After the Scholar Rejected Me, I Married the Rogue and Got Rich - Chapter 44

Wang took a deep breath and exchanged a glance with her husband beside her.

On the usually somewhat dull face of Boss Lin, a rare and firm expression, a mixture of solemnity and joy, appeared at this moment.

He took a small step forward, first bowing to Aunt Zhou, Zhou Han, and Matchmaker Wang, then turning to his parents and clan elders on the kang (heated brick bed), his voice loud and clear, carrying the simplicity and decisiveness characteristic of a farmer: “Sister-in-law Zhou, nephew Zhou Han, Matchmaker Wang, and all elders and fellow villagers!”

He looked around at everyone and said, “Our Lin family has received and seen this sentiment and this betrothal gift!”

His gaze fell on Zhou Han, and his tone was sincere: “I, Boss Lin, have known Zhou Han for a long time at the docks. I can’t control what others say about him! But I’ve seen it with my own eyes: he’s strong, hardworking, loyal, respected by his superiors, and trusted by his coworkers! More importantly, he’s upright! He cares about others and his family! I’m at ease entrusting Sang Sang to him!”

He spoke the last two words with extra force, as if a boulder had landed, making a resounding thud.

Wang then spoke, her voice gentle yet clear. She looked at Aunt Zhou, her eyes slightly red, a mixture of emotion and relief: “Mother-in-law, to be honest, all those rumors in the village before… made me very anxious. But today, seeing everything you and Zhou Han have prepared, seeing this genuine and heartfelt sentiment, especially knowing that this oxcart is to spare the children from suffering… all my worries have been resolved! It’s Sangsang’s good fortune to have met Zhou Han! Her father and I—agree to this marriage!”

“good!”

“That’s right!”

“A perfect match, a match made in heaven!”

A chorus of cheers and approving discussions immediately erupted both inside and outside the courtyard.

Upon hearing the resolute “agree,” Aunt Zhou was so moved that tears welled up instantly. She quickly wiped them away with her sleeve, but a smile played on her lips.

Zhou Han’s tense back relaxed almost imperceptibly, and his gaze toward Boss Lin and Madam Wang was filled with gratitude and solemnity. He bowed deeply once again.

At this moment, instead of immediately exchanging pleasantries with the Zhou family, Lin the eldest turned to his parents, whose expressions on the kang (heated brick bed) were still somewhat complicated, especially Old Man Lin, whose brows were not yet fully relaxed, and respectfully asked:

“Father, Mother, uncles and elders, you are all elders who have experienced much and seen far ahead. Today, the Zhou family has come to propose marriage, and my wife and I have agreed. We would also like to hear your opinions and the opinions of the elders. Please give the children your advice and guidance.”

This question demonstrated excellent manners and gave the elders ample face.

Old Man Lin held his pipe, remained silent for a moment, then his gaze swept over the generous betrothal gifts on the table, the oxcart decorated with red flowers outside the courtyard, and finally landed on Zhou Han, who, though silent, stood tall and straight with clear and unwavering eyes.

He recalled what his second son had said before, and looking at the genuine sincerity before him, he finally exhaled a long puff of smoke, his voice slightly hoarse but clear, and said:

“The eldest daughter-in-law’s words make sense… The betrothal gifts… are generous, and the people…” He paused, seemingly still choosing his words, “and they look… decent too. Since you parents think it’s good, and the children themselves are willing… what can we old folks say?”

Although he didn’t praise her directly, his statement was tantamount to tacit approval.

Seeing that her husband had relented, Grandma Lin quickly wiped her eyes, took Lin Sang’s hand, looked at Zhou Han, and said with a choked voice filled with relief, “Alright, alright… As long as you two live a good life from now on, that’s better than anything else… If Sang Sang is happy, then that’s good…”

Upon seeing this, the elders nodded in agreement.

Uncle Lin stroked his beard and said, “Hmm, the betrothal gifts show sincerity, and the young man seems to be a capable person. Since the parents have given their approval and the two are in love, we are naturally happy to see it happen and wish the newlyweds all the best!”

The clan elder also laughed and said, “Good, good, good! This is a great event for our Linjia’ao! It’s settled! It’s settled!”

With this, all the procedures were successfully completed.

