Chapter 34 - 34 34 Uncle's Thoughts

Words : 1365 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

34: Chapter 34: Uncle’s Thoughts 34: Chapter 34: Uncle’s Thoughts “Second Uncle, Second Auntie, where have you been?” The family of three ran into Liu Meiqing’s younger sister, Liu Meifeng, at the entrance to the village. Liu Meifeng was twenty-one this year, with attractive features and unlike Liu Meiqing’s thinness, she was plump, which matched the beauty standards of the time quite well. “We went to the market to buy some things. Meifeng, are you here to see your sister?” Zhao Yulan responded cheerily, and the less talkative Lin Baohe simply nodded. “Yes, my sister sent me a message to come over, said there’s something she needs to discuss.” Liu Meifeng smiled, her lips curving into dimples that inexplicably warmed people’s hearts. “Meifeng, have you found a husband’s family yet?” Zhao Yulan asked without any ulterior meaning; she was just making idle conversation. “Second Auntie, I don’t have a husband’s family yet.” Liu Meifeng’s face quickly turned red. Seeing her shy away, Zhao Yulan changed the topic: “Isn’t your village working today?” “Mm, we finished plowing the fields yesterday. They say it’s going to rain in the next few days, so we are just waiting for the rain to start sowing...” As Liu Meifeng talked about farm work, her expression returned to normal. Zhao Yulan couldn’t help but praise her: “Meifeng is really capable.” “It’s only you, Second Auntie, who would praise me. My dad and mom always say I’m only good for eating and not working...” Chuxia was somewhat puzzled. Could it be that she and Liu Meifeng had some unresolved issues? She had met Liu Meifeng once, and the other party hadn’t spoken a word to her, but at that time, she was still wrapped up in her own world, hoping to wake up one day back in her real home, so she hadn’t given it much thought. Now her mindset had changed, and she realized something was off. Ever since they met at the entrance of the village, Liu Meifeng’s eyes hadn’t lingered on her, and she even seemed to be deliberately avoiding her. But seeing how Liu Meifeng was acting towards Zhao Yulan, quite affectionately at that... She had wanted to chat with her, but never mind, she’d wait until she understood the truth. ... Liu Meiqing was sitting in the yard, basking in the sun and slicing hemp cakes when she saw her sister, Liu Meifeng. Her thin face immediately creased with joy, but her eyes were fixed on the bag in Lin Baohe’s hands: “Returned from the market, Second Uncle, Second Auntie?” “Mm.” Lin Baohe gave a monosyllabic reply and headed straight into his own house, just as Zheng Sanqiao came out of the main room and blocked his path: “Second Brother, what did you buy?” “Just some flour and oil, and got some fabric,” Lin Baohe replied. Zheng Sanqiao clicked her tongue: “Marrying into a good family does wonders. Just look how life improves. In the future, our big family will probably be basking in Chuxia’s glow,” she said and headed straight toward Liu Meifeng, who was engaging warmly with Liu Meiqing, “Meifeng, this girl, is getting lovelier by the day.” “Auntie, only you praise me...” Seizing the moment, Chuxia and her parents quickly returned to their own house and locked the door. Chuxia asked in a low voice, “Mom, how did I offend Liu Meifeng?” “Chuxia...” Zhao Yulan looked at her daughter in surprise, “You’ve forgotten?” “Um.” Chuxia scratched her head, embarrassed, “I’ve mentioned it before, right? Ever since I fell ill that time, I don’t remember things very clearly.” “Actually... it’s nothing serious. Meifeng didn’t speak to you because you told her not to. When you have a moment, just talk to her; she’ll understand.” “I got it, Mom.” Zhao Yulan didn’t want to go on about the matter, and Chuxia didn’t press any further. Considering her own gluttonous and lazy nature, she could guess that Zhao Yulan probably didn’t mention it to spare her the embarrassment. Lin Baohe saw that all the women had entered the east room, so he said, “I’m going to check on Mom and Dad.” Chuxia stopped him, “Dad, are you planning to ask Grandpa and Grandma about the match with the Xue family?” “Mm-hmm.” “Dad, can Grandpa and Grandma really decide on my marriage?” As Chuxia spoke, she added another sentence, “Didn’t our family separate from Grandpa and Grandma’s household?” “Ah!” Zhao Yulan sighed heavily, “Your Grandpa and Grandma can’t make decisions on your marriage, but to outsiders, whatever they say represents the wishes of me and your dad. Why doesn’t Xue Ligang come to find me and your dad? Because he knows very well that me and your dad would definitely not agree to this marriage. What he’s seeking is leverage to threaten me and your dad into agreeing.” “Grandpa and Grandma understand this as well, right?” “How could such shrewd people like your Grandpa and Grandma not understand? But the old couple dotes on your younger uncle the most, and they are also fully aware of your dad’s temperament. They know that your dad would not do anything to harm your eldest uncle or Luo Gangshun’s official position.” “If that’s the case, there’s no need for Dad to visit Grandpa and Grandma,” Chuxia pointed towards the west room, “Aren’t you curious why Liu Meifeng suddenly came to the Eldest Uncle’s Wife’s home?” “Summer means...” Zhao Yulan suddenly realized, “Did your eldest uncle’s family intercept the situation? They want Meifeng to marry into the Xue family?” Chuxia nodded, “Right, the eldest uncle’s family must be eyeing the Xue family’s background, hoping to bask in their glory. But I’m not close to them, so they wouldn’t want me to marry into the Xue family. To speak frankly, if they could have disrupted my engagement with Luo Hongqi, they probably would have done so by now. So, for this matter, let’s pretend we don’t know and let them scheme.” Zhao Yulan furrowed her brows, “How could Xue Ligang be so easily dismissed?” “Xue Ligang may not be easy to dismiss, but his son hasn’t met me yet...” Chuxia looked worriedly at Lin Baohe, “Dad, no matter what the final outcome is, you can’t force me to marry into the Xue family for the sake of Eldest Uncle or Grandpa and Grandma.” “Never!” Lin Baohe waved his hand firmly, “There are things Dad can endure, but Dad can’t stand anyone who tries to harm my daughter, no matter who he is.” “Actually, it might be possible for everyone to get what they want. Maybe Xue Ligang’s son will be smitten with Liu Meifeng at first sight. Even if Xue Ligang disagrees, it’s not he who’s getting married. If his son insists, what can he do? And...” Chuxia’s lips curled into a smile, “If Xue Ligang’s son does fall for Liu Meifeng, would the eldest uncle’s family sit idly by?” Zhao Yulan sighed, “It’s just a pity for the girl Meifeng.” Chuxia shrugged, “For such matters, it’s a case of willing hitter and willing victim. If she isn’t willing, the eldest uncle’s family can’t force her.” “Summer, I’m really torn inside,” Zhao Yulan sighed continuously, “I hope she’s willing, yet I don’t want her to be willing. If she is willing, Summer, you are halfway out of this situation, if not, we still have to find another solution...” she said, nervously pointing towards the east room, “I have no idea what they’re discussing in there. It’s really making me anxious.” “Creak!” The door of the east room opened, laughter spilled out, Zhao Yulan let out a sigh of relief, and looked towards Lin Baohe, “It seems Meifeng is willing. This afternoon, you should talk to Gangshun about this matter, and I’ll go back to my parents’ home, and also speak with my elder brother.” Lin Baohe nodded, “Mmm, let’s think ahead.”

Chapter 34 - 34 34 Uncle's Thoughts

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