Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Seeing her daughter’s expression of impressed admiration and sweet smile at the mention of Laixi, Mei’s mother feigned a casual tone and said, "Aunt Zheng was just here. She said Laixi is having a hard time running his business at the market all by himself, so much so that he can’t even eat properly. His parents are thinking of helping him find a wife..."

Liu Xiaomei froze. She was so stunned that she didn’t even hear the rest of what her mother said. A wave of unease washed over her. ’Is Laixi getting engaged?’

Her mind involuntarily conjured an image of a pretty young wife helping greet customers in Laixi’s shop. The wife would then call out to a busy Laixi, "Laixi, time to eat!" And Laixi would happily trot over with a grin, asking what was for lunch.

Lost in this thought, she said dejectedly, "It’d be good for him to get a wife. It’s quite sad for him to be all alone over there." As she spoke, she aimlessly stirred the vegetables in the wok, her earlier deftness gone.

Seeing her daughter’s reaction, Mei’s mother continued to feed the fire as she said, "Aunt Zheng mentioned that Laixi is looking for a clever and capable girl. She laughed and said that in our village, you and Zhuzi are the most notable ones!"

Liu Xiaomei blushed, but a glint of happy surprise flashed in her eyes. She said bashfully, "How am I capable? Zhuzi is the one who’s truly impressive!" Yet, the smile at the corners of her mouth grew wider, and the wok began to CLANG again with her renewed stirring.

Mei’s mother sighed. ’Looks like my son was right,’ she thought. ’It really is time to arrange a marriage for my daughter. Otherwise, if Laixi gets engaged to someone else, my little girl will end up just like her Third Brother, moping around all day with a long face.’

She then said to Liu Xiaomei, "Mei, I think Aunt Zheng came over today because she wants to ask for your hand on Laixi’s behalf. Since we’re all fellow villagers, she couldn’t be too direct. She was probably worried that if we said no, things would get awkward for everyone. So, I’m asking you now: if you think Laixi is a good man, I’ll help arrange this marriage for you. Your Third Brother also says Laixi is a good catch! But don’t rush. Take a couple of days to think it over carefully. I’ll talk it over with your father, too."

Hearing her mother’s words, Liu Xiaomei blushed red from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. After a long moment, she finally nodded. When she served up the mushrooms from the wok, she saw they were slightly burnt.

That evening, Liu Sanshun returned from the fields and found Liu Xiaomei busy in the backyard vegetable patch. Without a word, he squatted down and started helping her pull weeds.

Liu Xiaomei picked up an old sickle from the edge of the plot and cut a few clumps of chives. Then she took the nearby dustpan and sprinkled some of the wood ash from it onto the freshly cut chive stumps. She worked in silence, her mind preoccupied with what her mother had said at noon. She was in no mood to make conversation to comfort her downcast Third Brother.

But even though she remained silent, Liu Sanshun spoke up. He said softly to his sister, "Mei, I think Laixi is a good man. If you like him, don’t overthink things. You don’t want to end up like me, with nothing to show for it but a heart full of frustration. Your Fourth Brother and I will definitely find wives; you don’t have to wait for us to be engaged before you can plan your own marriage. Of course, you should think it over carefully. If you don’t like him, then just forget about it."

Liu Xiaomei was touched to realize her brother had come specifically to talk to her about this. "Mom told me to think it over for a couple of days," she said softly. "Third Brother, you really think he’s a good person?"

’Her thoughts were in a whirl. It was always easy to gossip and pass judgment on others—the words just flowed. But now that she had to seriously consider whether she could entrust her entire life to this person, she felt uncertain. It made sense, though. She was only in her teens, after all; she wasn’t that decisive yet.’

Liu Sanshun nodded. "I think he’s a great guy. He’s very clever, but not in a cunning or malicious way, and that’s rare. Usually, people that sharp are just smooth-talkers who tell people whatever they want to hear, using their glib tongues to get ahead. But he’s genuinely honest. You’re clever too. If this marriage really happens, you could definitely help him make his business even more successful."

Liu Xiaomei blushed and chided him playfully, "Listen to you, Third Brother. Nothing’s even set in stone yet, and you’re already talking about his business."

Liu Sanshun smiled. "I was just speaking hypothetically. If you don’t want to, no one will force you."

Liu Xiaomei said glumly, "I just haven’t wrapped my head around getting married yet. You and Fourth Brother aren’t even engaged. It would feel strange for me to rush into marriage."

Liu Sanshun laughed. "Who says you have to get married right after the engagement? Aunt Zheng’s story about Laixi not being able to eat properly is just an excuse. You don’t really think he’s in a rush to get a wife just so he can have a meal, do you? If you do get engaged, you can just have a talk with his family. Waiting a couple of years won’t be a problem—after all, their eldest son isn’t married yet!"