Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

Just then, Qin's father returned from outside.

He was a typical farmer, with dark skin and a stocky build. As soon as he entered the house, he saw a stranger.

"Who is this?" Qin's father asked in confusion.

Qin's mother quickly introduced, "This is Sister Liu from Nanluoguxiang. She was asked by Master Jia to come and discuss Huai Ru's marriage."

Mr. Qin frowned and looked at his daughter: "Huai Ru, didn't you say this marriage was off?"

Qin Huairu repeated what she had just said, and Qin's father listened and pondered for a long time.

"Sister Liu, my daughter is right. Since the other party is so sincere, let's ask Master Yi to come over in person so we can talk things out face to face."

"As for the sewing machine..." Qin's father glanced at his daughter, "Since the other party has agreed, we can't go back on our word. My Huairu has learned how to use it before, so she can help supplement the family income in the future."

Matchmaker Liu originally intended to haggle a bit more, but seeing Qin's father's firm attitude, she knew she couldn't make the decision alone.

She could only nod and say, "Okay...okay, then I...I'll go back and tell Master Yi, and I'll get back to you tomorrow."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Sister Liu," Qin's father said politely.

After saying a few more polite words, Liu, the matchmaker, got up and took her leave.

After seeing off the matchmaker, Liu, Qin's mother said to her daughter with some worry, "Huai Ru, aren't your demands too high? What if they don't agree?"

Qin Huairu said with a wry smile, "Mother, the Jia family's conditions are just average. Apart from the fact that the people there are good-looking, their house is not even half the size of ours, and their mother is also difficult to get along with."

She paused, then continued, "He brought up the sewing machine himself. I just wanted to see his standing in the family. Otherwise, if his mother bullies me and I have no one to stand up for me, what's the point of marrying him?"

Mr. Qin nodded in agreement: "Huai Ru is right. Our daughter is beautiful and has a great figure. Even though her husband is from the city, she still needs to have the proper pomp and circumstance. Otherwise, she won't be able to hold her head high in her husband's family."

"Just keep spoiling her!"

Seeing that both the father and daughter said so, Qin's mother stopped objecting, but she was still worried that the other party would not agree.

Huai Ru was determined to marry a city man, but city people weren't fools; they valued social standing and family background even more.

These days, life is tough. Apart from some widowed men or old bachelors who can't find wives, very few people with good financial means go to the countryside to find a partner.

But Qin Huairu was thinking about something else entirely.

The He Yuzhu I met at the Jia family's house that day, although he looked a bit older than his age, he owned three rooms, was the cook, and most importantly, he was in charge of his own household...

It's a pity he's too young, only sixteen, and a bit unreliable, otherwise...

She shook her head, banishing the thought from her mind.

For now, let's see how sincere the Jia family really is!

-----------------------

No. 95, Nanluoguxiang, is the home of Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai was recuperating in a chair, his lower body still aching slightly, but much better than yesterday.

His wife was doing needlework nearby, glancing up at him every now and then, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Speak your mind," Yi Zhonghai said with his eyes closed.

"Old Yi, you sent Matchmaker Liu to Qin Family Village, is this... likely to work?" his wife asked hesitantly. "I heard the Qin family already refused yesterday. Is it a bit... risky for us to go again?"

"What is it?" Yi Zhonghai opened his eyes, his gaze sharp. "A persistent, shameless person?"

His wife was too scared to speak.

Yi Zhonghai closed his eyes again and slowly said, "You don't understand. The Qin family refused because Jia Zhangshi was stingy, which broke the girl's heart."

"We're going in my name now. If we're sincere, things can turn around."

Just then, Liu the matchmaker's voice came from outside the door: "Is...Is Master Yi...at home?"

Yi Zhonghai perked up and quickly sat up straight: "Yes, come in!"

Matchmaker Liu lifted the curtain and walked in, a smile on her face: "Master Yi... Master Yi, good... good news!"

"Oh? Sit down and talk." Yi Zhonghai gestured for her to sit down.

Liu the matchmaker sat down on the stool and then recounted her journey to Qin Family Village.

When Yi Zhonghai heard Qin Huairu ask him to negotiate in person and insist on having a sewing machine, he frowned.

"Go and negotiate in person..." he hesitated, "That's not impossible, but the sewing machine..."

Yi Zhonghai knew that Jia Zhangshi wouldn't pay the money; that pension was her lifeline.

If they want to buy a sewing machine, he'll most likely have to pay for it.

A sewing machine costs at least two million... that's no small sum.

But on the other hand, if he could pay for it, what would Jia Dongxu think? What would Qin Huairu think?

After that, the two women were completely at his mercy, and their retirement security was further enhanced.

"Okay, I'll go." Yi Zhonghai finally made a decision. "I'll go to Qin Family Village with you first thing tomorrow morning."

Upon hearing this, Matchmaker Liu exclaimed happily, "That...that's wonderful! We'll go over tomorrow morning!"

"Don't tell the Jia family about the sewing machine yet. I'll discuss it with them when I get back from Qinjiacun tomorrow," Yi Zhonghai instructed.

"Okay, okay!" Matchmaker Liu nodded repeatedly, got up and took her leave.

After the matchmaker, Liu, left, Yi Zhonghai's wife couldn't help but ask, "Old Yi, are you really going to spend this money? It's over two million!"

Yi Zhonghai glanced at her and said slowly, "You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Dongxu is our hope for retirement, so this money is well spent."

His wife opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back.

Yi Zhonghai leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and mentally prepared his explanation for tomorrow.

He wanted the Qin family to see his sincerity, and even more so, he wanted Jia Dongxu to remember his kindness.

As for He Yuzhu...

Thinking of the kid who had made him restless these past few days, a cold glint flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes.

This morning he sent his wife to inquire in the neighboring yard. It turned out that today was the day Xu Dahai's son was going on a blind date. Last night, they must have come to invite Sha Zhu to cook, which made him worry all night for nothing.

---------

The next morning, He Yuzhu practiced boxing in the courtyard as usual.

After a few days of getting used to it, his movements became more and more fluid.

After finishing his boxing practice, he went back inside to wash up, changed into clean clothes, locked the door, and left the yard.

He had two things to do today: one was to go to the west city to find Old Lu, who could make wooden dummy stakes, and the other was to wait for news from Matchmaker Wang.

After having a satisfying breakfast at the breakfast stall, He Yuzhu headed west towards the city, following the address given to him by the old man the day before.

Xicheng Zhuan Ta Hutong is quite far from Nanluoguxiang; it took him almost an hour to get there.

This is an old alleyway with a bumpy bluestone pavement and most of the houses on both sides are quite old.

He Yuzhu counted the house numbers and found the third house from the east entrance.

This is a small, detached house with the gate ajar.

He Yuzhu knocked on the door, and an aged voice came from inside: "Who is it?"

"Excuse me, is this Master Lu's house? I was introduced by Lao Li," He Yuzhu replied.