"Matchmaker Li, come in and sit down." Stepmother Zhang Chunhua smiled brightly.
Matchmaker Li stepped into the house and felt a warm feeling rushing to her face.
Zhang Chunhua warmly invited her to sit down and brought a pot of hot tea. The tea was fragrant and refreshing.
The brazier in the house was burning brightly, making a crackling sound, and the warm light fell on their faces, making them look particularly harmonious.
Zhang Chunhua's face was full of smiles, and her eyes were shining with anticipation. She rubbed her hands together, looking impatient.
Lin Wanwan was woken up when she heard movement in the yard. Lin Wanwan rubbed her sleepy eyes, yawned, and slowly got up from the bed. Walking to the window, she opened it and felt a gust of cold wind blowing in her face, which made her sober.
In the hut, Zhang Chunhua, wearing a red coat, was chatting with an old lady.
The fiery red clothes stood out in the dilapidated thatched hut, like a jumping flame.
Lin Wanwan recognized the woman from the original owner's mind as Mama Li, the famous matchmaker in the village.
Their laughter and words in the room faintly reached Lin Wanwan's ears through the window.
Lin Wanwan couldn't help but wonder, what kind of medicine was the stepmother Zhang Chunhua selling in the gourd today? Why invite a matchmaker to your home? She decided to find out.
Lin Wanwan walked out of the room quietly, carefully avoiding the old wooden boards without making any sound. She quietly approached the lighted room, her ear pressed against the dilapidated wooden door.
The conversation in the room came intermittently, and Lin Wanwan couldn't hear it clearly. She could only hear Zhang Chunhua's laughter from time to time and the voice of the matchmaker, Mother Li. She became more and more curious and cautiously opened the door.
The door creaked open, and Lin Wanwan looked over, only to see Zhang Chunhua with a smile on her face, and the matchmaker, Mrs. Li, smiling and nodding beside her.
Lin Wanwan's heart moved, and she suddenly understood what Zhang Chunhua had planned.
Zhang Chunhua's face was full of smiles, and her eyes were full of pride. She quickly walked over and pulled Lin Wanwan to Matchmaker Li, pointed at Lin Wanwan and said, "This is my daughter, Lin Wanwan."
Lin Wanwan's heart tightened. She knew what her stepmother Zhang Chunhua had planned. She wanted to sell herself and become someone's wife, so that no one in the family would go against her.
Lin Wanwan felt a sense of sadness in her heart. She knew that her fate of getting married could no longer be changed in this dynasty.
Matchmaker Li looked at Lin Wanwan carefully, a glimmer of satisfaction flashed in her eyes, "Okay, such a girl is great, she is so fertile!"
Lin Wanwan's heart sank, and she knew that her fate was destined to be sold. However, she still wanted to resist, and at least she had some hope of changing the status quo.
Lin Wanwan took a deep breath, mustered up the courage to raise her head, looked directly into Matchmaker Li's eyes, and said firmly: "Mother Li, I am willing to marry, but I have one condition."
Zhang Chunhua and Matchmaker Li were both stunned, not expecting Lin Wanwan to put forward conditions. Zhang Chunhua's face darkened and she was about to speak, but Lin Wanwan beat her to it.
"My condition is that the person I want to marry must be someone I like." Lin Wanwan said firmly, "Otherwise, even a mountain of gold and silver will not tempt me."
"This..." Matchmaker Li's expression was a little stiff, as if she did not expect Lin Wanwan to propose such a condition.
Matchmaker Li coughed dryly, forced a smile on her face, and a cunning light flashed in her eyes.
She put on an amiable look and said in a gentle tone: "Wanwan, your conditions are really difficult for me. It's not easy to find a satisfactory person these days."
Lin Wanwan knew in her heart that Matchmaker Li had met so many people and she would definitely be able to find someone who was suitable for her.
Lin Wanwan thought that in her previous life, although there were many gossips, she had yet to meet anyone she really liked. Since your stepmother wants to force you to marry, then find someone you like to marry.
She stared closely into Matchmaker Li's eyes, not letting her avoid her gaze, and said firmly: "Mother Li, I know you have a way. As long as you agree, I will definitely be grateful to you."
Matchmaker Li secretly thought that although Lin Wanwan's condition was a bit difficult, it was not impossible to complete.
She rolled her eyes, her plan came to mind, and her face was filled with a smile again: "Wanwan, since you said so, then I will do my best. However, I have to remind you that this is a battle. It’s a big gamble.”
Lin Wanwan felt happy, knowing that her chance had come.
She was secretly happy, her tense heartstrings finally relaxed. She nodded and said firmly: "Mother Li, as long as you can help me find the person I want, I will definitely keep my promise and marry him."
Matchmaker Li was secretly happy in her heart, but her face remained calm. She put on a serious look and patted the back of Lin Wanwan's hand: "Good boy, I will never let you down. I will help you find out. If there is a suitable candidate, I will tell you immediately."
