Thankfully, those idle ladies and young misses were very interested in such titles that could both showcase their own virtues and benefit their reputations. Lin Xiaoguai did not push those who were concerned about contributing money.
After much effort, she had almost gathered the mbers for the board of directors, and Lin Xiaoguai, in a rare occurrence, took a nap in the shop. Later, she took the quadruplets for a walk on the farm and noticed that Mrs. Yu beside her seed to have sothing to say but was holding back.
"Mrs. Yu, do you have sothing to say?" Lin Xiaoguai waited for a long ti, and seeing that she still didn’t speak, she took the initiative to ask.
"Madam, there’s sothing I want to talk about." Mrs. Yu hesitated a mont before speaking.
"What is it?" Lin Xiaoguai pulled Little Spring Breeze, who was about to walk over to watch the farm workers herd cattle, back to her side and asked sowhat indifferently.
"...Mrs. Zhang might be thinking of adopting Zhang Xin." Mrs. Yu gritted her teeth as she said.
"Zhang Xin?" Lin Xiaoguai was montarily stunned before she realized it was about the girl who was staying at her ho for rehabilitation, and asked curiously, "Why would she want to adopt Zhang Xin?"
Mrs. Yu’s expression froze for a mont, and she spoke hesitantly, "Isn’t there a Jian’an?"
Lin Xiaoguai didn’t understand what this had to do with Jian’an. Catching sight of Mrs. Yu’s embarrassed expression, she suddenly realized, "Are you saying she wants Zhang Xin to be a child bride for Jian’an?"
Mrs. Yu nodded, "She probably feels too embarrassed to say it outright, but she’s been asking about it several tis indirectly."
She sighed and said, "Although Jian’an might be simple-minded, she’s always thinking about finding him a wife to continue the legacy of the Old Yu Family."
Lin Xiaoguai frowned. She understood Mrs. Zhang’s thinking, but although Zhang Xin was highly nearsighted, she could manage her life without any real problems, while Yu Jian’an... Although she was fond of the boy, if she asked herself whether she would be willing to marry her own daughter to soone with ntal disabilities, she definitely wouldn’t agree.
"I know you an well, Madam, and feel it would be unfair to Zhang Xin, but... Let speak frankly, Madam, although Jian’an is simple, he’s obedient, considerate, and willing to work. If that child goes to the welfare ho, given her temperant, it’s uncertain whether her life would be any better than being Jian’an’s child bride," Mrs. Yu spoke softly.
"Mrs. Zhang said that if Zhang Xin becos Jian’an’s child bride, she would be willing to support her education and treat her as her own daughter. You know her character, Madam; the words she speaks are absolutely dependable."
Lin Xiaoguai frowned, "Let think about it."
That evening, when she returned ho with the quadruplets, she saw Mrs. Zhang mopping the floor, while Jian’an was dusting behind the TV with a feather duster.
Honestly speaking, although Jian’an was intellectually challenged, he was genuinely a good kid. In her past life, she had encountered individuals whose intelligence had been damaged by a fever, but those people were usually very lazy, playful, and gluttonous, leading to their early deaths at around forty or fifty from complications caused by overeating—since they retained a child’s level of intellect, such habits were not surprising. However, such behavior would be intolerable in an adult.
But Jian’an was different. He was industrious, and while he, too, craved tasty foods like a child, he was sensible enough to restrain himself. He might not be able to perform jobs that required ntal acuity, but he was perfectly capable of handling physical labor.
Moreover, the boy had been raised well by Mrs. Zhang. His living habits were a direct reflection of her good upbringing. He even knew how to save money, be frugal, treat those around him kindly, and help out if soone near him was being bullied.
The girl who married him might not live a life of wealth and honor, but she would be guaranteed to be safe and healthy.
As for Zhang Xin... Lin Xiaoguai could never appreciate such overly introverted and timid personalities, the kind who always kept things bottled up inside. With such a character, to say that she could achieve much was rely a word of comfort.
Thinking of Zhang Jian, as long as his sister could have enough to eat and wear, he would probably be satisfied.
Lin Xiaoguai sighed and said to Mrs. Zhang, "Mrs. Zhang, co here for a mont."
Mrs. Zhang was surprised, quickly put down the mop, and ca over, "Do you need sothing, Madam?"
"I know what you’ve been thinking."
At first, Mrs. Zhang didn’t understand what she was referring to, but after seeing her glance at Jian’an, her expression stiffened, and she swallowed nervously before speaking, "Madam, I know it might seem unkind, but I assure you, I will treat the child well."
"I can’t make this decision." Seeing Mrs. Zhang look up at her, Lin Xiaoguai sighed, "Let Zhang Xin choose whether she wants to go to the welfare ho or stay and beco Jian’an’s child bride. If she agrees to be the child bride, then we’ll ask Zhang Jian what he thinks. If he also agrees, we’ll keep Zhang Xin here."
She actually didn’t agree with the idea of keeping a child bride; rather than that, it would be better to wait until Jian’an was older and then look for a girl in the countryside with so physical disability. In that case, the mutual consent would result in fewer troubles.
And Zhang Xin was still young; her disposition was not yet stable. Who knew what problems might arise in the future?
—Lin Xiaoguai didn’t realize that her words would inadvertently beco a self-fulfilling prophecy.
"Alright, alright, I’ll ask her right away." Mrs. Zhang had not expected Lin Xiaoguai to support her; her neutrality was enough. Hearing her agree, she imdiately expressed her joy.
Lin Xiaoguai breathed a sigh of relief, turned her head, and saw Jian’an with a confused face, prompting her to stroke his head with pity.
Later, Lin Xiaoguai didn’t know how Mrs. Zhang talked with Zhang Xin, but whatever she said, the girl agreed to be Jian’an’s child bride. Mrs. Zhang even took Jian’an to the psychiatric hospital, and they received Zhang Jian’s approval.
After that, following Mrs. Zhang’s instructions, Jian’an beca increasingly kind to Zhang Xin, protecting her in everything he did. So much so that Shen Yinian complained to Lin Xiaoguai several tis, accusing him of valuing his girlfriend over his friends.
Zhang Xin, however, was still the sa—always bowing her head and staying silent. Lin Xiaoguai couldn’t discern what was on her mind. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for it or give it a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian to read.)
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