Chapter 9: When it Comes to Retirement, You’ve Gotta Rely on a Man

“Sister-in-law, are you home?”

Li Aimei stood before Wang Guifen’s door, clutching a basket filled with half a bag of precious white flour and more than a dozen plump eggs.

These were treasures her family rarely allowed themselves to eat.

She understood well: if she wanted to find a good bride for her son, she had to invest heavily.

As the saying goes, you can’t catch a wolf without taking some risks.

A few days ago, she had begged Wang Guifen to introduce a match for her son, but her good intentions backfired when her own ill-behaved daughter chased her away with a knife.

Just thinking about it gave her a headache, but for her son’s happiness, Li Aimei forced herself to swallow her pride and come to apologize.

She hoped to plead once more with Wang Guifen, to see if she could find a suitable girl for her son.

“Oh my, isn’t this Aimei? Little sister, what a surprise!”

Wang Guifen recognized her voice instantly.

She hurried out from the inner room, her face blooming with a warm smile, as if greeting a long-lost relative.

“Come inside quickly, it’s too hot out here.”

With that, Wang Guifen eagerly took Li Aimei by the hand and led her indoors.

Li Aimei returned the smile and handed over the basket she carried.

“Sister-in-law, you’ve truly been worrying yourself sick over my boy’s affairs. My daughter was just acting crazy a few days ago—please don’t take it to heart. These are just a small token of my gratitude; please don’t think it’s too little.”

Wang Guifen glanced into the basket. The white flour and eggs gleamed temptingly in the sunlight, filling her with quiet joy.

Still, she politely replied, “Oh, we’re old sisters; there’s no need to be so formal. Look at you, bringing so many things.”

“Come now, sister-in-law, don’t be so polite. Compared to the worry you’ve had over my son, this is nothing,” Li Aimei said, gently nudging Wang Guifen’s elbow, her eyes full of gratitude.

Seeing this, Wang Guifen smiled and accepted the basket, setting it on the nearby table.

Then, she held Li Aimei’s hands tightly and warmly led her to her own room.

Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting mottled patterns across the bedsheets.

They sat side by side on the bed, and Wang Guifen picked up an old porcelain cup from the bedside table.

She poured a cup of water for Li Aimei.

Taking the cup, Li Aimei’s eyes shone with anxiety and hope. “Sister-in-law, you’ve been running around all these days for my son’s sake. Have you made any progress?”

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It was clear this matter weighed heavily on her heart.

Wang Guifen, troubled by Li Aimei’s daughter, had lost all interest.

She had no mind to find matchmakers anymore.

But still, she sighed.

“Oh, sister, you don’t know—I’ve been running all over the neighboring villages for your son’s sake, my lips nearly chapped from talking. But these days, girls are as sly as cats, picky and choosy, and there hasn’t been a single willing one.”

Hearing this, Li Aimei grew anxious. “Sister-in-law, you can’t just give up! I’m counting on you completely.”

Wang Guifen crossed her legs, pulled out a cigarette, struck a match, and lit it. A wisp of blue smoke curled up as she inhaled deeply before speaking slowly.

“Little sister, I won’t hide it from you—this is indeed difficult. You know, even able-bodied young men these days struggle to find brides. And your son has a limp... sigh, it’s tough.”

Li Aimei’s anxiety increased. “So, you mean there’s really no way at all?”

Wang Guifen pondered for a moment, then finally mentioned the plan they had before.

“There is one solution, but… your daughter has already messed it up, hasn’t she?”

Upon hearing this, Li Aimei immediately understood. “You mean the arranged marriage? But as you’ve seen, my daughter is desperate and reckless. The old village chief even talked to me, saying I shouldn’t interfere in love affairs between men and women—that it’s illegal.”

Wang Guifen sighed heavily, her tone earnest. “I know that well. But sister, if you don’t try to reason with her, how can this work? We’ve been through this ourselves; we know such matches benefit both families. And with your son’s condition, he really needs a wife to care for him.”

Li Aimei furrowed her brow deeply, lost in thought.

She knew this matter was hard to resolve, but what else could she do?

Helplessly, she shook her head. “Sister-in-law, I truly don’t know what to do.”

Wang Guifen gripped Li Aimei’s hand and spoke earnestly.

“There’s a saying: you can’t beat a wall with dust, and a daughter can’t take care of her mother. Look at the world now—when it comes to old age and last rites, it’s the men who bear the responsibility. City folks with good jobs have pensions and funeral funds, a grand send-off. But we, tillers of the soil, can only nibble on the landlord’s scraps and hope to get by with our little fields.”

She sighed again, her eyes flashing with helplessness.

“Aimei, if you can’t bear to part with your daughter and want her to have a good future, you must also think about your family line. If your family’s lineage ends, just imagine when you’re old, unable to walk or stand, and no grandchildren around to care for you—how lonely that would be!”

Listening to Wang Guifen’s words, Li Aimei’s brow tightened, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

A wave of sorrow welled up inside her.

Though harsh, Wang Guifen’s words were undeniably true.

In this remote village, traditional beliefs ran deep, and a son’s role was irreplaceable.

---

“Sister-in-law, I understand everything you’ve said,” Li Aimei sighed.

“Aimei, we’ve both been through this and know the difficulties.”

“Here’s what we’ll do: you start making arrangements, and I’ll try to persuade my daughter.”

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The town market buzzed with noise and bustle.

Lin Junsheng and the old village chief weaved through the throng, their eyes scanning the myriad colorful stalls.

There were vendors selling fried dough sticks, spicy soup, and stewed noodles—piping hot and fragrant.

Others sold piles of cabbage and chili peppers, vibrant and colorful.

Market-goers haggled and shouted, creating a lively scene full of life.

Lin Junsheng hobbled along on his lame leg.

His disability made him stand out amidst the bustling crowd.

Most glanced at him with sympathy, and now and then, murmurs expressed regret over how such a handsome young man ended up with a limp.

The old village chief walked close beside him, chatting as they went.

They passed through the lively stalls and came to a quieter part of the market.

Here, the noise faded, and stalls were sparse, selling brooms, bamboo baskets, and other daily necessities.

Lin Junsheng’s gaze wandered among the stalls when suddenly a girl crouched selling long-haired rabbits caught his attention.

She wore a pink plaid shirt and had two braids, looking simple and pure.

The long-haired rabbits nibbled quietly on their hay beside her, their fluffy fur utterly adorable.

A group of middle-aged men gathered around her stall, chatting noisily, asking about the rabbits’ prices, some reaching out to stroke the rabbits’ fur.

Lin Junsheng couldn’t help but step forward.

“Miss, how much for these long-haired rabbits?” he asked.