Guan Li returned when the sun was slanting in the west.

She saw her father and younger brother with big smiles on their faces, their eyes sparkling with excitement as they looked at her.

She was a bit confused.

Was there something good happening at home today?

“Dad, did someone from the city come to order furniture?” People from the city often order a full set of furniture as a dowry for their daughters, and the money they offer is substantial, enough to buy meat, which would make Xiao Shan very happy.

“No, sis, this is much more important than someone ordering furniture!” Guan Xiaoshan excitedly spoke up.

He quickly went on to tell her everything about Shen Qing’s actions and words, carefully recounting every detail, worried that he might miss something his sister should know.

After finishing, he happily asked, “Sis, do you think you and Brother Xiangxi are finally getting together?”

Guan Li was stunned for a moment after hearing this and then scoffed, “How could that be? You must have been deceived by her!”

Her father and brother were men, so they didn’t have much contact with Brother Xiangxi’s mother and didn’t understand the situation.

She knew that Brother Xiangxi’s mother didn’t think highly of her.

No, she didn’t think highly of any daughter-in-law!

Sister Huo Bing was steady, hardworking, and willing to endure hardships.

She had been raised in the Jiang family since she was ten, practically growing up under Brother Xiangxi’s mother’s watch.

Even so, she was criticized for being too tall and sturdy, not having a maternal family to rely on, eating too much…

There were all sorts of complaints, as if she wasn’t worthy of the excellent son.

She herself still had a maternal family, and her father had a skill that could earn money, but even then, they were still looked down upon.

Besides that, they criticized her for being loud, not graceful enough, and having a strong personality that was hard to manage…

In short, there didn’t seem to be any virtues that would make her worthy of her hardworking second son.

“No, sis, this time Aunt Jiang really is different. You don’t know, but I don’t know how to say it, but she just feels completely different from the last time I saw her!” Guan Xiaoshan said eagerly.

He knew that his sister really liked Brother Xiangxi, and Brother Xiangxi also liked her. In the past, Aunt Jiang was always indifferent to them, sometimes even giving them disdainful looks. It felt very disrespectful.

But this time, it was totally different.

Aunt Jiang didn’t look at him with disgust.

When he handed her the sugar water, she worried about him getting burned, instead of worrying he’d spill it like before.

Guan Li didn’t want to get her hopes up. “Maybe she’s short of something again and wants Dad to help make it.”

In the past, whenever Aunt Jiang was being polite, it was because the Jiang family lacked a wooden basin, a wooden bucket, or a bed—she always seemed to be trying to take advantage.

“Am I right? Did she come over to ask Dad to make something?”

Guan Xiaoshan nodded and quickly said, “But this time, it’s different. She’s already given money! She even said that if Dad doesn’t want it, then forget it.”

She even said she’d send some meat over for the comb I made.”

Even if the meat didn’t come, it was different this time because she gave money.

It was already much better than before.

Guan Li’s heart stirred.

She had been trying to avoid thinking about the hardworking man on the dyke, but at that moment, she couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander.

She gave money and didn’t take anything for free like before.

She even said she’d return a gift for the comb…

Could she and Brother Xiangxi really have a chance to be together…

She quickly snapped out of her thoughts, pressed her lips together, and thought of that man who had always worked hard.

She couldn’t bring herself to be harsh with him: “I’ll go make dinner. They’ve finally bought meat, how much could there be? Don’t get your hopes up too much.”

“Hey, sis, I didn’t expect too much! I’m not even craving meat,” Guan Xiaoshan said with a smile, following his sister to the kitchen.

He wanted to eat meat, but compared to his sister, it wasn’t such an important matter.