The older women nodded in agreement, their voices full of caution:
“Exactly! You two are the most popular young men in the village right now. Who knows how many families are itching to introduce their daughters to you? If you’re not careful, old lady Lin might really latch onto you!”
“Don’t feel sorry for Lin Xiaocao, either. That girl is cunning. You don’t even need old lady Lin to make trouble—she could figure out a way to cling to you herself.”
“She’s stolen firewood from lots of kids who’ve gone to the mountains to gather it, always denying it unless she was caught red-handed. And even then, she’d only admit to the one time she was caught. Kids aren’t stupid. It’s not possible for all of them to falsely accuse her, is it?”
“Lin Xiaocao loves hanging out with the village kids in the mountains, tricking them into giving her mushrooms and wild fruits they find. If they refuse, she threatens and bullies them. Poor Heidan’s had the worst of it—every time he gathers firewood, she snatches some for herself. She’s lazy as can be, but she’s mastered the art of crying and playing the victim.”
Hearing this, Gao Le and Zhao Su immediately lost any desire to intervene, no matter how pitiful Lin Xiaocao’s cries sounded from the Lin family yard. Helping her? Maybe. Risking being tied to her? Absolutely not!
What’s worse, the older women seemed to shift seamlessly into matchmaking mode.
“Gao Zhiqing, Zhao Zhiqing, if you’re interested, I have a granddaughter about your age. How about I introduce her to you?”
“My grandniece is just as good! She might be a village girl, but apart from being a little tan, she’s got a pretty face. And let me tell you, she’s a hard worker, wide-hipped, and excellent for childbearing. I’m only recommending her because I like you two!”
Gao Le and Zhao Su glanced helplessly at Song Wei, silently pleading: Save us, sister!
But Song Wei wasn’t about to help. She even took a step back, knowing all too well that overly enthusiastic matchmakers could turn on anyone nearby.
And she was right. Soon, one of the older women turned to her:
“Song Zhiqing, I know a fine young man…”
Song Wei sighed inwardly. She knew this was coming.
Feigning innocence, she coughed and said, “Oh, I don’t think so, Auntie. You see, I’m very particular. With my looks, I’ve developed high standards. Any man I like has to be tall—at least 1.8 meters. He should have an eight-pack, lots of strength, and the ability to take a punch. If we ever argue and I lose my temper…”
She paused, giving a shy smile before casually snapping a corn cob into several pieces with her bare hands.
“…well, what if I punch him? His nose might get crooked, or he could lose a tooth. That wouldn’t be good, right?”
The older women fell silent, their enthusiasm for matchmaking disappearing instantly.
“Why is Lin Lao’er taking so long to get here?” one muttered, quickly changing the subject.
As for matchmaking Song Wei? Best to leave that alone. Sure, they could probably find a young man in the village who met her physical criteria. But someone who could handle her strength and temper? That was a tall order. Besides, what if she got mad and started hitting them too? No thanks.
Meanwhile, Gao Le and Zhao Su sat wide-eyed, marveling at her quick thinking. You can refuse like that? Genius!
Back in the Lin family yard, the situation was escalating.
“Lin Youcai is home? I thought he was out playing since he didn’t show up when Lin Xiaocao was screaming her head off,” one woman remarked.
Indeed, Lin Youcai finally stumbled out of the house, groggy from sleep. His ability to sleep through Lin Xiaocao’s shrill cries was nothing short of miraculous.
The boy blinked in confusion at the chaotic scene before him. It wasn’t until Lin Xiaocao shouted, “Brother, come help me! Grandpa and Grandma are bullying us again!” that he snapped to attention.
Her words hit their mark. Lin Youcai, spoiled and quick-tempered, instantly remembered the times he’d been mistreated. Fueled by anger, he charged straight into the fray and rammed into old lady Lin, sending her sprawling to the ground.
Old lady Lin, already injured, was momentarily stunned by the impact. She sat on the ground moaning, her vision swimming.
“Lin Youcai, are you crazy? That’s your grandmother!” screeched Deng Chunhua, rushing to push him away.
Right at that moment, Lin Lao’er and his wife walked in, witnessing their son being shoved.
From her perch, Song Wei couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, if that isn’t perfect timing.”
Lin Lao’er’s wife wasted no time charging at Deng Chunhua, yanking her hair and shouting, “How dare you touch my son? I’ll fight you for this!”
“Are you insane?!” Deng Chunhua cried, clutching her head in pain.
Lin Lao’er scooped up his son, glaring at everyone.
Lin Xiaocao, who had been watching with a mix of glee and bitterness, felt a pang of jealousy. Her parents barely noticed her battered state, focusing entirely on her brother.
“Everyone, stop this nonsense!” old lady Lin shouted, her voice trembling as she tried to restore order.
“Someone go get a doctor! I’m in pain—I can’t take this anymore!”
Deng Chunhua seized the opportunity to shift blame:
“It’s not my fault. Lin Youcai pushed his grandmother first! Look at what he did to her!”
Both women were disheveled, their faces scratched and their clothes in disarray.
Lin Lao’er, still under his mother’s thumb, sighed and ran off to fetch the doctor.
In the meantime, old lady didn’t let up her verbal tirade, now directed at Lin Lao’er’s wife.
“Look at the children you’ve raised! A shameless daughter who seduces men and a disrespectful son who shoves his grandmother. I must’ve been blind to let my son marry someone like you!”
Lin Lao’er’s wife held her son protectively, biting back her tears. “You’ve always favored Lin Youfu over Lin Youcai. Why do you treat them so differently? Aren’t both of them your grandchildren?”
From their spot on the loft, Song Wei and the others watched the chaos below unfold.
“Looks like things are finally getting interesting,” she muttered, popping another peanut into her mouth.
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