Grandma had originally come from the same village as Lan Shuixian’s grandma, and they got along quite well when they were young. However, after Grandma’s two sons passed away one after another, her relationship with Grandma Narcissus gradually changed.
She had given birth to four sons, and the eldest and the second had of course gotten married, but the third and the fourth were still unmarried.
The third son had almost secured a girl, but for some unknown reason, that family refused to marry their daughter to him.
Grandma was convinced that Grandma Narcissus had sabotaged the marriage, all to ensure that her third son couldn’t find a wife.
After all, all her four sons were alive and well, while Xiaojiao had lost both her sons.
Yes, her eldest had been promising, reportedly feeding off the government’s payroll with a high salary, and Xiaojiao also basked in glory for a few years because of him.
But that didn’t last long; an explosion at her eldest son’s workplace killed both him and his wife, leaving Shui Xian as their only daughter.
In recent years, her second son and his wife died in an accident too, leaving her, an old lady, with three children to care for.
Thinking of this, she looked at Grandma Narcissus with a hint of contempt in her voice, "Xiaojiao, it’s not nice to say that we’ve known each other for almost a lifetime. And look at you, running off to spread rumors to the girl’s family about how horrible my third son is. Well now, the girl refuses to marry him, and the bride my third son had in hand ran off. Now, we have no choice but to take Shui Xian instead."
Since Xiaojiao’s family was well-off when she was a child, she began foot-binding from birth. Because of her bound feet, everyone called her Xiaojiao Woman.
"I didn’t, what do I have to do with messing with your family’s matrimonial affairs, Lianhua? We have been good for half a lifetime, don’t you know my character?" Xiaojiao, feeling helpless, listened to the other party’s words.
"I don’t care about that. Someone saw you talking to the mother of the girl, and after you talked to her, the girl backed out the next day. If that isn’t you sabotaging from within, then what is? You’ve cost me a daughter-in-law for my third son; you owe me one. Today, no matter what, Shui Xian is going home with me to get the marriage certificate with my third son."
"Xiaojiao, I don’t even look down on your family’s lack of fortune, to say nothing of having you, a good-for-nothing old lady, and a pair of mouths to feed at home. Taking Shui Xian as a wife is our loss, okay? Bringing her into our family means occasionally having to take care of you as well. Tell me that isn’t a loss." If not for the fact that her third son truly couldn’t find a wife, she wouldn’t have thought of taking Shui Xian for him.
Poor, they were just too poor.
And to top it off, they had three mouths to feed.
"I won’t marry," said Lan Shuixian, supporting her grandma, giving a glance at the few people present. "Grandma Lianhua, I’ve inquired. The girl’s family called off the engagement because your third son got drunk and beat them up. Before marriage, he dares to beat; after marriage, it would only get worse."
The two families had some connection; it wasn’t as if no one knew each other’s situation.
And that third son of their family, known for indulging in food, drinking, women, and gambling, was infamous for his bad temper when drunk—either smashing things or beating people.
Such a man would scare any woman who heard about him.
"Bullshit, it’s clearly your family who can’t stand to see me do well, deliberately ruining my third son’s reputation in front of others. My third son is good in every way; how could he possibly hit people? I came here today and I will not leave empty-handed. Either you find a bride for my third son, or you marry into my house yourself. I don’t mind taking the loss," she said.
In any case, she had to have a resolution today, or the matter wouldn’t end.
"Lianhua, don’t be unreasonable. Your third son has a bad temper, and now you’re forcing the marriage onto us, is that it? If you dare take Shui Xian today, I swear I’ll die right in front of you. Just try it."
If her two sons were still alive, not just Lianhua but any outsider would have to treat her with some respect.
Ever since she lost her sons, these people started to bully the four of them.
"Xiaojiao, you’re in the wrong to begin with. You destroyed my third son’s marriage, and I can’t go to their house to make a fuss, so I can only come here for an explanation." Lianhua turned to her sons, "Eldest, keep an eye on the old lady, and make sure she doesn’t do anything foolish. Second, go to their house and find where they keep the household registration book. Take the book, and have the third bring Shui Xian to get the certificate."
After pausing, she sighed lightly, "Shui Xian, rest assured about marrying my third, I will watch him closely for you, to keep him from acting out. I’ve watched you grow up since you were a child; I know you better than anyone else." She finished, her eyes shining as she looked at Xiaofeng, "Shui Xian, this must be your friend, quite a handsome one. She probably isn’t married yet, right? Why don’t you talk to her and have her marry into our family with you."