“Sister Da Ya, are you dense? Look at my partner and Yingying’s partner. If a man truly loves you, he’ll want to propose marriage as soon as possible, not wait for you to constantly push him. Has he ever even spent his own money on you?” Xu Jingjing’s voice was sharp with concern.
Lu Daya hesitated, an awkward nod, then a shaky head. “He said he just borrow a little from me , and he’ll pay me back when he has money.”
Xu Jingjing, known for her short fuse, could barely contain herself. Even Xu Ying, usually more composed, found it difficult to watch Lu Daya, recalling her past infatuation with Bai Jiao.
Lu Daya’s face burned with embarrassment. What Xu Ying had initially told her seemed so logical. Yet, after spending more time with Sun Yiliang and witnessing his seemingly pathetic state, her resolve melted away.
“It’s hopeless!” Xu Jingjing sighed, defeated.
Xu Ying, however, felt a surge of resolve. Three hundred yuan wasn’t the point anymore. Lu Daya was her savior; in her past life, she had died because of her. She couldn’t abandon her now.
“Sister Da Ya,” Xu Ying began, her voice softer, “will Teacher Sun be going home for the New Year?”
Lu Daya replied. “He and his sister aren’t going back. Their home is far, and they don’t have enough money, so they’re staying here.”
“Sister Da Ya, so you want to be with Sun Yiliang, but you’re afraid he’ll abandon you and never marry you, right?”
The words struck a chord in Lu Daya’s heart . Lu Daya’s eyes, previously downcast, suddenly sparkled with a desperate hope. She did want to be with Sun Yiliang, but the fear of wasting her youth only to be left unmarried gnawed at her.
“Yingying, what do you think I should do?” she pleaded.
Xu Ying pursed her lips. “Sister Da Ya, I think you need to talk to your mother about the man you’re seeing. Teacher Sun needs to tell your mother that he doesn’t want to get married yet. It’s better to let your mother make the decision for you.” Xu Ying believed that sometimes, you had to fight fire with fire.
“Tell my mother? She’ll definitely make us get married as soon as possible!” Lu Daya’s anxiety flared.
Xu Ying’s expression turned instantly cold. “Then it depends on Sun Yiliang’s choice. If he truly likes you, he’ll certainly win your mother’s consent. If he doesn’t, he’ll definitely break up. But even if it’s a breakup, at least you’ll know you’re not important to him. Sometimes, a quick, sharp pain is better than a long, drawn-out ache. Sister, you have to make your own choice.”
“That’s right, Sister Da Ya,” Xu Jingjing chimed in, supporting Xu Ying. “If this man really likes you, he’ll definitely win your parents’ approval.”
Lu Daya looked torn, her hesitation palpable.
Fearing her friend would back out, Xu Ying quickly added, “If you trust me, I’ll help you handle this. Don’t worry, no one else will know.” In that era, such private matters, if publicly known, could cause a scandal. Lu Daya, having been raised in a traditional household, valued her reputation above all else.
Hearing Xu Ying’s assurance, Lu Daya finally made up her mind, nodding her consent. She had wanted to tell her parents, but their volatile temperaments meant her mother would likely confront Sun Yiliang, either demanding he pay up or marry her. Either outcome would profoundly impact Lu Daya’s life. The Lunar New Year, with its lack of social visits, presented a perfect window to resolve this discreetly.
“Then come to me early tomorrow morning,” Xu Ying instructed.
Xu Jingjing insisted on joining them. And so, the trio decided to embark on this delicate mission together the following day.
After their intense discussion, Xu Ying and Lu Daya hurried back home for dinner, with Xu Jingjing tagging along. As was tradition, the entire Xu family gathered for the New Year’s feast. This year was no exception, especially with the family having just moved into their new house.
Since Xu Ying had mastered cooking, she usually took charge of holiday meals. This time, however, she found the food already prepared upon her return, a rare moment of leisure.
“Why are you so wild? You’re taking your sister with you. You’re such an adult and you have no appearance at all.” Second Aunt Xu glared at her daughter, Jingjing, comparing her to Xu Ying. Yingying was so clever and capable, famous in the family. Jingjing, on the other hand, was so foolish. Yet, it was said that fools were blessed, and indeed, her untalented second daughter had found a partner in the factory director’s secretary!
A smile touched Second Aunt Xu’s lips as she thought of Yang Jun. She couldn’t resist sharing her joy. “Sister-in-law, I plan to finalize Jingjing’s marriage after the Chinese New Year!”
“With Yang Jun?” Mother Xu asked, a hint of curiosity and concern in her voice as she glanced at her own daughter. She wasn’t pressing Xu Ying to marry quickly but yearned for her to find a partner. Her daughter had been so love-struck before, and now she was so reserved. Perhaps the previous heartbreak had scared her away from relationships. It was all that scoundrel Dong Wenzhong’s fault. If not for him, her daughter wouldn’t be like this. Mentioning him, Mother Xu gritted her teeth in pure hatred.
“Yes, I think he’s quite good. He treats me and Jingjing very politely, and he’s so generous with Jingjing. They’ve only been together a few days, and he has already given his all wages to her , and he buys things for our house whenever he visited . Now all the food in our house is bought by that boy. You tell me, this boy doesn’t know how to save money. He earns a small salary and spends it all on me and Jingjing’s father. What do you think he spends on himself?” Second Aunt Xu complained, her voice dripping with mock disgust, but her heart swelled with pride. Such actions clearly showed the future son-in-law valued her and Jingjing’s father immensely.
Mother Xu found it favorable. “Well, Yang Jun is a good guy. We can set a date first, then the two children can get to know each other better, and then get married.”
Aunt Xu nodded enthusiastically, eager to secure her future son-in-law. “Jingjing’s father and I have the same intention. When the time comes, the parents of both parties will meet first to finalize the marriage.”
Grandpa Xu, hearing the news, was also delighted. It was time for the younger generation to marry as well . As long as the chosen partner was good, they would be happy. Seeing Xu Ying, he couldn’t help but inquire, “Yingying, your sister is already getting married, and you’re only a few months younger than her. Do you still not have a partner? Girls don’t need to focus so much on their careers. You’re already very good. You can find a partner, and the two of you can work hard together in the future .”
Grandma Xu, hearing her husband’s words, leaned in, eager to hear her granddaughter’s response. This girl had once been so brazen, chasing Dong Zhiqing all around the village , bringing shame upon the entire Xu family. But now, she wasn’t dating anyone, and everyone was worried again for her marriage .
Xu Jingjing, a notorious blabbermouth, almost blurted out something about Huo Chen at thispoint . Xu Ying quickly tugged at her, silencing her. She wanted Huo Chen to come to her house and formally announce their relationship when she was ready. She didn’t want her family to suddenly discover it and be caught off guard.
“Grandpa, Grandma, I’d like to toast you both,” Xu Ying declared, raising her glass in an attempt to divert the topic . “Your granddaughter has done many things wrong before. Please forgive me. In this new year, I wish you all that your dreams will come true, good health, and a long life.” She finished her toast, a silent farewell to her past self.
Grandpa Xu and Grandma Xu immediately raised their glasses, filled not with wine but with tea. Smiles also lit up their faces as they looked at Xu Ying, their hearts brimming with joy.