Gu Xiaoxue asked Hua Kai in a low voice from behind, looking puzzled, "Wait, what kind of trouble is my aunt causing now?"

Hua Kai hadn't expected Aunt Gu to be in such a hurry, so she could only scratch her head and say, "Your aunt is probably anxious to find you a partner, so she's overthinking things when she sees someone of the right age. But I also think Meng Jing is quite nice, don't you think?"

"It's good, but it's too sudden," Gu Xiaoxue said, still in shock.

"You think so too? Good job, good personality, good family background, you're quite a good match for her," Hua Kai said.

"I haven't thought about that yet."

"Then start thinking about it now. Let me tell you, good girls are hard to come by. If someone else snatches one away, you'll regret it."

"No, how did this turn out to be something I regret?"

"Hurry up and go in, see what your aunt and Meng Jing are talking about, don't scare Meng Jing."

"That's true, my aunt's enthusiasm is something most people can't handle."

"I experienced it myself a few days ago."

The two entered the house and were surprised to find Meng Jing chatting enthusiastically with Aunt Gu, even mentioning that they were related.

Hua Kai smiled as she looked at the flowers; it seems that sometimes fate truly plays a part.

They had a simple lunch together. When Hua Kai and Gu Xiaoxue returned to school, Aunt Gu was still chatting with Meng Jing. Since Meng Jing wasn't working in the afternoon, Aunt Gu kept her around to talk to her.

On the way back, Hua Kai didn't push the matchmaking too hard. After all, so many people had put in the effort, and it wouldn't be good to pressure them too much.

So Hua Kai was only talking to Gu Xiaoxue about business matters.

After school in the afternoon, he went home with his older brother. Li Jing didn't go home this week because the store is busy right now. Li Jing said she would go back when the flowers bloom and she doesn't have to go home anymore.

When Hua Kai and Hua Qingyi arrived home, it was already dark, and dinner was ready.

When Hua Kai came back this time, she bought a tape recorder for the family and also bought English tapes for her younger brother. We don't have any electrical appliances at home, but with the tape recorder, we can listen to music sometimes. As for the TV, we'll get all the appliances when we build the new house next year.

Hua Qingyang watched as he fiddled with the tape recorder. Gu Lanyan, afraid he would break it, didn't scold him harshly. She smiled at her spoiled younger brother, which was the feeling of home she had wanted in her past life.

The next morning, although it was a sunny day, it was very cold, and the snow outside was dazzling in the sun.

Today is an odd-numbered day so we don't go to the market, so everyone in the family is here.

Hua Wanjiang and Hua Qingyi were husking corn on the ground, while Hua Qingyang was doing his homework at the kang table at the end of the kang.

Hua Kai sat next to Gu Lan Yan, who was knitting a sweater, and they talked.

Gu Lanyan mentioned Gu Lanying's story. The day before yesterday, Gu Lanying called the brigade, and Hua Wanjiang picked her up. She said that her first trip to the market was very successful, and she sold all fifty smoked meat pancakes she made. She was very happy.

Hua Kai knew her aunt could earn money, and she was happy for her.

The mother and daughter were having a great time talking when a guest arrived.

"Are you home, brother and sister-in-law?" Hua Fengxiang's voice came in.

Hua Wanjiang stood up immediately upon hearing Hua Fengxiang's voice: "Why is she here?"

As they were talking, Hua Fengxiang entered, and more importantly, she didn't come alone; her husband, Feng Jianshe, was with her.

Feng Jianshe was carrying a net bag full of things, including canned goods, wine, snacks, and candy.

Hua Fengxiang was also carrying a canvas bag. She entered the house with great enthusiasm: "Brother, sister-in-law and children are all home. We came without telling you, we were worried that no one would be home."

Hua Wanjiang said warily, "There's not much work to do in winter, so if we don't go to the market, we'll just stay home. Fengxiang, Jianshe, please sit down."

