There was an old saying among the common people:
*“Emperors favor their eldest sons; ordinary families dote on their youngest.”*
The Cheng family had three sons and two daughters, and Mother Cheng loved her youngest son, Cheng Yuanche, the most.
From childhood, he had been sensible, capable, and filial.
His two older brothers were mischievous troublemakers who loved fighting and fooling around, but Cheng Yuanche had never caused chaos. He matured early, was calm and dependable, and rarely made his parents worry. Naturally, he became the child they cherished most.
Later, after joining the military, he performed exceptionally well, earning merits and promotions year after year.
He had always been the pride of the Cheng family.
But now, he was injured and crippled. His engagement had collapsed, and the family’s financial troubles had heavily dragged him down as well.
His savings had been emptied out, and they were still burdened with debt.
The more Mother Cheng thought about it, the more heartbroken and guilty she felt. Tears streamed endlessly down her face.
“Yuanche… your father and I are useless. We’ve wronged you. The family has dragged you down.”
She cried so hard she could barely speak.
“Mom, don’t say things like that. We’re family. Hardship is only temporary. As long as we work together, we’ll get through it. There’s no such thing as burdening each other.”
Cheng Yuanche gently comforted her.
“Dad, Mom, let’s go home. Later we’ll find Yuanche a better wife.”
Cheng Yuanyuan had a straightforward personality and genuinely believed today’s broken engagement was a blessing.
She was already mentally sorting through suitable young women, determined to find her brother someone worthy of him.
The Yao family had been beaten badly earlier and had lain on the ground for quite some time before recovering enough to stand.
Filled with resentment, Mother Yao still refused to stop shouting after hearing Cheng Yuanyuan’s words.
“You crippled bastard! Bad-luck ghost! I curse your whole family to die horribly! Stay single forever! May your bloodline end!”
“That’s enough!”
The brigade leader’s face darkened with fury as he glared at her in disgust.
“You schemed shamelessly and acted without thinking of consequences, yet even now you refuse to reflect on your actions. You deserved that beating.”
The Cheng sisters had already rolled up their sleeves, ready to rush over and slap her again, but Cheng Yuanche stopped them.
Still unable to swallow their anger, Cheng Yuanyuan planted her hands on her hips and shouted loudly:
“Whoever is willing to marry my brother — on top of the five hundred yuan bride price, I’ll add another five hundred and all thirty-two furniture legs. Everything will be prepared within a month!”
“Big Sister!”
Cheng Yuanche immediately tried to stop her.
But Cheng Yuanyuan had already made up her mind.
“Yuanche, I’ll pay the extra myself. Don’t interfere with my decision.”
“Yuanyuan, stop fooling around.”
Cheng Guangrong didn’t want to burden his daughter.
Ever since the family’s troubles began, his daughter and son-in-law had already helped far too much.
Most of today’s wedding banquet dishes had even been provided by them.
He couldn’t let his daughter spend so much money again.
“Dad, don’t worry about it.”
Cheng Yuanyuan waved him off.
Seeing interest flicker among the crowd, she loudly repeated herself:
“One thousand yuan bride price, thirty-two furniture legs. Who’s willing to marry him? Whoever agrees can hold the wedding ceremony immediately!”
Such an enormous bride price was unheard of in the countryside.
Families with unmarried daughters were genuinely tempted.
Most importantly, Cheng Yuanche had good character, a solid reputation, and was a promising military officer.
Even if his injury left lasting damage, the army would surely arrange work for him in the future and provide compensation.
Marrying him still promised a hopeful future.
Just as several families were beginning to consider it, Yao Daqiang suddenly jumped out again, viciously shouting:
“Whoever dares marry their daughter to Cheng Yuanche, don’t blame me if I show up at your house with a machete and make sure your family never knows peace!”
*Bang!*
Cheng Yuanfeng kicked him hard in the waist.
As a fisherman used to physical labor, his strength was terrifying. One kick sent Yao Daqiang flying straight into a drainage ditch.
“Dad!”
Yao Haiyang and his siblings rushed over, dragging and pulling before finally hauling him back out.
That kick had nearly sent Yao Daqiang’s soul out of his body.
He hurt so badly he couldn’t even scream properly. Covered in mud and foul-smelling filth, he was practically unrecognizable.
“Cheng Yuanfeng, y-you… if anything happens to my father, I won’t let this go!”
Yao Haiyang had already been beaten badly earlier, and his whole body still ached.
Afraid the Cheng family would hit him again, he tried to sound fierce, but his weak tone exposed his cowardice.
Among the three Cheng brothers, Cheng Yuanfeng had the hottest temper.
His personality resembled their uncle’s — no useless words.
He simply kicked again.
Yao Haiyang wasn’t his match at all. Even though he tried dodging, the kick still knocked him flat onto his back.
“Cheng Yuanfeng!”
Unable to beat him, Yao Haiyang could only rage helplessly.
Watching him struggle just to get up, Cheng Yuanchi spat on the ground and threw him a contemptuous look.
“Coward.”
Seeing her elder brother had already dealt with the Yao men, Cheng Yuanyuan opened her mouth to ask for the third time if anyone wanted to marry her brother, but Cheng Yuanche quickly stopped her.
“Big Sister, don’t ask anymore. The family’s already in chaos. This isn’t the right time for marriage. We’ll arrange things after everything settles down.”
Today’s disastrous wedding procession had exhausted him mentally and emotionally.
He truly didn’t want to continue the farce.
Besides, his sister had made this decision without discussing it with her husband or in-laws.
She was willing to spend so much money just to help him regain some dignity, but he didn’t want to accept it.
His sister and brother-in-law had already done enough for the family recently.
He didn’t want people gossiping later and making things difficult for his sister in her husband’s household.
Though he didn’t say these thoughts aloud, Cheng Yuanyuan, being his twin, understood anyway.
Her eyes reddened with tears.
“Yuanche, I’ll listen to you. First we’ll survive this difficult period. Once your injury heals and you return to the army, we’ll find someone suitable.”
Keeping a straight face, Cheng Yuanche nodded in agreement.
“Hey! Cheng family! One thousand yuan bride price and thirty-two furniture legs? I can deliver you a ready-made wife!”
Suddenly, Old Madam Huang shouted from the crowd.
The Cheng family all turned toward the source of the voice.
Seeing it was her, Cheng Yuanyuan politely declined before her parents could speak.
“Oh, Grandma Huang. Thank you for your kindness, but my brother said he’s not considering marriage for now. Once he recovers and returns to the military, he’ll look again.”
“Hey, Old Cui Granny,” another nosy old woman asked curiously, “all your granddaughters and nieces are already married, and the others are still too young. Who are you introducing?”
“My house got a freeloader yesterday,” Old Madam Huang said bluntly. “I don’t want her eating free food in my home.”
She never directly named the person, but her gaze pointed clearly toward a large tree nearby.
She had noticed Qiu Yinong earlier but hadn’t gone over because the drama had been too entertaining.
Her voice wasn’t quiet, and her meaning was obvious.
Everyone followed her line of sight.
Sitting lazily on the thick tree branch was a young girl dressed in a sapphire-blue embroidered skirt outfit.
Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders.
Her features were exquisitely beautiful and flawless, her eyes bright and lively.
With snow-white skin, dazzling eyes, and pearly teeth, she looked breathtakingly lovely.
Her feet swung casually in the air while the hem of her skirt fluttered gracefully in the wind.
She looked like a little fairy who had drifted down from the heavens into the mortal world.