Chapter 99

**Chapter 99**

"Cui Fen, if Xu Nian and Yi Wei really get married in the future, among our three potential sons-in-law, Xu Nian will definitely be the most promising one."

If Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian marry in the future, he’d be their son-in-law.

Among Gao Zean, Shao Yaoguo, and Fu Xunian, Jiang Sanjie is most optimistic about Fu Xunian.

Out of the three, Fu Xunian is far and away the most successful.

"What you're saying is that Xu Nian is better suited to run his own business."

It seems Jiang Sanjie is all for Fu Xunian opening a company.

"Aren’t you very optimistic about Xu Nian?" Jiang Sanjie knew his wife was over the moon about Fu Xunian.

"I’m satisfied with Xu Nian because he treats Yi Wei well."

She only liked Fu Xunian because Jiang Yiwei liked him—and because of Fu Xunian himself.

Zhang Cuifen remembered their little moments together.

Fu Xunian treated her right.

Jiang Sanjie gave a laugh and squeezed her hand.

"Cui Fen, it’s the young people’s time to build their lives now. As elders, our job is just to back them up."

Now that the country’s on the up and up, the younger generation is moving forward positively. All they needed to do was support them and not cause any trouble.

"Alright then, I’ll listen to you."

Zhang Cuifen agreed with Jiang Sanjie.

"Let’s sleep."

Jiang Sanjie pulled the blanket over Zhang Cuifen. Perhaps because her mind was finally at ease, Zhang Cuifen quickly fell asleep.

With Jiang Yiwei now in a relationship, Zhang Cuifen was grinning nonstop.

Jiang Xiaohua even pulled her aside and whispered, "Auntie, you should’ve brought Uncle home earlier. That way, Grandma would’ve cooled off long ago."

Jiang Yiwei thought it made sense.

Who knew Fu Xunian alone could get her to lighten up?

One day, on her way home from work, Zhang Cuifen stopped at a vegetable stall in the market to grab some veggies.

"Cui Fen, getting groceries here too?"

Aunt Mao, who had been picking through vegetables at a nearby stall, heard Zhang Cuifen telling the seller to bag her stuff. She looked up and spotted her.

"Aunt Mao, you’re shopping too?"

Seeing Aunt Mao, Zhang Cuifen lit up.

Noticing Zhang Cuifen was done choosing her greens, Aunt Mao asked her to wait. "Cui Fen, hold up a sec! Let’s head back together."

Since they both lived in Chao'an Hutong, heading back together would give them a chance to catch up along the way.

"Great!"

Zhang Cuifen was more than happy to oblige.

Lately, she’d been in high spirits and was itching for a good chat.

Aunt Mao paid the vegetable vendor and walked with Zhang Cuifen toward Chao’an Alley.

"Cui Fen, I heard from Lin Tao’s wife that your Yiwei is seeing someone. Is her boyfriend really that handsome?"

Recently, the talk of the alley had been all about Jiang Yiwei’s new relationship—and how incredibly good-looking her boyfriend was.

Even Jiang Ningning’s boyfriend wasn’t as good-looking as Yiwei’s.

"He’s handsome, sure, but looks aren’t everything—he’s got to be good to Yiwei."

"Oh, give me a break."

She might as well have said Yiwei’s boyfriend was handsome *and* a good catch.

"Of course he has to be a good person. If he weren’t, Sanjie wouldn’t let Yiwei near him, no matter how handsome he was."

She couldn’t help but feel smug.

After all, Fu Xunian was the whole package—handsome *and* decent.

"Yeah, yeah."

She knew Yiwei’s boyfriend was handsome, kind, and both Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen were very satisfied—wasn’t that something?

"But what’s his name? What’s his family like? Is he a local?"

Zhang Cuifen shared what details she could with Aunt Mao.

Aunt Mao thought Fu Xunian sounded like a real catch. "No mother-in-law? Even better!"

Back when Aunt Mao was young and hadn’t yet moved out, she’d endured her mother-in-law’s nagging. So, hearing there was no mother-in-law made her think it was even better—Jiang Yiwei could run the household from day one without any interference.

"I think so too."

Zhang Cuifen was very pleased about the absence of a mother-in-law.

