Liu Xiaoi, izi, and Juhua were laughing and chatting as they worked when Liu Sanshun ca over. "I’m heading to the Little Qing River to cast my net," he told them. "I should be able to catch enough for a bowl of fish by noon. You all should stay for lunch."
He looked at Juhua expectantly as he finished speaking.
Liu Xiaoi quickly chid in, urging them to stay, saying they weren’t that busy anymore and it wouldn’t hurt to have a al before going ho.
Juhua declined. "I still have things to do at ho. I’ll co over for a al next ti. Besides, even though I haven’t eaten here, you’ve sent fish several tis already, haven’t you? It’s practically the sa thing."
izi had been miserable ever since seeing Li Changming and was in no mood to eat there. She also said she had to go ho. She’d already been out for half the morning, and her mother would be going to the fields that afternoon, so she needed to get ho early to help out.
Seeing that he couldn’t convince them to stay, Liu Sanshun was a little disappointed. He smiled and said, "Alright then. Just co over when you’re free. I go fishing all the ti anyway."
Juhua and izi both nodded, promising they would definitely co for a al when they had the ti.
Gou Dan’s mother still didn’t realize her daughter had feelings for Li Changming, let alone that she was falling deeper and deeper. As she pondered how to ask Grandma Huang to sound out the Zheng Family, she looked at izi, who had just returned. Seeing her daughter looking even more distressed than when she had left, her heart ached. This only strengthened her resolve to approach the Zheng Family.
That afternoon, she left her daughter at ho and went with Qin to the fields to harvest corn.
In the fields, Gou Dan’s mother told her husband about the situation with izi.
She was just a woman; she couldn’t marry izi off behind the girl’s father’s back. She had to let him know, discuss it with him, and get his thoughts on the matter.
Qin, however, was delighted. He grinned. "Our izi has good taste! That Qingmu is an honest lad. Zheng Changhe is a solid man, and his wife isn’t hard to get along with. Juhua is diligent and sweet-tempered, too. I’d have no worries if izi married into the Zheng Family. And it’s great that they’re in the sa village. We can go see our daughter whenever we miss her!"
Gou Dan’s mother shot him a look. "Nothing is certain yet. I’m worried the Zheng Family won’t agree. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with our izi, but I’ve heard Qingmu isn’t interested in marriage right now and wants to wait a few years. He’s already turned down several potential matches."
Qin’s eyes widened. "How is that the sa? Can any of those girls compare to our izi? If Zheng Changhe turns down this match, he must be completely blind."
Seeing him get angry, Gou Dan’s mother quickly chided him. "What are you shouting for? What parents don’t think their own children are a cut above the rest? Besides, both of the Zheng kids are capable and hardworking. If he says no, it doesn’t necessarily an he’s looking down on izi. Juhua said a long ti ago that she and her brother wouldn’t be considering marriage for the next few years. Have you forgotten about that fight between Aunt Zheng and Liu’er’s mother last year?"
Qin laughed. "Are you really taking sothing a kid said in a fit of anger seriously? If they really ant it and wouldn’t get married even if they t soone wonderful, wouldn’t that just be foolish?"
Gou Dan’s mother sighed. "We still have to be careful. I can’t let our daughter get hurt. I was thinking I’d first ask Aunt Huang to go to the Zheng Family to test the waters. If Aunt Zheng is agreeable, she’ll naturally have a matchmaker co to our door with a proposal. Wouldn’t that be more proper?"
Qin quickly agreed. "That’s a great idea. Aunt Huang is very discreet. Entrusting this to her is the right move."
With their plan settled, the couple focused on their work.
On their way ho that evening, the two of them deliberately took a small detour past the Zheng Family’s shanyu field. When they saw Zheng Changhe, Qingmu, and Yang Family also harvesting corn, they greeted them warmly.
"Changhe, you must’ve gotten quite a haul from this land, huh?" Qin said with a laugh. "You’re having a good year. Doing better than the rest of us."
"Oh, co on, my friend!" Zheng Changhe replied. "Look at how much you’ve harvested, and you say that about ? This is the first year I’ve planted this plot. Only the Shanyu harvest was decent; the corn ca in much worse. See? These kernels aren’t nearly as plump as the ones from the old fields."
Zheng Changhe never tired of talking about crops, and he eagerly told Qin about his results from planting on this new plot.
Qin set down his carrying pole and began comparing the size of their corn cobs with Zheng Changhe, casually chatting about things like fertilizing and weeding techniques.
Gou Dan’s mother also set down her carrying pole and greeted Yang Family with a wide smile. She then turned to Qingmu and said, "Qingmu, you’re not even resting at ho during your break from the academy? Your studies must be tough. Aunt Zheng," she said, turning to his mother, "your Qingmu and Juhua are so sensible. You never have to ask them to do anything; they just pitch right in."
Qingmu grunted in acknowledgnt but said nothing more. He filled a basket with corn, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and walked off.
Yang Family was pleased to hear the praise and replied modestly, "Oh, listen to you. He’s a grown man now. What would it look like if he still had to be told what to do? Your izi is the real treasure—so cheerful and frank. Everyone in the village sings her praises. Gou Dan is still little. He’s a clever boy, just hasn’t quite matured yet. Once he does, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy life!"
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