Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yun Shishi suddenly spun around and gave a gracious smile. âIâm indeed fortunate. The man I love loves me back. This is something that many want!â
âWhatâs the point of having love? Feelings may be important, but a relationship canât do without material comfort!â countered the older sibling indignantly. âAs the saying goes, âa poor couple brings nothing but bad luck.â A man must be exceptional if we want one!â
Her mother chipped in. âNiece, your cousin here isnât young anymore. Sheâs older than you are, in fact. You already have two seven-year-olds, while sheâs still single! How about you introduce a good man to her?â
Yun Qingmiao blushed and stomped her feet lightly on the ground in shy pretense. In her heart, though, she was full of anticipation. âMom, what are you talking about?â
For one, she was pretty sure that her cousinâs husband would have many fine candidates among his circle of friends.
If she could lay her hands on a man with high status as her cousin-in-law, then she would get to enjoy the kind of fame and fortune that her cousin was enjoying now!
She might be scheming, but the other was no fool. Yun Shishi gave a meek smile and replied, âIt isnât difficult to find a good man. Yazheâs friends are all exceptional in their rights.â
âThatâs great!â Her aunt got excited. âNiece, if you can help matchmake one to my daughter, thatâll be perfect!â
âThe crux of the matter is...â The young woman paused hesitatingly.
âThe crux of the issue?â
The mother-daughter pair looked at her nervously, waiting for her to continue.
She shot the truth at them without mercy. âThe crux is that the men may not be interested in you even if you are keen.â
This really put her cousin in a spot as Yun Qingmiaoâs face turned white with the insult. She bit her lower lip in shameful anger, balling up her hands into fists.
Her aunt retorted with embarrassment, somewhat. âNiece, how can you be so rude?â
The lady host cocked an eyebrow and continued matter-of-factly. âThese men donât go for just any women. First, the woman must have good looks and a good figureâbest if sheâs voluptuous. Second, they want someone whoâs cultured and has a high education. Besides that, she must have a decent background, good taste, and, of course, common interests. In the absence of any of those qualities, why will any exceptional man desire your daughter?â
The older woman had no words for rebuttal and stood there fuming in embarrassment. Just as she moved to say something, her niece cut in. âItâs not wistful thinking to want a fine husband, but any woman ought to ask herself first if sheâs equally good. If one sets her sight too high, wanting a man whoâs good-looking and rich, then he will naturally have many choices as well. Why will he want someone like my cousin? This is no fairy tale. Even Cinderella got to marry the prince because sheâs pretty, kind, and gentle! Time is much better spent improving oneâs self than to dream of getting rich and famous!â Before she got ready to leave, she gave a dainty smile again. âCousin, donât envy others. Happiness doesnât drop from the sky; you have to fight for it.â
After saying that, she turned and slowly walked toward the kitchen with the cutleries.
Visibly disturbed, her older cousin tried to maintain her composure as best as she could while her chest undulated with barely suppressed anger. After a momentâs silence, she muttered harshly, âCrazy woman! Just because she has a rich husband sheâs trying to stop others from dreaming the same!â
âThere are people in this world who canât stand it if others get ahead of themâour cousin is such a person!â Her sister poured oil to fire.