Fourteen: The heroine is about to arrive.

Yesterday, there was such a commotion, and now today they’ve come to propose! In order to maintain her image as an eager suitor, Su Wan absolutely couldn’t refuse, but if she simply accepted the betrothal gifts, wouldn’t her task be complete? A chill ran down Su Wan’s back, and she hurriedly asked the system, “If I become an idiot, will I still have my own consciousness?”

[After becoming foolish, the host will retain perfect clarity of mind.]

That was a bolt from the blue—Su Wan was nearly scared out of her wits.

She stepped forward. “Uncle, where is Wang Luo?”

“Why didn’t Wang Luo come to propose himself?”

Wang Luo’s father smiled awkwardly. “Wang Luo is ill today, so he couldn’t be here.”

As he spoke, he gestured for Su Wan to look around. “See, all the members of our Wang family are present. Isn’t that sincerity enough?”

Just then, Wang Luo’s mother also stepped forward, smiling as she gently took Su Wan’s hand in hers. “Little Wan, look—your uncle, aunt, and all the elders are here today. We’re here to formally ask you to be our daughter-in-law.”

“We specially had these bracelets made by a craftsman. They’re copper, which means you and Wang Luo will be bound together forever.”

As she spoke, Wang Luo’s mother tried to slip a bracelet onto Su Wan’s wrist.

Su Wan, frightened, quickly pulled her hand back. “But Wang Luo said he already likes someone. If we settle the marriage without him, won’t he be upset?”

Wang Luo’s mother reached out to grab Su Wan’s hand again, but Su Wan gave an awkward smile, retreating behind her grandfather.

“Auntie, I don’t want to make things difficult for Wang Luo. Let’s wait until he’s here to discuss this.”

Wang Luo’s mother’s face remained smiling, but inwardly, she was grinding her teeth to dust. If it hadn’t been for Wang Luo’s aunt’s persuasion last night, she would never have pursued this herself! Su Wan, this spineless girl, finally got her chance to marry into the Wang family, yet she shrank back, unable to agree.

But with such a temperament, she’d be easy to manage once she became their daughter-in-law.

“This matter is for his father and me to decide—it’s not his concern,” Wang Luo’s mother said, reaching again for Su Wan’s hand.

Su Wan quickly dodged in the other direction.

Just as the two were in a tug-of-war, Wang Luo suddenly burst in. He swept the betrothal gifts off the table with one motion. “I don’t agree!”

“I’d rather die than marry Su Wan!”

The box crashed to the ground, its contents spilling everywhere.

Su Wan glanced at it silently, noticing how meager the offerings were—two jin of sugar, ten eggs, and a couple of boxes that only contained some hickory nuts from their own trees. So little, yet packed into such large boxes—the Wang family clearly thought she was a fool.

Su Wan was furious, but kept a pitiful expression on her face.

Wang Luo’s mother was desperate now and gave Wang Luo a resounding slap. “You unfilial child! Are you trying to kill me with anger?”

Wang Luo’s face flushed with rage. “Why must you force me to marry someone I don’t like?”

“I don’t like that Wan Jun!” Wang Luo’s mother shouted back.

“You haven’t even met her! How do you know you don’t like her?” Wang Luo cried out in anguish. “I truly love her. If you still care for me, you should support me. She’s the one I want to spend my life with!”

Wang Luo’s mother’s face turned crimson. Her obedient son was defying her for the first time, and in front of so many people, she was utterly humiliated. All because of this Chen Wan Jun, who hadn't even arrived yet, and already she, the mother, was defeated. What would happen once the girl married in? The household would be turned upside down.

As for what her son had said, she hadn’t heard a word.

All the relatives and friends were watching. Overcome with shame and fury, her vision went black, and she fainted on the spot.

Wang Luo rushed to her side. “Mom! Mom! Wake up!”

Su Wan stood to one side, watching this melodrama, and suddenly everything became clear. No wonder the plot had always felt so strange! The book’s tone was melodramatic from the start.

It told the story of the heroine, Chen Wan Jun, who married a poor man against her parents’ wishes, then worked herself to the bone serving her parents-in-law, suffering endless grievances, yet remaining optimistic and selfless.

A chill gripped Su Wan’s heart. With such a plot, she was more than willing to remain a cannon-fodder side character. Let the male lead stay far away from her.

The hall dissolved into chaos. Old Master Su slammed the table in frustration. “Enough! If you want to make a scene, do it in your own house.”

Su Chen quickly gathered up their things—even scooping the broken eggs into a bowl and putting them back in the box.

Wang Luo’s father and their relatives, embarrassed, clutched the boxes and apologized to Old Master Su.

He kept a stern face and said not a word.

When the Wang family had finally left, Old Master Su let out a heavy sigh. Suddenly, he looked aged by ten years.

“Perhaps it’s best if this marriage is called off,” he said, turning to Su Wan with a pleading gaze. “Grandpa will find you someone good.”

Su Wan was overjoyed, but because of the system, she only dared to lower her head and remain silent.

The old man sighed again. “What Wang Luo said was true—marriage is a lifelong matter. I must find someone who can spend a lifetime with you before I’ll be at ease.”

The very words Wang Luo’s mother ignored were taken to heart by her grandfather.

Su Wan looked up in surprise at the usually imposing figure, now slightly stooped and white-haired, gazing at her with such tender affection.

She was stunned. She had always thought of these people as mere background characters from a novel, yet here was her grandfather, defying the script, thinking only of his granddaughter’s happiness.

She knelt and took his hand. “Grandpa, I’ll do whatever you say.”

The old man gently patted her head. “Good child. From now on, things will only get better.”

Tears streamed down Su Wan’s cheeks. Just as she raised her hand to wipe them away, a round head suddenly butted in, pushing her aside.

Su Chen, ever the rascal, rubbed his head against their grandfather’s palm. “Grandpa, I’ll listen to you in everything, too.”

That little rascal—always competing!

Su Wan, annoyed, pushed him back.

The old man couldn’t help but laugh, finally smacking Su Chen on the head. “Then go make breakfast! I want sweet potato porridge, make sure it’s nice and thick.”

Su Chen: “…”

“No way, Grandpa, how can you do this? Today it’s Su Wan’s turn to cook!”

Meanwhile, Wang Luo’s mother had been carried back to the Wang household.

By the time she woke, it was already noon. The whole family had gone to eat, and only Wang Luo remained at her bedside.

Her stomach growled, and as she sat up, her husband entered, holding a roasted sweet potato.

“Cui Juan, you’re finally awake. There’s so much work to do here!”

Cui Juan felt another surge of anger, but thankfully Wang Luo quickly brought her some tea.

She took a sip and felt a little better.

She looked at her son with relief, just as Wang Luo spoke first, “Mom, don’t be angry anymore. I’ll go into town later and bring Wan Jun back for you to meet.”