11. I politely declined. I'm afraid I'll cheat on you after we get married.

The next day, Fang Shuning got up early again; she had to go celebrate her uncle's birthday. Her feelings were complicated.

Fang Shuning went straight to work after graduating from university. Upon hearing the news, her second aunt called to inquire, saying, "Why doesn't Xiaoning take the postgraduate entrance exam? Even if she doesn't pass, she should at least try. What if she gets lucky?"

[How's Xiao Ning's job going? How much does she earn a month? Huanhuan from my second cousin Xin Xin's family, she graduated with a master's degree and now earns 200,000 yuan a year. We were told you to take the postgraduate entrance exam, but you didn't...]

[…Xiao Ning, you're 30 already, why aren't you looking for a partner or getting married? Once you're over 30 and become an old maid, it'll be even harder to find someone…]

Wearing a sweet and spicy floral vest dress, cropped flared jeans, mid-heel satin vintage-style flats, and a silver MICHAEL KORS MK Nolita women's small Hobo shoulder bag, her hair casually draped over her shoulders, and her makeup radiant, Fang Shuning twirled in front of the mirror several times, becoming more and more satisfied with herself before finally getting into her car and driving away.

Kindergarten doesn't have summer vacation, so Ms. Jianhua dropped her niece off at kindergarten early in the morning and set off. Fang Linhai drove, urging Fang Shuning to hurry up more than once along the way, but Fang Shuning ignored him completely. Loud music was playing in the car, drowning out Fang Shuning's repeatedly ringing cell phone.

Fang Linhai is a typical middle-aged man, taciturn, like a closed old book with a simple cover and pages that seem to be filled with stories no one has ever read. Unlike Ms. Jianhua, Fang Linhai's life is not as colorful; he spends most of his time alone, a situation that has become increasingly apparent since his retirement.

I withdrew 5,000 yuan in cash on the way and made a red envelope. Then I leisurely arrived at my uncle's house.

It was summer vacation, and Xin Xin (the eldest son of Fang Shuning's second aunt), who was about to enter his senior year of college and was preparing for the postgraduate entrance examination, was also at home. As soon as Fang Shuning entered the door, she saw Xin Xin tidying up. "Oh, a postgraduate student is at home too. Why are you doing chores? Who is so bold as to make us postgraduate students do such rough work? Really, put it down and come inside to lie down."

Xin Xin sighed helplessly, "Sis~ my mom hasn't done anything to you today, so save your words for later."

Fang Shuning, used to indiscriminate attacks, gave an awkward laugh and walked into the house.

Fang Shuning walked through the courtyard and entered the house. In the living room, people were sitting around drinking tea: Fang Linhai, Zhang Jianhua, her second uncle, second aunt, aunt, uncle, younger brother, younger brother, and younger brother again. Fang Shuning greeted everyone warmly. Although Ms. Jianhua looked a little unhappy because Fang Shuning did not answer her calls, she did not show it on her face.

Fang Shuning offered polite compliments, such as, "Auntie, you've become even more beautiful; your face is so radiant." "Second Uncle, smoke less..." But after this round of greetings, she didn't see her eldest uncle.

Someone said that your uncle was cooking in the kitchen.

It's really shameless of us to have a group of people, young and old, drinking tea, chatting, and eating melon seeds here, while we make a birthday person cook.

Despite her uncle's delicious cooking, Fang Shuning smiled, but her eyes were filled with scorn. "Pah, a bunch of shameless people."

Fang Shuning could feel her second aunt's scrutinizing gaze, but she pretended not to notice, though she was prepared to retaliate at any moment.

My second aunt suddenly coughed twice, clearing her throat. It seemed like it was about to begin! "Oh my, what a rare guest! Our family's great lawyer, who doesn't even have time to come back for the New Year, actually came today. There's a saying, 'A humble abode is honored,' Xinxin, isn't that how it's said?"

Xin Xin, who was suddenly called on, exclaimed, "Huh?"

