Chapter 37 became Aunt Zheng's rambling, starting from...
Aunt Zheng went on and on, starting from her youth, saying that Aunt Fu looked down on her taste, finding fault with this and that about her, from her sense of style in clothing to her taste in men; there was nothing about her that she found acceptable.
Aunt Zheng: "I know that Fu Peizhi has looked down on me all these years. Let alone becoming in-laws with me, even if we buy the same clothes, she will complain for a long time."
Mingxi chuckled; she thought it was something serious, but it turned out to be just this.
She laughed and said, "Aunt Zheng, have you ever thought that these are all misunderstandings on your part? For example, when Aunt Fu said that yellow didn't look good on you, it wasn't because she thought you had bad taste, but simply because she felt that yellow didn't suit you. And when Aunt Fu said that you had bad taste and that the blind date you were interested in wasn't a good person, she was actually reminding you that there was something wrong with the other person."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zheng's expression wavered slightly.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!" But after a moment, she became firm again: "How could Fu Peizhi be so kind!"
Mingxi: Prejudice in people's hearts is indeed a mountain...
Aunt Zheng: "Anyway, Fu Peizhi just doesn't like me. Even if I go and propose marriage, she definitely won't agree. Since that's the case, why should I bother with her? I'm not going. She doesn't like me and doesn't want Luo Huan to marry my Chaohui, but there are other people who are willing."
Mingxi: "..."
So that's where Aunt Zheng's knot lies.
Having successfully uncovered the underlying issues of the two older women, Mingxi returned home and began to ponder them.
Aunt Fu's worries are easy to resolve. She's worried that Luo Huan will be mistreated after marrying into the Zhu family. So, let Aunt Fu see that the Zhu family won't bully Luo Huan, and that will ease her worries.
That would be a problem for Aunt Zheng.
She always felt that Aunt Fu looked down on her, and she was filled with resentment, so she wanted to compete with Aunt Fu to see who was better.
The only way to resolve this issue for her is to get Aunt Fu to back down on her behalf.
But who is Aunt Fu? The reason she's been such a bitter enemy of Aunt Zheng for so many years is because she, like Aunt Zheng, isn't one to back down.
When Mingxi got home, she complained to Zhao Sulan about it. Zhao Sulan, being more experienced, came up with a good idea for her.
"Since neither of them is the type to back down to the other in person, let's try to find out what the other is thinking behind their backs."
Mingxi's mind opened up, and she stroked her chin: "That's also an option."
The next morning, Mingxi went to find Zhu Zhaohui and arranged for him to take Aunt Zheng to the nearby park later.
After leaving the Zhu family, Mingxi turned and went to the Luo family, calling out Aunt Fu under the pretext of having a suitable person to introduce to Luo Huan.
Mingxi took Aunt Fu to a nearby park and pretended to show her information about a gay man.
“Aunt Fu, this young man is the most suitable for Luo Huan in my hands. He is twenty years old this year, a high school graduate, and works at the bus station.”
Aunt Fu: "Working at the bus station means holding the steering wheel? That's great!"
Aunt Fu's eyes lit up. Being a driver is the most sought-after profession right now. The salary is high, the subsidies are high, and it's a prestigious job.
Mingxi: "No, this young man is a ticket seller."
Aunt Fu was a little disappointed that he wasn't a driver, but she still smiled and said, "Being a ticket seller is not bad either. It's an easy job, and it's pretty good."
Mingxi: "The work is quite easy, but the salary is low, less than twenty yuan a month, because he is a temporary worker. But if he works for another two or three years, he may be able to become a permanent employee."
Aunt Fu's smile gradually disappeared.
Mingxi, as if she hadn't noticed the change in Aunt Fu's expression, continued, "Although the salary is a bit low and there's no housing provided, it's not a big deal. After all, this young man's family hasn't separated yet, and he has to hand over his salary, so it's alright."
"Wait, you haven't separated the family?" Aunt Fu's lips turned down, and her expression gradually became unpleasant.
