"Mom, who said that girls must get married?" Xu Nianhua pouted, having seen many women lose their confidence after marriage, gradually worn down by life, living very miserable days.
She didn’t want to get married at all. Just like in her previous life, she wanted to live alone and then, when she was capable, continue to help those in need, earn more money, and provide her parents with a big house, living happier days than anyone else.
Ji Ying smiled and said no more, thinking that the girl had not yet met someone she liked. If she ever met someone she liked, she would no longer hold these current thoughts.
As dawn broke, Dazhu Village had suddenly become lively.
After Yao Feng and Cai Gen returned home, arriving late naturally led their family elders to question what had happened.
They knew nothing until they asked, which gave them a shock.
The mothers of Cai Gen and Yao Feng couldn’t believe the truth when they learned it. They were aware of the recent rumors but thought that Ji Ying’s family was struggling and marrying the son of the brick factory owner was a good match.
However, when Cai Gen and Yao Feng talked about the son of the brick factory owner, their mothers realized that this was not a marriage; it was selling a girl into a fire pit!
Over thirty, having lost two wives, and now in a new era, regardless of the notion of ’wife-cursing’, just the fact that Yue Hongliang beat his wives when drunk says no one who cares even slightly for a girl would dare send her to such a household!
Let alone the Xu Qinghe family who adored their daughter.
When Cai Gen’s mother and Yao Feng’s mother knew the truth, they immediately went out to find Ji Ying. Along the way, they met many people and spoke of the marriage, a matter of great curiosity, so naturally, others followed them.
When they arrived at the Xu family, Ji Ying was cooking noodles, curious about the crowd that included Cai Gen’s mother, wondering what the matter was. When she understood their intentions, Ji Ying immediately made her stance clear, saying, "Sister-in-law Cai, Sister-in-law Yao, we have not promised any marital arrangements, and as for that Yue family, I don’t even recognize them."
"We knew nothing about this marriage," Ji Ying added, her eyes reddening as she thought about it. They had already moved into an old house, so why wouldn’t they leave her family alone?
"But Xu Qinghu has been coming to your house these days, claiming that you were discussing the marriage," asked Cai Gen’s mother, looking at Ji Ying.
It was precisely because Xu Qinghu had been coming over so often, each time happily talking about the marriage. One time, as Ji Ying saw Xu Qinghe out the door, the two were laughing and chatting, which made everyone believe the rumors.
Now at Ji Ying’s, it seemed not to be the case at all.
"Absolutely not," Ji Ying swore, saying, "Qing Lake has come over several times, but he never mentioned the Yue family or marriage. I was actually puzzled, wondering how she, who wouldn’t visit more than twice a year, had suddenly started to come by so frequently."
Ji Ying, thinking about this, gritted her teeth in anger. She knew something was off. It turned out they had dug a huge pit, intending to push her daughter into it!
"Sister-in-law, you clearly agreed to it, you can’t go back on your word now!" Xu Qinghu arrived just in time to hear Ji Ying’s words. While wiping her tears, she said, "Sister-in-law, haven’t these past few days been about discussing the marriage with you?"
"Xu Qinghu, don’t talk nonsense," Ji Ying, seeing Xu Qinghu arrive, stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and demanded, "What exactly is the deal with the Yue family? When did we ever agree to marry Nianhua to them?"