"Ping'er, you're tearing at your mother's heart. It's not easy being a stepmother, and besides, he has a mental problem. Just eat something, dear. You two have quite an age gap. How about Mom finding you a nice guy with an iron rice bowl?"
Liu Ping's mother was trying to persuade her daughter. Seeing that her daughter hadn't eaten for two days, her heart ached. Liu Ping was the only daughter among three sons in the family. She was born with a charming look and had been the family's little lucky star since childhood.
There were eight employees in their family. Three daughters - in - law all gave birth to two boys before the family - planning policy. Liu Ping was the only little darling in the family, and they were afraid of spoiling her.
"Mom, you and Dad have a seven - year age gap, and big brother and sister - in - law have an eight - year gap. The age difference between me and him is just nine years. He just got injured, and he's getting better little by little. He's good - looking, and no one else can compare to him. Moreover, he saved my life."
"My dear sister, the kindness of saving a life is indeed great, but this is not feudal society. You don't have to marry him to repay the favor. Our family can send them a generous gift. Being a stepmother is really tough. Didn't you used to say that the woman who remarried into the Zhang family next door had a miserable life? How could you forget that?"
Liu Ping's three sisters - in - law were also extremely worried. Their younger sister - in - law was good - looking, a good student, and an excellent painter. She was generous to her nephews and helped the three sisters - in - law get along well with their mother - in - law, allowing them to integrate into the family. They all remembered her kindness.
Moreover, if their younger sister - in - law married well, it would also be beneficial for them. If she really married into that kind of family, their natal family would surely be asked for all sorts of help in the future.
It was a pity that the usually obedient Liu Ping buried her pale face in her knees and kept silent.
She just liked Ershun. She liked that Ershun was clean, not just in his appearance, but his whole soul seemed pure, which made her feel close to him.
Ershun would never say that it was not good for a girl to paint and that a girl should focus on taking care of her husband and children in the future like the boys around her. He would praise her paintings. He didn't say sweet words and didn't want to get anything from her, but he could always notice when she needed help and silently lend a hand.
Moreover, Ershun was filial and loved his daughter very much. A man who could love his daughter so much surely wouldn't treat his wife badly. Marrying a man chosen by her parents, brothers, and sisters - in - law would guarantee a comfortable life, but she wouldn't be happy.
"Let her keep starving. She's really been spoiled. Why can't she tell good from bad?"
Father Liu was so angry that he said this and then went out. But he squatted beside the threshold with a cold face and frowned tightly.
"Dad, how about we go inside and talk?"
Second Son Liu and Third Son Liu came back. Seeing their father squatting in front of their sister's door, they stepped forward and whispered.
Father Liu stood up and followed them in.
"The situation of Ershun's family is similar to what big brother said. We've also found out about Ershun's situation. It's really the after - effect of an injury, but he's much better than a few years ago. Their family bought a house on the outskirts of Beijing and has some land. He's a capable man. His mother runs a noodle shop, and the business is pretty good."
Third Son Liu spoke objectively without looking down on Ershun because of his sister Liu Ping.
"His daughter is very smart. Her grades are always among the top three in the class."
Second Son Liu added.
"What's their family's attitude?"
Father Liu asked after taking a deep breath.
The two brothers glanced at each other.
"That guy named Ershun has been in a bad mood these days. He's been working in the fields, and they haven't hired anyone in the shop. His parents are busy with the business."
"My daughter has been on a hunger strike for two days because of him, and he's just a little unhappy. His parents saw my daughter like that. They probably think their son is really something."
Father Liu was so angry that he slapped the table.
Second Son Liu and Third Son Liu exchanged glances again.
"Dad, it probably isn't as you think. Maybe they think our family won't agree."
Third Son Liu said.
"Our family doesn't agree, but how can they not show any concern at all!"
Father Liu stood up angrily. After saying that, he met his sons' gazes and kicked out.
"It's still you two who are useless. Your sister has grown up, and you both have jobs. There are so many people around you. You don't even introduce some good guys to your sister. Before, you even squeezed out those who took a fancy to your sister. Otherwise, how could your sister have fallen for that... that..."
Father Liu was so angry that he couldn't speak. Second Son Liu and Third Son Liu silently lowered their heads. This was definitely a case of being wrongly blamed. Clearly, when they did that before, their father thought they were doing the right thing and told them to protect their sister well so that she wouldn't be deceived.
Third Son Liu didn't say something. According to what his wife had learned from his sister, it was his sister who took a fancy to Ershun first. Then she took the initiative to talk to him and secretly took things from home to win his heart.
Of course, it wasn't money or anything like that. She found various ways to ask their mother and father to cook delicious food, then secretly packed it up and said she was taking it to her good friends. They all thought she was talking about her female friends, but actually, she gave it all to Ershun.
Their sister had the intelligence of a twenty - year - old, while Ershun, who had been injured, had the mental age of a ten - year - old. If you didn't consider their real ages, it was more like their sister was the one coaxing others.
Their mother was good at making pastries, and their father was good at cooking. Both of them were chefs in a state - owned restaurant, so the family had been well - off since childhood.
"Try to make your sister eat something."
Father Liu angrily left this order and went back to his room, leaving the two dumbfounded brothers.
Their sister's personality was not that easy to deal with.
Taking a deep breath, they walked out and saw their mother and Eldest Sister - in - law Liu coming out of their sister's room.
"What are you two going to do? Your sister hasn't eaten for two days. There's a lot of her favorite food in the kitchen. Try to make your sister eat."
Mother Liu was worried about her daughter and gave an order to her two sons.
Eldest Sister - in - law Liu looked helpless. She couldn't persuade her younger sister - in - law either and was afraid of making her mother - in - law angry, so she didn't dare to do anything at this time.
"Let's draw lots. The loser will go and coax her."
Second Son Liu immediately suggested.
"Are you sure? If our sister doesn't eat, you won't get away with it either. We either have to give in to our sister's wishes or find a way to stall for time."
Third Son Liu wasn't afraid of his older brother.
"How to stall?"
Second Son Liu moved closer.
"Just say that we'll help. Since our sister likes Ershun so much, tell her that Ershun seems to be sick. Our sister will definitely want to go out to find him. How can she go out if she has no strength? She'll surely have to eat."
"Mom and Dad won't let our sister go out to find Ershun."
"I didn't say we'd really let our sister go. It's almost dark now. It's not easy to find someone later. We'll just say we'll pass on a message for them to stabilize her."
Third Son Liu pointed at the sky.
"This won't work for long. If our sister finds out we're lying to her, she'll be even more determined next time."
