"Yes, as parents, we only wish for the best for our children. We’re nearing the end of our lives, how many more years do we have left? Isn’t that right?" Auntie Lan Hua continued speaking pleasantly, leaving no room for anyone to find fault with her words.
Yang Ming’s mother nodded in agreent, thinking that if this matter were settled, her fourth child would have a future and wouldn’t end up a bachelor.
Since things had co to this point, and the other party had agreed to the marriage, their family had no reason to refuse. They would have to start making arrangents, so Old Yang spoke up, "Auntie Lan Hua, since you agree to the marriage of the two children, let’s set it down tomorrow for both families. Don’t worry, the customary gifts for the two children won’t be lacking. I will send my fourth child and his mother to the town to handle it tomorrow."
Once the marriage for the two children was settled, it wasn’t just about the wedding gifts; there were also other small things like silk tassels. These were easily handled by going to town, and completing them wouldn’t delay the exchange of gifts between the two families.
"Alright, in-laws, we’ll follow your lead on this matter. We know you won’t shortchange the two kids," Auntie Lan Hua replied with a smile.
This attitude of Auntie Lan Hua surprised the whole family. Why the sudden change?
Given Auntie Lan Hua’s character, she shouldn’t be acting this way. Usually, she’d ask for as much as she could get. Had soone advised her otherwise?
As they were pondering, they heard Auntie Lan Hua say, "In-laws, in-law Mother, we’ve made such a concession for the marriage of these two children. I’m sincere about wanting to form a relation with your family. I have a request for your help. You see..."
These words imdiately brought the realization that Auntie Lan Hua indeed had a request, and it was not as simple as it seed.
Old Yang spoke, "Auntie Lan Hua, just say what you want to say. If our family can help, we certainly will."
The whole family watched Auntie Lan Hua, eager to hear her request, only to hear Auntie Lan Hua say, "In-laws, let say it then. The hard nuts on the mountain, we have quite a few at ho. It’s the busy farming season now, and soon it will get colder. We don’t have ti to sell them in town or County. Can your family, which has collected so many nuts from the villagers, buy ours as well?"
Nobody expected Auntie Lan Hua to make such a request. Regarding those hazelnuts, the intention of the third daughter-in-law was to wait for Auntie Lan Hua to deliver them. Of course, it wouldn’t be for free; so paynt, just like other villagers, would be given. Now that Auntie Lan Hua proposed it actively, it might not be a bad thing. If the hazelnuts are collected early, as soon as the third daughter-in-law returns, they can start figuring out how to sell them.
With this in mind, Old Yang said, "Auntie Lan Hua, to be honest, we haven’t got a plan for those things either, don’t know what to do with them. But since the children’s matter is settled today, and the relationship between our two families has beco closer, and since you’ve brought it up, then just send them over. You can calculate the paynt, and we will pay fully."
The younger generation had no objections to Old Yang’s decision because they all thought the sa way: if the hazelnuts could be brought back sooner, they might be able to make a big venture out of it.
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