From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 45 Matchmaking
Xu family.

Jiazhen prepared the meal in the kitchen and also placed good tea and melon seed desserts in the main room.

She was a little nervous, after all, it was her first time to be someone else's in-law.

I heard that the other family is a wine merchant in the county town and has a lot of wealth.

"It's time to come."

Jiazhen paced back and forth in the yard.

"Calm down. This is just a blind date. Let's meet first. It's still unclear whether it will work out. Maybe he doesn't like me, or maybe I don't like him."

It was also Xu Fugui's first time to be someone's father-in-law, but he was relatively calm.

What puzzled him was why the other party, whose family was so well-off, was willing to marry his daughter?
At this time, Xu Xiaoxia was in her bedroom, peeking through the crack in the window to see what was happening outside. She didn't have to show up, as this was the first time her parents had contact with each other.

It’s the parents’ orders and the matchmaker’s words, her parents are the first hurdle.

Only if her parents agree, then we can see her wishes. According to local customs, parents have more say and children have little say.

----

Outside.

The three brothers Xu Xiaogou, Xu Xiaoyun and Xu Xiaoan gathered together.

"I want to see what kind of person Aunt Qian introduces to my second sister."

Xu Xiaogou folded his arms across his chest, standing at the door like a door god. He felt very uncomfortable when he learned that Wang Qian was introducing a husband to his second sister.

"If my second sister marries someone else, will she never be able to come back?"

Xu Xiaoan asked.

"Don't talk nonsense. No matter who my second sister marries, her surname is Xu and she is a member of our Xu family."

Just as Xu Xiaoyun finished speaking, he saw Wang Qian coming with someone.

He quickly turned around and ran back home: "Mom and Dad, they're here, Aunt Qian brought that person!"

Xu Fugui and Jiazhen came out to greet them.

"Sangou, what are you doing?"

"I want to see if he's qualified to be my brother-in-law."

"Go away, take your brother to play nearby and don't make trouble."

This matter is mainly handled by Xu Fugui and Jiazhen, and the three brothers Xu Xiaogou have no right to interfere.

The three brothers obediently gave way and stood by to watch.

Wang Qian brought Pan Wenbin over and introduced both parties to each other familiarly.

"This is my cousin, Pan Wenbin."

"Wenbin, this is the Patriarch of the Xu family, and this is Madam Xu."

Pan Wenbin greeted politely: "Hello, Uncle Xu, hello, Auntie."

Xu Fugui had a good first impression of Pan Wenbin. He was tall and handsome.

He introduced Xu Xiaogou and others around him: "This is the third son Xiaogou, the fourth son Xiaoyun, and the fifth son Xiaoan."

"Hello, brothers."

Pan Wenbin greeted everyone in turn.

"Please come in quickly."

Everyone walked into the Xu family's house and into the main hall.

As soon as Pan Wenbin entered the room, he couldn't help but look around. This look made him even more disappointed.

Compared with Du Hai's family, the Xu family's conditions are worse. The house is dilapidated and it has been unknown how long since it was renovated.

He suppressed his disgust and sat down in the main hall. He glanced at the snacks and sunflower seeds on the table and had no appetite at all.

Xu Fugui and Jiazhen sat in the upper seats, one on the left and one on the right.

Pan Wenbin sat on the left side of the two, and Wang Qian, as the matchmaker, sat on the right side to accompany them.

So, it was Xu Xiaogou's turn to serve tea and water.

As for Xu Xiaoyun and Xu Xiaoan, they had nothing to do. They sat on small stools and ate melon seeds.

----

Everyone started talking.

"Mr. Pan, what does your family do?"

Xu Fugui asked.

He had never been a father-in-law, but he knew exactly what he needed to know, which was nothing more than family background, abilities, and preferences.

"The Wu Gu Liang Liquor Store in the city is owned by my family."

Pan Wenbin responded politely, with a hint of pride in his words, while observing the expressions of everyone.

However, he was disappointed. Xu Fugui did not drink, and Xu Xiaogou and others did not drink either. They did not know about the "Five Grains Wine".

