In the evening, at his aunt's house, Zhang Zhugen sat on a bench, his head hanging low. He had caused Chen Yang to lose sixty yuan.
No matter how he spun it, the money was gone for good.
Sixty yuan was no small sum. In the past, his family would have to work for a year or two to save that much.
Even now, after taking over his uncle's job as a temporary worker at the Jinling Aviation Manufacturing Plant, with a salary of over twenty yuan a month, he would have to save for nearly three months without eating, drinking, or spending a penny.
His uncle threw the whip on the ground and didn't come back to beat anyone.
Li Ling stood prettily beside Zhang Zhugen. This girl was completely devoted to Zhang Zhugen, her eyes never leaving him. Su Dan Novel Network.
If it weren't for this girl's presence, his uncle would have surely beaten him. If he could control his temper, he wouldn't be called Zhang Laojue.
"Aunt, don't keep nagging Zhugen about this. I think the fight was worth it."
"Look at them now, the young couple. Isn't it good? As the saying goes, a prodigal son's return is more precious than gold. I think Brother Zhugen now sees clearly what's in his heart."
"With such a good girl as Sister-in-law, why wait to marry her soon?"
Chen Yang knew his aunt and uncle cherished money, but this time, everyone indirectly promoted the feelings between Zhang Zhugen and Li Ling. This was also a good thing.
Hearing Chen Yang say it so directly, Li Ling's face turned red with shyness. She didn't know where to hide, too embarrassed to look at Zhang Zhugen.
Zhang Zhugen's heart trembled as he listened to Chen Yang.
He had originally thought that he would never fall for anyone else besides Liu Ting in this lifetime.
But as Chen Yang spoke, he inexplicably remembered his father about to whip him, and Li Ling lying on him to protect him.
He also remembered Zhang Hala threatening to call the police, and Li Ling running to stop him, begging for mercy.
This was a foolish girl.
He didn't know why, but his heart seemed to have been deeply touched by this foolish girl.
He tried his best to be good to other women, but they treated him like a fool.
But he had never thought that someone would be good to him, and the anger he felt when he imagined Zhang Hala pushing her to the ground.
He realized he wanted to protect this gentle girl and not let her suffer any grievances.
Zhang Zhugen's heart was a little unsettled. He didn't know if this was called liking.
After Chen Yang's hint, his aunt and uncle's faces showed joy. At first, they might have been too angry to notice.
With Chen Yang's reminder, they also noticed their elder son's unusual behavior. He had never paid attention to Li Ling before and would avoid her as much as possible.
They had been worried sick about Zhang Zhugen's marriage.
Although Zhang Zhugen had now taken over his brother-in-law's job and become a temporary worker in a state-owned factory, his conditions were much better than before.
However, they did not feel superior to others and look down on Li Ling.
After spending so much time together, his aunt and uncle were very satisfied with this girl.
She was skilled at housework, sensible, and caring.
Except for being a bit inarticulate, there was nothing wrong with her. It is said that a good wife is a virtuous one, and Li Ling perfectly fit this description.
"Brother Zhugen, I think you should escort Sister-in-law home after watching the dragon dance later."
Chen Yang struck while the iron was hot. When it came to feelings, if it was impulsive and driven by emotion, it would succeed.
If you hesitate and overthink, you'll find too many faults.
If it were another girl, he wouldn't dare to be so proactive in matchmaking.
But having seen how his elder cousin and the mute sister lived in his previous life, he was very optimistic about their relationship.
Moreover, the mute sister did not have any issues with her children, such as them being unable to speak or having congenital disabilities, as others had worried.
Such a good girl, why wait? He should help his elder cousin marry her soon.
"I..."
Zhang Zhugen opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by his uncle.
"What do you mean 'I'? Today, you will watch the dragon dance in the village with Miss Li."
"Then, borrow your cousin's bicycle to take her home."
"You're such a grown man, you don't even know basic manners. How many times has that girl visited our house, and how many times have you been to her home?"
"Tomorrow, you will buy gifts and go to her home to pay respects. If you don't handle this properly, you can get out and don't come back."
His uncle glared fiercely at Zhang Zhugen. This brat, if he were more sensible, he could have held his grandson by this time next year.
Scolded like this, Zhang Zhugen fell silent.
Normally, he would have retorted a few times, but today, looking at Li Ling, whose face was flushed with shyness and who had almost shrunk her head into her neck like a quail,
He didn't feel so resistant anymore. Instead, he found the girl quite cute.
This fate was predetermined. They were meant to be together in his previous life, and it would be the same in this life. Once feelings arise, no one can stop them.
"Hongmei, how's the soup? Let's have dinner early today, and then you can take Xiao Yu to watch the dragon dance."
Seeing her son's reaction, his aunt knew there was hope.
She was overjoyed.
Her great-nephew was indeed her family's lucky star. The last time he helped her son get his job, and when they went to the city, he exposed her son's illusion and made him see Liu Ting's true colors.
Now that he was here again, he had facilitated the marriage that they couldn't arrange for half a year. Perhaps in another year, she could hold her grandson like her younger sister.
"Mother, it's ready."
"Fragrant chicken soup."
"Quickly invite Yangzi and the others to the table. I just need to finish one more dish."
Zhang Hongmei had been preparing dinner at home. When Chen Yang and Chen Yu arrived, his aunt had specifically killed one of the only two laying hens they had.
She also made braised pork and several other substantial dishes. Today's meal was more lavish than their New Year's feast.
"Aunt, you're so kind. You spoil Xiao Yu the most. Unlike my mother, I don't even get two chicken legs."
Upon hearing that there was chicken soup, Chen Yu became instantly happy. She hugged her aunt's arm and shook it, like a child who hadn't grown up.
"You get two legs today, one for you and one for Xiao Ling."
"Yangyang, you get the two chicken wings. I wish I had killed another chicken, Aunt."
His aunt looked at Chen Yang. She wasn't just pretending to be generous. She hadn't expected Li Ling to come, so originally, Chen Yang and Chen Yu were each supposed to get a chicken leg.
She might have been reluctant to kill a chicken for their own consumption, but she didn't begrudge killing the two old hens for Chen Yang, his sister, and Li Ling.
"Aunt, I'm fine with chicken soup. I'm not a child."
"Keep this chicken to entertain the in-laws. Perhaps tomorrow, when Brother Zhugen visits their home, you'll be discussing the wedding."
Chen Yang continued to push, offering his assistance. Upon hearing this, his aunt and uncle's eyes lit up. His uncle even thought that he should take Zhang Zhugen to Li Jiazhuang tomorrow.
Strike while the iron is hot and settle their matter.