Matchmaker Zhang’s tongue was so sharp and flowing she praised Zhou Cheng to the heavens and back. Lin Wan didn’t interrupt her at all—she just treated it like a stand-up comedy show. Honestly, she found it pretty entertaining.
There was an old saying: “A matchmaker’s mouth has no scale.” Today, she finally saw what that meant.
Only after talking herself dry did Matchmaker Zhang finally stop and smile at Lin Wan. “Miss Lin, what do you think of this marriage arrangement?”
Lin Wan also smiled. Her answer was blunt. “Not good.”
The smile on Matchmaker Zhang’s face stiffened.
Lin Xiuniang’s expression darkened as well. “Lin Wan, don’t be ungrateful. In another month you’ll be seventeen. By then, who knows what kind of family the officials will randomly assign you to? I’m only taking pity on you by bringing a matchmaker to your door. Don’t push your luck—you’ll regret it if I really walk away!”
Her tone carried clear threat.
At Lin Xiuniang’s eyes, Lin Wan’s age was a problem. If she could have married out, she wouldn’t still be here. Bringing a matchmaker over already gave her enough “face.”
If this girl didn’t appreciate it, then she wouldn’t be so polite anymore.
Like the rest of the Lin family, Lin Xiuniang had grown up under Old Madam Wu’s influence and had always looked down on Lin Dashan and his children.
Hearing the threat, Lin Wan couldn’t help laughing. She waved a hand casually. “Then please see yourself out.”
Lin Xiuniang: “???”
This reaction was completely different from what she expected.
In her mind, Lin Wan should have been grateful and agreed immediately. Instead, she was dismissing them so casually.
Zhou Cheng stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over Lin Wan from head to toe. “Lin Wan, my mother only brought me here because we’re relatives. Otherwise, do you think I’d even look at you?”
The original owner had worked from dawn till night every day. Her body was worn down—dark, thin, and malnourished, not at all like a healthy seventeen-year-old girl.
Zhou Cheng’s tone was full of disgust. “If not for me being your cousin and having a kind heart, you’d never even get married in this lifetime!”
Tian Guihua, who had been peeking over the wall, finally couldn’t hold back. How could there be such shameless people?
And Lin Wan was already married—she even handed out wedding sweets yesterday!
Earlier, when Matchmaker Zhang had been bragging about Zhou Cheng, Tian Guihua had wanted to speak up, but Lin Wan had subtly stopped her, so she held it in.
Now hearing Zhou Cheng talk so shamelessly, she exploded. “What nonsense are you spouting? Miss Lin is already married! You’re acting like a clown jumping around here—what a face you’ve got!”
She expected the Lin family to be embarrassed.
Instead, Zhou Cheng burst out laughing and pointed at Lin Wan. “You say she’s married? Hahaha! That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!”
Lin Dahuo and Lin Dali also laughed. Although Lin Wan was their niece, she had a useless younger brother to support and insisted on paying for his schooling—who would ever marry a woman like that?
Old Madam Wu also sneered. “If she could get married, I’ll eat—”
Lin Xiuniang spat on the ground. “If she can marry, I’ll eat shit!”
In their eyes, it was impossible.
A woman like her, burdened with a younger brother and constant expenses, could never be taken seriously as a wife.
Lin Xiuniang then added loudly, “If you’re so confident, bring your husband out! Let’s see what kind of man you managed to find!”
Just then, Lin Wan chuckled. “Oh? So if I really am married, you’re going to eat… that?”
Before anyone could respond, the courtyard door suddenly opened.
Gu Zhixing walked out.
Tall and straight, dressed in a moon-white robe, the morning sunlight fell on him like a layer of light. The plain fabric looked almost extraordinary on him.
The noise at the gate instantly fell silent.
Everyone’s eyes landed on him.
Even Tian Guihua, still perched on the wall, froze. “My goodness… is this man walked out of a painting?”
Lin Wan was slightly surprised. “Why did you come out?”
She had told him to stay inside.
Gu Zhixing didn’t answer. He simply walked to her side, gently took her hand, and stood beside her.
The noise outside had been loud enough for him to hear everything clearly.
Standing there, he finally looked toward the Lin family. “Are you looking for me?”
The moment Lin Xiuniang had demanded to see “her husband,” he appeared—and even held Lin Wan’s hand. Their relationship was now obvious without explanation.
They had already signed a marriage contract stamped by the authorities. Even if they had not consummated the marriage, they were still legitimate husband and wife.
Lin Wan lowered her gaze to their joined hands, then glanced at the calm but slightly stiff man beside her.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
He had come out at just the right time.