Chapter 131 Did Xia Damin break a heavenly law?
Although Xia Damin has a bit of a temper, Lin Shulan is soft-hearted, and Xia Qianqian is filial, never returning to her parents' home empty-handed. If only she could marry Xia Damin…
Her eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if she saw a glimmer of hope: not only would her identity problem be solved, but she would also be able to live a life of luxury and never have to go hungry again!
She really had no other choice now. In the past, she wouldn't have even given Xia Damin, a rough and uncultured peasant, a second glance.
But now, Xia Damin seems to be her only option.
Looking at the two bulging bags of grain, Wang Xueying felt a tickle in her heart. Lin Shulan was willing to give up so much grain just to introduce a potential partner. If this grain were in her hands... She swallowed hard.
The thought that Xia Wenwen might introduce other women to Xia Damin made Wang Xueying's heart leap into her throat.
She began to feel anxious and uncertain, wondering what the woman would be like, whether she would be younger or more capable than herself, and whether Lin Shulan would like her more.
The more she thought about it, the more panicked she became. So, she made up her mind and, without bothering to return the wild vegetables to the youth station, haphazardly stuffed them into the haystack and quietly followed them.
She didn't dare get too close, keeping a distance from Xia Wenwen and her daughter, listening intently.
“…I’ve met Old Liu’s niece. She’s not very pretty, but she’s hardworking. Lin Shulan will definitely be willing to take her,” Xia Wenwen said to Madam Xia.
"Old Liu's niece? Eating three pancakes in one meal?" Wang Xueying's heart skipped a beat, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head—she had seen that girl before; she was as strong as a young calf, and her dark arms were even thicker than Xia Damin's!
That won't do!
She was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead. If Xia Wenwen really told Xia Damin about that girl, what chance would she have? No, she absolutely couldn't let her succeed!
Wang Xueying gritted her teeth, her feet seemed to have wings, and she suddenly turned into the side road, taking a shortcut and running wildly towards Liushu Village.
She ran all the way to the riverbank in Willow Village, panting as she leaned against a willow branch. Seeing that there was no smoke coming out of Lin Shulan's chimney, she felt a little relieved; Xia Wenwen and the others had indeed not returned yet.
Wang Xueying took a deep breath, then suddenly squatted down by the river with a "plop," covered her face with her hands, and began to sob. The sobs were not loud, but they were filled with unspeakable grievances.
At that moment, seven or eight women were washing clothes by the river, the sound of their washing mallets pounding the garments echoing throughout the room. Hearing the crying, they all stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her.
This girl looks unfamiliar. Why is she crying so sadly here?
"Hey, what's wrong with this girl?" An old woman wearing a blue apron came over first, placing a dripping water-soaked pestle on a stone. "Which village are you from? What's wrong? Tell me, maybe I can give you some advice."
Other women gathered around, offering their advice: "Yes, don't cry, what hurdle can't you overcome?"
Wang Xueying slowly lowered her hand, sobbing as she said, "I...I'm from the next village...My parents...my parents insist on marrying me off to Xia Damin from Willow Tree Village..."
Wang Xueying's sobs became even more aggrieved: "I heard he... he has a bad temper and beats his wife... I'm scared... I don't want to marry him..."
Upon hearing this, the women gathered even closer, patting her back to help her catch her breath while chattering amongst themselves, saying, "Silly girl, don't cry, don't cry!"
"What's wrong with Xia Damin? He's an honest man!"
While offering words of comfort, the fire of gossip in their eyes burned even brighter; this was a rare and exciting thing!
Wang Xueying sobbed for a while before slowly wiping away her tears. With red eyes, she said, "I have to go home... If my parents are determined, maybe... maybe this is my fate."
As she spoke, she secretly glanced at the crowd and saw that they all looked at her with sympathy, which made her feel secretly pleased.
The women then pulled her aside and said many comforting words, and Wang Xueying left, looking back every few steps.
