Chapter 26: I Consent to This Marriage

The smile on her face nearly slipped, and she had to grit her back teeth to hold it together.

“So, how could I ever set you up, right? This time, I really combed through every possibility to find you the very best opportunity. Look at you, you’re not that young anymore, no schooling, no job, not even a worthwhile skill. If you rely solely on yourself, your future will be spent bent over the fields, your face toward the earth. A girl’s youth is too short; while you’re still young, finding a good husband is what truly matters, don’t you think?”

Wan Shun raised her brows. She’d been reborn, and still couldn’t escape this fate? Marriage? To whom?

She looked quite interested, waiting for Wan Yu to go on.

Wan Yu’s heart leapt with joy. “You don’t know, but I found you a family with only one son, both parents healthy, and the household is well off. They’ve built a two-story house, keep ten pigs, own ten acres of land, and their annual income reaches tens of thousands. If you marry in, you’ll live a life of ease.”

Yu Yan listened with her brows knitted tightly. She usually dared not speak, but Wan Shun was still so young; matchmaking seemed far too early.

“Wan Yu, Shun is still a child, you…”

Wan Yu shot her a cold look. “I don’t think you should speak. You know your own station and situation; your presence only harms Wan Shun. If I were you, and really cared for her as you claim, I’d get as far away as possible.”

Yu Yan’s face drained of color, and she slumped into the cart, shattered.

Wan Shun’s eyes turned cold, though her lips curled into a smile.

“Oh, I know the man you’re talking about. He’s quite something, all right. His parents are healthy—over sixty and still undefeated in the village, a notorious troublemaker in the region. If the family lacks anything, they just go steal from neighbors’ fields; even if caught red-handed, they’ll roll about on the ground and deny it.

They do have only one son, around forty or fifty, whose three previous wives all died—rumor says the three of them together wore each to death. He has six grown daughters, the eldest over thirty, married with children, about my age.

Oh, and the ten pigs, ten acres, and annual income—they’re all real, earned through the hard toil of those three wives. As for the two-story house, that too was bought with the lives of their daughters-in-law.

Now the family needs something else; perhaps my life can buy it for them. And just to be clear, I’d be marrying the son whose wives died, not the sixty-year-old father, right? I hear the old woman is still alive—unethical to interfere in someone else’s marriage; I’m not about to follow in your footsteps.

But if you like older men, nothing’s stopping you. We could drive the old lady out, you can take her place, and we’ll resume our mother-daughter act. What a fine arrangement.”

Wan Yu’s face flushed crimson, speechless for a long time.

The villagers looked on, stunned. Such conditions, and Wan Yu could call it a great opportunity—truly a first.

Wan Shun’s suggestion was so outrageous it’d take a decade in an asylum to think it up.

Yu Yan, already depressed, was driven to the edge.

“Wan Yu, aren’t you afraid of retribution for doing something so heartless? Shun is only sixteen. If you’d really found her a good match when she’s old enough, I’d not protest. But what are you sending her to? A pit of fire, a den of wolves. This is murder—your malice knows no bounds. If it’s such a great thing, why don’t you marry there yourself?”

Wan Shun restrained the agitated Yu Yan, afraid she’d reopen her wounds.

Wan Yu, face stiff, tried to recover. “Shun, you misunderstood, I didn’t…”

Wan Shun tutted. “No misunderstanding. There’s only one man in Jiangdong Province meeting your description. Isn’t his name Ma Kai? Looks like a winter melon grown sentient, his face as if run over by a cart, big-headed, scabby, with body odor, bad breath, and foot odor—all three in one.

He not only beats his wives but also gambles, fights, and is prone to fits. He has epilepsy. Hard to imagine so many flaws in one person—perhaps he destroyed the world in a past life.”

A burst of laughter escaped Widow Sun, spraying spit on the person beside her, earning a glare.

Laughter rippled through the crowd, impossible to suppress. Wan Yu, teeth clenched in fury, turned to leave.

Wan Shun quickly called out, “Don’t go, foster sister! I think this marriage proposal is quite good.”

Yu Yan stared at Wan Shun in disbelief, wanting to feel her forehead.

Wan Yu was equally shocked, doubting her own ears.

The villagers looked at Wan Shun as if she’d lost her mind—truly mad.

Wan Shun grinned carelessly. “The previous wives died quickly because they were unlucky. I’m different. After so many years weathering the Wan family’s torment, I’m still alive—surely I can outlast the Ma family! Once they’re dead, the pigs, land, house, and savings will all be mine. Just the thought is delightful.

Oh, and foster sister, whatever gifts the Ma family gives you—bride price, rewards—you can’t keep them all to yourself. We’ll split them, don’t forget.

Set the wedding date as you like, just let me know. As for the banquet, that’s up to you, I have no opinion. But you must inform the Ma family: I’m not yet of age and can’t legally marry, so don’t accuse us of fraud and try to return me. I’m not like you—I’m faithful to the end, never involved in affairs.

And I can’t be divorced. Only widowed.”

Everyone…

Wan Shun hopped on her motorcycle and strolled back to the Jiang family at the foot of the mountain. Good, the shabby hut was still standing.

Behind her, the crowd was left in a speechless daze.

Even Wan Yu was now hesitant. This was a rotten deal she simply couldn’t push through.

All the way home, she mulled over how to handle this mess.

Halfway there, she ran into Wang Zheng, dressed up like a peacock.

In the past, she would have gone to him eagerly. But after seeing real city folk, Wang Zheng seemed to lack that special something.

Still, with nothing settled with Chen San, she couldn’t cut things off with Wang Zheng either.

She adjusted her expression, walking over with a sweet smile.

Wang Zheng, seeing the transformed Wan Yu, felt his throat tighten. This was the kind of woman he deserved—the village girls couldn’t compare.

“Xiaoyu, you’re getting prettier every day.”

Wan Yu covered her mouth, laughing softly. “Brother Wang Zheng, you love to tease.”

She playfully punched him in the chest, and the two flirted openly.

Li Meimei trailed after Wang Zheng. Since his scandal with Wan Yu broke, she’d watched him like a hawk—either tailing him or keeping him at home.

She’d been delighted when Wan Yu was taken away.

But today she heard Wan Yu was back, dressed to the nines, and had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Wang Zheng had dressed up and sneaked out to meet this wretch.

She seethed with hatred, wanting to tear Wan Yu apart.

“Wang Zheng, what do you think you’re doing?” He flinched, a mix of disgust and fear.

“Meimei, what are you doing here?”

Li Meimei glared at them. “What do you think I’m doing here?”

He gave a forced laugh. “I couldn’t say.”

Wan Yu had no fear of Li Meimei. She even sidled up to Wang Zheng in front of her. “Sister-in-law, not selling pork today? Why not let Wang Tian out for a stroll? The boy’s always cooped up studying—he’ll go silly at this rate. I heard he came first again in the last exams? Remarkable. Such a bright child is sure to have a brilliant future. But you know, a single blemish can ruin everything, no matter how good the grades. Don’t you agree?”

Without waiting for Li Meimei’s face to turn any darker, she sashayed off with Wang Zheng.

Li Meimei trembled with rage. That wretch dared to use her son as a threat.