Chapter 19: So This Is Your Older Sister?
Two days later, Jiang Yu had just received a ten-yuan payment for her manuscript when she was hurriedly brought back to South River Village by Jiang Ting, who claimed that Wang Meili was sick and that she should go home to see her.
Jiang Yu didn't even have time to stop by Aunt Xiangling's house to pick up her things before Jiang Ting urged her onto the bus.
After a hurried journey, they finally arrived at South River Village.
As soon as she entered the yard, Jiang Yu saw a man about Jiang Yonghua's age staring fixedly at her.
Sitting next to Jiang Hao was a woman who looked at her with a haughty expression.
Jiang Yu wasn't foolish. Upon seeing Wang Meili's healthy complexion, she realized why they had tricked her into coming back.
"So this is your older sister?" Du Juan asked.
Jiang Hao nodded. "My older sister, Jiang Yu."
Du Juan sized Jiang Yu up from head to toe, her eyes scanning her like she was examining a piece of merchandise.
Jiang Ting gave Jiang Yu a push, a smug look on her face, as if she could already envision Jiang Yu marrying this widower.
Jiang Yu's expression turned numb, a cold wind seemingly blowing into her heart through a hole that had opened inside her.
These were her relatives, yet they were assessing her value, planning to marry her off for a good price.
Wang Meili smiled and said, "Jiang Yu, this is Du Juan's second uncle. There's no need to introduce him to you."
Jiang Yu cut her off with a cold face. "It doesn't matter whose relative it is. There's no need to introduce them to me."
Du Juan was furious and immediately stood up to question her. "What is your attitude supposed to be?"
Jiang Yu looked at her calmly. "What attitude do I need? Our family has been poor peasants for three generations, and we rely on our own hands to make a living. Even if a high-level leader came here, we'd still hold the same attitude! I'd like to ask you, who are you? Which landlord's family do you think you belong to, acting like a lady of the bourgeoisie with such airs?"
Du Juan's expression changed drastically, flustered by the accusation.
"You! You're talking nonsense! I'm a person from the countryside; my family is not of landlord origin!"
Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow in a mocking smile.
"Really? Then why do you act superior, as if the children of us poor peasants are beneath you?"
"I don't act that way!" Du Juan retorted sharply.
Ye Laotai, with a stern expression, stepped forward to mediate.
"Jiang Yu, how can you argue with a guest like that?"
Jiang Yu gave a cold laugh. "If you hadn't said so, Grandma, I would've thought she was some feudal lord!"
"Enough, are we done yet!" Ye Laotai said with a light scolding, before beginning to introduce Du Juan's second uncle to Jiang Yu.
"This is Du Juan's second uncle. Although he may be older, he's very dependable. We brought you back today for you to meet him. If it's a match, we can set the wedding date and choose a good day for the marriage."
Her tone was forceful, not seeking Jiang Yu's opinion but rather informing her of the decision that had already been made.
Jiang Yu said coldly, "There's no need to worry about my marriage. Aunt Xiangling has already introduced me to a city person."
As soon as these words left her mouth, everyone looked at her in disbelief.
Jiang Ting instinctively denied, "Impossible! You're tricking us!"
In her anxiety, her tone became hurried. "Mom, she must be trying to avoid the marriage. She's lying to us! City folks aren't like cabbages in a field that you can just pick and choose from."
Jiang Yu laughed and suddenly took out two dollars from her pocket, placing it on the table.
"Mom, this is the manuscript fee I just earned. For Jiang Ting, marrying a city person might be difficult, but it's different for me. I have my great-aunt and the ability to earn money."
She looked at the flushed Jiang Ting, calmly inventing a fictional person.
"That person is a reporter from the newspaper. I met him when I submitted a manuscript. We got along immediately, and now our relationship is stable."
Then she turned to look at Jiang Yonghua, who had been silent, hoping he would help.
"Of course, if Dad insists on abandoning a city son-in-law and instead wants me to marry someone older than you, making us a laughingstock, there's nothing I can do."
Du Juan was furious. "What kind of talk is that!"
Jiang Yu curled her lips. "Do you not understand? You act like you're a master, but you're just a dog that barks at everyone."
Du Juan was so angry that she tried to attack Jiang Yu, but Jiang Hao held her back.
"Did you hear what she said? She's insulting me, and I'm not supposed to get angry?" Du Juan yelled.
Jiang Hao didn't have time to comfort her, his attention on Jiang Yonghua's expression.
His silence implied he agreed with Jiang Yu's words.
Today, the matchmaking might fall through.
"Jiang Hao!" Du Juan screamed. "Say something!"
Jiang Yonghua frowned and gave her an unfriendly look.
A woman like this, and Jiang Hao treated her like a precious gem. His poor judgment was clear.
Before she even joined the family, she was stirring up trouble.
"Jiang Yu's marriage will be put aside," he said, making the decision final.
Jiang Hao's heart sank, unwilling to accept this. "Dad, what about my marriage?"
Jiang Yonghua said sternly, "At most, a 50-yuan bride price. If she agrees, we'll get married. If not, it means you're not meant to be."
Du Juan stood up abruptly, her voice tense. "Uncle, let's go!"
Watching the woman he loved leave, Jiang Hao wanted to chase after her but didn't dare move with so many family members watching.
Jiang Yu didn't want to stay for the drama and spoke to Jiang Yonghua. "Dad, I'm going back early as my great-aunt asked."
Jiang Yonghua nodded and told Wang Meili to pick some vegetables from the garden for Jiang Yu to take back.
Jiang Yu didn't refuse and left with the vegetables.
As Jiang Ting watched her leave, she slapped Jiang Hao on the head.
"You're useless! I brought her back, and you couldn't even keep her!"
Jiang Hao laughed bitterly. "Second Sister, be reasonable. If Jiang Yu doesn't agree, what can we do?"
Jiang Ting spat on his face, "Are you completely stupid? Solutions are created by people! Have your partner's second uncle grab Jiang Yu, tear her clothes off, and ruin her reputation! Then she'll have no choice but to marry!"
Wang Meili slapped her on the back, cursing angrily, "Are you deaf? Your grandaunt has introduced a city person to your sister! Why would Jiang Yu marry a widower in his forties when she can marry someone from the city?"
Jiang Ting retorted defiantly, "Only you guys believe her! Jiang Yu is definitely making it up! Jiang Hao, grow some sense! If you don't get Jiang Yu married off, your wife will run away!"
Jiang Hao wore a bitter expression. What was he supposed to do?
He couldn't come up with the money and couldn't convince Jiang Yu.
Jiang Ting got angry seeing his helpless look and decided not to speak anymore.
She then shouted at Wang Meili, "Mom, pick some vegetables for me to take back!"
"Are you trying to die? You just got married and already you're trying to mooch off your family? Which vegetables? You came empty-handed! And you expect me to give you something?" Wang Meili refused bluntly.
Jiang Ting was dissatisfied, "Why does Jiang Yu get vegetables but I don't?"
Wang Meili sneered, "Jiang Yu sent money home. What did you bring? You had the nerve to come back empty-handed on your first visit after the wedding. Your whole family is stingy, shameless! Get lost, go back to your own home!"