Chapter 198

In March, the spring rain drizzled, thunder roared, and life blossomed anew.

Wang Yuan’er finally managed to catch Cui Yuan and invited him to her home as a guest. Her grandfather and grandmother wanted to express their gratitude for his tremendous help.

“Your Second Uncle’s family wants to thank me, but what about you?” Cui Yuan smiled warmly at Wang Yuan’er and asked, “How will you thank me?”

Wang Yuan’er froze, unable to find words for a long moment.

“As the ancients said, ‘A life-saving grace cannot be repaid except with one’s…’ “Cui Yuan recited theatrically, swaying as he spoke while glancing mischievously at Wang Yuan’er.

Her face flushed bright red, and she snapped, “Master Cui, please mind your words.”

What nonsense about repaying kindness with marriage! That was utterly outrageous—a remark fit only for a reckless libertine!

Cui Yuan burst into laughter and pointed his fan at her. “Miss Wang, what are you thinking? I meant repaying the favor by becoming a servant. It’s perfectly normal to repay kindness with servitude!”

Wang Yuan’er blinked in surprise before glaring at him. He was doing it on purpose!

Deliberately teasing her, leading her thoughts astray—how could someone be so mischievous?

Her face alternated between shades of red and black, her expressions changing dramatically, creating an almost colorful display.

“Cui Yuan…”

Wang Yuan’er nearly squeezed out this name from between her teeth, making Cui Yuan burst into laughter. He coughed lightly into his fist and said, “Alright, I’ll stop teasing you.” Then, noticing his plain fan, he added, “If you want to thank me, why not embroider a fan sleeve for me? Look at how bare my fan is.”

Wang Yuan’er glanced at the fan and replied with a pout, “It’s only March. Why are you using a fan?” She neither agreed nor refused.

“You don’t understand,” Cui Yuan said. “It’s not about the season; it’s about sophistication! Look, with a decorated fan, all the girls’ eyes would be on me!” He waved at a girl across the street staring affectionately at him. The girl screamed, threw him a pouch, and ran off, covering her face.

Wang Yuan’er twitched her lips and instinctively stepped back.

Cui Yuan froze for a moment and then laughed heartily again.

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Since Cui Yuan had done such a big favor for them, the banquet to thank him had to be impressive. However, the second household had little money left, and the main household had already spent their savings to help Wang Er. Naturally, it was Wang Yuan’er who paid for the banquet.

Wang Qing’er saw this and was visibly unhappy. Only when Grandpa Wang promised to repay her after the rent came in around July or August did her expression improve.

“You’re such a miser,” Wang Chun’er teased, poking her forehead.

“Money doesn’t just fall from the sky. We worked hard to earn it. Back then, when the second household was eating and drinking well, did it have anything to do with us? I don’t believe in repaying evil with kindness,” Wang Qing’er huffed.

“Forget it, just consider this as our eldest sister thanking Young Master Cui,” Wang Yuan’er said calmly.

Wang Qing’er mumbled something under her breath, though none of the sisters could make out what she said.

Outside, Madam Zhang’s loud voice could be heard, announcing that the guests had arrived and it was time to serve the meal.

The meal was set up in the main hall. Apart from the main guest, Cui Yuan, Grandpa Wang had also invited Hou Biao, as he had lent a helping hand over the past few days.

Upon seeing Hou Biao, Wang Qing’er couldn’t help but exchange knowing glances and sly smiles with Wang Chun’er. Wang Yuan’er noticed but kept a neutral expression. Privately, however, she brought up the topic of marriage with Wang Chun’er.

“Grandmother sent a letter, which you’ve read, mentioning the second son of that family. His parents are said to be very kind, and his older brother and sister-in-law aren’t meddlesome. The second son works as an assistant to a county official and is quick-witted, someone who could achieve great things in the future. What do you think? Would you like to meet him?”

Wang Chun’er, initially shy, paled as she listened to this. Stammering, she couldn’t utter a single word.

Seeing this, Wang Yuan’er bit her lip and added, “Though that young man is currently just an assistant, he is appreciated by his master. He could become a steward in the future, leading to a promising life. It’s certainly better than… becoming a stepmother or something like that.”

“Elder Sister!” Wang Chun’er lifted her head, but her gaze fell on someone outside the door, and her expression subtly changed.

Wang Yuan’er turned her head and saw Hou Biao standing not far away. Noticing their gaze, he casually walked over and asked with a smile, “Grandpa Wang asked about the meal. Should I bring it over?” He acted as if he hadn’t overheard the sisters’ conversation.

“It’ll be ready soon!” Wang Yuan’er replied with a faint smile. She got up, lifted the lid off the pot, and scooped the rice into a wooden basin set aside.

With male guests present, especially this being a male guest, the women naturally wouldn’t dine at the same table. The meal was laid out in the main hall for Grandpa Wang and Wang Er to host their guest. Meanwhile, a separate table was set up in the main house for the women to eat.

Wang Yuan’er carried a plate of braised pork knuckles into the main hall and saw Wang Er raising his cup to toast Cui Yuan, saying words of gratitude and respect before downing the drink in one gulp.

Cui Yuan modestly responded with a few polite remarks.

From the side, Madam Zhang handed the wine jug to the men, refilling their cups. She eagerly looked at Cui Yuan and said, “Master Cui, since our husband no longer has a job, could you use an extra pair of hands? How about letting him help you out? It would be a way to thank you and also help us earn a living.”

The room, which had been filled with warmth and camaraderie, suddenly grew silent.

Wang Yuan’er was furious. Her Second Aunt always had a knack for pushing boundaries, shamelessly trying to curry favor and scheme without regard for the situation or whether it might make others uncomfortable.

