The Fat Wife of the 1980s Awakens

Why did they suddenly mention Feng Dongling? Xu Xiufang glanced at him calmly, wondering in her heart, what was troubling Xie Chunyan was not just the matchmaker's enthusiastic matchmaking? The name Feng Dongling seemed to have become the invisible string that plucked her heartstrings.

Feng Dongling has been pursuing Xie Chunyan relentlessly for two years. Could it be that his persistence will soon bring about the fruits of his labor?

Xu Xiufang raised her eyebrows slightly. Although she was confused by Xie Chunyan's sudden change in attitude, her face remained calm. After a moment's hesitation, she continued the topic slowly, "I really don't know much about Old Feng. You should ask Brother Yi about this in person."

Xie Chunyan nodded gently and said nothing more, but her eyes were flickering with elusive thoughts, deep and complex.

Xu Xiufang thought about it and estimated that Xie Chunyan would not take the initiative to ask Xie Yi, so she added a sentence with some affirmation and encouragement in her tone: "But in my opinion, if Lao Feng is not a reliable person, Brother Yi will not allow him to get close to you."

"But," Xie Chunyan's fingers rubbed unconsciously, her voice as thin as a mosquito, "I am so much older than him, and I have experienced a failed marriage. How can I be worthy of him..."

Xu Xiufang's heart was moved. Wasn't this a sign of a secret love? She asked directly and sincerely, "Sister, are you attracted to Feng Dongling?"

Xie Chunyan's fingers trembled slightly, as if her heart was touched. She raised her head and her eyes met Xu Xiufang's. It was a silent conversation full of complex emotions.

Xu Xiufang stared at her quietly, as if at this moment, she became the listener and witness of Xie Chunyan's inner world.

After a long time, Xie Chunyan finally nodded slightly. The almost imperceptible "hmm" sound was like a whisper of self-blame, revealing her lack of confidence in herself and uncertainty about this relationship.

"Sister, there is no need to belittle yourself. You and Feng Dongling are actually a very good match," Xu Xiufang comforted gently, trying to dispel the gloom in Xie Chunyan's heart.

"But I am really older than him, and I had a failed marriage," Xie Chunyan repeatedly emphasized that these became insurmountable obstacles in her heart.

During the three years in this small county, she has become more confident than before and has become more open-minded about many things, but when it comes to true love, that calmness has become hard to find.

As time goes by, the issues we consider naturally become more realistic and complex.

Xu Xiufang did not deny the existence of these concerns. After all, in this era, Xie Chunyan could not completely escape the secular perspective. She changed the subject and tried to start from another angle: "What are the conditions of Wang Le, who was introduced by the matchmaker just now?"

"His name is Wang Le, he's 30 years old, still unmarried, from the neighboring village, and works as a scorekeeper in the village," Xie Chunyan mechanically repeated the introduction of the matchmaker and her mother, as if this information did not stir any waves in her heart.

Xu Xiufang raised her eyebrows thoughtfully and asked, "So, what if I'm a little older? What if I've been married before?"

Xie Chunyan's face was full of confusion.

Xu Xiufang further explained: "Does Wang Le's condition seem to be superior to Feng Dongling's?"

Xie Chunyan thought carefully. Feng Dongling did not have a stable job, often did odd jobs, and even occasionally got involved in marginal transactions. He was one year older than Wang Le.

In comparison, Wang Le appears to be more reliable and more in line with the traditional definition of a "good partner".

"Even Wang Le, who is better than Feng Dongling, is interested in you, not to mention those suitors you haven't noticed. If you really think you are not good enough, then why would these men with excellent conditions fall in love with you?"

Xie Chunyan stammered, "...Maybe, they just took a fancy to my work."

She was actually very clear about this.

"Your work is certainly one of your highlights, but if it is just because of your work, if you are really as you say, old, ordinary, and plain-looking, how can there be so many men with good conditions coming to you to propose marriage?"

Xu Xiufang's words were like a gentle spring breeze, moistening Xie Chunyan's dry heart bit by bit.

Xie Chunyan was touched by Xu Xiufang's words. A warm current surged in her heart and tears almost burst out. "Second brother's wife, I really don't know how to thank you."

Xu Xiufang silently handed her a handkerchief and waited patiently for her emotions to calm down. Just as she was about to continue the discussion, she heard a noise outside the door.

Xu Xiufang originally thought that it was Li's father and Xie's mother who came to taste the soup, but when she turned around, she saw that it was Xie Yi who had returned home early.

"Brother Yi," Xu Xiufang greeted him, with a hint of surprise in her tone, "Why did you come back so early today?"

"Well, this year's holiday is advanced," Xie Yi smiled faintly and answered casually, as if everything was under control.

Xu Xiufang did not ask too many questions. Since Xie Yi was promoted to team leader, he indeed had a lot more free time and his usually tense nerves seemed to relax a little.

Just as she was about to exchange a few words with Xie Yi and enjoy this rare leisure time, an unexpected episode interrupted her thoughts.

Feng Dongling's face, which was always smiling, suddenly peeked out from the crack of the door behind Xie Yi, as if he had come here on purpose to add some liveliness.

"Hello, sister-in-law!"

There was a unique intimacy in Feng Dongling's voice and a smile on his face that seemed to be able to dispel the cold of winter.

Xu Xiufang responded with a smile, but her eyes unconsciously glanced at Xie Chunyan who was standing beside her.

When Xie Chunyan saw Feng Dongling, she involuntarily took two steps forward, her eyes flashing with complex emotions, including anticipation and a bit of indescribable nervousness.

Feng Dongling obviously noticed Xie Chunyan's presence, but unlike before, he did not greet her enthusiastically as usual, and even the smile on his face was restrained a little. He just said simply and indifferently: "Hello, Sister Chunyan."

Xie Chunyan's face froze slightly when she heard this sudden cold greeting. She looked a little embarrassed and reluctantly responded with "Old Feng". Then she turned to Xu Xiufang and said, "Then my second sister-in-law, I'll go back first."

As soon as she finished speaking, without waiting for Xu Xiufang to respond, she hurriedly turned and left, leaving the room in silence and confusion.

Just now, as soon as the matchmaker stepped out of the door, Xie Chunyan found an excuse to slip away to the next door. This move not only made Xie's mother feel embarrassed, but also made her more annoyed.

Just when she had finally dealt with the matchmaker and got rid of her, she turned around and ran into Xie Chunyan coming back. Xie's mother was instantly furious and couldn't help but mock her with sarcasm: "You have such a good time. You show up right after she left! Are you afraid of missing the next matchmaker? Stay away from me now."

Although Xie's mother often arranged blind dates for Xie Chunyan without her permission, Xie Chunyan knew that her mother did this because she cared about her.

As she grew older, she gradually became more open-minded about many things.

Even when faced with her mother's cold words because she didn't want to go on a blind date, she was able to remain calm and comfort her mother patiently.