Chapter 61 : Bringing People to the Door

“It’s a distant relative of my future sister-in-law…”

Huang Shumin, feeling increasingly relaxed, divulged all the information about the prospective groom that Huang’s mother had told her.

The fact that her maternal family could introduce such a good match was something to be proud of. Others might want to get to know such a good family and beg to make their acquaintance, but her family could introduce such a match to her younger sister as a future husband!

If it works out, she would be a great contributor to the Liang family! Who wouldn’t want to support her?

Moreover, she could help her mother earn fifty bucks in matchmaking fees, so she wouldn’t have to be so cautious when she visits her family in the future.

Thinking of this, Huang Shumin straightened her back and the doubts and anxieties she had were immediately dispelled. She began to persuade Ma Xiuzhi, speaking animatedly: “Mom, I also think it’s pretty good. If Qingqing can marry into the city, she’ll have a better life with plenty to eat and drink. How wonderful!”

She spoke with such enthusiasm that she didn’t notice Ma Xiuzhi’s increasingly unsightly expression.

“It’s just right that my younger sister doesn’t like working in the fields. Going to the city to live as a wealthy lady would be great…”

“I don’t agree to this marriage.” Ma Xiuzhi coldly interrupted Huang Shumin. The latter was taken aback and asked instinctively, “Why? If we miss this chance, we won’t find another one.”

Ma Xiuzhi shot Huang Shumin a glance, hiding the coldness in her eyes.

This second daughter-in-law seemed sensible and clever before she married but now, she just can’t get things right!

Who does matchmaking like this?

Which family does matchmaking while hiding the groom’s details from the bride’s side? From the beginning, they never regarded both families on the same level, which is why they were so dismissive and neglectful!

Even if the two families have different conditions, basic respect should be given, right? It’s not like the Liang family is eager to marry off their daughter to a higher status!

And what does it mean to look for a beautiful woman who can give birth? Although everyone has different preferences, Ma Xiuzhi was furious hearing this. Are they looking for a breeding tool? And it has to be a beautiful one?

If Qingqing can’t have children later, Ma Xiuzhi has no doubt that such a family would immediately cast her aside.

Moreover, Ma Xiuzhi didn’t believe Huang’s mother’s claim that the groom’s family had high standards and couldn’t find a suitable woman in the city, which is why they came to the countryside. Does he think he’s an ancient emperor selecting a concubine?

Perhaps they have some unsavory secrets at home and couldn’t find a wife in the city, so they came to the countryside to find one? They’re targeting a rural bride who’s easier to control!

Having lived this long, Ma Xiuzhi has seen and heard a lot. The more she thinks about it, the more frightening it seems. This is no good match; it’s a calamity that makes her uncomfortable!

Even though she wants Qingqing to marry into a family where she won’t have to worry about food and drink, she’d rather avoid this one.

“I just don’t agree. Don’t bring it up again. I have my own plans for Qingqing’s marriage.” Ma Xiuzhi was irritated and didn’t want to make things awkward by being too blunt, so she firmly refused Huang Shumin with a few stern words.

This matter isn’t entirely the fault of the daughter-in-law; her mother-in-law is the real culprit. So Ma Xiuzhi pressed her lips together, softened her tone, and sighed, “Choose a good day to go back and talk to your mother. I appreciate her goodwill, but this marriage is beyond our Liang family’s reach.”

The two words were almost squeezed out through clenched teeth.

“Are you really not going to reconsider?”

Huang Shumin didn’t notice the strange tone in Ma Xiuzhi’s voice. She couldn’t understand why her mother-in-law was so resistant to this match and thought perhaps she was just getting old and confused!

Could it be that she wanted to keep her daughter by her side for life and not let her marry? Or did she want Liang Qingqing to marry someone in the village so they could be closer?

Huang Shumin opened her mouth to say something more, but when Ma Xiuzhi glared at her, she dared not speak any further.

The chicken feed on the ground was pecked clean, and Ma Xiuzhi closed the bamboo fence, her brow furrowed as she thought about old matters. She advised sternly, “Don’t tell anyone in the family about this, especially Qingqing. Just pretend nothing happened.”

Qingqing had once been somewhat materialistic, always dreaming of moving to the city. If she found out about this, she might get a wild idea and make a choice she would regret for the rest of her life!

Even though Qingqing had changed a lot, it’s better to be safe than sorry and prevent any potential issues.

