In recent days, Liu Congxiang’s resolve regarding her son’s marriage to Xu Shunzi had begun to waver. Just now, when her son snatched the cash, she was jolted awake and suddenly considered another possibility.

At first, she had been determined to marry her son into the Wan family solely to secure their support as a safety net. But once her son was married off, another possibility loomed. He would become a kite whose string had snapped, beyond their control forever.

If that disobedient son were to turn against her and disown her—and since she could not bear another child—then all her efforts would be for naught, and in her old age, she would have no one to rely on.

Marrying into the Xu family, at least, would keep him in the family’s grasp; no matter what, he wouldn’t be able to cause any trouble.

Besides, her husband was right: once their son was married into the Xu family, as long as he gave birth to a child, the Xu household would be theirs. Then they could finally vent all the pent-up frustration they’d endured for half their lives.

“I know what you’re thinking. From now on, don’t spoil that good-for-nothing anymore. He’s a lowlife—the better you treat him, the less he’ll appreciate it.” Liu Congxiang knew exactly why her husband had been so kind to their son these past few days—wasn’t it just to compete with her?

“Marriage is decided by the parents’ will and the matchmaker’s words—why are you going out of your way to curry favor with him?” There was no need for that anymore. Since the match with the Wan family was out of the question, and that good-for-nothing was actually quite capable, she would agree to the match with the Xu family.

The Wan Family

Even before Wan Dongyang arrived home, he was already planning to ask his mother if a date had been set. He never expected that when he returned home in high spirits, the whole family would be waiting for him with stern expressions.

That morning, when his mother brought up the matter of the Liu family, his entire family objected.

“It’s a good thing you want to get married. There are plenty of fine young women and men out there. If we arrange it for you, getting married by the end of the year wouldn’t be a problem.” Ma Cuilan had already been displeased when rumors about her third brother and that ger began circulating in the village. Now that she knew her third brother actually intended to propose to the Liu family, she flatly refused.

Wan Erge, Wan Yougu, had always gone along with whatever his wife said; this time, he simply nodded in agreement with her viewpoint.

Wan Yong’an glanced at his sullen younger brother but said nothing; instead, Lin Qiuyue spoke up: “You probably feel sorry for that young man—he has no one to rely on and has to take care of his elderly grandfather. It’s truly pitiful, and your compassion has been stirred. But no matter how pitiful he is, you can’t stake your whole life on him.”

Lin Qiuyue felt that, no matter how you looked at it, the young ger from the Liu family and her third brother were simply not a good match.

“If you really feel sorry for him, our family can just help him find a good match,” Lin Qiuyue said, her eyes suddenly lighting up as she realized this was a good idea. “I have a nephew on my mother’s side—he’s a butcher who knows how to castrate pigs, and he’s a down-to-earth fellow. He’s turning eighteen this year, so he’s the right age for the Liu family’s ger. Why don’t I go back and talk to my family about it? I’m sure it’ll work out.”

Lin Qiuyue felt she’d come up with a brilliant solution, and the rest of the Wan family agreed it was a good idea. But Wan Dongyang could think of nothing but his older sister-in-law’s words, “They’re about the same age”—so it turned out the whole family thought he was too old after all!

He’s not old at all—they’re much older than he is!

Being criticized for his age again made Wan Dongyang so furious he didn’t even want to say much to his two sisters-in-law; he just hurriedly looked to his parents. As long as his parents agreed, no one else’s opinion mattered.

Mother Wan looked away, feeling torn. She didn’t dare admit that her family had convinced her this match wasn’t quite right.

There was quite a big age gap between the two kids, and their personalities didn’t mesh either. That ger was so reserved, and her third son would probably bully him to death.

Wan Dongyang knew exactly what his family was thinking. Their opposition to the match had nothing to do with the age difference; they simply viewed the Liu family as a major headache and feared that becoming in-laws with them would mean an end to peace and quiet in their household.