Mingxi: "Oh, haven't I mentioned it yet? This young man's family hasn't separated yet, and they've agreed that they won't separate as long as his parents are alive. His parents said they just like a lively atmosphere, with the whole family living together. His eldest brother's child is in high school, and his second brother's eldest son is in elementary school, and they still live together."
If the parents don't separate the family while they're still alive, it will be at least several decades before they do. And judging from what Mingxi said, there must be quite a few people in this family. The old couple, plus the eldest brother's family and the second brother's family, there must be more than a dozen people.
With more than a dozen people crammed together, there are bound to be many household chores.
Furthermore, after hearing from Mingxi that the other party now hands over all his salary and doesn't keep a single penny for himself, it's clear that this young man isn't the assertive type.
If Luo Huan is wronged or bullied after marrying into the family, will he be able to protect her?
After thinking about it, Aunt Fu mentally drew a big X.
"No, no, Xiaoming, I don't think this young man is suitable. Do you have any other suitable men in your field? Preferably from a simple family, not with many relatives?"
Mingxi frowned and pretended to be troubled: "Aunt Fu, aren't you making things difficult for me? These days, every family has four or five children. It's not easy to find someone from a simpler family."
Aunt Fu: "I know... but I'm just asking you to put in more effort and find a family that's a little simpler. You know, my Huanhuan isn't that cunning. I'm afraid that if she marries into a complicated family, she'll be easily bullied."
Mingxi pretended to be embarrassed and tilted her head. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhu Zhaohui leading Aunt Zheng over not far away and sighed.
“Aunt Fu, your request is really too difficult. To be honest, the person who best meets your requirements is Zhu Zhaohui.”
Aunt Fu: "Zhu Zhaohui is no good!"
Zhu Zhaohui and Aunt Zheng, who had already walked close, stopped in their tracks upon hearing this. Aunt Zheng had a stern face and seemed ready to rush up and argue with Aunt Fu.
Mingxi secretly gave Zhu Zhaohui a wink, signaling him to pull Aunt Zheng away.
She hasn't even guided Aunt Fu to say what she should say yet, and now she's letting Aunt Zheng rush out, which would just be disruptive.
Zhu Zhaohui received the hint and quickly reached out to grab Aunt Zheng's arm.
Mingxi turned around and deliberately said, "Zhu Zhaohui is such a good young man, how come he's no good?"
Aunt Fu: "Hey, didn't we talk about this last time? I admit that Zhaohui is indeed a good young man, with good conditions, and he's a good match for my Huanhuan. He has a good relationship with Huanhuan and treats her well. But Zheng Yunfen is there. Zheng Yunfen is so petty. She's been my sworn enemy for so many years. If my Huanhuan marries into that family, she'll definitely take advantage of her status as the mother-in-law to bully Huanhuan."
"You're talking nonsense!"
Hearing this, Aunt Zheng could no longer hold back. She shook off Zhu Zhaohui's hand and rushed over angrily: "Fu Peizhi, can you stop judging others by your own standards? Do you think I'm as petty as you? I would never bully Luo Huan. Luo Huan is such a good girl. If she married into our family, I would treat her like my own daughter. You think you can bully her? You're just being cynical and you think everyone else is cynical too!"
"Am I petty? Am I dark-hearted?"
Aunt Fu's face flushed red: "Zheng Yunfen, what right do you have to say such things, you little scoundrel who eavesdrops on other people's conversations!"
Aunt Zheng, though not entirely in the right, retorted defiantly: "Who told you to speak ill of others behind their backs in public!"
Aunt Fu pouted: "I didn't say anything bad about you. I was just telling the truth. You're just petty. Your heart is only as big as a pinhead."
Aunt Zheng: "To be honest, right? Then I could say you're arrogant and look down on everyone else!"
Seeing the two middle-aged women starting to argue, Mingxi squeezed in, ostensibly to mediate but actually to fan the flames, saying, "Aunties, aunties, please stop arguing. It's all a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. Aunt Zheng didn't hold a grudge against Aunt Fu for saying that she had bad taste in men, and Aunt Fu didn't look down on Aunt Zheng for choosing a bad man."
