Chapter 11: Let’s Go Somewhere Quiet  

However, this Educated Youth Shen was obedient. Whatever her son said, this young girl always responded with a sweet and well-mannered demeanor.  

Not only was she good-looking, but she also had such a gentle temperament. It truly seemed unfair for this young girl to have married into their family.  

Although, in the past, this Educated Youth Shen had been arrogant and willful, unreasonable and domineering, and had even frequently caused trouble for Xu Mo, she now seemed to have changed.  

She had become obedient and sweet, making her utterly likable to anyone who saw her.  

Liu Xiaolan felt that this delicate little girl would only continue to improve. Moreover, she seemed to bring prosperity to her husband. Old Third must cherish her properly and must not bully this young girl.  

She cleared her throat and said seriously: Ahem, it’s getting late. I should head back to prepare dinner. Old Third, don’t chat with Jiaojiao for too long. After all, you’re not married yet, so you mustn’t cross any boundaries with her, understand?”  

After solemnly instructing her son, Liu Xiaolan turned to Shen Jiaojiao again. Her expression instantly softened, becoming warm and kind.  

“Jiaojiao, if this brat bullies you, just let me know. I’ll take a willow branch and whip his backside until it’s swollen! By the way, do you prefer sweet or spicy food?”  

Shen Jiaojiao replied shyly: “I can eat anything, I’m not picky.”  

Hearing this, Liu Xiaolan became even more satisfied with her future daughter-in-law.  

Look at her—so considerate!  

Children from the city were usually pampered and delicate, but for her to say she wasn’t picky must mean she was being thoughtful, not wanting to trouble her with cooking.  

What a good child.  

“Alright, then I’ll make something a bit spicier. How does that sound?”  

“Mm, thank you, Aunt.”  

“Oh my, how sweet! Alright then, I’ll get going. You two take your time chatting.”  

As Liu Xiaolan left, she even shot Xu Mo a warning look.  

No crossing the line before marriage!

Xu Mo: “……”  

Was it just his imagination? Why did he remember that his mother used to favor him the most? Was this still his mother?  

After Liu Xiaolan left, Shen Jiaojiao finally dared to act a little bolder with Xu Mo.  

She stepped forward and grabbed his arm.  

The sun was blazing, the temperature was high, and Xu Mo’s body felt warm.  

“Xu Mo, I want to marry you, not because I’m being forced by the situation. I truly want to. I really like you. In this lifetime, I will marry no one but you.”  

She knew that Xu Mo was overthinking, believing that she had no choice in this matter.  

She had to make her feelings clear to him, dispel his doubts, and make him fall for her as soon as possible.  

After everything that had happened yesterday and today, Xu Mo finally realized how bold this girl was.  

Suddenly being confessed to so directly, his ears turned red again.  

He felt a little flustered and instinctively wanted to pull his arm away, but he was afraid of hurting her.  

In the end, he could only use his other hand to gently grasp hers and pry it off.  

“We’re not married yet. It wouldn’t be good if someone saw us like this.”  

“Oh, then why don’t we find somewhere without people?”  

Xu Mo: “……”  

His face turned completely red.  

He had never experienced anything between a man and a woman before.  

He had never courted anyone either.  

Faced with this sudden flirtation, he was utterly thrown off.  

Could someone please explain to him why this little girl was so bold?  

It was both infuriating and embarrassing—yet, deep down, there was a faint trace of anticipation.  

“Shen Jiaojiao, you… watch your words and actions.”  

“Oh.” The young girl lowered her head pitifully, fidgeting with her fingers, looking a little disappointed.  

Xu Mo suddenly felt a bit softhearted.  

Looking at her fluffy little head, he had the urge to reach out and pat it.  

He softened his tone and said in a low voice: “The sun is too hot. Go back inside. I’ll bring you food later.”  

Then, after a brief hesitation, he added stiffly: “My mother’s cooking is very good.”  

Shen Jiaojiao instantly felt satisfied again.

Shen Jiaojiao lifted her head and gave him a sweet smile.  

“Then, will you be the one bringing the food?”  

Xu Mo had originally intended to say that his Fourth Sister would bring it, but for some reason, he inexplicably nodded instead.  

