Fang Daming did not expect everyone to be waiting for him at home. His grandparents, his uncle’s family, and his own parents were all there. Old Mr. Fang was the first to greet him.
Regarding the matter of his granddaughter’s marriage, the old man and his wife were the ones who worried the most. Although they doted on her, they couldn’t look after her for a lifetime. Looking at the current situation, it was clear that the second son, Fang Yuejin, had forgotten his daughter now that he had a son, not to mention that Sun Suqin was constantly instigating things behind the scenes.
Even though Old Mr. Fang wasn’t entirely satisfied with the family they had picked, they were acceptable by comparison.
“What did they say?” In Old Mr. Fang’s view, the Lin family’s agreement was a sure thing. Even if Tingting wasn’t very bright, she was more than a match for someone from the Lin family.
Looking at everyone’s anxious eyes, Fang Daming didn’t quite know how to speak.
Fang Yuejin’s heart sank. Seeing his nephew’s expression, he could guess the outcome. “They didn’t agree?”
Previously, Fang Yuejin hadn’t been in such a hurry to marry off his daughter. After all, his parents had been raising the child, and she was his own flesh and blood; there were feelings there.
But then again, while Tingting was currently being cared for by her grandparents, how many more years could they manage? Most importantly, he now had a son. Tingting seemed fine now, but what if he wasn’t looking and she hurt Yaozu? Furthermore, because of this matter, there were daily arguments at home, and he was the one caught in the middle.
Fang Daming could only nod.
“They didn’t agree? On what grounds did they refuse? Did you not tell them about our family’s situation?” Old Mr. Fang frowned in confusion and sat up abruptly.
Old Mrs. Fang was also anxious. “Didn’t you tell them? Our Tingting isn’t stupid; she’s just like a child.”
Sun Suqin sneered. What was the difference between that and being stupid? Only the Fang family treated a fool like Fang Tingting as a treasure; everyone else called her an idiot.
Although Fang Daming failed, Sun Suqin wasn’t actually that angry. A fool could be sent away anytime, but a job was a different story. If she hadn’t stopped him, the job Yuejin had worked so hard to get would have been given to Fang Daming. But she was young, beautiful, and had given Fang Yuejin a son—how could she not have her own schemes? Her brother didn’t have a steady job yet, so Fang Daming’s failure gave her a better reason to claim the job for her brother.
“No, we can’t let them disagree. All the neighbors know. If this falls through, where will we hide our faces? Yuejin, go and look into it. See if there’s a way to put pressure on that family.”
When Old Mr. Fang said this, everyone present thought the same. If the news hadn’t leaked, it wouldn’t have mattered if only the family knew. But Fang Tingting had told everyone. People asked about it whenever they stepped out. If word got out that it failed, what would people think?
“Yes, your father is right. We can’t let the people in the courtyard laugh at us.” Old Mrs. Fang also couldn’t afford to lose face.
Fang Yuejin was actually tempted. This family was truly suitable. If they missed this one, who knew when they would find another? Besides, he held a bit of power. He didn’t believe he couldn’t handle a few country folk.
Seeing that his uncle was actually considering it, Fang Daming hurriedly said, “Don’t, Uncle. It’s too late. Lin Mingyuan has already registered his marriage with that educated youth.”
“Registered?”
“So fast? Didn’t you say they hadn’t been dating for long?”
Sun Suqin added fuel to the fire. “Did they register just to avoid us?”
“Is it as your aunt says?” Fang Yuejin asked with a dark face.
Fang Daming shook his head. “Impossible. How could they know about our family’s business? Yesterday I only ran into them and didn’t say anything before coming back. It’s impossible for Lin Mingyuan to know. It was likely a coincidence.”
Fang Daming felt he could guarantee this much. The Lin family wasn’t so well-informed that they would know what his family was planning.
“That family is truly shameless.” Old Mrs. Fang had been boasting just two days ago about how much the future in-laws liked Tingting. Now, this happened.
Old Mr. Fang was even more displeased. The family had already discussed Tingting marrying into that house. He said deeply, “Yuejin, what do you say we do about this?”
Fang Yuejin scratched his head. “What else can be done? They’ve already registered. What can I do!” His power wasn’t great enough to force people to marry.
Sun Suqin curled her lip. The old couple was just like that—even though nothing was set in stone, they blamed everyone else. However, she continued to provoke them. “Daming, you too. You should have checked clearly before bringing this up. Look at the mess now. People ask about it the moment you step out. If everyone finds out it’s off, who knows how they’ll talk behind our backs.”
Sun Suqin wasn’t afraid of talk. No stepmother liked another person’s child. Besides, she had her own son.
Fang Yuejin obviously thought of this too. Daming was usually a bright kid, but he had handled this matter poorly.
Seeing his uncle remain silent, Fang Daming knew Sun Suqin’s provocation had worked. His uncle was definitely disappointed in him.
“Then what about Daming’s job?” Old Mrs. Fang was still worried about this.
Fang Yuejin thought for a moment. “Let’s see. I don’t know the situation over there yet.”