Zhang Cuifen felt for Fu Xunian, orphaned as he was, but her daughter’s happiness came first. Of course, she wanted the best for Jiang Yiwei.

"You won’t have to worry about Yiwei anymore. Once Yue Xin marries Yaoguo, Yiwei won’t be far behind."

Now, Jiang Weilin was still in technical school, and since he was a boy, Zhang Cuifen didn’t have to worry about him at all.

Right now, Yue Xin and Yiwei were her biggest worries. Both already had boyfriends, and once Yue Xin married Shao Yaoguo, Yiwei would likely follow suit soon.

"That’s true."

The idea of Yue Xin and Yiwei leaving home soon tugged at Zhang Cuifen’s heart. Her girls, raised with such care, were about to belong to another family—the thought of letting them go was too much to bear.

"Honestly, the thought of both girls marrying just breaks my heart."

"When Ling Xin married Ze’an, I was a wreck for ages."

The idea of her daughters leaving home was more than Zhang Cuifen could take.

"All three of your daughters' husbands are from Beijing, but none of my daughter's suitors are from the city, and their jobs aren’t even in Beijing. I’m afraid Jiahui might walk away from her job in Beijing and move to Liang Jun’s city."

Giving a daughter away in marriage.

For families that truly love their daughters, seeing them marry is the hardest thing.

But Aunt Mao thinks Zhang Cuifen is much better off than she is.

At least all three of her daughters' husbands are from Beijing, while Zhang Jiahui’s partner, Liang Jun, is from An City. Jiahui was assigned a job in Beijing, but Liang Jun returned to An City to work as a teacher.

Her daughter often writes letters to Liang Jun.

They’re nauseatingly lovey-dovey.

What scares her most is that Jiahui might lose her head, abandon her job in Beijing, leave them behind, and run off to An City for Liang Jun.

"Jiahui really insists on staying with Liang Jun."

Aunt Mao had already discussed Jiahui and Liang Jun’s situation with Zhang Cuifen. Back then, Cuifen was worried Yiwei might face the same problem, but thankfully, she didn’t.

"Yes, she’s dead set on being with Liang Jun."

Aunt Mao is beside herself. She wishes Jiahui would just cut ties with Liang Jun, but Jiahui refuses to let go.

"Why don’t you talk to Old Zhang and see if there’s any way to transfer Liang Jun back to Beijing? After all, Beijing is the capital—it’s much better than An City."

If they can’t be separated, then the solution is to find a way to bring Liang Jun back to Beijing. That’d fix everything.

"You’d need pull for that. And from what Jiahui says, Liang Jun doesn’t want to return to Beijing—his whole family is in An City."

Getting transferred back to Beijing takes pull, and Liang Jun isn’t willing anyway because his family is all in An City. He’s got no plans to stick around in Beijing.

"Jiahui’s situation is really tricky. Why can’t she think about you two?"

Jiahui’s case is complicated. Right now, she’s dug in—no matter how much Aunt Mao spells it out for her, Jiahui just wants to be with Liang Jun.

"That’s why she’s acting foolish. For some guy, she’s ready to throw away her job in Beijing, abandon us, and run off to a backwater like An City. If they give her a hard time there, we won’t even be able to back her up."

She always thought Jiahui was smart, but who knew she’d chuck everything for a guy and follow Liang Jun to An City?

If Liang Jun’s family ever mistreats her there, they won’t be able to make things right.

"Maybe I’ll have Yiwei talk some sense into Jiahui."

Jiahui and Yiwei are tight. Maybe Jiahui will listen to Yiwei.

"That’s a good idea! Jiahui and Yiwei are very close. Cuifen, have a word with Yiwei and get her to talk Jiahui around."

Aunt Mao thinks having someone her age talk to her might get through to Jiahui.

After all, Jiahui and Yiwei are tight.

"Alright, I’ll go back and tell Yiwei to really lay it out for Jiahui."

Zhang Cuifen agrees.

"Cuifen, Aunt Mao, wait for me!"

Just as Aunt Mao is about to thank Zhang Cuifen, someone pops up in front of them.

Looking closer, it was Mother Liu.

"Guilian, what's wrong?"

