The brigade leader didn’t notice the change in Su Baicha’s expression. Smiling, he greeted the people nearby, “I’ve brought Mei Xinhang’s future wife to meet everyone.”
Su Baicha lowered her head, revealing her slender neck. With such poise, it was clear she had been well brought up since childhood.
The onlookers began to tease.
“Oh my, a girl like this with our Xiao Han—what a perfect match.”
“Once word gets out, who knows how many girls will have their hearts broken.”
“Haha, his aunt can finally stop worrying about the Mei family’s eldest now.”
“This city-educated youth… huh? Isn’t she the Su family’s niece? What fate. The Mei family is famously poor—looks like the Su family’s awareness is quite high.”
After hearing that last remark, the brigade leader also began to ponder.
He felt that the three members of the Su family who had been sent down weren’t so bad after all. One daughter married an officer, and another was marrying Mei Xinhang—the poorest and most useless man in Caoping Village, who had nothing but a slick tongue.
They were different from those capitalists.
It seemed their manure-carrying duties could be reduced accordingly.
The brigade leader kept his thoughts to himself. When he saw Mother Mei, he put on a standard smile. “Elder sister, this is Xiao Han’s fiancée. I only found out today, so I brought her over to meet you.”
After the brigade leader finished speaking, Su Baicha raised her eyes toward Mother Mei and put on a pleasing smile. In a soft voice, she said, “Hello, Auntie.”
In her previous life, she had gotten along well with Mother Mei. The older woman often lamented that it would have been better if Su Baicha had been the one to marry Mei Xinhang.
In this life, they would surely get along just as well.
Su Baicha smiled, her eyes curving even more. With her appearance, any man who saw her would be captivated.
Mother Mei looked somewhat sharp-featured, with an inverted triangle face that resembled a catfish. She frowned. “Isn’t she from that sent-down Su family? When did my son ever—”
As she spoke, she recalled that a couple of years ago, the old master of the Mei family had gone to the capital, supposedly to visit an old comrade-in-arms. When he returned, he said he had found a good match for her eldest son, surnamed Su.
Over the years, her son hadn’t thought about marriage, and she hadn’t pushed him. Last year, after the old man passed away, the matter had been forgotten.
Mother Mei sized Su Baicha up from head to toe, her eyes narrowing as a calculating glint flashed within.
She asked the brigade leader, “The Su family has a bad background. If my son marries her, will our family’s class status be affected?”
The brigade leader shook his head. “Elder sister, your family is a proper poor peasant family—red-blooded and upright. Besides, Comrade Su Baicha is only Su Chengguang’s niece. Her parents died early, and the blood relation is minimal. It won’t be a problem.”
Then he looked at Su Baicha, who seemed stunned, her gaze suddenly hollow. “Also, I think once a daughter is married, she belongs to her husband’s family. When she marries your eldest son, her class status will already be considered good.”
Mother Mei gave a reluctant hum. “Fine, I’ll let my eldest son meet her.”
Then she turned and shouted, “Eldest! Your wife is here!”
From the moment Mother Mei looked at her with a provocative gaze, Su Baicha felt a bit dazed. Why was Mother Mei different from her previous life? A chill rose from the bottom of her heart—what was going on?
When she heard Mother Mei call for Mei Xinhang, all her unease disappeared.
It was fine. As long as Han truly cared about her, exchanging the marriage was worth it.
Thinking this, Su Baicha quickly adjusted her clothes, anticipation flashing in her eyes.
Mei Xinhang’s dissatisfied voice rang out. “Mom, what are you talking about? I only have brothers—since when do I have a wife?”
He came out of the room with messy hair like a chicken’s nest. The moment he saw Su Baicha in the courtyard, his eyes went wide.
He quickly smoothed his hair, reached out his hand, and flashed his signature grin. “Hello there, beauty. Where are you from? What brings you to my house?”
The brigade leader looked up at the sky in disdain and coughed. “Xiao Han, this is your wife. I’ve got work in the brigade, so I’ll be going.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left.
Mei Xinhang blinked. Seeing Su Baicha give a shy smile, “Han-ge.”
Su Baicha thought: At this time, Han-ge was still a rough young man, saying “I” in that rustic way. His delicate face became handsome with his foul language. From others it sounded disgusting, but from him it carried a roguish charm.
She looked at him with near-obsession.
Mei Xinhang’s heart softened immediately. He had seen all the girls in the village—none were as beautiful as her.
Wait… this beautiful educated youth is my wife?
He looked excitedly at his mother, almost unable to believe it. “Mom, is she really my wife?”
Seeing her son like this, Mother Mei felt relieved. Looks like he really likes her—there’s hope for a grandson next year!
Mother Mei nodded emphatically. “Your wife used to be from a wealthy family. Oh right, you’ll get married in a few days. Let’s go inside and talk about the wedding.”
As long as this Su girl married into their family, there would definitely be money.
Seeing her son nod, Mother Mei immediately became more enthusiastic toward Su Baicha. “Xiao Su, have you been tired from working these past few days?”
For a moment, Su Baicha felt as if she had seen the auntie from her previous life again.
Still in a daze, she didn’t think much and put on a proper smile. “The brigade leader has been quite considerate of me, but my body isn’t strong, so I still get tired.”
Mother Mei nodded, smiling as she took her hand. “No rush, you’ll get used to it.”
After all, their family needed labor.
Su Baicha thought it was concern and nodded obediently.
Mother Mei had her son sit nearby while she held Su Baicha’s hand. “Child, how much dowry are you bringing? If there’s no money for the wedding, life afterward won’t be easy.”
Without thinking much, Su Baicha replied, “My uncle has prepared some money for me. I’ve brought 500 yuan, along with cloth and grain coupons. Auntie, I don’t know if that’s enough?”
Mei Xinhang’s eyes lit up instantly. “Cha’er, you’re bringing all that money into my family?”
He changed his form of address quickly. Su Baicha smiled shyly and softly hummed in agreement. “Han-ge, I truly want to live a life with you. My uncle and aunt treat me very well—they’re wealthy, they won’t treat me unfairly.”
As she spoke, she saw the smile in Mother Mei’s eyes deepen. Thinking she had won over the Mei family, she proudly lifted her chin, glancing between Mei Xinhang and Mother Mei.
Hmph, in this life, she would definitely live better than Su Yueheng!
Mother Mei nodded kindly, her face full of affection. “Of course, of course. Baicha, you mustn’t feel wronged marrying into our family. How about this—you give me 50 yuan first. I’ll go to the brigade leader to get a plot of land, and we’ll move out from here so we can hold a proper, grand wedding for you.”
As she spoke, she gave Mei Xinhang a look.
He immediately understood and chimed in with a grin. “That’s right, Cha’er. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I’m so lucky to marry you. We can’t let you feel wronged over such small matters.”
After speaking, he added, “As long as you agree, we’ll go apply for leave and get our marriage certificate right away!”