Chapter 15.2

His mother was first shocked, then smiled broadly. “That’s wonderful, truly wonderful.”

“Mom, I told you not to worry or rush. See? When the right person comes along, it all falls into place.”

His mother glared at him. “Nonsense. Those previous ones didn’t work out, and I know what people say about us. It’s my fault for burdening you.”

“Did you relapse because you were worried about this? I’ve told you, if it doesn’t work out, it’s not meant to be. Don’t dwell on it. Now that fate has brought us together, nothing can stop it. She doesn’t care about what others say or mind what Junhui said.”

“Junhui just talks too much, she doesn’t mean any harm.”

“That’s why we need someone with a big heart.”

“Yes, the last girl cried on her first visit, which scared Junhui. It’s not that she is not good, gentle girls are also good, but she just doesn’t get along with Junhui. If you prefer, we can live separately.”

“That’s in the past. A delicate girl wouldn’t suit someone like me.”

“Luo Lan is perfect. She fits in well with our family, and that’s what’s important. She doesn’t mind my episodes or Junhui’s straightforwardness, nor Junfang’s shyness.”

Zhou Qingshan smiled, knowing his situation wasn’t ideal. His mother’s condition alone would deter many girls, and his two unmarried sisters added to the challenge. Junhui could be quite sharp-tongued, while Junfang was painfully shy and often cried. It wasn’t easy for someone to fit in.

He hoped Luo Lan would get along with them after marriage. As the link between both sides, he already felt some pressure. His mother and sisters were his responsibility, and after marriage, his wife would be too. He had to take care of both sides.

“Mom, what do we need to prepare for the wedding?”

“Buy a pair of watches, make two new sets of bedding. You have a bicycle, and the furniture is ready. Just make new clothes for both of you. And the bride price, give that directly to Luo Lan.”

This was typical for city weddings at the time. Zhou Qingshan nodded, knowing he had watch tickets but would need to trade with colleagues for more fabric tickets.

Luo Lan, unaware of the preparations her future in-laws were making, communicated with her system in private. She checked her points and found she had accumulated quite a few.

Luo Lan: Can I exchange points for fabric?

System: No problem.

Luo Lan: I want winter fabric, not the thin summer ones you offered before.

System: You underestimate me. I have everything: polyester, wool, wool blends, down, fur, you name it.

Luo Lan: What’s the warmest and most economical?

System: I just can’t stand seeing you being so stingy.

Luo Lan: Stop the nonsense. I’m not rich. I have to be frugal with my points.

System: Woolen clothes are warm and stylish. Exchange for wool yarn and knit sweaters.

Luo Lan: Alright.

She chose two pounds of medium-weight red wool yarn for herself and two pounds of dark blue for Zhou Qingshan. The system also gifted her a knitting book with various patterns.

Luo Lan: These plum blossom patterns are beautiful.

System: Which one do you think is ugly?

Luo Lan: They’re all beautiful.

System: I love how easily impressed you are. Here, have another pound of off-white yarn for edging. It’ll look great.

Luo Lan: One pound isn’t enough. Since you’re so generous, why not give me another pound? You’re the wealthiest and most knowledgeable system.

System: Of course. This is nothing for me. I’ll also give you two Xinjiang long-staple cotton quilts as part of your dowry. You can’t have a shabby wedding. Oh, and 20 meters of high-thread-count fabric for bed sheets.

Luo Lan: Isn’t 20 meters too little?

System: It’s 2.5 meters wide, not like the 1.2 meters you have now. And half of it is polyester, enough to make several pairs of pants.

Luo Lan gratefully accepted. She knew how practical these items were and thanked the system profusely, even speaking sweetly to it.

System: I’ll throw in a radio as well.

Luo Lan jumped in joy. “You’re the best system ever.”

She immediately felt she might have been too ingratiating but then shrugged it off. Everyone had to bend a little to get by, and she hadn’t done anything wrong, just said a few nice words.

That evening, the yarn appeared in her hands. The texture, luster, and color were unmatched by anything from this era. Yarn was extremely hard to come by, and rural people rarely wore knitted sweaters. Having one was a sign of being fashionable.

The pure Chinese red, combined with off-white yarn, made her fall in love with it just from the picture. The red was festive, and the off-white was elegant and warm. The combination looked sophisticated and beautiful.

She stayed up late knitting by the light, only stopping when she was too tired to continue. The next day, she was yawning at work, prompting her sister-in-law to tease her, “Staying up late because you’re excited about getting married?”

Instead of a playful retort, she answered seriously, “He said he’d come by next week. Can you let my brother know so we can all meet together?”

“Really? Is it settled then? But I heard his mother is ill. Be careful not to get tricked.”