Mother Liu came up to Zhang Cuifen. "Cuifen, is it true Yiwei's got a boyfriend now?"

That was the question she most wanted to ask.

"Of course. My Yiwei's boyfriend—so many people have seen him already."

It's true that Jiang Yiwei had a boyfriend; many had already met Fu Xunian.

"What a shame," Mother Liu said regretfully.

"Why regret it? Isn't it great that Yiwei found someone? Why would that be a shame?"

Aunt Mao couldn't understand why Yiwei having a boyfriend was something to regret—shouldn't it be a happy occasion?

"I just thought Yiwei was still single. I was thinking of my nephew—he's quite a good catch. I was going to talk to Cuifen about it these days and arrange a meeting if things worked out."

She wanted to match her nephew with Jiang Yiwei.

After all, Yiwei was quite a catch, though she was getting up there in age. But Yiwei could earn money and had even opened her own shop.

That's why so many people wanted to set her up.

Mother Liu was really disappointed when she heard Yiwei already had a boyfriend, as if her family had missed out on something good that went to someone else.

She regretted not mentioning her nephew earlier. If she had, maybe Yiwei's boyfriend would have been her nephew instead.

"My Yiwei already has a boyfriend, and they're happy together."

If Yiwei hadn't had a boyfriend yet, Zhang Cuifen might've thought about it. But now that she was taken, no matter how impressive Mother Liu's nephew was, it wouldn't work.

"Pity your Yiwei already has a boyfriend. My nephew didn't get the chance."

Mother Liu still felt disappointed.

As the three walked toward Chao'an Alley, they each headed home.

Mother Liu went home distracted.

Her eldest daughter-in-law, Yang Caizhen, and Fang Miao came out looking down.

Yang Caizhen was Mother Liu's eldest daughter-in-law, and since Mother Liu doted on her eldest son, she naturally valued Yang Caizhen as well.

"Mom, what's wrong? You seem upset."

Mother Liu told Yang Caizhen about her encounter with Zhang Cuifen earlier.

"What? Yiwei's seeing someone?"

"Mom, do you know who it is?"

Fang Miao exclaimed.

Over the past few years, not seeing much happening between Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian, Fang Miao had assumed they hadn't worked out and that Yiwei was seeing someone else.

"I think it was... what was the name again?"

Grandma Liu couldn’t quite recall the name of Jiang Yiwei’s boyfriend.

"Yiwei’s boyfriend’s name is Fu Xunian."

Grandma Xu came back from outside, holding Xiao Lingdang and her younger brother by the hand.

Grandma Liu clapped her hands. "Yes, yes, that's right—Fu Xunian."

"Mom, you know about Yiwei having a boyfriend too?"

Grandma Xu nodded. "Everyone's talking about it. Of course I know."

Today, Grandma Xu had taken Xiao Lingdang and her brother out to play, and naturally overheard people chatting about it.

"Who even is this Fu Xunian? Yiwei is actually dating him," Grandma Liu said sourly.

She still couldn't get over how her nephew from her maiden family missed out on Yiwei, this prized catch.

"Mom, I know—Fu Xunian works as an engineer at Minhua Factory!"

Fang Miao had assumed Yiwei would never find someone, but apparently she was with Fu Xunian after all.

"An engineer at Minhua Factory." Grandma Liu hadn’t expected Fu Xunian to be just a factory worker, which only made her more jealous.

Jiang Yiwei has all the luck—actually landing a relationship with an automobile factory engineer.

No wonder Zhang Cuifen’s over the moon. She’d be thrilled too if it were her.

"Minhua’s something else… His factory has such a great guy like Fu Xunian, yet he never thought to introduce him to Qiuzhen and Qiuning."

Thinking about her two daughters who still didn’t have boyfriends, Grandma Liu felt a headache coming on. Now she could understand exactly how Zhang Cuifen felt.

"Mom, it wouldn’t have worked anyway."

"Fu Xunian and Yiwei have known each other for ages, and I could tell from the start that Fu Xunian liked Yiwei. He'd never go for Qiuzhen or Qiuning."

Fu Xunian liked Jiang Yiwei—that meant he definitely wouldn’t consider Liu Qiuzhen and her sister.