Aunt Fu glared at him: "Fine, Zheng Yunfen, I told you you're petty, but you wouldn't admit it, would you? It's been so many years, twenty years! You still remember what I said casually back then? Looks like I was wrong after all. You're not just petty, you're pettier than a pinhead!"
Aunt Zheng: "That's because you went too far. It was my first time going on a blind date, and I hit it off with someone. But you immediately said that I have bad taste in men and told me to go to the hospital to get my eyes checked, otherwise how could I have hit it off with a man who cheats on me and has five or six women at the same time?"
Aunt Fu: "I was only trying to help you! Back then, you were completely infatuated with him, thinking he was perfect no matter what. But that guy had several lovers behind his back, and he was even entangled with a widow from the countryside. To put it bluntly, what do you think I would do if I fell for him and didn't break up with the other woman?"
Aunt Zheng felt a moment of guilt.
But then she immediately became defiant: "Can't you just talk properly? If you don't talk to me properly, how am I supposed to know what you're thinking? I thought you looked down on me!"
Aunt Fu: "Hey, you're blaming me now? Fine, I shouldn't have meddled in other people's business in the first place!"
Aunt Zheng: "I...when did I resent you? I just said you couldn't say nice things properly, I didn't blame you. I've always remembered the good thing you reminded me, otherwise I wouldn't have sent you cornmeal when the famine was!"
Aunt Fu immediately perked up: "Oh, so the cornmeal you gave us back then was for this reason. You even said it was to help your neighbor. I knew you weren't that kind-hearted!"
Aunt Zheng: "Ha, you think I'm not kind? If you think I'm not kind, then give me back the cornmeal I gave you back then..."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Seeing that the two middle-aged women were arguing further and further away, Mingxi quickly stepped in to bring the topic back on track: "Ladies, stop arguing and let's calm down first."
She held Aunt Fu's hand and said, "Aunt Fu, you heard it too. Aunt Zheng has always remembered your kindness. And Aunt Zheng also said that she likes Huanhuan very much. Even if Huanhuan marries into the family, she won't target Huanhuan. Now you can rest assured, right?"
Before Aunt Fu could speak, Mingxi took Aunt Zheng's hand again: "Aunt Zheng, you've always been worried that Aunt Fu would look down on you and wouldn't want to become in-laws with you, but now you've heard it, Aunt Fu doesn't look down on you or have any issues with you, so you can rest assured?"
Mingxi took the hands of the two middle-aged women and made them clasp together.
The two middle-aged women looked awkward and tried to shake off each other. However, because Mingxi was there, they couldn't easily do so.
Aunt Fu suddenly realized something was wrong: "Wait a minute, Xiaoming, did you deliberately arrange for me to come out today?"
Aunt Zheng's eyes widened as she realized what was going on: "Oh, I knew it! Why did you drag me out to the park in broad daylight, Chaohui!"
Mingxi readily admitted, "Yes, Aunt Fu, Aunt Zheng, today's scene was arranged by Zhu Zhaohui in advance. I just wanted to give you two a chance to clear up the misunderstanding and hope that you could sit down and seriously consider Zhu Zhaohui and Luo Huan's marriage."
Mingxi said gently, "Aunties, I think the two children are really a good match. How about we put aside our past grievances and seriously consider the matter of the two children?"
Aunt Zheng and Aunt Fu both fell silent.
Aunt Zheng looked at Zhu Zhaohui, who was bowing his head in silence, and sighed deeply.
She had previously thought that young people's feelings were just like that, impulsive and not very deep, but she didn't expect that she was too naive.
Zhu Zhaohui went to great lengths to get her to agree to his marriage with Luo Huan, which shows that the two girls are truly committed to each other and have no intention of breaking up.
Then why is she still objecting?
Must we really end up like the stories in the newspapers, forcing the two children to be separated by death?
Aunt Zheng: "Forget it, since you young people have made up your minds, I won't interfere anymore. Zhaohui, I agree to your relationship with Luo Huan."
She glanced at the older woman and said, "However, my words only represent my own opinion. I don't know if others agree with me."
