Yi Zhonghai carried the cotton shoes to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) for the deaf old woman.
"Come on, ma'am, let me help you put on your shoes."
"I just have a hearing problem, it's not like I can't move. I don't need you to put my shoes on for me. Just take my cane to the ground."
The deaf old woman was still pondering Yi Zhonghai's next words when she shifted her position closer to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), frowned slightly, and said, "As for a partner, being a little chubby isn't a problem, as long as he has good character and can live a good life with Zhuzi."
"By the way, Zhonghai, have you inquired about Zhuzi's thoughts?"
Yi Zhonghai placed the cane where the deaf old woman could easily reach it and chuckled, "Don't worry, ma'am. I've told Zhuzi everything I needed to say. He's not getting any younger and has been wanting to settle down and start a family for a long time."
The deaf old woman nodded, wondering what Yi Zhonghai was up to.
With Jia Dongxu dead, Yi Zhonghai's plans have clearly fallen through.
The deaf old woman had indeed considered that Yi Zhonghai might set his sights on Sha Zhu. Her previous plan to send Sha Zhu to the Jia family to seek help was a scheme, but unfortunately, Sha Zhu didn't fall for it.
The deaf old lady wouldn't think Yi Zhonghai was being kind by introducing her to someone.
She's not stupid after all these years; she knows this old man from the old compound all too well.
If Yi Zhonghai weren't trying to maintain his former reputation or regain his position as an old man, he would never have treated this old woman the way he used to.
So, as soon as she heard that Yi Zhonghai was going to introduce a potential partner to Sha Zhu, she immediately demanded that she be present to oversee the process.
As they helped the deaf old woman out the door, they bumped into Liu Haizhong's wife, who was returning from buying soy sauce.
"Oh, the old lady is in for a treat again. Go to Old Yi's for a good meal." Liu Haizhong's wife greeted her with a smile, then leaned closer to Yi Zhonghai, "Hey Old Yi, I heard you introduced Sha Zhu to someone, is that true?"
"That's right, he's coming to our courtyard tonight to meet with Zhu Zi."
Yi Zhonghai forced a smile and replied.
Liu Haizhong's wife opened her mouth and said "Oh," then asked again, "Where are you from? You're not from the countryside, are you?"
Yi Zhonghai supported the deaf old woman with one hand and waved his other hand, saying, "No, no, if someone from the countryside comes to meet us at night, how are they supposed to get back? There are no buses running this late at night. It's just that people from Dongcheng are a little far from our compound."
"Alright, she's an old lady, I'll talk to you now. I have a lot of work to do back home, I need to get the old lady over there quickly."
Yi Zhonghai waved to Liu Haizhong's wife and helped the deaf old woman away.
Liu Haizhong's wife stood there, frowning, seemingly lost in thought.
A moment later, he stomped his foot, turned around, and walked home.
All that remained in the wind was a whispered remark: "Hmph, for a city girl to fall for Sha Zhu, she must be either stupid or...!"
She still remembers how Liu Haizhong and Sha Zhu almost got into a fight at the door a couple of days ago over Wang Dabao's motorcycle.
Comrade Lao Liu was so angry when he got home that he couldn't even eat properly, and his aunt and the two brothers, Liu Guangtian, also had to endure his bad temper.
"Mom, who are you talking to in such a huff?"
Liu Guangtian, wrapped in a military overcoat, was about to leave when he almost bumped into an older woman who was walking in.
"Who else could you talk to? Sha Zhu insulted your dad so much the other day, and you didn't even take it to heart."
Liu Haizhong's wife, an older woman, glared at her second son with a long face. "I just heard in the yard that Sha Zhu was going on a blind date, and when I asked around, it's true. You know, even someone like Sha Zhu can go on a blind date? Heaven must be blind."
Liu Guangtian scratched his messy hair and said nonchalantly, "Mom, what does it matter to us whether Shazhu goes on a blind date or not? You don't need to get angry. Besides, it's bound to fall apart as soon as they meet, unless that girl is blind."
That's what I was thinking too.
An older woman plopped down in a chair and echoed her son's words, then glared at him, "It's also related to us. Your dad has never gotten along with Sha Zhu. If he marries a strong-willed wife, it'll be a big problem in the future."
"Go to the front yard and see what your dad and the others are chatting about. I'll cook right away and call him back for dinner later."
Liu Guangtian didn't think as far ahead as the old lady; he agreed twice and ran out the door.
On the other side, Yi Zhonghai helped the deaf old woman into her home.
Yi Zhonghai's wife quickly placed a stool next to the stove and made way for the deaf old woman.
Right now, Sha Zhu is admiring himself in the small mirror inside the house.
He practiced saying over and over again, "Hello, Comrade Liu Yuhua. You've come from afar, you must be tired. I'll cook some food to treat you well, and you can also try my cooking and give me some feedback. I hope the hot food will warm you up."
After practicing a few times, Sha Zhu picked up a rag and started wiping the shoes again.
"I wonder what my blind date looks like. If she's as pretty as Qin Huairu, a little chubby would be fine too."
Feeling that it was about time, Sha Zhu straightened his collar, turned left, and headed straight for Yi Zhonghai's house.
"Oh, Grandma, you've finally arrived. Tonight, I'll make braised pork. You can taste it later and see if the flavor has changed."
After dressing up carefully, Sha Zhu arrived at Yi Zhonghai's house. He lifted the curtain and saw the deaf old woman sitting by the stove.
Yi Zhonghai, sipping his tea, said, "Hey old lady, look how smartly Zhuzi looks now that he's all dressed up!"
"Of course, how could my grandson be any worse?"
The deaf old woman, leaning on her cane, looked at Sha Zhu with delight in her eyes. "When the girl arrives, you'd better watch your words, young man. Don't be as frivolous as usual. This is serious business."
Sha Zhu put his hands in his pockets and said, "My dear grandma, do you need to tell me this? I'm a grown man. Don't worry, I will never say anything that I shouldn't say."
At this moment, Aunt Yi came out of the small kitchen and praised Sha Zhu again after seeing him.
"Old Yi, I think it's about time. Why don't you take Zhuzi to wait at the door? That way, it will show that the groom's side is more sincere."
"Yes, yes, you're very thoughtful."
Yi Zhonghai slapped his forehead and quickly got up to put on his coat. "Come on, Zhuzi, your aunt is right. We should go to the door to greet them. They've come all this way, it's not appropriate for us to wait in the warm house."
Afterwards, Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu went out and headed straight for the gate of the compound.
On the way, Yi Zhonghai began to imagine the future for Sha Zhu.
"Zhu Zi, things can't be the same after we get married. You have to be more careful in your words and actions, and try to have a big, healthy baby boy by this time next year."
Upon hearing the name of the chubby boy, Sha Zhu was overjoyed: "Don't worry, Uncle Yi, I'll definitely do my best tonight and try to win that girl over. Next year, you'll be able to celebrate your child's one-month birthday."
"Alright, I'm happy to hear that. I'll give you a big red envelope later."
Yi Zhonghai patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder and said, "I'll say it again, this girl is great in every way except she's a little chubby. But we can't just pick on her flaws; in the end, we have to look at her character."
Right now, Sha Zhu is thinking about having a big, healthy son.
"Uncle Yi, you're right. As long as they're presentable, that's fine. The most important thing is that the two of them can live together."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
