Wang Meipo hailed from the neighboring village. She had been busy running errands the previous day and rushed to the Zhao family’s home first thing in the morning to check on their situation.
As soon as she entered, Zhao Shixiao enthusiastically ushered her to a seat, diligently serving tea and water. His sweet talk charmed Wang Meipo, making her quite delighted.
“Little Zhao, your father’s eye… it’s truly…”
Zhao Shixiao put on a sorrowful expression and nodded sadly.
“Tsk, don’t think too much of it, alright? In our line of work, we need to get all the details clear.”
“Auntie, please don’t overthink it. I know your job isn’t easy, and I understand completely.”
“Oh, yes, yes, yes. You’re truly a good child. It’s been hard on you.”
“This is nothing. My father has worked hard for so many years; it’s time I supported this family. Auntie, you know my situation. I just want to settle down and start a career quickly so my father can worry less.”
“Sigh, your situation is a bit tricky.”
“I still need your help. With you involved, what can’t be accomplished? Besides, I, Zhao Shixiao, am no weakling. I’ve studied, I have strength, and I won’t mistreat my future wife.”
The matchmaker’s eyes lit up. “You’re a good lad. I’ll go talk to them. I’ll try to arrange for you two young people to meet. Whether you’re compatible is something you’ll know after you see each other.”
Zhao Shixiao immediately appeared shy, lowering his head and saying bashfully, “I know her. We were classmates in junior high. She’s beautiful and kind, I…”
He trailed off as if too embarrassed to continue. When he looked up at Wang Meipo, his ears were red.
Seeing his reaction, Wang Meipo clapped her hands and burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, it’s rare to see such a shy young man. If this marriage goes through, I’ll consider it a great deed.”
“Thank you, Auntie Wang.”
As he spoke, he handed a red envelope to Wang Meipo, who tried to refuse it but couldn’t.
Zhao Shixiao placed the red envelope into Wang Meipo’s cloth bag and smiled, saying, “This is for you. Whether it works out or not, please accept it. I’ll go call my father now; he can talk to you.”
This money was borrowed from his second uncle by his mother the previous night.
Wang Meipo looked at Zhao Shixiao with satisfaction. He was a considerate young man, her smile reaching her eyes.
She stopped Zhao Shixiao, who was about to leave, saying, “Don’t bother your father. I just came to see. I’m going to the Chen family now to explain the situation.”
With that, she walked towards the exit. Zhao Shixiao escorted her to the courtyard gate.
“Auntie Wang, please take care. Thank you for your trouble.”
“Oh, alright. You go on and get busy too.”
…
Brother Chen: “Dad, Captain Zhao lost his position. If our Yueyue marries into their family now, won’t she have to suffer?”
Second Brother Chen: “Yes, yes. You only agreed to meet, anyway. Why don’t we just refuse Matchmaker Wang and keep Yueyue from going?”
Sister-in-law Chen: “But we already agreed. Wouldn’t it be bad to back out now? Why not let Yueyue go, and if she doesn’t like him, then we can say so.”
Third Brother Chen: “I think Sister-in-law makes sense. Let’s do as she says.”
Father Chen: “Our family isn’t snobbish. Little Yue, just treat it casually. If you truly like him, Dad won’t stop you.”
Chen Qian Yue: “Dad, I know. Zhao Shixiao and I were classmates and have met before. I don’t have any feelings for him. It’s just a formality. Our family didn’t promise anything, so others won’t point fingers at us.”
Mother Chen: “Then it’s settled. Everyone go to work quickly; we might be late. Matchmaker Wang should visit later. I’ll just set a meeting date with her.”
Mother Chen, who stayed home to cook and didn’t go to work, was also unenthusiastic about Wang Meipo’s visit.
Wang Meipo swayed her hips, her face beaming like a flower. She greeted Mother Chen from afar and quickly approached her.
“Auntie Chen, that young man is quite handsome. He’s tall and strong, and he won’t mistreat your daughter in the future.”
“Such important matters should be decided by the young people themselves.”
“Oh, I’m just telling you about the young man’s situation. Whether it works out or not is up to your family to decide.”
Mother Chen nodded, unsure of what to say.
Wang Meipo continued, “Captain Zhao only has Zhao Shixiao as his son. He must have saved some money over the years, so he won’t mistreat his daughter-in-law in terms of finances.”
“I heard Captain Zhao was seriously injured. Hasn’t most of the family’s money been spent?”
“Oh, it was just stitching and stopping the bleeding. That couldn’t replace his eyes or nose, so I don’t think it cost much.”
“Oh dear, who can say for sure?”
“Don’t worry. If it works out, Little Yue will be marrying Zhao Shixiao, not his father. As long as Zhao Shixiao is capable, that’s what matters. I think that boy is good.”
“How is he good?”
“Oh, my dear sister, are you afraid I’d lie to you? Let me tell you, that boy is very diligent. He’s good with his words, and most importantly, he’s filial. He truly has no flaws. If I had a daughter, I’d want to marry her off to him.”
“You’re exaggerating too much. Besides, what you see isn’t always the truth.”
Wang Meipo winked at her, smiling merrily, and whispered:
“Alright, I’m not joking anymore. Let me say something serious. I think that boy has had his eye on your Yueyue for a long time. His face was so red today, tsk tsk tsk. When women find a man to spend their lives with, a man who has feelings for them makes life much easier.”
“Look at me. I had a blind marriage. You know, my husband doesn’t handle anything. If someone had taken on the burden, I wouldn’t have had to run around so much. It would have been nice to just stay home, earn some work points, and cook.”
“Only I know how my life is. My two sons are also not promising. If he had had some emotional foundation with me, he wouldn’t be so heartless. He treats me like a slave bought with his family’s betrothal gifts and works me to death.”
Wang Meipo’s eyes welled up slightly. She wiped them with her hand, forcing a smile.
Mother Chen nodded, somewhat agreeing with her. A man who has a woman in his heart truly makes that woman’s life easier.