As Ouyang Meihua grew anxious waiting, Dà Mài was brought back by Yuán Mǎn.
Upon entering the courtyard, Yuán Mǎn apologized, "Dà Mài bit her tongue."
Under the meaningful gazes of the Li family members, he continued, "The pulse pillow fell, we both went to pick it up, bumped our heads, and she bit her tongue herself."
"It's my fault, I'll explain to Aunt Ouyang."
"At the same time, I'd like to ask Aunt Ouyang if I have a chance to become..."
Yuán Mǎn dodged Dà Mài's annoyed push and steadied her as she almost fell due to his movement.
"I want to pursue Dà Mài. Aunt Ouyang and Uncle Li, do you think my age is too great?"
Unable to speak, Dà Mài was so annoyed she wanted to kick him. She never knew Dr. Yuán was so thick-skinned.
Directly questioned like this, Ouyang Meihua dared not answer. She looked at her mother-in-law.
Mother Li looked at her younger daughter-in-law. Didn't Tián Jìng say she would introduce someone to Dà Mài?
Tián Jìng was also caught off guard by Yuán Mǎn's proactive approach. She hadn't even had a chance to tell her husband yet.
All the women in the room remained silent.
Seeing Dr. Yuán's cold demeanor about to return, Dà Mài anxiously tugged his sleeve and nodded vigorously at him.
Not to mention her infatuation and admiration from ten years ago, just the fact that Dr. Yuán had used herbs to maintain his appearance to bridge the gap between them was enough for her.
Because Dr. Yuán didn't just say it, he had taken practical action.
Yuán Mǎn's coldness receded again. He looked down at Dà Mài, who was holding his sleeve, and smiled, "You won't regret it?"
Dà Mài shook her head.
Yuán Mǎn immediately held the hand on his sleeve, "From now on, you have no chance to regret it."
Dà Mài nodded, her face flushed.
"Heh heh."
Yuán Mǎn's joy filled the main hall of the Li family. The Li family members in the hall could feel it.
"On the road ahead, I'll be there through thick and thin. You just need to do what you love."
Dà Mài blushed shyly. She knew Dr. Yuán spoke from his heart, but to others, it sounded like a sweet confession.
The sudden turn of events left Mother Li stunned. She pulled her elder daughter-in-law into the east room.
"Tell me, why did you take Dà Mài to see a doctor?"
Ouyang Meihua lowered her voice, "It was Dr. Yáng who pleaded with me and Tián Jìng."
"He said Yuán Mǎn has been applying medicinal pastes to his face at home every day and brewing his own medicine to eat, all just to look younger for Dà Mài."
"He also said this is Yuán Mǎn's first time falling in love, and if he misses this chance, his disciple will be lonely for life like Ā Fèng."
"You saw how Dà Mài reacted to him just now. Such a man, if missed, would be Dà Mài's loss."
"Many feelings are not accepted when they arise. After turning away, the feeling disappears, and so does the affection."
"I think Yuán Mǎn is very suitable for Dà Mài at this moment."
Mother Li had no counter-argument to her elder daughter-in-law's words, but, "Ten years ago, Dà Mài's situation, not everyone knew about it, and now they're getting together again..."
"What are you afraid of?"
Ouyang Meihua said nonchalantly, "This is called true love that stands the test of time."
"Nonsense," Mother Li chided her elder daughter-in-law, "Didn't Dà Mài change her mindset later?"
"Mom~" Ouyang Meihua exclaimed softly, "Look at how she's protecting Yuán Mǎn, has her mindset changed? It must be that she's hidden it for various reasons."
Mother Li was still worried, "I'll ask Dà Mài."
Ouyang Meihua held her mother-in-law back, "Dà Mài's tongue is injured, she probably can't speak conveniently."
"Besides, ten years ago, she hid it. If you bring it up again, are you asking her to hide it for another ten years?"
Mother Li still shook her head, "Seven years ago, Tián Jìng asked her, and she didn't agree."
Ouyang Meihua was truly exasperated with her mother-in-law. Did she have to force her to tell the truth?
"Seven years ago, her aunt was very unreliable. With such a relative, could she dare to accept? Wouldn't her aunt have ruined it for her?"
