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The elderly man listened attentively to Ji Xun’s account of the Shen family’s affairs, his expression carrying a faint but genuine smile. He didn’t interrupt at any point during the conversation.
After Ji Xun finished speaking, the elderly man stroked his long beard, which exuded a sense of grace and wisdom. He nodded with a smile and said, “It should be this way.”
With many helping hands, the outside area was cleaned up quickly, and tables and chairs were carried back to their respective homes.
The Shen family members came out of the courtyard to bid farewell to their guests, and every household expressed their gratitude and appreciation.
After everyone had left, a few families remained, with some women and young men staying to help the Shen family.
Wu Shi, the daughter-in-law of Zhu family, saw her son staying behind to help and, when he entered the courtyard, decided to stay and assist as well. Her eyes rolled playfully as she knows his intention to stay.
Zhu Lizheng, looking at others who were eager to stay and help, whispered in a low voice, “Let’s just have Yushan stay; there’s no need for all of you to stay.”
Although they had sensed something amiss between Yushan and that young lady, it was still early days. If everyone stayed, it might make things even more awkward.
Everyone was anxious but had to comply with Zhu Lizhengs decision. They each carried tables and chairs back home.
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Not only outside the courtyard but even inside the Shen family’s compound, it was a mess.
As soon as Zhu Yushan entered the courtyard, he saw Song Xiao Ni sweeping, while others in the courtyard were washing dishes and cooking.
After all, the ones who had been serving dishes and helping hadn’t had a chance to eat yet.
Zhu Yushan grabbed another broom and joined in. He worked quickly, and before long, the courtyard was spotless, without a trace of debris.
When Wu Shi entered, she sat down among the women who were washing dishes and began scrubbing plates.
While washing, she would occasionally look in the direction of Zhu Yushan and Song Xiao Ni. When she saw Zhu Yushan earnestly sweeping on the other side, it worried her. She almost wished she could take over for him.
“This foolish child, even when he’s helping, he doesn’t think to let the young lady take a break,” she thought to herself. By sweeping on the other side for so long, no one would even know it was him.
Wu Shi scrubbed the dishes with increasing force.
Joining her in a similar mood were Shen Yu’an and Hua Ling, who had just entered the backyard.
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The two of them had initially come in to see if there was anything they could help with, but upon entering, they noticed a big guy sweeping while sneakily glancing at Song Xiao Ni.
Zhu Yushan’s gaze was quite clear, and Shen Yu’an knew him. Otherwise, if he had seen Zhu Yushan staring at Song Xiao Ni like a thief, he might have thrown him out.
Since there were plenty of people helping in the courtyard, Shen Yu’an and Hua Ling didn’t feel obligated to do anything.
They entered the dining room, which was currently empty, and each grabbed a small stool, sitting by the doorway to watch the show.
“Here,” Shen Yu’an handed a handful of sunflower seeds to Hua Ling, and they both started snacking on the seeds while watching the scene outside.
After sweeping for a while, Song Xiao Ni realized that the remaining area was already clean. She raised her head in confusion and saw Zhu Yushan holding a broom and grinning foolishly at her.
Feeling both embarrassed and annoyed, Song Xiao Ni gave him an irritated glare and then picked up a cloth to start wiping things down.
“Miss Xiao Ni, take a break. I’ll help you,” Zhu Yushan said.
From that point on, Zhu Yushan simply followed Song Xiao Ni’s lead and helped with whatever task she undertook.
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Song Xiao Ni felt increasingly embarrassed, but Zhu Yushan persisted in helping her with everything, fearing that she might tire herself out.
Hua Ling turned to Shen Yu’an and said, “Sister An’an, he likes Sister Xiao Ni. Should I go tell her?”
“Hey, hey, hey!” Shen Yu’an quickly stopped her, urging her not to cause trouble. Didn’t she see how embarrassed Song Xiao Ni was? If Hua Ling were to tell her, Song Xiao Ni would surely explode.
Hua Ling, unable to match Shen Yu’an’s strength, couldn’t move a step while being held back. She asked, “Sister An’an, why are you holding me?”
Shen Yu’an pulled her back to the stool and explained earnestly, “Ling’er, in situations like this, they need to talk it out themselves. What if you tell Song Xiao Ni, and she becomes too embarrassed to see Zhu Yushan? It’s better to let them handle it.”
Hua Ling tilted her head and said, “If Sister Xiao Ni doesn’t want to see him, it’s probably because she doesn’t like him. In that case, they shouldn’t meet.”
Shen Yu’an thought for a moment. “Well, there’s some logic in that.”
But, even though it made sense, it might not apply in most cases where parents and matchmakers were involved. Besides, Song Xiao Ni didn’t seem entirely uninterested in Zhu Yushan; it was more like they hadn’t broken the ice yet.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Wu Shi, who was washing dishes by the wall, nudged the person next to her with her elbow and asked, “Hey, elder sister, do you know which family that girl is from?”
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The woman Wu Shi asked laughed and said, “Oh my, you asked the wrong person. If you want to inquire about that girl, ask the person on your left; she definitely knows better.”
Sitting to Wu Shi’s left was none other than Song Xiao Ni’s mother, Gao Shi.
Wu Shi didn’t work at the papermaking workshop, so she naturally didn’t recognize her. She assumed that she had been hired as additional help due to the Shen family’s current busy situation.
Taking her advice, Wu Shi turned to Gao Shi and asked, “This elder sister here, do you know the girl in the courtyard?”
As Wu Shi asked, she even pointed in Song Xiao Ni’s direction to make sure there was no confusion.
Gao Shi had been observing Wu Shi sneaking glances at her daughter from time to time but had refrained from asking. Now that Wu Shi was inquiring herself, Gao Shi suppressed a smile and replied, “That girl is my daughter, Xiao Ni. Is that child from your family?”
“Oh? Yes…” Wu Shi was so surprised that she dropped a dish she was holding. It was a bit awkward to find out about someone when their own mother was present.
“Hehe, I was just looking at that girl, and she’s really beautiful. That’s why I wanted to find out which family she’s from,” Wu Shi quickly tried to clarify her intentions.
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Wu Shi’s somewhat awkward demeanor had everyone around them laughing heartily.
Gao Shi didn’t hold it against her; they were all working in the same courtyard, and everyone had seen Zhu Yushan eagerly helping Song Xiao Ni.
Gao Shi realized the reason behind Wu Shi’s inquiry. Song Xiao Ni was of marriageable age, but since they had recently arrived in this unfamiliar place, they were cautious about allowing her to meet potential suitors. However, the villagers in Longxian Village would surely know more about the Shen family.
With this in mind, Gao Shi decided to engage in a discreet conversation with Wu Shi, hoping to learn more about her child’s character. She planned to ask the Shen family after everyone else had left.
Gao Shi straightened her sleeves and leaned in closer to Wu Shi, engaging in a whispered conversation. She glanced a couple of times toward Song Xiao Ni and Zhu Yushan’s direction.
Hmm, she looked satisfied. They seemed like they could take care of each other.
Upon hearing Gao Shi’s words, Wu Shi was overjoyed. The two of them chatted like long-lost sisters, becoming increasingly friendly.
Shen Yu’an, with her keen senses, could naturally hear what they were discussing.
Despite not having finished their meal and having already eaten their fill of melon seeds, the whole group couldn’t help but become matchmakers, continually praising Zhu Yushan.
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