Xu Ying stood her ground, her voice resolute. “I think it’s fine to be alone. Even if I want to get married, I have to choose someone who loves me and I love him too.” The final words hung in the air, decisive and unwavering.
Second Aunt Xu vehemently supported Xu Ying’s declaration. “Yes! Marriage is a lifetime event. You must find someone who is deeply in love with each other and genuinely likes each other.”
Elder Aunt Xu, however, disagreed. “What you said is wrong. If that family is very poor, won’t Yingying suffer the consequences of marrying there? It’s important to be in love, but it’s also important to be with the right person.” Her niece was now a master chef with city residency; she absolutely deserved to find someone with a similar standing.
Xu’s father and Xu’s mother, knowing their daughter was now highly capable and independent, chose to simply ignore her pronouncements. “Okay, it’s Dad’s birthday,” Xu’s father interjected, “let’s not mention anything else.”
“Yes, yes!” Zheng Xuenong quickly agreed, raising his wine glass and standing. “Dad, on your birthday, I would like to toast you. I wish you happiness as vast as the East China Sea and longevity as long as the Southern Mountains!”
“Dad, I wish you a happy birthday,” Uncle Xu declared, his words flowing smoothly. “Today is a joyous day. After decades of hard work, your children and grandchildren gather together to enjoy family happiness. I wish you a long life!”
Grandpa Xu cast a sideways glance at his third son, a flicker of profound distaste in his eyes. Though his third son had been surprisingly well-behaved recently, not causing any trouble or running around, Grandpa Xu still bristled at the sight of him. “Smooth talk,” he scoffed. “Look at your wife, who goes to work and has a job, while you are idle at home every day. You’re so bored you don’t even know how to be still.”
Third Uncle Xu merely smiled, unannoyed. His niece had told him to behave, even secured him a job at the textile factory. Seeing third uncle subdude smile second brother, then immediately spoke with a triumphant grin, “Dad, third brother has been doing very well recently. I went his home a few days ago, and he was still cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning at home!”
At these words, Grandpa Xu’s eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise.
Third Uncle Xu’s face, meanwhile, turned scarlet with rage. Was his second brother praising him or insulting him? How could he say such a thing? What kind of man stayed in the kitchen? It was utterly shameful to admit! If his wife wasn’t so utterly exhausted every day, And his conscience wouldn’t bear it. The most crucial factor, though, was his niece’s watchful eye. Otherwise, he wouldn’t lift a finger.
“Third brother, is what your second brother said true?” Grandpa Xu asked, and every eye in the room turned to Third Uncle Xu. Third Uncle Xu was so embarrassed and angry that his face flushed like a monkey’s bottom, and he vigorously shook his head in denial.
It was then that little Xuxue and little Xubai spoke up, their voices bright and clear. “My father has been very good recently! Not only does he work at home, but he also gives us delicious food!”
“Yes, my dad is the best!”
The two children’s eyes lit up when they spoke of Third Uncle Xu. This was a sight Third Uncle Xu had never witnessed before. Usually, when the two children saw him, they would cower behind his wife, as if he were some monstrous wolf. Seeing them speak of him with such pride and excitement, the shame and anger on Xu Sanshu’s face melted away in an instant.
Third Aunt Xu also spoke at this time. “My husband is now in good condition, and it is good to me and the children too .” Although it was only a few words, Third Aunt Xu’s face was illuminated by a radiant, happy smile, a sight Third Uncle Xu had never seen before. At this moment, he felt a little dazed. He had only cooked and cleaned the house, yet it could make his wife and children so incredibly happy. His niece was right; he was no man. He had been a complete mess before.
Grandpa Xu looked at Third Uncle Xu and, for the very first time, offered him praise. “You finally know how to live your life. You’ve became a sensible kid after not seeing me for a few days. As an old man, I have lived a long life, and it will be good if my children get better. Seeing that my third child is sensible, I will die with no regrets in this life.”
“Bah, bah, bah, old man, what are you talking about?” Grandma Xu immediately erupted in anger, tears welling in the corners of her eyes, a mixture of fury and sorrow. It was wonderful that her son had turned over a new leaf, but this old man truly had no sense of how to speak. To utter such unlucky words on such a joyous day was truly inauspicious!
Xu Ying also spoke up at this moment. “Grandpa, you will definitely live a long life! Don’t say such words again in the future.”
Grandpa Xu looked at his children and grandchildren, all of whom were now nervous and sad after hearing his morbid pronouncement. He immediately patted his chest. “Hey, I just said it casually, seeing that you are all so nervous! Look at my body. It’s absolutely fine to live for more than a hundred years! I’m just so happy to see my third child like this.”
Third Uncle Xu was a little embarrassed, but also a little proud. “Dad, I will only work harder and harder in the future, just watch!”
Grandpa Xu didn’t get angry at his bold declaration. “Okay, then I want to see if you can be as powerful as Yingying!”
At the mention of his niece,Third Uncle Xu immediately recoiled in feigned terror. “I’m definitely worse than this Yingying, but I will try my best to follow in my niece’s footsteps! We can’t be too bad.”
Grandpa Xu nodded, and then, satisfied, resumed eating.
After the Xu family finished their meal, the elders gathered to chat. Xu Ying, feeling a little restless, decided to go out for a walk. Unexpectedly, she encountered Huo Chen just a few steps from the house. Xu Ying hadn’t felt embarrassed seeing Huo Chen before, but ever since her parents had suggested she marry him, a strange awkwardness had settled over her when she saw him.
Seeing Huo Chen approaching, Xu Ying abruptly changed direction.
“Xu Ying, are you avoiding me?” Huo Chen’s voice, usually a cold, unfeeling monotone, held a hint of something deeper as he strode towards her. Since he’d met Xu Ying, a long-lost smile had graced his face. But at this moment, his features darkened, his expression tense, his eyes like ice, exuding a chilling aura. The already cold winter day felt even colder as a wave of icy air seemed to rush towards Xu Ying. Her fair little face and lips turned purple from the cold.
“I didn’t!” Xu Ying declared, her voice defiant, refusing to admit her hasty retreat.
Huo Chen’s icy gaze softened immediately upon hearing her denial. “Then why did you run away when you saw me?”
Xu Ying’s face was a mask of embarrassment, but fortunately, her scarf concealed most of it, exposing only her eyes and small nose. “I was in a hurry just now and didn’t see you,” she mumbled.
Huo Chen’s face suddenly brightened, and he pulled out the skincare products he had brought back from his recent trip. “I went to another province with Qingsong a few days ago. These are the skincare products I brought for you. All the girls there use these. Your skin is good, so you need to take good care of it.” Huo Chen, a man of business, could usually speak quite well. But as soon as he was in Xu Ying’s presence, he began to stutter slightly, especially after realizing the true nature of his feelings. Xu Ying’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the array of bottles and jars he had produced. They were all classic domestic brands from the 1970s: Pechoin skincare products, Jingwei Herbal Propolis Eye Cream, Queen Pien Tze Huang brand pearl cream… Huo Chen, unfamiliar with such items, had simply bought whatever the salesperson promoted.
“Give some to Auntie,” he added, following the old adage: if you want to win over the beautiful woman, you must first please her mother-in-law. “Here arealso some clothes, take them!” Huo Chen pulled out a large bag. Realizing Xu Ying might struggle to carry it, he continued, ” Or I’ll take it back for you.”