Chapter 15: Don’t Bother Me

Zhen Ning had come to cultivate the feelings of the two people. Never did he imagine that a new crisis would come so soon. Although their relationship was still short, he couldn’t wait any longer.

With long strides, he marched to Miao Miao’s side. In his mind, he kept repeating the words of her mother-in-law, “Not married, living together; it’s improper even if you stay in different rooms. What would people say at other villages? They would spread vicious rumors!”

He focused on these key points. If he lived with Miao Miao without being married, it would be wrong, and people would gossip about them. In this chaos, he blurted out a shocking phrase that caught everyone off guard, “I’m going to marry you!”

The conversation was interrupted, and everyone’s eyes widened in shock, looking at Zhen Ning as if he was crazy. Zhen Ning quickly clarified, his tone more determined, “If we’re not married, then we shouldn’t live together. I’m going to marry you!”

This unexpected statement left everyone stunned, even Miao Miao, who was surprised and didn’t know if Zhen Ning was joking or serious.

Miao Miao’s face turned bright red, and her voice was barely above a whisper, “Zhen Ning, what are you talking about?!”

White Auntie was furious, thinking that Zhen Ning was trying to trick her. “You silly man, do you know what it means to marry? You’ve just arrived here a few days ago, and you think you can just talk your way into marrying Miao Miao just like that?”

White Auntie lectured Zhen Ning, “You don’t have a dowry, no house, and no money. If you marry Miao Miao, you’d be taking advantage of her parents’ good intentions. What would her parents think? It’s not right!”

Zhang Guihua added, “Miao Miao is the most beautiful girl in our village. Even if she marries the county governor’s son, it would be a good match. You, Zhen Ning, are just a simple villager. If you want Miao Miao, you need to become a successful man in our village!”

Zhen Ning’s words didn’t faze the villagers, and they continued to talk and gossip around him. Zhen Ning felt dejected, and Miao Miao refused to look at him. He left to continue his work.

As Zhen Ning walked away, Miao Miao caught a glimpse of his back, and her heart ached for him. She felt a sense of sadness and disappointment.

After the villagers left, the atmosphere between the two people was awkward. Miao Miao retreated into her room to sew. Zhen Ning finished his work and went to the forest to hunt for food. He wanted to surprise Miao Miao with fresh wild chicken.

However, he couldn’t find the perfect shot, and he felt frustrated. Just as he was about to give up, he heard a sudden rustling in the underbrush.

Without thinking, he turned around, his fingers moving swiftly as he pulled the bowstring back, and an unknown creature fell to the ground. Zhen Ning was surprised to see that it was a wild hen.

He returned to the village, holding the wild hen in his hands. He was determined to use this as an opportunity to make Miao Miao happy.

At dinner time, Miao Miao had prepared a plain meal for Zhen Ning. Just as she was about to call everyone to eat, she saw Zhen Ning return with the wild hen.

She looked up, and her eyes lit up with excitement, “Wow! Zhen Ning, where did you get this wild hen?”

Zhen Ning smiled, relieved that Miao Miao was finally smiling at him, “I shot it in the forest with my bow.”

This was a turning point in their relationship, and Zhen Ning’s heart felt lighter.