Wan Dongyang’s hunch was spot on; his second sister-in-law immediately voiced exactly what he’d been thinking.

“You know full well what that couple is like. Grandpa Liu is a good-for-nothing too. When the time comes, all sorts of trouble will find its way to our doorstep.”

As soon as Ma Cuilan finished speaking, Wan Yougu chimed in: “There’s a nice young woman in Cuilan’s family—her family is well-off, and she’s both beautiful and graceful. If she were to marry our third son, they’d surely live a harmonious life together and get along well with our family. Wouldn’t that be better than bringing one of the Liu ger into the family?”

Wan Dongyang knew that when it came to marriage, one had to consider not only the person themselves but also their family background. He couldn’t blame his second older brother and sister-in-law; he knew they were looking out for him, hoping he’d have a smooth life.

But he wasn’t happy about it.

“Father, what do you think?” Wan Dongyang looked at his father. As the head of the household, if his father agreed, no one else’s objections would matter. Under his son’s intense gaze, Father Wan felt as if he were being roasted over a fire—he was truly torn.

“Well, I think your sister-in-law and the others are right. Since you’re set on getting married, we’ll look for a suitable match for you. We’ll also keep an eye out for a match for the Liu family’s ger. In any case, we won’t shortchange him. That way, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Wan Dongyang was so exasperated by his father that he burst out laughing and spread his hands at him. “Give me back my bearskin!”

He was quick to take the bearskin, yet now he couldn’t even handle a simple matter.

Father Wan was left speechless by his son’s remark, merely staring at him in disbelief.

Of course, Wan Dongyang’s remark wasn’t going to go over well—his second sister-in-law immediately smacked him on the back of the head. “You little rascal, what nonsense are you spouting? How can you ask for something back that you gave to your father!”

“Exactly!” Father Wan nodded vigorously. Now that he had that bearskin, he could finally sleep soundly—he wasn’t giving it back!

Seeing that no one in the family was on his side, Wan Dongyang could only turn to his mother, who had clearly promised earlier to help him propose to Liu-ger. Mother Wan felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze, but she immediately came up with a plan.

“Let’s take a show of hands. Everyone in the family counts as one vote—whichever side has more votes wins. If more people agree to let you marry Liu-ger, Mother will arrange the betrothal for you.” Mrs. Wan exhaled in relief as she spoke; it wasn’t her problem if others objected.

But as soon as she let out that breath, she actually felt a twinge of regret. Only then did she realize that she wanted the Liu family’s son to be her son’s fulang, and she immediately began to have second thoughts.

Because she knew that everyone in the family was against it.

But it was too late to change her mind—Ma Cuilan had already spoken her words and raised her hand.

“I object to this match.”

Behind Ma Cuilan stood Wan Yougu, of course, and then Lin Qiuyue also raised her hand, glancing at her husband, Wan Yong’an—but Wan Yong’an was looking at Wan Dongyang.

But after glancing at him a couple of times, he merely chuckled to himself, and then—amid his younger brother’s expectant, pleading gaze—he actually raised his hand! There were eight people in the Wan family, and now four of them had already raised their hands!

Wan Dongyang glared at his father in fury. Having accepted a bribe, Father Wan tucked his hands into his pockets—after all, his opinion no longer mattered. He agreed to the match.

Wan Dongyang then turned to his mother. He figured that as long as both his parents agreed, he didn’t care who else opposed it! By now, his mother already understood his thoughts; she didn’t hesitate at all and happily raised her hand. As soon as she raised her hand, Wan Dongyang was overjoyed—now only Wan Xiaohua remained in the family.

With everyone in the house staring at her—especially her mother’s warning glare—Wan Xiaohua threw up her hands and ran off, leaving the whole family with just one sentence:

“I’m withdrawing my vote!”

As Wan Xiaohua ran off, she happened to bump into Liu Qishuang, who had just arrived at the Wan household, right at the courtyard gate. Without waiting for Liu Qishuang to say a word, she grabbed him and headed toward Fengshan.

