Chapter 1357: Chapter 1358: The Little Widow of the Courtyard 85 Zhang Yu has truly been busy these days, with many people visiting to offer their congratulations and absorb some of the joyful atmosphere. Some came hoping to snag Zhao Lei’s study materials. To Zhang Yu, these behaviors seemed quite normal, but hearing that one of the visitors was a matchmaker left her stunned. “Who are you planning to match in my family?” Zhang Yu laughed. “Although Xiao Lei is about to enter college, he’s still too young.” Previously, people had various concerns, thinking Zhao Lei’s circumstances weren’t ideal. But now that she’s in college, she’s quite a catch. “Oh, I’m not here to match Zhao Lei.” The matchmaker wasn’t here for Zhao Lei, but she knew his academic performance, and understood Zhang Yu would never agree. “Of course, once Zhao Lei turns 20, you can definitely come to me for matchmaking.” The matchmaker also hoped to introduce a bride to Zhao Lei. Not here to introduce someone for Zhao Lei? Zhang Yu found it even more unbelievable. “You’re not, you’re not planning to introduce a man to me, are you?” Back when Zhao Jun first left, people did try to set her up, but she sent them all away. In the years that followed, things were quiet; no matchmakers visited to introduce her to anyone. Now that Zhao Lei has gotten into college, unbelievably, the matchmaker’s introducing an old partner. The matchmaker nodded, “Yes.” She stared at Zhang Yu for a long while, her skin really looked good, not revealing that her eldest son was already in college. It was true, Zhang Yu chuckled, “Why should I need to get married?” “I’m living a good life now, with a job, a house, and successful kids. My days are quite pleasant.” “Why should I remarry? Life without a man is really enjoyable and comfortable. Being the boss at home, isn’t that wonderful?” “But when your children grow up and you get older, you might feel lonely.” The matchmaker knew well how delightful Zhang Yu’s life was now. She had long known that initially, many laughed at Zhang Yu, thinking she couldn’t support her family and would eventually cry and fuss to find a man. But her days were truly not bad. Even if there were a husband as the family’s backbone, the matchmaker wouldn’t dare say life would definitely be better. “When I’m old, what’s there to be lonely about? At least I’m free.” Get full chapters from NoveIＦire.net “Finding an old partner, a man better than Little Lei’s dad is almost impossible.” “And any man interested in me.” Zhang Yu admitted she looked younger than her peers, but she really was an old lady. “Cannot be a man without burdens, he definitely has children.” “Likely waiting for me to lend a hand with assistance.” Zhang Yu smiled at the matchmaker, who was silently standing by. The matchmaker restrained her impulse to wipe her sweat. All the interested men had children, knowing Zhang Yu’s big house and her job, with opportunities to fish—essentially, they could count on her to assist occasionally. “Once the children grow up, they can be filial to you too.” The matchmaker awkwardly suggested. “When they’re grown, being filial to me?” Zhang Yu chuckled, “I wouldn’t dare dream they’d be kind to me, already as teenage step-children.” “I have my own son and daughter, there’s no worry I won’t be cared for in my old age.” “Our family life now is peaceful too, why would I want to mess up such calmness?” “I won’t marry again, I promised their dad I’d raise these two kids.” “Back then, life was so tough, yet I persisted in raising them. Now that life is better, why shouldn’t I let myself off the hook and avoid remarriage?” “Being a stepmother is tough, being a stepfather is tough too. Since life goes on, there’s no need to make it difficult, leaving both them and us at peace.” Zhang Yu almost said that the visitors were just scheming after her possessions. “The house is for the two siblings.” Zhang Yu had imagined leaving the house until she closed her eyes, or having other assets before transferring the house. Now she considered changing her mindset: once both children were married, she’d split the house, giving each a room. The matchmaker understood right away that the house was reserved for Zhao Lei, seeing Zhang Yu’s determined expression knew her few choices would not appeal to Zhang Yu. “Alright, I get it.” Before leaving, the matchmaker didn’t forget to push a little more, “Children will grow up, you should still consider for yourself, having someone beside to care for you.” “Off you go.” Zhang Yu dismissed her, “Whether they’ll truly care for me, I don’t know. What I do know is, there’s likely an expectation for me to be a good wife and mother.” With a face full of disdain, Zhang Yu sent the matchmaker off in displeasure. Neighbors around the courtyard, seeing the matchmaker visit, first thought it was to introduce someone to Zhao Lei. They never imagined that the matchmaker could be introducing someone to Zhang Yu. When they realized, they simply stared dumbfounded at Zhang Yu, “You’re saying someone was trying to set you up?” “Yes, they even said this way I can have someone to take care of me in the future.” Zhang Yu didn’t know what the matchmaker might say back home, so she made sure to speak first. “The toughest days have passed, and now Zhao Lei is thriving, why should I think poorly and rush into finding a man to marry?” “No one would be like Little Lei’s dad.” “By then I’d have to earn money, do the housework, and take care of step-children.” The thought of so many tasks awaiting her made Zhang Yu shudder, “Forget it, I think things are pretty good now.” “Wouldn’t you at least inquire, in case there’s a man with decent conditions?” A neighbor suggested maliciously. Also a woman, she had many complaints about Zhang Yu; why when she’s at home, housework could be shared with the siblings Zhao Lei, while she remained so relaxed. As a woman, shouldn’t she diligently care for men and the in-laws? “A man with good conditions?” Zhang Yu chuckled, gesturing to herself, “I’m almost 40, an old woman. If he has potential, why wouldn’t he find someone young and pretty?” Everyone thought she was right; hadn’t some leaders in town swapped for young, pretty, educated wives? The neighbor hadn’t foreseen that there’d be so many present, casually mentioning it, leading Zhang Yu to hear it and direct various grievances at herself. “Maybe they just appreciate your age, being steady.” The neighbor stammered for long before blurting out such a thought. This reason had the crowd laughing out loud; this hypothesis was exceptional in its inadequacy. Zhang Yu couldn’t help but join in the laughter, “Appreciate my age for steadiness?” “Really, that reason isn’t just any ordinary strong.” “But I hear it sounds like they’re looking for a maid, and a free one at that.”