Xiaonian followed He Ximei to work in the fields, and Xiaoyan naturally joined them.
Looking at the robust green vegetables in the field, Xiaonian laughed with her teeth showing, "The countryside really is the best. You can grow whatever vegetables you want. I’ll talk to my parents about finding a place with land after they retire. They can farm when bored and tend to some vegetables for fun."
"You’re just finding it novel," He Ximei laughed softly upon hearing her words, "Kids will be kids, thinking so simply. Ask anyone in our village who actually wants to stay and farm, everyone’s dreaming of living the good life in the city."
"What’s so great about the city?" Xiaonian pouted, "I find the countryside more fun. No wonder Grandpa Gu preferred to live in the countryside and didn’t want to go back. I’d like to live here for a few years before returning too."
Each person pursues different things in life.
"You’re only saying that because you’re not the one suffering," said Xiaoyan, not taking Xiaonian’s words seriously. "Since we live in the city, we find rural life intriguing. If you were raised here, you’d likely yearn for city life too."
Xiaonian was blunt and straightforward, saying whatever crossed her mind.
"Xiaoyan is right, if you lived here all year round, you’d think differently. You have seen so little, that’s why you think farming life is good," said He Ximei as she picked some green beans and placed them in a basket.
Xiaonian also helped to pick them. To her, farming was much more interesting than studying.
A matchmaker spotted He Ximei working in the fields and walked over.
"Fatty, come here, I want to tell you something."
He Ximei handed the basket to Xiaonian and washed her hands by the creek, "Is there news?"
The matchmaker smiled, "Yes, the other party has agreed to meet. Let me tell you, the girl is not only pretty but also a hard worker. Of course, Pengzi from your family isn’t a bad catch either. If they agree to each other, this deal is as good as done."
"Where will the meeting be? I’ll let Pengzi know so he can get ready," He Ximei, having seen the other party, knew the person was decent-looking and, more importantly, of good character.
Now, it all depended on whether Pengzi was interested in the match. If he agreed and the other party had no objections, the marriage was almost certain.
"Their family said there’s no need to go anywhere fancy, just come over to their house. How about tomorrow? Your family can come over tomorrow. Whether they agree or not, let the young people talk it out first," the matchmaker suggested.
"Sure, I’ll prepare on this end and make sure to come early tomorrow," He Ximei confirmed.
The matchmaker mentioned a few more things and, looking at the pair of good-looking young ones in the field, joked, "Where did you find such good-looking kids? They’re clearly from the big city."
"These two are Xiaofeng’s brother and sister, her own kin," He Ximei laughed. "Xiaofeng came back to stay for a few days, and they came to visit as well."
"Your Xiaofeng is really lucky," everyone for miles around was envious when it came to Xiaofeng.
Su Xiaofeng was a laughingstock over a year ago, getting pregnant before marriage and being the subject of countless whispers behind her back.
Yet, in such a short time, she became a boss on her own accord, and most significantly, had quite a distinguished status as the daughter of a wealthier household. The key point being, even though she had children out of wedlock, she married into a good family.
"It’s all thanks to her own abilities," He Ximei said with a smile, "Without her own skills, she wouldn’t have made it this far."
"Indeed, and we hear that Dr. Ye’s family background isn’t too shabby either."
"Almost on par with Xiaofeng’s own." He Ximei wasn’t entirely clear on how prestigious the two families were, but from Pengzi’s perspective, it seemed pretty significant.
It was said that Ye Cheng’s father often appeared on TV, which suggested his status was quite important.
"That’s wonderful," the matchmaker thought of the sizable red envelope she might receive if this match were to succeed given the current circumstances, "Your household is getting better and better. Remember to prepare well for tomorrow. If this works out, your family is in for another joyous event. If not, don’t worry—we can find another match."
If this had been in the past, Su Peng would have been considered a simpleton with a family of modest means. Under those circumstances, which family would want their daughter to marry in? But things were different now; the family was prosperous, they owned a factory, Pengzi was tall and handsome, and he had grown sharper. Now, Pengzi was considered an eligible bachelor, a young man with prospects, which made discussing marriage a lot easier.