Aunt Fu: "Hey, Zheng Yunfen, what do you mean?"
"So you're saying you agree with me and I disagree, and then you want the kids to blame me? Let me tell you, I'm not going to do what you want! I agree with the kids' situation!"
"real?!"
Zhu Zhaohui's eyes widened, his breathing quickened, and his face lit up with immense joy: "Mom, Aunt Fu, you really agree to my relationship with Huanhuan?"
Seeing her son's worthless attitude, Aunt Zheng curled her lip and said, "I agree, I agree, it's such a small matter, why do you keep asking?"
"Exactly, we're all adults, how could we go back on our word?"
It's rare for Aunt Fu to be on the same side as Aunt Zheng.
Despite being scolded, Zhu Zhaohui couldn't help but feel happy. He scratched his head and kept grinning foolishly.
After laughing, she grabbed Mingxi and thanked him, "Comrade Ming, thank you, thank you. If it weren't for you, my mother and Aunt Fu wouldn't have agreed to Huanhuan and me so easily."
The two middle-aged women rolled their eyes at the same time.
However, they did not deny it.
If Mingxi hadn't brought the two of them up today, they really wouldn't have agreed to the two children so quickly.
Mingxi smiled.
No need for thanks, as long as the money is there.
As if he had heard Mingxi’s inner thoughts, Zhu Zhaohui immediately took out a red envelope and stuffed it into Mingxi’s hand, saying it was to thank Mingxi for the expenses incurred in her work.
At the same time, he also entrusted the task of proposing marriage to Mingxi.
Mingxi smiled and agreed.
However, proposing marriage is not a casual matter; one must choose a special day and make thorough preparations before going.
So Mingxi went home first today.
She walked briskly home. As soon as she reached the alley entrance, she heard a commotion inside. She went in and saw a middle-aged man and woman pulling and tugging at a woman. There were also two young people, a man and a woman, watching helplessly as if they were watching a spectacle.
Coincidentally, Mingxi knew the woman who was being pulled.
It was Qin Qiaorou.
The middle-aged woman, seemingly gentle, said to Qin Qiaorou, "Qiaorou, look at you. If we hadn't heard from the neighbors today, we wouldn't have known you moved out of the Jia family's house. Tell me, we have room at home, why do you still spend money to rent a place? Come on, come home with Mom."
Qin Qiaorou shook off her hand expressionlessly.
Qin's mother's face darkened instantly. At this moment, the middle-aged man next to her immediately spoke up: "Qin Qiaorou, you've grown wings and dare to throw a tantrum at your mother and abandon her? Hurry up and apologize to your mother!"
Qin's mother, seemingly trying to smooth things over, said, "Old man, don't be angry. Qiaorou, look, your father is angry. Come on, hurry up, come home with me. You don't know the cost of living when you're not in charge of the household. You're renting a place all by yourself, which costs a lot of money. Yes, I heard you have a job now and have money, right? That won't do. You can't just spend money recklessly. Here's what we'll do: come home with me, and we'll provide you with free food and lodging. As for your salary, you can give it to me. I'll manage it for you. Don't worry, I won't take your money. I'll just manage it for you and won't touch a single penny."
Qin's mother's words sounded grand and dignified, but anyone could hear the scheming in them.
Mingxi curled her lip in disdain.
However, she didn't say anything.
After all, she is Qin Qiaorou's mother. No matter what she does, it depends on what Qin Qiaorou thinks.
What if Qin Qiaorou falls for that? Then she'd be seen as meddling in other people's business.
Mingxi stood there, observing silently. After hearing her mother's words, Qin Qiaorou asked expressionlessly, "Dad, Mom, are you really here to call me home?"
Qin's mother smiled and said, "Of course, Qiaorou, you..."
Qin Qiaorou: "Then why are you only coming now? I've been living outside the Jia family's house for so long, why are you only coming to find me now? If you want me to come home, why didn't you open the door for me when I was bullied and kicked out by the Jia family? I called for home for so long, and you wouldn't open the door for me. Why are you coming to my door now? Is it because I have a job now, a salary, and money in my hands?"
