Chapter 2
Aunt Ling wore a loose blue floral-patterned dress and had short hair, giving her an energetic appearance.
She was a renowned matchmaker in Tianshui County, having arranged marriages for half the young women from Taoyuan village to families elsewhere. Her voice carried far and had a commanding tone.
"How can you talk like that?" Lao Liu glared at her disapprovingly.
"But it's true!" Aunt Ling retorted with pursed lips. "A few days ago, I suggested to Dahai that Wu Fan should marry into a city family. City folks are wealthy, and they promised $45,000 for Dahai's treatment if Wu Fan agreed to become a live-in son-in-law. It's a golden opportunity, but Dahai, with his stubbornness..."
"No!" Wu Dahai interrupted her firmly. "A man with dignity does not become a live-in son-in-law. Moreover, I have only one son. I'd rather die than let Wu Fan marry under such conditions!"
Perhaps because of his heightened emotions, Dahai suddenly stiffened, his eyes closed, and he went limp.
"Father! Father!"
"Lao Wu! Lao Wu!"
Wu Fan and his mother rushed to his side, calling out desperately.
"Let me through! Let me through!" The village's elderly doctor arrived hurriedly.
After checking Dahai's pulse and examining him, the doctor announced, "Don't worry too much; he's not gone yet. I'll prescribe ginseng to sustain him, but you must take him to a major hospital. There's still hope for treatment."
"He can be treated?" Wu Fan's eyes lit up.
"Yes, it's possible!"
Wiping his tears, Wu Fan turned to Aunt Ling and declared, "Aunt Ling, I'll do it. I'll become a live-in son-in-law."
"Good, good, my child, you're truly devoted. I'll start making arrangements right away." Aunt Ling was momentarily stunned but then gave a bitter smile before leaving.
In rural areas, most men hesitated to become live-in sons-in-law, especially as only sons. Many preferred to remain single rather than accept such a situation.
That same day, Wu Dahai was transported to the city hospital.
That evening, Wu Fan posted a message on his novel's platform: "Dear readers, I must suspend updates for now, as tomorrow I'll become the live-in son-in-law of a wealthy widow. Thank you for your support!"
The next morning, Meng Jiangmei, with the help of villagers, set up a few tables for a banquet to "marry off her son."
Although it was technically a wedding banquet, the atmosphere was somber.
An honorable man does not become a live-in son-in-law. Seeing Wu Fan, dressed in attire prepared by the bride's family and ready to leave Taoyuan village, filled everyone with sorrow.
The villagers gathered, whispering among themselves as they awaited the bride's family.
"That woman must be terrible, right? Otherwise, why would she come to our village for a husband?"
"She's probably disabled, blind, or lame."
"Or maybe she's an old, ugly woman who couldn't find anyone in the city and is willing to pay $45,000 for a husband!"
"..."
Soon after, a procession of well-dressed men and women appeared at the mountain trail's end.
The bride's family had arrived!
"Wow, she's gorgeous!" The sight of the bride caused quite a stir in the small mountain village, leaving most people stunned.
The bride, Lin Miao, was young, beautiful, tall, with delicate features and radiant skin—a true beauty.
"What's going on? I thought she'd be awful! Why would such a pretty girl want to marry Wu Fan and make him a live-in son-in-law? Something's fishy!"
"Yeah, it's strange. She's beautiful, rich, and could easily find a husband in the city. So why choose a guy from the countryside?"
"And she's paying? There must be a catch!"
The villagers murmured, unable to believe such a scenario. Not only was the bride's family offering money, but the bride herself was stunningly beautiful. It was simply too unusual.
"What a miserable place. That climb nearly killed me. What a wretched area, such bad luck!" A stern-faced woman glanced at Wu Fan and his mother with disdain.
"Dear in-laws, please take good care of Wu Fan once he's with you..." Meng Jiangmei approached humbly, tears in her eyes, trying to smile.
Hu Xiaoying, Lin Miao's mother, raised her nose arrogantly, refusing even to look at Meng Jiangmei, her expression full of contempt. "Don't call me that! Wu Fan is marrying my daughter Lin Miao; it has nothing to do with you poor people. Don't think we're now relatives. Don't come begging to us!"
With that, she turned sharply and shouted, "Bring the bride out!"
Feeling a heavy weight in his heart, Wu Fan glanced one last time at his mother and the villagers, who showed no joy. He silently vowed: "One day, I'll make Taoyuan village prosperous. Every villager will live better lives, and no one will ever be looked down on by city folks again!"
The Lin family celebrated with drums and gongs, lanterns, and banners, creating an extremely festive atmosphere to welcome Wu Fan.
Wu Fan wondered why such a beautiful woman had agreed to marry him and when Taoyuan village would become prosperous enough that no one would ever lack money for medical treatment again.
Lost in thought, he found himself drunk before realizing it.
"Come, my husband, let's go to our bridal chamber!" Lin Miao,
her cheeks slightly flushed, embraced him tenderly and whispered into his ear.