Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Visiting Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Visiting Fang Xiaoshan and the matchmaker, Aunt Wu, arrived at Liupan Village together, thirty li away from their place. It wasn’t too far, yet not very close either. Fang Xiaoshan’s face was full of dissatisfaction, mainly because he had never done any farm work at home. Being the only son in his family, his parents couldn’t bear to see him suffer.

Not to mention the mountain road was tough, and after walking such a long distance, he hoped that Bai Xiao would be as beautiful as the matchmaker had described. If not, he would have made a huge loss.

If it weren’t for the matchmaker’s extravagant praises, claiming Bai Xiao was unsurpassed by any under heaven, he wouldn’t have been willing to travel all this way, not to mention how high the bride price was.

Upon entering Bai Jianguo’s yard, Fang Xiaoshan was even more disdainful. His own family had already built a tiled house, as Fang Xiaoshan’s real father was the village party secretary, and his uncle ran a grocery store in the town. His uncle’s family had only three daughters and no sons; he was considered the precious seed of both families, and both grandparents also doted on him. His family catered to his every need. If he wanted, everything in his uncle’s home would be his, and thanks to being the only son, his family lived quite well.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have developed such a reckless character, proficient in eating, drinking, prostituting, and gambling – he was the spitting image of a prodigal son.

So to think that the Bai Family’s house would catch his eye was indeed strange.

However, if it weren’t for the fact that he was already over thirty without a wife, he wouldn’t have bothered to look for one in a distant village. Everyone in his own village had seen his chaotic behavior; mainly, when Fang Xiaoshan gambled, not even the King of Heaven could stop him. Everyone was aware of his “glorious deeds,” which was why no one was willing to marry their daughter to him – marrying him would be like jumping into a pit of fire.

No family would be happy to doom their daughter like that.

That’s why he was quickly approaching forty with no wife to speak of.

Bai Jianguo welcomed the visitor inside. Seeing that Fang Xiaoshan looked decent and was dressed like the child of a wealthy family, aside from being a bit older, he couldn’t spot anything wrong. He couldn’t help but wonder why his mother would matchmake for Bai Xiao – this wasn’t sending her to enjoy good fortune.

“Uncle, where is my would-be wife? Why won’t she come and meet me?” Fang Xiaoshan had come for this reason, of course, and didn’t want to waste time.

Bai Jianguo was surprised! He had never encountered someone so ignorant of proprieties! Who would demand to see the match immediately upon arrival?

The matchmaker, Aunt Wu, quickly spoke up, having put a lot of effort into making this marriage happen. No family was so generous to admit that, after successfully arranging a marriage, they would give two yuan as a thank-you fee.

If it wasn’t for the sake of this money, she wouldn’t have wanted to make the long trip here.

“Uncle, please call Bai Xiao out. They should meet each other if they are to be engaged, right? As the saying goes, even an ugly wife must meet her in-laws eventually. It’s a good opportunity for the two of them to see each other,” she said, as if it was the most natural thing to do.

Bai Jianguo did not reply but sighed, “Well…” he hesitated to continue.

Fang Xiaoshan was not pleased, what did this mean? Could it be that they didn’t deem him worthy?

“What’s the matter? If you’re reluctant to become in-laws, just say it. I’m not insisting on clinging to your daughter!”

Bai Jianguo shook his head, “No, no, it’s not like that. Forget it, if you want to meet her, then let’s meet. We can’t go back on our word!” He stood up and walked outside.

Fang Xiaoshan stood up unhappily, following him still.

The two of them exited the Bai Family’s main entrance, one after the other, and ran into Bai Mei, “Dad, who is this?”

Bai Mei saw a man following behind her father, dressed in a white shirt, black trousers, and lazy shoes. He was fair and clean-looking, quite handsome, except his eyes seemed flirtatious, restlessly staring at her, causing her to blush slightly.

Bai Jianguo waved his hand, “This is for Bai Xiao’s match-making; he wants to have a look at her!”

