Chapter 14 Urging Marriage

Eldest Sister-in-law Xu had fallen off her bicycle and hurt her leg, then she sat on the ground sobbing softly. Xu happened to be passing by and saw the girl sitting on the ground.

Without a word, he carried her and hurried to the hospital.

Eldest Sister-in-law Xu was a person who knew to repay kindness; because of the lifesaving grace, she started interacting with Xu, and gradually, they developed feelings for each other.

Eventually, Eldest Sister-in-law Xu insisted on marrying no one but Xu.

Eldest Sister-in-law Xu's parents had no choice; there was the lifesaving grace, and their daughter was set on Xu Shengli.

Moreover, Xu Shengli was a genuinely honest man, which pleased her parents, so they agreed to the marriage.

Eldest Sister-in-law Xu used to be somewhat of a princess at home, spoiled by her parents, but her life at the Xu family was downgraded by three or four levels.

However, Eldest Sister-in-law Xu never complained; she felt content as long as she could be with Xu.

Even though life at home was tough, she never once complained to her parents.

Xu Ying was quite envious of her elder brother, wondering how he had found such a good wife.

Alas! The Old Xu Family seemed to attract sentimental people; how come she ended up with such scoundrels?

Xu Ying rested her head and gazed up at the sky.

After dinner, Eldest Sister-in-law Xu went to clean up the kitchen.

"Eldest sister-in-law, let me help you!" Xu Ying moved closer and said.

Eldest Sister-in-law Xu dared not let her little aunt wash the dishes, fearing her mother-in-law would scold her to death if she found out.

"Yingying, go rest; I'll take care of these," she said.

Seeing that her sister-in-law did not want help, Xu Ying backed out of the kitchen leisurely,

"Mom, let's also boil an egg for Shitou and Hu Zi tomorrow morning. Our hen laid five eggs today."

Hearing this, Shitou looked hopefully towards Mrs. Xu.

"What, daughter, did you say our hen laid five eggs?" Mrs. Xu's eyebrows shot up, her face full of surprise.

She couldn't believe it and hurried into the kitchen to count the eggs, then came out looking still shocked.

"Goodness, how did the hen lay so many eggs? I've never seen anything like this in my life."

But there were indeed five extra eggs; they couldn't have fallen from the sky; the only possibility was that the hen truly laid that many. Maybe the hen was bewitched.

"Mom, if our hen laid five eggs every day, then we could eat eggs daily," Xu Ying said smilingly.

Mrs. Xu gently tapped her daughter's forehead, "You're dreaming! Everyday five eggs, I'd be satisfied if these three old hens could ensure three eggs daily.

Five, that I can't even imagine," Mrs. Xu said with a smile as she looked at her daughter.

Xu Ying laughed heartily; the hen might not guarantee three eggs daily, but she could assure that Mrs. Xu would collect five or six eggs in the future.

"Mom, so can Shitou and Hu Zi also have a boiled egg tomorrow?" Xu Ying asked, blinking.

Mrs. Xu promptly agreed eagerly: "Sure, mom promises you that."

Could she not dote on her own grandchildren, but with the household circumstances, she had to prioritize her own daughter first.

"Eldest Son's wife, did you hear your little sister? Remember to boil an egg for your son tomorrow too."

Eldest Sister-in-law Xu, thrilled, could barely keep her mouth closed as she gratefully responded, "Thank you, Mom. Thank you, little sister."

Xu also grinned at Xu Ying, "Thank you, little sister."

Recalling her daughter's conversation from earlier in the day, Mrs. Xu glanced at her husband's frail body, "Boil an extra one for your dad too."

Eldest Sister-in-law Xu, all smiles, joyfully agreed.

As the day gradually darkened, Xu Ying washed up and retired to her room.

Entering her room, she took out lotion from her space, applied it, and then climbed into bed. Nestled under the covers, Xu Ying felt a thrill at the reality of it all.

She couldn't believe that fate had actually given her a second chance.

Everything had not happened yet, and she would definitely make her family happy in this life.

Xu Ying quickly fell asleep on her bed, and by the time she woke up, the sun was already shining on her bottom.

She stretched lazily before getting out of bed quickly.

During the apocalypse, one must always stay alert even while sleeping; this was the first time in many years she had slept so soundly.

When she left the room, Eldest Sister-in-law Xu had already set the table with food.

Xu, like every other morning, had filled the water tank early in the morning.

Second Brother Xu also came out of his room, yawning.

A new day, a new scene.

Mrs. Xu saw her daughter get up and immediately poured some hot water, urging her, "Hurry up and wash your face and eat."

Xu Ying obediently washed her face before heading to the dining table.

She frowned at the sight of the food on the table.

It was the same as always; porridge for breakfast, accompanied by pickled vegetables and mixed grain flatbreads, which looked unappealing and tasted even worse.

Xu Ying, Shitou, and Hu Zi each had an egg placed in front of them.

Mr. Xu also had an egg in front of him.

Mr. Xu was reluctant to eat the egg, peeled it, and gave half to Mrs. Xu.

Shitou and Hu Zi, being sensible, split their eggs in two, half for Xu and the other half for Eldest Sister-in-law Xu.

That left Second Brother Xu alone, pitifully looking at his sister, "Little sister!"

Mrs. Xu rolled her eyes, "Why are you calling your little sister? You're the one without a wife or kids. No matter how much you call, we're not giving it to you."

Second Brother Xu was only three years younger than Xu. At twenty-two, in a big city with a formal job, this age would still be considered early for marriage.

But Second Brother Xu was a country man with no job, just earning work points from working in the soil, and it was abnormal not to be married at his age.

Although Mrs. Xu favored her daughter, her son was also her own flesh and blood, and she was anxious every day until he got married.

"Second Son, you'll be twenty-three after this year. When are you going to get married? Do you want to drive your mother and me to our graves?" Mr. Xu became angry whenever this subject came up.

Other country boys get married at seventeen or eighteen, and this lad, let alone getting married, doesn't even have a partner yet.

"Dad, I just haven't met the right one!" Second Brother Xu became quite downhearted when the subject of marriage was brought up.

Xu Ying glanced curiously at Second Brother Xu, "Second Brother, you don't happen to like a girl who doesn't like you, do you?"

If that was really the case, then it would be difficult.

Second Brother Xu didn't say anything, and his expression confirmed that what Xu Ying had said was true. Mrs. Xu looked suspicious, "Second Son, is what your sister said true? I'm telling you, you must bring a girl home this year. Even if you don't get married this year, you must get married by next spring."

"Mom, I just haven't met the right one!" Second Brother Xu said, shrinking his head, preferring to stay unmarried than to marry someone he didn't like.

Mr. Xu's face darkened, "Why is there no suitable one? Look at how many unmarried girls there are around our village. What kind of girl do you like?

I'll go to your little aunt this afternoon and have her find a suitable girl for you."

"Second Brother, do you like girls like Sister Qiu Ye?" Xu Ying asked.

Second Brother Xu almost immediately nodded.

Seeing her brother nod, Xu Ying was instantly stunned.

Not only Xu Ying, but everyone in the house was stunned, as if he was aspiring to something unattainable.

"You like Qiu Ye? Second Brother, not to discourage you, but a fine girl like Qiu Ye is meant to marry into the county, not someone like you from the countryside!"

Eldest Sister-in-law Xu said with a sigh. Even if she doesn't marry into the county, she would look for a partner in town, not in the village.

Xu Ying also felt that this was a bit far-fetched; if Sister Qiu Ye also liked her Second Brother, there might be a chance, but if Sister Qiu Ye did not reciprocate his feelings, there was absolutely no chance.