Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 20 - Rejection

But at this moment, a matchmaker came to say that Director Huang, a man renowned for his understanding and reason, had taken a liking to your daughter! Zhang Minghua, who was feeling depressed from the quarrel with her sisters-in-law in the morning, immediately perked up at this news.

She stealthily gave her husband a reassuring look, then had her eldest daughter-in-law pour a cup of sweet water for Aunt Li, the matchmaker, and asked enthusiastically about Huang Jianxin's situation.

"You've come all this way, please have some water—don't mind that it's just plain water. As it happens, the woman who's about to marry into our family also has the surname Li. Hearing you talk makes me feel a touch of kinship. And I won't beat around the bush with you. How old is Director Huang? Who else is in his family? How long has he been working? ..."

Aunt Li took a sip of the sweet water, looking rather proud. As she spoke, the wrinkles on her face seemed to dance with excitement, "He's 28, with only one younger brother at home, as his sisters are married. His father is the head of the public security bureau, and he has been working at the Cooperative Society for five or six years now... He was married once before, but that was a stroke of bad luck—his wife passed away during childbirth... Over the years, his family hasn't stopped looking out for him. He has high standards, and many girls from decent government jobs haven't caught his eye, but today he's taken a shine to your girl..."

Zhang Minghua, who had been listening with a never-ending smile on her face, saw her smile fade abruptly when she heard that the man had been married before.

Even Yang Dahai frowned, inadvertently tapping his tobacco pipe against the edge of the kang bed-stove and coughing lightly to interrupt Aunt Li's words, "Aunt Li, you know best about your own daughter, and ours has been raised delicately. Marrying and becoming a mother right away isn't something she's ready for. Let's put it this way, please relay to Mr. Huang that we aren't considering this proposal. Thanks for making the trip."

Aunt Li hadn't expected Yang Dahai to refuse. She widened her eyes and gestured with her hands, the motion conveying the rarity of such an opportunity, "You should think this through, brother. He has a secure job. The groom's side promises that if she marries him, your daughter could also secure a job. It wouldn't just be a blessing for her, but her brothers would benefit too, wouldn't they? You don't have to respond right now. Think it over, and a reply in a few days would do."

"It was kind of you to visit, but as I've already said, it's difficult to be a stepmother, and our daughter won't consider it."

Aunt Li's expression soured. Before coming here, she had been certain of success. With this match's conditions, how could a country girl not leap at the chance?

"I'll say it straight, miss this village, and you won't find this shop again. If you end up regretting it later, don't blame me for not warning you."

"I understand, I understand. Aunt, you're a mother too, and you must be familiar with a mother's feelings. The conditions are indeed good, beyond what we'd normally dare hope for, but as you know, being a stepmother always comes with issues and never ends well, especially since we have no leverage. I understand you're doing someone a favor, and we won't have you come for nothing. Here's a red envelope for your trouble. We still have two more daughters, so we might need your help in the future." Zhang Minghua took over the conversation from Aunt Li, sincerely sharing her concerns, and instructed Jiang Erni to prepare a red envelope for her.

Aunt Li sighed, stood up, and patted Zhang Minghua's hand, "I'll report back as is. Everyone has their own fate. I hope the man's side will understand too. I won't disturb you any further..."

Finally having seen Aunt Li out, Zhang Minghua sat on the edge of the kang and let out a long sigh.

Jiang Erni dared not speak and quietly tidied up the tea sets used for entertaining the guest.

Yang PeiMin, who had overheard a word or two from outside, entered the room as soon as the visitor left, "Dad, Mom, you didn't agree to her, did you?" Although she knew they hadn't agreed, she wanted to express her refusal as well.

Zhang Minghua pulled her onto the kang to sit down, "Of course not. The conditions might be good, but how could I bear to let you become someone else's stepmother? You're still a child yourself."

Yang PeiMin, touched, hugged Zhang Minghua, "Thank you, Mom."

Yang Dahai cleared his throat.

Understanding, Yang PeiMin looked up at him, smiling, "And thank you, Dad."

Yang Peijun scoffed, "All you do is sweet-talk Mom and Dad!"

Zhang Minghua laughed heartily, her worried expression lightening somewhat, "It doesn't matter who among you it is; as long as you're our children, we don't want you marrying someone who's been married before, no matter how good the conditions may be."

Yang PeiMin nodded, feeling relieved in her heart.

Then Zhang Minghua brought up going to her second aunt's place, "You go with Yingzi, join the other cousins and have some fun. Tomorrow morning, Peijun will take the two of you over."

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Yang PeiMin had no objections, and she went back to her room with her sister to pack their things.

Yang Peiying had not expected that she would get to join in sending off the bride. She looked quite happy and leaned in close to Yang PeiMin to ask, "Sister, what else should we bring?"

"Bring clothes, of course, since we'll be staying over for one night." Yang PeiMin tugged all of her clothes out and threw them onto the bed to sort through.

"But sister, can't we just wear one outfit? At our second aunt's place, can we even take a bath?"

"Can't we?" Yang PeiMin was surprised.

Yang Peiying snickered, "It's not that we can't, but would we have the nerve to?"

So it was a matter of embarrassment. Yang PeiMin chuckled, "If we can't bathe, we'll just wipe ourselves down."

She was quite interested in the weddings of this era and felt it was novel to go as one of the bridesmaids, something she had never experienced in her previous life.

However, the problem was not having a pretty dress. She had turned every garment the original owner had inside out but could not find one that she liked. "Yingzi, what are you planning to wear tomorrow?"

Yang Peiying hadn't searched through a closet full of clothes like her sister. Instead, she took out the outfit she had prepared in advance—a cotton jacket with red flowers on an apricot background paired with black cotton pants that she had made last New Year. She had not worn it much since she was reluctant to do so, and her face blushed shyly when she showed it, "This one."

Yang PeiMin looked it over and nodded in approval, "That's quite nice, you'll definitely look good in it."

Yang Peiying, flattered by the compliment, blushed.

Oh well, if there wasn't a suitable dress, she'd just have to work on her face instead.

"Yingzi, do we have any beetroot at home?"

"Yes, the pigs eat it, and we've stored some." Yang Peiying looked at her curiously, "Sister, you want to make that lipstick again?"

"No, this time I'll make blush."

Having applied Friendship cream for several days, Yang Peiying felt her skin had become much smoother, even if there weren't visible changes. Therefore, she was no longer as opposed as before to Yang PeiMin's cosmetic experiments.

However, she still had some doubts, "Sister, you are so beautiful, and even without makeup products, you're still pretty..." Makeup products were terms and their uses she had learned from Yang PeiMin.

"Do you think my complexion doesn't look too good? Like I lack color, the kind that lacks blood? And my lips too? Plus, my skin isn't hydrated enough this winter. When I touch it, I can still feel it's tight... Still not the ideal state... A woman's pursuit of beauty is never-ending..." Unconsciously, Yang PeiMin's 'brainwashing' had started again...