Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space

"That won't do. Coming to visit my good sister's house, I can't come empty-handed."

Saying this, she ignored Granny Sun, glanced around the main room, and directly placed the items from her basket into a bin.

She didn't take much of the vegetables, since every household had their own by now and didn't lack these. Eggs, however, were not something every family had chickens producing, which made them somewhat scarce, so she brought quite a few—thirty in total.

After her buddy said that, Granny Sun thought for a bit and decided not to be overly polite. But seeing so many eggs, she couldn't help herself.

"Why did you bring so many eggs? It looks like you're not planning to economize," she said, attempting to return the eggs to the basket, but Granny Hua stopped her.

"Don't worry, you know me. We've got more at home. Your chickens haven't grown up yet, so just take them."

"But this is too many, how can I accept them?" Although her household did lack eggs, thinking of her children, Granny Sun didn't insist further.

"What's there to feel embarrassed about? Besides, we came today actually with a favor to ask of you."

A knowing glint flickered in Granny Sun's eyes; she had anticipated this since their arrival.

"Have a seat and drink some tea. Is it about Yun Ao and Yun Xiang's marriages?"

"That's exactly it. Before, we thought the children still needed to focus on their studies and wait until they became Scholars before doing anything. But who knew Heaven would unexpectedly unleash one disaster after another. Seeing their ages increasing, I realized we can't delay any longer..."

"That's true. Our eldest grandson is a few months younger than Yun Ao, yet he's already several years old. Yun Ao's wedding definitely should be on the agenda," Granny Sun nodded in agreement.

While Granny Hua's two grandsons were indeed enviable for their academic achievements, Granny Sun felt no envy in this regard; after all, she enjoyed the fortune of having four generations under one roof and was considered one of the luckiest in the village.

Granny Sun: "Sister, do you have anyone in mind? Tell me so I can give you some advice."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged a glance and then burst into laughter. Granny Hua spoke up, "Indeed, we need your advice..."

Then she listed several girls they fancied, wanting to hear Granny Sun's opinion. Matchmakers needed to be well-informed, especially regarding the unmarred girls in the village, and Granny Sun, who loved to chat about everyone's affairs, practically knew everything.

"These girls—Aunt Liu, your eye is sharp, indeed. You haven't missed a single good girl in the village. They all have their merits, beautiful and capable. However, I also have a few in mind. You might want to consider them, too."

"Oh? Whose girls are they?" Granny Hua's eyes lit up as she looked at Granny Sun.

"The Liu family's little girl, very pretty, just turned fifteen this year, only three or four months older than your Jin'er. She's skilled at both home chores and outside work and is a sensible girl, though a bit shy."

"Then there's Zhao Wu's sister; she's got good features, a bit of a heroic spirit, and quite strong. She's reliable for any task you need done. Although she's a bit feisty, she's well-mannered and knows etiquette. Plus, this girl's got broad hips, sure to promise good childbearing in the future."

Perhaps concerned about how such talk might affect the girl's reputation if it got out, Granny Sun spoke this last part in a much lower voice, but her implication was clear.

"Really?" Granny Hua was actually a little tempted.

A good person with broad hips indeed added points.

"Of course. Do you still doubt me? And Old Huo's eldest granddaughter has also reached marriageable age. Though not a stunning beauty, she's gentle and sensible, and she even studied a bit with your Jin'er for several months. She's also a fine girl. Moreover..."

Granny Sun continued to talk non-stop. Granny Hua didn't even realize so many eligible girls were in the village.

It was already tough to decide; now it became even harder. They felt each option had its merits.

With so many good girls, it was a dilemma. They finally decided to discreetly meet them. If satisfied, they would ask Granny Sun to drop hints, and then let the grandsons meet them. Ultimately, the choice would be left to the young men themselves: they could choose whom they fancied.

This required Granny Sun's help. With her presence, they had the perfect excuse to invite the girls into the Sun family for observation by the mother and daughter-in-law hiding nearby.

This was the plan they discussed with Granny Sun.

In the village, secretly observing was impractical, primarily because the mother and daughter-in-law were too conspicuous. As soon as they stepped out, people would guess the reason and suspect something, which Granny Sun immediately dismissed.

If discovered, it might not reflect well on the girls and could lead to gossip, so they decided to follow Granny Sun's plan and sneak a look at her house instead.

"Just wait for my news. Before the busy farming season, I'll definitely have you both meet the girls without affecting the possibility of getting married by year-end."

"That sounds great. We'll leave this to you, and later you'll receive a grand red envelope and a matchmaking gift as thanks."

Upon hearing this, Granny Sun could not help but beam, "Then I shall await it."

Such festive engagements were naturally something Granny Sun wouldn't decline.

After a few more pleasantries, Granny Hua, concerned about matters at home, left happily with her daughter-in-law.

Afterwards, Granny Sun reversed her earlier refusals and spread the word that those interested could come by the Sun household with their daughters for her to take a look.

Although people found it odd—wanting to see their daughters was understandable, but why at their home? But with the village chief's sons being rare catches as good sons-in-law, and Granny Sun's confirmation, everyone's excitement overshadowed any other concerns.

Soon, families who believed their daughters were suitable brought them to the Sun house for Granny Sun to evaluate. If Granny Sun nodded approval, their daughters' chances increased significantly; if she shook her head, no further thoughts were needed.

This way, over several days, the Sun family's doorstep nearly wore thin from all the foot traffic.

Not until the fourth day did things quiet down a bit. Whenever afternoon leisure time allowed, the Sun house was bustling with visitors.

This meant Granny Hua and Qi had to sneak over early every day. Even the family dinners were mainly left to Hua Jin, who cooked up a feast, much to the men's delight.

Hua Jin also retrieved many stored delicacies—signature dishes from a city tavern—like braised beef, which Old Hua couldn't get enough of.

With a couple of vegetable stir-fries, some porridge, and the steamed buns and dumplings from storage completing the meal, Hua Jin didn't find this difficult at all.

Every time the mother-in-law and daughter returned and saw the prepared meals, they would shower her with praise without constraint, cherishing her to the utmost—almost wanting to cradle her like their baby and sleep with her again like when she was little.

This is why daughters are wonderful; look at the men in the family. Though effortless in many tasks, cooking really showed their helplessness.

Thanks to Hua Jin, the two women saved a lot of worry and could wholeheartedly focus on the future granddaughters-in-law and daughters-in-law.