Chapter 48: Sha Zhu Seeks a Matchmaker

Evening.

Even the damp rainy weather did not dampen He Yuzhu's enthusiasm for finding a wife.

After work, carrying two lunch boxes, he knocked on Wang Meipo's door.

Hearing the knock, Wang Meipo wondered who would come over in such awful weather.

She opened the door and looked.

Isn't that the cook from Yan Fu Gui's compound?

It's not that He Yuzhu has much face, but rather that the He family is too well-known.

First, the father ran off with a widow, leaving his two children uncared for.

Such a spine‑stabbing affair, who knows how many people have taken it as a negative example, often bringing it out to educate others as a model.

Then there was the matter of He Yuzhu craving his brother's wife; who knows who spread it, becoming after‑dinner talk for everyone.

Over the past two years, due to the disaster situation, very few people came to her for matchmaking, because life was hard and they couldn't afford the trouble.

On the contrary, He Yuzhu had become a hot commodity, with who knows how many people envying him.

If it weren't for his notorious affair with his brother's wife being so deeply ingrained, surely someone would have already arranged a match for him.

In this era, as long as one can eat enough, many problems cease to be problems.

Seeing Wang Meipo, He Yuzhu eagerly handed over the lunch box in his hand.

"Aunt Wang, I just got off work and didn't bring much; I brought you some food—please don't disdain it."

Upon hearing about the food, Wang Meipo quickly accepted it; nowadays, bringing food is most welcome.

"Since you're here, why bring anything?"

"Come in, have a seat."

Saying this, she deftly placed the lunch box down and swiftly got him a bowl of water.

"Comrade He Yuzhu, what's the matter?"

He Yuzhu didn't stand on ceremony either; after taking the water, he spoke directly.

"It's like this, Aunt Wang—I'm no longer young, and there's no elder at home to worry for me, so I've come to you, face outstretched."

"I hope you can help me find a satisfactory wife."

Now in her element, Wang Meipo immediately got into the swing of things.

"Ah… looking for a wife? You've come to the right person."

"I know every young lady and married woman for miles around."

"Tell me, what kind are you looking for?"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu broke into a bright smile.

"I want someone with Jingcheng hukou, beautiful, capable of bearing children, college‑educated, and without too many family burdens."

"I don't know, Aunt Wang, do you have anyone like that?"

Hearing this, Wang Meipo's face flushed with anger; this Sha Zhu has no self‑awareness—demanding a college‑educated, beautiful, child‑bearing woman with Jingcheng hukou.

Do such people even have trouble marrying? They'd have to be blind to wed a cook like you.

"Yuzhu, this…"

Seeing Wang Meipo's unpleasant expression, He Yuzhu realized he was being a bit picky, but wanting a good wife, what's wrong with that?

As big as one's heart, so big the world.

Who dare even imagine—what could one possibly find?

He Yuzhu laughed, pulled ten yuan from his pocket, and pushed it over.

"Aunt Wang, just do your best; close enough is fine—I'll accept it."

Seeing the money, Wang Dame's unsightly face also brightened.

She racked her brains and thought of someone, but she couldn't say it outright, otherwise she wouldn't show her ability.

"Go back first; I'll figure things out and let you know when I have news."

Seeing Wang Meipo pocket the money, He Yuzhu felt reassured that things were looking up.

Then he bade farewell to the matchmaker.

He Yuzhu returned to the courtyard, but his hands were empty—he didn't see the lunch box anywhere.

Qin Huairu looked through the window and said doubtfully:

"Dong Xu, why didn't Sha Zhu bring back his meal today?"

Jia Dongxu also leaned in.

"Ah, indeed he didn't bring the lunch box."

"That shouldn't be."

Qin Huairu bit her lip, thinking.

"Do you think he gave the lunch box to someone else?"

Jia Dongxu said uncertainly.

"No way—except for our family, he's never given the lunch box to anyone else."

"And giving it to us was what my master told Sha Zhu."

"He didn't tell my master, so he probably wouldn't give it away randomly."

"San Da Ye stands guard at the gate every day and has never eaten one of his lunch boxes."

The Jia family relies on Sha Zhu's lunch boxes to improve their meals; if something goes wrong, how will we manage from now on?

She pushed Jia Dongxu.

"Go ask your master to see if he knows anything."

Jia Dongxu, being pushed urgently by Qin Huairu and also feeling hungry himself, raised his umbrella and went to Yi Zhonghai's home.

Master!

Yi Zhonghai was eating when he saw Jia Dongxu, froze for a moment, then made room for him.

Come, sit down and have something to eat.

Jia Dongxu knew his master had misunderstood and hurried to explain.

Master, nothing's wrong; it's just that today Sha Zhu didn't bring his lunch back, and I didn't even see his lunchbox.

I'll come ask what's going on.

Yi Zhonghai stared, then said.

Maybe there are no leftovers today.

Jia Dongxu shook his head.

How could that be? You know those people in the canteen—they always hide food for themselves.

The workers might have no vegetables, but they definitely couldn't.

Yi Zhonghai, hearing this, put down his bowl.

Don't say anything that harms unity.

Then he said again.

In a moment, I'll go over and ask.

Jia Dongxu showed a smile, bowed his head and bent his waist.

All right, then I'm heading back.

After Jia Dongxu left, Yi Da Ma spoke up.

You can't teach Dong Xu like this.

When people give you something, it's a favor; when they don't, it's their duty—how can you be so eager to demand it?

Yi Zhonghai gulped down his rice.

You're not unaware of Dong Xu's family situation.

In these special times, it's understandable.

Yi Da Ma saw his impatience and finally said only one sentence.

If you teach him like this, his character will go bad—will you still dare to count on him later?

Yi Zhonghai put on his shoes and said impatiently.

If I don't help him, there will be trouble later.

Now we raise him; later they'll have to raise us.

Yi Da Ma couldn't eat anymore.

Then we might as well raise one ourselves.

Yi Zhonghai turned around.

Caring for an old person and then a young one—can your heart take it?

The deaf old lady counts as an outsider; if you can't care for her, you can ignore her, take a break—but adopting a child isn't the same.

That's exhausting—you've seen it before; has Qin Huairu, after having a child, ever slept soundly?

With Jia Zhangshi still around, Qin Huairu, to care for the child, has to be busy from morning till night and can't sleep well even at night.

She's young and can endure it—can you?

The young one you can't handle, the older ones we can't raise properly.

Rather than exhausting ourselves raising a child from scratch, Dong Xu is ready-made.

You, a proper woman, what do you know? Just take good care of yourself in peace.

Having said that, he took his umbrella and left.

Yi Da Ma felt hurt by what Yi Zhonghai said; frankly, she wanted to adopt.

But what Yi Zhonghai said was also right; her body isn't up to it, and she might really not be able to endure.

Forget it, let him be.

Not being able to have one's own child, a man's heart should also feel bad.

In this matter, I won't add to his troubles.

Yi Da Ma resigned herself.