"Yiwei and her boyfriend have known each other that long? That girl kept it from me completely, so Cui Fen and I wasted all this time worrying about her."

Grandma Xu recalled how often she used to push Yiwei to find a boyfriend, but Yiwei always beat around the bush, never admitting she already had one.

She had a boyfriend but never introduced him.

She and Zhang Cuifen had repeatedly tried to help set her up.

"Mom, maybe Yiwei did it on purpose."

"Her boyfriend is an engineer at an automobile factory—such a great match. Before they made things official, of course she wouldn't say anything or let anyone see him."

"She probably didn’t want anyone stealing Fu Xunian away."

"Had I known sooner, I would’ve definitely asked Minhua to hook Qiuzhen and her sister up with him."

Grandma Liu didn’t care whether Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian had known each other a long time or not.

She believed Yiwei deliberately kept it secret. If she had known about Fu Xunian earlier, she would've had Liu Minhua introduce him to Liu Qiuzhen and her sister. Her girls were just as pretty as Yiwei—if he liked Yiwei, he might’ve gone for Qiuzhen and her sister instead.

Clearly, Jiang Yiwei was being sneaky.

The more she thought about it, the more resentful Mother Liu became. She felt this opportunity should’ve been Liu Qiuzhen’s—Fu Xunian should’ve been her son-in-law, not Zhang Cuifen’s.

"Mom, when Qiuzhen was studying for the college entrance exam, Fu Xunian helped her review. If he was really into Qiuzhen, he wouldn’t have gotten together with Yiwei."

"And didn’t I already say it? Fu Xunian has liked Yiwei since forever."

Wasn’t this already crystal clear? Fu Xunian had liked Jiang Yiwei since forever.

Besides, going by Mother Liu’s reasoning, if Fu Xunian had liked Liu Qiuzhen back then, he wouldn’t be with Jiang Yiwei now.

The only person Fu Xunian ever liked was Jiang Yiwei.

"Then Qiuzhen just didn’t measure up."

This infuriated Mother Liu. Liu Qiuzhen had even spent time with Fu Xunian, yet he still preferred Jiang Yiwei.

What a waste—she actually let such a catch get away.

Just thinking about it made Mother Liu fuming at both Liu Minhua and Liu Qiuzhen.

A perfect chance right under their noses, and neither of them was capable enough to grab it.

"Fu Xunian and Yiwei’s fate was tied together long ago. Anyone trying to come between them would be going against fate itself."

Grandma Xu could easily see what Mother Liu was angry about.

She was upset that Liu Minhua hadn’t introduced such a great catch to Liu Qiuzhen and her sister, allowing Jiang Yiwei to snatch him up instead.

And Liu Qiuzhen had actually had a chance to steal Fu Xunian’s heart, but still lost out to Jiang Yiwei.

But hadn’t she ever considered that you can’t force fate?

Fu Xunian and Jiang Yiwei were meant for each other.

No one could come between them.

"Sis-in-law, Second Sis, what’s Mom so angry about? She looks furious."

Liu Qiuning and Liu Qiuzhen entered the room together and immediately noticed Mother Liu’s anger.

Liu Qiuning blurted out cluelessly.

Fang Miao then told the sisters about Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian dating. However, Liu Qiuning simply wanted to see what Jiang Yiwei’s boyfriend looked like, while Liu Qiuzhen looked downright heartbroken.

Liu Qiuzhen forced a smile. "Yiwei and Mr. Fu… it was always gonna be them."

She had known they’d end up together eventually, but it still cut deep.

"You’re just foolish. Such a great opportunity was right in front of you, and you completely dropped the ball."

At this, Mother Liu began scolding Liu Qiuzhen.

How did I raise such a clueless girl?

Liu Qiuzhen ducked her head slightly. "Mom, Mr. Fu never saw me that way."

Fu Xunian had never seen her romantically.

She knew clearly that Fu Xunian liked Jiang Yiwei—both in the past and still now, his feelings remained with her.

"Calling you dumb wasn’t wrong—you really are."

"Why didn’t you try to steal Fu Xunian back?"

How’d she end up raising such a clueless daughter?

