Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

Qin Changlin waved his hand: "Alright, alright, have Zongbao come to my house tomorrow, and I'll talk to him. Your whole family has already said so much on his behalf, so I have nothing more to say."

I've seen it too, that girl Xiao Cui, she's got her heart set on this boy. If I forcefully stop her, I'll just look like the bad guy.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lei slapped his thigh with delight: "Alright! Uncle Changlin, I'm relieved to hear that! I'll have Zongbao come to see you first thing tomorrow morning!"

Qin Changlin stood up, tucked his pipe into his waistband, and walked out with a smile.

"Alright, alright, let's leave it at that. I'm going back now. You and your family should get some rest too."

After seeing Qin Changlin off, Zhao Lei and his family returned to the main room.

Qin Yuchan let out a long sigh: "Sigh! My palms were sweating when my cousin was keeping a straight face and not saying a word."

Jiang Xinyue also laughed and said, "You scared me. I thought he disagreed."

Su Wanqing smiled lightly, "Uncle Changlin just loves to tease people."

Zhao Lei picked up his teacup, took a sip, and hurriedly walked out.

"Without further ado, I'll tell Zongbao the good news right now. I bet that kid will jump for joy!"

When Zhao Lei went outside, he saw Qin Bowen still chatting with Wang Zongbao in the yard.

"Brother-in-law, why are you going out so late?"

"Go to Zongbao's house, I have good news."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zongbao immediately stood up: "Brother Lei, what's the good news?"

Zhao Lei walked over and patted him on the shoulder: "Let's talk as we walk. I'm going to your house, I'll tell you on the way."

Qin Bowen shouted from behind, "Brother-in-law, I'm going too!"

"What are you doing? Go home and rest."

"What's with the mystery? Honestly!"

"Children shouldn't meddle in adult matters!"

"No, brother-in-law... I'll be eighteen next month..."

Seeing Zhao Lei leave with Wang Zongbao, Qin Bowen could only purse his lips and mutter to himself as he went home.

On the road.

As they walked, Zhao Lei told Wang Zongbao what he had just confessed to Qin Changlin.

After hearing Zhao Lei say that Qin Changlin had relented, Wang Zongbao was initially bewildered.

Zhao Lei shone a flashlight on his face: "What's wrong? Are you so happy you've gone crazy?"

Wang Zongbao suddenly snapped out of his daze: "Brother Lei! Are you serious? Uncle Changlin really wants me to go to his house tomorrow?"

"Would I lie to you? My whole family talked to him for ages tonight, and we finally convinced him. He wants you to go to his house in person tomorrow, so you'd better prepare well and not go empty-handed."

Wang Zongbao was so excited that he stood up on his bicycle.

"Brother Lei! I...I...I don't even know what to say!"

Zhao Lei chuckled at his expression: "Don't say anything. Just get everything ready by tomorrow, be sweet-talking, and don't be afraid of trouble when you get to their house. Uncle Changlin is easy to talk to, but you have to show some sincerity."

The two of them talked until they arrived at the entrance of the Wang family's courtyard.

Wang Zongbao pushed open the fence gate, and found that the kerosene lamps in the main room were already lit by electricity.

Wang Shouguo sat on the threshold rolling a pipe, while Wang Sangong sat beside him fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan.

Upon seeing Zhao Lei arrive, Wang Shouguo quickly stood up and greeted him, "Leizi's here? Come in and sit down, please."

"Uncle Wang, Third Master, it's so late and you're still sitting in the courtyard." Zhao Lei greeted them politely.

Wang Sangong, fanning himself with a palm leaf fan, chuckled and said, "It's so hot inside, it's stuffy. It's cool outside. Leizi, have you eaten yet? If not, have Zongbao's mother cook you a bowl of noodles."

"I've already eaten."

Zhao Lei waved his hand and turned to look at Wang Zongbao.

Wang Zongbao was still standing there grinning like he was dreaming.

Seeing this, Wang Shouguo scolded, "Zongbao, what's wrong with you? Why are you standing there like an idiot when your brother Lei comes over? Hurry up and make some tea!"

Wang Zongbao then came to his senses and rushed over: "Dad! Grandpa! Brother Lei just told me that Uncle Changlin agreed to let me go to his house!"

Wang Shouguo didn't react for a moment: "What? Whose house are you going to? What are you going to do there?"

Wang Zongbao stamped his feet in frustration: "What else can we do? Go find Xiao Cui and propose marriage! Uncle Changlin told me to go to her house in person tomorrow!"

The cigarette in Wang Shouguo's hand fell to the ground with a thud. He paused for two seconds before picking it up. "Really? Changlin really agreed?"

Zhao Lei nodded with a smile, "Uncle Wang, it's true. Tonight I kept Uncle Changlin behind and talked to him about it. He immediately agreed and told Zongbao to go to his house to find him tomorrow."

Wang Shouguo slapped his thigh excitedly and turned to his father, "Dad! Did you hear that? Zongbao's deal is done!"

Although Wang Sangong was old, his hearing was still sharp, and he had heard it clearly long ago.

The old man put down his palm-leaf fan and stood up.

He walked up to Zhao Lei and grabbed his hands, saying, "Lei Zi, I'm so grateful to you for this. I know you must have put in a lot of effort."

"Third Master, please don't say that. Zongbao and Xiaocui are in love with each other. I was just a messenger."

"Lei Zi, the Third Master's family thanks you so much! Not only did you help my grandson earn money, but you also won over his father-in-law. I... I'll remember it all!"

"Oh, Third Master, you're being a bit harsh. Zongbao is my little brother, and it's only right for me, as his older brother, to do this."

The two then exchanged pleasantries for a while.

The Wang family was incredibly hospitable, and quickly led Zhao Lei into the main room.

Wang Cuilan had heard Zhao Lei's voice long ago, but she hid in the side room and dared not show herself.

Because of her handkerchief last time, Zhao Lei's three ex-wives misunderstood each other, so to avoid suspicion, she could only secretly watch Zhao Lei from afar.

Zhao Lei reminded Wang Zongbao again.

"Zongbao, there's something I need to tell you upfront: when you go to Uncle Changlin's house tomorrow, you must be very proper with your luggage. You can't go empty-handed."

Wang Sangong nodded repeatedly: "Of course! Tomorrow morning I'll have Zongbao's mother slaughter the old hen at home, and bring two bottles of wine and a few pounds of eggs. We won't skimp on any of the proper etiquette!"

Wang Shouguo chimed in, "Yes, yes, we should also check if we have any good tea at home, rummage through the cupboards and find some to take with us."

Wang Sangong then looked at Zhao Lei: "Leizi, you are a benefactor to our family. The money for the matchmaking and the thank-you gift will all be given to you by the Wang family after the matter is settled. Also, when we hold the banquet, you and your wives must sit at the head table."

Zhao Lei quickly waved his hand: "Third Master, you're going too far. Zongbao is my brother. Why would I need to pay for running errands to help him with this little thing? Besides, I only passed on a few words to Uncle Changlin. It didn't take much effort."

Wang Sangong's face hardened: "That's not how it works! A matchmaker is a matchmaker, and in our rural areas, marriages are all about following the rules. You can forgo the errand fee, but you can't refuse the thank-you drink!"

Zhao Lei smiled and nodded: "Sure, sure, whatever you say, Third Master."

Wang Zongbao, standing to the side, was already rubbing his hands excitedly: "Brother Lei, what time should I go over tomorrow morning?"