Not long after Wang Xueying left, Xia Wenwen and her daughter moved back to Liushu Village.
The sun was already slanting into the western mountain valley, dyeing the clouds a rosy red. Xia Wenwen was carrying a bag of cornmeal, her shoulders aching from the pressure, and several blisters on the soles of her feet. Every step felt like walking on a knife's edge.
When we came, we were only thinking about getting benefits and didn't feel tired. But on the way back, carrying grain and rabbits, we realized how grueling the ten-mile mountain road was.
If it weren't for the tantalizing aroma of rabbit stew with radish filling her mind, she would have collapsed on the roadside long ago.
When Xia Wenwen and her daughter stepped into the courtyard, Mr. Xia was leaning against the eaves smoking.
"You're back." He glanced at the things in their hands and raised an eyebrow.
Xia Wenwen put the grain on the ground and groaned from exhaustion, "Dad, we're finally home!"
Mr. Xia ignored his daughter's complaints, walked over slowly, bent down and rubbed the cornmeal bag, then picked up the rabbit leg and looked at it.
"Clean it up, and I'll stew it tonight," he said to Mrs. Xia.
Mrs. Xia quickly replied, "Yes, I'll go right away!"
Mr. Xia then asked, "Did Lin Shulan say anything?"
"No! She'd love for us to help Damin find a wife!" Xia Wenwen proudly recounted Lin Shulan's request for her to keep an eye out for marriage prospects. "Once it's settled, we can even ask for some extra benefits!"
She said to Mrs. Xia, "Mother, I'm going to the Liu family to inquire about some news."
Mrs. Xia nodded in agreement, and Xia Wenwen hurried towards the Liu family's house at the west end of the village, her steps uneven.
Because of their bad family background, the Liu family could only do dirty and hard work that no one else wanted. The family was dirt poor; the mud walls were dark and the window paper was torn in several places and covered with old newspapers.
What troubles the Liu family the most is the niece left behind by the eldest daughter-in-law. She is already twenty years old this year. Because she has been working in the fields for many years, she is tanned and her features are not regular. Matchmakers shake their heads whenever they propose marriage, and she has not yet found a husband.
Xia Wenwen was secretly calculating: given the Liu family's circumstances, the fact that she was willing to go and propose marriage was an incredible favor!
As long as she sings the praises of Xia Damin, the marriage is practically a sure thing.
"Is Aunt Liu home?" Xia Wenwen asked.
Aunt Liu peeked out and, seeing it was Xia Wenwen, paused for a moment before quickly putting on a smile: "It's Wenwen! Come in, come in!"
Aunt Liu warmly pulled her to sit on the kang (a heated brick bed) and poured her some hot water. Xia Wenwen didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point: "Aunt Liu, I've come today to arrange a marriage for your niece!"
Aunt Liu's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "Which family's young man is he?"
"It's Xia Damin from Willow Tree Village! He's tall and strong, and he earns work points equivalent to two laborers! You know Lin Shulan too, she's honest and kind, she'll definitely dote on her daughter-in-law in the future!"
She thought Aunt Liu would be overjoyed, but to her surprise, the smile on the other woman's face vanished in an instant.
Xia Wenwen, oblivious to anything amiss, continued saying to herself, "If your niece marries into that family, she's guaranteed to suffer!"
"Xia Wenwen!" Aunt Liu suddenly interrupted her, "What do you take our child for?"
Xia Wenwen was taken aback by her outburst: "Second Aunt, what do you mean by that? I was just trying to help you find a spouse..."
"Kindness?" Aunt Liu suddenly stood up, pointing to the door. "Our family is poor, and our class background is bad, but my niece is still the precious darling of the Liu family! Are you letting her marry Xia Damin because you think our family is easy to bully, or do you think my niece will never get married?!"
"You!" Xia Wenwen was so choked up that her face turned pale and then red. She never expected that the Liu family would dare to speak to her like that.
Before she could persuade her again, Aunt Liu picked up a broom.
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