"Second Aunt, is your throat sore?"

"Huh? No."

"What are you putting in the food if you're not here? Anyone who didn't know better would think you're that wandering soul on TikTok who loves making peony-themed dishes and eating steamed buns." Auntie probably didn't know who this was, but the younger generation present had likely all seen it on social media, and someone couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Even though my second aunt hadn't seen it, judging from everyone's reactions, she knew it wasn't a nice remark. But she didn't know who this person was, so she had no words to refute them. She could only be secretly angry, secretly plotting how to retaliate later.

Fang Shuning looked at her second aunt with innocent eyes, but her innocence revealed a hint of victorious contempt. She turned and went to the kitchen.

After Fang Shuning left, her second aunt asked Xinxin to search for a video on Douyin called "A Man Who Loves Making Peony Delicacies and Eating Steamed Buns: A Life of Wandering." Xinxin refused, but her second aunt was her mother, so she couldn't refuse and had to search for it for her. After watching it for a while, her second aunt became furious.

"Mom, why do you always argue with my sister? You never win an argument and just make yourself angry. Why do you do that?" Auntie glared at Xinxin and stormed out the door!

"Uncle, happy birthday! May you have many more birthdays to come, and live to be 150!"

"Living to 150 is too old and won't die, so living to 99 is fine."

"Hehe~" Uncle was always humorous. "Uncle, I didn't know what to give you, so here's a small red envelope. It's not much, just a little something. See if there's anything you like and buy it yourself." As she spoke, Fang Shuning took out a red envelope she had prepared on the way and stuffed it into Uncle's apron pocket. Uncle quickly refused, how could he accept money from a child? The two of them tugged at it back and forth, but in the end, Uncle gave in and accepted the money.

My uncle came out of the kitchen beaming, his face radiant with happiness.

Grandma's little vegetable garden is now being tended by her eldest aunt. Fang Shuning, sitting in her rocking chair, leisurely ordered her younger brothers around, eating the crisp, tender cucumbers her aunt had just picked. Soon, the food was ready. Fang Shuning then began directing her brothers to serve the dishes, placing their favorites in front of them and putting the ones they didn't like further away. None of her brothers resisted, because if they disobeyed Fang Shuning, scolding them was child's play, but physical punishment was.

Fortunately, Fang Shuning has always been generous, and the younger brothers are happy to oblige!

A dozen or so people sat down around the large round table, and Auntie arrived late. No one knew what she had just done, but she seemed to be in a much better mood. Fang Shuning didn't pay any attention and had already started eating.

The family seemed to be having a good time, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, but someone just had to cause trouble.

"Xiao Ning is 28 this year, right? She'll be 30 next year. When are you going to find a partner, get married, and have children? I have someone I can introduce you to." Perhaps her second aunt had hit the nail on the head, so she chimed in, "Yes, you're not getting any younger. It's time to think about your personal life. If your second aunt knows anyone suitable, you can introduce them to them."

Fang Shuning didn't even lift her eyes or stop eating. "I'll politely decline. I'm afraid I'll cheat on you if we get married!"

Everyone was shocked, unable to believe what they had just heard! Only the younger brothers silently applauded this great sister in their hearts and paid their highest respects!

"Haha, look at this child, what nonsense is he talking about? Really, come on, come on, eat, eat, don't stop eating!" Auntie quickly interrupted. Everyone looked at each other, picking up their chopsticks, feeling helpless, unsure of what to choose. Only Fang Shuning was content, even having the mood to comment on her uncle's cooking, "Uncle, this beef isn't stewed tender enough, it should be stewed a little longer~ This fried five-spice pork is good, take some with you when you leave."

"Okay, sure." The eldest uncle quickly agreed. After all, he'd received 5,000 yuan from Fang Shuning, enough to buy a pig; what was a little bit of spiced pork? He then got up and took the plate of spiced pork back to the kitchen. The aunt's little brother looked at his left, then his right, and then at the fried spiced pork on his plate. He said rather embarrassedly, "Sis, I picked up a piece, but I haven't touched it yet. Should I put it over there for you, or...?"

