Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Discovering the Secret of the Zhou Clan
243 Discovering the Zhou Clan’s Secret
"That can’t be right," Mr. Zhou spoke up. "I heard that only the younger daughter of the Sun Family got divorced. Their elder daughter married well, into the Zhao Family, which has now become quite prosperous. It’s the Zhao Family that has lifted up the Sun Family."
Granny Zhou’s eyes lit up as if she’d had an idea. "That must be it, then!" she exclaimed. "Otherwise, why would they pamper an outsider, a lowly girl like that?"
Then she told Zhou Meiniang, "Meiniang, you should be more accommodating to them. Get closer to that young girl and try to win over the Zhao Family’s favor. Who knows, there might be some benefits in it for you."
At this, an impatient Zhou Hai chimed in, "Sister, you’d better hurry up and get closer to that lowly girl. Maybe the Zhao Family will give you a big red envelope!"
The thought of going to the county town to place a couple of bets made his heart and hands itch with anticipation. He grew even more excited imagining that he could get money from his sister after she married into the Sun Family.
He couldn’t wait to say, "Sister, hurry up and get married! But remember, all the betrothal money must be saved for me to marry Xiaofeng!"
...
The Sun Clan members were unaware of the Zhou Clan’s conversation. At that time, they were still basking in the joy of Sun Youcai’s impending marriage.
At this point, only Zhao Guifen was somewhat unhappy about this engagement.
Her reasoning was simple. She felt that Zhou Meiniang, with her gentle and weak appearance, did not seem like someone who could work efficiently. Rural folk mostly depended on the land for their livelihood. Having a capable wife could make a family’s life much better.
Zhao Zhitong was trying to tell her Younger Uncle tactfully that his future aunt had two faces.
But her Younger Uncle’s heart was currently set on Zhou Meiniang. He pulled Zhao Zhitong aside, asking if his future aunt was pretty.
Zhao Zhitong nodded honestly, "Pretty." Then, blinking innocently, she added, "But Sister Zhou doesn’t seem to like children very much."
Sun Youcai was puzzled, "Why do you say that?"
Zhao Zhitong thought about it and said, "Well, I called out to her today, but she ignored me. I guess she might not like children."
Sun Youcai hesitated for a moment and then said, "Perhaps she didn’t hear you. She mentioned before that she wanted to meet you; she must like you."
Zhao Zhitong pursed her lips and could only nod, "Alright." Maybe she really hadn’t heard.
As the saying goes, people are in high spirits during happy occasions. Younger Uncle has recently had an extra spring in his step.
As the engagement was approaching, the Sun Family began to get busy, preparing various betrothal gifts.
As Sun Youcai’s older sister, Sun Mei was very concerned about her brother’s marriage and wanted to prepare a respectable wedding gift for her future sister-in-law.
After Sun Mei mentioned this, Zhao Dong agreed, "Well, that’s necessary. Let’s go to the county town tomorrow to take a look."
Sun Mei replied, "Alright."
Zhao Zhitong, who was in the courtyard doing her homework, overheard them and loudly declared she wanted to go too.
Sun Mei said, "You’re not even concentrating on your homework. You deserve a spanking."
Zhao Zhitong laughed, "I’ve finished! I was concentrating."
Then she ran over to pester her mother. "Mother, please let me go! Sister Yaya and I plan to prepare a gift for our future aunt, and we need to go to the county town to buy silk thread."
Sun Mei said helplessly, "You don’t know how to embroider, what do you need silk thread for?"
Zhao Zhitong said, "I can learn! Even if it’s not embroidered well, it’s the thought that counts."
After Zhao Zhitong’s coquettish pleading, Sun Mei finally relented.
The next day, the family set off for the county town. This trip, however, turned out to be unexpectedly eventful.
