Inside the house, Chen Xiue carefully considered her words. Wanting to avoid offending the matchmaker, she spoke gently.
"Matchmaker Zhang, you might not know this, but our Su Yun has already found a job. She's not in a hurry to get married. Her father and I were hoping to keep her with us for a few more years…"
"What? Su Yun has a job now? Since when?" Matchmaker Zhang asked in surprise.
But very quickly, she clapped her hands excitedly.
"Having a job is a good thing! Doesn't that make it a double blessing? If the marriage with the Jiang family works out, then your Su Yun will not only have a job but also marry a golden son-in-law. That's double happiness—what great fortune!"
Chen Xiue opened her mouth but hesitated, glancing awkwardly at Su Wenshan.
Su Wenshan exhaled a puff of smoke and asked in a low voice,
"Didn't the Jiang family previously say they weren't interested in our Su Yun? Why have they suddenly changed their minds?"
Hearing this, Matchmaker Zhang kept smiling happily.
"Well, during the earlier matchmaking meeting, there were a few small misunderstandings. Everyone felt a bit uncomfortable afterward, so the Jiang family wanted to think things over for a few days. But after calming down, Sister Jiang realized that your Su Yun is still the best choice. Most importantly, even Deputy Factory Director Jiang is very satisfied with Su Yun. He said he recognizes only Su Yun as his future daughter-in-law!"
"Just think about it—what high praise! A deputy director of a steel factory has much higher standards than ordinary people. Even he thinks Su Yun is good, so what reason do you have to hesitate?"
Hearing this explanation, Su Wenshan and Chen Xiue both fell silent.
At that moment, the couple shared the same thought.
Before, Su Yun had been facing the possibility of being sent down to the countryside. Considering the Jiang family's circumstances, marrying into their family meant she could remain in the city and live comfortably. No matter how they looked at it back then, it seemed like a good match.
But now things were different.
Their Su Yun was pretty and already had a job. She didn't need to rush into marriage. With Jiang Guangzong's unattractive appearance, how could he possibly be worthy of her?
Although both of them were thinking this, neither showed it on their faces.
Taking advantage of the moment, Matchmaker Zhang continued persuading them.
"Big sister, this opportunity is rare. You must grasp it well. Families like the Jiangs are ones many girls would fight desperately to marry into, yet they have chosen your Su Yun!"
"To be honest with you, Sister Jiang recently sprained her waist and has difficulty moving around. The Jiang family hopes to settle the engagement as soon as possible, and then let Su Yun come over to take care of Sister Jiang for a few days. Once she recovers, they'll arrange the wedding for the two children."
She spoke as if it were only natural.
"As long as Su Yun takes good care of Sister Jiang after she moves in and satisfies the Jiang family, she will naturally enjoy a good life in the future. She'll be eating and drinking the best food in the Jiang household…"
"What did you just say?" Chen Xiue suddenly interrupted.
Matchmaker Zhang froze, her gesturing hand suspended in midair. After a moment, she finally noticed Chen Xiue's displeasure, though she did not understand the reason for it.
With a stern face, Chen Xiue said irritably,
"So that's why the Jiang family suddenly changed their mind and said they like our Su Yun. So this is their plan! They're quite calculating. The engagement hasn't even been confirmed yet, and they're already thinking of treating our daughter like a servant. They really think too highly of themselves!"
Su Wenshan also looked at Matchmaker Zhang with an unfriendly expression.
Matchmaker Zhang looked embarrassed and quickly explained,
"Big sister, how can you call that calculating? Since ancient times, daughters-in-law have taken care of their mothers-in-law. That's perfectly natural. Which woman hasn't gone through that?"
Chen Xiue sneered.
"Well, I didn't. When my mother-in-law was alive, she never ordered me around for a single day!"