As soon as Qin Qiaorou uttered her series of questions, the expressions of the four members of the Qin family changed instantly, and Qin's mother could no longer maintain her smile.
The reason they only arrived now was that they had just heard that Qin Qiaorou had actually sued the Jia family to the Women's Federation, and the Women's Federation had actually stood up for Qin Qiaorou, returning the money to her and allowing her to inherit her job.
The Qin family of four was shocked when they heard the news. They never expected Qin Qiaorou to be so lucky; even as a widow, she could still become a worker.
After the initial shock, the Qin family was overjoyed. Qin Qiaorou was their daughter, so wouldn't her job and money also belong to the Qin family?
Thinking of this, both the Qin family elders and Qin Qiaorou's younger brother and sister-in-law felt a surge of excitement. And so, the entire Qin family came to confront Qin Qiaorou.
On their way here, the Qin family had agreed to use a conciliatory approach, since Qin Qiaorou was soft-hearted and a few kind words would be enough to coax her home. However, they did not expect that Qin Qiaorou would not be as soft-hearted and easy to talk to as before.
Qin's mother's expression was unpleasant: "Judging from your words, you hold a grudge against us?"
Qin's father said gruffly, "You brat, how dare you hold a grudge against us? We are your parents. If it weren't for us, you wouldn't even be here. How dare you hold a grudge against us? You're such an ingrate!"
As he spoke, he tugged at Qin's mother's arm: "Come on, old woman, let's go. Why bother with such an ingrate? Let her live outside if she wants. We can't care if she dies!"
"No, old man, don't be like this." Qin's mother turned her head: "Qiaorou, look at you, you've made your father angry. Quickly apologize to your father and then obediently come home with us, otherwise your father will really be angry and never take care of you again for the rest of his life."
The man with the buzz cut, who had been watching the commotion from the sidelines, also spoke up: "Sis, you should apologize to Dad right away. After you apologize, we can go home."
Qin Qiaorou did not apologize. Instead, she stared at her mother and said, "If I go home, will he take care of me? Then why didn't any of you give me any money when I was beaten bloody by the Jia family and came home begging for my medical expenses?"
Qin's mother was completely humiliated this time. Her face darkened as she said, "What do you mean? Are you trying to bring up old grievances? It seems your father was right, you're an ingrate!"
Qin Qiaorou's younger brother curled his lip impatiently: "Sister, you're being heartless. Mom and Dad didn't give you money or let you come home before because it was for your own good. You're a married woman, and if your family interferes too much, your husband's family will be unhappy. Mom and Dad don't interfere with you because they want the Jia family to be happy, so you can stay in the Jia family."
Qin Qiaorou's sister-in-law chimed in, "That's right, that's right, sister, Mom and Dad are doing this for your own good, you really are..."
Mingxi was furious at these blatant lies, let alone Qin Qiaorou. She widened her eyes and then burst into laughter.
"Yes, yes, you're all doing this for my own good, for my own good, so you let me be bullied by the Jia family; for my own good, so you don't care if I get beaten to death; you're all doing this for my own good, hahaha..."
Qin Qiaorou's laughter was shrill and sorrowful, making Mingxi feel a pang of heartache.
But to the Qin family, the laughter sounded like mockery.
The Qin family members all had gloomy faces, their expressions extremely unpleasant.
In the end, Qin Di, being too proud to admit it, couldn't help but speak up: "Mom and Dad, why are you wasting so much time talking to her? Hurry up and take her home. If she doesn't listen, tie her hands and feet and take her back!"
Qin's parents were too lazy to play the family card anymore. They surrounded Qin Qiaorou, one on each side, and held her hands, trying to lead her outside.
Mingxi was no longer going to stand by and watch. She stepped forward and shouted, "Hey, what are you doing! Trafficking women in broad daylight!"
Qin's mother: "Who trafficked women? This is my daughter, I'm taking her home..."
Before she could finish speaking, Mingxi rushed forward and punched her in the face, shouting as she did so, "Help! Help! There are human traffickers abducting women!"
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