"Third Aunt, this story begins with my mother's identity. She was Hou Yi from the previous dynasty, so she has always kept her identity a secret."
My boss is related to my mother, so he wants me to marry his grand-nephew.
Auntie, I don't know why he had such thoughts, but he just bluntly told me. Given my age, and since I didn't have any other intentions, I had to refuse.
What reason could I use to refuse? The most direct and fundamental way was to put an end to his idea. So I agreed to Zhang Shouyi's proposal, but our marriage would be several years later.
I'm going abroad soon, and it will be at least three years before I return. Some things won't be resolved until I come back in three years.
After Zhang Hongmei finished speaking, she looked at Li Cuihua cautiously.
Li Cuihua closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. Zhang Hongmei rushed over to help wipe them away, but Li Cuihua grabbed her and burst into tears.
“It’s because we’re useless and incompetent that our children have to suffer.”
Zhang Hongmei's eyes also reddened. Letting Li Cuihua hug her, she reached out and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Third Aunt, you don't need to do this. I'm not wronged. I just know that life isn't always smooth sailing."
"Silly girl, my silly girl, it's too much of a loss for a girl to do this."
Zhang Hongmei sniffed. "I won't suffer any losses." There are some things that can't be said, and she can't tell anyone about her verbal agreement with Zhang Shouyi.
Er Ya opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately remained silent.
Li Cuihua released Zhang Hongmei. "Girl, when are you leaving?"
"We'll leave the day after tomorrow, on the 2nd."
"It's too late, we're in too much of a rush." After saying that, Li Cuihua stood up and tried to walk out.
"Third Aunt, where are you going?"
"Prepare the dowry! How can a girl get married without a dowry?"
Zhang Hongmei grabbed Li Cuihua and said, "Third Aunt, no need. This marriage is still uncertain. So you have several years to prepare my dowry. You have to wait for me to come back."
Li Cuihua sat down again. "Hongmei, is Zhang Shouyi lying to you?"
Zhang Hongmei laughed, "Third Aunt, what is he trying to fool me about? He has power and influence, while I am just a commoner. Don't overthink it."
"How could that be? My Hongmei is smart, beautiful, and will be very capable in the future."
"Hehe, your own children are the best."
"Of course! My child is the best. And you just agreed so hastily? Girls should be reserved."
"Hehe, I'm not shy, what's the use of being reserved?"
“You. Zhang Shouyi is taking advantage of the fact that you don’t have any elders around, that’s why he deceived you.”
"Auntie, it's not that serious. That's how our relationship is right now, and I know what I'm doing."
Li Cuihua sighed, feeling uneasy no matter what she did.
Although Hongmei was forced into marriage due to external reasons, she always felt that her child had been deceived. She thought Zhang Shouyi was a terrible person for deceiving her child. She used to think that this young man was good-looking and polite, and such young men were rare. But because of this one incident, Li Cuihua's good impression of Zhang Shouyi plummeted.
Seeing that her mother's mood had improved, Er Ya tugged at Zhang Hongmei and asked, "Hongmei, are you really married?"
"Yes, it's true."
"Is it Zhang Shouyi?"
“Yes.” Zhang Hongmei saw Er Ya looking at her with sympathy.
"Hehe, Sister Er Ya, what's wrong?"
Er Ya leaned close to Zhang Hongmei's ear and whispered, "Hongmei, don't you think Zhang Shouyi is extremely gloomy and scary?"
"Hehe, no, from which aspect did you come up with that?"
"I just felt it. I was extremely, extremely, extremely afraid of him. I felt that there was a gloomy and terrifying aura about him."
"Hehe, I really haven't felt that way. He's always been good to me."
"Yeah, that's true. I feel much more comfortable when you're around. I used to think it was because you gave me courage, but now I think it's probably because he's kind to you that I don't feel scared."
"Such an amazing thing?"
"You still don't believe me? I'm telling the truth. I'm most afraid of Zhang Shouyi, really, extremely afraid. I've never felt this way in front of anyone else."
"Hehe, I really don't know."
Li Cuihua watched the two chatting animatedly, but she hadn't finished speaking yet.
"Hongmei, you've brought so much food, does Zhang Shouyi want to treat the villagers to a meal?"
"Yes, that's his idea. It's alright, Auntie. Just tell Uncle that we should slaughter the pig when necessary, and we also need to find someone to make tofu and bean curd sheets, and prepare a lot of vegetables."
"Don't worry, Auntie, we won't feel indebted just because we ate his food. We'll eat as much as we want and satisfy everyone's cravings."
"You brat, how could you be so greedy? It hasn't even been half a month since you ate wild boar meat, how much could you be craving it?"
"Hehe, we're all tired, so it's better to eat more."
"Alright, you two stay here. We're making dumplings at home tonight, so come home this evening to help out."
"Okay, Mom. I definitely won't be late. Go find Dad."
Li Cuihua left, leaving only the two sisters in the courtyard.
“Hongmei, are you really not forced? I could tell before that Zhang Shouyi treated you differently, and so did Brother Jingze.”
"Hehe, Sister Er Ya is quite perceptive. I didn't realize it before. But it really wasn't forced. He suggested it, I accepted, and that's how it is."
"That's because he dug a pit for you to fall into."
Zhang Hongmei was truly impressed by Er Ya. She never expected Er Ya to have such a thoughtful and meticulous mind.
"Hehe, even if I jump into the pit, I might not get trapped. Time can change everything."
"Zhang Shouyi cares so much about you, would he really let you up here? You'd better dream on."
"Hehe, Sister Er Ya, you underestimate me too much. Really, unless I want to, no one can coerce me without me around."
"Hongmei, you didn't mean it's because Zhang Shouyi is good-looking, did you?"
"Hehe, that's part of the reason. Good-looking people are pleasing to the eye. Nobody wants to face a monster every day, right?"
"Hongmei, you're too lecherous. I just feel like you're not reliable in this matter."
"No, I also hope it's a joke," Zhang Hongmei muttered softly.
"Hongmei, what did you say?"
"He didn't say anything."
In fact, Er Ya could sense that Zhang Hongmei was indifferent to this marriage, but since the girl wouldn't admit it, there was nothing she could do.
Everyone wants her to be happy, but as for other details, that's not something others can investigate, because she herself wants to keep them to herself.
“Hongmei, we are your family. We are poor and incompetent, but our hearts are with you.”
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