Pan Wenbin quickly added, "Thirty percent of the restaurants and taverns in the city are supplied by my family."

There are many restaurants and taverns of all sizes in Tonggu County, and his family owns 30% of them, making him a leading wine merchant.

"Then your family's business is quite big, that's impressive."

Xu Fugui complimented him politely and then asked, "How many brothers and sisters do you have? Are they all married?"

"I have two brothers and one sister, all of whom are married."

Pan Wenbin felt something was wrong. Normally, after the other party learned about his family background, shouldn't they be happy and discuss marriage?

Given his family background, why would the other party refuse him if he married the daughter of a farmer in a mountain village?
"Have you ever practiced martial arts?"

Xu Fugui could tell at a glance that Pan Wenbin had never practiced martial arts. He was just confused. Given his family's situation, Xu Xiaogou practiced martial arts, so why didn't Pan Wenbin practice martial arts?

"No."

Pan Wenbin was stunned by this question. His mind raced, "My family doesn't need me to practice martial arts. We've hired several warriors to protect me."

He lied. He couldn't handle the hardship, so he gave up after only two years of training.

Practicing martial arts yourself and being a martial artist are two different things.

"What books have you read?"

"..."

Pan Wenbin sat in the chair, feeling uncomfortable as if there were thorns under his butt. Sweat began to seep out of his forehead. "I have read some poetry and songs, but I am not very proficient in them."

"What are your hobbies and interests?"

"In my spare time, I like to fish or shoot arrows."

Pan Wenbin felt very uncomfortable at this time.

He was the third son of the Pan family, but he was so embarrassed by the questions he asked that he broke out in sweat and felt itchy all over.

He doesn't practice martial arts because he can't bear hardship.

He doesn't read because he gets dizzy when he does.

Hobbies? He likes drinking, playing cards, and visiting brothels.

He is in his twenties and still unmarried. In the past few years, he has been eating, drinking, having fun and visiting brothels, and has not helped with the family business. He is a typical idle playboy.

Given his family background, it is impossible for him to marry a girl of equal status.

Because his reputation spread throughout the county, a little inquiry would reveal the truth. Which rich lady would be willing to marry her daughter to him?

His parents had no choice but to seek in-laws from families with poorer status, such as the wealthy families in the village.

Firstly, the wealthy families in the village may not know Pan Wenbin’s style. Secondly, even if they knew, they might not agree to the marriage because of the disparity in their family backgrounds.

Pan Wenbin was actually very reluctant. Why did his elder and second brothers marry beautiful wives with good family backgrounds, but it was his turn to marry a village woman?

He didn't want to come, but he had to agree under the pressure of his parents.

He has been introduced to so many girls but all failed. Now at his age, his parents have become cruel and want to discipline him, saying that if he doesn't get married, they will cut off their daily expenses.

How can you have fun without money?
It was under such circumstances that Pan Wenbin had no choice but to come here.

----

Xu Fugui already knew what he wanted to know. He chatted about some trivial matters and then stood up to see the guest off.

Pan Wenbin was confused and didn't know whether his "blind date" was successful, so he left Xu's house in confusion.

Wang Qian went to see Pan Wenbin off.

Home.

Xu Xiaogou asked Xu Xiaoyun, "Fourth brother, what do you think of him?"

"That person loves to lie and his eyes like to look around. He doesn't seem like an honest person."

Xu Xiaoyun noticed the way Pan Wenbin looked around when he entered the room, and the guilty look on his face when he answered the question just now.

"We both have the same vision this time. That Pan guy has unsteady steps and dark eye sockets. He looks frail and vulnerable. How could he protect my second sister?"

Xu Xiaogou curled his lips in disdain.

A moment later, Wang Qian came back: "Fugui, Jiazhen, how is my nephew?"

Xu Fugui shook his head: "Forget it, no."

"how?"

Wang Qian didn't notice anything. Maybe it was because of her preconceived notion that the other person had better conditions, so she automatically ignored many details.

"Sister Qian, go ask around in the city. I think he doesn't have a very good reputation."

Xu Fugui made his own judgment.

(End of this chapter)