so we won’t stay longer.”

Her good grandson had just been insulted—Zhang Jinlan was angry.

She set down her teacup, pulled back her smile, and got up to leave.

But Matchmaker Qian quickly grabbed her.

“Grandma, I just don’t want to marry him. He won’t split from his family, and he won’t give me his earnings. He’s too blindly filial! If I marry him, how could I possibly have a good life? Do you even love me or not?

I think you just want to push me into a fire pit. The last one we met in Zhangjia Village was much better. Why didn’t you agree to that? And now you’re scolding me—I won’t speak to you again!”

Yuanlan stomped her foot, wiped her tears, and ran out.

This only made the scene more awkward.

“My apologies. My granddaughter has been spoiled rotten by us. Since fate doesn’t bind us as in-laws, we can still be friends. I truly enjoy chatting with you. Please don’t be angry. I’ll make sure to properly discipline this stubborn girl when we return. I’ll take my leave now—her temper is big, and I fear she’ll cause trouble.”

Madam Qian Zhao forced a dry laugh, trying to smooth things over.

But seeing that Zhang Jinlan gave no response, she could only leave dejectedly.

After the Qian family departed, Matchmaker Qian offered an apologetic smile.

“Sister Zhang, I truly didn’t expect this girl to be so spoiled by her family. Normally she seemed fine—sweet-tongued, not malicious, and not scheming. Who would’ve thought she was foolish to this degree!

Who ever talks about splitting the family right off the bat? Nonsense! What a pity. Her family is otherwise quite good.

I had only thought that since you both dote on your granddaughters, you’d get along well. Her family is quiet, never quarrels, and everyone is honest and kind—that’s why I introduced her.

Forget it, anyway another family is coming later. To avoid another scene, let me brief you in advance. You can decide whether you want to meet them.”