Chapter 455: Seeking a Son-in-Law

The sunset hung high in the sky, gradually fading as time passed.

It was springtime, the season of blooming flowers, and the days were growing longer.

Had it been winter, the moon would already be high in the sky by now, with the heavens as dark as ink.

It was dinnertime. Smoke curled up from every household in Lexiang County. At every courtyard one passed, just a shallow breath could catch the scent of all kinds of dishes—mouthwatering aromas that stirred the appetite and made those still on the road quicken their steps…

Inside one such home, a family of three sat around the dining table in the main hall.

The dishes on the table were abundant and looked utterly delicious.

Though Tan Bing was nearing her fifties, the years hadn’t left many traces on her face. Her hair was tied back, and she had gained a softer look compared to her youth.

She picked up a slice of lotus root and placed it into her daughter’s bowl. “Hanrui, the lotus root is fresh. Eat more.”

Zheng Hanrui nodded with a slight smile. “Thank you, Mother.”

“Ahem ahem!” A very obviously deliberate cough rang out.

Mother and daughter turned toward the sound and saw Zheng De pulling a straight face, silently eyeing the plate of lotus root.

Neither of them said anything. Tan Bing merely picked up a piece and placed it into his bowl, then pretended not to notice his expression.

Looking at the lotus root that had been delivered into his bowl, Zheng De picked up his chopsticks and chewed it noisily. Once he finished, he gave another pointed “Ahem ahem.”

Tan Bing handed him a spoon. “If your throat’s uncomfortable, have some soup.”

Zheng De blinked, took a sip of the soup, and coughed again.

Clack!

Tan Bing set her chopsticks down on her bowl with a snap and quietly looked at Zheng De.

The man shuddered. His chair gave a loud creak as it wobbled under him.

“Pfft—” Zheng Hanrui couldn’t hold back her laughter. She quickly ducked her head and pretended to eat, but her trembling shoulders betrayed how hard she was trying to suppress her amusement.

“What are you laughing at?!” Zheng De straightened in his seat, wanting to slap the table, but eventually just lowered his hand onto it.

“Dad~ hehehe~ I didn’t laugh!” Hanrui mumbled, hand over her mouth.

Zheng De calmed himself with a deep breath, then said, “Zheng Hanrui! How old are you now?”

Hanrui replied obediently, “Answering Father, this humble girl is in her second eight years…”

Just as Zheng De was about to explode, she quickly added, “Plus five—makes twenty-one in total…”

“You’re already twenty-one!” Zheng De looked devastated. “If we were back in the village, your father would be a grandpa by now!”

“But you!”

“You’re still single—not even someone you fancy! Instead, you’re out all day selling people things they don’t even need!”

Hanrui picked up a piece of braised pork, dropped it into Zheng De’s bowl, and said with a laugh, “Dad, eat some meat. Don’t scold me, I’m scared…”

Faced with his daughter’s pitiful look, all the fire Zheng De had worked up was snuffed out in an instant. He sighed. “I’ll speak softly then, let’s talk calmly.”

Hanrui blinked her big eyes. “Okay, Dad, I’m listening.”

She really knew her father’s soft spots… Zheng De could only smile bitterly. “Your dad’s already past fifty. How many good years do I have left? If you don’t hurry and find someone, who’ll help you raise your kid in the future? Who’ll stand up for you if your in-laws bully you?”

Hanrui shook her head and said softly, “Dad, I’ll never get married. I’ll be your daughter forever—isn’t that good?”

“You!” Zheng De’s eyes widened. Harsh words reached his lips but he swallowed them. “It’s not like I want you far from home either. That’s why I’ve gone through every good family in Lexiang County for you, but you’re never satisfied!”

“Take Qin Hao, for instance. His family runs a martial arts school. He’s strong and tough—that’s a sense of security right there!”

“If you run into some thug or scoundrel, he could protect you!”

Hanrui paused and said, “Dad, he can’t beat me…”

“He can’t beat you… Right. He can’t beat you…” Zheng De trailed off. “Maybe he was holding back?”

Hanrui’s pretty eyes sparkled. “Dad, did you forget he wanted to take me as his master after I beat him?”

Zheng De: That useless Qin Hao…

“Forget him!” Zheng De changed the subject. “Let’s talk about Chen Ren. Three generations of scholars in his family. One of his ancestors was a provincial graduate. He teaches at the county school—stable income.”

“Most importantly, he’s talented in the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, literature—he’s good at everything…”

Hanrui replied softly, “Dad, in everything you mentioned, I’m better than him…”

“That couplet I gave him last time—he still hasn’t answered it… I heard he’s been practicing calligraphy every day, hoping to defeat me in my only weak point…”

“Which shows,” she added, “he’s got perseverance. Maybe one day he’ll surpass me.”

Hearing that, Zheng De fell silent for a while before muttering, “And if he surpasses you—a trinket seller—what’s there to be proud of…”

“Pfft!” Hanrui laughed again.

Looking at his daughter trying not to laugh, Zheng De couldn’t help thinking: That useless Chen Ren…

“What are you laughing at! Be serious!” Zheng De went on, “What about Liu Feng then?”

“That kid—he’s your childhood friend, your little playmate!”

“You’ve been close since you were little. He’s always treated you well. Why don’t you feel anything for him?”

Hanrui shook her head. “Dad, I’ve always seen Liu Feng as a brother—no, I mean, just a good friend.”

“I’ve told him again and again, don’t fixate on me, but he won’t listen… If I stayed with him, he would treat me well, yes, but do you think he’d truly be happy? Or would I, your daughter, truly be happy?”

“All three of them are fine men. Each has his strengths and upright character.”

“But feelings between a man and a woman can’t be forced…”

“Dad, you wouldn’t want me to get married only to have a joyless face every day, right?”

Zheng De was quiet for a long while, then gave a smile. “Alright then, one last question.”

“Go ahead, Dad.”

“You don’t like girls, do you…”

Hanrui: ???

Tan Bing reached out and smacked Zheng De. “What nonsense are you saying?”

Zheng De spread his hands. “What can I do? She doesn’t like this one or that one—I have to consider all the possibilities!”

“Don’t worry, Dad!” Hanrui said quickly. “I definitely don’t like girls. I just think those guys are boring… I can tell what they’re thinking with one look.”

Zheng De said, “I’ve never seen you think anyone was interesting!”

“That’s because Lexiang County is too small…” Hanrui suddenly paused, a white-robed figure flashing across her mind.

She quickly set down her chopsticks. “I’m full. I’m heading out. I’ll wash the dishes tomorrow.”

“Hey!”

Watching his daughter skipping cheerfully out the door, Zheng De shouted, “It’s almost dark! Where are you going?”

Her voice drifted in from the courtyard: “To find you a son-in-law…”

Zheng De slumped into his seat. “This girl! When Mr. Gu gets back one day, I’ll have him dig out the golden kumquat she swallowed all those years ago!”

Tan Bing chuckled. “It’s been so many years, how would he even dig it out?”

“Mr. Gu will definitely have a way!”

Zheng De sighed, voice turning solemn. “Though it’s been twenty years since he last came back… I wonder what he’s doing these days…”