The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 290 - 268: Joyful, Candid_2

Chapter 290: Chapter 268: Joyful, Candid_2

Qi Zhenzhen got a fright and said, "When did I ever giggle? Don’t talk nonsense. You’re the secretive one. Tell me, did you or did you not stroll around the county town with one of our village’s educated youths a few days ago?"

Qi Fenfen grew tense upon hearing this and said, "No, it’s not true, you must have seen wrong."

Qi Zhenzhen twisted Qi Fenfen’s ear and said, "I didn’t see it myself, but someone did and told me about it. It was that educated youth named Li Mingkai; he’s quite active in the county town!"

"Sister, what do you think of Li Mingkai?" asked Qi Fenfen, knowing that making excuses was useless. She was still reeling from what Li Mingkai had told her a few days ago; it felt like a dream.

Qi Zhenzhen looked at her sister Qi Fenfen with a half smile and asked, "He’s good-looking, but not so good at manual work. He’s doing well with the propaganda team now. Do you like him?"

Qi Fenfen nodded and said, "Yes, I love the way he plays the piano. He’s so handsome."

"Hehe," Qi Zhenzhen laughed, "It’s not enough for you to like him; you have to see if he likes you, too."

"He... he confessed his feelings to me in the county town that day, and I was frightened; I need to think it over," Qi Fenfen said shyly, "I’m afraid to tell our dad. Sister, what should I do?"

Qi Zhenzhen was shocked, she hadn’t expected her unremarkable sister to have an admirer, especially not the good-looking educated youth, Li Mingkai.

"If you like him, then go tell Dad," Qi Zhenzhen smiled and said, "Qi Fangfang used to like Li Mingkai, too. If you don’t act quickly, maybe Qi Fangfang will force his hand. If Qi Fangfang marries Li Mingkai, you’ll have no place to cry."

This scared Qi Fenfen, who said, "Right, how could I forget about that. When Dad gets back, I’ll talk to him. Thank you, big sister; if it weren’t for you, I would have almost forgotten. If Qi Fangfang plays dirty, just like her brother, then Li Mingkai will definitely be at a disadvantage."

"Isn’t that the truth!" Qi Zhenzhen said, her eyes suddenly lighting up with an idea. If a man finds out a woman has lost her purity, would he still continue to like her?

That night, Qi Fenfen talked to Qi Shuli about her situation with Li Mingkai.

Qi Shuli was hesitant at first, but then he thought about how Li Mingkai had finished high school and was good-looking, and now he was well-acquainted with the commune’s propaganda team. There was a chance for him to make something of himself!

"Alright, I agree with you. Tomorrow, go and talk to Li Mingkai. If he wants to marry my daughter, he can’t just show up empty-handed," Qi Shuli said, "First, he has to write a letter to his family; it would be better if someone from his hometown could come, but it’s alright if they can’t, as long as their reply agrees to the marriage; second, although old-fashioned betrothal traditions are out of style, he should still make some gesture; third, tell him that I, Qi Shuli, have no sons. If he agrees to marry into our family, he’ll share in any future benefits. If he’s not willing to marry in, I won’t waste my effort planning for his future."

Qi Zhenzhen was surprised and asked, "Dad, you think that highly of Li Mingkai?"

"He’s alright," Qi Shuli said, "I only have two daughters; if I don’t think about you two, who will I think about?"

"Dad!" Qi Zhenzhen felt touched inside and understood that the reason her father was so good to Qi Jianguo was because her and her sister were married off, and their father needed someone to rely on in his old age.

"That’s enough, no more talk," Qi Shuli said, "I used to think that any man with prospects wouldn’t want to be a live-in son-in-law. You’re broad-minded and surely wouldn’t want that. Since Fenfen fancies a young man from the city, I agree. In my patch of land, Li Mingkai can’t cause any trouble."

"Second sister, what do you say?" Qi Zhenzhen asked. After their father spoke, the second sister was silent, meaning she disagreed.

Qi Fenfen nodded and said, "I agree, too. Although it might be unfair to Li Mingkai, if we treat him well, I believe he will understand."

"That’s right," Qi Zhenzhen said with satisfaction, "Second sister, think about it, he didn’t even go home for the New Year; either his family is very poor or there’s some trouble, or he’s not favored at home, so his family background isn’t great. Here, with our dad’s help, if he’s clever and truly likes you, he will agree."

Qi Fenfen, not so naive herself, realized something and asked, "But what if he does well for himself later, goes back to the city, and doesn’t want me anymore?"

Qi Zhenzhen smiled confidently and said, "Dump you? Li Mingkai would never have the guts!"

"Yes, you’ll go through the formal proposals and have a marriage certificate. He wouldn’t dare," Qi Shuli added, "I’ll help him make something of himself; if he dares to leave you, I’ll go to his workplace and report him. So, you don’t need to worry about this. But, as a young lady, you must wait until you have your marriage certificate before you consummate the marriage; don’t let him take advantage too soon."