"Dad, I've told you, I will only marry Liu Ting."
"If it's not Liu Ting, I'd rather remain single for life."
Zhang Zhugen's tone was incredibly firm. Chen Yang glanced at his older cousin, remaining silent.
In his past life, his cousin's wife had been deaf and mute. But it was still several years after his older cousin married her that they got together. Had they already met now?
Chen Yang thought about it carefully; it wasn't impossible.
Perhaps they had met already, but Zhang Shugen was solely focused on Liu Ting and refused to agree.
It wasn't until later that his uncle, to earn money, went to a black coal mine and left his life in Jin Province, and his aunt, overcome with grief, followed soon after.
Only then did his older cousin resign himself to being with his past-life wife. In those days, it was indeed difficult for a deaf-mute person to find a partner, and it wasn't impossible for her to still be unmarried after a few years.
"You brat, do you really think that girl likes you?"
"Haven't you inquired? How many people are pursuing her? How many are better off than you? She neither agrees nor rejects anyone. With your meager capabilities, can you compete with others?"
His uncle glared at his older cousin, disappointed. Hearing his words, Chen Yang was taken aback.
Seeing his older cousin's persistence, he had assumed they were already secretly engaged, and it was only due to the vast difference in their family backgrounds that they couldn't be together.
However, listening to his uncle, it didn't seem to be the case.
"Dad, I know I'm not worthy of Liu Ting now, but Uncle has arranged a temporary job for me. As long as I can become permanent, I'll be on equal footing with her."
"I'll work my life out to strive for permanence, and I believe Liu Ting will definitely recognize me, as will her parents."
Zhang Shugen gritted his teeth fiercely. Hearing his words, Chen Yang was almost certain that his older cousin was hopelessly infatuated.
This reminded Chen Yang of a character from a movie in his past life, Xiao Yue Yue, who chased after a car shouting,
"Yanzi, Yanzi, what would I do without you."
Some people might laugh at it, while others might cry.
Sometimes, what you believe to be deep affection might only move yourself.
Seeing the situation, Chen Yang didn't dare to express his opinion rashly anymore.
Although his past-life cousin was deaf and mute, she had a good temperament. Even though his older cousin didn't let her do heavy work, she managed the household and everything outside well.
Their two children were healthy, and her deaf-mute condition was due to meningitis from a high fever in childhood, not congenital, so it was not inherited by the next generation.
What was the situation with this Liu Ting? It still needed observation. If it was as his uncle said, then she was a complete white lotus.
In that case, she would definitely not look favorably upon his older cousin. She was waiting for a better offer, preparing for a wealthier young master, so it would be better to advise his older cousin to wake up sooner.
"You little scamp, don't think you're superior just because your uncle got you a temporary job."
"What I've promised, you must go tomorrow, whether you like it or not. If you don't, I'll break your legs and tie you up to take you there."
His uncle had a stubborn temper, and coupled with the alcohol, Zhang Zhugen's defiance enraged him, and he was about to lash out.
Chen Yang quickly intervened. It wasn't like when they were kids; his older cousin was an adult now, and hitting him wouldn't do.
"Brother Zhugen, just go and see with Uncle tomorrow. If it works out, it works out; if not, we'll talk. You'll go see them."
Chen Yang smoothed things over. Even if his uncle hadn't gotten angry, Chen Yang would have urged his older cousin to go and see. What if it was his past-life cousin?
There weren't that many villages nearby, and not many mute girls. The possibility was quite high.
Matters of marriage were destined by heaven.
Although in this life, his older cousin might go to the city for the temporary job, it didn't necessarily mean he had to find another wife.
Even if he found another wife, she might not be as good as his past-life cousin. Although she was deaf and mute, she had a kind heart and managed the family and children well. His older cousin had lived a relatively happy life in his previous life.
As for Liu Ting, if his older cousin and she were truly in love, and only lacking in conditions, Chen Yang would have nothing to say; it would be his choice.
If Liu Ting was just a white lotus, then his older cousin's temporary worker status wouldn't catch her eye. It wasn't easy for temporary workers to become permanent these days.
Especially with the impending return of educated youths. Millions of youths who had gone down to the countryside would return, and numerous state-owned factories would welcome a wave of replacements. With the influx of a large number of young employees, there would be no room for temporary workers to become permanent.
"You child, why are you like your father, stubborn as a donkey."
"We'll go see tomorrow. If it works out, it works out; if not, at least give them an answer. How can you refuse someone without even meeting them? Isn't that clearly looking down on people?"
"They didn't even dislike our situation of a poor household; we shouldn't refuse them."
His aunt rushed out to smooth things over. She had the same personality as her husband; they had been diligent and honest their whole lives.
If they had promised something, they had to fulfill it, otherwise, what kind of people would they be?
"Then I can go and see, but I'll state it beforehand: I, Zhang Zhugen, will only marry Liu Ting in this life."
Zhang Zhugen glanced at his father, who was still holding a stool leg, and shrunk his neck, still agreeing to go and see tomorrow.
Seeing his older cousin agree to go and see, Chen Yang said no more.
In his past life, there must have been something attractive about his cousin's wife that made him marry her.
Fate was hard to explain. Since his older cousin agreed to meet, this marriage connection had been made. As for whether he would remarry his past-life cousin in this life, that would depend on him.
All Chen Yang could do was ensure the clues to the beginning of their marriage were not broken.
After arranging everything, Chen Yang couldn't be bothered to argue with his older cousin anymore. He fetched a bucket of cold water in the yard, took a shower, changed into the clean clothes Shen Xue had brought him, and then moved the bamboo bed to the courtyard, preparing to sleep.
He was very familiar with this bamboo bed. In his childhood, he, his elder sister, and later that girl Chen Yu, had spent their nights on this bamboo bed.
Chen Yang placed the bamboo bed in the courtyard. The rural sky now was unlike the city sky of later generations. Lying in the courtyard under the starry night sky was truly refreshing.
The only drawback was the excessive number of mosquitoes in the courtyard. Before long, Chen Yang was covered in bites and had to move the bamboo bed back into the house.
"I told you not to move it outside, but you wouldn't listen. Now you're covered in bites."
His aunt looked at him, covered in bites, and couldn't help but laugh.
Chen Yang felt awkward. The mosquitoes in the countryside were fierce. It wasn't just now; it would be the same in the future. Outside in the summer, especially near water, the mosquitoes were so numerous they could lift a person.
"Here, Aunt will rub some medicated oil on you."
Despite her laughter, his aunt quickly found some medicated oil and rubbed it on Chen Yang.
In those days, most rural families kept a small green bottle, which many people called an emerald, as grandmothers often used medicated oil to rub on their grandchildren. It had many uses: for colds, dizziness, fatigue, heatstroke, and mosquito bites, a little bit would be very effective.