Huang Shumin clearly also thought of this and felt a bit regretful for not telling Liang Qingqing about this when she saw her in the hall earlier. If she had known first and acted a little spoiled in front of her mother-in-law, the match might have been secured!

A few thoughts crossed her mind, but she obediently nodded in agreement.

The two of them returned to the front yard, just in time to see Liang Shuqiang and Liang Junqiang, the two brothers, burning mugwort to fumigate the house. Liang Qingqing was watching the commotion and greeted Ma Xiuzhi and Huang Shumin with a smile when they came back.

This girl, not even realizing she was being manipulated, still smiled like a fool.

Ma Xiuzhi shook her head with a smile. She only wished for her daughter to live a safe and happy life, families with all their intrigues, no matter how wealthy, were not suitable for her.

“Come, have some watermelon. Fan Yanxing bought it yesterday.”

At this moment, they saw a cutting board and knife on the table in the hall, along with several pieces of watermelon cut into roughly the same size!

The red, green, and shiny black colors of the watermelon were intertwined, emitting a coolness from being freshly taken from the well, making it hard not to swallow.

Huang Shumin smacked her lips a couple of times, thinking how generous Fan Yanxing was!

When they went out for lunch, the villagers were probably green with envy!

She used to think it was a hassle for a sent-down youth to stay with the family, but now she wished the new youth station would take longer to set up, so she could have Fan Yanxing stay at their home a few more days.

“One piece for each of you, eat up, it’s really sweet.” Liang Junqiang, who had just finished fumigating Liang Qingqing’s room and still smelled strongly of mugwort, was now used to benefiting from Fan Yanxing’s generosity. Even thinking about how this “big bad wolf” had taken his own sister, he felt a bit mischievous and wanted to take advantage a little more, hmph!

“Uncle Yanxing is really nice. I like him.” Songzi grinned as he ate his watermelon, his little face turning red and looking like a little kitten.

As Fan Yanxing, who had just finished washing his hands after cutting the watermelon, heard this, a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes. He ruffled Songzi’s short, somewhat prickly hair—he had just had it cut by Liang Xueyong.

“Is that so? Then it seems Uncle is quite likable.” As he spoke, he glanced at the elegant figure sitting in the courtyard.

Their gazes met in mid-air, making his words seem even more significant.

Liang Qingqing blushed and cursed him in her heart for being so shameless.

“Uncle has money, and who doesn’t like money?”

Songzi, though young, had quite a sharp tongue, and her words were both amusing and exasperating.

The whole yard burst into laughter, except for Liang Qingqing, who seemed to be struck by an emotional chord. Her first reaction was to close her eyes in a moment of guilt, her nails digging into her palms. Her second reaction was a vague urge to retort, but she wasn’t sure what to argue because it was indeed her original intention.

“Don’t listen to him blabbering. This kid’s remarks are getting more and more out of line.”

Ma Xiuzhi pinched Songzi’s ear lightly, not with much force but enough to scare her, “Fan Yanxing, you’re such a good person with outstanding abilities. Who wouldn’t like you?”

Hearing this, Fan Yanxing saw the admiration in Ma Xiuzhi’s eyes and couldn’t help but smile. What could be more gratifying than earning the future mother-in-law’s favor and approval?

Perhaps due to a sense of guilt or feeling shortchanged, after dinner, Liang Qingqing cornered Fan Yanxing in the courtyard and quickly whispered, “I like him too.”

What she liked was obvious without needing to be said.

If it weren’t for the large number of Liang family members, Fan Yanxing really wanted to pin this woman with a mouth sweeter than watermelon against the wall and kiss her thoroughly.

He needed to find an opportunity to make this happen.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t find a chance over several days and had to watch the “prey” right in front of him, unable to touch or taste it!

Eventually, he waited until the next day off.

After finally getting a break with no other tasks at hand, and with the whole family rarely gathered at home for a rest, Fan Yanxing sat in the corridor, his eyes constantly glancing at a partially open door from which came occasional sounds of Songzi’s laughter. This made him clench his fists in frustration.

Why is this kid clinging to her aunt instead of her parents?

This girl is quite charming. It seems his plans for having children will need to be postponed; he can’t let the kid disrupt their wonderful time together!

Just as he was about to find an excuse to invite Liang Qingqing out, voices from outside the courtyard began to merge into a loud commotion, causing his ears to ring.

Before long, the noise grew louder and stopped right at the Liang family’s doorstep!

“Family in-laws, are you home?”

