Chapter 339: 109: Teach the scum a lesson, be the matchmaker_6
Zhou Xiaolian took a sip of water and sat face-to-face with Ni Yang at the dining table, feeling less nervous. Then she continued, “I’ve heard that your mother divorced, is she currently single?”
Ni Yang’s expression changed slightly. Worried that Ni Yang might misunderstand something, Zhou Xiaolian hurriedly added, “Yangyang, don’t worry, I don’t mean anything else. I just think it’s a pity for your young mother to remain single. Society has changed now, and there are many women who remarry.”
“Auntie, what are you implying?”
Zhou Xiaolian took another big gulp of water, “Yangyang, let me be straight with you. I have a single man in my family, my cousin. His wife passed away due to complications during childbirth. He has been alone for so many years since then, so I was thinking…”
Then it dawned on Ni Yang what Zhou Xiaolian was there for.
Zhou Xiaolian was proposing a marriage match for her mother, Ni Cuihua.
As she concluded, Zhou Xiaolian continued: “Yangyang, you’re a sensible child, you wouldn’t mind if your mother found a new partner, right? In fact, finding a new partner is a great idea. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an extra person who cares about you in the future? My cousin is a handsome man with good character, currently the manager of a state-owned restaurant. If they were to get married, he would certainly treat you and your little sister as his own daughters.”
Zhou Xiaolian had seen Ni Cuihua in person once before.
Despite having two children, Ni Cuihua still maintained her beautiful looks and youthful charm. She was extremely pretty.
Even though the Ni family’s status was not high and they were self-employed, the two shops run by Ni Yang were profitable! If Ni Cuihua married her brother in the future, all these would become the Zhou family’s assets.
Therefore, Ni Cuihua was just about a suitable match for her brother.
Her brother, not only handsome, also worked at a state-owned enterprise, so many fine young ladies want to marry him! It was Ni Cuihua’s luck that he took interest in her!
Ni Yang replied, “Auntie Zhou, this matter isn’t up to me, it depends on what my mother thinks.”
Zhou Xiaolian laughed, “Just as long as you aren’t opposed to your mother finding a partner, then I can rest assured. How about you choose a date for my cousin to meet your mother? Just a harmless meeting, whatever happens after doesn’t matter and wouldn’t affect anything.”
Ni Yang replied, “Auntie, I need to discuss this matter with my mother when I get home. If she agrees, then I have no objections.”
“Very good, very good,” Zhou Xiaolian stood up laughing, “That’s settled then, Yangyang, when you get home, you must discuss it with your mother. It’s not easy for a woman with two children to be out there on her own. Without a man to make decisions, you will get bullied in the village! Once your mother and my brother’s matter is settled, you can move from the countryside to my brother’s townhouse in the city. At that point, we’ll all be family! According to our relationship, you should call me aunt!”
Evidently, Zhou Xiaolian was becoming happy prematurely, before anything was settled.
Because she thought, it is Ni Cuihua who would be marrying up by marrying her brother. After all, Ni Cuihua lacks education and carries two burdens, whereas her brother not only completed junior high school but is also a manager. Only a fool would refuse such an offer!
Everything Zhou Xiaolian said carried a sense of superiority, which made Ni Yang feel uncomfortable.
Even before Ni Cuihua married into their family, Zhou Xiaolian was already behaving like this. If the marriage happens, life wouldn’t likely be any easier.
Not only was Ni Yang not opposed to Ni Cuihua finding a new partner, she wished for her mother’s happiness above all else.
An ideal marriage is built on mutual respect. Clearly, Zhou Xiaolian’s brother could not offer this kind of respect.
Ni Yang frowned unnoticeably, “Auntie, you’ve been overthinking this, the people in our village are all very kind and united, and they take good care of our family. No one in the village will bully us.”
Zhou Xiaolian warned earnestly, “Yangyang, you need to be cautious then. Those who don’t have a relationship with you but treat you guys so well must be after something!”
Out of the blue, they could be treating Ni Yang and her mother so nicely?
After all, Ni Yang’s noodle restaurant and milk tea shop have made a lot of money.
Ni Yang responded matter-of-factly, “Thank you for your concern, auntie, but I am capable of discerning right from wrong.”
Unhappy at the response, Zhou Xiaolian felt somewhat annoyed.
She believed Ni Yang was being ungrateful.
Ni Yang had this kind of attitude when she was trying to help her in good faith.
If it were not for the money that will soon be owned by her brother, she would not bother to give advice.
Forget it!
Why should she bother about a junior’s matters?
Perhaps it was unintentional from Ni Yang.
With an unchanged smile on her face, Zhou Xiaolian continued, “Yangyang, then let’s leave it at that. Do remember to tell your mother when you go home. I will head back now.”
Ni Yang stood up to see her out, “Goodbye, auntie.”
After leaving the noodle restaurant, Ni Yang made a trip to the vegetable market.
“Sister.”
This time, Ni Yang met the little flower girl from half a month ago again.
No noticeable changes in the little girl after half a month, even her clothes remained unchanged. Her face was dirty, but her big eyes were still sparkling clear.
“Sister, are you going to buy flowers today?”
Ni Yang squatted down to be at the girl’s height, “Little sister, how old are you this year?”
“Twelve.” Qian Zhaodi replied.
Twelve.
For some reason, Ni Yang suddenly remembered her abandoned fourth sister.
If the fourth sister was still around, she would be twelve this year too.
Ni Yang asked, “Where are your parents?”
Qian Zhaodi responded, “They are at home.”
“Do you have any sisters or brothers?”
Qian Zhaodi shook her head, “No sisters, just one younger brother.”
Ni Yang asked again, “Does your brother sell flowers too?”
“No.” Qian Zhaodi continued to shake her head, “My parents both love my brother a lot. They often hit me, if I don’t sell these flowers, they might kill me. Sister, please buy one, please…”
Looking at Qian Zhaodi, Ni Yang suddenly felt like crying. She felt a pang in her nose.
It’s because she relates too well to the powerless feeling of being born into a family that favors sons over daughters.
In her previous life, and this life’s sisters, they have all suffered from this bias.
“How many flowers do you have left? I’ll buy them all.”
“Really?” Qian Zhaodi’s eyes lit up.
“Yes.”
Qian Zhaodi continued, “Sister, I’ve got 30 flowers left.”
Ni Yang took out five yuan and handed it to Qian Zhaodi, “Here’s five yuan, no need to give me any change. From now on, you can wait for me here every night.”
“So Sister, you will buy my flowers every night?”
Ni Yang nodded, then asked, “What happened to your face?”
Qian Zhaodi replied nonchalantly, “My brother poured boiling water on it.”