After saying this, she realized she had lost her composure—she had even forgotten to call her “sister” and addressed her directly by name. She quickly adjusted her expression.
With a protective stance toward her sister, she looked up and declared, “No! My sister has too gentle a temper. She’ll definitely be bullied by Comrade Duan Hu in the future!”
“I can’t just stand by and watch my sister suffer!”
“…”
Ji Chunhua couldn’t help but secretly roll her eyes. As if she wasn’t already suffering now.
“Ah, look, Comrade Ji Qin has such a good heart! She’s openly standing up to this ruffian for her fat sister!”
“Yes, how brave she is… Ah, truly noble and selfless!”
“…”
Huh?
Wait.
Ji Chunhua blinked her thick, furry eyelashes, finally catching on belatedly.
She looked up at Duan Hu, who was blocking almost all the sunlight in front of her, then craned her neck to glance at Sun Qiaoyun sitting on the flatbed cart.
After a moment of stunned silence, she pointed at herself. “Is… is it me?”
Duan Hu thought to himself, why does this fat woman seem so foolish?
Just like on the mountain earlier, saying he cursed nicely—maybe her brain isn’t working right.
Although the things she said afterward didn’t sound foolish at all.
Not only not foolish… but also…
“It’s you, girl! It’s you!”
Sun Qiaoyun was extremely excited, even climbing down from the flatbed cart!
Duan Hu’s heart skipped a beat at the commotion, never expecting his mother to take a liking to this strange fat woman at first glance.
And she seemed to really fancy her, as if she had her sights set on her.
He quickly turned to support Sun Qiaoyun.
Looking at Sun Qiaoyun again, she had already started digging into her pocket.
As she walked over, she held a thick stack of ten-yuan bills in her hand.
The crowd gasped in astonishment at the sight.
Good heavens, they’d never seen someone so generous and direct!
She was practically throwing money at her.
But was this fat woman Ji Chunhua really worthy?
Sun Qiaoyun, supported by Duan Hu, walked up to Ji Chunhua.
“Ah, girl, don’t be afraid. Auntie is telling you, this money is for the engagement.”
“If you agree, take it home with you.”
“If you don’t agree, that’s fine too. Auntie won’t blame you.”
Sun Qiaoyun smiled, holding the money in her hand without rushing to hand it over.
But as she got closer, she could see more clearly.
This girl had bright eyes, too pure.
Though her skin was dirty, Sun Qiaoyun was certain she wasn’t mistaken.
Tender and fair.
Her hands were scarred and calloused—a sign of someone hardworking and capable.
Even though their family certainly wasn’t marrying a daughter-in-law to do hard labor, nor did they need her to earn money.
But she would never let her son marry someone cunning and pretentious, someone who only wanted to sit back and be a Matriarch.
In their family, one could certainly become a Matriarch, but it depended on whether the girl was worthy.
“I… I…”
Ji Chunhua had thought of everything, but she never expected to be the one chosen.
She was speechless, her mind a jumbled mess.
None of the surrounding people understood either.
“Wait, is Duan Hu’s mother getting old and her eyesight failing? Instead of picking Ji Qin, she chooses this fat woman?”
“Didn’t you hear people say she’s fertile? Sun Qiaoyun is a woman from the old society, with bound feet, so her thinking must be outdated too. Isn’t there a saying: marry a fat wife, eat hot dumplings?”
“Oh my goodness… Even if Duan Hu isn’t much, he couldn’t possibly take a fancy to such a fat thing, could he?”
Ji Qin’s ears were ringing, her teeth clenched so hard she tasted blood in her mouth.
The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth, and she wished she could tear Ji Chunhua apart right then and there!
Why, why would she be chosen? It was absolutely impossible!
Her sharp nails dug into her palms as she refused to give up.
She immediately grabbed Ji Chunhua’s arm, as if cheering her on. “Sis, don’t be scared.”
“If you don’t want to, just say so.”
“No one will force you.”
As Ji Qin spoke, the redness in her eyes deepened, as if she were terribly afraid her dear sister might suffer.
But Sun Qiaoyun, who had seen all kinds of people in her long life, could see right through this pretty girl in just that short moment.
She only smiled, saying nothing.
This girl’s ambition was too heavy, impossible to ignore.
But it was clear that her ambition wasn’t driven by genuine affection for her son—it was for something else entirely.
As for the plump girl…
For some reason, the way she looked at Duan Hu carried a sense of admiration and concern.
Though it didn’t seem like romantic affection, there was certainly no disdain or fear in her gaze.
But when it came to marriage, it was the parents’ decision and the matchmaker’s word that mattered.
Feelings could develop over time as people spent time together.
Sun Qiaoyun added, “Girl, don’t mind what others say. Just trust your own feelings. Do I seem like an unreasonable person to you?”
Ji Chunhua shook her head without hesitation. “No, Auntie, I’m not scared.”
“I just didn’t react in time.”
She admitted honestly, “I never thought…”
She couldn’t finish what she was trying to say.
But her hesitant, stumbling manner was too much for Duan Hu to bear.
He lifted his rough palm and irritably rubbed the back of his neck. “You fatso, not only are you slow-witted, but you’re also dragging your feet.”
“Just give a straight answer—yes or no.”
“If you say no, I won’t bother you for sure.”
“This has to be mutual.”