Gu Qingyao’s mouth twitched. “Eldest Uncle’s family has moved north. The living conditions there are very tough, and it’s too far away, so we’re not very sure how they are. But they probably aren’t doing as well as Second Uncle’s family.
“Second Uncle’s family lives too far away from us. Now the two boys from that family are grown up and are of marriageable age.”
Sun Mei immediately grew excited but suppressed the joy in her heart. She hurriedly asked, “Is that so? It’s true that your second and fourth brothers are getting older. Are they ready to make a match? Do your grandparents have any girl in mind?”
Gu Qingyao glanced at her. “My grandparents are not involved!”
“Oh?” Sun Mei was surprised. “Your grandparents are not involved? How is that possible?”
Gu Qingyao smiled and said, “Of course, Second Uncle and Aunt will decide on Second Brother and Fourth Brothers’ marriages! They are the parents and are usually away from the village. They will be more familiar with girls outside the village!”
Sun Mei immediately panicked. “How can they choose someone outside the village? How can she compare with one from their old home? Girls from outside the village don’t know about their family circumstances and can’t understand. They’re not like the girls here in their hometown who grew up together. Everyone knows each other well, and it’s easy to get along in the future!”
A slight smile hovered over Gu Qingyao’s lips. She nodded. “Well! That’s true. My second and fourth brothers seem to think that it would be good to make a match from their hometown.”
Sun Mei was delighted. “Really? Both your second and fourth brothers want to find someone from their hometown?”
Gu Qingyao said, “They did not say they must definitely make a match in their hometown. It depends on fate, right? But I remember Second Brother saying something about how it would be good to have a girl from his hometown so that when they get married, she can stay home and take care of the old folks!”
Sun Mei’s excitement immediately evaporated!
Shock!
“Wh-what? Stay at home?”
She was incredulous. How could she stay at home? What would she do there?
The city was so wonderful, who would want to stay at home?
Gu Qingyao nodded and said, “That’s right! Eldest Brother’s family has gone north! They’re too far away, and we don’t know when they will be back. It will be difficult for my grandparents to see them again. With her eldest son and grandson away, the burden falls on Second Brother and the others. In the future, of course they will have to care for the old folks.
“Fortunately, Second Uncle’s family does not have any burdens, so they don’t need to find a city girl who can work and earn a salary. It will be good to find a girl from their hometown who can remain at home and live with my grandparents in the cowshed. That way she can take better care of my grandparents. When she has children, they can remain in our hometown so that my grandparents can enjoy family life!”
It was as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on Sun Mei. Even her heart was chilled!
“No way!” She could not control herself, and her voice grew shrill. “Why does she have to remain in her hometown? How can she remain in her hometown? Doesn’t your father and youngest aunt take care of your grandparents? Why should they need a granddaughter-in-law to take care of them?”
Gu Qingyao frowned, almost as if she was shocked by the violence of Sun Mei’s reaction. “What’s the matter with you? Why are you shouting so loudly? Are my family’s plans any of your business?
“Also, shouldn’t a granddaughter-in-law take care of her grandparents? If she is unwilling to take care of the older folks and the children, what’s the point of marrying her? Father and Youngest Aunt are divorced, which has caused my grandparents to be very depressed. Youngest Aunt is still young and might re-marry. When she leaves, there will be no one left.
“If my father marries again, he will probably have children. I’m my father’s only daughter. When I marry, he will have no child left with him.”