Cui Yuan smiled silently, while Grandpa Wang and Wang Er felt deeply embarrassed. Wang Er glared at Madam Zhang and said, “The men are drinking here—what business do you have? Get out!”

Madam Zhang opened her mouth as if to say something, but Wang Yuan’er interjected, “Second Aunt, Grandma is calling you!”

Left with no choice, Madam Zhang had to leave.

Wang Er, clearly uncomfortable, turned to Cui Yuan and said, “Master Cui, please don’t mind her. We’re just rural folks who don’t know much about decorum. This woman has always been a bit thoughtless. Please don’t take it to heart!”

Cui Yuan smiled lightly and said, “You’re too polite, Second Uncle Wang. Let’s drink, let’s drink!”

“Yes, yes, let’s drink! Come, I toast to you!” Wang Er let out a breath of relief.

Despite Cui Yuan’s smiling demeanor, his quiet and composed presence had a certain intimidating quality. That damned woman, Wang Er thought to himself, had really caused trouble this time—he’d have to deal with her properly later.

After several rounds of food and wine, everyone’s faces were flushed. Hou Biao went to the backyard restroom and, upon finishing, stood still for a moment, staring dazedly at the neatly arranged vegetable plots.

“Brother Hou?” The gentle voice came from behind, prompting Hou Biao to turn around. Sure enough, it was Wang Chun’er, standing gracefully at the backyard entrance, carrying a bamboo basket in her hand.

“Why are you here?” Hou Biao asked with a smile.

“Grandma was worried there might not be enough vegetables, so she sent me to pull a radish,” Wang Chun’er explained with a smile. Noticing his flushed face, she asked with concern, “Did you drink too much? Be careful not to overdo it.”

“It’s fine. Back in the day, my brothers and I used to drink much more than this. We’d drink large bowls of wine—one bowl after another, real hearty drinking with big chunks of meat!” Hou Biao reminisced fondly, gesturing with his hands. “It was during cold winters when we had night shifts. Drinking from those big bowls kept us warm and fearless of the chill!”

“Night shifts?” Wang Chun’er asked curiously.

Hou Biao nodded and said, “I used to work as a guard for a wealthy household. Night shifts were part of the job.”

“Ah, that explains why Brother Hou is so skilled!” Wang Chun’er said with a soft smile.

She crouched down, grabbed the radish’s leaves, and started to pull it out. Seeing this, Hou Biao stepped forward and said, “Let me help!”

“There’s no need; I can pull out a single radish myself,” Wang Chun’er said with another smile. Hou Biao ignored her and reached over. His hand accidentally touched hers before she had time to pull it back. It felt like an electric current passed between them, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

Startled, Wang Chun’er also pulled her hand back, her face flushing bright red. Her naturally delicate features became even more dazzling.

Hou Biao’s heart skipped a beat. Trying to act nonchalant, he turned his face away and yanked out the plump, white radish. Shaking off the dirt, he hesitated for a moment before saying, “I heard what your elder sister said to you.”

Wang Chun’er raised her head to look at him.

Hou Biao looked down at the radish in his hand and said, “Your elder sister is right. You’re not young anymore. If it’s a good family, meeting someone isn’t a bad idea.”

Hearing this, Wang Chun’er went pale. She slowly stood up, her lips trembling.

“As a woman, finding a suitable husband is very important. And this is someone your maternal grandmother’s side has looked into—it seems they know his background well. There’s no harm in giving it a look,” Hou Biao added, glancing at her. When he saw her pale face and reddening eyes, his heart skipped again.

Wang Chun’er forced a faint smile, snatched the radish from his hand, and said, “Grandma is probably waiting. I’ll head inside first.”

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and walked briskly away. Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she turned back to him and asked, “Is this truly how you feel, Brother Hou?”

Hou Biao stared at her silently, his lips pressed together.

Wang Chun’er let out a bitter smile, turned swiftly, and ran off. Hou Biao’s shoulders slumped dejectedly. He couldn’t miss the tears glistening in the corners of her eyes as she turned away.

Meanwhile, Wang Yuan’er brought another heated pot of wine to the main hall. As she stepped out, Wang Qing’er pulled her aside.

“Elder Sister, I just saw Second Sister wiping her tears in the kitchen!”

Wang Yuan’er paused, surprised. “Wasn’t everything fine? Why did she suddenly start crying?”

“Do you know what happened?” she asked.

Wang Qing’er shook her head. “Second Sister is always shy and keeps things to herself. She won’t tell me anything. How could I know?”

Wang Yuan’er pressed her lips together slightly. “Girls her age tend to have heavier hearts. I’ll ask her later.”

However, Wang Yuan’er couldn’t get an answer from Wang Chun’er. Instead, she learned the truth from Cui Yuan.

“Does your Second Sister have mutual feelings with Hou Biao?” Cui Yuan remarked.

Wang Yuan’er immediately wanted to scold him—after all, a young lady’s reputation was paramount. What did he mean by saying such a thing?

Seeing her misunderstanding, Cui Yuan explained what he had seen that day. Only then did Wang Yuan’er realize why Chun’er had been crying.

“I find Hou Biao’s gaze clear, his actions upright yet thoughtful—he’d make a fine husband,” Cui Yuan commented.

Wang Yuan’er hadn’t expected him to say that. Was he speaking in favor of Hou Biao? But even so, being a stepmother is never easy!

“Whether the shoes fit or not, only the wearer knows. If she’s willing, why do you insist on being the obstacle?” Cui Yuan sighed softly.

An obstacle!

Was he accusing her of breaking up a pair of lovebirds? Wang Yuan’er instantly felt her anger rising!