“Alright then, I’ll go back and wait for you.”  

“Wait a moment.” Xu Mo suddenly called out just as Shen Jiaojiao was about to leave.  

“What is it? Do you want to go somewhere without people with me after all?” Shen Jiaojiao’s large almond-shaped eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at him.  

Xu Mo suddenly felt a little guilty.  

“No, I just wanted to ask… is your foot injury better? Yesterday, I saw you limping.”  

“Oh, it’s fine now. It was just a minor sprain yesterday. After a night’s rest, it’s all better.” She then smiled playfully. “Xu Mo, I didn’t expect you to care about me so much, even noticing that I hurt my foot.”  

Xu Mo turned his face away, suddenly finding it difficult to meet Shen Jiaojiao’s gaze.  

This girl’s advances were really hard for him to handle.  

“That… I remember last night there was a mark on your neck. Why is it gone now?”  

Xu Mo found it strange. He was certain he had left a clear mark.  

Shen Jiaojiao shrank her neck slightly and forced an explanation: “I used some ointment. My family sent it over, and it works really well. It disappeared overnight.”  

Then, she playfully decided to tease him again, lowering her voice into a soft and delicate tone.  

“Third Brother, next time, be gentler. Don’t use so much force.”  

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw the redness that had just faded from Xu Mo’s face rush back up again.  

Satisfied with her mischief, she turned and walked away.  

“Xu Mo, from now on, I’ll call you Third Brother.”  

Her steps were light and brisk, and in no time, she had disappeared from sight.  

Xu Mo finally let out a long breath.  

In just that short interaction, he felt as though he had been drenched in sweat.  

Whenever Shen Jiaojiao was around, he became unbearably tense.

Watching that disappearing figure, a faint smile gradually appeared on Xu Mo’s face.  

Perhaps even he himself hadn’t realized that his perpetually stern expression was slowly changing.  

He thought, Shen Jiaojiao probably didn’t like Fang Qinghe anymore.  

After all, from her actions yesterday and today, it was clear she wanted to sever ties with Fang Qinghe.  

But now, she was saying she liked him. Would that mean one day, just like Fang Qinghe, she would grow tired of him and stop liking him as well?  

The news of Shen Jiaojiao marrying Xu Mo quickly spread throughout the village.  

“Shen Jiaojiao is both delicate and unreasonable, and her conduct has always been questionable. The Xu family is the poorest in the entire village, and on top of that, Liu Xiaolan has a fiery temper and an aggressive personality. If Shen Jiaojiao and Xu Mo really get married, the village will never have a dull moment again.  

Mark my words, in Xu Mo’s house, they’ll be fighting every three days and having a full-blown brawl every five. There’s no way they’ll have a peaceful life.  

Besides, that Shen Jiaojiao seems to have had an unclear relationship with Fang Qinghe from the Fang family. In the future, Xu Mo will have to put up with the whole village gossiping about him behind his back.  

Sigh! The main Xu family must have done too many shameful deeds, or they wouldn’t be plagued with such messy affairs.  

If you ask me, it’s all because Liu Xiaolan didn’t accumulate virtue for her children. Now, she’s facing the consequences.”  

Xu Mo’s Second Aunt, Zhang Xiufang, was speaking animatedly, standing at the front of her house, gossiping with some passing villagers.  

“You don’t believe me? Listen, a few years ago, Liu Xiaolan’s husband was paralyzed and bedridden, draining the family’s wealth. In the end, they were left drowning in debt, and to this day, they still haven’t paid it off.  

Not only did they fail to cure her husband’s illness, but they also had to care for a sickly person who has been reliant on medicine for years. Their whole family has been worn down to the point that they barely look human anymore.  

And just a few months ago, the girl who was originally engaged to Xu Mo left him because his family was too poor and ended up marrying someone else instead. Now, Xu Mo is being forced to marry a seductress.  

One thing after another—doesn’t this just prove that Liu Xiaolan has done too many immoral things, and now her children are suffering for it?  

Mark my words, once Shen Jiaojiao enters that household, Liu Xiaolan’s retribution won’t be far behind!”