Li Fengmei was thoroughly annoyed with Liu Fang.

She and Liang Huan both looked down on everyone – who couldn’t spare 4,000 yuan these days?

“Blue Phoenix” had booming sales before New Year’s, earning 4,000 yuan in just two days. If Xiaolan and her mother wanted to build a house now, they had enough – Xiaolan had received a dividend of 12,000 yuan. Li Fengmei herself got 8,000 yuan. This money could be used if not needed for stock, and what kind of house couldn’t be built with 20,000 yuan?

Liu Fang didn’t get along with her sister-in-law either.

She didn’t want to beat around the bush anymore – this visit home had brought nothing but frustration.

Better to finish everything quickly and head home with Huan Huan. When Liang Huan heard they were giving 4,000 yuan to Second Aunt and her cousin with no repayment needed, if not for her father’s earlier anger, she would’ve complained long ago. Even now, her lips were pursed high enough to hang an oil bottle!

“Second Sister, listen to me. Besides the money and job arrangement, I want to match-make for Xiaolan! The man’s family is extremely well-off, with high standards for their daughter-in-law. The man himself likes beautiful girls, and his family doesn’t care about the bride’s background or household registration. Once Xiaolan marries in, with their conditions, she’ll have endless blessings. Getting a comfortable job would be easy, her household registration would be solved, and in a few years after having children, she could even bring you to live in the city! Such a perfect match is hard to find even with a lantern. If only Huan Huan weren’t too young… Anyway, Xiaolan definitely won’t go wrong marrying into that family!”

Liu Fang’s face showed pride.

So that was it!

Everything unreasonable finally had an explanation.

Liang Bing’an hadn’t wanted to reveal their purpose so quickly – he’d preferred to visit a few more times and bring it up naturally.

But now that it was out, even he felt the man’s family conditions were beyond reproach.

Marrying a city dweller didn’t automatically convert rural household registration. Converting from rural to urban registration required waiting for opportunities – it was even harder than finding work, with countless people queuing for chances.

Moreover, they didn’t mind the bride’s parents being divorced, and once Xiaolan had children, they’d agreed to let Liu Fen live with them.

Such conditions were truly rare.

If not for seeing today’s Xiaolan in Qijing Village, Liang Bing’an wouldn’t have been sure the man’s family would accept her. But now, he was relieved – this niece he hadn’t seen in years had indeed grown beautiful, no wonder she’d caused trouble in the Xia family. Liang Bing’an offered money and personally came to match-make, setting aside his official dignity, because the man’s family was prominent in Hedong County… The Liang family was far inferior, and whether Liang Bing’an could advance in his career depended on their word.

Li Fengmei found it strange – was Liu Fang genuinely here to do good?

Liu Fang lowered her voice to persuade her second sister, “Besides, Xiaolan’s reputation… Hedong County is far, we can keep it hidden.”

Liu Fen reacted as if stung by a bee:

“What reputation? Xiaolan is pure and clean – you’re her aunt, how can you spread such rumors!”

Liu Fen used to think similarly, wanting to find matches from far away for Xiaolan. But times had changed – Zhang Erlai was sentenced, and those rumors gradually dispersed, changing Liu Fen’s perspective.

Liu Fang’s “I know everything, don’t hide it” expression made Liu Fen very uncomfortable.

She couldn’t help adding, “Besides, Xiaolan already has someone – why look for matches?”

Liu Fen shook her head vigorously – she’d almost forgotten about Zhou Cheng!

Liu Fang immediately bristled: “You just said it wasn’t Xiaolan’s engagement feast. I saw that Chen boy blushing and staring at Xiaolan during dinner. Second Sister, don’t be foolish. Xiaolan is so beautiful – instead of marrying into the city to enjoy a good life, you want her to marry the Chen boy and farm in the countryside?”

Liu Fang wasn’t afraid of Chen Wangda – a mere village chief. Though his family was well-off by rural standards, how could they compare to city folk?

Xia Xiaolan had watched this show long enough. Her aunt’s family seemed tired of performing, and she didn’t want Liu Fang troubling her mother anymore, so she stepped in: “I’m not engaged, but I do have someone. I’m quite happy with him and have no plans to change partners. Thank you for your concern, Aunt. Perhaps you should discuss with the man’s family – Cousin Huan Huan is so excellent, if they wait two years, she could marry in… Wouldn’t that be perfect for everyone?”

Sixteen and eighteen were just two years apart.

Neither was old enough for a marriage certificate anyway. Since Liu Fang described the man’s family as heaven-sent, he better leave such good fortune to Liang Huan.

Liang Huan stomped her foot, “I’ll never marry that-“

“Liang Huan!”

Liang Bing’an sharply cut off Liang Huan, but Xia Xiaolan caught the hint.

Liang Huan hadn’t said “won’t marry” but “won’t marry him.” Liang Huan knew who Liu Fang was match-making for. Despite such good conditions, they wouldn’t let Liang Huan marry him – who knew what flaws the man had?

Surprisingly, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t too angry.

Mostly because she had no emotional connection with Liu Fang.

Liu Fang had no feelings for her niece either. From her perspective, she was saving a niece with a tainted reputation and helping her divorced second sister out of hardship. The man’s flaws didn’t matter given his conditions – without flaws, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t even qualify.

Of course, while helping her divorced sister and saving her niece, Liu Fang’s family might benefit from this marriage – probably the real reason she eagerly brought her husband and children home for New Year’s.

Xia Xiaolan smiled at Liu Fang, “Aunt, I appreciate your kindness, but we don’t need money, and my mother won’t sell me for 4,000 yuan.”

“Child, how can you talk like that!”

As Liu Fang started to shout, Liu Yong finally exploded, “I thought you’d changed, but you come back on New Year’s making everyone unhappy. Leave early – my small temple can’t accommodate such a grand Buddha!”

Liu Yong pushed Liu Fang toward the door while she kicked and hit him.

“Liu Yong, you bastard, don’t ever come begging to me!”

“Don’t worry, even if I have to beg with my wife, I’ll make sure to avoid your door!”

Liang Bing’an still felt it was a pity, but today’s matter was ruined. He kept his words open-ended:

“Second Sister, Xiaolan, think it over. If you change your minds, send word…”

Liang Bing’an calmly walked out – he truly had presence.

Liang Yu and Taotao were still playing wildly with village children when his mother suddenly announced they were leaving. Liang Yu was reluctant. Li Fengmei ran out and gave red envelopes to both Liang Huan and Liang Yu.

Despite adult conflicts, the children hadn’t visited in years. No matter how badly Liu Yong and Liu Fang fought as siblings, Liang Huan and Liang Yu were still nieces and nephews. Li Fengmei had to maintain these courtesies.

Liang Bing’an had driven his work unit’s car, parked at the village entrance.

Once in the car, Liu Fang was still panting. Liang Bing’an scolded both troublesome mother and daughter. Liang Huan remained defiant until Liang Bing’an sneered: “If your Cousin Xiaolan won’t marry him, you’ll have to marry him yourself. Liang Huan, you’re already sixteen – hasn’t your father taught you what’s appropriate to say in different situations?”

Liang Huan was speechless.

Liu Fang hugged her daughter, “Your father’s just scaring you. Mom would never let you marry him.”

Liang Yu was still young and stayed out of his parents’ and sister’s affairs. He opened Li Fengmei’s red envelope:

“Wow, Uncle is rich – he gave me five New Year’s money bills!”