Hua Xiangyun knew that many people were envious of Jiang Yi's courtyard. She thought that no matter how much they tried to cause trouble, there was nothing she could do. But she didn't expect that these people had become smarter and had learned to take a roundabout approach.

“These people have talked to me, but I’ve always used the excuse of getting married to decline.” Jiang Yi’s tone was slightly aggrieved as he saw Hua Xiangyun’s expression soften. “Now many people are advising me to prioritize the bigger picture, and besides, there’s still rent to collect.”

You're saying I'm the kind of person who's short of that little bit of rent?

That sounds nice, but they'll give up the house when I need it after I get married.

Everyone knows that it's easy to invite a god but hard to send him away; these people are just standing there making sarcastic remarks.

Hua Xiangyun said, "These people are going too far. What right do they have to point fingers at other people's property?"

“There’s nothing we can do about it, it’s the trend of the times.” Jiang Yi took a sip of water and continued, “Before, when I wasn’t home, they couldn’t find me, so naturally they couldn’t bring themselves to tell me about these plans.”

You don't know that everyone says their children are getting married and don't have a wedding house, but what does that have to do with me? If they want to rent a house, they can go to a nearby village to rent one.

Alternatively, one could work hard and try to get a factory-provided apartment.

One by one, they've all started plotting against me. I drive one group away, and another comes along. It's utterly unbearable.

Hua Xiangyun could imagine it and understood it to some extent. "So, because of this, you've moved the wedding forward?"

"No, it's because I want to marry you as soon as possible, and also shut them up." Jiang Yi looked around the courtyard. "I've gone to so much trouble to tidy it up, and I don't want anyone to come in and ruin it."

Besides, this courtyard needs a lady of the house to keep things in order and make those people give up their ulterior motives.

Hua Xiangyun, "..."

Jiang Yi was trying his best to persuade Hua Xiangyun, unaware that Hua's two brothers-in-law were deliberately hindering him.

&

Zhou Xiaolan was sitting at home, almost bursting with anger. These days, Hua Zhian had been followed everywhere he went, and she had even heard Tian Guihua spreading rumors that she wanted to find him a girlfriend.

“The Hua family is really cunning,” Zhou Jinfeng said. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to lose his temper, but his wife was right. If Jiang Yi couldn’t succeed, then there was no need to use his daughter’s name.

She doesn't get angry, but she can still scold him: "It's all because of you, you good-for-nothing girl, that you lost such a good boyfriend. Otherwise, all those gifts today would be ours."

Zhou Xiaolan didn't want to admit that she was useless. "Dad, I wasn't the only one who tried back then. Who knew he would be blind and look at Zhonghua Xiangyun?"

Hua Xiangyun was spoiled by her family since childhood. Can someone like that be a good wife?

“As long as she’s pretty, that’s enough,” Zhou Xiaojun said, his mouth getting even more sarcastic as he recalled the fleeting glimpse he’d seen a couple of days ago. “Look at yourself, all dark and skinny. Don’t ever say you’re my sister when you go out in the future.”

He touched his fair face. "Mom, are you sure my sister is your biological daughter?"

Bai Ailian lightly patted him, "How can you talk like that? Can't you see how much your sister looks like your father?"

Zhou Xiaojun looks a bit like Bai Ailian, with fair skin.

“What’s wrong with looking like me?” Zhou Jinfeng saw the disgust on the mother and son’s faces and suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

What good is it if my son doesn't resemble me but instead looks like his mother? What good is it if my daughter resembles me?

"It's all her fault for not being good-looking. Jiang Yi is also superficial; he only cares about looks."

Faced with her family's disapproval, Zhou Xiaolan kept her head down and remained silent. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened, and she was already used to it.

“We’ve wasted so much money before, and this brat even got a free outfit,” Zhou Xiaojun said, feeling a bit uncomfortable as he thought about all the money his family had spent. “You even bought her clam oil, but her face hasn’t gotten any prettier.”

"What's the use of saying all this now?" Bai Ailian also felt sorry for her. "Your sister is getting old now. If she doesn't get ready, how will she find a husband in the future?"

Zhou Xiaojun then remembered something else, "Oh right, I ran into He Ping'an outside today and overheard him gossiping with someone. From what he said, it seemed like he was going to send someone to propose marriage to my sister."

Zhou Xiaolan shuddered in fright. Her feud with He Ping'an had started before the new year, and He Ping'an had looked at her with a fierce glint in his eyes several times on the street. She didn't believe that He Ping'an would still have any good feelings for her.

He also felt some regret. Why did he come up with such a bad idea? Not only did it block Hua Xiangyun's path, but it also caused a falling out with He Ping'an, who had always helped him.

She used to rely on these two people for help, but now she faces difficulties everywhere.

If Hua Xiangyun hadn't been saved that day, none of this would exist. It's also He Ping'an's fault for being such a fool; he had already made his move, but he didn't know to go any further.

"He came to propose marriage?" Zhou Jinfeng didn't care about such things. The two families had a feud, but it wasn't a life-or-death enmity. Perhaps they could reconcile.

Now, as soon as they hear that their daughter is in demand, their eyes light up. "Have you heard what kind of betrothal gifts they're going to offer?"

Let me tell you, your sister is the same age as Hua Xiangyun, and they live in the same courtyard. If the conditions are too poor, I can't agree to it.

"By the way, after you finish eating, go and find out what kind of betrothal gifts Jiang Yi offered. Your sister can only accept more, not less."

Zhou Xiaolan: "...The Hua family will give a dowry, how much will our family give me?"

Zhou Jinfeng wanted to throw the cup in his hand, but he held back and said, "I'll ask your mom to make you a blanket. As for anything else, don't worry about it. Don't forget you have a younger brother. You should think about him too."

Zhou Xiaolan had already anticipated this outcome and wasn't particularly disappointed, but she felt a chill in her heart. "But do you know how this will put me in a difficult position?"

"What's so difficult about this?" Bai Ailian said irritably. "In the future, if you have any problems, you won't need your brother to step in. Besides, your father and I raised you all these years, are we just going to give you to your husband's family for nothing?"

She's not even married yet, and she's already siding with outsiders; what will become of her later?

Zhou Jinfeng said, "Alright, your mother told you before that you should date on your own, and she let you have your way."

But so much time has passed, and you've already brought your partner home.

Let me tell you, if you don't settle on a partner before you go to the countryside, I'll make the decision for you.

"But even if you find someone, you still have to stick to the conditions we agreed on beforehand. Otherwise, even if you bring them to me, don't blame me for not giving you face."

Zhou Xiaolan: "...I'm going out for a bit."

No one from the Zhou family paid any attention to her. Only after Zhou Xiaolan ran out did they say, "It seems that the Hua family boy is no good. You shouldn't always spoil the child. Go and finalize the deal with the family you found before."

Bai Ailian said, "But that family's circumstances are really not good. If we go there and become stepmothers, it won't look good for our reputation..."