11 The Matchmaker

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The hurried harvest had come to an end. In the days that followed, the communes were tasked with drying the grain, tilling the soil, releasing water, rushing to plant corn and beans, and transplanting rice seedlings.

Thus, Yao Jingye was extremely busy.

Under his supervision were the electric irrigation station, three artificially expanded fish ponds, the fish and shrimp farming in the village’s small river, and the entire third brigade’s fieldwork.

After sending off the younger generation, he went to the team leader’s house, asking him to check on the fields.

“If the plowing is mostly done, we can release the water tomorrow. We can’t afford to delay even a moment on transplanting rice!” Yao Jingye fretted. This year’s rainfall was a little scarce; he feared there wouldn’t be enough water from the river.

But an even more pressing matter weighed on his mind.

He had to quickly find Yao Erdan.

This dull-witted fool was currently boasting at the doorstep about his daughter’s upcoming good marriage.

“Auntie, you don’t need to worry. My eldest brother-in-law has already introduced two good matches—both from the city! Soon I’ll be able to eat some commercial grain too!”

Yao Jingye felt a headache coming and hurriedly pulled Yao Erdan aside to talk in his east room.

Closing the door, he whispered, “What’s going on with your fifth child? People have been complaining to my family about her, and you’re not doing anything?”

Yao Erdan was displeased. “Brother, be reasonable! The old master is clinging tightly to the fifth child and won’t let go. If I forcibly take her away and the old master gets upset, what if he stops breathing? Wouldn’t that be disastrous?”

Yao Jingye was speechless.

Lighting a cigarette, he inhaled deeply, then asked, “This fifth child… she doesn’t know the truth, right?”

“No she doesn’t! Brother, listen, as long as the old master lives another year or so, and I manage to marry off the fifth child, I’ll be at ease!” Yao Erdan was quite calculating.

But Yao Jingye was less optimistic. “A year or so is no problem, but maybe someone’s been talking, and the old master has started doubting the fifth child’s origins. You have to marry her off quickly—the sooner, the better!”

“I did find a second marriage candidate, Director Hu, but she’s not willing!” Yao Erdan was troubled.

Yao Jingye was annoyed at his stupidity. “If she’s unwilling, find another! Hurry up!”

“Brother, you’re so anxious—is it because others have noticed too?” Yao Erdan grew uneasy.

After all, Yao Zhizhi was too beautiful, bearing a striking resemblance to her biological parents from over there.

Yao Jingye sighed. “I’ve covered it up for you.”

“Covered it up? Brother, how did you cover it up?” Yao Erdan was curious.

Yao Jingye whispered, “I hinted that your wife had an affair with Jingzong, so the child looks like him. Conveniently, your wife and Jingzong’s wife are distant cousins, so the child resembling her aunt isn’t suspicious. They didn’t doubt anything, just pitied you for being such a fool.”

“Hey! Brother, how could you say that!” Yao Erdan was upset but thinking about it, that seemed the only way to get by. He sighed, “Alright, it’s my fault. Sorry to trouble you.”

“If you didn’t help me so often, I wouldn’t want to help you at all! This is despicable!” Yao Jingye sighed deeply.

Yao Erdan fell silent.

Now he realized it was despicable, but back when he took the hush money, he was happier than anyone.

Hypocritical.

Yao Jingye couldn’t benefit twice from the same situation. After all, he had already gained once; how could he fleece the sheep again?

Unless the old master really didn’t make it.

If that happened, it would be impossible to hide. Once Yao Jingjing and Yao Zhizhi appeared together, Yao Jingzong would surely suspect his daughter had been switched.

Who knew what chaos would ensue?

At that time, Yao Jingye couldn’t side with Yao Erdan anymore.

After all, he and Jingzong were cousins descended from the same grandmother—blood relatives.

Whereas Yao Erdan’s side had no blood relation at all!

By both reason and sentiment, he should side with Yao Jingzong.

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But human relationships work this way: the more distant, the fainter the feelings, far less significant than those close at hand.

Besides, he still hoped Yao Jingjing would marry well and bring him benefits.

In short, it was best to keep this under wraps.

He urged twice more and left.

He had no idea Yao Ningning was at home.

Originally, she slept in the northwest-facing room, but since the second sister had gone to the fifth sister’s room last night, the eldest sister felt lonely and called her to the east side.

The eldest sister’s room was separated from their parents’ room by just a wooden board, so she overheard everything clearly.

She was stunned—so the fifth child wasn’t biological?

The fifth child was Jingzong’s daughter?

Good heavens! She had only come back to grab a hair tie to braid her hair, to avoid trouble when making fire and cooking, and yet...

She froze, even forgetting to cook.

Only when Yao Erdan shouted did she shrink her neck and come out of the room.

Yao Erdan immediately guessed she’d heard it.

He grabbed her ear, warning, “Mind your mouth! Got it? Or I’ll marry you off to some old widower from the commune!”

Yao Ningning didn’t want to marry an old widower. Scared by her dad, she nodded tearfully.

Yao Erdan relaxed. This third child was easily fooled, timid, and wouldn’t cause any trouble.

He let go of Yao Ningning and impatiently urged, “Why aren’t you cooking already?”

Yao Ningning hurried to the kitchen and painfully finished lunch.

But Yao Zhizhi still hadn’t returned.

Yao Erdan found it suspicious and decided to check the health clinic.

