Sold into a ghost marriage? Four-year-old and his thuggish father go on a killing spree.

"Uncle, don't be sad."

Gu Niannian found Gu Yandong, who was smoking a pipe in silence, under the big locust tree at the entrance of the village.

He was utterly dejected, and when he saw Gu Niannian, he could only manage a smile that looked worse than a grimace.

"Niannian, tell me...am I really that useless?" Gu Yandong's voice was hoarse. "I can't even make decisions about my own marriage."

Gu Niannian didn't comfort him immediately. Instead, she sat down next to him and asked in a mature tone:

"Uncle, let me ask you, do you really love Sister-in-law Xiuying? Do you love her so much that you won't marry anyone else?"

Gu Yandong was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily: "I like her! The moment I saw her smile, I... I knew she was the one for me."

"That's settled then." Gu Niannian patted his arm. "Don't argue with Grandma. I'll figure something out."

"You?" Gu Yandong looked at his little niece in surprise. "What can you do? Your grandma's temper is as stubborn as an ox."

"There's a way to lead a cow." Gu Niannian winked mysteriously, her little face full of confidence beyond her years.

For the next two days, Gu Niannian kept quiet and observed the situation discreetly.

She discovered that although her grandmother, Wang Guifang, verbally complained that Chen Xiuying was "too ordinary,"

But in reality, when she chatted with Granny Zhang and the others in the village, she kept subtly inquiring about how much "bride price" Chen Xiuying's family could offer.

Does the dowry include the "three turns and one sound" (sewing machine, bicycle, watch, and radio)?

Gu Niannian immediately understood.

Grandma didn't dislike Chen Xiuying as a person at all; what she disliked was that Chen Xiuying's family couldn't afford a dowry that would give her face!

Wang Guifang was a person who was extremely concerned about saving face and greedy for petty gains.

She felt that since her youngest son was so "outstanding," she would feel it was a loss if the bride's family didn't spend a lot of money to help her get married.

Once the root cause is found, things become much easier.

A direct confrontation won't work; you have to use finesse.

Gu Niannian's little head was spinning rapidly.

Grandma was greedy for money, but she was even more afraid of trouble, especially of getting involved with "government" officials.

Who is the representative of the village's "public sector"? Uncle Cheng Tiezhu!

But going directly to Uncle Cheng Tiezhu would be too conspicuous, and besides, this is a family matter, so Uncle Cheng shouldn't interfere directly.

Got it!

Gu Niannian's eyes lit up as she thought of an excellent candidate—Uncle Cheng Tiezhu's wife, whom everyone called Aunt Cheng.

Aunt Cheng was a kind-hearted woman who enjoyed high prestige among the women in the village. Her words carried more weight than Cheng Tiezhu's orders.

That afternoon, Gu Niannian carried a bowl of freshly fried soybeans to Cheng Tiezhu's house.

"Aunt Cheng!" Gu Niannian called out sweetly.

"Oh my, it's Niannian!" Aunt Cheng was husking corn in the yard when she saw Gu Niannian and immediately beamed with joy. "Come in, come in! Is there something you need from me?"

"I...I just wanted to ask you something." Gu Niannian handed over the soybeans, then pretended to be worried. "I heard that the commune is currently focusing on ideological education, opposing extravagance and waste, and also opposing feudal arranged marriages. Is that true?"

Aunt Cheng was taken aback, then nodded and said, "Yes, it was specifically emphasized at the women's directors' meeting a couple of days ago!"

They say that we live in a new society now, and weddings should be done in a new way. They consider things like bride price and dowry to be outdated and outdated practices from the old society.

Anyone who tries to do that again will be publicly criticized!

"Oh..." Gu Niannian lowered her head and spoke softly, as if talking to herself, but making sure Aunt Cheng could hear, "What if... what if some families look down on girls because their dowry is small and don't let them into the house? Wouldn't that be considered feudal arranged marriage? Would the women's federation aunties intervene?"

"Of course not! This is a serious matter!" Aunt Cheng immediately understood the implication. She wiped her hands on her apron and asked in a low voice, "Niannian, did you hear something? Tell me, whose family is it?"

Gu Niannian shook her head, her face showing an innocent expression that said, "I don't know anything." "I didn't hear anything. I'm just... just worried about my sister-in-law Xiuying. Her family isn't well-off, and I'm afraid... afraid of my grandma..."

Having said all that, Aunt Cheng understood perfectly well.

She patted Gu Niannian on the shoulder and smiled, "Good child, your auntie understands. Don't worry, your sister-in-law Xiuying will definitely marry into the family smoothly!"

The next day, Wang Guifang was washing clothes by the well at the brigade headquarters when Aunt Cheng came over with a basin of clothes.

The two elderly women chatted about everyday things while scrubbing clothes.

Aunt Cheng casually mentioned, "Hey, sister-in-law, have you heard? The higher-ups are cracking down really hard now. They've said that if any family dares to make a big show of their children's weddings or ask for exorbitant dowries, they'll have to make a public apology at the commune-wide meeting!"

Wang Guifang's hands, which were rubbing clothes, suddenly stopped.

"And another thing," Aunt Cheng leaned closer, lowering her voice even further, "especially those who are materialistic and look down on girls from humble backgrounds. Director Liu from the Women's Federation said that this is a problem with their class stance! If they catch a typical case, it's not as simple as just a few words of criticism!"

Wang Guifang's face turned pale and then flushed, looking extremely unpleasant.

Every word Aunt Cheng said struck her right where it hurt, like a hammer blow.

What she fears most is getting involved with the government and being used as a "model case".

That night, Wang Guifang called Gu Yandong to her side, her face dark, and after a long pause, she finally managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth:

"Fine! I don't care anymore!"

"Chen Xiuying, do whatever you want! A smaller dowry is fine, as long as she comes!"

"But I'm warning you upfront: if things get tough for you later, don't come crying to me!"

Although the words were still harsh, at least they finally let go!

Gu Yandong was overjoyed and nodded excitedly, "Yes! Yes! Thank you, Mother! Thank you, Mother!"

Gu Niannian, who was standing outside the door, also breathed a long sigh of relief.

My uncle's marriage is finally settled!

Looking at the bright moonlight in the courtyard, a smug smile of triumph appeared on her small face.

It seems that different methods are needed to deal with different people. This feeling of "using four ounces to move a thousand pounds" is really quite nice!