Chapter 9.1

Seeing the man’s attitude, both the matchmaker and Luo Lan’s sister were pleased. He seemed suitable, and if Luo Lan was happy, they wouldn’t have to worry about her winter preparations.

Luo Lan’s sister, who had been anxious about Luo Lan’s winter needs, was now happily seating her sister and starting to play the role of mediator between the two.

“I’ve never been to your brigade before. Is it larger than ours in terms of population?”

The man nodded, “Yes, our brigade has eighteen sub-teams. It’s a central school.”

“Just like ours. Our brigade is also a central school.”

“Our harvest has been good in recent years. At the end of last year, most of the profits were realized, and the funds were settled efficiently.”

“Really? How many siblings do you have? Are you still living together or have you separated?”

“We’ve separated. Now my parents live with me. My father is in good health and still works, while my mother helps with the kids and cooking at home. I live separately in two rooms, and the kids stay with my mother.”

The details about the brigade and the family were clearly explained. In rural areas, each production team operates as a unit. Some teams have poor land and low yields, which naturally affects their income. However, their team’s land is relatively flat and fertile, making it one of the best places in the commune.

Luo Lan’s sister was quite satisfied. She glanced back at Luo Lan, who seemed to be lost in thought, actually communicating with the system. The system was giving a critical appraisal of the man, showing a high level of scrutiny.

“A man in his thirties who looks almost forty, with a face that’s at most decently proportioned. He has one son and one daughter, so you’d be playing the role of a stepmother. And look at his clothes—clearly ill-fitting, probably borrowed. He only talks about the good things, avoiding the bad.”

“Is he really that bad?” Although she had low expectations for this matchmaking, she found the system’s comments amusing. This guy sure had high standards.

“Not a match for you.”

“Lan’er,”

Her sister called out, and Luo Lan turned with an instinctive smile. “Yes, what is it?”

“I think it’s okay. Why don’t you try spending some time together?”

The matchmaker also chimed in, “Yes, why don’t you visit his home tomorrow? His house is spacious and his mother is a tidy person. The house is clean.”

“Let’s forget it.” Since she had no interest, she decided to refuse outright. “I’m leaving now. I haven’t washed the clothes I changed out of from work. I’m sorry for making you come all the way here.”

As she spoke, she stood up and headed for the door. The man looked surprised, evidently not expecting such a direct refusal. It was too swift, he thought he wasn’t that bad.

“Hey, Luo Lan,” the matchmaker reached out to stop her. “Why the refusal?”

“I… I don’t have confidence in being a stepmother.”

“…”

“My parents are taking care of the child. If you don’t like them, just pretend they doesn’t exist.” The man spoke up in time.

“No. We’re not a match. I won’t waste your time. I’m leaving now.”

Luo Lan said this and turned to leave. The matchmaker tried to stop her but couldn’t. Since the person involved wasn’t interested, the match had to be called off. Before leaving, Luo Lan’s sister made sure to take the packet of cookies with her. The man tried to refuse, but she insisted and stuffed it into his hands. She knew her sister’s temperament well and understood that this wasn’t going to work out. She wanted to avoid any negative comments.

After sending off the guests, Luo Lan’s sister, Luo Mei, sighed in silence. Although she was still concerned about her sister, she wasn’t angry. Being a stepmother wasn’t an easy job. If Luo Lan wasn’t willing, they would find another match. Luo Lan was only twenty-four. Such a good girl, she didn’t believe they couldn’t find a suitable partner.

Luo Lan was surprised that her sister didn’t continue to berate her. While washing clothes by the river, Luo Mei laughed at Luo Lan’s bewildered expression.

“Why are you looking at me? Afraid I’m going to scold you?”

“Yeah. Sister, are you planning to give me a big lecture?”

“Why should I scold you? Actually, everything you did was right. If a man has an affair, why should a woman endure it? If you don’t like a man, then don’t marry him. At most, you can just sleep on the same bed with us in the winter.”

“Don’t worry. I have a way to get through the winter in my shed.”

“No.” Just as she had agreed with Luo Lan, she immediately disagreed again. “A shed can’t be sufficient for winter. Without proper insulation or a stove, you won’t see sunlight. How will you survive the winter? There’s a boy who was so poor in his childhood that he’s still wetting the bed at over twenty.”

“If there were small children, it would be a problem. Kids can’t handle it and would get sick. I understand that. But I’m an adult, and if I keep a hot water bottle in bed and add more blankets, I’ll definitely manage.”

“Even with a hot water bottle, the room will be too cold. Will you keep changing the water constantly?”

“I’ll buy two thermoses and boil more water.”

“Thermoses require industrial coupons. Where will you get those?”

“I already have one, I just need to buy another. Don’t worry, I have a solution for these things.”

“You stubborn child. If you don’t get married, you’ll have to keep me company through the winter. No arguments.”

“Sister,” she stretched out her voice to show her dissatisfaction.

“Protests are useless. It’s better to be embarrassed than to get sick from the cold. Besides, your brother-in-law and his parents will manage and won’t make you share a bed with them.”

It was too early to discuss these things. The weather was still hot after the harvest, and winter was several months away. Over these months, she could save up to buy a thick military coat, some thermoses, and a warm quilt. By the time winter came, her sister would see she had prepared well and wouldn’t have much to say.

“Tomorrow is the market day at the commune. I’ll come and get you to go together.”

“Okay.”

Originally, she planned to use her points to buy flour and save money. But now she knew the system had everything and points could be directly redeemed. The system’s products were high-quality and inexpensive, with no need for various tickets, so she decided to save all her points.

With all her money in hand, she planned to deposit a hundred at the credit union today and keep the rest for emergencies. Her parents had given her the dowry money, and she had kept her own belongings at her in-laws’ home. She had also managed to get over eighty yuan from the Xu family brothers, a considerable amount that she wanted to save for emergencies.

Still wearing the new clothes from the matchmaking, she deposited the money at the credit union and then went to the market with her sister.

**