The Qian family in Shanglincun was truly bustling today. Initially, everyone thought it was just the return of the eldest son, Qian Jin, who had been serving in the military.
But there was even more explosive news: Ma Wuni, who had been engaged to the Qian family’s second son, Qian Cheng, for many years, was now discussing marriage with Qian Cheng’s older brother, Qian Jin.
Ma Wuni had switched partners—and to his own brother at that. This somewhat taboo news spread through the village like wildfire.
There wasn’t much to say about the Qian family. They were natives of Shanglincun, known as an honest and upright household with only two sons.
Then there was the Ma family, who had moved to the village over a decade ago. Back then, the village saw educated youths arriving one day and unfamiliar faces the next. A family like the Mas, who came with their entire household, didn’t stand out much. Later, when the educated youths returned to the cities, the Ma family had already put down roots in the village.
In recent years, as the broader environment improved and no one brought up class backgrounds anymore, the Ma family men gradually began to make a name for themselves.
Surprisingly, most of the villagers now had some interaction with the Ma family, and everyone praised the Ma men for their loyalty and passionate nature.
Ma Jiye himself, when he drank a bit too much and was in high spirits, would occasionally boast to the other men that his ancestors had once produced a Wuzhuangyuan. However, by his generation, the family had declined.
Everyone just took it as men bragging among themselves and laughed it off. But Ma Jiye did have some real skills.
As for the marriage alliance between the Qian and Ma families, outsiders said it was the Ma family’s way of repaying the Qians for their kindness and support back in the day. Whether that was true or not, no one really knew the details.
Now, with this situation unfolding, both the Qian and Ma families were losing face.
Qian Laoshi, a man who had lived his entire life honestly and never stepped out of line, took Ma Wuni’s father, Ma Jiye, by the hand and said, “Brother Ma, the friendship between our families has lasted nearly twenty years. Wuni grew up before our eyes, like our own daughter.”
He followed up with, “My second son, Qian Cheng, is useless and lacks fortune. But my eldest, Qian Jin, is decent. If you still think highly of this boy, Brother Ma, let Qian Jin and Wuni spend some time together. The friendship between our two families shouldn’t be ruined by that boy Qian Cheng. What do you think?”
This was truly an eye-opener—who would have thought things could be handled this way? An honest man wasn’t doing honest things; this idea was utterly outlandish.
Besides, would Qian Cheng, the second son of the Qian family, agree to this? Could an engagement partner just be swapped like that? How would the two brothers get along in the future?
What exactly had Qian Cheng done to make Qian Laoshi too ashamed to face Ma Jiye? While those inside the house calmly discussed the matter, the onlookers outside were already spreading rumors far and wide.
Qian Jin, the eldest son of the Qian family, hadn’t expected that the urgent telegram from his parents summoning him home was for this. For a moment, he found himself in a difficult spot.
Qian Jin and Qian Cheng were two years apart in age. Ma Wuni was a year younger than Qian Jin and a year older than Qian Cheng. Since the Qian and Ma families were close, the three children had practically grown up together.
Especially Qian Jin, who, because Ma Jiye knew some basic martial arts, had followed him around since childhood, idolizing his Uncle Ma.
As for Ma Wuni, she had always favored Qian Cheng, who obediently called her “Sister Wuni” while trailing after her. But she never had a kind look for Qian Jin, who monopolized her father Ma Jiye’s attention.
Qian Jin and Ma Wuni had never gotten along since they were kids—something the entire village knew.
Even Qian Jin’s decision to join the military had been partly due to his dislike for Ma Wuni. For these two to now be discussing marriage was nothing short of absurd.
Qian Jin would say it was because Ma Wuni couldn’t recognize true worth and was too simple-minded to get along with him. That kid Qian Cheng, with his sweet talk and always listening to whatever Ma Wuni said—of course that stubborn girl only had eyes for Qian Cheng.
Back in their naive youth, Qian Jin had even thought about becoming Old Ma’s live-in son-in-law. Unfortunately, the still-young Ma Wuni lacked discernment and stubbornly refused to see his worth, insisting on favoring the indecisive Qian Cheng instead.
At that time, Qian Jin couldn’t help but feel jealous of those two. They were childhood friends—why couldn’t it have been him? Eventually, he decided out of sight, out of mind, and found his own way out by joining the army.
It could be said that between Qian Jin and Ma Wuni, because of Qian Cheng, there was plenty of old resentment and past grudges.
