Chapter 115: Becoming a Son-in-Law Is Not Out of the Question

Old Man Chen had never seen such a thing. You have a wife? If you have a wife, why are you messing around with me?

Pointing at Wu Ning, he was left between laughter and tears. "You brat, you are truly detestable. Why must you play games with an old man like me?"

Wu Ning merely curled his lip and said nothing.

There was nothing to be said. From the perspective of the charcoal kilns, the two families were business rivals to begin with. Furthermore, for him to just blurt out a request for a live-in son-in-law, he clearly wasn't taking him seriously at all. Why bother being polite?

...

Grandfather, however, did not share Wu Ning’s intense animosity.

In the old man’s eyes, business was business, and personal relationships were another matter. Being rivals in the charcoal trade didn’t necessarily mean he had to harbor deep hatred for Old Man Chen.

But a live-in son-in-law... Grandfather thought to himself, it’s a wonder this old fool even thought of it.

"Why, playing games with you is only fair!"

The old man still sided with Wu Ning. "Our Ninth Young Master isn't so poor he can't afford to take a wife; why on earth would he agree to be a live-in son-in-law for your Chen family?"

Old Man Chen thought to himself, why is it that none of them know what's good for them?

"I’m doing this out of kindness! Once this Ninth Young Master comes to our Chen family, do you really think I’d treat him poorly?"

...

As soon as Old Man Chen finished speaking, before Wu Ning or Grandfather could retort, Qin Miaoniang could no longer hold back.

Her own man was so exceptional; why should it be made to look as if he were taking advantage of this old man?

She gestured downward dismissively. "There is no need for you to worry, Elder Chen. We of the Qin family will not treat the Ninth Young Master poorly either."

She raised her head and glared at Old Man Chen. "And, we do not require him to be a live-in son-in-law!"

Whoa!

Grandfather’s eyes lit up. He thought to himself, this girl is something else! She can stand up for our Ninth; how spirited!

Curling his lip, the old man said smugly, "Did you hear that? Can your Fourth Daughter boast even half the capability of this Qin girl?"

Old Man Chen felt a surge of frustration. He opened his mouth and asked, "Which Qin family?"

Qin Miaoniang’s expression remained as calm as water. "Yongping Ward, within the city. My father is Qin Wenyuan."

"Er..." Old Man Chen was immediately choked into silence.

So it was that precious daughter of Qin Wenyuan. It seemed... he couldn't compare.

...

"Go on and do whatever you need to do." At this point, Grandfather began to see him out. "Your Fourth Daughter actually harbors delusions of marrying our Ninth? You’re dreaming!"

"..."

Old Man Chen stood there, stunned; his old face had long since lost all its dignity.

However, he couldn't leave yet. His daughter’s lifelong happiness was at stake.

After holding it in for a long time, he gritted his teeth and looked up at Grandfather. "If the Ninth is out of the question, then what about your Thirteenth Young Master?"

"The Thirteenth..." Grandfather mused.

Thirteenth Young Master, also known as Wu Sanhu, was actually a possibility.

Even though Seventh Aunt had that personality that made everyone dislike her, it couldn't be blamed on the child. As the clan patriarch and an elder, it was a matter Grandfather should concern himself with.

He calculated in his heart:

Ever since the Seventh passed away, the life of that lone widow and her child had been getting worse by the year. If he could land a father-in-law like Old Man Chen, it would definitely be a good thing for Huzi.

He glanced at Old Man Chen. Though he approved in his heart, he couldn't show weakness on his face.

"You old rascal, you aren't very sincere."

Old Man Chen rolled his eyes and pointed at Grandfather, teasing him, "If my son were an Assistant Prefect, I’d show you how I’d lecture you!"

"Heh." Mentioning his own accomplished son, Grandfather grew happy, and his tone became less aggressive.

"You only know how to talk."

He smacked his lips. "As for Huzi, he was born in the year, month, and day of the Tiger, at high noon—his horoscope is excellent. You can tell just by looking at him; he has the face of a fortunate man. Even at thirteen, he’s grown to look wealthy and prosperous, and he’s sturdy, too."

"Yes, yes, yes."

When Grandfather said this, Old Man Chen became even happier. He was practically convinced that Wu Sanhu was the perfect son-in-law!

Grandfather continued, "As for his family, although our Seventh didn’t have much luck and passed early, we still have fields and property. He’s the only boy in the family, and we treasure him dearly."

