Xue Yue ran straight to Aunt Zhang, the only matchmaker in the area.
Because Xue Yue was pretty, Aunt Zhang had often thought of arranging a match for her over the past two years. Every time she saw her, she would mention how this family or that family was willing to offer such-and-such amount for a betrothal gift and ask if she was interested. But Xue Yue had always refused.
Now, unable to think of any other quick way to get money, she recalled the things Aunt Zhang had whispered in her ear.
Aunt Zhang had heard about Xue Xingzhou's situation, so she listened to the purpose of Xue Yue's visit.
That very afternoon, Aunt Zhang took Xue Yue to visit several families, but they were all scared off by the 500-yuan betrothal gift.
Unexpectedly, they actually found a family willing to pay such a large sum.
The He family lived in Da Liushu Village, not far from Xue Yue's home in Yangjia Gou.
The He Family's Third Son, He Lang, was twenty-eight this year, ten years older than Xue Yue.
Mr. He was the accountant for Da Liushu Village. He the Third had two older brothers who were already married—one was even a factory worker in town—and a younger sister who was also married. In the whole family, only He the Third remained single.
People married young back then, so a twenty-eight-year-old like He Lang who was still unmarried was a rarity. His parents were extremely anxious, afraid their son would be a bachelor for life if he didn't marry soon.
What's more, He Lang had a poor reputation. He didn't do any work in the fields, but he had plenty of unsavory friends. He was always out and about, disappearing for whole days, the very image of a layabout.
In truth, Aunt Zhang didn't think much of He the Third either, which was why she hadn't considered the He Family before. As the old saying goes, a husband is for putting food on the table and clothes on your back, but He the Third clearly didn't meet that standard.
But all the other families had balked at the high betrothal gift!
The He Family was willing to pay. They had heard about the Xue family's situation and immediately said they would provide the 500 yuan for Xue Yue's brother's medical treatment.
However, He the Third was out and not at home. So, they decided to forgo the wedding banquet for now and just bring Xue Yue to their home the next day. The banquet could be held later.
Although it was improper and would sound bad if word got out, Xue Yue couldn't be bothered with such things right now.
Little did Xue Yue know, Mr. and Mrs. He were doing this out of desperation. If they didn't force the issue, their third son would truly end up a bachelor for life.
Xue Yue was in a hurry to get the money to the hospital. She just told them to have the He family pick her up from her house the next afternoon, and then she quickly ran off.
Fortunately, they made it in time, and her brother had the surgery. But he hadn't woken up yet.
Xue Yue stayed at the hospital overnight until Xue Changlin came to relieve her.
Xue Yue could see Xue Changlin hesitating, clearly wanting to say something. She knew what he was going to say.
Because they had agreed she would go to the He Family this afternoon, Xue Yue left without giving Xue Changlin a chance to speak.
But the moment she walked through the door, Liu Hongxing started chasing her, trying to hit her.
Liu Hongxing was cursing and swearing, and of course, Xue Yue knew why.
But she refused to admit it. Her answer was a firm "I didn't."
'Hmph, who saw anything? I certainly didn't.'
Furious, Liu Hongxing kept threatening to report her to the police.
"Go on, then. I didn't see it."
Xue Yue would deny it to her grave. Besides, she was agile. Liu Hongxing couldn't even catch her, let alone hit her.
Liu Hongxing's loud shouting attracted a crowd at the Xue's house, and even the Village Chief was called over.
Liu Hongxing claimed she had lost over a hundred yuan and accused Xue Yue of taking it.
Xue Yue said she hadn't seen it.
The villagers knew about the Xue family's situation, and with Xue Xingzhou still in the hospital, some were a little suspicious of Xue Yue. Still, no one spoke up.
Liu Hongxing didn't have a good reputation in the village, and everyone was well aware of how poorly she treated Xue Yue and her brother.
They had always sympathized with the two siblings. Xue Xingzhou was already twenty-three, and she hadn't made any move to find him a wife. Wasn't it obvious she didn't want to spend the money?
After understanding the whole story, the Village Chief glanced at Xue Yue and saw her winking and making faces at him.
'What more was there to understand?'
He shot Xue Yue a glare, then turned to Liu Hongxing. "Changling's wife, you say Girl Yu stole your money. Did anyone see it?"
