"Big brother." Ji Ying suddenly wore a serious face, even sitting up straight, and said, "Zhou He's willing to wait, but what about the Zhou Family?"
The Zhou Family?
Xu Nianji thought of the Zhou Family and couldn't help but furrow his brows.
"If the Zhou Family doesn't want to wait, and wants to marry off Zhou He to someone else, what should we do?" Ji Ying wasn't just talking nonsense—it was something that really happened in her previous life!
Zhou He was willing to wait for big brother, but the Zhou Family didn't want her to wait. It happened that a widower in the county, nearly forty years old, took a liking to Zhou He and offered three hundred yuan, wanting to marry her.
Zhou He, of course, didn't want to, but the Zhou Family, for the sake of those three hundred yuan, were all for it.
Zhou He would rather die than submit, but unfortunately…
The Zhou Family was determined to marry her off to that widower. They even wanted to force things along. Zhou He, who had a fiery temper, chose death to keep her innocence.
This hit big brother really hard too.
Zhou He cared deeply for big brother; this sister-in-law who never got to marry in, Ji Ying naturally didn't want the same tragedy to happen again.
"I'll go to the Zhou Family tomorrow."
Xu Nianji was anxious when he thought about the two hundred yuan bride price. There was no money at home. Even if he wanted to marry, with what?
"Big brother, don't worry. Maybe I'm just overthinking it." Ji Ying was afraid her words were too heavy.
"Since the two families are already engaged, there's no reason to go back on it. Even if they wanted to, it's impossible they wouldn't tell us," Xu Nian'an comforted his big brother.
Xu Nianji forced a smile, thinking he had to work harder.
"Big brother, tomorrow we'll figure out a way to earn money, make sure Zhou He can marry in as soon as possible."
Ji Ying's words were rewarded with a flick to the head.
Ji Ying held her knocked forehead and pouted in protest, "I'll tell on you. You don't really want to marry Zhou He soon."
"You girl." Xu Nianji's dark face flushed a little.
"Haha~"
Ji Ying looked like she discovered a new continent and said, "Big brother, you're blushing."
"Really?"
Xu Nian'an leaned in too.
The three siblings joked and laughed, their laughter carrying far.
Xu Qinghe and Ji Ying had just picked up the house certificate from Village Chief Zhou, and from afar, they could hear the laughter of the three siblings.
"Life is a bit tough right now, but it'll get better." Ji Ying, having left the Xu Family, felt relaxed all over. From now on, no matter how much or how little they earned, it would belong to their own family.
"Mm."
Xu Qinghe made a sound of agreement, his gaze distant as he looked toward the house lit only by candlelight. Thinking of what he'd heard, his heart felt even colder.
Back then, when Zhihao got married, it was all "Uncle this, Uncle that," calling him affectionately. But now, with Zhihao about to inherit his father-in-law's position and make big money, ready to become a city person, does he now find their family beneath him?
*
Xu Qinghe left early to go work. Ji Ying stayed home to tidy up. Xu Nianji also headed to the county early in the morning.
Originally, he meant to go to the Zhou Family, but with the family being so poor, Xu Nianji thought it was better not to go empty-handed.
Xu Nianji swallowed his longing and went straight to the county brick factory.
"Where are you going?" Xu Nian'an, having finished spreading out the rice to dry, saw Ji Ying in long sleeves and pants. She didn't look like someone planning to stay at home.
"Second brother, I'm going to the back mountain."
"What are you going to the back mountain for?"
Xu Nian'an thought of the lake behind the mountain and was still a bit scared!
"To earn money."
Ji Ying replied matter-of-factly, "Second brother, if you live by the mountain, you make a living off the mountain. We have to think of ways to earn money, right?"