On the sixth day of the first lunar month, it was Luo Cuilan’s wedding day.
Because the banquet held by the Zhang family was forced by the Luo family, naturally, the dishes served were nothing special, just the simplest arrangements to get by.
At that time, the banquet dishes were generally more exquisite, usually involving large bowls of meat dishes to be served; however, the Zhang family’s banquet did not feature any meat. The dishes on the table were filled with green vegetables and were watery, making them unappetizing to look at.
At that moment, many relatives from the Luo family who attended the banquet almost caused a commotion, but were suppressed by Luo Zhiyong. Luo Zhiyong and his group were prepared as they knew the Zhang family wouldn’t be enthusiastic in hosting the banquet.
But what could be done? Luo Cuilan was determined to marry. If things blew up, it would also affect Luo Cuilan’s future ability to integrate into the family, so they just let it pass as long as it was bearable on the surface.
Therefore, a day that should have been joyful was utterly lackluster at the Zhang’s, and the Luo family just casually ate at the banquet and returned home.
Back home, Zhou Yunmei was so angry that her face turned pale, constantly muttering complaints about Luo Cuilan and criticizing how stingy the Zhang family was.
While she was ranting, someone knocked on the door, and soon they saw Xu He’s mother, Duan Fenghua, walking in.
Duan Fenghua had also been invited to the wedding banquet and knew what Zhou Yunmei was complaining about. She walked in swaying her hips, intentionally consoling Zhou Yunmei, "Sister-in-law, let it be. It’s good that she’s married off. The Zhang family has always been like that. I came here today actually to share another piece of good news with you."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yunmei’s expression softened a bit, and asked Duan Fenghua, "What good news?"
Duan Fenghua glanced around the courtyard, slightly pursed her lips, and then whispered, "There’s a fine young man in my maternal home’s yard; I’m thinking of introducing him to Hong Lan. Would you like to go see him?"
The moment Duan Fenghua spoke, Fang Pingying observed Fang Xiu’s expression relax a bit, it seemed Fang Xiu, despite constantly saying she trusts Xu He, was still worried inside, and must have been afraid Duan Fenghua was going to talk about her.
Fang Pingying shook her head, thinking if Fang Xiu continues this way, how long and enduring her life will be.
But hearing Duan Fenghua’s mention of introducing someone to Luo Honglan, Fang Pingying couldn’t help but focus on this matter, watching how Zhou Yunmei would respond.
However, Luo Honglan was not willing. Upon hearing Duan Fenghua, she said, "Mom, I don’t want to meet anyone right now."
After saying this, she went into her room.
Zhou Yunmei, however, was quite pleased and immediately pulled Duan Fenghua to sit down in the courtyard, smiling and saying to her, "Don’t mind her, the little girl is just shy."
After speaking, she quietly asked Duan Fenghua, "The young man you mentioned, where is he from, what is he like, what does his family do?"
Duan Fenghua smiled and said, "His family is quite alright; the young man is skilled with his hands, a master bricklayer, and earns a lot of money working outside all year round."
Upon hearing this, Fang Pingying’s heart cooled down a bit.
Because Duan Fenghua mentioned that the person’s characteristics and craftsmanship were exactly the same as Luo Honglan’s husband from her past life.
Indeed, the next moment, Duan Fenghua said the person’s name, "The boy is called Li Shunsheng, twenty years old this year, comes from a well-to-do family. They’ve built a large tiled house just last year, having two sons and several rooms. If Hong Lan marries there, she doesn’t even need to build a house and can enjoy a life of ease."
"That sounds quite good actually." Zhou Yunmei, upon hearing these conditions, was quite satisfied, "Maybe we should arrange for someone to come and have a look tomorrow."
Upon hearing them swiftly moving on to discussing marriage arrangements, Fang Pingying immediately pulled Luo Zhiyong inside.
Once inside, she instructed Luo Zhiyong, "If tomorrow they seriously consider this match for Hong Lan, remember you must not agree, no matter how good Li Shunsheng may seem on the surface, do not agree to this marriage."
"Why not? Aunt Fenghua was saying the conditions are pretty good," Luo Zhiyong, who had also heard outside, looked somewhat perplexed at Fang Pingying, "Hong Lan will also be seventeen after the New Year, it’s time to find someone. If he is really good, it wouldn’t be bad."
Fang Pingying didn’t know how to explain to him, so she just found a random excuse, "Haven’t we always agreed to find someone from your military unit for Hong Lan? It’s always best to find someone who serves in the military."
Upon hearing this, Luo Zhiyong proudly smiled, wrapping his arms around Fang Pingying and whispering to her, "Wife, do you really like us military men so much that you insist on marrying Hong Lan into the military as well?"
Fang Pingying’s face turned red, and she slapped him lightly, "Stop talking nonsense, I think it’s good for Hong Lan to marry into the military."
"I discussed it with my parents, and they didn’t quite agree," Luo Zhiyong sighed after hearing this, "They think that even though working in the military is fine now, it’s not necessarily a lifetime job. If one must return home later, marrying too far away, they worry about Hong Lan being alone and bullied by her in-laws. It’s better to find someone locally, at least they can look after her in the future."
"Why have your parents suddenly changed their minds? Didn’t they always think highly of those working in the military as officers?" Fang Pingying was getting anxious, "Do they think you’re the only officer in the military and everyone else is just a low-ranking soldier who can’t be promoted?"
"Let’s drop it, if they really disagree, let’s not bring it up again. Finding someone locally is also fine, as we wouldn’t be too far from home. If she is ever bullied by her in-laws, the family can still look after her," Luo Zhiyong explained, giving her an example, "Like in the case of Cuilan, isn’t it the family that steps in to protect her when she’s in trouble?"
After saying this, Luo Zhiyong looked at her skeptically, unclear why she was so opposed to Luo Honglan’s marriage.
Seeing how Luo Zhiyong looked at her, Fang Pingying had no choice but to step back, "If we really have to find someone locally, we can, but we have to choose carefully, not hastily arrange the marriage. And we need to look after Hong Lan, we can’t have another incident like Cuilan’s."
Luo Zhiyong nodded, "I know, we’re just saying to have a look tomorrow, we might not necessarily like him."
Seeing Luo Zhiyong so insistent, Fang Pingying couldn’t say more, since if she continued to object, Luo Zhiyong would definitely keep asking why, and if she couldn’t give a good reason, the outcome would still be the same.
She then thought, regardless of whether they liked him or not, as they couldn’t stay at home for many more days. She would take Luo Honglan with her, and no matter what, they wouldn’t end up together.
Speaking of Li Shunsheng, actually, he started out as a decent and diligent man who treated his family and Luo Honglan well. However, since Luo Honglan gave birth to two daughters and then was forcibly sterilized by the government, he felt like he had no hope of having a son, and thus started behaving badly outside.
Eventually, he even brought home an indecent woman and had a child with her.
Luo Honglan was fundamentally an honest person in her past life, always feeling like failing to bear a son was letting her in-laws down, allowing Li Shunsheng to continue his ways. However, over time, Li Shunsheng did not spare her from daily abuse and with added pressure from her in-laws, Luo Honglan fell ill at a young age and passed away before sixty.
In this life, Fang Pingying was determined never to let her marry this scoundrel. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with a recommendation or monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)