Not long after they had entered the town, Zhao Zhitong saw a familiar face in the crowd. After a moment, Zhao Zhitong finally remembered: it was Zhou Meiniang’s brother. She had seen him once at the Sun Family’s home. It was mainly because Zhou Meiniang’s brother looked so despicable, while Zhou Meiniang herself was clearly very pretty. The stark contrast was why she had looked at him a few extra times and thus remembered him.
So, she said to Sun Mei in the carriage, "Mother, Mother! I think I just saw Younger Uncle’s future wife’s brother in town!" It took Zhao Zhitong a moment to clearly articulate the rather convoluted relationship.
Sun Mei didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was perfectly normal for him to be in the county town to buy things. She just told Zhao Zhitong to sit properly and didn’t pursue the matter.
When they reached their destination, Zhao Dong stayed to watch the carriage while Sun Mei, Zhao Zhitong, and the others alighted, planning to buy the silk thread first.
Just as they finished buying the silk thread and were about to head to a jewelry shop, a noisy commotion from across the street caught their attention.
"No money? You dare to gamble here without money! Let me tell you, if you don’t pay up, I’ll chop off your fingers!"
The moment Sun Mei heard the word ’gambling,’ she immediately pulled Zhao Zhitong, Zhao Ya, and Zhao Cheng away.
"Let’s go, let’s go! Don’t look, don’t look! It’s nothing good!"
Before Sun Mei pulled her away, Zhao Zhitong, out of curiosity, took another look. Then she saw him: the man being thrown out of the Gambling House was Zhou Meiniang’s brother!
Zhao Zhitong immediately grabbed Sun Mei’s hand and cried out, "Mother! Mother! Wait a minute!"
Sun Mei was startled. "What’s wrong?"
Zhao Zhitong pointed at the entrance of the Gambling House. "Mother, that gambler is Younger Uncle’s future wife’s brother!"
Hearing this, Sun Mei’s brow furrowed. "Really?"
Zhao Zhitong nodded emphatically. "Mother, it’s true! I remember him, it’s definitely him!"
Still skeptical, Sun Mei moved closer to get a better look. Just then, she heard the man on the ground crying and begging for mercy.
"Sir, sir, spare me! I’ll definitely pay the money! Just give me a few more days, I promise I’ll pay!"
Then, one of the men from the Gambling House replied coldly, "Why should I trust you?"
Zhou Hai knelt on the ground, pleading repeatedly, "My family really has money, believe me! My sister, my sister is about to get married! Her future husband’s family is very rich!"
Seeing the other party remained unmoved, Zhou Hai pressed on, "It’s true, sir, believe me! My future brother-in-law’s sister’s family is from Zhao Village, and they’re even wealthier! My future brother-in-law is deeply in love with my sister, and my sister dotes on me. They’ll definitely give me the money!"
Upon hearing this, the men from the Gambling House actually let him go, mainly because Zhao Village had recently gained some fame for selling pigs. So, after Zhou Hai signed an IOU, the boss summoned four men to accompany him home.
At this moment, Sun Mei’s brows were deeply furrowed. The matchmaker didn’t mention that Zhou Meiniang’s brother was a gambler! Gamblers are like leeches. They are a disaster. If Zhou Meiniang also dotes on her brother to a fault, then this marriage could bring disaster to the Sun Family!
Consequently, she abandoned the idea of buying any gifts and, with Zhao Zhitong and the others in tow, hurried back to where Zhao Dong was. Seeing Sun Mei’s anxious face, Zhao Dong was startled and hurriedly asked, "What’s wrong? What happened?"
Sun Mei leaned in and quietly recounted what had happened to Zhao Dong. Upon hearing it, Zhao Dong’s brow furrowed instantly. "We must tell Mother about this!"
Sun Mei nodded. "We’re not buying anything. Let’s go back immediately!"
Although the children didn’t fully understand the dangers of gambling, the grave expressions on Sun Mei and Zhao Dong’s faces told them the situation was serious, so they all behaved themselves. Zhao Zhitong, meanwhile, had already learned about the various perils of gambling from Grandpa Bai.