Resisting the Marriage

As the saying goes: “With grain in hand, one’s heart is not flustered.”

Even if it wasn’t for his own stomach, Qiu Qi had to prepare for his future confrontation with the female protagonist. Zhou Zhi Qing clearly intended to target the Zhong family. If he didn’t prepare beforehand, he wouldn’t even have a full stomach, so where would he get the strength to fight the female protagonist?

Should he obediently accept the character’s fate and let the female protagonist abuse him? If so, why would he risk defying the system? Wouldn’t that just be asking for trouble?

Therefore, taking the initiative was a must. Moreover, in his dream of living a life of leisure and idleness, shouldn’t there be a group of people working like oxen and horses for him?

Hmm, this Zhong family seemed very suitable. Internally, they could serve him; externally, they could bicker and fight. Truly perfect.

Qiu Qi secretly nodded in his heart.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Zhong family was also calculating how to make him contribute to the family. Everyone was selfish, only thinking of themselves.

“…Yu Ge Er, what did your elder brother just say? What do you think?”

After dinner, Wang Xiu E cleared the dishes, and the others remained seated. Zhong Lao Tai tapped the table, specifically calling out Qiu Qi, assuming the air of a family head.

Qiu Qi had been engrossed in figuring out how to turn the Zhong family into his oxen and horses, completely missing the subsequent words. So, he decided to keep silent, using stillness to counter change. After all, the original owner had always maintained the image of being "silent as a stone."

As expected, the Zhong family didn't suspect a thing. Their son was just that peculiar, and they didn't expect him to actually say anything.

Clearing her throat twice, Zhong Lao Tai continued:

“Yu Ge Er, don’t blame our family for being heartless. Although being a concubine to Liu Lao Ye doesn’t sound good, the Liu family is wealthy. People often say, ‘Better to be a concubine in a rich family than a wife in a poor one.’ If you marry there, you’ll live a life of luxury and comfort, with maids to serve you. How pleasant life would be. If you can even bear a son for Liu Lao Ye to carry on his lineage, then your status as a mother will truly be honored by your son’s status.”

Qiu Qi still bowed his head, saying nothing, quickly searching his mind for information about Liu Lao Ye.

The Liu family was a famous wealthy merchant family in Feng Tong County. Liu Lao Ye was fifty-three this year, obese, pot-bellied, and even older than Lao Zhong. In the plot, the original owner married there, but after giving birth, was driven back. From a life of wealth and luxury, he ultimately became a pitiful, discarded shoe, the reason being that the female protagonist exposed his infidelity.

And the Liu family ultimately didn't have a good end either, also ruined by the female protagonist, after which they vented their anger on the original owner. Truly a dog-eat-dog situation.

Very good, very powerful, truly a bottomless pit of fire.

Of course, in the eyes of the Zhong family, who didn't know the consequences, being able to climb high into the Liu family was indeed a blessing from their ancestors, a stroke of luck.

Although Liu Lao Ye was old and ugly, money was power. As long as Yu Ge Er married into the Liu family, not only would he himself live a comfortable life, but his maternal family would also benefit. One person marries, the whole family is happy—what a bargain.

As for reputation? Who cared? Money was king.

But most importantly…

“Yu Ge Er, it’s not that I don’t want to find you a young and handsome man, but looks can’t be eaten. None of the surrounding villages are willing to marry you. Who told you not to strive, to be sullen and not know how to please others? The Liu family being able to take an interest in you is truly a blessing from our ancestors.”

“That’s right, if you weren’t left on the shelf, our family wouldn’t be so shamed by a Ge’er like you. Your elder brother ran around so many connections to find this for you; if you don’t marry, the government will force you to!”

Zhong Guang Ming began to boast again, even though he really did find this match.

But… the legitimate reason the original owner agreed to marry was precisely because he had to toil to support this whole Zhong family of scoundrels, wasn't it?

In the village, which decent family would want to form an in-law relationship with such a ruthless and eccentric bunch as the Zhong family?

Not only did they want to sell him off, but they also wanted to sell him to such an old and ugly man. He couldn't tolerate it anymore.

Qiu Qi looked up: “Have you all decided?”

“Decided what?”

“Decided to sell me? To an old and ugly man?”

The entire Zhong family’s faces darkened:

“What are you saying? What sell? Our Zhong family isn’t the kind of people who sell their children for glory! Besides, Liu Lao Ye is only fifty-three this year, in the prime of his life.”

Qiu Qi silently poured a bowl of water and pushed it in front of Zhong Lao Tai: “Grandma, why don’t you look in the mirror and see if you’re still as young and beautiful as a flower?”

The old woman was sixty this year.

Zhong Lao Tai: “…”

Lao Zhong: “…”

Zhong Da Niang: “…”

Zhong Guang Ming, with his hot temper, slammed the table and roared:

“Zhong Xiao Yu, is this family giving you too much face?! This matter is decided; you will marry whether you want to or not! If you keep babbling, I’ll beat you to death!”

“Then come on, let’s have a match.”

Qiu Qi, expressionless, threw a punch.

He hated people who only talked big and made noise the most.