Yue Qingqing was startled, as she had just finished her last year of junior high school and this was the first time someone had asked her such a question.
"No, I’m just starting high school," Yue Qingqing didn’t accept the apple and smiled, but her smile was tinged with detachment.
Li Banlian, however, acted as if she hadn’t noticed, "Your generation is different. Back in our days, most of us started considering marriage at around this age, even if we didn’t believe in it, we’d get engaged first and then develop the feelings, just in time to get married when we’re of age."
Yue Xiaohu had a feeling that something was off and, after being kicked in the shin by Yue Xingxing, whispered, "What’s Auntie implying? She’s not thinking of setting up cousin... "
That couldn’t be, everyone in the village knew what kind of person Wang Biao was, who had dropped out of school as soon as he finished junior high, and had spent years idly and in disreputable activities, with no proper livelihood.
For this, Auntie had approached Mother several times, intending to push cousin into Uncle’s company.
Mother had tactfully refused each time, saying it was inappropriate to ask since they had split the family assets.
Because of this, Auntie had spread some cold words around the village, like forgetting one’s roots once they’re well-off, which Mother chose to ignore.
After a while, Auntie would come back all warm and friendly again, as if nothing had ever happened.
Only then did Yue Xiaohu realize why his sister had kicked him.
He regretted it in his heart, hating his own thoughtlessness.
Sure enough, Li Banlian was pitching her own son, "My son is also eighteen this year, a perfect match in age, how does that saying go, ’adding kin on top of kin,’ right?"
Yue Qingqing smiled and said, "Right now, my mind is all on my studies, I haven’t thought about these things yet."
After speaking, she looked towards Xingxing, "I wonder if Auntie’s meal is ready."
Yue Xingxing quickly responded, "It must be ready, let’s go home quickly or the dishes will get cold."
Seeing Yue Qingqing about to leave, Li Banlian stubbornly stepped forward to grab her arm.
"This is a big matter, if you wait until later to think about it, it might be too late! Once you come around to it, someone else might have taken the chance, if not, we can just get engaged first, feelings can be cultivated slowly anyway."
Li Banlian was strong, and as Yue Qingqing was wearing thin clothes in the summer, a red mark appeared on her arm from the tug.
Yue Xingxing couldn’t stand it anymore, "Auntie, this isn’t like buying vegetables at the market, there’s no such thing as leftovers, and besides, Qingqing hasn’t even met cousin yet, you can’t force this transaction."
Li Banlian gave Yue Xingxing a veiled glare, "Your cousin is also quite the catch, many girls in the village want to marry him; I mainly like Qingqing, though."
Yue Qingqing furrowed her brow, pulling her arm away, but paused for a moment in an instant.
She discreetly tugged at Yue Xingxing.
Yue Xingxing’s anger was nearly uncontrollable, and she was on the verge of starting an argument.
With a gentle pull, she followed Yue Qingqing’s gaze.
Her pupils contracted instantly.
On Li Banlian’s wrist was a gold bracelet, beautifully engraved with lucky cloud patterns, which came into view as she pulled at Yue Qingqing’s arm.
Yue Xingxing saw it clearly; that bracelet was definitely the one Mother had given to Grandma during the New Year.
How did it end up on Li Banlian’s wrist?
Recalling that, she didn’t engage in further conversation with Li Banlian, "Auntie, it’s time for dinner, and Qingqing has come back after such a long time, we can’t have her eating cold food; let’s talk about these things later."
As the kids walked away, Li Banlian raised her voice and called out.
"How long is Qingqing staying in Daye Village this time? Why not let Biaozi take you out for a spin tomorrow? Our village has opened a video hall, and many young couples rent videos to watch there."
Yue Qingqing pretended not to hear and walked away even faster.
Li Banlian watched their retreating figures and scowled.
"Girls these days, they get too wild from studying, don’t even understand the most basic manners."