"Chunmei, you're home."
In the morning, Xia Chunmei had just returned from fishing when Lin Xiaojuan arrived, all smiles, but Xia Chunmei knew that this girl was definitely up to no good.
Something's up.
"Something's up, really good news, hehe." Lin Xiaojuan laughed, "Chunmei and Qiumei aren't young anymore, how about your auntie plays matchmaker for them?"
"Thank you for your kind offer, Auntie, but my sister is still young. There's no rush. Let's talk about it in a couple of years."
"Chunmei, a girl will get married sooner or later anyway, so it's something that needs to be said sooner or later."
Let me tell you, my eldest nephew is thirteen years old this year. He is very handsome and has three acres of land at home. He also rents out five acres. There are three brothers in his family. My brother and sister-in-law are also hardworking and capable. In the future, Qiu Mei will definitely not have to do the work in the fields.
"Besides, my family is a large clan. If we all become one family in the future, we will definitely protect you and love you like our own daughters."
"Your family is so well-off, my family isn't good enough for you. You should go find a better girl."
In this day and age, having many brothers isn't necessarily a good thing. Generally, the family doesn't separate until the parents are dead. With many brothers, there are also many sisters-in-law, and eventually, many children. With more people, there are more conflicts.
Xia Chunmei has been here for so long, and she has never seen many families with many brothers who are still very harmonious.
Moreover, Xia Chunmei dislikes Lin Xiaojuan; what good person could she possibly recommend?
To put it bluntly, they probably value his skills, the ability to earn money with his sister, and the fact that his family has food and land.
"Chunmei, do you look down on my family?" Lin Xiaojuan was unhappy when she heard Xia Chunmei refuse.
"I didn't say that. On the contrary, I think you're taking advantage of my young age. What, is it that if a matchmaker comes to the door, I have to agree?"
What's your attitude?
"You're arguing with me just because I didn't agree?"
Xia Mingshi overheard their conversation from next door and stepped forward, saying, "Xiaojuan, if Chunmei doesn't agree, then so be it. Let's talk things out. This is a marriage proposal; let's not make enemies."
"Auntie, look at her attitude. I meant well."
Xia Chunmei: "Hehe, what you're saying is hilarious. I think the two families are not suitable. Tell me where I'm wrong. Is your nephew made of gold and silver? I have to agree."
"Alright, Chunmei, that's enough. Xiaojuan, you're not allowed to say anything either." Xia Mingshi pulled Lin Xiaojuan away.
After Lin Xiaojuan left, Xia Mingshi said to Xia Chunmei, "You sisters now have skills to earn money, and you don't have parents yet. Once you get married, your husbands' families won't have to worry about you supporting your own families. So there will definitely be many people who want to marry you sisters. Chunmei, marriage is a lifelong matter for a woman, so you must be careful."
“Grandma Ming, I know. My second sister is still young. I’m waiting for her to be married when she’s fourteen or fifteen, and then she’ll get married when she’s sixteen or seventeen. By then, Dongmei and Yaomei will be grown up too. But I’ll still need your help to make a decision.”
"Of course, old lady, I'm practically family to you."
Xia Mingshi had considered marrying Qiu Mei to her grandson, but her grandson's family was too poor, so she was too embarrassed to bring it up.
...
Lin Xiaojuan was very resentful after being rejected by Xia Chunmei.
In addition, Xia Chunmei had been ungrateful and refused to teach Lin Qianhong how to cook, which caused her to lose her thank-you fee. When the whole village went fishing, she didn't catch any fish. Lin Xiaojuan felt that it was all Xia Chunmei's fault!
Why are those few poor girls living better than her and even building big houses? What right do they have to live there?
The angrier Lin Xiaojuan became, the more she thought about it, so she headed towards Chenjiaqiao...
They happened to run into Liu Xiang's eldest daughter-in-law, Chen Qiaoshi, on the road.
"You must be Chunmei's maternal aunt. I'm from Yijia Village. You have a capable niece. She's so young and already earns money. We adults can't afford to build a house in our entire lives, but she, a young girl, has built a big brick house and earned dozens of taels of silver. It's truly enviable."
Lin Xiaojuan spoke while observing Chen Qiaoshi's expression.
"You mean Chunmei built a big brick house? You're talking nonsense, right? How could she possibly earn that much?"
"I'm not making this up. The house is already under construction. The money is compensation from Xia Honghua and Xia for their failed attempt to frame her. Everyone in our village knows that. They not only have money, but also two acres of land."
Chunmei is really generous! Spending tens of taels of silver to build a house. If it were me, I wouldn't be willing to do that. This girl is really extravagant with money. She buys fabric by the two bolts at a time. It's really different without an adult in the family. If my daughter were this wasteful, I would have slapped her long ago.
Seeing that Chen Qiaoshi still looked unconvinced, Lin Xiaojuan said, "If you don't believe me, go ask around in our village and you'll find out."
Chen Qiaoshi didn't believe Xia Chunmei; how could a girl afford to build a tiled house? But then she thought that Lin Xiaojuan had no reason to lie to her.
So Chen Qiao secretly went to Yijia Village and saw that Xia Chunmei's house had been almost completely demolished. She also heard people talking about Xia Chunmei, saying that she had made a fortune out of misfortune.
Chen Qiaoshi's heart was already filled with turbulent waves.
Her whole family was still crammed into a dilapidated thatched hut. Why should Xia Chunmei, those few poor, money-losing girls, deserve to live in a nice house?
No, we can't let this go!
When Chen Qiao returned home, she told her parents-in-law everything.
"What you said is all true."
"Of course it's true. I even went to see it myself. Her house is being demolished. People in Yijia Village are all envious of Xia Chunmei, saying that those girls are lucky to live in big houses. Xia Chunmei buys fabric by the two bolts at a time."
Chen Qiao's husband, Chen Guiqi, slammed his fist on the table and stood up angrily: "Why should they build houses? Those money-losing girls will get married sooner or later. Why should they use our money to build houses?"
Chen Gui's younger brother, Chen Quan, was equally furious: "Brother, we have to go and get our money back!"
In the eyes of the Chen brothers, Xia Chunmei's money belongs to the Chen family!
Since it's their money, Xia Chunmei has no right to use it!
When Liu Xiang heard that her two sons were going to ask Xia Chunmei, that aunt, for money, she was startled and quickly stopped them: "You can't go, you can't go!"
"Mom, what are you afraid of? Our whole family will go. I don't believe she would dare to lay a hand on us elders. Besides, she's just a little girl, maybe she's a bit strong. A few of us grown men can't handle her."
"Big brother is right. This time, we'll take the opportunity to avenge you for what happened last time."
Now, Chen Qiaoshi's mind is filled with thoughts of big houses and dozens of taels of silver, and she has long forgotten about how she rolled down the hillside and got her face covered in thorns.
She said, "Last time we didn't expect her to be so strong. This time we are prepared. There are many people in the village. Xia Chunmei will only attack us if she doesn't want to protect her reputation."
“Sister-in-law is right, let’s go over now.” Chen Quan’s wife, Chen Liu, was also eager to go.
Liu Xiang wanted the money.
But Liu Xiang was terrified whenever she thought of Xia Chunmei pushing her into the water.
"You guys go if you want, I'm not going."
Liu Xiang's maternal grandfather, Chen Jinshui, gave her a disdainful look and cursed, "You good-for-nothing!"
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