A woman with a loud voice entered the courtyard, her smile stretching almost to her ears. Behind her was a long line of people, some strangers with unfamiliar faces and some familiar villagers. But the most eye-catching was the young man riding a bicycle.

How rare is a bicycle! The entire village might not even have a few, and since they were from outside the village and made a grand entrance, everyone was curious and gathered to see which influential relative it was.

“From Liang Xueyong’s family!”

“When did they get a relative with a bicycle? Why does it seem like all the good things are happening to their family? It’s really enviable.”

“How would I know? I’m puzzled too.”

A few days ago, Liang Qingqing from the Liang family had made quite an impression at the big meeting, and everyone was still green with envy. Now, unexpectedly, they had a relative arriving on a bicycle!

Hearing this, Fan Yanxing frowned. He wasn’t very familiar with the Liang family’s various relatives, let alone those from the two sisters-in-law’s side.

Since he was the only one in the courtyard at the moment, Fan Yanxing stood up and smiled, greeting them, “Hello.”

“You are…?”

Zhao Cuihua, also known as Huang’s mother, immediately noticed this outstanding young man upon entering. She couldn’t place him in her mind, realizing he must not be a relative of the Liang family. From his demeanor, he seemed to be a sent-down youth.

“In-laws?”

Before Fan Yanxing could respond, Ma Xiuzhi walked out of the house.

Seeing their grand entrance, Ma Xiuzhi’s heart raced. She glanced from Zhao Cuihua’s face to the young man and several unfamiliar people behind her, and guessed what was happening. She couldn’t even manage a forced smile.

With so many people watching, she had to put on a polite smile and said, “In-laws, let’s discuss this inside.”

It was inconvenient to discuss such matters in public; it was better to close the door and sort things out privately, otherwise, it would become common knowledge and affect the reputation of the bride’s family.

“Oh, Shumin must have already told you? This is the one I introduced to Liang Qingqing the deputy manager of the county’s pig meat factory, Deng Weiping.”

Zhao Cuihua raised her voice, ensuring everyone nearby could hear. She spoke with a smug expression, determined not to leave empty-handed today and to seal the deal.

Zhao Cuihua had her plans well laid out. With everyone knowing that Liang Qingqing was set up with the deputy manager of the county’s pig meat factory, who would dare to propose elsewhere? The Liang family would have no choice but to agree to the marriage!

Even if issues arose later, it was unlikely they would dare to break off the engagement, let alone get divorced. In these times, no woman would willingly divorce; divorce would mean a miserable life, drowned in the spit of the village!

As expected, her words caused gasps of astonishment around. People’s gazes towards Zhao Cuihua and Deng Weiping changed, marveling at how the Liang family could be so fortunate to have their daughter marry such a prominent figure!

The sparrow was about to become a phoenix.

An introduced match? The polite smile on Fan Yanxing’s face instantly vanished, replaced by narrowed eyes and a grim expression, radiating a coldness that struck fear.

Ma Xiuzhi, standing nearby, looked even worse. She took several deep breaths to avoid yelling and cursing. How could she not see through Zhao Cuihua’s scheming? It was all too clear!

But their sudden appearance had caught her off guard. With Zhao Cuihua having already spoken, it was now a challenge to find a way to remedy the situation. For now, pretending ignorance and inviting them inside to handle matters privately was the only solution.

“Introduced match? I don’t know anything about that. Our Qingqing isn’t in a hurry to get married.” Ma Xiuzhi maintained a facade of harmony while inwardly cursing Zhao Cuihua bitterly. She even began to regret not being more resolute when Zhao Cuihua demanded a higher bride price initially. She should have had her son, Junqiang, look at a more straightforward family!

If only she had acted differently, they wouldn’t be in this predicament now.

But there’s no taking back what’s done. Even if Ma Xiuzhi felt like vomiting blood, she had to suppress her anger and keep a polite facade.

“In-laws, don’t joke around. What girl isn’t eager to get married?” Zhao Cuihua laughed, “Maybe Shumin just forgot. It’s no big deal. We’re here about today’s matter.”

Zhao Cuihua was really shameless, continuing with a straight face despite everything.

“Our daughter really isn’t in a hurry to get married.” Ma Xiuzhi forced a smile, “I’ll have Shumin come out and get you some water.”

Just as she finished speaking, Shumin came out of the room and was immediately met with looks from all directions.

Her legs nearly gave out and she almost collapsed to the ground.