"Alright, Matchmaker Zhang, please help us pass along a message to the Jiang family. Tell them that our Su Yun is not interested in Jiang Guangzong. They should quickly find a good daughter-in-law who is willing to take care of Sister Jiang and make sure her health isn't delayed!"
After Chen Xiue finished speaking, Su Wenshan directly dismissed the guest.
"Matchmaker Zhang, it's getting late. We won't see you out."
Matchmaker Zhang's face darkened instantly. Placing her hands on her hips, she said angrily,
"Hmph! I came here kindly to arrange a marriage, yet you're acting so high and mighty. The Jiang family has such excellent conditions and only made one small request, yet instead of accepting it gracefully, you're driving me away? Fine! From now on, even if you invite me, I will never step into the Su family's door again! Hmph!"
With that, she opened the door and stormed off angrily.
---
He Hua, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, quickly stepped aside to avoid being seen. Su Yun followed behind her, still holding the ladle she had used to feed the chickens.
Watching Matchmaker Zhang leave angrily, He Hua's face was filled with jealousy and resentment. She clenched her teeth and muttered in a low voice,
"Damn Su Yun, you shameless fox! Why do you get all the good things? You already have a job, yet you still want to steal my man! Just wait and see—I'll prove that I'm better than you. The one who will marry into the Jiang family will definitely be me!"
Hearing this, Su Yun couldn't help but applaud her with the ladle.
"Well said!"
He Hua jumped in fright. She turned around and stared at Su Yun as if she had seen a ghost.
"Su Yun! When did you start standing there?"
Su Yun shrugged innocently.
"I've been standing here the whole time. You just didn't notice."
"Oh, by the way, He Hua, even though we dislike each other, I completely agree with what you just said. I think you and Jiang Guangzong are perfectly matched. So hurry up and work hard. Think carefully about how you're going to marry into the Jiang family. Don't waste your time on me, understand?"
Recently, He Hua had been constantly watching Su Yun, which was extremely annoying. If she could trick her into focusing on Jiang Guangzong instead, that would solve the problem nicely.
After all, Su Yun knew Jiang Guangzong very well. Although he was ugly, his ambitions were extremely high. There was no way he would ever be interested in someone like He Hua.
Su Yun meant what she said sincerely, but to He Hua it sounded like pure mockery and ridicule.
In her mind, Su Yun was laughing at her for having nothing.
He Hua had always been insecure and sensitive. Facing Su Yun now felt like a tremendous humiliation. She shouted angrily,
"Su Yun, go ahead and laugh! Let's see how long you can stay proud!"
Her loud voice immediately brought Chen Xiue out of the house.
"What's going on? He Hua, why are you shouting outside my house?"
As soon as He Hua heard her voice, she ran away as if her feet had been greased!
Su Yun found it amusing. She put the ladle back in the kitchen and went inside.
Inside the house, Su Wenshan and Chen Xiue seemed to have silently agreed on something. Neither of them mentioned Matchmaker Zhang's visit to Su Yun.
---
The next morning, as usual, the Su family finished breakfast and went out.
All four family members had their own destinations. Three of them had secure government jobs in different directions, while Su Baoguo's elementary school happened to be on the same route as Su Wenshan.
After Su Yun left, He Hua followed behind her with a dark expression. The jealousy and hatred in her narrowed eyes were impossible to hide.
Not long afterward, He Hua made an excuse that she was going out to meet her boyfriend and slipped out of the courtyard. She found a secluded corner and wrapped an old scarf tightly around her head, leaving only her eyes visible so that no one could recognize her.
Then she walked close to the walls, passing through several streets until she arrived at the Street Supervision Office.
The office's complaint box was located beneath the steps outside the entrance. He Hua walked over skillfully, took a letter of accusation from her pocket, and was about to drop it inside.
Suddenly, two men wearing the Supervision Office uniforms grabbed her arms and quickly pulled her aside to a sheltered corner.
"What are you doing? Let me go! My man is the son of the deputy director of the steel factory—mmph!"