Unable to endure the hardships of rural life, she returned home to arrange a marriage with a militar

When it comes to criteria for choosing a spouse, there's a lot to talk about. Although Shu Yun felt that the criteria had some impact, a spouse is a major life event and cannot be compromised. Otherwise, the rest of one's life is so long that one can see the end of it all at a glance.

So, although Shen Rujun was anxious, she had already thought through her criteria for a partner. "Our family isn't one that's greedy for vanity. We're thinking about our children's happiness, so the most important thing is that he has good political standing." It would be even better if he could also clear up Shu Yun's background issues.

“Secondly, he needs a stable job.” Shen Rujun said, and seeing Wang the matchmaker raise her eyebrows, she quickly added, “After all, a young couple needs an income, right? Are they going to starve on the streets? A regular and stable job is fine. We don’t need the other person to be a cadre or a worker or anything like that. But if someone takes a liking to our Shuyun, that’s not out of the question.”

Shu Yun snapped out of her daze and, seeing that Shen Rujun had stopped talking, quickly added, "He should be good-looking." This was Shu Yun lowering her standards; according to her preferences, he had to be a handsome man! Anyone who was ugly or deformed was absolutely out of the question! It would affect the appearance of her future children!

Shen Rujun: "Yes, yes, yes."

After they finished speaking, the two of them looked at Matchmaker Wang. Matchmaker Wang almost spat water in their faces. How dare they! She was just asking casually, and they had no idea they had so many ideas? Didn't they even look at Shu Yun's current situation? It's already good enough that no one else is picky.

She slammed down her teacup, her lips pursed, "I can't be this matchmaker."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Rujun quickly stuffed another red envelope into Wang the matchmaker's hand. It was a thick stack of red envelopes that Wang the matchmaker couldn't even fit in her pocket. "I forgot just now. This is for you too. It looks like summer is almost here. Go buy some cloth and make some new clothes for her."

Matchmaker Wang glanced at the red envelope and saw that there was still fabric inside. She changed the subject, coughed, and said, "If I can't be the matchmaker for your child, then no one else can. Leave it to me. Go back and wait for news."

After leaving Wang the matchmaker's house, Shen Rujun took Shu Yun to the hospital for a check-up and got some medicine prescribed.

"Shen Rujun, is that you?" A female voice came from behind the two of them.

Shen Rujun turned her head upon hearing the voice, looking at the person with surprise and delight, "It's you."

Shu Yun didn't recognize her and was curious, but she saw Shen Rujun sizing up the woman several times, hesitate for a long time, and then finally say, "You are Shi, Shi Xiaohong, right?"

The woman's smile vanished completely. "Shi Qinghong, my name is Shi Qinghong."

Shi Qinghong was agitated, and her voice was so loud that people around her turned to look. She took a deep breath and readjusted her emotions. "Didn't you marry far away and go with your husband to the army? You look so unwell. Did you have a fight with your husband and go back to your parents' home? But now you don't even have your parents' home anymore. Are you going to look for your niece?"

These words were grating, but Shen Rujun smiled gently, "My husband and I have a good relationship. I came back to see my niece. My niece is my family. As for you, do your parents still ask you for money every month?"

Shen Rujun looked concerned, but her words were hurtful. Shi Qinghong's family was a typical family that favored sons over daughters. As a victim of exploitation, she had long been at the bottom of the social ladder. Even when she worked, almost half of her salary was deducted to save money for her younger brother's wedding. But Shen Rujun's family was very happy. Her parents were both educated and loved their children. She had a superior environment and was beautiful. All of this made Shi Qinghong insanely jealous.

Not to mention, she had a falling out with her family a few years ago after finally having her own child. She couldn't go back to her parents' home anymore; if she did, her parents would chase after her and beat her. In their area, the Shi family was a long-standing source of amusement.

But she was not discouraged and boasted about her job, which she was very proud of: "I am now a female worker in a food factory. Last year I was fortunate enough to be rated as an outstanding employee. The leader said that I have a good chance of being promoted to workshop foreman this year. I remember that you used to have very good grades. Did you have a job after you joined the army?"

Shen Rujun: "That's great. My mother-in-law thinks that since there are several children to raise, I should stay at home."

Shi Qinghong was pleased to hear this, and before Shen Rujun could finish speaking, she spoke up on her own, "How can this be? The great man said that women can hold up half the sky. As women of the new era, we need to have our own careers. What future is there in relying on your husband to support you? You're supposed to be educated, but you've learned nothing."