As soon as they sat down, Wan Xiaohua rattled off the details of what had just happened.

Liu Qishuang hadn’t expected that Wan Dongyang not only genuinely had feelings for him but had already made it clear to his family. It was just a pity that…

Liu Qishuang knew full well that, with his shabby background, he was truly no match for Wan Dongyang; if Wan Dongyang married him, he’d be bringing nothing but trouble into his home.

But he just wanted to marry Wan Dongyang.

Liu Qishuang sat in silence with his head bowed, sweat rolling down from his hair. In the sweltering summer heat, even the slightest movement left him drenched in sweat.

The two of them were sitting under the pear tree by the courtyard. Though they were in the shade and a gentle breeze was blowing, it did nothing to dispel the heat radiating from their bodies.

Wan Xiaohua fanned herself with her hand as she explained to the others what had happened when she raised her hand earlier.

When Liu Qishuang learned that Wan’s parents had both given their consent, he felt much more at ease, but he suddenly turned to Wan Xiaohua beside him and asked, “What about you?”

“Hehe,” Wan Xiaohua chuckled. “I’m afraid my mom will beat me, and I’m afraid my uncle will beat me too. My vote’s ruined—I’ll just let it be a blank vote.”

Hearing Wan Xiaohua’s words, Liu Qishuang felt a little relieved, but then doubts began to creep into his mind. He hadn’t expected the Wan family to be so interesting—they could each voice their own opinions when faced with an issue, and then go along with the majority’s view.

That was quite unusual—in most families, the head of the household usually made the decisions.

Seeing that the other person didn’t seem the least bit anxious, Wan Xiaohua actually started to panic!

“Why aren’t you worried? Don’t you want to be my aunt?” If so, hadn’t she risked getting beaten by her mother only to cast a wasted vote—all for nothing? Liu Qishuang wasn’t paying any attention to Wan Xiaohua’s expression at that moment; he was too happy. But he did take her words to heart and whispered:

“I’d love to.”

How could he not be willing? He was willing—he was willing to be Xiao Hua’s auntie and Wan Dongyang’s fulang. The moment he learned that Wan Dongyang’s parents had both agreed to his marriage to Wan Dongyang, his anxiety vanished.

He didn’t think Wan Dongyang was the type to follow convention—he certainly wouldn’t give up on marrying him just because most of his family opposed it.

He was certain Wan Dongyang would marry him.

And now that his parents had given their consent, he had absolutely no worries left.

“Xiaohua, here you go.” Liu Qishuang, fully embracing his role as a future aunt-in-law, handed over the dim sum he was holding and was about to take out his cash pouch as well.

He wanted to call out to Wan Xiaohua to give his cash to Wan Dongyang and ask Wan Dongyang to hold onto it for him, but he didn’t need to bother Wan Xiaohua after all—Wan Dongyang had already reached the low wall in the corner of his room and was climbing up.

As soon as Wan Dongyang arrived, Wan Xiaohua tactfully left. Liu Qishuang glanced around anxiously, afraid someone might see him alone with Wan Dongyang.

Wan Dongyang plopped down right next to him. Seeing how guarded he looked, he said bluntly, “So what if someone sees us?” It was as if he were passing on a message for them—to avoid scaring the whole village to death when his family went to the Liu household to present the betrothal gifts.

Even though he understood Wan Dongyang’s intentions, Liu Qishuang couldn’t help but lower his head when he heard his words—not out of embarrassment, but out of joy.

He’d guessed right, and his heart finally settled.

He knew Wan Dongyang wasn’t the type to play by the rules; whether there were crowds or not didn’t matter at all—as long as he was willing, things would work out.

Liu Qishuang quickly pulled out the cash pouch and handed it to him. “My parents found the cash I’d been hiding; I can’t keep it anymore.” Wan Dongyang looked at the pouch handed to him but didn’t reach out to take it; instead, he said to the person,

“Marry me, and from now on, you’ll be in charge of the Liu family.”