Eric Bolton could only blame himself for meddling—why did he have to enthusiastically teach them to dance in the square? They even found a Hu musician to play accompaniment, dancing with such excitement that they refused to stop even in the middle of the night, causing the neighbors all around to complain and blame him for stirring up trouble.

“All right, ladies, it’s actually very simple. Just take a few steps, move your arms and legs a bit, like this—three steps to the left, three steps to the right, coordinate your waist and legs, that’s all. Don’t dance too much, or you’ll strain your muscles and bones. Go to bed early at night—life is about stillness!”

But the group of old women wouldn’t let him off so easily, all talking at once, insisting he demonstrate a few more times.

Aunt Collins hadn’t brought him over just to teach square dancing. She pulled Eric Bolton out from the circle of old women and said to everyone, “I’ve already hired a master of the Hu Xuan dance. Tomorrow we’ll start learning it. I have something important to discuss with Samuel!”

“Hehe! Auntie’s business is important, go on! Go on! Samuel really is a good one.” The crowd all smiled mysteriously.

Aunt Collins dragged Eric Bolton toward the inner room. Eric Bolton already had a bad feeling. “Auntie, maybe I should come back tomorrow. I still have things to do!”

“It won’t take much of your time. Be good! Listen to Auntie.”

Eric Bolton was pulled into the main hall. The furnishings were simple and clean, with a full set of cabinets and four sitting couches. But in the middle, there was actually a curtain drawn. Through the light, he could vaguely make out two women sitting behind it.

“Samuel, have a seat! Don’t be nervous, just relax.”

Aunt Collins pressed Eric Bolton down onto the couch in front of the curtain, then grinned and said to the women behind it, “Didn’t I say so? He’s tall and strong, handsome too, and he’s a hard worker, very capable.”

Eric Bolton didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He’d already guessed what was going on—were they trying to force him to become a live-in son-in-law?

He tried to get up again, but Aunt Collins quickly held him down and whispered, “Samuel, do Auntie a favor. The girl is really nice—she took a liking to you at first sight.”

“So you’re the third son of the Wang family?” a slightly older woman behind the curtain asked slowly.

Eric Bolton had no choice—they were all neighbors, always running into each other, so he couldn’t just walk out.

“Yes,” he replied weakly.

“Oh—”

The middle-aged woman behind the curtain asked again, “The Wang family is well-off. I heard you have over a dozen qing of land in Chang’an. How much land is under your name? Do you have your own house?”

Eric Bolton felt a headache coming on. How is it that, from ancient times to now, mothers-in-law always care about the same things?

“The land belongs to my eldest and second brothers. I don’t have any share in the house either. Right now, I’m just living with my brothers. All my assets together only add up to ten strings of cash.”

There was silence behind the curtain. Aunt Collins grew anxious and quickly explained, “Samuel isn’t married yet, so he’s still living with his father. If he gets married, his father will definitely give him some property. Isn’t that right, Samuel?”

Eric Bolton felt that if he sat any longer, the next step would be straight to the bridal chamber. This wasn’t just about saving face anymore. He coughed dryly, “My father lives with my eldest brother, and the family property has already been divided. Originally, I was supposed to get a thousand strings of cash, but I spent it all recklessly, and now I only have ten left. Next, I’ll have to go begging.”

The middle-aged woman behind the curtain stood up angrily, grabbed the young woman beside her, and said, “Joan, we’re leaving!”

“Mother, I really like him.”

“Being good-looking is useless. If you marry him, our Kang family will have to pay out of pocket. Come with me!”

The middle-aged woman dragged the young woman out the back door. Aunt Collins sighed beside him, “Samuel, why did you say that? My niece really likes you.”

A young girl from a rice shop appeared in Eric Bolton’s mind. No wonder she always sat at the door watching him. But she looked too frail—he didn’t like that type.

Eric Bolton gave a wry smile. “Aunt Collins, I’m just a distant cousin of Brother Botang. My family is very poor, with only three thatched huts, and we get by renting other people’s land.”

“I see. Looks like I was too hasty. Sigh! My brother’s family is well-off, but actually, being poor isn’t a big deal. If you’re willing to marry in—”

“Aunt Collins, I still have things to do. Goodbye!”

Before she could react, Eric Bolton jumped up and dashed out. What a joke—she actually wanted him, Eric Bolton, to marry in as a son-in-law?

……

Time gradually moved into late December. The New Year was approaching, and every household was preparing for its arrival—cleaning the house, sweeping away a year’s filth, buying meat and pickled vegetables, getting offerings ready for rituals, and raising tall bamboo poles for blessings. The children were overjoyed at the prospect of new clothes and lucky money.

But for Eric Bolton, none of this seemed to matter. He was single, short on money, and had no energy to bother with these customs.

Still, he had changed a lot. His hair had grown long enough to barely wear a flat cap, and stiff stubble had sprouted on his upper lip and chin, making him look much more mature. Ever since the matchmaking incident a few days ago, he’d been afraid of running into Aunt Collins, so he left early and returned late every day.

That night, Eric Bolton sat cross-legged under the eaves, the cold silver moonlight shining down on him. Long and short icicles hung from the eaves, and the snow on the ground had frozen into icy shards. He wore only a thin cloth robe, yet felt no cold at all.