Chapter 17: An Unusual Request

Matchmaker Zhang looked left and right, unsure why Old Man Liu was objecting.

“Brother Liu, Chen Jianbing is a rare good young man in these ten miles and eight villages. Where do you find him unsuitable?”

“I…” Old Man Liu stammered, only knowing that if Xiaoling and Jianbing really married, their family would find it difficult to stay in Wenjia Village.

Seeing this, Ding Guihua subtly twisted Liu Sanmu’s waist, nodded her chin towards Old Man Liu, and whispered, “Sanmu, what did you tell Father yesterday?”

“I just said that a good young man would be proposing in the next couple of days, and that Father should just agree,” Liu Sanmu answered honestly. He had followed his wife’s instructions.

Ding Guihua rolled her eyes in exasperation. He was so unreliable; besides working hard, he was completely useless when it came to speaking and handling things.

“Auntie Zhang, have some tea. Let’s discuss this,” Ding Guihua said, smiling as she led Matchmaker Zhang outside.

She then pulled the dazed Liu Sanmu aside, “Sanmu, please entertain Auntie Zhang.”

“Mom, our Xiaoling is so lucky to find a soldier husband. From now on, our family will be considered a military family,” Ding Guihua said, settling things outside before quickly approaching Old Mrs. Liu, her tone brimming with self-satisfaction.

“Dad, it’s already happened. Whether we do anything or not, people will still talk. Why don’t we just go with it?”

Ding Guihua persuaded everyone individually, painting rosy pictures for each, almost saying that marrying Xiaoling off to Chen Jianbing would allow Chen Jianbing to support the whole family.

More than ten minutes passed.

With a creak, the door opened from inside.

“Sister Zhang, our family agrees,” Old Mrs. Liu stated bluntly. “However, the betrothal gift needs to be fifty yuan, ten kilograms of pork, rock sugar…”

Upon hearing this, Matchmaker Zhang gritted her teeth. “Sister-in-law, your demands are too high.”

Last night, Chen’s mother had specifically told her that the betrothal gift would be at most thirty yuan, and the rest would follow the usual customs.

“These are the terms. We won’t hold a wedding banquet or have them come to fetch her. Xiaoling can leave with you now,” Old Mrs. Liu said impatiently.

The third son’s family had just been listing all the advantages; they clearly wanted to marry Liu Xiaoling to Chen Jianbing. Since that’s the case, she and the old man would just comply and pretend they had no granddaughter.

Matchmaker Zhang was shocked. This was a proper marriage, and neither family was starving. This simple approach was just…

“Sister Zhang, I know you can’t decide. Just convey our demands. If they agree, they can send the things and take her. If not, then forget it,” Old Mrs. Liu shrugged, knowing full well what she was doing.

She knew the other parents would agree to what she said. Chen Jianbing had returned specifically to get married, and Chen’s family had notified all their relatives and friends. If there was no bride on the day, it would be a huge joke.

“Sister-in-law, I appreciate your straightforwardness. I’ll go and ask,” Matchmaker Zhang said with a smile, inwardly cursing. This money was really hard-earned.

With a wave of her hand, she quickly left.

Watching Matchmaker Zhang go, Ding Guihua hurried into the room. Seeing her daughter with her head down, she anxiously asked, “Xiaoling, did you hear what your grandmother said?”

She felt that her daughter was radiating something indescribable.

Liu Xiaoling suppressed her resentment and nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “Mom, I…”

“Xiaoling, it’s all Mom’s fault,” Ding Guihua hugged her daughter, a pang of bitterness and distress welling up in her heart. “This is your fate.”

Liu Xiaoling stared blankly at the dark wall. Fate? She didn’t believe in fate. She would have a good life, become a bureau chief’s wife, and nothing would stop her.

Wen Wan, still sleeping soundly, felt a chill down her spine and pulled the covers tighter.

She was exhausted last night. The vegetables in her space matured too quickly. In just a few days, the white radishes she planted were ready for harvest, and she had spent the whole time bending over to pull them out.

No more sleep. Time to get up, eat, and watch someone else’s “You’re crazy, I’m a fool” love drama.

“Ah… waking up naturally is so good,” Wen Wan opened the door, stretching contentedly.

“Xiaowan, go wash your face. I’ve kept your breakfast warm in the pot,” Tian Xiaochao said with a smile, pointing to the kitchen.

Wen Wan nodded, splashed some hot water on her face, and quickly brushed her teeth.

After breakfast, seeing that it was still early, Wen Wan picked up her basket and prepared to go out. It was Monday, so she wouldn’t run into those kids.

As she opened the door, she bumped into someone.

“Who are you? What are you doing blocking someone’s door so early in the morning?” Wen Wan rubbed her forehead and asked.

A deep, magnetic voice came from above. “I’m sorry.”

Wen Wan looked up and saw a man with well-defined features: deep eyes, a high nose, a tall and straight figure, dressed in a green military uniform, and carrying a large backpack, which made him seem grounded.

Zhou Haoting’s expression was calm, but his heart was pounding as if someone was drumming.

He had actually been present at the broken engagement yesterday afternoon. He had only intended to see if he could help, but seeing Wen Wan’s quick-witted and intelligent demeanor, he couldn’t help but be moved.

“Girl, are you Wen Wan?” The old woman in the middle asked kindly, liking Wen Wan more and more. She was indeed a beautiful girl, worthy of her grandson’s affection.

Wen Wan nodded blankly. She searched her original owner’s memories but had no impression of these two people.

Tian Xiaochao saw the situation at the door, put down her needlework, and quickly stepped forward to stand beside Wen Wan.

“Xiaowan, who are they?”

“Comrade Wen Wan, I’m Zhou Haoting, and this is my grandmother,” Zhou Haoting introduced himself calmly.

Wen Wan’s pupils constricted slightly. She opened the door and invited them in. “Comrade Zhou, please come in and sit.”

“Xiaowan, I’ll go and tell your parents to come back,” Tian Xiaochao reacted, remembering that this was her younger sister’s savior. Her parents had to be informed.

Before she finished speaking, she had already hurried out.

Wen Dafu and his wife had only been working in the fields for a few minutes when they saw Tian Xiaochao rushing towards them.

“Dad, Mom, hurry back home.”

Cui Yulan was immediately worried. “Xiaochao, what happened? Is it Xiaowan?”

Tian Xiaochao shook her head, holding Cui Yulan’s arm. “Mom, Zhou Haoting is at home.”

Cui Yulan was stunned for three seconds. Zhou Haoting… at home… Each word was ordinary, but together they were extraordinary.

“Jianguo, come and help your wife. Your father and I will go back first,” Cui Yulan called out.