When the elders came, Hua Kai and Hua Qingyang put on their shoes and got off the kang (a heated brick bed), addressing Hua Fengxiang and Feng Jianshe as aunt and uncle.

Hua Fengxiang went over and took Hua Kai's hand: "This girl is growing up so fast, she's getting prettier and prettier. Everyone says that nieces look like their aunts, but my niece is much prettier than me."

Hua Kai felt a little embarrassed by the compliment: "Auntie, you flatter me. Please sit down, Auntie. Let me pour you some water." After saying that, she quickly pulled away from Hua Fengxiang's hand. She wasn't that close to Hua Fengxiang.

Gu Lanyan also got off the kang (heated brick bed) and called to Hua Fengxiang, "Fengxiang, sit on the kang, it's warm."

Hua Fengxiang held Gu Lanyan's hand: "Don't rush, sister-in-law, we're not strangers. If I'm cold, I'll just get on the kang (heated brick bed) myself."

Feng Jianshe placed the things on the kang (a heated brick bed) and said to Hua Wanjiang, "Brother, I'm usually busy and haven't been here much. This is my first time visiting your home, so please accept this small token of my appreciation."

Hua Wanjiang became even more uneasy: "Jianshe, is something the matter? If so, just say so."

Feng Jianshe smiled insincerely: "Brother, what are you saying? We're all family. We just happened to be back, so we came to visit."

Hua Kai didn't believe they had no ulterior motives, but since they hadn't said anything yet, she could only listen for now.

She poured water for everyone, then stood at the end of the kang (heated brick bed) next to Hua Qingyi, as it was easier to work together with her older brother if anything happened.

Hua Wanjiang didn't know what to say: "Um, you guys went to Dad's place?"

Feng Jianshe said, "We haven't gone yet. We came to my older brother's place first. We don't really want to go back there. You know Fengxiang isn't very close to them."

Hua Wanjiang could only say, "Now that we're back, we have to go there no matter what."

Feng Jianshe said, "We should go, we can't leave the old folks unattended, but there's no rush. It's a rare opportunity for me to visit my elder brother's house, so I'd like to chat with you all."

Hua Fengxiang said to Hua Wanjiang, "Big brother, you know how I was married off back then. It was your brother-in-law who made a name for himself. Otherwise, I don't know how difficult my life would have been. None of my second, third, and fourth brothers treat me like their own sister. Only you, big brother, are truly good to me. I used to not want to see our mother and the others, so I didn't come back often. But now I've figured it out. From now on, when I come back, I'll come to your house, big brother."

Hua Kai found it all too unbelievable; who would believe that? Hua Kai would admit that Hua Fengxiang had grudges against those people, but to say that Hua Fengxiang was close to Hua Wanjiang? Wasn't that blatant lying?

Hua Wanjiang's heart was pounding. He felt increasingly uneasy: "Fengxiang, I think you came here to make this guarantee because something's wrong, right?"

Hua Fengxiang waved her hands hurriedly: "It's nothing, it's nothing. It's just that I'm not young anymore, and I also want some family affection. But apart from my eldest brother, I don't know where else to go. Please don't look down on me, eldest brother."

After saying that, she went over and took Gu Lanyan's hand: "Sister-in-law, people say that an elder sister-in-law is like a mother. I was thinking that we should visit each other more often and get closer in the future."

Hua Kai was incredibly embarrassed. "Your mother is still alive, and they're not even from the same mother. What kind of nonsense is this 'eldest sister-in-law is like a mother'?" But she didn't know what they were up to, so she decided to listen.

Gu Lanyan was also filled with embarrassment, nervousness, confusion, and worry. It was a very complicated situation. She said, "You should go back and visit your parents more often. No matter what, they are still your family. It's been so many years. Even if you don't do anything, you have to let go of them."

Hua Fengxiang said, "I used to think about getting along well with them, but none of those sisters-in-law are as understanding as my eldest sister-in-law. They all have their own selfish motives, and I really don't want to talk to them anymore."

Gu Lanyan could only say, "We need to understand each other." She really couldn't say anything more.