Chapter 84 The Xu Family

After hearing this, Shen Zishan sighed deeply and said with a troubled expression, "Daughter, I just agreed to this marriage, and now I want to go and cancel the engagement the very next day? Isn't that just making a fool of me?"

"How about this, you go and meet Xu Wenhua first. If you really don't get along or don't like him, Dad will do everything he can to help you call off the marriage. What do you think?"

“Daughter, don’t blame your father! Years ago, on his way home from get off work, your father suddenly saw someone fall down on the road and faint.”

"He rushed over to check on him and found that the man was unconscious. Without saying a word, your father immediately took Mr. Xu to the hospital for treatment. Not only that, but he also took the initiative to pay all the medical expenses for him."

"Later, after Mr. Xu recovered and was discharged from the hospital, his whole family came to express their gratitude!"

"And so, the two families became more and more familiar with each other."

“At that time, I had just become pregnant with you, and their child was only 3 years old, but he was exceptionally handsome and cute. Everyone loved him. Every time we saw this little guy, we were overjoyed.”

“I remember once, your dad looked at that child and liked him more and more, and couldn’t help but make a casual joke, saying, ‘It would be great if this child could become our son-in-law in the future.’”

To everyone's surprise, Mr. Xu immediately became serious and expressed his strong willingness to proceed with the marriage.

"Well, we brought this up again when we were having dinner the other day, and your dad just nodded and agreed without really understanding what was going on."

Ma Aning let out a long breath, finally explaining the whole story. She then let out a soft sigh.

Hearing this, Shen Xiaoxiao, who had been silent all along, frowned and asked, "If that's the case, then why haven't they ever contacted my family all these years? I haven't even met them once."

At this moment, Shen Zishan, who was sitting to the side, quickly explained, "Alas, that's because Xu's father's job changed later, and his family had to move to the city to live. Since then, their contact with each other has naturally decreased."

"But, honey, think about it carefully. Don't we receive a package every year? Actually, those packages are all sent by his family."

"Two years ago, his family moved back to the village from outside. After that, I somehow got back in touch with him."

"Well, a couple of days ago I received a warm invitation from him to have dinner at his house. Everyone was very happy that day."

"I accidentally drank a bit too much. In my hazy state, when they brought up the matter of marriage, I agreed without thinking. At this point, Shen Zishan couldn't help but show an embarrassed expression."

"Alright, alright, that's pretty much the gist of the story! To be honest, if you ask me, it wouldn't be a big deal to go and meet them or something."

“Because from what I know, the Xu family is all of good character!” Ma Aning quickly chimed in, and then deliberately looked up at the time displayed on the large clock on the wall.

She continued, "I reckon your brother will be back from the mountain soon. As for this matter, it's best if we don't mention it to him for now."

“Okay, I understand,” Shen Xiaoxiao replied obediently.

"Dad, when you go to his house tomorrow, try to decline this marriage proposal first. If you really can't decline it, then meeting him is also an option."

Shen Xiaoxiao pondered to herself that she really didn't want to put her father, Shen Zishan, in a difficult position.

In the end, I've never truly liked anyone in my life. I was incredibly unlucky in my past life, always having problems here or there, and I never even had a proper relationship.

To be honest, she was still quite curious about what it was like to be in a relationship.

"My dear daughter, you can rest assured! As long as it's something you don't want to do, I will definitely find a way to solve it for you." Shen Zishan said to his daughter with a big smile and a firm promise.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, falling softly to the ground. Filled with trepidation and unease, Shen Zishan steeled himself and headed towards the Xu family's residence…

The Xu family warmly welcomed him, making Shen Zishan even more embarrassed. He forced himself to explain his purpose directly.

Upon hearing this, the Xu family members' faces instantly darkened, especially Xu Wenhua's mother, whose once kind and amiable face now seemed to be covered with frost.

He said coldly, "How could your Shen family do this? You've gone back on your word! If word gets out, how will my son face anyone? What will become of his reputation?"

Hearing Xu's mother's angry question, Shen Zishan quickly put on a smiling face and explained, "Sister-in-law, please don't get angry. Actually, the engagement between the two families was just something I made up in a drunken stupor at the dinner table yesterday."

"There were only our two families present at the time. As long as you don't spread it around, who would know about this?"

However, before Shen Zishan could finish speaking, Xu's mother suddenly waved her hand, interrupting him. At the same time, she replied with a stern face and annoyance, "Hmph! You make it sound so easy! The whole village is already buzzing with the news that your son is engaged to my daughter."

"Do you think I can shut them up? Besides, I already sent a telegram to my son who lives far away, telling him about this marriage. You're only saying it was just drunken talk now? Aren't you just making a joke on our whole family?"

As she spoke, Xu's mother grew increasingly angry, her voice unconsciously rising eight octaves and her tone becoming sharper.

We've known each other for over 20 years, and you know what kind of person I am. How about this? The kids should be home in the next few days; let's arrange for them to meet up.

"Of course, if neither of them likes the other, then forget it," Mr. Xu said, trying to smooth things over.

Mr. Xu continued, "If one side doesn't like the other, we won't force it."

The two families discussed it and then agreed to it.

"Shanzi, please don't blame your sister-in-law! She was overjoyed yesterday when you agreed to this marriage, and she immediately ran out to tell everyone about it," Xu's father explained to Shen Zishan with a helpless expression.

Shen Zishan gently patted his forehead, filled with remorse: "Alas, it's all my fault as a father. I was confused for a moment and didn't even ask my daughter what she thought before making the decision for her. I'm so sorry!"

Thank you so much to Xin Chen Zeling and Xia Zihan, who loves hawthorn juice, for your loving support!