Chapter 12

After finishing breakfast, Zhang Qiufeng went out.

The old lady did needlework for others to earn a little money, which wasn’t much, but it was enough to barely support the household.

Meanwhile, she—a young girl—was idling at home every day, eating and doing nothing. Not to mention others looking down on her, even she herself now felt utterly “shameless.”

After washing the dishes, she planned to take a walk around town to get a feel for the local culture and customs before deciding on her future direction. However, just as she was about to leave, a sneaky-looking man suddenly appeared at the door.

Seeing that she was alone in the yard, the man finally revealed himself and walked in.

“Yaoyao, I haven’t seen you for a few days. How have you been?”

Ye Yao: …

What’s going on?

“Yaoyao, you don’t know how much I’ve missed you these past two days. I couldn’t eat or sleep. Every moment, I was thinking about you.”

The man continued his “confession” on his own.

If Ye Yao hadn’t clearly caught the flash of disgust in his eyes, she might have really believed that he was her admirer.

Li Yukun.

He wasn’t from the courtyard but from a nearby village.

At twenty years old, he was idle and unmotivated.

Of course, “idle and unmotivated” was Ye Yao’s conclusion after digesting the memories related to him.

And from those memories, she also realized something very unpleasant.

Li Yukun looked at Ye Yao’s chubby face, his smile twitching. It took all his effort to suppress his disgust.

He had already come this far. As long as he endured a little longer, he would get what he wanted.

“Yao Yao, look at you, you’ve lost weight.”

Li Yukun put on a concerned expression and reached out, trying to grab Ye Yao’s hand.

But Ye Yao wasn’t going to let him take advantage. She stepped aside and avoided his hand.

“Talk if you have something to say. Don’t touch me.”

Her voice was cold, and her face expressionless.

Li Yukun’s hand froze in midair, and he was immediately irritated. He wanted to lash out but held back, knowing it wasn’t the right time to burn bridges yet. So, he gritted his teeth and withdrew his hand.

“Yao Yao, what’s wrong? Are you still not thinking clearly?”

Before, whenever she saw him, her eyes would light up.

“I’m thinking very clearly. Do you have something to say? If not, then leave.”

Ye Yao’s tone was sharp and sarcastic, showing no kindness.

Li Yukun’s gaze flickered. Ye Yao seemed like a completely different person.

She used to be timid around him, always eager to please, humble and submissive. But now, she was actually trying to drive him away? He couldn’t accept this sudden change.

This fat woman, does she really think I like her?

“Yao Yao, I know you’re mad at me. But I only asked you to propose the marriage with the Li family for our future. You may have suffered a little, but at least you received the betrothal gift from the Li family.

I’ve already made arrangements. As long as you bring that money, we’ll have enough to leave this place and start fresh…”

“Wait a minute.”

Ye Yao interrupted him, her expression dark and shadowed.

“What did you just say?”

He was the one who told her to propose the marriage with the Li family?

Damn it—her mind was completely blank regarding this memory.

Li Yukun’s face immediately darkened. What was with her expression? Had she taken the money and was now planning to turn her back on him?!