Chapter 10: Negotiations Break DownZhao Zhengping was stunned by her words.After all, his family lived quite comfortably in the village. If she married into his household, she would only need to manage domestic affairs without having to work in the fields—a life of utmost leisure.Moreover, as a scholar, he was soon preparing to take the imperial examinations to earn an official title. Once successful, their family’s fortunes would only flourish, and it wasn’t beyond imagination for her to become an official’s wife someday."Are you speaking the truth, or are these just angry words?" he asked, unable to believe it.Lin Qinghe replied calmly, "These aren’t angry words. Mrs. Qian thinks we’re not suited for each other, and I feel the same."If Mrs. Qian had reasons to look down on her, couldn’t she also have reasons to look down on them?Zhao Zhengping grew angry at once. He had been trying so hard to salvage the situation, yet she treated it as nothing, making all his efforts seem like a joke."Don’t you know that once the engagement is broken off, a girl like you won’t be able to marry into a good family?""If I can’t marry into a good family, then I simply won’t marry.""You… If you really don’t marry, when you grow old without children or grandchildren by your side, what will you do? Won’t you feel desolate?" Zhao Zhengping retorted angrily."Having children and grandchildren doesn’t guarantee filial piety. Haven’t you seen unfilial sons in our village who drove their elderly fathers to death? Having descendants isn’t necessarily a blessing, and not having them isn’t necessarily a misfortune."Though it was far too early to consider such matters now, since he had brought it up, she felt obliged to respond.Zhao Zhengping didn’t know how the conversation had veered off course. He had come to discuss not breaking off the engagement, yet they had ended up talking about such distant matters—and he was filled with rage."Qinghe, let’s not talk about irrelevant things. I truly don’t want to break off the engagement with you, but my mother won’t allow it. Can’t you make some concessions for my sake?" His gaze fixed on her.He had already humbled himself to this extent—couldn’t she think more about him? As children, it was their duty to be filial. If his mother was dissatisfied with her, she could simply change to please her. Wouldn’t that make everyone happy?"How do you expect me to make concessions?" Lin Qinghe sneered. "Should I disregard the lives of my younger siblings just to please your mother? I’m sorry, but I’m not that heartless. Everyone has their own principles. You insist on being filial to your mother—I have no objections. My principle is that I must raise my younger siblings and ensure they are not left helpless.""What about your own life? Don’t you need to consider it? For the sake of your younger siblings, you’re willing to disregard your own happiness? After breaking off the engagement, you won’t even be able to find a good family, and you might end up living a lonely, desolate life all alone.""My own life is my own concern. I can assure you that I will never regret any decision or choice I make," she declared solemnly."You… Don’t you feel even a little reluctant to part with me?" Zhao Zhengping stared at her intently.Everything he had done was because he couldn’t bear to part with her, which was why he had come to reconcile. But what about her? She didn’t seem the least bit reluctant. Was she really so heartless toward him?"From the moment you suggested I abandon my siblings and disregard their lives, how could you still expect me to have any feelings for you? If you think this makes me heartless, then I am indeed heartless."Zhao Zhengping was momentarily speechless.He believed he wasn't wrong. Whose daughter would still support her maternal family's siblings? Moreover, their mother Mrs. Su was still alive—shouldn't she bear these responsibilities?He even thought Lin Qinghe was being stubborn. She was only a twelve-year-old girl—how could she think she had the ability to support several children in the family? Eventually, she would still have to ask others for help.At this moment, he somewhat agreed with his mother's words, suspecting she wanted the Zhao Family to help raise her siblings. Even her agreement to break off the engagement might not be entirely trustworthy—perhaps it was a tactical retreat. She probably sensed how much he truly liked her!His heart wavered with doubt and uncertainty.He felt that as a man, he shouldn't be controlled by her, yet he also worried that she might genuinely want to break off the engagement!Torn between not wanting to be manipulated and being unwilling to actually end the engagement, he felt deeply conflicted. One moment, he recalled his mother's disdainful expression, criticizing Lin Qinghe for appearing in public without the modesty and gentleness expected of a young woman. The next, he remembered Lin Qinghe's indifferent expression as she told him she had no objections to breaking off the engagement.Seeing him remain silent for so long, Lin Qinghe said coldly, "It's getting late. You should go back. If you can't see the path and fall somewhere, Mrs. Qian will worry."She already understood this man well—filled with filial piety, which wasn't inherently wrong, but his blind obedience and inability to stand by his own convictions meant that even if he achieved success in the future, it was hard to say how much he would accomplish.Zhao Zhengping slowly snapped back to reality, his gaze fixed on Lin Qinghe's face. Seeing her still calm, unlike his own inner turmoil, he felt a surge of resentment."You don't care about me at all, which is why you can speak of breaking off the engagement so calmly.""If thinking that makes you feel better, then go ahead and believe it." Lin Qinghe felt these conversations were meaningless. As long as Mrs. Qian insisted on breaking off the engagement, no matter how much Zhao Zhengping wanted to salvage it, it would be futile.Moreover, she also felt this engagement was unsuitable. So, no matter how hard he tried alone, nothing could change it.The matter of breaking off the engagement was already settled.Hearing her words, Zhao Zhengping felt utterly helpless and gritted his teeth. "Do you have no heart? I care so much about you, wanting to grow old with you, yet you don't care at all. What do you mean by disregarding your siblings' lives? Your mother is still alive—would she really watch her own children starve? In the end, it's just that you don't care."Lin Qinghe thought to herself, you couldn't be more wrong. If Mrs. Su, as a mother, truly cared about her children, she wouldn't have remarried so hastily. She truly could watch her children starve—at most, she might shed a few tears after they died, then continue living her own life."Does it really matter whether I care or not? Can anything change even if I do care?" Lin Qinghe shook her head. "Nothing can change. You can't change your mother's mind. In the end, we will both head down the path of breaking off the engagement. So, telling me all this now serves no purpose.""How can it serve no purpose? As long as you abandon them—just leave them behind—I can persuade my mother, and our marriage can continue.""I've already made it very clear to you: I will not abandon my younger siblings." Lin Qinghe said with a serious expression.Zhao Zhengping immediately stomped his feet in anger. "I knew it. In your heart, I don't matter at all. Qinghe, you will regret this someday." With those words, he turned and strode away.Watching him walk into the distance, Lin Qinghe shook her head.

Eldest Sister of a Farming Family: Managing the Household, Farming and Opening Shops