Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Liu Fang’s trips to Qi Jing Village weren’t wasted, as she finally discovered where her second sister and niece were staying in Shang Du. Upon hearing they were renting a place, Liu Fang felt relieved. She had heard that Xia Xiaolan had a suitor, and she’d worried that Xia Xiaolan had taken Liu Fen to marry into another family. It was good they hadn’t married yet – if it weren’t for this potential marriage arrangement, she wouldn’t have been so eager to reconnect with her divorced sister and niece.

It would be untrue to say Liu Fang hadn’t thought about helping her divorced second sister, but in her view, introducing Xia Xiaolan to this marriage prospect was already helping both mother and daughter. After marriage, they wouldn’t need to worry about food or clothing. After all, what more could a village girl without education, whose parents were divorced and whose reputation wasn’t great, hope for in marriage?

If Xia Xiaolan weren’t her niece, how could such a good opportunity have fallen to her?

“It’s good that we’ve found them. Though this matter is urgent and we’ve waited a while, a few more days won’t hurt. First, find out how they’re living in Shang Du,” Liang Bing’an discussed seriously with his wife.

The reason Liu Yong and Liu Fen had gone to Shang Du without a word was precisely because Liu Fang had been too hasty. If she were to barge in again and say the wrong things, Liang Bing’an suspected the matter would be completely ruined. Though Liu Yong and Liu Fen were poor, they had never asked the Liang family for anything. Liu Fang held a significant position in the Liang household for three reasons: first, she was beautiful in her youth and Liang Bing’an had willingly married her; second, she had borne him a son and daughter; and third, her family never caused trouble.

Not causing Liang Bing’an problems might mean being poor, but it was better than being both poor and shameless.

Of course, while Liang Bing’an didn’t dislike the Liu family, he didn’t particularly like them either. Marriage connections should be advantageous, offering mutual support and assistance. In his youth, he’d believed in self-reliance when he married Liu Fang despite their social disparity, even though her family couldn’t help at all. Only in middle age did he realize that while personal ability was important, having helpful in-laws could have taken him much further.

The Liu family was simply too poor, not only lacking means but also being outsiders. Liu Yong had married a widow, and the Li family were also farmers. Liu Fen had married a farmer too. Liu Fang was already the most successful of the Liu family – what help could they possibly offer?

Fortunately, while the previous generation fell short, there was hope in the children’s generation. After seeing Xia Xiaolan, Liang Bing’an became particularly confident. Xia Xiaolan was exceptionally beautiful, with looks that easily captured men’s hearts. Those with weak willpower might find themselves unable to walk away from her presence. For those who appreciated beauty, Xia Xiaolan’s appearance was like a sharp weapon, capable of cutting through all obstacles to secure a good marriage.

This marriage would benefit Liang Bing’an. As the matchmaker, the credit would be his. Moreover, if Xia Xiaolan didn’t marry, the other party’s preferred choice was Liang Huan. Liang Bing’an was unwilling to give up the benefits they offered, yet he didn’t want Liang Huan to marry… Liang Huan was his daughter, who could marry someone even better in the future. As for Xia Xiaolan, though beautiful, she had been unfortunate enough to be born a farmer’s daughter to Xia Dajun. This marriage prospect was the best outcome possible for her.

Liang Bing’an’s desire to arrange this marriage was intense, and he had already hinted about Xia Xiaolan’s existence to the other party. He spent a full hour explaining everything to Liu Fang, making sure she understood completely. After sharing a bed for over a decade, how could Liang Bing’an not know his wife’s capabilities?

This matter had to be handled by Liu Fang – it wouldn’t look right for a grown man to be constantly involved with his divorced sister-in-law! As an uncle, he couldn’t frequently have “heart-to-heart talks” with his young and beautiful niece either.

Liang Bing’an explained their family’s situation: if this marriage didn’t work out, he would remain stuck in his current position. Either Liang Huan would have to drop out of school and marry, or Xia Xiaolan would need to marry.

“That’s how things stand. Mind your attitude – only you could manage to make people resent you while doing them a favor. In all my years, I’ve never met anyone quite like you!” said Liang Bing’an.

Liu Fang felt embarrassed by her husband’s words. She knew he was speaking the truth.

Having learned her second sister’s address in Shang Du, Liu Fang wanted to visit. It had taken almost two months to find Liu Fen’s whereabouts, and Liu Fang sensed her second sister seemed different from before. Perhaps she had truly made money in Shang Du, or maybe pride was at play, as she genuinely seemed uninterested in the 4,000 yuan Liu Fang had offered. Since money couldn’t move Liu Fen, Liu Fang would have to appeal to emotion instead.

When Liang Huan learned her mother was going to Shang Du, she insisted on going too.

“What do you mean, go? You have school! Liang Huan, let me tell you – we might indulge you in other things, but with school, you can’t be half-hearted. If you don’t get into university in a couple of years, see how your father deals with you!”

Liang Bing’an cared deeply about face. When Liang Huan hadn’t gotten into technical school after junior high, he had lost face and told others she would attend high school and aim for university instead. Privately, he had pulled strings to get her extra tutoring, and Liang Huan’s high school performance wasn’t bad.

Liu Fang thought her daughter was clever, but getting into university wouldn’t be easy. In their country, any family with a child in university had reason to be proud. If Liang Huan could become a university student, her future would be set in gold.

She refused to let Liang Huan go to Shang Du firstly because of school, and secondly because Liang Huan had a sharp tongue – what if she got into another argument with Xia Xiaolan? Liu Fang decided to go to Shang Du alone first to assess the situation.

Liang Huan pouted, “It’s always about studying. Can’t we talk about anything else? Fine, I won’t go, but I heard from my classmates that there’s a clothing store in Shang Du with really beautiful clothes. Mom, bring plenty of money and buy me a couple of pieces if you see anything nice!”

Liang Huan shook Liu Fang’s arm, and Liu Fang couldn’t resist her daughter’s request.

“Alright, I’ll buy some. Where’s this store?”

“It’s next to the Shang Du Department Store, called Lan Feng Huang.”

Liu Fang made a mental note. Though the Liang family lived in the county, Liu Fang visited the provincial capital’s department store annually. Marriage to Liang Bing’an versus marriage to Xia Dajun led the Liu sisters to vastly different lives.

She told Liang Huan to quickly drink her milk and do her homework, while she pondered what to bring for Liu Fen.

After searching around the house, she found untouched New Year’s snacks that others had given them, supposedly brought from Beijing, packaged in paper bags that looked elegant and high-end. She also had two barely worn clothes that she’d bought but didn’t quite like.

All her clothes were good quality and wouldn’t embarrass her second sister to wear. However, her sister-in-law Li Fengmei was heavier than her, so Liu Fang’s old clothes probably wouldn’t fit. In the end, she decided to bring two jin of meat from her eldest brother’s home – nobody would fault someone for bringing meat when visiting relatives, and two jin of meat would be presentable anywhere.

During the New Year’s reunion dinner, though the Liu family’s meal had been good, Liu Fang still believed her eldest brother was putting on airs. To maintain face in front of the villagers, they would probably have to tighten their belts and live frugally for quite a while after the New Year.

The next day, Liu Fang followed the address to Grandmother Yu’s house. Naturally, Liu Fen wasn’t home waiting – Grandmother Yu’s unwelcoming face was too intimidating. When she sternly asked Liu Fang whom she was looking for, Liu Fang was reminded of when Liang Bing’an first brought her to the Liang family, and his grandmother had worn the same expression!