* * *

Yao Zhizhi had spent the whole morning at the clinic but still couldn’t clearly hear what the old master said.

Meanwhile, the descendants from the great-grandmother’s branch came to bring lunch to the old master, so she could only gently persuade him to let go.

After leaving the clinic, she hadn’t gone far before she ran into acquaintances.

It was Police Aunt Tang and her sickly son.

Yao Zhizhi was surprised. “Aunt Tang, are you looking for someone?”

“Looking for you!” Tang Fengyuan smiled and took Yao Zhizhi’s hand, moving to the shade of a tree. “Zhizhi, have you told anyone about your in-laws yet?”

“No.” Yao Zhizhi instinctively glanced at the young man behind her, who looked flushed, probably from the journey.

But Aunt Tang showed no sign of weariness.

She smiled and asked, “What did Aunt Tang want with me?”

“To propose marriage!” Tang Fengyuan was straightforward. “Zhizhi, my son has taken a fancy to you. Love at first sight! I want to hear your thoughts. If you’re unwilling, no pressure. But if you agree, I’ll start the formalities.”

“Aunt Tang... thank you for your kindness.” Yao Zhizhi glanced again at the sickly boy beside her and sighed silently. If only he were healthy.

Tang Fengyuan seemed to sense her concerns and quickly reassured her, “Zhizhi, don’t worry. The two specialists have differing opinions. The Western doctor from the provincial hospital says my son won’t live beyond three years. But yesterday, I took him to a traditional medicine master who said, as long as he follows the prescription, he’ll be cured of all ailments!”

Yao Zhizhi thought that last part sounded a bit like a scam.

But Aunt Tang’s love for her son was genuine; she wouldn’t take offense.

So Yao Zhizhi said something nice, “A cure for all ailments sounds impressive. My second sister also said, Aunt Tang, you’ll be blessed with many descendants.”

“Oh, thank you for the kind words, Zhizhi!” Tang Fengyuan beamed. “So, what do you think of my son? Can you see yourself with him?”

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Yao Zhizhi had never met such a warm-hearted elder willing to go to such lengths to fulfill her son’s wishes.

It was quite touching.

Whether it worked out or not, at least she wanted to show respect.

She looked carefully at the sickly boy beside her, who, perhaps out of shyness or nervousness, kept staring at the crooked mulberry tree on the opposite side of the road.

Yao Zhizhi turned back. “Aunt Tang, is his name Changxiao?”

“Yes, Qi Changxiao.” Tang Fengyuan hurried to explain, “Qi is for the Qilian Mountains, Chang means long-lasting, and Xiao means the sky. Changxiao, say hello to the young lady! You’re acting like a wooden post.”

Qi Changxiao finally looked down at Yao Zhizhi.

The longer he looked, the more flustered he became, pinching his burning ears. “Hello, Sister Zhizhi.”

“Hello, Brother Changxiao.” Yao Zhizhi tilted her head with a smile, winking, feeling completely enchanted.

She couldn’t resist raising her hand to catch a wild pepper thorn that had fallen onto her shoulder and flick it away.

She also tugged him slightly toward the sunlight.

It was summer now; the shade was cool but dangerous.

Yao Zhizhi thought: ...

He’s definitely sickly, but his skill at picking wild peppers barehanded is impressive.

Isn’t he afraid of being pricked?

She quickly grabbed his hand. “Ouch, wild pepper thorns are poisonous. Doesn’t it hurt?”

“No.” Qi Changxiao shook his head, staring at their entwined hands.

Yao Zhizhi quickly ran off. “Aunt Tang, wait for me. I’ll buy something.”

Soon she returned with a roll of tape, a small bottle of alcohol, and a box of cooling ointment.

Grabbing Qi Changxiao’s right hand, she saw the swelling.

“See? It’s swollen!” She hurriedly used the tape to pull out the thorn, disinfected the wound, applied cooling ointment, and cautioned, “Don’t use your hand to pick them next time. Use a stick instead—it hurts a lot.”

Qi Changxiao listened, looking down seriously at her. “Okay.”

Yao Zhizhi stuffed the three items into his left palm.

That cold sensation was strange and strangely memorable.

She quickly pulled Aunt Tang aside to whisper, “Aunt Tang, why is his hand so cold?”

Tang Fengyuan sighed deeply. “Ah, when I was pregnant with him, it was the most intense period of the Liberation War. We were constantly fleeing for our lives, and nutrition was scarce. He was born with a weak constitution, prone to illness and colds. The Western doctor says he won’t live long, but I don’t believe it! It’s definitely a lie!”

“Hmm! A lie!” Yao Zhizhi hoped so too.

He was so handsome; she wanted to look at him a little longer.

Seeing the hope, Tang Fengyuan kept going, “Zhizhi, Changxiao was a music teacher at the teachers’ college, excellent at piano! The school shut down last year, so he’s been recuperating at home—not a freeloader.”

So this guy really played piano! Yao Zhizhi admired that and glanced at him again.

Their eyes met, like an electric shock, then quickly looked away.

Feeling confident, Tang Fengyuan seized the moment to persuade further, “Zhizhi, don’t worry. He’s my only son, no complicated sister-in-law or aunt-in-law relationships. As for mother-in-law and daughter-in-law? No worries—I’m a police officer. How could I bully my daughter-in-law? Right? The only flaw is his health. But if he really doesn’t live long, I’ll help you find a good man to remarry. If he does live long, everyone’s happy! What do you say?”