"Eat up." Fang Shuning's tone was calm, but there was a hint of benevolence in it. "Oh, thank you, sis."

Second Aunt was so angry she almost laughed! "Eldest sister, is this how you raise your children? They don't respect the elderly or care for the young. Have they wasted all their education? I don't know what they've learned from all those years of studying and working. What a terrible temper they have for a girl. I wonder which family will want her in the future!" Seeing that Fang Shuning was unmoved, Second Aunt turned the tables and shifted the blame to Ms. Jianhua, clearly implying that if she was unhappy today, no one else would have a good time.

However, Auntie's idea was a mistake. She completely forgot about Fang Linhai and Zhang Jianhua, the couple who were extremely protective of their own. "Chunmei, you've gone a bit too far. No matter what, our Ningning is still your own niece. As an elder, aren't you afraid of being laughed at if word gets out that you're talking to a junior like that?"

“Chunmei, Jianhua is right. Besides, our Ningning is excellent in both character and academics, outstanding at work, and beautiful too. Others would be chasing after her but she can’t catch up with him, so you don’t need to worry about her. Just mind your own business.”

"Don't worry, Auntie. If someone dares to want you, who can compare to you? You can relax. Come on, stop worrying and eat more. Look how thin you are." After saying this, Fang Shuning looked Auntie up and down, noting her short, stocky figure that weighed at least 160 pounds. A slight smile played on her lips—the expression of a victor!

The younger brothers, including Xinxin, lowered their heads, trying not to laugh. Their second uncle acted as if he wasn't there, so their second aunt took her anger out on Xinxin, slapping him across the back. "Mom~"

Fang Shuning turned and transferred 1,000 yuan to Xinxin, after all, she was partly to blame for being scolded and beaten. Fang Shuning was always generous and had a clear sense of right and wrong. Xinxin happily accepted the money, instantly forgetting the pain she had endured.

After a meal, some people enjoyed it immensely, while others were filled with resentment.

There wasn't much to say after dinner, so Fang Shuning was about to leave. Her uncle quickly brought out a bag of fried spiced pork, along with a bunch of other odds and ends of food. "Your mom said you went back to Xitang recently, and we don't know how long you'll stay. You can make these at home and come back for more when you're done. Remember to put them in the fridge."

Fang Shuning's uncle gave her a long list of instructions, and she couldn't refuse his hospitality, but unfortunately, Fang Shuning couldn't cook. However, he filled half the trunk before letting her go.

After thinking for a while about what to do with the food in the trunk, Fang Shuning finally drove directly to the village committee and directed Secretary Song to unload the items. Song Jiuchen was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding. "Secretary Song~ It's very sunny, so hurry up and move them quickly. I need to go home and rest after you're done!" Fang Shuning stood by the car, with no shade, and her fair and tender skin couldn't withstand the scorching sun.

Not knowing what Fang Shuning was going to do, Song Jiuchen figured he should just do as she said! He quickly got to work, and soon a pile of food was laid out under the eaves. Besides the bag of fried spiced pork and the fresh cucumbers Fang Shuning's aunt had picked before she left, there was a lot. "The village committee provides meals, right? This is perfect; we can use it when cooking. You can clean it up; I'm leaving now."

"Are you coming for dinner tonight?" Song Jiuchen asked from behind Fang Shuning.

Fang Shuning waved her hand, "If I'm not coming tonight, we'll talk about it tomorrow!"

Fang Shuning returned home, took a shower, and lay down, ready to have a good night's sleep!

In a daze, Fang Shuning felt someone patting her face, calling out, "Fang Shuning, wake up, Fang Shuning~" The voice grew louder and louder.

Unable to distinguish between dream and reality, Fang Shuning suddenly opened her eyes and saw Jianhua sitting by her bedside!