After the al, they exchanged pleasantries for a while longer before Yang Defa and his family took their leave.
Liu Fugui and his wife walked them a long way out, which drew all the neighbors out of their hos to watch, wondering why the two families were acting so chummy.
Back at her eldest maternal uncle’s house, Juhua’s uncle and grandmother were in high spirits. They smiled, saying that everything was more or less settled today. Once Juhua’s parents sent a matchmaker over for a formal visit, the engagent would be official.
Yang Defa said with satisfaction, "Liu Fugui was quite sensible today. He said he wasn’t going to be fussy about the bride price. He’s most at ease with his daughter marrying a fine young man like Qingmu—after all, how could a bride price be more important than the person? Not that Changhe and Cuizhi would shortchange a girl like Yunlan, of course."
Ms. Zhang pursed her lips. "Isn’t that just sothing people say? The way things are for the groom’s family now, preparing a bride price is a piece of cake. I’m sure it’ll be even more than he’s hoping for."
Yang Defa shot her a look. "He genuinely likes Qingmu. Well, it’s mainly because Yunlan herself has taken a liking to Qingmu, which is why her parents are pursuing this so sincerely. Liu Fugui might be muddle-headed at tis, but he has one good quality: he knows his daughter is capable and always listens to her advice. So, even if Changhe’s family were still as poor as before, he wouldn’t look down on them. We’ve lived in the sa village for years, so I trust him on that. The year before last, didn’t his wife co over to apologize to Mother and practically beg for Qingmu to visit? Changhe’s family was dirt poor back then."
Mrs. Wang nodded in agreent, adding that Liu Fugui and his wife doted on their daughter. They had made it clear long ago that as long as their daughter approved of the man, they wouldn’t fuss over the bride price. Otherwise, plenty of wealthy families had co seeking her hand over the years, but he had turned them all down because his daughter wasn’t interested.
After a mont’s thought, Ms. Zhang had to agree. She nodded and said, "Well, in any case, Yunlan is a good girl."
Leaning comfortably against the table, Yang Defa chuckled. "Liu Fugui and his wife aren’t so bad themselves. They aren’t difficult people, just honest folk who can be a bit stingy sotis. I’ve always wondered how their daughter turned out to be so magnanimous."
Everyone burst into laughter at his words.
Mrs. Wang said, "Who says children have to take after their parents? Your personality is much like mine, and Juhua’s mother has the sa temperant as your father. As for your younger brother, Dezhi, I have no idea who he takes after. If I hadn’t raised him myself, I’d swear he wasn’t one of us! Then you have very capable parents whose children turn out to be useless, and it’s not from a lack of discipline, either. You just can’t make sense of it. It makes worry about Laicai whenever I think of it, and I regret spoiling him. But I spoiled Laifu and Laixi just as much when they were growing up, didn’t I? Why aren’t they like Laicai? It’s just sothing I can’t quite accept."
Seeing his mother’s worried expression, Yang Defa quickly tried to comfort her. "Dezhi was stricter with him last year, and Laicai has improved quite a bit. Raising children takes ti; you can’t rush it."
While they chatted, Juhua was thinking about Liu Yunlan’s impending visit. She secretly whispered to Qingmu, "I invited Sister Yunlan to Second Uncle’s house to teach needlework. You should co over in a little while, too. It’ll be a good chance to talk with her."
She felt like one of those devoted maidservants from a novel, helping arrange a secret rendezvous.
Qingmu was stunned for a mont when he heard her, then he blushed. "Is that... okay?" he asked in a low voice.
Juhua laughed. "It’s fine, Grandma and I will be nearby. Otherwise, who knows how long it’ll be until you see her again? You might go two years without eting. That would never do."
Seeing his sister look even more anxious than he was, Qingmu couldn’t help but laugh and nod in agreent.
And so, at Juhua’s urging and under her careful arrangent, the normally prim and proper Zheng Qingmu and Liu Yunlan actually ended up on a date at Juhua’s second uncle’s house. Of course, with Juhua and their grandmother sitting out in the courtyard, it couldn’t quite be called a clandestine eting.
In his entire life, the only girl Qingmu had ever spoken to alone was Liu’er, and that was just a few words. Although he’d been around more girls thanks to Juhua, he’d never had a private conversation with any of them. Now, seeing Liu Yunlan’s bashful expression and realizing that this was to be his wife, his face flushed and his heart began to race.
Fortunately, he rembered he was the man and needed to take the initiative. He gently invited Liu Yunlan, "Have a seat. Would you like so water?"
Liu Yunlan quickly shook her head. Hearing him initiate the conversation, a welco change from his usual silence, put her much more at ease. She had been worried about how she would ever break the ice if he remained quiet.
Qingmu glanced at the new purple jacket she wore. It fit her perfectly, making her cheeks look especially rosy. Then, his eyes fell upon her hands. Though not dark, they were much rougher than the skin on her face.
The thought ca to him because he was used to seeing Juhua’s hands, which were still slender and soft.
Although Juhua also did her share of housework, Mrs. Yang doted on her. As long as things weren’t too busy at ho, she kept Juhua from tasks like washing dishes and scrubbing laundry, saying they were the dirtiest jobs. Besides, Juhua never worked in the fields; she just enjoyed tending the vegetable garden.
His heart ached for her. ’Her younger brother is still small,’ he thought. ’She must have to do the bulk of the work at ho. I’ve heard people say she puts down her needle to pick up a hoe and works in the fields just like the other wives. For a teenage girl’s hands to get into this state... this isn’t the result of just a year or two of work.’
Lost in these thoughts, he found himself saying, "You shouldn’t carry the whole burden yourself. Make Yungen help out—he’s not so little anymore. If you don’t let him learn how to handle things, what will your family do once you’re married? From now on, let your parents do the work in the fields. You can stay ho and raise an extra pig. When it’s ready, I’ll help you turn it into sausages and cured bacon. You’ll make more money that way than just selling the at. Otherwise, a girl like you out in the sun and rain... you can’t increase the yield of the fields that much anyway. It’s just thankless work."
Liu Yunlan had seen how reserved and shy he was, but then he suddenly let out this long stream of words. As she listened to what he was saying, tears began to well up in her eyes. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welco to co to qidian to vote with recomndation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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