Matchmaker Wang grinned from ear to ear, and shouted loudly, “The ceremony is complete! The two families are now united in marriage! Congratulations to the Zhou family and the Lin family!”

The festive atmosphere was instantly ignited, with congratulations and laughter rising and falling.

Sunlight streamed through the window, warmly illuminating everyone’s faces, including the young couple about to embark on a new chapter in their lives.

Lin Sang lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed, but a sweet and reassuring smile played on her lips. Zhou Han looked at her, his cold and hard eyebrows softening with unprecedented tenderness in the sunlight.

———

Just as the hall was filled with celebration, and everyone was marveling at the betrothal gifts, their eyes lingering on Zhou Han and Lin Sang, the soon-to-be-married couple, smiling knowingly at their silent yet overflowing understanding and affection, Lin Jiao’er in the corner was looking increasingly grim.

She stared intently at the pair of gleaming silver bracelets on the table, her gaze sweeping over the oxcart adorned with red flowers outside the courtyard with a mixture of jealousy and resentment. Finally, her eyes settled on Lin Sang’s slightly lowered profile, which couldn’t hide her happy smile, and on Zhou Han’s focused yet gentle gaze.

That look in his eyes was one she had never seen before—a direct and unwavering admiration and protection for a woman.

Why? How could Lin Sang, who had been jilted before, find a man who was willing to spend lavishly on her and whose eyes were so focused on her?

What tangible benefits has the scholar she carefully selected and snatched from Lin Sang given her, besides a few empty poems and an aloof attitude?

Intense jealousy and resentment gnawed at her heart like venomous snakes.

She couldn’t stay any longer; she felt that the festive atmosphere and the invisible warmth between the two people were mocking her failure.

She stood up abruptly, the chair legs scraping against the bluestone floor with a screeching sound. Ignoring the surprised looks from those around her, her face ashen, she turned and rushed out of the main room, heading straight for the courtyard.

“Jiao’er! Jiao’er, where are you going?” Song Jinhua was secretly admiring the smooth fine cloth when she saw her daughter suddenly run away. She was stunned at first, and then she felt a little embarrassed.

She hurriedly stood up, awkwardly tugged at the corners of her mouth towards Lin Laoda and Wang Shi, “The child… the child might not be feeling well, I… I’ll go check on him!” After saying that, she hurriedly chased after him.

Although the commotion caused by the mother and daughter wasn’t particularly loud, it still seemed especially abrupt and jarring in the current harmonious atmosphere.

The elderly Mrs. Lin, sitting at the head of the table, took in everything and her face immediately darkened.

She slammed the teacup she was holding onto the kang table with a loud thud, drawing the attention of several people nearby.

The old lady, her face long, scolded her eldest son, Lin Fu, who was sitting below her and looked equally embarrassed, in a low voice: “Look at them! Look at those two, what kind of behavior is this! They don’t know any manners at all! Today is the auspicious day of her cousin’s engagement, a joyous occasion for our Lin family’s second branch! And what do they do, putting on a show of displeasure and storming off? They’re deliberately trying to embarrass Sangsang and slap our Lin family in the face!”

Lin Fu blushed with embarrassment after being scolded by his mother, and dared not refute her. He also felt that his wife and daughter’s behavior today was too undignified, especially in front of so many clan elders and villagers.

The old lady grew angrier as she spoke, pointing at Lin Fu with her finger: “Let me tell you, eldest son! You can’t let them be so willful and unruly when you get back! Jin Hua’s mouth and Jiao’er’s temper, if you don’t discipline them properly, they’ll definitely cause you a big disaster one day! Then, where will you put your face! Where will the Lin family put their face!”

Hearing his mother’s admonition, Lin Fu recalled his wife’s usual harshness and his daughter’s increasingly spoiled nature. He felt a chill and quickly promised, “Mother, please don’t be angry. I understand. I will definitely talk to them properly when I get back. I will never let them be so disrespectful again!”

“What’s the use of just talking? You need to act like the head of the family!” The old lady was still angry, but seeing her eldest son’s submissive appearance, she knew it wasn’t the time to delve into the matter. She just sighed and waved her hand, “Alright, let’s focus on the present for now. Don’t let these two bad apples spoil everyone’s good mood.”

Lin Fu repeatedly agreed, but his heart was heavy. He was determined to discipline his wife and daughter properly when he got back.