"..." Upon hearing this, Old Man Chen felt a tremor in his heart. The family situation is good? And they treasure him? Can he still be a live-in son-in-law then?

Grandfather kept on, "Is it true your Fourth Daughter is a 'husband-killer'? That doesn't sound very good, does it?"

"No, no, no!" Old Man Chen argued loudly. "Daoist Xiao said that a dragon and a tiger could suppress it!"

"Oh." Grandfather nodded. "One must trust the divinations of Daoist Xiao."

"Exactly!" Old Man Chen let out a long sigh of relief. "You’ve seen my Fourth Daughter’s appearance, haven’t you, old brother?"

"Plus our family status—if Huzi marries my Fourth, he certainly won’t lose out!"

"Hmm."

Grandfather feigned contemplation. "Then... then shall we help you out?"

"A marriage alliance?"

"A marriage alliance!"

With those words, Old Man Chen’s heart finally settled.

He breathed a sigh of relief and praised him sincerely, "You are a truly reasonable man, old brother!"

Grandfather and Wu Ning also let out sighs of relief. That blockhead Huzi finally had a future.

...

"This..." Since Grandfather had spoken, the matter was settled.

Seeing that Grandfather was in a good mood, Old Man Chen tentatively added one more thing.

"About this... old brother, look, if he were to be a live-in son-in-law, would that be possible!?"

Well, he still hadn't given up on the idea of a live-in son-in-law.

Wu Ning heard this and thought, let Huzi be a live-in son-in-law? My brother is reduced to the point of being a live-in son-in-law? That is absolutely out of the question.

Just as he was about to speak up and rebuff Old Man Chen, a single sentence from Grandfather left Wu Ning completely dumbfounded.

"Being a live-in son-in-law, that isn't impossible."

Grandfather looked up solemnly. "I don't oppose it, but his mother must make the decision. We must ask her."

"..."

"..."

It took Old Man Chen a long time to process this; he was overjoyed.

He had only asked as a test, never expecting the old man to actually agree.

"Then it is settled! I will trouble you, old brother, to put in a good word and help arrange it!"

"Fine!" Grandfather nodded. "I will discuss it with his mother later. You go back and wait for word!"

"Done!"

How could Old Man Chen dare to say no? He bowed solemnly to Grandfather, turned, and left, obediently going back to wait for news.

...

"Grandfather!" Once Old Man Chen left, Wu Ning could no longer hold it in. "How could you agree to him being a live-in son-in-law?"

Setting aside the loss of face, the mere thought of his brother having to move into someone else’s house and live by their whims made Wu Ning lose his composure.

"Huzi’s family doesn't have money, I’ll provide it for him! He shouldn't have to live under someone else's roof!"

"What do you know!?" Grandfather snapped. "This isn't about face, and it's certainly not about money."

He pointed toward the direction of Huzi’s home. "With that seventh aunt of yours and her personality, could the Chen girl have a good life if she married in? That honest, simple girl—wouldn't she be bullied to death?"

"If his own daughter is wronged, would Old Man Chen just stand for it? By then, it wouldn't just be our valley that’s in turmoil; the Chen family wouldn't have a moment of peace either."

"It’s better for Huzi to suffer a bit of grievance, move into the Chen family, and live his quiet little life in peace."

"As for leaving his mother alone, let her cause whatever trouble she wants!"

"..."

Wu Ning was speechless. It seemed the old man had a point.

Ginger is indeed spicier when it’s old; Grandfather had thought this through much more thoroughly than he had.

...

"Then..."

Wu Ning was just about to speak.

"I say, old brother!"

Old Man Chen’s voice rang out from outside the courtyard. The old fool had returned.

Wu Ning and Grandfather both felt strange, so they put their conversation aside and looked toward the gate.

They saw Old Man Chen rushing in excitedly. "I say, old brother, in my joy, I completely forgot the main business."

"What main business?"

"A good deal!" Old Man Chen reached them and smiled mysteriously. "Little brother would like to discuss a business deal with you, old brother. How about it?"

"What business?"

"Sell the charcoal kiln in the lower valley to me!"

"Hey!!"

Grandfather was instantly enraged. "You old scoundrel, you’ve been eyeing my charcoal kiln all this time."

Wu Ning also didn't quite understand. He had just kindly agreed to take his leftover daughter, and now he was turning around and trying to swallow the charcoal kiln in the lower valley?