章 11: Chapter 11 Temporary Measures
"I refused before because I felt that our family was not in a position to climb up to the Luo family's status, and if we added that condition, it would just be taking advantage of past events to seek benefits for our daughter. Your father and I could not do such a thing."
"But now it's different. You've spoken, and if you don't marry Hongqi, no decent family will come to ask for your hand in marriage." Zhao Yulan paused before concluding, "For your well-being, your father and I could even forsake our dignity."
"Dad, Mom, if you truly want to propose to Fat Auntie, that's fine, but I have one condition, I must not marry before I turn twenty-two. Otherwise, you will lose me forever. If you don't believe me, try me."
Lin Chuxia said this with a determined face that betrayed a hint of desolation. She knew clearly that, given time, she would surely blossom into an incomparable beauty. Sadly, in her era, that might not necessarily be a good thing. Her views were influenced by the novels she had read in her previous life, and she admitted to carrying some prejudices about this time period. But for a girl, reputation was always extremely important, whatever the era.
As the village secretary, Luo Gangshun wielded authority, and Fat Auntie was not someone to be trifled with. If her engagement to Hongqi were settled, no one would dare have designs on her, otherwise, just a few words spread by Eldest Uncle's Wife could attract all sorts of disreputable families, chasing after her based on rumors.
However, even understanding all this, she could not accept living with someone devoid of feelings. Just thinking about the unavoidable intimacy made her feel sick to her stomach. How could one engage in acts of love without love itself?
Therefore, her request was to postpone the marriage for five years, and moreover, the college entrance examination was set to be restored next year... That might be a way out for her. Her approach was somewhat selfish, but she had no other choice. If her wish was granted, she would definitely compensate Fat Auntie's family...
"Chuxia..." Lin Chuxia's expression frightened Zhao Yulan, who gently pat her back repeatedly, "If you really don't like Hongqi that much, let it be. After dinner, I'll talk to your Fat Auntie to clarify, saying that what you said today was provoked by your sister-in-law defending me and your father, asking her not to take it to heart."
"Mom, you're right, maybe in a few years Hongqi will learn to be more caring. Plus, Uncle Gangshun is so loving, he won't be too bad, right? It's just that... I can't accept finding a husband's family all of a sudden. Anyway... that day will come eventually. Let's not upset Fat Auntie's family. As long as they agree to wait until I'm 22 to get married, we can settle this matter," she said.
God knows how much it went against her heart to say these words, but in that era, her survival skills were too weak. If she had any way out at all, she wouldn't choose this path.
With his daughter's firm decision, Lin Baohe went to Fat Auntie's house. In less than half an hour, Fat Auntie and Luo Gangshun returned with Lin Baohe. As soon as they entered, Fat Sister-in-law took Lin Chuxia's hand and started crying, "Chuxia, Auntie has waited so many years, finally, the wait is over."
"Hehe..." Lin Chuxia laughed uneasily and remained silent. She truly did not know what to say. Even as a stopgap, she felt incredibly uneasy.
"Go play with Meiying, she is waiting for you at home," said Fat Auntie, letting go of Chuxia, and shooing her to her own house. Clearly, they were there to discuss the marriage arrangements with Zhao Yulan.
Feeling like she had been pardoned, Chuxia quickly put on her shoes and ran towards Fat Auntie's house. When she opened the door, it was Hongqi who greeted her. It was too dark to see his expression, but unlike before, he didn't tease her with his words. Instead, he just made a "gurgle" sound in his throat and turned to walk into the house.
"What did you say? Can't you speak more
"Chuxia!" Luo Xiaoqiong ran out of the house, glaring at her brother Luo Hongqi who was a whole head taller than her, "Brother, didn't Dad and Mom say you should take it easy on Chuxia? Why are you still so thoughtless?"
Luo Hongqi, as if he hadn't heard his sister's words, entered his room without looking back and slammed the door shut with a loud "bang," startling Chuxia into shivering unconsciously.
"Lunatic!" murmured Luo Xiaoqiong, pulling Chuxia into her own room, "Chuxia, don't stoop to his level. He's just shy and too embarrassed to show it. Who knows how happy he actually is inside..."
Chuxia sneakily pursed her lips. She wasn't stupid; there was a huge difference between being shy and being dislikeable. Even though in that space and time she was only 22 and hadn't seriously dated, she had experienced the beginnings of romance and understood very well what mutual attraction between a man and a woman looked like. Luo Hongqi's behavior was clearly that of someone who disliked her—intensely at that!
This piqued her curiosity. What kind of grudge did Luo Hongqi have against her to resent her to such an extent?
Once inside the house, Luo Xiaoqiong fiddled with the lamp wick of the hurricane lantern, considerably brightening the room and lifting Chuxia's spirits; her own home only had a tiny kerosene lamp that flickered dimly, oppressively so.
"Chuxia, how did you come to terms with it?" Luo Xiaoqiong asked with shining eyes, "But why wait until after 22 to get married? It would be so nice to have you here earlier to keep me company!"
"You've seen your brother's attitude, I have to give him time to grow fond of me if I want this to last..." said Chuxia, batting her large eyes, "Ah, if it weren't for getting along with you, and Fat Auntie and Uncle Gangshun being so kind to me, I wouldn't even think about marrying him."
"No, Chuxia, he's just stubborn like that. Who knows, he might actually like you..." Luo Xiaoqiong began to explain eagerly on her brother's behalf but was interrupted as the door flew open with a "bang!"
The loud noise made Lin Chuxia and Luo Xiaoqiong reflexively look towards the door—there stood Luo Hongqi, nearly hitting his head against the doorframe, his expression dark.
Chuxia, who wanted to reprimand him for bursting in without knocking, opened her mouth but didn't dare make a sound. A wise man wouldn't pick a fight he can't win... oh no, a wise woman wouldn't either, as she didn't want to be hit for no reason.
She was aware that her thoughts might be biased, but in this unfamiliar era and under the pale light of the lamp, the stout and sturdy Luo Hongqi held an absolute intimidating presence over her.
"Brother, didn't you go back to your room? What are you doing eavesdropping? Even if Chuxia is going to be my sister-in-law, you still have no right to do that!" Luo Xiaoqiong asked, displeasure evident on her face.
The indignation on Luo Hongqi's stern face became apparent: "I wasn't eavesdropping on purpose. I just got hungry and came out to find something to eat; who knew I would overhear you guys talking about me." He then turned a fierce look towards Lin Chuxia, "Lin Chuxia, you clearly know I don't like you, yet you had your dad come to my family to propose. Tell me the truth, is your family after our grain or me as a person?"
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