Did he ever straight-up tell her he liked Jiang Yiwei? It was her own stupidity for not seizing the chance, making her lose out on such a great son-in-law for nothing.

"Hong Guilian, what kind of crap are you spewing?"

"Talking down on your own daughter like this—if someone doesn’t like your daughter, why should she chase after them? Isn’t that just pathetic?"

Grandma Xu hated how Liu’s mom was badmouthing Liu Qiuzhen.

"If Fu Xunian actually liked Qiuzhen, they would’ve been together already. He never liked her in the first place."

If Fu Xunian liked her, he would’ve been with Liu Qiuzhen by now.

Besides, it’s all about fate—why force something that was never meant to be?

"Mom, I know what you’re saying, but Fu Xunian is an engineer at the Third Automobile Factory. With such good prospects, how can we just let that slip away?"

Liu’s mom still thought it was a damn shame.

"Shut the hell up."

"And about Qiuzhen and Fu Xunian—you better not let me catch you spreading rumors."

Grandma Xu thought Liu’s mom was out of her damn mind.

Fu Xunian clearly didn’t like Liu Qiuzhen, yet here she was running her mouth.

And saying things like that—what kind of mother says that about her own kid?

What was she thinking of her daughter?

"Mom, I was just pissed and talking nonsense."

Only after reacting did Liu’s mother realize what she had said.

"Nonsense? Sounds like you meant every word," Grandma Xu warned. "You better keep this crap to yourself."

"Grandma’s right. Me and Mr. Fu? There’s nothing there. Mom, cut the crap, and don’t pull any stupid stunts."

With that, Liu Qiuzhen clutched her book and went back to her room.

Once inside, she sat on the bed, head lowered, lost in her own thoughts.

The door creaked open. Liu Qiuning slipped in, shutting it behind her, then slowly sat beside Liu Qiuzhen.

After studying her sister for a moment, Liu Qiuning spoke.

"Sis, Fu Xunian was the one who gave you that book."

Liu Qiuning knew Liu Qiuzhen treasured a certain book—a gift from the guy she liked, even though he didn’t feel the same.

Once, during a heart-to-heart conversation between the sisters late at night, Liu Qiuzhen had mentioned that the guy she liked had tutored her—otherwise she never would’ve gotten into college.

But the guy she liked seemed to already be in love with someone else, so Liu Qiuzhen had kept her feelings hidden, never letting him know.

After listening to all this, Liu Qiuning now knew who her sister liked.

It was Fu Xunian.

Liu Qiuzhen liked Fu Xunian.

And Fu Xunian was Jiang Yiwei’s partner—what a cruel twist of fate.

“He’s very gentle. He’s the sweetest guy I’ve ever known.”

Liu Qiuzhen always remembered how whenever she saw Fu Xunian, he always spoke so gently and patiently.

He taught her the lessons with such care.

That’s when she fell for him.

But Liu Qiuzhen knew—Fu Xunian loved Jiang Yiwei. Whenever he looked at Jiang Yiwei, his eyes held such obvious love.

“Sis, you’ll find someone new eventually. You've got to stop liking him.”

Liu Qiuning had been in love before and knew how much it hurts when the other person doesn’t feel the same. She understood all too well.

Now that he's with someone else,

you need to forget about him.

She and Liu Qiuzhen will find someone new someday.

She’d gotten over it, and she hoped Liu Qiuzhen could forget Fu Xunian and find love again.

“No… there'll never be anyone like him.”

Liu Qiuzhen knew—there would never be another person worth her love.

“Sis, he’s not worth it. He doesn’t even know you like him.”

Liu Qiuning thought it was all so pointless.

She had liked Fu Xunian, but no one ever found out.

“Qiuning, he knew. He turned me down gently, so I wouldn’t get hurt.”

Fu Xunian was clever—he couldn’t have missed it. But he rejected her kindly, without embarrassing her.

“Qiuning, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Only, she’d lock her heart away forever.

She just wouldn’t love anyone else again.

But she would live on, make her own way.

Liu Qiuning’s mouth worked silently before she managed to say, “Sis, I hope you’ll be happy.”

Liu Qiuzhen only smiled.

Like the fallen leaves outside, drifting into the dust, letting the ground swallow them up quietly.