Lao Jin himself could not comprehend how his heart, lonely for decades, was suddenly surging with emotion, almost drowning him.
If this had happened before today, he himself wouldn't have believed he was capable of such a thing.
To be precise, before today, he had never even considered getting married. He was a pure bachelor, having not touched a woman in forty years.
He thought his life would just pass by like this, and even if the Jin family line ended with him, he had never thought of marrying and having children.
But after spending time in close proximity with this young man lately, his mind had been incessantly contemplating how good it would be to have a son this big.
When he was doing woodworking, the boy would follow him around, helping him out. A few words of rare praise from him would make the boy flock to him like the new puppies at his second brother's house.
Oh, he savored that feeling immensely.
And then, just now, when the boy called that young woman "Mother," and seeing her retreating figure as she fled, he finally understood what it meant to be smitten and knew for the first time what a fluttering heart felt like.
He used to think he was perfectly fine on his own, one person fed meant the whole family was fed. And with that sentimental Qi Yuanshan as his companion, he was as comfortable as could be.
But now, thinking about it, he felt he had lost out. Qi Yuanshan had a son, but what did he have? Nothing.
No, he desperately, desperately wanted a son now, and preferably, he'd elope with the boy's mother as well.
This thought grew stronger and stronger. He wanted a home. He didn't want to live alone anymore. He was going to find his second brother Meng to act as a matchmaker.
Grandpa Meng was sitting on the warm kang, looking out the window. He saw Lao Jin come running, and was a little puzzled, "Old Jin, are you short of tools, or is the lumber not enough? Why the hurry?"
Lao Jin: "Neither."
Grandpa Meng looked at Lao Jin's old face, which seemed to have a suspicious blush flickering across it.
He thought he was mistaken. He had no idea that the eternally single old man before him was now experiencing a blossoming romance.
"Then sit here and have some water, and speak slowly."
"Okay."
This time, Lao Jin obediently agreed and sat opposite Second Brother Meng, picking up the teacup.
Grandpa Meng's gaze shifted from him to the courtyard. Grandpa Han Zhi was shoveling the snow by the path into a willow basket, then carrying it to the open ground outside the yard.
Alas, this old couple had not been idle for a single day since they moved into the Meng family.
The couple were always looking for work. Grandma Han Zhi voluntarily helped in the kitchen, while Grandpa Han Zhi was tackling the snow in the courtyard.
They wouldn't allow him not to work, saying there was no such thing as free meals in this world. They were already grateful for such good accommodation; they wouldn't feel at ease if they also ate for free.
Another thing to mention: the day after the old couple moved in, when Shan Xiaocong came over, he said that the Han family's house had collapsed after dark the previous night, making quite a noise, and everyone had gone to see.
His grandmother had said, "Fortunately, the old couple were taken away by someone in the snow. Otherwise, if they had left a moment later, they would have been buried. This is fate; the old couple have saved their lives twice."
However, the old couple from the Han family believed that the lives of their family of three were saved by the Meng Er Lao Ye family.
Alas, Grandpa Meng was also worried. He had told Grandpa Han to take it easy when working several times, but looking at him today, it seemed his words had been in vain.
Lao Jin, in order to conceal his restless, fluttering heart, drank two bowls of hot tea before, amidst the swirling steam, he revealed his thoughts to Second Brother Meng.
Grandpa Meng was first slightly taken aback, then he understood.
Perhaps when people reach a certain age, or when they meet the so-called right person, the desire to have a home might arise.
Lao Jin should fall into this category of yearning.
Grandpa Meng was a very open-minded person, and he somewhat approved of the future of Lao Jin and Miss Tian.
In terms of conditions alone, Lao Jin was a good person, responsible, and had recently been promoted, with a higher salary than before.
Most notably, he had been single for so many years, remaining pure and without any bad habits. His only flaw was his age.
But being older also had its advantages. Whether he would be loving or not, we shall set aside for now, but at least he had seen more of the world and should not be easily tempted.
As for Miss Tian, she was very simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. It was just her and her son, nothing else remaining.
Lao Jin continued to drink his tea, but his gaze kept darting towards Second Brother Meng.
His Second Brother Meng did not keep him waiting for long. He opened his mouth and stated his plan, "I'll have Yu's wife ask Yu Luo's mother for you shortly."
The old man paused before continuing, "Old Jin, we need to be upfront. If this works out, it's best. The mother and son will have a reliance, and I'll be happy for you too."
"But if it doesn't work out, you can't be petty, hold a grudge against the mother and son." Grandpa Meng said very solemnly, fearing that if it didn't work out, Lao Jin might have some negative thoughts.
"Second Brother, don't worry. I, Lao Jin, am not that kind of unrighteous person. I, Lao Jin, would not stoop to bullying the weak."
Lao Jin paused for a moment after saying this, then continued somewhat sheepishly, "Second Brother, actually, I'm most covetous of that young man." Mentioning the boy, a soft expression involuntarily appeared on Lao Jin's face.
"Yu Luo is a good child. He always helps the family with tasks within his abilities."
"Second Brother, you don't know how warm my heart felt these past few days with that child hanging around me, helping me with this and that."
Grandpa Meng understood, "So you've taken a liking to the son first, and the son's mother is just an added bonus?"
"Second Brother, it's not like that." Lao Jin quickly explained, fearing Second Brother Meng would misunderstand. "I really cherish that young man, and as for his mother, I value her too, otherwise I wouldn't have rushed over to ask Second Brother for help."
"Heh heh." Grandpa Meng waited for his words, then, with a smile, told him to go back to work and wait for his news.
"Alright." Seeing the expression on Second Brother Meng's face, Lao Jin knew his matter was likely to succeed. He went out to work with a face full of smile lines.
When he returned to the storeroom humming a tune, his gaze towards Meng Yu Luo became even more benevolent, like an old father who was content with his son and all was well.
Meng Yu Luo, at eight years old, had never experienced true paternal love. His deceased father was an extremely selfish person. In that man's mind, as long as he could live comfortably, he didn't care about his wife and child.