Seeing Fang Xiaoshan ogling his daughter with lustful eyes, his heart filled with displeasure. No wonder his own mother had arranged a match for Bai Xiao – this kind of lecher, unable to control himself at the sight of a woman, didn’t realize his own worth.

Indeed, such a man was not a good son-in-law candidate.

Bai Mei hurried into the house.

Fang Xiaoshan still turned his head to stare at Bai Mei’s retreating figure, smacking his lips.

Bai Jianguo’s face darkened, “Let’s go!”

Now, Fang Xiaoshan had entirely abandoned his earlier haughtiness and was fawning over Bai Jianguo with a smile.

“Uncle, the girl just now was your daughter, huh? She’s grown up quite a beauty! It must be time to discuss her marriage,” he said, apparently having taken a fancy to Bai Mei.

Bai Jianguo was so furious he could hardly let it out, Fang Xiaoshan nevertheless had his uses. He stammered to change the subject, “My daughter already has someone in mind, just waiting until she’s of age, then we can hold the wedding. There might be some problems with Bai Xiao though.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoshan said, “Problems are good!”

Bai Jianguo wanted to curse, was this man an idiot?

Just then, Bai Xiao was off to the village store to buy some things for her second sister Bai Ju; it was customary not to visit empty-handed. She had received two cans and two bags of milk powder from Instructor An which she intended to divide between her two sisters’ families, bringing a can and a bag for each. After so many years without meeting, Bai Xiao felt that these few items weren’t enough and wanted to add something like a couple of bags of rice noodles to her gift. She wondered if the village shop had any.

But as soon as she stepped out the door, before she even reached the village shop, she bumped into Bai Jianguo escorting the slick-looking Fang Xiaoshan.

The sight of Fang Xiaoshan left Bai Xiao somewhat dumbfounded; after all, in her past life, Fang Xiaoshan had not been short of causing her trouble.

Despite Fang Xiaoshan’s beastly appearance, he was nothing but a demon in human skin, apt to strike at the slightest displeasure. A light punishment would be a slap or a punch, while at worst he would beat someone with a stool until they couldn’t leave bed. Bai Xiao was often beaten so badly that the bruises and swelling never fully healed. Worse, Fang Xiaoshan’s disdain only grew when he saw her in such a state, particularly when he would come home demanding money and would brutally beat her if she dared claim to have none.

It seemed that in this life, Li Chunhua was still unwilling to let her go, bringing this beast to her door two years earlier nonetheless.

Bai Xiao wanted to laugh bitterly; indeed, enemies were destined to collide.

It looked as though she was fated to claim this blood debt from Fang Xiaoshan.

“Xiao, what are you up to?” Bai Jianguo was inwardly pleased, as if finding a pillow as he was about to doze off. He had been pondering over an excuse to find Bai Xiao, and now she had come to him of her own accord.

Fang Xiaoshan, upon hearing this form of address, immediately recognized that this girl before him was to be proposed as his wife.

He couldn’t help but size her up, his sleazy eyes roving over Bai Xiao’s chest and behind, a gaze that made one deeply uncomfortable.

Bai Xiao had no pleasant expression to offer, “I’m going to buy some things to visit my sister tomorrow!”

Bai Jianguo gritted his teeth in hatred; he was on the verge of laying bare the truth. Once Bai Yue and Bai Ju found out how their family had treated Bai Xiao, the idea that they would still send money home monthly was ludicrous.

Well then, if he was going to be ruthless, he couldn’t blame himself for being harsh.

He pulled Fang Xiaoshan aside and introduced him, “This is the marriage your parents arranged for you long ago, she came over for a visit.”

Fang Xiaoshan revealed a smile he thought suave and greeted Bai Xiao. Although Bai Xiao’s figure was less to his liking than that of the recently departed Bai Mei, her face was indeed pretty. He reckoned that in ten or eight villages around, he had not seen a girl prettier than Bai Xiao.

So, in his heart, he was quite satisfied.