Happiness came so unexpectedly, like a roller coaster.
Yang Mimi's heart instantly warmed, and tears that she couldn't hold back spilled out in an instant.
Mrs. Wang, the matchmaker, nodded awkwardly and tugged at Yang Mimi.
"Little ancestor, stop crying. It's not auspicious. Let's go first."
"Wait!" Wang Tiegun, who was nearby, finally couldn't hold back any longer, slammed the table, and stood up, "I'm in charge of this house, and this marriage doesn't count without my consent."
Blocked by his grandfather again, Wang Daniu's anger that had accumulated in his heart instantly erupted.
"Grandpa, what on earth do you want to do? You won't let me marry sister-in-law, and you won't let me get married. How can I carry on the family line for you, the Wangs?" Wang Daniu shouted.
His grandson had never spoken to him like this before, and Wang Tiegun instantly sprang to his feet.
"Have you lost your mind? Don't you know what kind of woman she is? You don't care about your life, about continuing the family line? I'm afraid of cutting off my lineage."
"This won't do, that won't do, do you think I could marry a fairy? You're just old-fashioned. I'm determined to go through with this marriage."
Wang Daniu snorted coldly, unyielding as needle against straw.
"Ahem!" Wang Tiegun sighed, his grandson was as stubborn as he was, and once he dug in his heels, not even eight bulls could pull him back.
"Da Niu, to tell you the truth, it's not just because of old superstitions that I won't let you marry her. The fortune teller she mentioned, I know of him. He's nicknamed Zhang Half-Immortal and is a famous sorcerer in town," Wang Tiegun tried to explain patiently.
"There's never been a time when his divinations weren't accurate. If he says your fate can overpower a husband-killing woman, then it definitely will."
"Then... then why do you still disagree?" Wang Daniu asked, puzzled.
"I..." The grandfather found himself at a loss for words, looking suddenly much older and sorrowful.
"Grandpa is powerless; I can't let a strapping young man like you marry a widow with bad luck. I think it wouldn't be fair to you."
Wang Tiegun spoke from the heart, and Wang Daniu instantly felt ashamed, realizing that his grandfather had always had his best interests at heart.
"Grandpa, I was rude just now, please don't take it to heart. But I'm set on this marriage and I'm not afraid of what others might say."
As he spoke, Wang Daniu handed his grandfather a cup of tea.
The old man took a sip, his mood slowly easing. Seeing how firm Wang Daniu was, he didn't dare to force him.
Mrs. Wang, the matchmaker was astute and quickly saw hope, hurrying forward to persuade.
"Old master, honestly, this marriage is a great deal for your family. The girl's right here; just look at her appearance, her figure is top-notch. Who in ten miles and eight villages can compare with Big Mimi?"
Guided by the matchmaker, Wang Tiegun looked over and had to admit it was true; Yang Mimi must have been an exceedingly lovely girl in her youth.
"I'm telling you, Mimi was a part of our town's dance troupe. She's a star, and her family is particularly wealthy." Mrs. Wang whispered into the old master's ear, "Your Wang family has found a treasure, reaping both wealth and a beautiful bride."
When Wang Daniu heard that Yang Mimi was in the dance troupe, his heart stirred once more.
To perform on stage was not for ordinary people; it must be someone with one-in-ten-thousand looks and figure.
In the past, during performances, the women on stage always stirred up the young men's blood, making them restless and anxious.
Could he actually have the opportunity to marry a star?!
No wonder this girl had such a sexually appealing figure; just looking at her made one's heart race.
At that moment, a realization dawned on Wang Daniu, and the more he looked at Yang Mimi, the more beautiful she became.
Seeing Wang Daniu's greedy eyes, Yang Mimi shyly lowered her head and tugged at the matchmaker's clothes.
Over there, the matchmaker also pacified the old man, and a preliminary intention had formed. The matchmaker and Yang Mimi said their goodbyes and left.
After a night and half a day of agitation, the dark clouds previously looming over the grandfather and grandson gradually dissipated.
At dusk, Sister-in-law Jiang Yinwa returned. Seeing the two, she called out softly, "Grandfather, Da Niu, I... I'll go cook for you."
Jiang Yinwa, the woman he loved but could not have, made Wang Daniu's heart ache at the sight of her. He feared today's decision would hurt his sister-in-law's heart.
But better a short pain than a long one. Wang Daniu thought for a moment, then, suppressing the tumult in his heart, said, "Sister-in-law, the matchmaker came today to set me up for marriage. I... am going to get married."
Jiang Yinwa's body trembled as if struck by thunder, and the grievances in her heart broke her will.
But such a love between an aunt and her nephew could never bear the light of conventional society. Jiang Yinwa suppressed the sorrow and indignation in her heart and managed to force a faint smile.
"Then sister-in-law truly congratulates you. You're twenty-two after all, it's time you settled down."
Even though she spoke words of congratulation, the air was thick with her sadness and anger. Wang Tiegun prudently entered the inner room and closed the door, leaving the space for the two of them.
Jiang Yinwa twisted her skirt hem with her fingers, rolling it up and then relaxing it, over and over.
"Which family's girl has caught Da Niu's fancy? Sister-in-law will help you with the marriage..."
The next moment, Wang Daniu could no longer hold back. He stepped forward, extending his strong arms and tightly embracing Jiang Yinwa.
A fire blazed within Wang Daniu, his kisses falling like raindrops on Jiang Yinwa's face, on her lips... as if he wished to take this beloved woman into his very being.
"Sister-in-law, the one I like is you; even getting married won't make me forget you."
Wang Daniu kissed her fervently, venting the frustrations in his heart as if in retaliation against the world's prejudices.
Wang Daniu breathed heavily, his gaze hazy.
"Sister… sister-in-law… my heart only has room for you, you are the most important woman to me. I'm about to get married, could you give me just one chance?"
Wang Daniu's movements grew increasingly rough, pushing Jiang Yinwa onto the bed, his hands beginning to tear at her clothes...
"No... don't..."
Although Jiang Yinwa's mouth said no, her body involuntarily responded.
"I insist. Sister-in-law, please, leave me a memory to cherish for a lifetime."
Both were agitated, but Jiang Yinwa knew their relationship was impossible.
On hearing these words, Jiang Yinwa felt as if her heart was being wrenched, the bitterness overwhelming.
"Heaven, why do you torment me!" Jiang Yinwa cried out, unleashing her inner discontent.
At that moment, Wang Daniu, lost in his passion, could no longer consider the consequences; they became intimately entwined...
As the storm raged on, Jiang Yinwa finally understood that she had long harbored feelings for this simple young uncle.
Images flashed through her mind: the two of them frolicking in the river, her mending Wang Daniu's clothes, and feeding him in the fields.
She too wished to give herself to a man like Wang Daniu, but his recent words shattered all her dreams.
Wang Daniu would not be her man, only her young uncle.
In an instant, Jiang Yinwa opened her eyes from her daze, pushed Wang Daniu away with force, and like a wounded little rabbit, ran back into the house to cry in secret.