Chapter 364: Old in Body, Young at Heart

Gui Lian, what's the deal with this bastard? Don't you still not get it?

Saying this, Du Guan paused, then glared hatefully at Du Wenxuan; given their family's situation, actually arranging a marriage for this kid isn't that difficult.

Back when this kid came of age, he had prepared to ask someone to arrange a marriage for him, but instead this kid didn't do anything proper, hanging out with his disreputable friends in the county town.

He hasn't done anything truly bad, but he keeps making small mistakes, ruining his reputation; who would still marry a decent family's daughter to him?

Du Wenxuan complained, "Dad, what do you mean? What's my situation? Is my situation really that bad?"

Du Guan forcibly suppressed the urge to beat Du Wenxuan and vent his anger; this good-for-nothing, is he adequate or not? Doesn't he himself know?

And he still has the nerve to ask such a thing?

He doesn't even know.

Where does this good-for-nothing get the cheek!

Du Guan couldn't be bothered to argue with this good-for-nothing, lest he anger himself to death; moreover, he currently has more important matters to attend to, so he changed the subject:

"Gui Lian, over the years you haven't spared any effort in arranging matches for this bastard, but what's the situation? Don't you yourself know it?"

Hearing this, Zhang Guilian also glared angrily at Du Wenxuan; over the years, for arranging a match for this little bastard, she has endured plenty of anger—not just from matchmakers, but also from the bride's side.

Moreover, the bride's family knows it's for arranging a match for their little bastard; not to mention the parents, even the unmarried daughters, none are willing.

For arranging a marriage for this good-for-nothing, she has lost face time and over; in Qingyun County City she can hardly show her face anymore, and women who dislike her have often mocked her over this good-for-nothing.

Zhang Guilian snapped, "Du Guan, what's the point of all this nonsense? I'll ask you straight: if I intervene, I'll lose face in front of my older brother's family, help you break the ice with them and gain benefits—do you really have a way to arrange a marriage for this bastard?"

"Arrange a marriage?"

Du Guan snorted coldly, as if he'd heard the funniest joke imaginable.

Seeing Zhang Guilian's anger intensify, he knew that marrying off this good-for-nothing was his wife's most pressing concern.

Who let his wife, over the years, be frequently mocked by gossiping women over this good-for-nothing's marriage?

Afraid that his wife, provoked to anger, might lash out at him physically.

Du Guan hastily explained, "These days, to arrange a marriage for this bastard you need a huge betrothal gift; calling it a marriage is really just buying him a wife. Our situation—you know it well—where would we get extra money to buy a wife for this bastard?"

Their family certainly isn't lacking savings; they've built up wealth over the years, and he hasn't really indulged in reckless carousing—he has the inclination but not the guts, all because Zhang Guilian, that shrew, is quite capable.

Don't think that just because he's a man he can get the better of Zhang Guilian.

Aside from funding Du Wenxuan's education, their family has hardly any extra expenses; over the years they've still managed to save some money.

Whether arranging a marriage for this good-for-nothing or buying him a wife, they have more than enough means, yet he hasn't done so.

First, this good-for-nothing isn't that old yet, so there's no rush to marry; second, he worries that if he gives Du Wenxuan money to marry, his own old-age support will become problematic.

Expecting this bastard Du Wenxuan to support him in old age?

He might as well be dreaming!

He is indeed Du Wenxuan's biological father, but after all these years he should know what kind of creature his own son is; if he lives to be old and useless, it would already be a blessing if this good-for-nothing didn't kick him out of the house.

Support him in old age?

Maybe he'd have to do odd jobs around the house just for this good-for-nothing to grudgingly give him a meal.

Moreover, the good-for-nothing's weight and stature are clear to him; whether he can even support himself is questionable, let alone have the energy to support him.

Under these circumstances, even if he were addle-brained, he wouldn't dare spend all—or even two-thirds—of his wealth on this good-for-nothing.

He has to think of himself.

Zhang Guilian opened her mouth to say something, but when the words reached her lips she couldn't bring herself to speak; after hatefully glaring at Du Wenxuan, she rose and walked briskly toward where Li Ping and the others had gathered.

She hadn't taken a few steps when Zhang Guilian seemed to think of something; she halted, turned her head to look at Du Guan, and said:

"This time I've been humiliated; I helped you restore relations with my older brother's family so you could do business with them. Once you make money, you must first arrange a marriage for our family's Wenxuan, or else see how I'll deal with you!"

All these years she has doubted whether this little bastard is really his son, whether Du Guan has treated this little bastard as his own biological son; after earning so much money, letting him produce some cash to arrange a suitable marriage for his own child feels like demanding the old man's life.

He won't part with a single cent!

He can come up with countless excuses.

On this matter she also harbors resentment, but who let their family be under the old man's rule? He even promised he would certainly arrange a marriage for this little bastard at the proper time.

It's not that she objects to arranging a marriage for this little bastard—no, it's that buying him a wife is too expensive, and he's unwilling to spend the money!

This novel you have reached

No way.

Knowing it's impossible to squeeze even a copper coin out of this old man, she stopped pressing him; at least the old man still shows some attitude, indicating he hasn't completely ignored this little bastard's marriage.

"Gui Lian, look at what you're saying—could it be that Wenxuan is only your son and not mine, so only you care about his marriage, while I don't care about his? Our Old Du Family still hopes he will carry on the lineage!"

Du Guan snorted in dissatisfaction, his tone unfriendly: "Before it wasn't that we lacked money and couldn't arrange a marriage for him; now if we could earn a big sum, not to mention arranging one marriage for him—even two or three—I wouldn't mind!"

Carry on the lineage?

It's just him talking; he's old but not ready to retire, he still has the ability to father children—it's not necessary for this good-for-nothing to carry on the Old Du Family's lineage, since he himself could do it.

Of course.

Still, he needs to earn more money; without it, which young, beautiful woman would be willing to bear children for an old fogey like him?

"Really?"

Du Wenxuan's eyes lit up instantly, he swallowed his saliva, barely containing his excitement, and said: "Dad, you really can help me arrange two marriages—no, three marriages?"

Du Guan ignored Du Wenxuan, this good-for-nothing lump, and lifted his gaze to Zhang Guilian.

"Three marriages? If I could arrange even one marriage for this bastard, you and I would be content!"

Zhang Guilian gave a cold snort, her fierce gaze making Du Wenxuan lower his head, afraid to meet her eyes; she rose and said: "Old man, remember your promise to me—if you fail to deliver, just see if I don't skin you alive!"

(End of chapter)