The mother and daughter saw Madam Zhao off, and then returned to the guest room to continue their conversation. The mother said emotionally, "Lan'er, tell me, is there any hope between Wen Kai and that Zhao Qian?"
Chen Lan thought for a moment and comforted her, "Mother, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. We mothers have done what we can. If he can't manage it himself, is too shy to speak, and can't bring himself to pursue the girl, there's nothing we can do by worrying here."
The mother sighed and said, "Lan'er, why don't you take some time to go to the school and quietly find Zhao Qian to subtly test her feelings for your brother?"
Chen Lan nodded and replied, "Alright! Mother, they don't have classes this afternoon, so I'll go over shortly. You should also take some time to ask your sons about their thoughts. What if they don't have that intention? Wouldn't we mothers have been busy for nothing?"
The mother hesitated before speaking, "Lan'er, whenever I ask your two younger sons about this, they always brush me off. Why don't you help mother gauge your two brothers' intentions? Help mother ask them if they like any girls and what they are thinking themselves?"
Despite her reluctance to play matchmaker, Chen Lan had to agree to her mother's request. After all, it was about the marriage of her full brothers. As their older sister, who else would take care of it? Could she really watch her mother fret and worry?
So she nodded and agreed, "I understand! Mother, this can't be rushed. You should have some tea first, and let me tell you, things like this can't be rushed. It has to be done slowly. After we finish dinner in the large kitchen, I'll talk to the brothers as soon as they return."
Hearing Chen Lan's words, the mother finally felt at ease. She took a sip of the linden honey tea gracefully and said with a smile, "Lan'er, with your words, mother is reassured!"
That evening, the conversation between the three siblings in the small study went very smoothly. The brothers were very honest with Chen Lan's questions. Wen Kai frankly replied that he did have some good feelings towards Zhao Qian. After all, they were both studying medicine and had common topics to discuss, but it hadn't reached the point of wanting to get married yet.
As for the second son, Wen Qi, he was clearly stunned when his elder sister brought up the topic. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Eldest sister, to be honest, Qi Yujie and I often go to find Song Wan and Chen Shumin mainly because they both come from big cities. We want to know about the current situation outside and have never thought about what you mentioned."
Upon hearing Wen Qi's words, Chen Lan thought to herself, 'Got it, this child hasn't woken up yet!' He clearly likes the girl but doesn't even realize it himself.
So she smiled and said, "Wen Qi, then think carefully now. Which of Song Wan and Chen Shumin do you have more favorable feelings towards?"
Wen Qi obediently lowered his head and thought for a long time, frowning at times and shaking his head at others. Seeing his reaction, Chen Lan knew her guess was correct; he still hadn't woken up! She suspected he was completely oblivious.
So she began to comfort him, "Alright! Wen Qi, don't overthink it here. I guess you won't be able to figure it out anytime soon. Why don't you do this? Next time you interact with them, pay more attention to your thoughts at that moment, and you'll know your subconscious thoughts."
Wen Qi nodded blankly with a frown. Chen Lan felt like laughing. The usually carefree Wen Qi should have something on his mind now!
Chen Lan worried that her mother would lose sleep over this matter. So before going to bed that night, Chen Lan went to her mother's room. Her mother slept in the room to the left of her own bedroom. When Chen Lan pushed the door open, she saw that her mother was indeed still awake, waiting for her news.
Chen Lan carefully reported the results of her inquiries and her analysis of Wen Qi's state to her mother. Her mother listened and then chuckled, scolding, "Wen Qi, this child is so thoughtless. He has no plans in his heart at all, spending all day reading medical books. I think he's almost become a bookworm, not even knowing whether he likes a girl or not. Fortunately, his brother Wen Kai is not like him, or it would be enough to drive people mad."
Chen Lan comforted her mother for a while, telling her to relax, and finally helped her mother to sleep before returning to her own room.
The triplet siblings had all grown up and had long since moved into separate rooms from Chen Lan. Jiahui and Jiajun, the two younger brothers, slept together in their own small room to the right of Chen Lan's room. Now, only the tenth sister slept with Chen Lan.
Chen Lan tiptoed into the room and found that the tenth sister was already fast asleep, snoring softly! Chen Lan quickly went to the washroom for a quick wash, then came to the bedside, picked up the bruise-reducing and swelling-reducing ointment, and gently applied it to the tenth sister's slightly swollen and red hands.
As Chen Lan applied the ointment to all ten of the tenth sister's fingers, she sighed with heartache. Although this tenth sister was the youngest and most doted upon in the family, she had always been the most worry-free child since she was little. Even her mother often praised her for being as well-behaved as a little angel who had accidentally fallen to earth.
Despite her small stature, she was very persistent and determined in whatever she did. Originally, Chen Lan had asked her to wear finger cots while playing the guzheng to prevent her fingers from getting injured, but she said that wearing finger cots reduced the tactile sensation and affected the accuracy of the notes. Chen Lan was very helpless about this and could only silently support the child's decision.
Time flew by rapidly. Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Everyone in the valley was actively preparing for the harvest celebration performance after the autumn harvest. At the same time, the romantic atmosphere among the young men and women in the valley was growing stronger. It was as if the air in the valley was filled with pink bubbles.
According to the matchmakers, several older youths had confirmed their romantic relationships. Chen Lan knew that Wen Kai and Zhao Qian had confirmed their relationship, Wen Qi had also confirmed his true love was Song Wan, and Qi Yujie and Chen Shumin had also confirmed their relationship. The valley was filled with a thriving and beautiful scene.
One afternoon, after everyone had just woken up from their nap, Er Zhuang suddenly arrived back at the valley in a dusty haste. He hadn't even gone home first but came directly to Chen Lan's house. Everyone was startled by his disheveled appearance and rushed forward to ask Er Zhuang why he had returned home at this time.
Seeing Er Zhuang's disheveled state, Chen Lan had a vague feeling that something might have happened to Xu Mingxuan in Jiamusi.
So, before Er Zhuang could speak, she immediately said, "Er Zhuang, you've traveled such a long mountain road, you must be tired and hungry! Jia He, take your uncle to wash up properly and change into clean clothes first. Chun Ni, go with mother to the kitchen to make something for your uncle to eat."