Lin Wanwan felt grateful. She knew that Matchmaker Li had a wide network of contacts in the village and would be able to find a suitable candidate. She held Matchmaker Li's hand tightly, her eyes full of gratitude: "Mama Li, thank you."
Zhang Chunhua didn't expect things to go so smoothly. A trace of unwillingness and resentment flashed in her eyes.
She originally thought that Lin Wanwan would be very resistant, but she didn't expect that Lin Wanwan would actually put forward such a condition.
This made Zhang Chunhua feel very passive and even a little overwhelmed. She couldn't help but start to wonder whether there was something wrong with her plan and whether she was too optimistic. Originally, she wanted Matchmaker Li to marry a rich family, whether as a concubine or a maid, as long as the bride price was large.
Zhang Chunhua was agitated and her face was uncertain. She knew that her plan had been disrupted, and now she could only wait for news from Matchmaker Li.
Zhang Chunhua's eyes were gloomy and her brows were furrowed. She secretly thought to herself that although Lin Wanwan's conditions were a bit difficult, they were not impossible to complete.
She couldn't help but start to imagine that if she could find a rich family to marry, whether she was a concubine or a maid, as long as the bride price was large.
A picture emerged in her mind. Lin Wanwan was wearing a red wedding dress and gold and silver jewelry, and was sent into a magnificent mansion. Zhang Chunhua, on the other hand, was holding a large amount of gift money and smiling from ear to ear.
"Ahem."
Lin Wanwan coughed twice, interrupting Zhang Chunhua's random thoughts.
She looked at Zhang Chunhua's uncertain expression and was secretly amused.
She knew that her plan had succeeded in the first step, successfully delaying the time to get married. The next step was to wait for news from Matchmaker Li. Finding the right person is easier said than done.
Lin Wanwan said this just to delay her marriage.
Lin Wanwan understood in her heart that although Zhang Chunhua was unwilling, she had no other choice.
There was a trace of provocation and pride in Lin Wanwan's eyes. She deliberately raised her voice so that Zhang Chunhua could hear clearly: "Stepmother, I hope you can understand that I will not give up my happiness easily. I will wait for Li News from mom, find someone who is truly suitable for you. Don’t make any more bad ideas.”
The stepmother Zhang Chunhua's face froze, and she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. She knew that Lin Wanwan had seen through her thoughts, which made her lose face. But she had no other choice but to look at Lin Wanwan's proud look, helpless.
"Mother Li, my daughter has a bit of a personality. Hahaha..."
"Haha, this kid is so smart." Matchmaker Li smiled awkwardly. She has been in this business for so many years, so she naturally knows how to resolve this kind of atmosphere.
She gently patted the back of Lin Wanwan's hand again, with a smile on her face: "Wanwan, don't worry, I will try my best. However, you have to understand me. Finding the right person doesn't take a day or two. If you can do it, you have to inquire slowly and choose slowly."
Lin Wanwan nodded and looked at Matchmaker Li gratefully: "Mama Li, I know. As long as you don't give up, I believe you can help me find a good home."
Matchmaker Li looked at Lin Wanwan's firm eyes and admired secretly in her heart. I have never seen such an independent girl.
Although Lin Wanwan is young, she has maturity and wisdom beyond her peers.
Matchmaker Li likes to be a matchmaker for others. She believes that as long as she is given enough time, she will be able to help Lin Wanwan find someone who is truly suitable for her.
Matchmaker Li already has a plan in mind. She decided to take matters into her own hands and go to the city to inquire about whether there was any suitable candidate.
Although there is great competition among matchmakers now, Matchmaker Li has full confidence in herself. She has been in this business for decades and has rich connections and resources. As long as you search carefully, you will definitely find a suitable person.
"In this case, I will go back first, and you can just wait for my news."
Matchmaker Li stood up, straightened her clothes, and prepared to leave.
Zhang Chunhua and Lin Wanwan also stood up and walked her to the door.
It was already noon, and the sun was shining brightly in the yard.
Matchmaker Li's back looks particularly thin in the sun, but her steps are very firm. She is indeed the best matchmaker in this region.
Zhang Chunhua and Lin Wanwan watched Matchmaker Li leave until she disappeared.
Lin Wanwan turned around and returned to the house, feeling relieved. She knew that as long as she delayed, she would have a chance to find someone who was truly suitable for her.
Zhang Chunhua stood at the door, with a hint of complicated emotions in her eyes. She knew in her heart that Lin Wanwan had seen through her thoughts. Although she was unwilling to do so, she had no other choice.
Zhang Chunhua couldn't help but think of her youth, when she once had the courage to pursue happiness. But time is not forgiving, and now she is slowly aging.
Zhang Chunhua sighed, turned around and walked into the room. She looked at Lin Wanwan's quiet side face and couldn't help but feel a little guilty, wondering if she had gone too far towards her.
Lin Wanwan lost her mother when she was very young. He had always been very cruel to her, often beating and scolding her. But now that she has grown up and has the strength to resist, if he treats her badly again, she may take revenge.
