Cough, cough, cough...
After a thunderous bout of coughing, Shuzhen, who had been cherished by her two brothers all her life, rarely received a slightly reproachful look from her eldest brother.
Shuzhen, who was busy pouring water and patting his back, lowered her head, her voice carrying a hint of breathlessness: "I’m sorry, eldest brother, I asked too abruptly and scared you."
Liu Shouren frowned helplessly: "Is that the main issue? The main issue is that you shouldn’t say everything without thinking, you know. In this day and age, a girl’s reputation is a critical matter! If your words spread outside and cause trouble for Yinghong’s marriage, whether Uncle Wu and Yinghong will hold you responsible is one thing, but first of all, your own conscience won’t be clear, right!
Be cautious with your words and actions, especially in these times and under these circumstances. Weren’t you the one who repeated this advice to your second brother and me? How could you forget it yourself?
"Besides I think my wife is quite right, she considered it thoroughly. Not to mention that Wu Yinghong yesterday almost couldn’t stop talking about you, eldest brother, her voice was soft enough to drip water, and her eyes and brows carried a hint of affection. Clearly, she has feelings for you and is planning to approach you through Shuzhen, using an indirect approach.
Let’s talk about our house here, you, me, Shuzhen, and Second Aunt, there’s not a single person who doesn’t know discretion. Eldest brother, your concern about this spreading outside is simply unfounded!" Ever since his wife joked about saving the galaxy in a past life to be blessed with such good brothers in this one, Lianshan couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. Especially since his eldest brother didn’t even realize his good fortune and was nitpicking words that clearly showed care from his wife.
Criticizing his precious wife in front of him, Lianshan thought if he could tolerate even this, what was the point of being known as B University’s most wife-doting alum?
So he retorted decisively with reason and logic.
What about the eldest brother?
A married daughter is like spilled water, and even when the father-in-law is still alive, it’s not suitable to criticize his precious wife so brazenly in front of him!
On such a significant matter as whether the employer’s niece and her husband could still confide sincerely with him, Second Aunt, who was only holding the baby and watching quietly, couldn’t remain calm either. She quickly nodded earnestly behind Lianshan: "Yes, that’s exactly the point! Although I, an older woman, usually enjoy hearing this and that about families, I would never let our family’s matters slip through my teeth.
Having been under the same roof for over two years, Shuzhen and Lianshan know best how I am!"
Also, as Lianshan said, that female educated youth was looking at you differently yesterday, obviously interested in you. Look at you, not getting any younger. If there’s no one else in your heart, why not consider that girl? Finding someone who genuinely cares for you is better than desperately trying to please someone who may not appreciate it."
Teased by his sister, scolded by his brother-in-law, and then lectured by Second Aunt, Liu Shouren was at a complete loss, his whole body filled with embarrassment.
With his face turning red, he patiently explained to Second Aunt that he never meant to say she couldn’t keep her mouth shut, just that with the current tense situation, being cautious couldn’t go wrong. He had no immediate plans to marry, and naturally didn’t want to risk implicating a girl’s reputation.
Before he could finish his sentence, Second Aunt looked at him with wide eyes full of amazement: "No plans to marry? Aren’t you already over thirty? Guys your age have kids old enough to buy soy sauce, and you’re still not in a hurry! If there’s someone suitable, hurry up and find one. To live a life, you need an understanding wife and a couple of smart kids to feel fulfilled."
You can’t just avoid walking altogether because you once fell into a muddy pit, can you?"
"Of course not, listening to elders’ advice is crucial. Eldest brother, you must pay attention, because avoiding marriage out of fear of past experiences is not right! Besides, your delay in getting married does not bring peace to our parents’ souls in heaven, do they? Our uncle also wishes for you to have a son to carry on the family line!" Seizing every opportunity is Shuzhen’s forte. Seeing each sentence from Second Aunt hitting the mark, she quickly rallied support, hoping to break through her eldest brother’s solid defenses.
Why not consider Yinghong from Uncle Wu’s family? As long as they come from a good family, are intellectually and emotionally intelligent, and can live sincerely and warmly with my brother, any girl will do!
Having been cherished in her eldest brother’s hands for two lifetimes, Shuzhen wishes more than anyone that her brother can step out of past shadows soon and find a kindred spirit to live a happy life.
Of course, Lianshan hopes for it too, day and night.
It’s not that the brother-in-law and brother-in-law relationship is that deep, mainly if the eldest brother gets married and has his own family, the wife wouldn’t have to worry constantly.
The eldest brother-in-law wouldn’t be so much in his wife’s mind, reduced to a relationship with some gift exchanges during holidays, like the second brother-in-law.
Now that shoes, clothes are made, and items are bought, there’s always an equal share for him as the husband with the eldest brother-in-law, which is incredibly annoying.
Just for the sake of monopolizing the wife’s attention, Lianshan was quite willing to play matchmaker for the eldest brother, helping him win the beauty’s heart early.
So in the time following, Lianshan, who usually was reserved with anyone other than Shuzhen, fully displayed his eloquence. He praised Liu Shouren and Wu Yinghong as a match made in heaven, convincing Liu Shouren, who initially planned to chat more with his sister to reconsider. Using the excuse that he had urgent matters in the team, he quickly bade farewell, looking very much as if he was fleeing the scene.
Amused, Shuzhen couldn’t help but wonder why her husband suddenly took an interest in being a matchmaker.
Upon getting his reply, dripping with jealousy, Shuzhen burst into hearty laughter: "Lucky you? Meeting me means you must have destroyed the entire galaxy in a previous life! I am your destiny through and through, unbreakable, inescapable, with no returns or exchanges."
"Nonsense, don’t slander my wife. If that’s the case, wouldn’t everyone in this lifetime be scrambling to commit crimes just to have such a good wife like you in the next?" Lianshan put on a serious face, for everything about his wife was perfect, and he would never allow any defamation. Even if the one speaking ’ill’ was herself, it was still not allowed!