To speak of this matter in detail requires a sense of ceremony.

Mrs. Xiao catered to Wen Ran’s preferences by arranging a small table for her.

Not too big, not too small, just enough to place four square dishes.

Sunflower seeds, peanuts, dried longan, orange candies, and in the middle, a glass of clear water.

With the small stool placed, Wen Ran took a handful of sunflower seeds, "Come on, show off what you’ve got."

In truth, Xiao Chenye never intended to deal with Zhou Wei so ruthlessly from the start.

But when he sneaked over to the Zhou Family to gather intel in the middle of the night.

Zhou Wei was still grandstanding, scheming to find another way to get Xiao Chenye.

"Since gentle persuasion doesn’t work, I’ll have to use some tactics."

"Huh?"

Mrs. Zhou looked puzzled, "What tactics? Didn’t we already use all those tricks?"

"Ha," Zhou Wei scoffed, "What tactics are those? I just want to use some gentler ones.

Anyway, I must have this person, no matter what."

"Hmm?" Mr. Zhou was puzzled, "What do you plan to do then?"

"If Xiao Chenye can’t forget about that woman, then I’ll ruin her. I don’t believe that such a proud person like Xiao Chenye will accept damaged goods."

At this point, Xiao Chenye’s fists were clenched so tightly they were about to break.

He thought his tactics were cruel.

Thinking back now, they seemed somewhat inadequate.

Mrs. Zhou was curious, "So what’s your plan?"

"It’s simple, just find someone to ruin her innocence."

Zhou Wei adopted a cruel smile, "But giving such a person to another is also a waste.

Isn’t my brother still without a match? I’ll let him handle this. Then I’ll marry Xiao Chenye, and he can marry Wen Ran.

How perfect, everyone wins.

Besides, she looks nice and can work. If you marry her, make sure to keep a close watch so they don’t rekindle old feelings."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Even if you hand Wen Ran to me, if Xiao Chenye still refuses to be with you, what will you do?"

The sentence almost drove Zhou Wei mad.

"My business is none of your concern."

Xiao Chenye appeared silently and left again silently.

This matter couldn’t be tolerated.

Zhou Wei was a nice-looking person, but her temperament was like a snake.

If she’s not dealt with properly, she might hatch more sinister plans.

The old brother from the Zhou Family was just a decent-looking human, doing no real work. Comparing him with the Zhou Family’s brother, Xiao Chenye picked an equally venomous match for Zhou Wei.

Afterward, the trap was set simply.

Getting her to fall for it was incredibly easy.

Using Xiao Chenye as the bait, Zhou Wei happily accepted and filled her head with thoughts.

She joyfully went to the rendezvous, only to meet not Xiao Chenye, but the short and ugly boiler man, Wang.

She thought of resisting, but her weakness was firmly grasped by boiler man Wang.

Two paths lay before her.

One, submit to boiler man Wang and live days not rich, but at least worry-free.

Two, publicize the matter, and both she and boiler man Wang would become pariahs, shunned by everyone.

Even...

Upon hearing Xiao Chenye’s words, Wen Ran asked with finality, "How do you know about Zhou Wei’s dirty secrets?"

Xiao Chenye quickly raised his hand, swearing to heaven, "Great heavens, I am innocent, truly!

Didn’t they plan to sabotage our marriage before?

At that time, I was already displeased, so I asked some friends to investigate the Zhou Family’s background and gradually uncovered some oddities."

If you catch a thread, unraveling it becomes much easier.

Tracing the clues, Xiao Chenye not only discovered Zhou Wei’s past misdeeds but also unearthed the unscrupulous deeds of Matchmaker Zhou.

"Oh?"

Wen Ran showed more interest, "Are you saying Matchmaker Zhou is no good either?"

Xiao Chenye sneered, "These two are truly cut from the same cloth.

Zhou Wei, for her selfish desires, doesn’t hesitate to scheme and harm others. Matchmaker Zhou’s face is even uglier, shamelessly lying for some matchmaker fees.

She’s swindled countless marriages."

Oh my~

Hearing this, Wen Ran became instantly intrigued.

"How did she swindle them?"

Matchmaker Zhou’s income sources, on the surface, consisted of two.

First, families interested in matchmaking would visit Matchmaker Zhou, give her a shout, and casually bring something, be it five eggs or a pound of peanuts.

Second, once the match was successful, they’d pay the matchmaker fee, fifty cents, a dollar, two dollars, even.

If it was a generous family eager to show their satisfaction with a daughter-in-law, they might even pay five dollars.

The third was more shady.

Scamming for marriage.

They’d package their family perfectly.

Complete with wardrobes, large cupboards, even tables and chairs, all fully furnished.

The money presented was sufficiently impressive.

Before marriage, the father-in-law was silent yet diligent.

The mother-in-law was kind, considering everything for you.

Promising that if you marry their eldest, you’d enjoy endless fortune.

Girls, lured by such circumstances, would impulsively agree.

Then disaster begins.

Within three days of marriage, the in-laws would suggest visiting relatives.

Once gone, they’d disappear without a trace.

After three to five years, when the woman returns, she’d have aged a decade.

Standing with two older kids, carrying a little one on her back.

Holding an infant in her arms.

These children are all blood relatives, yet don’t share the same father...

Matchmaker Zhou has orchestrated numerous such deals, but in most cases, both the girls and their families chose to stay silent.

What else could they do?

The events have occurred.

So many children have been borne, to cause a stir would shame the family in the brigade. The woman would be lost about where to go.

Mostly, they hug each other, cry hard, then accept their fate.

Most don’t even dare publicize it.

As for why...

Matchmaker Zhou, having lived in the brigade for so long, only dared target families she had screened ahead of time.

Families with many brothers, were out.

Many in-laws, out.

If parents were simpletons, out.

She targeted those whose smiles met her halfway, speaking softly.

She counted on them not to cause trouble even if such events befell them, they would self-soothe and accept it.

If one day it’s brought up, it doesn’t matter, Matchmaker Zhou would push the matter away, shedding tears, and she would still be the friendly matchmaker everyone knows.