Shi Qinghong spoke in a high-pitched voice and quickly, making Shu Yun, who was already sleepy from waking up early, feel dizzy. "You seem to have misunderstood. My aunt does have a job. But unlike you, she's a frontline worker contributing to socialist construction. My aunt works as a propagandist in a factory affiliated with the military. She sits in an office and writes articles. It's not as meaningful as your job."

Shi Qinghong's smug smile froze. "Didn't you just say something about your mother-in-law?"

Shen Rujun said innocently, "Yes, I quit my job not long after I gave birth. Back then, I was working in a factory just like you. I really miss the days when I was a factory worker. I envy you."

Shen Rujun was genuinely melancholy. In today's societal view, workers were indeed considered the greatest, and office clerks were hardly worthy of mention. Her feelings were sincere and heartfelt envy, but to Shi Qinghong, it sounded like boasting. Office? Cadre?

Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to the beauty; Shen Rujun's skin remains as fair as it was in her youth, unlike hers, which has become dark and rough from the hard work at the factory and at home.

Shi Qinghong's expression changed repeatedly. She really wanted to shout: "I'm so envious! Then I'll trade with you!"

Shu Yun lowered her head and bit her lip to prevent her laughter from being too loud and hurting Shi Qinghong's self-esteem.

Using sincerity to defeat magic is indeed very effective.

Shi Qinghong watched the two figures leave, unable to describe the feelings in her heart.

"Aunt Shi, who was that girl just now? She's so beautiful."

A young man darted out from behind a stone pillar, shoved Shi Qinghong, nearly knocking him to the ground, his eyes still glued to Shu Yun as she walked away.

Shi Qinghong understood, frowned and said disdainfully, "Her parents have questionable identities, how could they be worthy of you?"

The young man grinned and said, "I don't mind. How about you play matchmaker for me? The factory director is about to retire. Once my mother gets promoted, I'll say a few words to her, and the workshop foreman position will be yours."

He quit being the class monitor and went straight to be the group leader?

Shi Qinghong was tempted, but hesitated and said, "This, this is not a good idea, is it? Besides, if your mother finds out that I arranged this marriage for you, she might blame me. I don't dare to do anything that would make people dislike me."

"What's the big deal? I'm the only precious child in my family, so how could they not indulge me? I can just be a little spoiled. Besides, the workshop suffered a huge loss last month because of your mistake, and you even had to write a self-criticism. You can forget about promotions for the next few years. When you get older, it will be even harder to get promoted." The young man kept an eye on Shi Qinghong's expression.

"If you don't want to be a matchmaker, I can find someone else."

Shi Qinghong panicked, and then realized that it made sense; why not take a gamble?

The thought that all the colleagues she didn't like would have to call her Team Leader Shi made her incredibly happy.

She couldn't wait a moment longer, fearing that the stone foreman she had finally gotten her hands on would fly away, so she rushed to the Shu family's house during the factory's afternoon break.

"Rujun, I have some wonderful news to tell you."

Shu Yun could hear her loud voice even in the bedroom. The warmth in her tone was completely different from her sarcastic tone in the morning. She raised an eyebrow and sat down next to Shen Rujun. "What? Auntie, your parents aren't asking you for money anymore? Have they regretted it? Do they realize how good their daughter is?"

Shi Qing's face froze. He had just touched on a sore spot. If he didn't have this face, he would definitely be an annoying person!

She ignored Shu Yun and said, "This morning I heard magpies chirping, and I thought something good was going to happen. And now there is! This morning at the factory, our deputy director mentioned her son. He's young, tall, and spirited, and looks very fortunate! No elder can resist him! He's been so busy with his studies and work that he hasn't found a partner yet. We were just thinking of finding him a wife, and that's when I thought of your niece. They're a perfect match. I was afraid someone would snatch her up first, so I came all the way here to tell you."

The weasel wishing the chicken a Happy New Year was not a good deed. Shu Yun did not believe that Shi Qinghong would think of her when he had a good candidate. She was more likely to push her and her aunt into a pit of fire.

She asked, "Since the other party has such good conditions, they must have many choices, right?"

"That's right, but young men like good-looking girls."

"I see." Shu Yun still didn't believe it. "Do you have any photos to show me?"