In modern-day, especially in some villages, the requested bride price might be alarmingly high. As for the people in the city, having a house and car had become a minimum requirement for marriage. Some women even required that the other party didn’t have any parents or siblings. It would be more peaceful if they could live alone as a couple and without in-laws.
Li Man had thoughtful considered all of these factors.
However, once she had finished speaking, everyone was dumbstruck, even Li Mo’s expression looked strange.
Li Man suddenly thought this situation was a bit strange too. Could it be that in a peasant family, women weren’t allowed to meddle in family matters?
“Let’s talk about this later.” Li Mo had tightened his grip on his bowl and chopsticks. After a pause, he added, “Actually, second brother truly only sees Mudan as a younger sister.”
“Younger sister?” Li Man didn’t quite believe him.
However, Li Mo had already lowered his head to eat. It was obvious that he didn’t want to continue this discussion.
Li Man could only shut up. She wanted to help, but she was powerless. Li Yan’s happiness would have to depend on his own fate.
It was very difficult for Li Mo to finish eating this meal. It was because Li Man’s words had made it very clear that she had no clue.
He suddenly thought it was wrong to keep hiding the truth from this girl that was wholeheartedly considering the needs of his family. He had to find the time to clearly explain the truth to her.
No matter what the result was, even if she wanted to leave this family, he would accept it.
—
Once lunch was over, Li Mo went over to the eastern hut to check on Li Yan. It was only a short while, but when he returned to the kitchen, he only saw Li Hua washing the bowls. Li Man had disappeared. He ran over to the western hut to look. She wasn’t there. He looked for her in the backyard too. Not there either. When he asked Little Five, Little Five also said that he hadn’t seen her.
Feeling anxious, Li Mo quickly went out to look for her.
—
As for Li Man, she was right outside of Li family’s house, in a corner by the dirt wall. Mudan had grabbed her hand and was crying nonstop.
Li Man had just put down her bowl and chopsticks and was about go back to her room when she saw Mudan sneakily standing by the entrance and looking around. When she saw Li Man, she waved at her, so Li Man went over to her.
Mudan seemed as if she had seen her savior. She grabbed her hand and led her over to a nook outside that wouldn’t be easily noticed by other people. She only glanced at Li Man before her tears started to fall again. Her eyes were already swollen red from excessive crying.
Li Man couldn’t bear to see this sight. She gently persuaded, “Don’t cry anymore. Look, your eyes are already so swollen. Why did you come looking for me? Just say it, if I can help you, I definitely will.”
“Thank you.” Mudan wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Her voice was choked with emotion as she said, “I knew you were a good person. Otherwise, Li Yan wouldn’t…” As she said this, she raised her eyebrows to look at Li Man again. Then, she tightly clutched both of Li Man’s hands. In a flash, her emotions got worked up again. “Older sister, I truly like Li Yan. Please be merciful. Can you please give him to me? I… I’ve like since we were kids. I can’t bear to live without him.”
“Wait -” Li Man was thrown into confusion by her words. “Did I mishear you? You want me to give you Li Yan?”