Chapter Thirty-Two: I Am Willing to Marry Her

Because the auspicious time for breaking ground was still two days away, He Zhixing sent Yufang back to school, went to the homeroom teacher’s house to request two days off, and then returned to He Yufang’s home. After helping her family with the burial arrangements, he went back to school and carried on with his studies. Two years passed in this way, and after much discussion with Yufang’s family, he decided to pursue a college diploma. The principal, seeing his talent, repeatedly urged him to attend No.1 Middle School, sit for the high school exams, and eventually enter university. But He Zhixing refused, saying that path would take too long, and he wasn't willing to waste time on unnecessary delays.

He Yufang also passed the college entrance exam, and they both chose the same city for their studies, G City in the province. Yufang was admitted to the College of Fashion and Textile Design, while He Zhixing enrolled at G City's School of Fine Arts—both diploma programs, both in the same city. Ling'er, Yan'er, Lai Min, and Liu Xiuying all went to high school, and after the summer break, their paths diverged.

One day, just after He Zhixing finished a set of exercises, he heard the phone ring. When he picked up, a tearful voice came through the receiver: "Zhixing, my uncle says I can't go to school anymore. He wants to take over the old house where Grandma and I live. He says I'm just a girl and will marry out eventually, so I shouldn't keep the house. He wants me to hand over the management rights!"

Hearing He Yufang’s voice, He Zhixing hurriedly replied, “Who do they want you to give the management rights to?”

"My uncle and aunt," Yufang sobbed. "They're so mean. My grandmother tried to reason with them, but they wouldn't listen..."

It was the first time He Zhixing had heard a girl cry over the phone, and his heart ached for her. He comforted her, saying, "Yufang, don't worry. I'm coming right now..."

He quickly hung up, grabbed a stack of cash, fired up his motorcycle, and sped toward the He family home in Zhang Village. As soon as he arrived and got off his bike, the girl rushed into his arms, her face streaked with tears. Grandma sat beside the big stove, weeping as well. Her uncle and aunt stood nearby, their mouths running angrily, gesturing and cursing.

He Zhixing patted the girl's shoulder. "It's all right, I'm here now. You can rest easy. With me here, they won’t dare bully you."

Yufang finally stopped crying and let go of his embrace. Zhixing took her by the hand and approached her uncle and aunt. "Uncle He, is it? Yufang has told me everything about the old house you want. I hope we can sit down and discuss this calmly."

He drew Yufang into the living room. Her aunt started to scold, "Who are you—" but her uncle quickly silenced her, "Enough!"

They all sat in the living room. Yufang, her eyes red from crying, brewed tea. Zhixing drank a cup with her uncle and aunt, then got straight to the point, "Let's talk. What's going on here?"

Yufang and her relatives explained the situation: her uncle wanted the old house left by her father. Now the family had turned into enemies over the fight for property. Her uncle’s reasoning was that his children were growing up and had nowhere to live, and since his late brother and sister-in-law left an old house, he wanted to claim it for himself. He also coveted a plot of land with good feng shui that her brother had left behind.

Human nature, driven by selfishness and greed, truly knows no bounds.

Zhixing asked Yufang to bring out her father’s property deed. He examined it carefully; the document clearly stated that the house belonged to her father, and the right of inheritance rested with his children.

Zhixing had an idea. "Uncle, I’ve seen the deed from Yufang’s father. This house cannot be given to you. If you insist, I’ll take legal action, and if things escalate, it won’t be good for anyone. Surely you don’t want to be the subject of gossip in the village, do you?"

"How about this—here is ten thousand yuan, which I offer as a betrothal gift to Yufang. I intend to marry her, so consider this an advance. Yufang will finish her college studies, then we’ll wed. This money is meant as a bride price for you. Normally, it would go to Grandma, but as you are the head of the family, I’m giving it to you."

"As for Grandma, as long as we’re here, we won’t let her go hungry. I understand your fight over the property stems from hardship and the fact there are many children in the family, so you’re thinking ahead."

"So, in the future, when you build or renovate a house, I’ll help you add a story or two—within my means. Is that acceptable?"

He took paper and pen, drafted an agreement to support their house construction, specifying a limit of one hundred thousand yuan, and signed it with his fingerprint.

Her uncle and aunt finally quieted down, took the money, and went home happily.

After they left, Yufang threw herself into Zhixing’s arms, crying, "Thank you..."

Grandma looked at the two embracing with relief, then went outside to continue her chores. "Good children..."

Yufang released him after a while. "All right, Grandma is watching."

Zhixing gazed at her with gentle affection, tapped her delicate nose, kissed her cheek. She rolled her eyes at him, broke into a smile through her tears, and the world felt fresh and new once more.