Ch 7: Is This A Proposal?

Arriving at the ward’s entrance, Xiao Yao unexpectedly found her maternal aunt there.

Her maternal aunt’s name is Yu Ling. She is a widow, her husband having died early, leaving her to raise Xiao Qiang alone.

She is exceptionally proud and strong-willed. She has run a baby clothing business for over twenty years, now owning two stores, and lives a comfortable life.

Xiao Yao’s only dislike of her is her constant comparison of Xiao Qiang and Xiao Yao. As children, it was grades; later, appearance; after graduation, jobs; and now, who marries better.

Whenever Xiao Qiang surpasses her, the maternal aunt would gleefully boast to her family, simultaneously belittling Xiao Yao.

Since Xiao Yao’s car accident, not only has she gained weight, but her marriage prospects seem bleak. While her maternal aunt hasn’t openly gloated, she’s likely secretly delighted, as Xiao Qiang has finally surpassed her, permanently.

It’s not even six o’clock yet; getting up so early to witness their family drama is quite something.

Xiao Yao didn’t immediately enter, pausing at the door to eavesdrop.

Yu Ling said to Xiao Yao’s mother, “Xiao Liu, it’s not me saying this, but if you’d let Yao Yao marry my brother’s son back then, would this have happened? With Yao Yao’s health condition, you two still picked and chose, finding fault with one’s looks, another’s height. In life, you can’t just look at appearances; you have to look at character, right?”

Xiao Yao’s mother and this sister-in-law have always clashed. While maintaining outward civility before, hearing this gloating tone and criticism, along with the jab at her daughter’s pain point, she felt stifled and retorted sharply.

“Sister-in-law, you can’t say that. Don’t you know what your nephew is like? Be honest, if Xiao Qiang were to find someone like that, would you approve?”

Yu Ling smiled, “That’s incomparable. My Xiao Qiang is fertile, pretty, and destined to be a model; how can she be compared to Yao Yao?”

“Oh, your daughter is a treasure, and mine is just grass? Your nephew is not only short, fat, and ugly, but also shameless. You meddled, giving him Yao Yao’s phone number, and he relentlessly harassed her, day and night.

Don’t blame me for speaking harshly, Yao Yao can’t bear children, but she has high standards. Someone like your nephew, we wouldn’t even consider him worthy to carry Yao Yao’s shoes.”

“Second daughter-in-law, you’re just being stubborn. You dislike my nephew, but what about your precious son-in-law? Didn’t he leave Xiao Yao and beat your son?

Now, your mother has left with the third family; it takes three or four days by train from Urumqi. She’s eighty years old, happily coming to attend her granddaughter’s wedding, and now you tell her it’s off. Aren’t you distressing her? If something happens on the way, who’s responsible? This is terrible.”

Xiao Yao heard everything at the door, watching her mother speechless, her face turning white with anger.

Her father was hospitalized yesterday due to a heart attack, and now this, adding fuel to the fire. Don’t they want this to be over?

“Or, reconsider?” Zhuang Lingyun suddenly said beside her, out of the blue.

“Reconsider what?” Xiao Yao lashed out, irritated.

Zhuang Lingyun didn’t mind. Standing behind her, he leaned slightly, whispering in her ear, “Marry me, and the wedding doesn’t have to be canceled.”

Xiao Yao abruptly turned, her cheek brushing his lips. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stepped back, leaning against the wall.

“Are you crazy? You really want to marry me? Didn’t you hear what they said? I can’t have children; marrying me means no heirs.”

“I have six brothers; you don’t need to worry about that.”

Seven? The Calabash Brothers?

She couldn’t help but make a humorous remark, “Were you seven brothers raised by your grandfather?”

“Nonsense,” Zhuang Lingyun laughed, straightening up, one hand on the wall beside Xiao Yao, touching the lips that had just grazed her cheek. “I happen to want to be a DINK; I want a carefree life. After marriage, it’s just the two of us. I’ll take you around the world, see beautiful places, eat delicious food, a daily world for two, undisturbed.”

