CHAPTER 60 - MARRIAGE

Although these words were used to dismiss Matchmaker Hua, most of what she said was true. Tian Sangsang hoped to give Meng Shuyan access to better education, and she was determined to move to the city in the future. If she succeeded, she could return to improve her hometown. If she failed, taking care of herself and her son would be enough.

The ancients said, "When poor, cultivate oneself; when wealthy, help the world." Isn't that exactly the case?

"You..." Matchmaker Hua widened her eyes, dumbfounded. "It's good to have high aspirations, yes, young women should aim high. But look at your situation, at the conditions of your family. Do you know how fortunate you are that Brother Biao even considers you? How could you not accept him? Do you think the city is so easy to move to?"

Tian Sangsang smiled, her stance unchanged. "Matchmaker Hua, I've already made up my mind. I'm definitely going to the city. As for Brother Biao, I really can't accept him. You've gone through so much trouble to come today, but I must decline."

Matchmaker Hua's expression turned sour as she forced a smile and stood up. "Fine, I'll go back and tell him."

"Take care, Matchmaker Hua. Let me walk you out."

"No, no, no need." Matchmaker Hua waved her hand vigorously, casting her a look like one might give an incurable creature. She couldn't believe Tian Sangsang refused. She must be out of her mind, right? In the village, aside from Tian Tian's good looks, who else could marry someone from the city? She doesn't even bother to check herself in the mirror—just like that, going to the city to embarrass herself? Ha! All she thinks about is marrying into the city. Ha! Wasn't it just a few days ago that she was rejected by Teacher Zhou, and she went off to jump from the hillside in despair? Clearly she hasn't given up on Teacher Zhou yet!

Matchmaker Hua shook her head, her face full of disbelief, as she left Tian Sangsang's house.

Aunt Zhong happened to walk over and asked worriedly, "Sangsang, what did Matchmaker Hua say?"

"Nothing much, Aunt," Tian Sangsang laughed. "She came to talk about a marriage proposal."

Aunt Zhong's heart immediately leapt into her throat.

"But I didn't accept." Tian Sangsang quickly added, fearing Aunt Zhong would be frightened.

Indeed, Aunt Zhong was startled. She never imagined marriage topics concerning Tian Sangsang. Upon hearing it, she grew curious. "Why didn't you agree? Was the person she suggested not good?" For a woman raising her son alone, finding someone kind and understanding wouldn't be bad.

"Whether good or not is secondary. I just haven't thought about getting married. I'm more focused on what you once told me: live a good life first."

"That's true enough, but if you meet someone nice, why not marry them? Then you and the boy would suffer less." Aunt Zhong's thinking was rather old-fashioned: women should get married.

"There's no rush in these matters. Building a stable life should come first. Think about it, Aunt Zhong: if I don't have any skills, what quality household would want me? Bringing me into their home to freeload? No one would willingly do that. Only by working hard can I attract good matches. Then even if I don't try, they'll come. Isn't there that saying, 'When you blossom, the breeze will come'?"

What "When you blossom, the breeze will come" was she talking about? Aunt Zhong thought to herself, Sangsang really has changed lately. Worried, she asked, "Sangsang, be honest with me. Are you still holding onto Yanyan's father?"

Tian Sangsang was indignant. "Aunt, you're joking! I've forgotten him. I only want to live a good life."

Really, since when had her character become so deeply romantic? Some tragic woman dragging her tadpole-like son in search of his father? She genuinely had no feelings for that man. Their brief fling was something the original owner cared about, but even she moved on long ago. As for her, inheriting this life later, there was absolutely nothing left. Still, she couldn't help marveling: that man was indeed handsome, almost absurdly so.

Aunt Zhong saw her sincerity and nodded in relief. "Well, as long as you don't care anymore. It's pointless to dwell on someone who's gone."

"Yanyan, Yanyan, what's wrong?" After sending Aunt Zhong off, Tian Sangsang returned to find Meng Shuyan with his head hung low, emanating gloom.

Tian Sangsang was shocked. What's this? A dark phase? Where had his bright energy gone?

"Mom, I'm leaving. I can't stay with you anymore." Meng Shuyan turned his face away, his voice full of grievance.

"Where do you think you're going?" Tian Sangsang crouched down and asked him.

"To a place where no one knows me."

"Tell Mom why you want to leave. If you're leaving, why won't you take Mom with you?"

"Mom, will you ever get married?" The little guy sniffled, lifting his tearful eyes. "If it weren't for me, you could get married. Mom, if you want to get married, go ahead. But I also don't want you to get married, and then again, I do. I don't even know..." Tears dripped down his little face; he looked so pitiful, and he was heartbreakingly lovable.

"Who said that? Mom won't get married." Tian Sangsang wiped away his tears with her hand, holding his face in both hands. "Don't cry, okay? You'll turn into a little crybaby. Men aren't supposed to shed tears, Yanyan."

The little boy stopped his sobbing, and softly asked, "Does Mom have someone she likes?"

"I do." Tian Sangsang smiled gently. "Mom likes you."

Meng Shuyan blinked, his long lashes damp with tears. Finally, he stopped crying and looked at her. "Mom, if one day you meet an uncle you like, would you marry him?"

"Of course. If I like someone, I should go for it." Tian Sangsang replied.

Sorrow flashed briefly through Meng Shuyan's eyes.

The tiny bundle of sadness tugged at her heartstrings. Tian Sangsang placed her hand on his head, tousling his hair. "But only if you agree. If you don't, Mom won't marry that uncle. I'll respect your decision."

"Would that uncle be my dad?" He asked, with a small hopeful gleam in his eyes, clutching the jade thumb ring tightly in his hand.

Tian Sangsang really wanted to say absolutely not. That handsome man was striking, sure, but he wasn't her type. She preferred refined, scholarly, gentlemanly types—the kind of man who would feel like a spring breeze to be around. Even if she encountered Meng Shuyan's father, they'd remain strangers. But how could she say this aloud?

"Yanyan, whoever you like, that's who will be your dad." She answered vaguely.

"Mom, in the future, if I meet Dad, and he's not good, let's not keep him."

"What if he's good?" Tian Sangsang asked.

"Hmm." Meng Shuyan scratched his head, looking thoughtful. "If he's good, but Mom doesn't like him, we shouldn't keep him, either."

"Alright then." Tian Sangsang chuckled. Ultimately, any future decisions about their lives would have to be approved by both of them. She didn't want her son to be unhappy. While her son had always seemed mature, he was still young, so he naturally leaned towards wanting his father—it wasn't unreasonable.

...

Matchmaker Hua arrived at the Tian Family's house, frowning as she recounted today's events. Finally, she sighed. "Tian Family, if I may say, your granddaughter has set her sights way too high. You have no idea—she wants to marry someone from the city, and she still hasn't given up on Teacher Zhou!"

In the room, Tian Tian lowered her head, casually fiddling with her pale pink nails, scoffing internally.

Chen Guilan burst out laughing, "My niece, honestly—she's got no real skills except lofty ambitions. After all the disgraceful things she did back then, bringing shame to our family, she still dares dream of marrying a city man now."