Chapter 308: Chapter 308: Subtle Hints

“Let’s go to Big Brother’s place and see Qin Baifan.” Jiang Xingye gently nudged Xu Qinghuan, and the two followed Jiang Xingyong towards the Jiang Family.

“What do you think if I find a match for my second brother? Do you think he’d be a good match with Sister Sufen?” Jiang Xingye discussed with Xu Qinghuan.

“Sister Sufen is definitely a good person, but her family needs a son-in-law to live with them. Even if your family has many sons, that doesn’t mean your grandparents would be willing to let your second brother go live with someone else’s family.”

Even in modern times, being a live-in son-in-law isn’t seen as something prestigious, and many people find it hard to accept.

She once had a male colleague who got married and had a son. When registering the household, his wife secretly gave their son her surname, resulting in chaos at home.

Another male colleague had a wife who was an only child. They agreed that their second child would take her surname, but once the child was born, the man refused. Eventually, the mother-in-law compromised, but their relationship was affected.

Jiang Xingye said, “A lot of things are negotiable. The Dong Family wants a live-in son-in-law mainly to continue the family line and because Sister Sufen is worried about who will take care of her parents in their old age.”

Actually, as Dong Sufen’s age advances, Dong Gensheng and his wife don’t want to delay their daughter’s marriage and aren’t insistent on a live-in son-in-law. But Dong Sufen insists on it for her parents.

The more picky they became, the rarer suitable matches were. Eventually, Matchmaker Chai even suggested someone like Ye Quanguai, which shows Dong Sufen’s current predicament.

Xu Qinghuan, knowing Jiang Xingye’s unique perspective, was surprised he could negotiate a marriage, “What good ideas do you have?”

Jiang Xingye said, “Both sides can compromise as long as they reach an agreement. My second brother already has two sons, so it doesn’t matter whose surname future children will take.

Since they’re in the same village, my second brother only comes home one or two days a week, so living with the Dong Family is no problem. My second brother values family and will definitely take care of Uncle Gensheng and his wife in their old age, so they needn’t worry about that.”

Xu Qinghuan laughed, “Sure, give it a try. Matchmaker Chai came to your house today. Was it to arrange a match for your second brother?”

Just as they arrived at the Jiang Family, they heard Zhou Guizhi scolding Jiang Xingyong, “Why are you provoking a matchmaker? Do you need to offend her in front of everyone?

Do you believe she can ruin your reputation across the neighboring villages, impacting your future chances of finding a wife? You’ll stay single forever if you’re not careful!”

Jiang Xingye and Xu Qinghuan exchanged a glance and asked, “Auntie, did the matchmaker come today to introduce someone to Second Brother? Who is it?”

After all, he intends to earn a matchmaker’s fee for himself, but someone else beat him to it.

“Him? Who’d introduce someone to him? No one is. It’s for your third brother. The Li Family suddenly wants to rush his marriage to Li Xiulan and is pressing hard to finalize it soon.”

Zhou Guizhi invited Xu Qinghuan and the others to stay for dinner, “I’ll have your sister-in-law make dumplings. Stay and eat; Baifan and the others went out to play.”

Xu Qinghuan was in no mood for dumplings, “Auntie, did you say the match for Third Brother is with Li Xiulan from the New United Team?”

“Yes, have you heard from the production team? They’ve been engaged for two or three years. We wanted to finalize the marriage soon, but they kept finding issues, yet didn’t call it off either. I thought the marriage was off, but now they’re rushing it.”

Xu Qinghuan thought to herself, that made sense. Jiang Xingjun was originally a backup plan for the girl, and the rush to marry now is because the main plan fell through, and the girl seems to be pregnant, needing a scapegoat.

Given it’s Jiang Xingjun’s lifelong matter and they’re family, Xu Qinghuan spoke directly, “Auntie, is there anything suspicious about this marriage?”

Hmm?

Jiang Xingye’s eyes widened, looking at her.

After all, earlier his wife had deduced that Zhang Wenyan’s two children should be calling Dong Mantang their brother. Curiosity led him to have Hu Hai find Dong Youfu, who then tricked Widow Du into probing Dong Mantang, who inadvertently revealed the truth, just as Xu Qinghuan had analyzed.

He had to admit, his wife’s analytical mind was astonishing. If she were a detective, no crime would escape her keen eye.

“What do you mean?” Jiang Xingye was eager to know more.

Xu Qinghuan replied, “They’ve been engaged for two or three years. Generally speaking, since there’s an engagement, they should be ready for marriage.”

Once engaged, families exchange visits during major festivals. Over a year or so, expenses rise, and the man’s family might object, risking the match falling through.

The Jiang Family is rare in its kindness and patience, so the Li Family might have been prepared for the engagement to fail.

Zhou Guizhi sensed there was more to this.

“Yes, I’m puzzled too.”

Xu Qinghuan said, “I heard the Li Family was once very poor, sharing clothes among them. Li Xiulan has a brother, Li Guoqiang, who’s infatuated with a Zhiqing named Zou Hongxia from the New United Team. This summer, he spent over twenty yuan to buy her a Bulaji dress.”

Everyone turned to look at Jiang Xingjun, who was bewildered.

Zhou Guizhi jumped up, preparing ingredients, shouted at her son, “You ingrate! How much money did you give them? It’s all gone to the Li Family! Do you know?”

Jiang Xingye hurried over and easily took the knife away, “Auntie, Second Brother had no choice. The other side never relented. He couldn’t wait indefinitely.”

This wasn’t persuasion; it was adding fuel to the fire!

Zhou Guizhi was livid. Jiang Xingjun dodged her swing and retaliated with a kick towards Jiang Xingye, “What nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean no choice? It’s got nothing to do with me. Was it my money?”

“Who else’s then?” Zhou Guizhi yelled.

Jiang Xingjun was more aggrieved than Dou E, “I really didn’t give them any money, Mom. I don’t have that much money. I only have thirteen yuan and fifty-two cents.”

He emptied his pockets, and Zhou Guizhi grabbed all his money, “Fine, you ungrateful thing, hiding money from your own mother! Planning to give it all to the Li Family?”

Years of secret savings gone all at once, Jiang Xingjun’s heart was bleeding. He pointed at Jiang Xingye, meaning he would remember this.

Jiang Xingye chuckled and sat proudly with Xu Qinghuan, “Wife, continue your analysis. What’s really going on?”

“I also heard that Li Xiulan seldom works in the fields and often visits the supply and marketing cooperative in the commune. It’s said there are nights she doesn’t come home,” Xu Qinghuan said carefully, choosing her words.

Zhou Guizhi and others’ faces changed drastically. Naturally, they trusted Xu Qinghuan’s words.

But Xu Qinghuan could only hint so far.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep