Zhang Minghua looked at her daughter unable to reason with her and sighed with worry.
Yang PeiMin hurried to coax her out of the room.
Before she could catch her breath, someone else came to visit.
It was the old host's close girlfriend, a girl named Chen Sanmei.
In fact, not many could get along with the original host's domineering and spoiled character; those who approached her did so for her status, trying to cosy up to her. After all, when she was pleased, you might pick up some old hair ties or other used items between her fingers.
"Minmin, I've come to see you! I visited my sister a few days ago and didn't know you fell into the river. How are you now? Feeling any better? Not feverish anymore?" As soon as Chen Sanmei entered, she bombarded her with concern.
Yang PeiMin smiled and greeted her, "Thank you for coming to see me, I'm much better."
Then Chen Sanmei looked at her with amazement. She stepped closer, helping Yang PeiMin to sit down while her eyes curiously scanned her, "Wow, Minmin, how do I feel like you've become even prettier after being sick? You seem gentler when you talk, too!"
Chen Sanmei was the same age as her, and her family had many children too; she was the third among her sisters, not to mention her three brothers. Oh, she also had a younger sister. Her parents favored males over females, and her older sisters had been married off early, exchanging them for betrothal gifts for their sons.
Chen Sanmei was a bit more attractive than her sisters and had a sweet mouth. She managed to get her parents to let her attend school for a few years. She was shrewd too. Back in elementary school, seeing the brigade captain's daughter isolated in school, with no playmates, Chen Sanmei had approached her. Enduring the original host's tyrannical temper, Chen Sanmei became the only friend willing to play with her during school.
Zhang Minghua even gave her a white steamed bun to thank her for it, and her parents felt somewhat obliged by Zhang Ming for getting noticed, bringing them closer to Yang PeiMin.
"Did you go to town today, Minmin?" Chen Sanmei asked enviously, as she herself hardly ever went to town in a whole year, "Your aunt must have bought you nice things again, right? You haven't bought a new hair tie for a while; you changed it this time, right?"
Yang PeiMin shook her head, "I didn't buy one."
Chen Sanmei looked at her again in slight surprise, "Oh, I get it, you didn't go to the Cooperative Society, did you? You went to pick up your sister-in-law, right? By the way, who brought you guys back this time? Was it a relative of yours?"
Yang PeiMin nodded along, "The village's cart broke down, and a military brother saw it and helped out; you know my sister-in-law hasn't recovered her health yet."
"And you didn't ask which village that military brother was from? Whose family?"
"No, we aren't familiar, how can we feel comfortable inquiring."
"Speaking of which, I really envy you. What does it feel like to ride in a military vehicle? It's such a pity I don't know who this military brother is; otherwise, having a name to mention would be impressive, don't you think? I bet your mother should know; such a talented man can't be found easily within ten miles around here." Chen Sanmei hinted with her eyes, encouraging her to ask Zhang Minghua.
Yang PeiMin laughed a little, shaking her head coquettishly, "I don't want to go asking around. How could I, an unmarried young lady, go inquiring about a young man? Wouldn't I lose face? If word got out, I'd be laughed to death!"
Chen Sanmei smiled sheepishly, "Minmin, you're right. How about that educated youth, Xu Min? Is he still pursuing you?"
It turned out that the original host had casually mentioned Xu Min to Chen Sanmei before, and with Chen Sanmei's probing, she learned that Xu Min seemed to be chasing her. The rumors in the village about the two of them had spread, but these past few days, Yang PeiMin had not sought out that educated youth due to illness, so the village gossip had shifted to another subject.
That's why she was somewhat curious and asked Yang PeiMin about it.
"Xu Min pursuing me? How come I didn't know about that? Are you referring to the time I borrowed books from him? You must have misunderstood him. He's the same with everyone, always wearing a smile and getting along well with everybody. Let's just drop this matter."
Chen Sanmei thought it over and understood. It seemed that Yang PeiMin had misinterpreted Xu Min's intentions, thinking that he had taken a fancy to her. Now that she knew this wasn't the case, she used this kind of talk to shut Chen Sanmei up. Chen Sanmei nodded in agreement and promised her, "I get it, I won't talk nonsense, Minmin."
"As long as you know. Alright then, my family is about to have dinner and I won't keep you here. You should head back first; we can hang out another time when I'm free." Following the original host's manner, Yang PeiMin directly issued the cue for Chen Sanmei to leave. Chen Sanmei had plainly come over to inquire about Shen Yiguang.
Chen Sanmei, who wanted to say more, had to bite her tongue, "Alright then, I'll come see you tomorrow."
"Don't come around these days. You know my elder brother is getting married and it's very busy."
"Okay, Minmin."
Yang PeiMin watched Chen Sanmei's retreating figure, which seemed reluctant, and couldn't help but rub her arms where she felt goosebumps might form.
As for Yang Peiqiong, she had some trouble understanding her intentions.
After dinner, everyone stayed on the kang bed in the room, chatting about family matters. Yang Peiqiong pulled her into a room for a private talk.
"Minmin, I heard that our aunt wants to matchmake you with the military man from the Shen family who saved you. What do you think about that? As your sister, I have something to say but I'm not sure if I should."
"Even though marrying a military man is honorable and brings prestige, being a military wife isn't easy. It's not just living in constant fear and suffering the pain of being separated, but also having to take care of in-laws at home, raise children, manage the fields, and hold everything together. You're the pampered girl your uncle and aunt held in the palm of their hand, how could you live such a life? You should marry into town like your cousin Li did, get a respectable job, and stand out from the crowd, don't you think?"
Was she advising her not to consider Shen Yiguang?
Yang Peiqiong's face showed sincere concern, apparently looking out wholeheartedly for her, which made Yang PeiMin somewhat perplexed. Yang Peiqiong was actually promoting a match with an educated youth whose future was uncertain upon his potential return to the city, whereas she seemed to advise against Shen Yiguang, who seemed to have promising prospects and came from a decent family background. Not to mention the concerns of separation; if it were modern times, she might believe them, but at this point in time, girls pride themselves on marrying military men. There were even crazed cases of women stealing or fighting over a set of military uniforms, landing themselves in jail.
As a contemporary, would Yang Peiqiong not be aware of this?
Therefore, Yang PeiMin didn't plan to reveal the truth, and responded vaguely, "Cousin, where did you hear all this from? Is it because Shen's elder brother brought us back today that such stories are being passed around? And as for these matters, how could I be clear? Whether it's good or bad, our parents have more experience and have their own opinions."
"It's good you don't have that idea. I just wanted to give you a heads up. As educated youths who have been to school, we should not agree to blind or mute marriages. You need to be vigilant. Marriage is important, and you should pick someone you like so you can live happily. While our parents have good intentions, they might not know what's best for us. After all, the ones who have to live the life are the two of you. If there's anything, you can talk to me, and I can give you some advice."
Seeing Yang PeiMin nod, Yang Peiqiong seemed to let out a sigh of relief.