“What about when we’re old? When we can’t move and need children to care for us, will you regret it?”

“Who knows what will happen in decades? Accidents happen every day. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. It’s about making the choice today.”

He’s quite open-minded.

Xiao Yao looked at him quizzically, “What are you after?”

“If I said, I’m after you, would you believe me?” Zhuang Lingyun’s dark eyes held a gentle smile, “Just as I can dislike someone without reason, it’s the opposite with you. From the moment I saw you, I wanted to marry you.”

“Heh, you’re pretty casual. Are you trying to trick me into marriage?”

“If you agree, I can give you all my assets right now, and you’ll control all our expenses.” He added, “Just give me ten thousand yuan pocket money every month.”

Xiao Yao gasped, “Ten thousand? Are you trying to rip me off?”

Zhuang Lingyun smiled deeper, “You agreed? Fine, whatever you say, I won’t object.”

Xiao Yao couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re really unreadable. Can I take this as a marriage proposal?”

“As long as you don’t think I’m taking advantage of you.”

Honestly, Xiao Yao was wavering. It didn’t really matter who she married; she even considered settling down with Shen Mingzhe.

Since he seems to have no ulterior motives, and is willing to give her all his assets, is handsome, stylish, and seems faultless.

But for some reason, Xiao Yao felt uneasy.

Perhaps it’s her subconscious resistance to a shotgun wedding?

But in this situation, someone willing to help is rare. As long as she silences her maternal aunt, few other relatives and friends have met Shen Mingzhe. Substituting Zhuang Lingyun might work.

That way, she could stop the gossip, save face for her parents and herself, find a home, and avoid endless blind dates—a win-win situation.

With chaotic thoughts swirling, Xiao Yao couldn’t decide. She looked at Zhuang Lingyun and said, “Let’s talk about this later.”

Watching her mother get bullied into silence, Xiao Yao couldn’t stand it anymore.

As she reached for the door, Zhuang Lingyun opened it for her. They exchanged glances; Xiao Yao composed herself and strode into the ward.

“Maternal Aunt, you only think about Grandma’s accident and who’s responsible. Have you thought about my father? He’s hospitalized with a heart attack; if you upset him, can you take responsibility for that?”

Yu Ling turned around quickly; choosing this time was to avoid seeing Xiao Yao.

Yu Ling dislikes Xiao Yao, not only because Xiao Yao has always overshadowed Xiao Qiang, but also because Xiao Yao never tolerates her; the girl has a sharp tongue and has often given her a hard time.

“Oh, Yao Yao’s here to see your father?” Yu Ling stood up with her bag. “He’s still unconscious.”

“Yeah, are you expecting me to visit you, Maternal Aunt?” Xiao Yao went to her mother’s side. Zhuang Lingyun followed, handing over a fruit basket and nodding to Xiao Yao’s mother with a smile, “Auntie.”

Xiao Yao’s mother was startled, politely accepting it, and examining Zhuang Lingyun carefully.

Yu Ling’s smile froze. “Yao Yao, you’re quite sharp. Fine, you talk amongst yourselves; I won’t disturb you. Let the second son take care of things.”

Yu Ling paused beside Zhuang Lingyun, looking him up and down with a surprised expression.

Zhuang Lingyun felt uneasy, furrowing his brows, “What are you looking at?”

Xiao Yao quickly said, “Maternal Aunt, I know it’s hard being a widow, but don’t just throw yourself at any handsome man. There’s a huge age gap.”

Zhuang Lingyun glanced at her, somewhat amused.

Yu Ling’s face turned red with anger. “Xiao Yao, why are you so sarcastic and bitchy? Do you have any respect for your elders?”

“Sorry, Maternal Aunt, I’m addressing the action, not the person. Please bear with me; if you don’t like it, don’t come.”

“You…” Yu Ling glared at Xiao Yao, turning to Xiao Yao’s mother, “No wonder no man wants you; control your daughter.”

She slammed the door and left.

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