Chapter 502: Looking for a Partner
Chapter 502: Chapter 502: Looking for a Partner
"Xiao Rui, Wu Jiao and Wu Yao have been with you for a few years now. They were eighteen when they first arrived, and in the blink of an eye, they’re about to turn twenty-two," Aunt Zhou said with a smile. "They’re getting to that age where they should be looking for partners. My sister wrote to me, asking me to help find some suitable matches, and I wanted to get your opinion as well."
Han Xiaorui was taken aback and tapped her forehead. "Look at me, so busy all the time that I completely forgot about this. I still thought of Wu Jiao and Wu Yao as little girls! They’re twenty-one now; that’s definitely not so little anymore."
"Aunt Zhou, you’re their aunt, their elder. What does their family have in mind? What sort of person are they looking for? Tell me, and I’ll also ask Wu Jiao and Wu Yao themselves when I get home tonight."
Wu Jiao and Wu Yao’s brother, Wu Yong, had once saved Ye Feng’s life.
In Ye Feng’s eyes, Wu Jiao and Wu Yao weren’t just housekeepers; they were his little sisters.
He had to look after Wu Jiao and Wu Yao on Wu Yong’s behalf, which was why both he and Han Xiaorui always treated the sisters so well.
They were also very good to Wu Yong’s third sister, Wu Mei.
Aunt Zhou smiled. "My older sister only has two requirements. First, the man must be a good person. Second, his parents must be good people, and his family must be kind and easygoing. She didn’t say much about money, but she assumes that any local from Shencheng would own a house, so she didn’t make that an explicit requirement."
Hearing Aunt Zhou’s requirements, Han Xiaorui blinked. Two suitable candidates immediately came to mind.
But it was still very early, so Han Xiaorui decided to ask Wu Jiao and Wu Yao for their thoughts first.
"Alright, I understand. To Ye Feng and me, Wu Jiao and Wu Yao are like our own little sisters. I’ll be sure to take finding them partners seriously. Together, we’ll find good husbands for these two wonderful girls."
Hearing this, Aunt Zhou beamed. "Wonderful, that’s just wonderful! Xiao Rui, thank you and Ye Feng so much. My job at Cuicui’s home is so pleasant. Room and board are included, the pay is high, and I can save every penny. I’ve already got my retirement fund sorted."
"Since Wu Jiao and Wu Yao are always with you, you must know their characters well. They are truly the best of girls. My sister and I have both had difficult lives, so for the rest of our days, all we hope for is that our children can live well."
Han Xiaorui agreed. "Of course. We have to be careful when finding partners for our little sisters."
When she returned home that evening, Han Xiaorui told Ye Feng about Aunt Zhou’s request.
Ye Feng was surprised for a moment, then he smiled. "The first time I met Wu Jiao and Wu Yao, they were only thirteen. They were just little kids. Now they’re all grown up."
"Those two are good-looking girls. They’ve trained in martial arts since they were young and have kept it up, so they’re in great shape and very healthy. We should forget about looking elsewhere. It would be ideal if we could find them partners right here in Jinshan Bay."
Han Xiaorui nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. If they’re close by, we can look out for them. Besides, here in Jinshan Bay, everyone has a job, every family has a business, and everyone is well-off. Do you have any suitable candidates in mind?"
Ye Feng thought for a moment, then said, "What do you think of Village Chief Liu’s nephew, Liu Xiangnan?"
Han Xiaorui considered it and nodded. "He’s a good choice! Liu Xiangnan has an older sister who’s a nurse at the hospital and is married to someone in the city. She only comes back for the holidays and is usually too busy to be meddlesome. His parents are kind people, which is great. As for Liu Xiangnan himself, he’s done excellent work over the past three years—he’s serious, responsible, and a man of integrity. That’s one candidate. We still need to find another."
Ye Feng was still thinking it over when Sister Lian came in to prepare a bottle of formula for the baby and overheard their conversation.
"Xiao Rui, you don’t need to worry about Wu Jiao. She should have a boyfriend by now. Wu Yao is still single, though, so you can introduce that person to her."
Han Xiaorui and Ye Feng were both stunned. "Oh my god, Sister Lian, since when? Who is he? What does he do? What’s he like? What about his family?"
Ye Feng grew anxious. After all, Wu Jiao was like a little sister to him.
If she got tricked or taken advantage of, how could Ye Feng ever face his fallen comrade, Wu Yong?
Sister Lian smiled. "It’s Sun Dayong, the jade craftsman from your handicraft shop, Xiao Rui."
Han Xiaorui froze for a second as it clicked. "Oh, it’s Dayong!"
Ye Feng had met Sun Dayong before but didn’t know much about him. "What’s the story with this Sun Dayong? Tell me, quickly!"
Han Xiaorui answered, "Sun Dayong is an artisan at the handicraft shop. He’s extremely skilled. Most of the items in there now are made by him and his senior."
"Sun Dayong is an only son. His mother used to work at the textile factory, and his father was at the food factory, but they’ve both been laid off. Now, his mother works at Cuicui’s clothing factory, and his father works at my godmother’s pastry shop—he even has a stake in it!"
"Oh, right, Sun Dayong’s mother is also my godmother’s niece—my godmother’s sister’s daughter! So there’s that family connection as well!"
"The young man is about five-foot-ten, decent-looking and proper. He’s dependable but also sharp, and his craftsmanship is outstanding! He’s managing the handicraft shop for me now. During the off-season, he can make several hundred a month, but during the peak season this summer, he was earning 1,500 to 2,000 yuan a month!"
Ye Feng let out a sigh of relief. "Well, that’s good! We know his background, so if they really did get married, it would be a fine match!"
Han Xiaorui nodded. "Yes, the fact that my godmother is willing to do business with his parents, and that they get along well, proves they must be good people."
Ye Feng nodded. "I trust Granny Cai’s judgment and character. When you have a moment, you should ask Wu Jiao about it. If they’re really dating and getting along well, then we and Aunt Zhou can represent her family and give them our blessing."
Han Xiaorui chuckled. "What’s the rush! Even if he’s a great catch, our Wu Jiao is a great catch too. If they’re going to get engaged, shouldn’t the man’s family be the ones to send a matchmaker to formally propose?"
Ye Feng looked blank. "Isn’t it the same thing?"
Sister Lian laughed when she heard that. "How could it be the same? There’s an old saying: ’Marry off a daughter with your head held high; take a wife with your head bowed low.’ We’re on the bride’s side, so we have to be reserved. The man’s side must take the initiative. That’s the only way he’ll truly cherish her after he marries her."
"If we’re too eager and make it too easy for him to marry her, his family might think we’re desperate and just trying to foist our daughter on them! Dating is one thing, but when it comes to marriage, you have to maintain a bit of decorum."
Han Xiaorui deeply agreed. "Exactly! When the time is right, his family will find a matchmaker and come to us with a proposal! Even if Sun Dayong doesn’t know the proper etiquette, wouldn’t his mother?"
"Ye Feng, don’t be so anxious. Let me talk to Wu Jiao first, and then we can decide how to proceed. I’ll take care of this, I promise everything will be handled properly."
Ye Feng nodded and said to Han Xiaorui in a serious tone, "Xiao Rui, we have to handle this with the utmost care."
This was the promise he had made to Wu Yong: to protect and take care of his family.
Before Wu Yong drew his last breath, his greatest worry had been for his widowed mother and younger siblings back home.