Chapter Sixteen: Winning Over Miss Xiaoyu

Chen’s mother’s words left the uncle and niece dumbfounded, both utterly confused. What on earth was going on? But before they could recover, Chen Liang scooped Chen Hong off his shoulders, excitement lighting up his face. “Mom, is what you just said true? Really? Could you say it again?”

Taking Chen Hong in her arms, Chen’s mother shot Chen Liang a glare. “Hurry up and get yourself ready! I’m taking you to Teacher Xiaoyu’s house for a matchmaking meeting! Move it!” Look at her efficiency! The matter was only brought up yesterday, and today they were already going to meet. Truly, a mother’s determination.

“Yes, yes! I’ll go right now!” Chen Liang rushed back inside to freshen up—which really just meant wiping his face with a towel and dabbing a bit of his sister-in-law’s cold cream on his cheeks. That was his idea of preparation.

Then, like a loyal puppy, he circled around his mother, waiting eagerly. Chen’s mother gave her well-groomed son a once-over and nodded in satisfaction. The power of love was indeed formidable—it could even get her son to use cold cream! Truly impressive.

Chen Erlengzi, who had always steered clear of such things, scoffed inwardly. “What kind of man puts on something that smells so sweet?” Sensing that her status in the family might be dropping another notch, Chen Hong’s spirits sank. Oh, what a tumultuous fate is mine!

But when Chen Liang slipped her two White Rabbit candies on the sly, all her little upsets were quickly flung to the faraway land of Gibberish. On the way to Teacher Xiaoyu’s house, Chen’s mother gave them a brief rundown of the family situation.

Of course, Teacher Xiaoyu’s surname wasn’t actually Xiao. Her full name was Zhao Yusheng, because, apparently, it rained on the day she was born. Such a blunt way to name a child! Still, it could be worse—at least it didn’t hail that day, or she might have ended up named Zhao Hailstone, which surely would have scared Chen Liang away.

She had an older brother who was already married, and a younger brother and sister, making for a simple family. Just like the Chens, her father and brother both worked at the Red Star Steel Mill.

But Chen Liang wasn’t at all concerned about things like work. With the supermarket at his back, he’d never have to worry about food or money in this lifetime. In fact, if he dared, he could cross the border a few times, and with all that space in the supermarket, he could easily make more money than most people would see in their lives.

He couldn’t help but wonder if Teacher Xiaoyu’s younger sister also had that exotic air about her. If so, should he be a beast or aspire to be a legendary lover? Ah, such philosophical quandaries! Life offers no easy answers.

However, once he arrived at Teacher Xiaoyu’s home and caught sight of a tiny bean sprout of a girl, he put those thoughts aside. Forget the younger sister—Teacher Xiaoyu was the one for him. What did he need with a sister-in-law anyway? Shame on you, scoundrel!

“Oh my, you must be Master Chen’s wife? Please, come in, come in!” The future mother-in-law was exceedingly warm and welcoming.

And why wouldn’t she be? Zhao’s mother had lost count of how many nights she’d fretted over her eldest daughter’s marriage. Her own mother had been half Western, and while this didn’t affect Zhao’s mother much, it had made itself known in the next generation. Zhao Yusheng had inherited her grandmother’s Western features in full—much to her mother’s worry.

There was no denying it: Teacher Xiaoyu was strikingly beautiful, especially with her exotic looks. No man could see her without wanting to marry her. Yet, when it came to actually proposing, every would-be suitor lost their nerve; she was simply too dazzling.

Just that morning, when Zhao’s mother was about to head to work, a well-known local matchmaker—who happened to be a distant relative—came calling, saying someone wanted to propose. The Zhao family was overjoyed, as though they’d hit the lottery. The youngest daughter was too young, the eldest son was already married, and the only one left was the daughter who had cost her mother so many sleepless nights.

Upon inquiry, they discovered it was the second son of Chen Dashan! That was no small matter. Who was Chen Dashan? An indispensable eighth-level worker at the factory, and his eldest son, Chen Jian, was the youngest fifth-level worker in the whole old city—soon to be an eighth-level worker himself.

A family with two eighth-level workers could pick from any number of brides, yet they had chosen her daughter. What did that say? That her daughter was exceptional—the only reason she’d remained unmarried was that others simply lacked the vision to see it.

As soon as they entered, Chen Hong darted straight into Teacher Xiaoyu’s arms. “Teacher Xiaoyu, is my second uncle going to marry you?”

Chen Hong’s eagerness to play matchmaker wasn’t entirely her own idea—her second uncle’s theft of her apple earlier had given her quite a scare. Besides, she reasoned, if Teacher Xiaoyu became her aunt, with the affection she had for Chen Hong, wouldn’t her rise to “big sister” status in the kindergarten be just around the corner?

Not to mention, with her uncle’s obvious fondness for Teacher Xiaoyu, wouldn’t there be an endless supply of snacks if she stuck close to her new aunt?

As long as she whispered the right words to her aunt at the right time, her uncle would never dare bully her again! Did they think she was only aiming for the first floor? Please—she was reaching for the stratosphere.

Chen Hong’s words made everyone in the room feel awkward. Chen Liang, however, shot her a look of approval—well done, Xiaohong. Your uncle’s affection for you hasn’t been wasted.

She returned his gaze with pride—just wait and see! Today, she’d make sure to help him win over Teacher Xiaoyu.

“You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about?” Chen’s mother said, clearly embarrassed.

“It’s all right, it’s all right. Perhaps… we should let the two of them have a chat alone?” Zhao’s mother, regaining her composure quickly, seized the opportunity. Desperate to marry off her daughter, she gave Teacher Xiaoyu a meaningful look—today, she had to get this engagement settled!

Looking at her shy daughter, Zhao’s mother wished she could just shove her into the room herself. In the end, Teacher Xiaoyu did go with Chen Liang into the small adjoining room.

Once inside, the two of them sat facing each other. Chen Liang looked at the bashful Teacher Xiaoyu, who dared not speak, and couldn’t help but feel amused. Who would believe it? She was such a sweet, naive girl, yet had the face of a legendary queen. Life truly is unpredictable—like a sausage within a sausage.

“Ahem, ahem.” Clearing his throat, Chen Liang introduced himself seriously, then realized that being too formal might not be the best approach after all. “Comrade Zhao Yusheng, when I picked up Chen Hong yesterday, I fell for you at first sight. Would you like to be my girlfriend?”

“Ah? But we’ve only met once… isn’t this too fast?” Teacher Xiaoyu blushed bright red, mustering her courage to reply.