In the courtyard, Wencai did not return home all night, and the old aunt and his wife were extremely anxious. In desperation, the old aunt called her eldest son Li Wenxue and asked him to come back to help find Wencai.
"Hey! Wenxue! Your brother didn't come home last night. He might be a little lazy, but he's never been out all night before. Besides, we agreed to go to Shumei's house to propose marriage today. You should come back soon! I'm worried that something happened to Wencai."
The old lady cried and asked Li Wenxue to come back to help on the phone.
"Mom, don't worry. Meng Li and I will be back soon. Maybe he just wanted to have fun and stayed overnight at a friend's house."
…
As soon as Li Wenxue hung up the phone, he drove to the town with Meng Li.
The old lady was so anxious that she paced around the house, and from time to time she walked to the gate of the yard to look out, staring at the alley entrance, hoping that Wencai would appear at the entrance.
Wencai, afraid to return home, hid in a secluded spot outside the courtyard, observing his family's every move. He figured the loan shark, with the title deed in hand, would soon come to repossess the house. He couldn't show up at all; he would wait for Li Wenxue to come and sort everything out before returning.
He thought, if he sincerely admitted his fault to his mother at that time, saying that he had been tricked, his mother, who was always hard-mouthed but soft-hearted, would not give him any hardship. At most, she would give him a beating and scolding. If they refused to forgive him, he would die to atone for his sin. He just didn't believe that his mother would care about his life or death for 8,000 yuan.
In the Zhang Family Courtyard...
As soon as Zhang Xiaoqin and Wang Changxing entered the courtyard, Zhang Xiaoqin shouted into the house at the top of her voice: "Mom, someone is here, let Shumei come out!" and led Wang Changxing to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard.
In the main room, Shumei was holding little Shuangning, enjoying the rare family happiness.
Wu Ju heard Zhang Xiaoqin's cry and took the child from Shumei, "Shumei, come out with me."
Seeing Shumei and Wu Ju coming out, Wang Changxing quickly stood up and walked over to greet them, and greeted Wu Ju politely.
"Hello, Auntie!"
If Wang Changxing really sat there without getting up, judging by his appearance, he might still be considered handsome. But that was only true when he was sitting, only when he was taking a quick look. As soon as he started walking, his fatal flaw was exposed.
Wu Ju also saw his flaws, and a look of disappointment crossed her face. While nominally choosing a man for Shumei, in reality, she was selecting a slave for the Zhang family. This lame ox or horse was like an embroidered pillow, all good for show but no use! She didn't want to lose both her wife and her army, and waste food on a useless man.
Wu Ju responded coldly. Zhang Xiaoqin invited Wang Changxing to sit down at the stone table again and pulled Shumei over. The two of them sat facing each other on both sides of the stone table.
"Wang Changxing, this is Kang Shumei, my sister-in-law. I've already told your mother about her details, and I believe she's also told you."
Zhang Xiaoqin began to introduce Shumei to Wang Changxing. Wang Changxing turned his gaze to Shumei, and Shumei smiled at him politely.
"Shumei, this is Wang Changxing. He's 34 years old and the only son in his family. He has an elderly mother who is a very capable carpenter and has never been married."
Shumei understood their intentions. They were trying to introduce her to someone! She felt a little embarrassed, but it was difficult to refute them in person. She just kept an awkward smile and listened to Zhang Xiaoqin's chattering beside her.
Zhang Xiaoqin was halfway through her conversation when Wu Ju, who was standing far away, waved her over. "You two can chat and get acquainted first. I'll go get you a glass of water."
After Zhang Xiaoqin finished speaking, she walked to Wu Ju and the two of them walked into the main room side by side.
"Xiaoqin! You didn't say he was a cripple! What's the use of this cripple? Aren't you shooting yourself in the foot? You've created a burden for the Zhang family." Wu Ju complained to Zhang Xiaoqin as she walked. She was particularly dissatisfied with this half-son.
"Mother, don't underestimate him because he's lame. He's quite capable and good at carpentry. It's definitely worth letting him marry into your family. Don't you trust your daughter's judgment?"
Zhang Xiaoqin took Wu Ju's hand and explained to her, telling her not to worry, that she would never let the Zhang family do business at a loss.
"Really?" Wu Ju was still a little worried and asked Zhang Xiaoqin for confirmation again.
"Okay! Mom, just put your mind at ease. You are guaranteed to make money." Zhang Xiaoqin said as she picked up the thermos on the table and poured water in it.
Shumei and Wang Changxing looked at each other awkwardly. Shumei felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, trying to think of a way to leave. Wang Changxing didn't seem to be a frivolous person, but rather a bit shy, constantly rubbing his fists to relieve his inner tension.
It was broad daylight, but the surroundings were unusually quiet, making the atmosphere extremely awkward.
After a long while, Wang Changxing finally spoke, "You are so beautiful!"
This sudden praise made Shumei a little at a loss. She clasped her fingers together tightly, not knowing how to respond, and could only smile awkwardly.
Wang Changxing continued, "Your aunt said that we should meet first. As long as I have no problem with it, we can choose an auspicious day to get married."
What? Why should Zhang Xiaoqin make the decision for me?
What kind of a crap wedding was that? Even though Ji Zong was gone, she had never thought she could fully commit to another relationship, let alone an arranged marriage like this. She couldn't accept it no matter what.
"I have someone I like..."
Shumei really wanted to come straight to the point and say what was in her mind, and resolutely reject everything they had arranged for her.
Just as she was about to speak, Boyi rushed in from outside and heard what Shumei said.
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