"Just like you are now. Why do you care about her reasons? What if Dà Mài doesn't like Yuán Mǎn?"
"As long as Yuán Mǎn likes her and treats her wholeheartedly, that's enough. Don't women just want this from a man?"
Looking at her elder daughter-in-law's retreating back as she left the room, Mother Li was a little dazed. Was her elder daughter-in-law annoyed with her?
Never mind, let the children have their own fortunes. She wouldn't interfere anymore.
In the main hall, Ouyang Meihua waved her hand at the silent individuals.
"Do whatever you need to do. Dà Mài, your tongue is injured, so rest well first."
"Dr. Yuán, tell Dr. Yáng to send a matchmaker to propose."
She was the mother, she could make the decision.
Just as Mother Li walked out of the room, Mother Li also agreed, "Yes, Dr. Yáng should be asked to make arrangements to finalize the marriage, and then visits will be more convenient."
With Grandma's approval, Dà Mài was relieved.
Yuán Mǎn also breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want Dà Mài to feel any pressure.
"Thank you, Grandma Li, thank you, Aunt Ouyang, thank you, Aunt Tián."
After bowing slightly to the three elders of the Li family, he turned to look at Dà Mài again, "Wait for me."
Dà Mài pursed her lips and smiled, nodding.
Yuán Mǎn was completely reassured. This was what he cared about most.
He was worried that Dà Mài was just acting defiant to her family, and might have second thoughts once her family agreed.
...
After Yuán Mǎn left, Xiǎo Mài hugged her elder sister's waist.
"Big sister, this is amazing! You finally got what you wished for."
Dà Mài glared at her sister.
Xiǎo Mài stuck out her tongue. Wasn't she happy for her elder sister?
Tián Jìng sighed with concern, "Dà Mài, think more about yourself in the future. Fortunately, it's not too late. We can all see Yuán Mǎn's sincerity."
Dà Mài smiled, shook her head, and then nodded.
Mother Li also felt concerned, "Dà Mài, is your tongue badly bitten?"
Dà Mài shook her head and pointed to her mouth.
Xiǎo Mài immediately translated for her elder sister, "Big sister says it doesn't hurt. She has something in her mouth, it must be medicine."
Mother Li tapped Xiǎo Mài, "You've become a mischievous monkey. You were too restrained before, now you're too lively."
"Grandma, do you not like it?"
"No, I like it very much. No matter how you two are, Grandma likes it."
...
In the afternoon, Lǐ Zhèngguó went with workers from the power supply bureau to inspect the foot of the back mountain. A high-power transformer needed to be installed here.
He worked until evening and only then learned about what had happened at home.
He comforted his wife, "It's not your fault regarding Dà Mài and Xiǎo Mài's matters. Just as you said, the business world is like a battlefield, and they both have a lot to learn."
"Let's postpone establishing the company for now. We need to completely deal with Chén Guǎngfù first. Otherwise, like a dog skin plaster sticking to us, it's very disgusting."
"For the Xiāo family, we can compete with them on price. I'll call Lǔ Xīnggāng and ask him to raise the price with Dù Hóngjuān."
"If we can't acquire it, they won't be able to acquire it easily either. Then those old neighbors will be happy, it doesn't matter, they can consider it a good deed."
Tián Jìng lightly patted her husband, "Are these what I'm worried about?"
"You're talking about Dà Mài?"
Seeing his wife nod, Lǐ Zhèngguó said, "As an uncle, it's not appropriate for me to say anything about this kind of matter."
"However, Yuán Mǎn's character is trustworthy. For the past ten years, he has stayed quietly in this mountain village and taken good care of Dr. Yáng."
"He has never given up his research in medicine, and he has submitted all the prescriptions for Zhāng Fāngcǎo's treatment."
"Actually, Zhāng Fāngcǎo's illness was more or less due to the village's vegetables and fruits. But his medical skills are beyond doubt."
Her husband was satisfied with Yuán Mǎn, so Tián Jìng was no longer worried.
Love has a shelf life. After the shelf life expires, a woman's life depends on the man's character.
Lǐ Zhèngguó pounced on his wife, "Then let's test if our love's shelf life is still there?"