Chapter 35: Classmate

The old Daoist Priest Qingyun and Uncle Yu Youcai stepped outside.

Yu Youcai took his leave of the old Daoist Priest, preparing to depart.

"You're not coming back with me?" the old Daoist Priest said.

Yu Youcai shook his head and said, "I'll go for a stroll."

"Going to see Qiaozhen again?" the old Daoist Priest asked.

Yu Youcai did not answer, which counted as an admission.

The old Daoist Priest, speaking with some resentment at his lack of resolve, said, "You showed no courage while alive, yet you're so infatuated in death—truly pathetic. In his day, Mr. Yu San was quite a figure. Pity... Alas..."

The Mr. Yu San the old Daoist Priest mentioned was Uncle Yu's grandfather, and also Shen Siyuan's great-great-grandfather.

He too had been a remarkable figure back then, but time spares no one; all fades with the wind. How many remember him now? He left not a single trace in this world.

Hearing this, Yu Youcai said nothing; he merely bowed to the old Daoist Priest and departed with a light, floating step.

The old Daoist Priest watched his retreating figure, then turned his head to look at the second floor behind him.

"I never expected the one most like Mr. Yu San to be a descendant of a different surname."

The old Daoist Priest paused briefly, then likewise departed with a light, floating step.

"Siyuan, get up! What time is it, still sleeping?"

In his drowsy state, Shen Siyuan heard his mother knocking on the door.

He opened his eyes; the sky was already bright, sunlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains to form columns of light on the room floor.

He grabbed his phone and glanced at it; it was already nine in the morning.

"I'm up, stop knocking."

Shen Siyuan called out, then got out of bed, threw some clothes on haphazardly, walked over to open the door, only to find his mother had already left.

"Mom, why didn't you wake me earlier?" Shen Siyuan called out.

"Nothing much to do in the morning; why wake you so early? I wanted you to sleep a bit longer," his mother's voice came from downstairs.

That was truly... She hadn't said that when she was knocking just now.

Probably all mothers are like this: they want you to sleep a bit longer, yet not too long.

"Didn't you say there's a blind date this morning? Don't tell me it's waiting until afternoon. I'm telling you, I have things to do this afternoon," Shen Siyuan said as he came downstairs.

"What could you possibly have to do this afternoon?" his mother said, utterly unconcerned.

"Personal matters; going to meet a friend."

His mother, who had been peeling beans with her head down, looked up, glanced at him, and asked, "Who is it?"

"If I tell you, you wouldn't know them anyway."

Shen Siyuan felt quite helpless; this was one of the reasons he was unwilling to return to the countryside to manage the chicken farm with his father.

They want to know everything, ask about everything, down to the smallest detail; they control you, leaving no secrets at all.

"A classmate; you don't know them," Shen Siyuan gave her a random excuse.

Only then did his mother say, "The porridge is on the table; it's cooled just right for a gulp. Eat quickly; Seventh Aunt will come over shortly to take you."

Hearing it wasn't in the afternoon, Shen Siyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, I know."

His mother looked him up and down again and said, "Go to the bathroom and fix your hair; it's a mess, no image at all. And can you change your clothes..."

Shen Siyuan ignored her nagging and went straight to the bathroom to wash up.

Just as he had eaten half his breakfast, Seventh Aunt arrived.

Seventh Aunt was merely a village title; she had no blood relation to Shen Siyuan's family.

Seventh Aunt was slightly younger than his mother, a middle-aged woman of slightly stout build, with an especially loud voice, accustomed to laughing twice before speaking.

"Teacher Huang, at home? Have you had breakfast?"

"Yes, just waiting for you," his mother quickly put down her work and went out to greet her.

Shen Siyuan also hurriedly shoveled the remaining porridge from his bowl into his stomach, then cleared the bowls and chopsticks into the kitchen.

By the time he came out of the kitchen, his mother had already led Seventh Aunt inside.

"Good morning, Seventh Aunt," Shen Siyuan quickly greeted.

Had he hesitated even a moment longer, his mother would likely have started lecturing again.

Seeing Shen Siyuan, Seventh Aunt said with a smile, "Siyuan is truly handsome. You must make an effort today; strive to get married this year so your mother can hold a grandchild next year."

Shen Siyuan looked at his mother, meeting her gaze directly.

He immediately averted his eyes, feeling guilty; his mother gave him two light punches on the body, not pleased.

"You'd better make us proud."

After two punches, his mother's hand shifted to straighten his collar.

"Old Shen isn't home?" Seventh Aunt asked again.

"He went to the chicken farm," his mother said.

"Let's go; don't delay. Go early and return early."

Although it was in a neighboring village, it still took some time to walk there.

Once outside, Shen Siyuan asked, "Seventh Aunt, you haven't told me yet; which Miss are you introducing me to?"

"The daughter of Zhang Laowai from Shiqiao Village; she's two years younger than you. Don't let Zhang Laowai's looks fool you; his daughter is quite pretty..."

"Zhang Laowai?" Shen Siyuan nearly stumbled.

He naturally knew who Zhang Laowai was, because Zhang Laowai's son, Zhang Haibo, was his classmate; because Zhang Laowai had a crooked mouth, they gave Zhang Haibo the nickname Little Laowai.

Because of that nickname, Zhang Haibo had no shortage of fights; if it were today, he'd surely count as a Crooked-Mouth Dragon King.

The two families were not far apart and both belonged to Qingshui Town, so from elementary school through junior high, the two studied at the same school.

So the two not only knew each other, but their relationship had always been quite good; therefore, Shen Siyuan had naturally met his younger sister.

In his memory, she was a dark, thin girl with a runny nose—was this the "lively and spirited" one Seventh Aunt spoke of?

However, since they were already halfway there, he couldn't simply say he wouldn't go; he might as well see her first.

At that moment, Seventh Aunt, seated behind, said again: "Seventh Aunt has introduced three suitors to her; today you are the last one she will meet."

Hearing this, Shen Siyuan thought: If it's already like this, why still make me go? What if she takes a fancy to the ones before me? Wouldn't this trip be in vain?

Yet again he heard Seventh Aunt speak.

"The first two weren't as good-looking as you, nor did their conditions match yours. Seventh Aunt did it on purpose: let her see two misfits first; once she sees you, the chances of success will be much greater."

Good heavens, even matchmaking now employs tactics.

"Thank you, Seventh Aunt; you've taken so much trouble," Shen Siyuan said.

"No problem; what relationship do I have with your mother?" Seventh Aunt said with a chuckle.

That sounded somehow like an insult.

Upon arriving at Stone Bridge Village, Shen Siyuan, familiar with the way, headed straight for Zhang Laowai's house.

Seeing this, Seventh Aunt said, "You know Zhang Laowai's house?"

"I was classmates with his son," Shen Siyuan said.

"Oh, that's wonderful! If you take a fancy to the girl, it'll be kinship added to kinship," Seventh Aunt said.

Shen Siyuan wore a thoroughly awkward expression; what kind of "kinship added to kinship" was this?

If Zhang Haibo found out, he'd stage the "I thought you were my brother, yet you wooed my sister" drama and beat him up on the spot.

But come to think of it, he and Zhang Haibo hadn't seen each other in many years.

Although they were only neighboring villages not far apart, since high school the two had rarely met.

"Is Zhang Laowai's son, Zhang Haibo, also at home today?" Shen Siyuan asked.

"He's not at home, but I've heard his son has done very well now; he's made a fortune in Ye City." As Seventh Aunt spoke, she glanced at him with her eyes.

Seventh Aunt, what is that look in your eyes?

Shen Siyuan felt he was being looked down upon.