"Yes, I saw her bring lunch to work before, and it was actually rice! How can she eat so well?" another woman also said in confusion.
"I think she's doing better than before her father died..."
"Do you think her father left her something good?"
"What good stuff could Old Man Gu have left behind? If he really had something, why didn't he take it out when he was injured, but just waited to die at home?" another person retorted.
"That's true... How on earth did Gu Shichu have the ability to eat rice? Did she do something she shouldn't have done?"
"What nonsense are you talking about! I saw her carrying two pheasants back from the mountain once before. She must have gone hunting because she was extremely hungry."
"She's just a little girl, and she dares to go hunting in the mountains? She's really not afraid of death. Her father fell to his death while going up the mountain..."
"What's there to be afraid of when you're desperate? I'm almost starving to death. It's better to go up the mountain and try my luck than to wait for death at home, right?"
…
"Oh, right? Has she not mentioned anyone yet?" Aunt Wang asked. "She is so capable now, there should be many people who would like her."
Aunt Zhou said, "Isn't it said that she is a star of misfortune, and will bring bad luck to her parents? Who would dare to marry her if he is not afraid of death?"
"Shut up! What do you mean by unlucky star? Do you want to be arrested for your feudal superstition?" Aunt Wang glared at her and cursed.
Aunt Zhou was also startled. She slapped her mouth and said hurriedly, "Pooh! I was wrong." Then she muttered, "But others may not say it, but they think so in their hearts."
Aunt Liu nodded in agreement: "That's right, she's the only one left in her family, so it's unlucky."
"What's lucky or unlucky? She can work, and marrying her will give us an extra strong laborer. Do you think anyone will propose to Gu Shichu?" Aunt Wang retorted unconvinced. Compared to those imaginary unlucky stars, Gu Shichu is diligent and capable, and can actually earn enough food. Those families who are hungry will definitely set their eyes on her.
Just as Aunt Wang had expected, ever since Gu Shichu had "worked hard to improve herself" and was able to earn ten work points like any other man, more and more people began to inquire about her marriage.
“… Miss Gu, you should think about it carefully. Although that family has more sons, they also have many capable people. After you marry them, you will immediately have a lot of support and will not be alone anymore. With a man to support you, you will also have children in the future, and you will have a big and lively family. How great!” Aunt Li San, the matchmaker from the neighboring village, strongly recommended it and wanted to make the marriage happen right away.
Gu Shichu was so annoyed by these people who came to propose marriage that she wanted to put up a sign at the door saying "Matchmakers and dogs are not allowed in". Now she was very impatient and said:
"Aunt Li, isn't this marriage you introduced a trap for me? There are many people who can work, but they eat more. In a large family, there are many people and quarrels, and they quarrel over trivial matters all day long. I don't want all this noise, I like quietness. You don't need to say more, I won't agree."
Aunt Li refused to give up and continued to persuade him: "Don't have a large family. That family is simple and has an only child. Do you want one?"
"No, no! I'll be honest, Aunt Li. I don't like ordinary people. If I get married, I have to marry the best. It's impossible that I can eat rice now but can only eat bran and vegetables after getting married? Is this getting married or helping the poor? Right?" Gu Shichu changed his mind and decided to fight poison with poison.
"You, you're right. People get married to live a good life." Aunt Li agreed, "What kind of family do you mean by the best family? One that can eat rice?"
Gu Shichu nodded and continued, "Yes, we need to have white rice every day, meat every three days, and clothes without patches. The betrothal gift must be 500 yuan, and three turns and one ring are not less. The watch, sewing machine, bicycle and radio must be brand new, not second-hand. The house must have at least three bedrooms and a living room. Of course, it is best to live separately from the elderly, but the elderly must subsidize us...
The man must be handsome, not too dark, at least 1.8 meters tall, and no older than 25 years old. If he is a worker, the monthly salary must be at least 20 yuan; if he is a farmer, he must be a strong laborer who can earn 10 centimeters a day... "
When Aunt Li heard these conditions, her jaw dropped in shock. She stammered, "Are these conditions you proposed true?"
"Of course, is this true? I marry someone to live a good life, not to pay for someone else's services and live a hard life with him. These conditions are already the lightest. If you can't even meet these conditions, how can you be worthy of me?" Gu Shichu said righteously, holding his chin up and looking at Aunt Li with pride.
"With such conditions, he can marry a fairy! Why would he marry you?" Aunt Li's face turned red and she stared at Gu Shichu with wide eyes, as if she had never expected that she was such an ignorant and shameless person.
"I am a fairy!" Gu Shichu said shamelessly, "I am young, beautiful, smart and capable. Marrying a wife like me can ensure that three generations of his descendants will prosper!"
Aunt Li's eyes almost fell to the ground. She looked at Gu Shichu as if he were a monster: "How can you really say such a thing? Are you crazy for wanting to marry someone higher than you?"
Gu Shichu snorted and said, "How can you say that I'm marrying above my station? That's all I ask of you. If you can't meet it, then you don't have to say anything, Aunt Li."
Aunt Li didn't know what to say at this time. She began to look at Gu Shichu seriously, wondering if she really had a mental problem, otherwise why would she put forward such marriage conditions
Gu Shichu was feeling complacent in her heart. It was no wonder that she had seen so many weird blind date posts on the Internet when she traveled to the modern era. She could just change the conditions and use them for herself. She didn't believe that she couldn't successfully scare away the matchmaker and the man!
It turns out that you have to fight poison with poison. Offense is the best defense. Only by turning herself into a top-notch person can she scare off those who come to propose marriage. She has put forward such conditions, let's see who dares to covet her!
In order to have some peace and quiet, Gu Shichu had no choice but to defile herself. Fortunately, she didn't care about reputation, and not being able to get married was exactly what she wanted.
Before long, the news of Gu Shichu's excellent blind date conditions spread throughout Zhoujia Village. Every day when she went out to work, someone would come to ask her if she really wanted a betrothal gift of 500 yuan and three turns and one ring before she would get married.
Gu Shichu agreed to everything and added other conditions to them, saying that if any of them were not met, it would not work.
So everyone else thought she was really crazy, and used these conditions to mock her, saying that she was thick-skinned and had high standards, and that she was a toad wanting to eat swan meat...
Gu Shichu didn't care about their sarcasm at all. She ate well and slept soundly as usual. Nothing happened to her. As expected, those who wanted to propose marriage disappeared, leaving her with peace.