When the matchmaker came to propose the marriage, she said Cen Dalang (Eldest Master Cen) of the Cen family had talent, while Erlang (Second Master) had looks.
“A perfect match for your two young ladies.”
“The eldest son for the eldest daughter, the second son for the second daughter.”
“With their older brother and sister looking after them, how could the younger ones ever have a bad life?”
In my last life, things were indeed just as the matchmaker had said.
I married Dalang, and my younger sister married Erlang (Second Master).
Dalang and I spent years cleaning up mess after mess for our younger siblings.
Until Dalang died saving Erlang (Second Master).
I thought he would resent them.
But instead, he looked at my plain, unremarkable face, tears in his eyes, and sighed bitterly.
“This life was far too worthless.”
“Was I not even worthy of having a beautiful wife?”
He passed away with that regret.
It struck me like a bolt from the blue.
So all those messes he had cleaned up-he had done it willingly.
Not only for his younger brother, but for my younger sister as well.
Now, reborn into this life,
as I listened to the matchmaker say those same words,
I merely replied calmly,
“Let’s forget it. Dalang has no looks, and Erlang (Second Master) has no talent. Neither of them is a good match.”