Liu Hongxing's crying paused. "Then where did the money for her brother's surgery come from?"
"I sold myself for it," Xue Yue declared loudly.
Her words stunned everyone present.
"Girl Yu, what do you mean by that?" The Village Chief had seen her bring the money yesterday and assumed she had borrowed it, so he hadn't asked.
"I married myself off. For 500 yuan. To He the Third from Da Liushu Village. If you don't believe me, the He family is coming to pick me up this afternoon. You can ask them and you'll know."
Since the He family was coming for her this afternoon anyway, there was nothing Xue Yue couldn't say.
The Village Chief sighed. "Girl Yu, if your brother knew you married yourself off so carelessly, he'd be angry enough to die when he wakes up!"
Xue Yue stiffened, then gave a bitter laugh.
"Village Chief, you know I had no other choice. My brother's life is more important."
The Village Chief had watched Xue Yue and her brother grow up. Xue Yue, in particular, had been good friends with his daughter since they were little, so he had always looked out for the two kids. But given the Xue family's situation, he couldn't say much, and just shook his head.
"Village Chief, what about my money?" Liu Hongxing's only concern right now was finding her money; she couldn't care less whether Xue Yue got married or not.
The Village Chief turned to look at Liu Hongxing and said, "If you have evidence, go report it to the police. If you don't, then shut your mouth. If the police come and find nothing, you might even be charged with making a false accusation."
After speaking, he seemed to remember something and said to Xue Yue, "When you have a moment, come to the brigade office to get that 20-yuan compensation. You'll need to sign for it."
Xue Yue nodded. "Got it."
Seeing the Village Chief walk away with his hands behind his back, Xue Yue went into the house.
From inside, she could still hear Liu Hongxing wailing at the door.
'Let her be. Even if Liu Hongxing raises hell, I don't care.'
Xue Yue went to her brother's room to pack a few changes of his clothes. Then she washed up, neatened her appearance, and found a relatively new set of clothes to wear. No matter what, today was, after all, her wedding day.
Then she sat on the edge of the kang and waited for the He family to come for her.
The He family arrived a little after five in the afternoon. It was Mrs. He and He Lang's older brother, He Nan.
He Nan was in his thirties, looked very steady and reliable, and was quite handsome.
'They're full-blooded brothers, so He Lang probably doesn't look too bad either, right?' Xue Yue thought.
When Xue Yue left with the He family, the courtyard was quiet. She didn't know if Liu Hongxing was refusing to come out or was simply not home. In any case, Xue Yue left with the He family without a word of goodbye.
Now, sitting in her new room, it slowly began to sink in for Xue Yue: she was married. Married to a man she had never even met.
Xue Yue took a deep breath and began to survey the room's furnishings.
There was a heated kang large enough for three or four people. On the floor by the window was a table, upon which two red candles were lit.
Against the wall stood a large cabinet. A stool was placed next to the door, and on it sat a washbasin with a towel draped over the side.
The room was simply furnished, but very clean.
Xue Yue withdrew her gaze. Hearing voices in the courtyard, she couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
'Selling myself off in a single day for money... I'm probably the only one who would do that.'
"Third son's wife."
Hearing a knock, Xue Yue got off the kang, straightened her clothes, and went to open the door.
It was Mrs. He.
"Mother."
Mrs. He smiled. "You must be hungry. I brought you some food. Go on and eat."
Xue Yue glanced down at the bowl in Mrs. He's hands. It contained a vegetable stew, with two steamed buns made from two-grain flour on top.
Xue Yue swallowed. The only thing she had eaten all day was a single two-grain flour bun she bought at the hospital that morning. She was starving.
She didn't stand on ceremony this time.
"Thank you, Mother." Xue Yue reached out and took the bowl.
"Go ahead and eat. I figured you're still not used to things, having just arrived, so you can eat in your room tonight. Starting tomorrow, you can eat with the rest of us."
Xue Yue could feel Mrs. He's kindness, and it warmed her heart. She really was having a hard time adjusting to the sudden change of place, surrounded by strangers.
"Thank you, Mother."
"Don't be so polite. We're all family now. You eat up. I'll be going." Mrs. He waved her hand and left.
After finishing the bowl of food, Xue Yue felt like she had come back to life.
Lying on the kang, she thought about the husband she had yet to meet.
'Whatever. I'll just let things happen as they may.'