If we consider Lin He's own perspective, setting aside the fact that Da Bao already has someone in his heart, just looking at Tao Hua and Chun Er, Lin He intuitively felt that Chun Er's character was slightly better than Tao Hua's. Of course, if we are discussing who would be a suitable daughter-in-law based on Lin He's standards right now, neither of them is completely qualified. But then again, no one is perfect, and no skill is inherent from birth; with time, practice, and dedication, improvement will come. The priority now must be selecting someone with good character, which is why Lin He felt Chun Er was the more suitable choice.

Lin He saw that Da Bao was reluctant to speak, and with his younger siblings inside the house, she didn't press further. However, Da Bao couldn't entirely escape Huang Shi's questioning. After dinner, Huang Shi coaxed the younger children to sleep and called the maidservant out. Only Lin He, Chen Er, Da Bao, and the couple remained in the room.

Lin He watched as Huang Shi exchanged a look with Er Niu. Er Niu cleared his throat and spoke: "Da Bao, it's rare for you to be back from the town. This time you've returned, your mother and I want to settle your marriage. These two young ladies at home are distant relatives from your grandmother's side. I want you to choose between them—what do you think?"

"Father, haven't I already said it? For the next couple of years, I don't want to think about this matter. I want to get the shop in town established first, and then we can talk in a couple of years. I just don't have the mind for it right now," Da Bao replied.

"What do you mean, in a couple of years? Do you know how old you are? Your father had you when he was your age! Furthermore, every boy in the village your age is already betrothed, yet you're still adrift," Huang Shi said with some impatience.

"Well, I haven't found a suitable girl yet, so how can we get engaged? I can't just pick anyone randomly, can I? Besides, in two years, I'll only be eighteen; plenty of people marry at eighteen," Da Bao responded, feeling somewhat helpless.

"I know, I’m not rushing you to marry immediately. Your father and I just want you to find a suitable girl to get engaged to first. If you don't want to marry so early, we won't force you; we can wait two years. We aren't asking you to just pick anyone either. Isn't Tao Hua very good? She looks presentable, speaks sweetly, and her age is right. Your father and I think she’s quite fine," Huang Shi was clearly pointing Da Bao toward a specific choice.

"Mother, I haven't even gotten a clear look at who Tao Hua is, how can she be 'quite fine'? Just because you two think she's good doesn't mean I will," Da Bao rarely talked back.

"Then how about this: you stay home for a few days and take a proper look at who Tao Hua is," Huang Shi said, sounding a little annoyed.

"Mother, the pastry shop needs business! I have to rush back tomorrow morning. If I stay here for two days, I haven't arranged things properly with the shop assistants—how can that work?"

"You've hired so many assistants at the shop. If the manager can’t leave for two days, what's the point of paying them a monthly salary? You will stay home for these two days. This matter is settled. If anything urgent happens at the shop, someone will be sent back to report it," Huang Shi commanded directly.

Da Bao looked at his mother, noticing she was getting upset. He glanced at Lin He on the side. Lin He shook her head at Da Bao, signaling him not to argue further. Da Bao had no choice but to agree.

Huang Shi then nodded with satisfaction. She looked over at Lin He, who was sitting quietly, and asked, "He Er, why hasn't Xiao Mo visited our home in such a long time? Have you seen him in town? Tell him to visit us when he has time."

Lin He rolled her eyes internally. Did Mother want to settle all their marriages in one go? And here she was, playing matchmaker indiscriminately. Fortunately, Huang Shi only suggested Xiao Mo come visit. Lin He pretended not to understand her mother's implication and replied, "Got it. If I see him, I'll tell him."

"I think Xiao Mo is a fine child; I really like him. His family background is good, he’s handsome, he speaks sweetly, and he doesn't have those bad habits common among rich young masters. Plus, he's close to our family. If..." Mentioning Wen Ning Mo made Huang Shi beam.

"Mother, 'if' what? You like Xiao Mo so much, why don't you just make him your son? Among all us siblings, we’ve never seen you praise anyone like this, yet you spare no effort complimenting someone else’s son," Lin He said, smiling teasingly.

"No, he can't be a son, but being something else would be quite suitable—that depends on our He Er," Huang Shi said, looking pointedly at Lin He.

"I like Xiao Mo too, but they are a large family; I’m afraid they wouldn't look favorably upon our small household," Er Niu chimed in with a smile.

"How is our family lacking? Our He Er is absolutely radiant—how many young ladies in the city can compare? Although our family might not match Xiao Mo's, people speak of a man marrying below his station and a woman marrying above hers. The focus of marriage shouldn't just be family wealth. I'm not worried about our He Er not being good enough for Xiao Mo. What I worry about is that in those big families, I hear the men often have three wives and several concubines. That’s what concerns me," Huang Shi argued, disagreeing with Er Niu's sentiment.

"Yes, your daughter is the best; how could she be lacking?" Er Niu said with a chuckle.

Lin He and Da Bao exchanged glances, both feeling a touch of helplessness. What was wrong with parents these days, always imposing their own ideas onto their children? Even though marriage back then was based on parental decree, shouldn't the children still have to agree? These two were discussing something that hadn't even started as if it were already fact.

Just as Lin He was stressing over how to tell her parents that there was nothing between her and Xiao Mo, Chen Er spoke up: "Mother, does Brother Xiao Mo favor Elder Sister? Has he said he wants to marry Elder Sister as his wife?"

Lin He inwardly praised Chen Er. That question hit the nail on the head. Her parents were wishfully thinking good things on their own. Setting aside whether Lin He had any feelings for Xiao Mo, even if she did, Xiao Mo might not have any feelings for her either. This was the perfect moment to use Chen Er's question. Lin He said, "Exactly, Mother. Xiao Mo's family probably arranged a fiancée for him long ago. Why are you discussing this here? Xiao Mo and I are just like Xiao Bao and the others."

Hearing Chen Er and Lin He, Huang Shi paused for a moment, but then she smiled and said, "Yes, He Er’s matter is not urgent. I’m not worried about our He Er; she’s still young, we can discuss it later. It's Da Bao who really needs to hurry up."

Lin He breathed a temporary sigh of relief at Huang Shi’s words, but she knew her mother wouldn't give up on trying to pair her with Xiao Mo until she saw Xiao Mo married off. At least the pressure was off her for now and had shifted back to Da Bao. Da Bao sent a pleading look toward Lin He.