Madam Huang led Uncle Wen and the other person to the formal reception hall to be seated, then instructed the servants to bring tea and pastries. She spoke with a hint of nervousness, “Boss Wen, my apologies. Please excuse the humble arrangements in this rural place; do not take offense.”

Uncle Wen, however, chuckled kindly. “Madam Lin is too polite. This is truly a fine place. The courtyard is spacious, and the whole family seems to live in harmony—it is quite enviable.”

Madam Huang managed a smile as well, but an awkward silence followed, leaving her unsure of what to say next. Uncle Wen, being a man of business, did not feel constrained. After a few laughs, he said, “He’er, how is the factory construction proceeding over in Qinghe County? It must have been difficult for you to manage things there. You have taken such good care of Xuan’er during his injury; we truly owe you a debt of gratitude.”

He’er smiled faintly, not wishing to take too much credit, and replied politely, “Uncle Wen is too kind.”

Madam Huang’s eyes widened. How was Ningxuan injured? Why hadn't He’er mentioned it upon returning? What exactly happened? Why would he get hurt? Still, seeing Boss Wen present, she suppressed her questions and remained silent.

Er Niu hurried back. Having met Boss Wen before, he was naturally not as tense as Madam Huang. After a few pleasantries, Uncle Wen turned to the main topic: “Master Lin, Madam Lin, I have come today to formally propose marriage for our Xuan’er.”

Although Lin He had some inkling that Uncle Wen’s visit concerned this matter, hearing it stated so directly made her blush. She quickly found an excuse to leave the room.

She couldn’t make out exactly what was being said, but Lin He vaguely heard Uncle Wen and her father laughing together, their conversation seemingly very cheerful. Just then, Zi Qing announced that Miss Yunqi and her mother had arrived. Lin He thought this timing was rather coincidental. Since visitors were already at the door, she instructed Zi Qing to inform her parents and went to the entrance to greet Yunqi and her mother.

At the door, she saw a woman of about forty years old standing with a girl of fifteen or sixteen, engaged in conversation. Lin He guessed these were Yunqi and her mother. Putting a smile on her face, she stepped forward. “You must be Auntie and Sister Yunqi? I am He’er, Dabao’s younger sister. Please, come in and rest. My mother and father will be out shortly.”

The mother and daughter paused slightly. Yunqi’s mother quickly replied, “It’s He’er! He’er is back? When did you return?”

Now it was Lin He’s turn to be momentarily stunned. This was the first time she was meeting Yunqi’s mother, yet the woman spoke as if they were already well acquainted. Nevertheless, Lin He kept her composure and replied, “Auntie, I have been back for a few days now.”

Lin He had intended to have Zi Qing guide the guests toward the smaller reception room on the side, but just then, she saw her parents emerging with Uncle Wen and Madam Wen. They seemed to be finalizing something, talking as they walked. Lin He knew Uncle Wen and his wife were preparing to leave. She approached them to pay her respects. Uncle Wen looked at Lin He with a beaming smile. “Master Lin, you have raised such a wonderful daughter. I couldn’t ask for a more sensible girl, but it is a blessing nonetheless. She will soon be part of our family, and rest assured, we will treat her well.”

Er Niu and Madam Huang smiled and nodded in agreement. They then politely escorted Uncle Wen and Madam Wen out. Yunqi and her mother, who had been following Zi Qing, stopped dead in their tracks when they saw the departing couple. Their eyes were fixed on them, particularly Yunqi’s mother, whose gaze followed Madam Wen as she left, filled with undisguised envy. She didn't move forward, instead turning to Madam Huang and asking, “Dabao’s mother, who were those distinguished guests? They certainly didn’t look like ordinary people.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Huang’s eyes filled with pride. “They are He’er’s future in-laws. They came today to formally propose marriage. And just like that, everything is settled, and they’ve left. Yunqi’s mother, you’ve arrived too! Quickly, let’s go inside and sit.”

Hearing Madam Huang’s words, Yunqi’s mother shifted her envious gaze toward Lin He. In truth, it was mixed with a touch of jealousy, but her words were outwardly sweet. “Dabao’s mother, those are He’er’s future in-laws? He’er truly has great fortune.”

She glanced toward the entrance again, but the figures had long since vanished. Madam Huang ushered the mother and daughter inside. Once seated, as Madam Huang chatted with Yunqi’s mother, Lin He finally had the chance to observe the pair. Yunqi, based on appearance, could be described as delicately pretty and dignified, seemingly refined and quiet, offering only faint smiles and listening attentively. From a distance, she seemed perfectly fine.

Lin He watched her for quite some time. When Yunqi noticed the scrutiny, she glanced at Lin He but immediately averted her eyes, unable to meet the gaze. The flicker of panic in her look suggested a relatively simple nature, certainly not that of a deeply calculating girl. Lin He’s household could overlook many things, but excessive manipulation, especially directed at those close to them, was unforgivable.

Lin He surveyed them again, noting that Yunqi and her mother were dressed quite well—better than most common families. Lin He also observed the envious expression Yunqi’s mother wore when Uncle and Madam Wen departed, and the mixture of envy and jealousy when she looked at Lin He. She surmised that Yunqi’s mother was likely a common, materialistic rural woman who valued wealth and appearances highly, though she didn't seem overtly scheming—just perhaps, as Zi Qing had mentioned, inclined to talk a bit too much.

Listening to Yunqi’s mother chat idly with her own parents confirmed this assessment. While their conversation was casual, they were in fact discussing the gifts required for a betrothal and the etiquette for the wedding ceremony. Yunqi’s mother kept raising demands, such as insisting on a horse-drawn carriage to fetch the bride, and listing the necessary items for the wedding day. Lin He understood these were standard customs; her family would have provided them anyway. However, Yunqi’s mother voicing them so explicitly gave Lin He a very poor impression, as if the wedding’s sole purpose was to flaunt how well her daughter was marrying—as if her daughter was only worth a price. Fortunately, Lin He had gathered enough information since returning home to be prepared, so she wasn't overly surprised.

When Lin He heard Yunqi’s mother mention that the wedding would require at least ten tables just for their side’s relatives, she could no longer hold back and interjected, “Auntie, your family has so many relatives? Mother, when our sister Yu’er married, we only hosted one table here. Is the custom different, or do we simply have too few relatives?”

In truth, Madam Huang and Er Niu had already felt a measure of discontent after hearing Yunqi’s mother’s requests. They recalled the large entourage that had come for the previous marriage discussion. Now, why so many people for the wedding? But they couldn't voice their displeasure directly for fear of offending Yunqi’s mother. He’er asking this question, however, provided them with a welcome release of tension.