Now, having these two discuss marriage arrangements—Qian Jin’s face was tightly controlled, but only he knew how complicated his thoughts truly were.
Especially toward Ma Wuni, a voice inside him screamed: Ma Wuni, you’ve finally fallen into my hands one day.
Of course, more than that was: Why should I be the one to clean up this mess?
Deep inside, Qian Jin’s emotions bounced between satisfaction and irritation. He cursed Ma Wuni for her blindness—she didn’t want me back then, but now she does?
Ever since hearing about this marriage proposal, Qian Jin’s heart had been racing nonstop.
Seeing Qian Jin remain silent for so long, his parents grew anxious. Qian Laoshi put down his tobacco pipe: “Eldest, give us a clear answer. Show your stance to your Uncle Ma.”
Qian Jin glanced subtly at Ma Wuni. What did she mean? Should he give this “answer” or not?
Setting aside the years of friendship between their families, setting aside Ma Wuni’s status in the Qian household, and considering just the relationship between him and Ma Wuni alone…
If he nodded in agreement, this girl wouldn’t spare him any face when she turned against him.
If he refused and Ma Wuni took action, the situation wouldn’t look good either. He’d still lose face.
With Ma Wuni not expressing her stance, he couldn’t gauge her thoughts and fell into momentary contemplation. Inside, he screamed: Since there’s no face to save either way, I might as well agree. Once I marry her and bring her home, I can deal with Ma Wuni slowly.
Facing such a situation, Ma Wuni was in a bad mood. Who would want to pay attention to Qian Jin, whom she already disliked? She couldn’t even be bothered to lift an eyelid toward him.
Seeing Ma Wuni’s expression, Qian Cheng secretly gritted his teeth.
Ma Wuni thought to herself: Qian Cheng is no good, and Qian Jin is even worse, secretly clenching her fist.
Over on the Ma family’s side, seeing the atmosphere stagnate, they felt somewhat awkward. Such matters shouldn’t be forced—their daughter wasn’t unmarriageable anyway.
Now that Qian Jin had made something of himself, who knew what his situation outside was? Would he still look favorably upon a country girl?
Ma Wuni’s father, Ma Jiye, spoke up: “Brother Qian, let me say this matter should just be dropped. Whatever happens between the children shouldn’t affect the friendship between us brothers.”
Ma Jiye was quite sincere: “Forced water isn’t sweet. We shouldn’t let a marriage arrangement harm the bond between our families.”
As for Qian Jin himself, Ma Jiye was quite fond of him. It was just unfortunate that his own daughter could never get along with Qian Jin.
After all, Qian Jin had been away for some years now, so he couldn’t let the conversation end here. The marriage could be set aside for now: “Uncle Ma, please don’t say that. What kind of people my parents are, we all know. They aren’t ones for pretty words.”
Then: “All these years I haven’t been home, and Qian Cheng is even more impractical—all he does is study, understands nothing. Both inside and outside the home, it’s been Wuni and you who have supported us. If we’re talking about favors, it’s our Qian family who owes the gratitude.”
Ma Jiye thought to himself, as long as you understand: “Qian Jin, speaking like this makes our families’ friendship seem distant. You’re treating your uncle as an outsider.”
Qian Jin glanced at Ma Wuni, wanting to test the waters: “That kid Qian Cheng must have done something foolish, but after all, the two of them have had feelings since childhood…” Halfway through his words, Qian Jin’s own mouth soured, unwilling to acknowledge the bond between Qian Cheng and Ma Wuni.
Hearing this, Ma Wuni looked up, her gaze sweeping toward Qian Jin, the edges of her eyes sharp as blades. Feelings since childhood, and now it’s come to this? Who is he mocking?
No need to ask—she knew Qian Jin was laughing at her. That guy is even worse, always trying to outdo her since they were kids. He’s even more despicable than Qian Cheng.
When Qian Jin caught Ma Wuni’s gaze, his heart raced a little, and he naturally changed his tone: “Whatever happened, the main thing is that Wuni shouldn’t be wronged.”
After saying this, Qian Jin gritted his teeth, wishing he could slap himself. He wasn’t the same Qian Jin who used to be kicked by a little girl and couldn’t get up, so why was he still so spineless around this girl?
Why should he act according to Ma Wuni’s moods? It’s not like he eats their family’s rice? Qian Jin felt deeply aggrieved inside.