Reborn in the 1970s — Married a Proud Rough Man

”My dear in-law, Ah Xiang is already twenty-one. If you keep her at home for a few more years, she’ll become an old maid. You’re holding up all her good marriage prospects,” Chen Xiuhua said teasingly.

”If it’s a good match, it’s never too late,” Sun’s mother said with a smile.

”Yes, yes, a good match is never too late,” Chen Xiuhua agreed, turning to Mrs. Xie. ”Sister-in-law, you work at the hospital. How about you introduce Ah Xiang to a few outstanding young doctors?”

Before Mrs. Xie could speak, Sun’s mother cut in. ”Second Auntie, Sister Qiao is busy. Where would she find the time to find a match for Ah Xiang?”

Mrs. Xie smiled but said nothing. ’Sun’s mother doesn’t want her daughter to marry a doctor. The less trouble, the better, so I won’t get involved.’

”How about...”

”Why don’t we ask Granny to find a match for Ah Xiang?” Sun’s mother interrupted, laying the flattery on thick. ”Granny has weathered every storm imaginable, and her eyes are incredibly sharp. She can see right through anyone’s character. A match she introduces is guaranteed to be a good one.”

Everyone loves a good compliment, and Granny grinned from ear to ear. ”Alright, alright, I’ll find a match for our Ah Xiang. Ah Xiang, tell Granny, what kind of Mr. Right are you looking for?”

’Mr. Right?’ Sun Dexiang reflexively glanced at Jie Jingchen. Sun’s mother frowned and subtly shifted her body to block her daughter’s line of sight. Their eyes met, and Sun Dexiang guiltily looked away, her gaze landing on Jie Huating. Sun’s mother was instantly satisfied.

Granny followed Sun Dexiang’s gaze and saw it land on her own grandson. ’Well, I’ll be. She’s actually set her sights on the second son of the fourth branch.’

’Jie Huating is the most promising son of the fourth branch. How could a village girl like Sun Dexiang possibly be worthy of him?’

Granny’s expression didn’t change as she said, ”The eldest son of my third daughter’s sister-in-law is a good age for Ah Xiang. Their family isn’t very well-off, but the boy is simple and honest. How about it? I can make the match for them today.”

Sun’s mother was immediately displeased. ’That old hag’s third daughter was a sent-down youth, and this is the son of her sister-in-law? A village girl marrying into another village family? Did I really need to come all this way just for them to introduce me to some country boy?’

”Granny, we’ve never even met that boy from your third daughter’s in-laws. Why look so far away when there’s a great option right here? This young man is so distinguished. He and our Ah Xiang would make a perfect couple—a talented man and a beautiful woman,” Sun’s mother said plainly. The way she looked at Jie Huating was exactly how a mother-in-law sizes up a potential son-in-law, growing more satisfied by the second.

’A talented man and a beautiful woman?’ Granny was deeply scornful. The man was certainly talented, but as for the woman’s beauty... Granny shook her head.

”My Jie Huating has a girlfriend,” Granny said, making her opposition clear.

”Huh?” Sun’s mother was shocked. ’He has a girlfriend? Really? Could my information have been wrong?’

Sun’s mother would sooner doubt her own information-gathering skills than suspect that Granny simply looked down on her Ah Xiang.

”If you don’t believe me, ask Jie Huating’s second aunt,” Granny said, giving Chen Xiuhua a look.

”Yes, Jie Huating has a girlfriend,” Chen Xiuhua immediately agreed. ’Whatever Mother-in-law says, goes. My job is just to agree.’

Sun’s mother looked at Mrs. Xie, her eyes asking, ’Didn’t you say he was single?’

”Jie Huating, when did you get a girlfriend? How come I didn’t know?” Mrs. Xie asked him directly.

”Um...” Jie Huating didn’t know how to answer. ’I don’t even have a girlfriend!’

”Yesterday,” Granny fibbed. ”They had a matchmaking meeting yesterday. Both sets of parents have no objections, and they’re quite satisfied with each other. Once they’ve spent some time together, we’ll start planning the wedding.”

Mrs. Xie looked at Sun’s mother with an expression that said, ’Sorry, my hands are tied.’

”Grandpa, Granny, First Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Aunt, I’m going to go chat with Jing Si.” Jie Huating couldn’t take it anymore. ’Why did they put me at this table? The pressure is killing me!’

”Go on,” Granny said, more than happy to see him go.

Jie Huating felt a wave of relief as he walked over to Jie Jingchen.

”Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law,” Jie Huating called out. Jie Jingchen was a year older than him.

Qin Mei looked at Jie Jingchen, her eyes asking, ’Who’s he?’

”Jie Huating, Fourth Uncle’s second son,” Jie Jingchen explained.

Qin Mei’s mouth twitched. She wanted to ask Jie Jingchen what to call him, but he, ever perceptive, spoke up. ”Call him Hua Er.”

”Hua Er,” Qin Mei said, giving him a little wave.

”Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re so beautiful. Seeing you in person is so much better than just hearing about you.” Jie Huating sat down in the empty seat next to them and reached out to pinch Jie Duo’s little cheek. ”Xiao Duo, do you remember me?”

”Don’t remember,” Jie Duo said, shaking her head.

”That’s heartbreaking. Xiao Duo forgot her second uncle,” Jie Huating said, feigning a wounded look.

Jie Duo ignored him and looked at Jie Jingchen.

”Call him Second Uncle,” Jie Jingchen said, ruffling the little one’s hair.