Chapter 50: Yu Shui Teaches the Older Brother

He Yuzhu could not tolerate He Yushui's contempt toward him.

You damn girl, what exactly do you want? What good does it do you that I can't get a wife?

Is there a sister like you who doesn't wish well for her own brother?

He Yushui clasped her hands together and bowed to He Yuzhu.

Brother, you are the brother, I'm just being meddlesome.

Is that okay?

From now on, I won't say anything about your affairs anymore, okay?

Just pretend I never said anything.

He Yushui's utterly disappointed expression let He Yuzhu regain a bit of composure.

His expression also became a little more solemn.

What else did that person say to you?

He Yushui let out a breath; she was really tired.

He also said, your brother is the type who, once he trusts someone, becomes utterly devoted, and will eventually be played to death; he told me to study hard, because having you as a brother or not makes no difference—I can't rely on you.

He Yushui's words left He Yuzhu stunned.

Yu Shui, you've been raised by me since childhood, right? In your eyes, am I really this kind of person?

Upon hearing those words, He Yushui's eyes also turned red.

Before you weren't like this, but now I dare not say it.

These past two years, think about it—have you ever cared about me?

The household grain often runs out; my meal expenses, every time I have to ask you before you give them.

You're the head cook, but in these two years, how many times have I eaten the lunch boxes you brought back?

You probably don't even remember.

Everyone knows I'm a girl who should avoid cold food because it's bad for the body, yet you've never cared.

When you come back at night, I often just eat steamed buns soaked in boiling water.

Sometimes there aren't even any steamed buns.

Yes, you're the head cook and can eat in the cafeteria, but have you ever remembered that without grain, I would go hungry?

He Yuzhu was left speechless by what He Yushui said; he had never thought of these things.

He felt the girl had grown up and no longer needed his supervision; in 1953 He Daqing fled, and he himself was only seventeen, yet he still has to work and take care of you?

Now it's your turn—how can you have so many grievances? You're aggrieved, but am I not?

No food left—you won't make it yourself?

Faced with He Yuzhu's questioning, He Yushui counter-questioned.

You've given all the grain to others—what am I supposed to use to make food?

Only then did He Yuzhu realize that these past two years the Jia family has been struggling, and Jia Zhangshi often comes over to mooch.

If there's nothing to eat, why don't you go find Qin Jie? She's always taken care of you since she married in—how could she let you go hungry?

He Yushui gave a hehe laugh.

She might have been okay before, because my rations plus part of yours went to the Jia family—that was the price for them taking care of me.

But these past two years, rations have been cut again and again; I'm in middle school now and no longer need her to look after me.

They can't get my rations anymore; they themselves don't have enough—do you think she'd still take care of me?

Aren't you being too idealistic?

He Yuzhu couldn't believe it.

I've already given them grain and lunch boxes!

How could this happen?

Seeing He Yuzhu's stubborn obliviousness, He Yushui unleashed a fatal blow.

If you got married, who would suffer the biggest loss?

A heavy hammer struck He Yuzhu on the head.

He Yushui continued.

Haven't you heard that gratitude can turn into enmity?

He Yuzhu stubbornly shook his head.

Qin Jie isn't that kind of person.

He Yushui laughed.

Then let's see if you can manage to get married.

This sibling quarrel wasn't known to anyone else.

However, He Yuzhu is not stupid after all; he also had doubts in his heart.

A few days later, Wang Meipo finally came over.

She brought back a piece of good news.

Zhuzi, this time I really found you a good match.

He Yuzhu had been made suspicious and paranoid by He Yushui for a long time.

Upon hearing this good news, he immediately rejoiced.

Thank you so much—what's the situation?

Wang Meipo paused.

Zhuzi, according to the conditions you gave, you know—people like that never have trouble finding a match; their aim is always at cadre level.

"To find someone who meets your requirements, I put in a lot of effort."

"Finally, Heaven rewards the diligent; I really have found one for you."

He Yuzhu waited anxiously, almost to the point of death.

"Aunt Wang, that's incredibly grateful; when we get married, I'll definitely prepare a generous gift for you."

Wang Meipo chuckled.

"I'm not after your gift, that's why I didn't waste the effort; I just think you're a good person."

He Yuzhu was afraid she would keep dragging on.

"He asked directly."

"What kind of situation is this person in?"

Wang Meipo waved her hand.

"Don't be impatient; listen as I explain slowly."

"That girl is from the area near the Great Front Gate, the daughter of Boss Qiu, who runs a tea business."

"She's very pretty."

"If her father weren't trying to improve the family's status, this good match wouldn't even be offered to you."

He Yuzhu was stunned.

"Huh, a capitalist's daughter?"

He Yuzhu's expression displeased Wang Meipo.

"What capitalist? They call themselves 'small capital.'"

"They've already merged public and private; that's a public institution."

"Besides, you're marrying the daughter, not her father; she doesn't affect your status."

"She has a curvy figure, an urban household registration, a university degree—what's not suitable for you?"

"That also makes sense; you're taking a wife, not becoming a bride."

"Is she really that good‑looking?"

Wang Meipo guaranteed.

"I could still deceive you."

"As long as you're satisfied, tomorrow's not Sunday, right? I'll arrange a meeting for you two."

"If you get along, then you'll draw up the marriage certificate."

"By next year, you might already be holding your child."

He Yuzhu was tickled in a sore spot and giggled foolishly.

"No problem, no problem."

"Alright, Aunt Wang, come over tomorrow and I'll prepare a table of fine dishes for you."

Wang Meipo left, feeling satisfied.

The person hiding in the shadows, observing everything, began to act.

Xu Damao, using the night darkness, ran a few quick steps and caught up with Wang Meipo.

"Aunt Wang, are you here to tell Sha Zhu that the marriage is arranged?"

Wang Meipo glanced at him, nodded, and said.

"Yes, why, Xu Damao, are you also planning a marriage?"

Xu Damao shook his head.

"No need for that; my mother has already found a match for me."

"Here's the thing, Aunt Wang, this money isn't easy to earn; you might even offend people."

Wang Meipo retorted.

"Xu Damao, don't think I don't know you."

"Don't come to my place spreading slander; it's useless."

The matchmaker also has some principles, okay.

Xu Damao shook his head.

"Aunt Wang, why don't you know about the good and the troublesome ones?"

"Sha Zhu often hits people, and his ties with his brother's wife are tangled; most importantly, his father."

The matchmaker showed interest.

"What's wrong with his father?"

Xu Damao.

"Listen, He Daqing, Daqing, Daqing—this is a relic of the old dynasty."

"Wait, isn't He Yuzhu a third‑generation poor farmer?"

"Everyone makes Tan family dishes; how can that poor farmer make Tan family dishes?"

"This…"

Wang Meipo was a bit confused.

She was quickly weighing the pros and cons in her mind.

After thinking, He Daqing had already severed kinship with Sha Zhu; everyone knows that.

Moreover, it was cut before the status division, so it was already broken; at that time He Yuzhu still had a younger sister, essentially an orphan, and giving him a worker's status posed no problem at all.

"That's also fine; the girl just likes a cook."