Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Marriage Alliance with Uncle Wang’s Family
288 Marriage Alliance with Uncle Wang’s Family
Zhao Cheng blushed and lowered his head, saying, "I have always respected my uncle and aunt as my parents, and marriage is a significant matter. I will trust their decisions."
Sun Mei couldn’t help but laugh. "Look at you, don’t be shy. What’s there to be shy about with your uncle and aunt? This wife is for you to marry. You have to be happy with her and have a good life together."
Zhao Cheng still insisted, "I trust my uncle and aunt. I will follow their arrangements. Auntie, I will go to work now."
After saying that, he turned and ran out.
Sun Mei put information on various young ladies on the table and looked at Zhao Dong with a smile. "Look at this kid."
Zhao Dong drank tea and grinned. "You know him well. Since childhood, he has always considered everyone in the family in everything he does. He wouldn’t do anything that would make us feel uneasy."
Sun Mei sighed. "Yes, he has always been considerate of his younger brother and sisters and never let us worry. I just feel sorry for him because he is so understanding. I want to find him a good wife so that they can live happily ever after."
What Sun Mei said was exactly what Zhao Dong thought. He nodded and said, "You’re right. However, marriage is a significant matter, and we shouldn’t rush it. Let’s take our time and find a good girl from a respectable family for Zhao Cheng."
Sun Mei nodded. "Of course."
The couple reached a consensus, making Zhao Cheng’s marriage a top priority for the Zhao Family.
While the two were discussing, Zhao Zhitong happily returned home with her Eldest Uncle from the county town.
After saying farewell to her Eldest Uncle, she rushed through the door and immediately shouted, "Mother, Mother!"
Then she saw Zhao Cheng in the courtyard and greeted him with a cheerful, sing-song call, "Big Brother!"
Zhao Cheng looked up and smiled. "Little sister is back."
Zhao Zhitong nodded. "Yeah, Big Brother, it’s so hot today! Why are you still working outside? Come into the house to cool down."
As she spoke, she dragged Zhao Cheng into the house and made him sit down properly.
Only then did she run over to Sun Mei, hugged her arm, and acted spoiled. "Mother, Tongtong missed you so much!"
Sun Mei’s eyes curved in a smile, but she pretended to be annoyed. "You little monkey, you were quiet for just a few days, and now you’re jumping around again."
Zhao Zhitong giggled. "Because Tongtong missed Mother! I was very well-behaved outside. If you don’t believe me, ask Grandfather. He even praised me today, saying I was like a little adult."
Sun Mei doted on Zhao Zhitong and gently tapped her forehead. "You!"
Zhao Dong, feigning a sullen look, coughed and said tartly, "So you only missed your Mother, is that it?"
Zhao Zhitong immediately smiled, ran over to hug Zhao Dong’s arm, and said coaxingly, "Of course not! Tongtong missed Father terribly too!"
Zhao Dong felt warm inside, but he humphed and said, "You just know how to sweet-talk me and make me happy. Look at you, every time you come home, the first person you call is your Mother. When will you ever call for your Father first when you enter the door?"
Zhao Zhitong naturally knew her father was feeling jealous, so she immediately hugged Zhao Dong and said in her sweetest voice, "Tongtong might not have called out for Father, but in Tongtong’s heart and mind, it’s all about Father!"
Because Zhao Zhitong had returned, Zhao Cheng was dragged around by her and couldn’t get any work done.
It wasn’t until after dinner that Zhao Cheng went to till the plot of land in the center of the courtyard. Zhao Ya had gone with her master to practice her embroidery.
Zhao Dong and Sun Mei once again started discussing Zhao Cheng’s marriage.
Zhao Zhitong listened with great interest. When she heard Sun Mei say she wanted to find someone Zhao Cheng liked, something immediately came to her mind, and she piped up, "Big Brother already has someone he likes."
Upon hearing this, both of them looked at Zhao Zhitong in surprise and asked doubtfully, "He has someone he likes?" They had no idea.
Zhao Zhitong, crunching loudly on a piece of fruit, said confidently, "Yeah! I saw Sister Wang from Uncle Wang’s family personally give Big Brother a purse."
Zhao Dong and Sun Mei were both surprised. "Uncle Wang? Wang Fuhai?"
"Yes." Zhao Zhitong nodded her small head and recounted, "I saw it with my own eyes last time when I went to deliver goods to Uncle Wang."
As Zhao Cheng grew up, Zhao Dong not only taught him fruit-planting skills but also gradually gave him more responsibility, allowing him to learn how to manage business communications.
So, Zhao Cheng had started to slowly take over some of the work.
For instance, he was now responsible for all communication and deliveries with Guang Ju Restaurant.
Therefore, it wasn’t impossible for him to frequent Wang Fuhai’s house and interact with Wang Fuhai’s young lady. It was just that...
Sun Mei cautioned, "You young girl, do you even know what liking someone means? To say your Big Brother likes her... you mustn’t spread such talk outside, understand? You could ruin the young lady’s reputation."
Zhao Zhitong pouted, displeased. "Of course I know! I’m already ten years old by nominal age this year. I’m a big kid; I won’t talk nonsense!"
"The day before yesterday, I even saw Big Brother hiding the purse Sister Wang gave him in his room. He treasures it so much, so he must like her."
Seeing the little girl’s confident expression, Zhao Dong couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle. "You seem to know quite a lot, don’t you?"
"Of course!" Zhao Zhitong proudly lifted her little face, prompting Zhao Dong to give her cheek a playful pinch.
Then, Zhao Dong and Sun Mei called Zhao Cheng over and began to inquire indirectly.
Zhao Cheng’s ear tips turned red with shyness, and though he didn’t admit it outright, his reactions were plain for Zhao Dong and Sun Mei to see. How could they not understand? They exchanged a glance and smiled.
Zhao Dong waved his hand. "Alright, alright, we won’t ask anymore. Go on with your work."
Zhao Dong cheerfully sent Zhao Cheng away.
As soon as Zhao Cheng left, Sun Mei said, "I’ve seen Wang Fuhai’s daughter. She’s very pretty and seems like a gentle girl. I liked her the first time I saw her."
Zhao Dong nodded. "Wang Fuhai is a man of good character and easy to get along with. I imagine his children are well-raised."
Both of them were quite satisfied with Wang Fuhai’s daughter, and crucially, Zhao Cheng also happened to like her.
Zhao Zhitong, thoroughly enjoying the unfolding talk about her Big Brother, grinned and chimed in, "Mom, I think it’s a good match! I like Sister Wang too. She’s so gentle."
She paid New Year’s visits to Uncle Wang’s house every year and would play with Sister Wang. She really liked Sister Wang; she was gentle and had such a pleasant voice.
All three family members unanimously agreed on this marriage.
So, Zhao Dong and Sun Mei discussed finding an auspicious day to hire a matchmaker and formally propose to Wang Fuhai’s family.
Zhao Dong nodded, calculating. "I think the day after tomorrow looks like a good day. Why don’t we pay a visit to the Wang family then?"
Sun Mei naturally had no objections, and so, the matter was happily decided.
Many things in the world are predestined. As it happened, Wang Fuhai had also long harbored the idea of forming a marriage alliance with the Zhao Family.
After Sun Mei arrived with the matchmaker, the marriage was naturally settled.
Both families exchanged birth horoscopes. If there were no issues after a master at the temple analyzed them, the marriage would be set in stone.