This matter couldn’t be settled, and Shun Ge’er wanted to hit him.
Old Ma was quicker, swinging his cane and scaring Shun Ge’er back several steps. Hai Youtian stepped forward to hold Old Ma, stopping him from swinging.
Shun Ge’er told Hai Youtian to hold him tighter. “I have to dunk his head in cold water, let him feel the chill, look in the water mirror, and see who he’s offended today!”
Hai Youtian hesitated, not using full strength, and Old Ma bounced and twisted in the hall, lunging toward Shun Ge’er.
“I don’t think this is a good idea… shall we just go back?” Hai Youtian suggested.
Shun Ge’er refused.
His mother and older brother had never been wronged outside, but this was his first time handling things alone. The matter was unresolved, and suddenly there was an extra “father” in the mix—he had to vent!
“Hold him! Or I’ll tell my mother when I get home!” Shun Ge’er said.
Thinking of Chen Guizhi’s scolding skills, Hai Youtian shivered and held Old Ma back.
“I’ll tell my older brother too, let him beat you!” Shun Ge’er added.
Hai Youtian cried out, “Why me?”
“You’re in cahoots!” Shun Ge’er said.
Hai Youtian restrained Old Ma completely, not letting him take a single step forward.
Shun Ge’er went out, looked around, and found the kitchen to fetch a basin of cold water.
At this time of year, a basin of cold water would be no small shock.
Standing outside in the cold wind, Shun Ge’er calmed a bit but was still hesitant, unsure how to act. He brought the water over, and seeing this, Old Ma immediately softened, singing as he spoke.
“Oh! My poor child, how could you leave so early! Let your old father be humiliated! At my age, I can’t bear to eat or wear much, using my skills to teach others only to draw two thieves! I don’t want to live! What’s the point of living? I’ll die and join you in the underworld, we’ll continue beekeeping together, and those two thieves won’t benefit!”
Hai Youtian could tell he was faking it. Seeing Shun Ge’er hesitate, he urged, “Forget it. There’s nothing to gain. He’s shouting so loudly, neighbors might come and drag us to the authorities.”
Old Ma sang even louder.
Shun Ge’er: “…”
He turned and poured the water into the courtyard anyway, still unsatisfied.
Outside, they overheard neighbors say, “Old Ma has no son—didn’t he sell his son?”
Shun Ge’er paused, remembering Old Ma was a gambler who had lost everything.
He no longer felt angered. No deal was fine; someone like that would only cause trouble if brought back to the village.
Hai Youtian, feeling guilty, followed him. “This is my fault. I didn’t check carefully. Wait—let me investigate further, and in a few days, I’ll find someone suitable and let you know.”
Shun Ge’er snorted twice, realizing Hai Youtian was helping without taking any money. He said, “Don’t bother with that old rascal. If my older brother or mother heard what he said, he’d be doomed. I’ve got the best temper in the family!”
Hai Youtian wiped his sweat, grumbling to himself: “Your second brother’s temper is better.”
The negotiation failed; today, they would call it quits.
Shun Ge’er returned home, bursting with complaints. He asked, “Where are my older brother and sister-in-law?”
Chen Guizhi replied, “Busy with something.”
Today’s events over, Li Feng and Lu Liu followed Hai Youtian as he checked around for apprentices. They mentioned Old Ma but didn’t speak ill of Shun Ge’er, and returned home satisfied.
They hadn’t traveled far, but the entire day had been nonstop.
Near dinner, on the way back, they passed a matchmaker’s house and inquired if any eligible men were willing to marry in.
Li Feng wanted to give Shun Ge’er more options but ended up frustrated.
In a bustling city like this, the diligent wouldn’t starve. But there were few good men willing to marry in.
He ignored laziness; their character wasn’t clear either. Listening to their age, build, and appearance, Li Feng imagined—if they found one for Shun Ge’er, it might be better to just let them marry out.
Lu Liu comforted him, saying, “This is just the first house. He didn’t like anyone here; we can try others. There’s still the official matchmaker—don’t be upset.”
He added, “Time flies. When I was observing, I didn’t dare look at the matchmaker too much. Now we’re making demands.”
Li Feng, distracted, asked Lu Liu, “How did you and Xie Yan get matched?”
Lu Liu recounted: “I saw many households; most were poor. Some men were ruffians, some widowers with children, some lazy or ruined, some old bachelors. A few suitable ones came once but never returned. Finally, my husband remained. He sat with Aunt Zhao in silence; I sat with my father in silence. The observation took most of the day, from morning to afternoon, covering trivial details. I barely remember what we said, only that it was exhausting.”
Lu Liu had grown and understood much.
She told Li Feng: “I realized our family was poor. Good matches were rare. Even a bad man can be married with some silver for the matchmaker—he’ll be worth it.”
Now, Shun Ge’er seeking a husband was similar.
To find a decent man, some silver had to be spent.
Li Feng nodded, saying: “When I was observing Lu Yang, it was quick. My mother and Old Chen sat aside, cheerfully discussing betrothal gifts, dowry, and banquet. He told me about his family. His words weren’t sharp then; he treated me respectfully. He said men toil outside, leave household matters to women. I wasn’t naive—I knew he wanted to take charge. I spoke two words; he got angry. Seeing his temper, I refused him. Since I refused, we argued and dispersed.”
The couple realized: observation was quick. Careful selection followed, then a match was made.
They returned home, a little melancholy, and told the truth about Hai Youtian’s performance.
Chen Guizhi didn’t hide anything from Shun Ge’er. “We thought it was okay. Think it over. Let your older brother and sister-in-law run around more these days; if someone suitable appears, meet them.”
Shun Ge’er was surprised but calmed down.
Familiarity gave him confidence and less fear.
He looked at his family and said, “I don’t feel anything special. I just treat him like an apprentice; our chats are ordinary.”
Previously in the village, watching others’ observations embarrassed him—face red, ears red, neck red, eyes full of emotion. Ah!
Thinking of it, he blushed, making his family laugh.
He sought his older brother’s and sister-in-law’s support: “Was observation like this?”
They had no experience to share.
Lu Liu had observed many times, but none satisfactory. He’d blushed before—out of anger.
Li Feng had many observations, but each left him frustrated, like meat laid on a table, picked over and haggled. In short, unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, why blush?
Hearing this, Shun Ge’er felt it was normal. He no longer worried. “If I don’t count blushing, I can talk to him. He knows a lot, and I enjoy listening.”
Chen Guizhi told Li Feng: “In the coming days, continue finding beekeepers. Test his attitude toward marrying in.”
Li Feng agreed, glancing at Shun Ge’er.
Fortunately, he stayed home; otherwise, how could they let him go?
