"How did things go?"
"Madam, everything has been taken care of," Sister-in-law Li respectfully reported, meticulously recounting the details of the event.
"Wait, you said that person was originally a beggar?" Yang Chuxia asked in astonishment.
"He was a beggar but not anymore," Sister-in-law Li said.
"So you really found her a beggar?" Yang Chuxia exclaimed in amazement. After Sister-in-law Li had said a few words that day, she knew Sister-in-law Li wouldnât find Qian Xiaoqing a particularly good match, but she never expected it to be a beggarâhow ruthless!
"Yes, madam. Listen to me, this is exactly how one should deal with people like Qian Xiaoqing."
Fearing that Yang Chuxia might blame her, Sister-in-law Li explained, "She wants to marry into a good family, doesnât she? I went straight for a beggar. She likes handsome and young men, right? I found her someone both old and ugly. She thinks sheâs still a pure maiden, right? After those three glasses of medicine, can she still claim so?"
"I completely shattered all her expectations and pride. Letâs see how she dares to make trouble again." She added, "Madam, based on my experience, people like Qian Xiaoqing arenât suited for a good marriage; otherwise, theyâll cause endless trouble. Thatâs why I found her this sort of match."
"Hmm, well done. You may go rest now. In the future, youâll handle such matters," Yang Chuxia said.
"Yes, madam. Iâll take my leave now."
Thrilled with her handling of the affair, Sister-in-law Li smiled all the way back to her room.
"Madam, do you think Qian Xiaoqing will settle down now?" Mingcui asked.
"Thatâs hard to say."
Qian Xiaoqing was so good at causing a ruckus, she was like an indestructible cockroach. As long as she wished and as long as she lived, she could pop up at any time. "It doesnât matter where she makes a fuss, as long as she doesnât come to Yangshu Village and disturb us."
If she dared to cause trouble in Yangshu Village again, it wouldnât be as simple as marrying off to a beggar!
"Daddy, can I write my characters later?"
"No!" Yangyangâs clear voice carried from a distance, together with Ziâanâs firm rejection.
"Why not?" Yangyang tugged at Ziâanâs sleeve. "I want to draw for my sister and brother. Iâll write after I finish drawing. Daddy, it will just take a little while."
"Still not possible!" Ziâan said, "You can draw in the evening."
"Mom said that the light is too dim in the evening and itâs bad for the eyes to draw, so I can only draw during the day."
"Then you can write after youâve finished your characters," Ziâan stopped walking and looked at him. "Why do you have to draw right now?"
"..."
"Son, donât think your father doesnât know what youâre up to. You just want to play with your brother and sister. With your drawing skills, Iâm too embarrassed to say anything. And yet you want to draw?"
Ziâan looked at him helplessly. The boy was really a headache; always finding excuses to procrastinate whenever it was time to do schoolwork.
"Wow! Daddy, thatâs really low of youâI can too draw!" Yangyang ran into the house feeling very upset to seek solace from Yang Chuxia. "Mom, Daddy is being too mean. He looks down on my drawing skills."
But Little Yangyang was unaware that his motherâs words would make him even more dejected.
"Oh, you can draw too? I thought only your brother could!"
Suddenly, Yangyang felt his little heart shattered; one belittled his drawing skills, and the other didnât think he could draw at all. His dignity was wounded.
Thus, the little tyke ran off with tears streaming down his face.