Suqin was right. Previously, he didn’t mind certain things and gave all the good things to Daming, which inevitably made the rest of the family develop the habit of thinking everything belonged to Daming. Take this job, for example. He had only hinted that Suqin’s brother also wanted it, and his parents had approached him more than once, saying it should belong to Daming. It might have been fine before, but things were different now—he had a son. And such issues would only increase in the future. So, starting from this instance, he had to give the whole family a reminder: Daming was not his son.
Sun Suqin was happy, but the faces of the other members of the Fang family were unsightly, especially the old couple. They hadn’t expected their second son to drift so far apart from them after marriage.
Of course, the one who found it most unacceptable was Fang Daming. He not only hated his uncle and aunt but also Lin Mingyuan. If Lin Mingyuan had just followed their arrangements obediently, none of this would have happened.
Fang Yuejin didn’t stay for dinner; he left with Sun Suqin.
“What a mess this is!” Old Mrs. Fang was angry once again.
“To harm our family like this, and Lin Mingyuan still thinks he’s getting married? Not a chance!” Fang Daming would not let him off.
Like the Fang family, Liu Jia Tun was also incredibly lively today. Without exception, everyone was talking about the marriage of the brigade leader’s son.
“Didn’t they just start dating? Why so fast?”
“Tell me about it. It’s only been a few days, and they’ve registered!”
“If you ask me, that educated youth has some skill. Mingyuan is easy to deal with, but for Sun Zhaodi to agree so quickly this time…”
“There must be something we don’t know. Hurry up and find out!”
“Forget it. Aside from the drama of Mingyuan getting a beating, when have we ever seen anything else in the Lin family? Zhaodi has a bad temper, but her mouth is tightly shut.”
“Hey, isn’t that Xiuli? You live across from them. Do you know why the Lin family’s fourth son registered so quickly?”
As soon as Zhang Xinghua finished speaking, someone beside her tugged at her sleeve. Couldn’t she see that the other person was unhappy?
Realizing the mistake, Zhang Xinghua remembered. Li Xiuli’s daughter, Yunxia, was interested in Mingyuan, but Li Xiuli had never relented. And now, look, the man was married.
“I don’t know,” Li Xiuli snapped and walked away, her face showing a bitterness that everyone present could see.
“Look at that face. Who knows how much she regrets it in her heart.”
“That’s not necessarily true. Her eldest son is a worker in the city. With a brother like that, what kind of partner can’t Yunxia find?”
“Hey, I haven’t seen Yunxia lately.”
“She went to the city. Her sister-in-law gave birth and couldn’t manage alone, so she went to help out.”
“Do you think she’ll cause a scene when she comes back and finds out Mingyuan is married?”
“If she makes a scene, it’ll be with her mother. Li Xiuli relies on having a son working in the city and looks down on everyone. She deserves it!”
Although Li Xiuli had walked away, she could well imagine what those gossips were saying behind her back, and her face darkened further.
She then thought about the Lin family’s wedding and cursed Sun Zhaodi for being dishonest. On the surface, Sun Zhaodi praised Yunxia and said how good the girl was, but then she turned around and let Lin Mingyuan marry an educated youth. Although she originally didn’t think much of Lin Mingyuan, Yunxia was interested. For the Lin family to do this now was like stepping on their family’s dignity.
She didn’t know how to tell Yunxia. That child would certainly cause a fuss when she returned.
Because of this, Li Xiuli had been cold and unresponsive when the Lin family greeted her over the last two days. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
“Xiuli, you walk too fast. I couldn’t even catch up with you. I was looking for you.”
“What do you want?” Li Xiuli spoke irritably. Although they had been neighbors for decades, she had always looked down on Liu Fengying.
“What else? Isn’t Mingyuan getting married? I came to ask you, since we’ve known each other for so many years, how much gift money are you giving?” Liu Fengying said intentionally.
Li Xiuli was fuming again. She knew Liu Fengying had no good intentions and was just there to watch the drama.
“We’re not the same. If we’re talking about relations, you are cousins. Why are you asking me?”
Liu Fengying wasn’t angry at this and continued, “I heard Yunxia went to her brother’s place. When will she be back? Will she make it in time for Mingyuan’s wedding feast?”
“What business is it of yours!” Li Xiuli refused to engage further.
Watching Li Xiuli walk away in a huff, Liu Fengying chuckled to herself.
Serves her right for keeping her eyes on top of her head every day. Just because she has a son who is a worker in the city, she’s forgotten who she is. When her son Xiaohu spoke a few extra words to Yunxia, Li Xiuli would lecture them right in front of her, constantly muttering that their Yunxia was destined to marry into the city.
Pah. All these years and not a sign of it, yet she’s still looking for a city son-in-law. Besides, what’s wrong with her family? Xiaohu taking an interest in Yunxia is Li Yunxia’s good fortune.
Being neighbors, she could easily see that Li Yunxia had her heart set on Lin Mingyuan. But it was fine now—the man was married. If she only knew where Li Tiechu’s house was, she would have sent a message just to make Li Yunxia come back and cause a scene. That would make the Li family lose even more face.
The more Liu Fengying thought about it, the happier she became, wishing Li Yunxia would return immediately so she could watch the excitement.