Zhou Xi had weathered storms and walked through mundane days, having seen the worst of human nature; thus, she was no naive young girl.
Even if she didn't recognize it at first, after a few encounters she could perceive the contempt beneath the facade of those honest-looking men.
They appeared kind to her, but there was always an underlying attitude of superiority, as if marrying them was her only way out, a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes.
Zhou Xi had always held back her anger, refusing to give in, and gradually, as she earned more money and her complexion grew rosier, Old Zhou and Ms. Qian, despite worrying in private, no longer pressured her to go on matchmaking visits, thus the years slipped by.
Guan Xin was an exception.
Her story was not a secret and could be easily discovered with a little inquiry. When she went with her elder sister-in-law to open a store in the county town, there were always "well-intentioned people" bringing up proposals for her.
