USWHC -Chapter 193 Proposal of Marriage (Part 3)

“Ah, Sister Ji, congratulations, congratulations!”

The Sun family really worked with impressive efficiency. Perhaps just that brief hand-holding was enough—Young Master Sun’s springtime heart had truly been stirred.

Soon, a plump, round woman waddled in, swaying with every step. Her waist, already wider than a water barrel, rocked back and forth as she walked, as if it were actually filled with water. The flesh beneath her clothes jiggled so much that the fabric stretched tightly around her body.

The moment Old Madam Ji saw her, her eyes lit up. She hurried forward with a broad smile and greeted her warmly, “Auntie Fei, what wind has blown you here today? Come, come inside and sit!”

Although everyone called her “Auntie Fei” (Fat Aunt), women in those days didn’t react as strongly to such a nickname as people do now. Why? It wasn’t that being fat was considered beautiful, but being fat was at least something to be proud of.

Proud? Why?

Because it meant she ate well and never went hungry. Otherwise, how could she have gotten so plump? Fatness was practically a symbol of wealth. Especially among this group of people who spent their days chewing sweet potatoes like skinny matchsticks, Auntie Fei’s face even seemed shinier with oil than anyone else’s.

“Old Madam Ji, your family’s luck has arrived! I’ve come to arrange a marriage proposal for your Meizi!” Auntie Fei said excitedly.

Old Madam Ji had already guessed why she had come. Auntie Fei was a professional matchmaker, and she usually worked for wealthy families in the town. Otherwise, how could she earn so much money and grow so plump?

Moreover, Old Madam Ji had already guessed which family had sent her to propose the match, so she became even more attentive in her hospitality.

Auntie Fei didn’t stand on ceremony. She plopped herself right down on the edge of the kang bed. With her size, she practically occupied the whole thing by herself, leaving Old Madam Ji with no choice but to stand off to the side.

“Meizi really is beautiful!” Auntie Fei said with a grin as she looked Ji Mei up and down. “Sister Ji, let me tell you—ever since your Meizi turned twelve, people have been asking me to come propose marriage on their behalf. But I didn’t approve of a single one. Why? Because your Meizi is simply too good. Ordinary men just aren’t worthy of her.”

Ji Mei had always been Old Madam Ji’s pride. Whenever someone praised her, Old Madam Ji immediately lost all sense of modesty.

“Hehe, my Meizi was born different. Naturally, ordinary people aren’t worthy of her!”

Hearing such an immodest statement, Auntie Fei wasn’t embarrassed at all. Instead, she continued flattering her.

“But now it’s perfect! Finally, a family worthy of Ji Mei has appeared. Sister Ji, you’re going to enjoy a life of blessings. In the future, all kinds of delicacies from the mountains and seas will be yours to eat!”

When Old Madam Ji heard this, she proudly glanced at Ji Mei again, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

“Exactly! Having a daughter is better than anything!”

Ji Mei, being watched by everyone like this, didn’t feel shy at all. Instead, she proudly lifted her chin like a joyful magpie and laughed brightly.

“Don’t worry, Mother. As long as I have meat to eat, you’ll definitely get your share!”

“Meizi! Don’t forget your big brother when the time comes!” Eldest Brother Ji quickly added. “I’m your real brother!”

Watching their delighted expressions, Zhu Jie couldn’t help laughing. Nothing had even been confirmed yet, but this whole family already looked as if they were about to fly up into the sky with joy.

Seeing the lively atmosphere, Auntie Fei quickly struck while the iron was hot.

“What do you think of the Sun family? Their Young Master Sun has taken a liking to your Meizi. That’s why they asked me to come propose marriage. When I heard about it, I thought—this is wonderful news for Xiangshui Village! So of course I agreed immediately. Sister Ji, what do you think? Are you satisfied with the match?”

Neither Old Madam Ji nor Ji Mei had any dissatisfaction at all, but they couldn’t show it right away. Marriage negotiations required a certain amount of tact.

Suddenly, Old Madam Ji’s face turned cold. She stared silently at Auntie Fei, as if she had suddenly become unwilling.

When Zhu Jie saw this, she felt a bit uneasy. She wouldn’t actually refuse, would she? But refusing wouldn’t be so bad either. At least it would teach the Sun family a lesson for looking down on others.

After a long silence, Old Madam Ji finally spoke slowly.

“I heard that the Sun family’s young master already has a wife.”

Isn’t that obvious? Zhu Jie rolled her eyes inwardly. Didn’t Er-gou’s mother say that long ago? And you people were even fighting over the position of second wife. Now you’re suddenly not sure anymore?