Chapter 17: First Meeting

Yu Tingwan stepped outside.

Li Lian sensed something was amiss and hurried after her. Instead of grabbing her, she waited until they were both out of the courtyard before asking.

“What happened?”

“Weren’t things going well just now?”

How did the conversation fall apart so quickly?

Yu Tingwan didn’t hide her feelings.

The young woman kicked at the stones beneath her feet, looking particularly dejected. “I’m straightforward by nature – when I dislike someone, it comes from deep within.”

“Since I can move out, I won’t bother seeking peace with the Wang family.”

Li Lian defended Butcher Wu: “He’s just single-minded, someone who values family ties. But he wasn’t wrong. If you talk to him properly, he’ll still take your side.”

She was unaware that Yu Tingwan already knew about the old grievances.

“Besides, do you really plan to cut ties with the Hu family? Your temper is too strong. Even if you reject your aunt, what about your uncle?”

Yu Tingwan pressed her lips together, remaining silent.

She blinked and said softly, “But Auntie, I’ve compromised for nearly ten years. That’s long enough.”

“Butcher Wu is a good person and genuinely considers my well-being, but that’s not what I want.”

Li Lian was taken aback.

This line of thinking… seemed somehow wrong, yet also quite right.

She wanted to salvage the situation when Butcher Wu suddenly appeared, his face pale and lost.

Yu Tingwan noticed him too.

Yet her expression remained unchanged. In fact, it grew serious.

“Auntie, please help me find more matches.”

Yu Tingwan’s face was earnest: “The more, the better.”

Do you think men are as common as cabbages in the street?

Li Lian: …

She understood now. Once Yu Tingwan made a decision, she wouldn’t turn back.

However…

How can you, a young lady, not be embarrassed at all! At least blush a little when saying such things! Li Lian had never seen someone like Yu Tingwan, who seemed too young to understand love and simply wanted to get married.

Yu Tingwan bid farewell to Li Lian, relieved that Butcher Wu hadn’t pursued the matter.

The wind was strong, stinging her face as she lowered her head.

The snowy path was slippery; she walked carefully.

In the vast expanse of sky and earth, everything felt desolate.

“Be careful, dear. Ah Lang is still injured.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

Yu Tingwan frowned and looked toward the voice, spotting Wei Shouzhong approaching with a donkey cart in the distance.

Wei Shouzhong walked slowly; the donkey was old and moved at a matching pace.

But as the wheels rolled over the snow-covered ground, the uneven surface still caused jolting.

Hui Niang smiled. “Ah Lang, our village hasn’t changed much over the years. Take a good look around; maybe you’ll remember something.”

Wei Zhao’s eyes darkened; these past days had exhausted his patience with this couple.

These two had mistaken him for someone else and were willing to sell everything just to gather money to take him to town.

Weren’t they afraid that even after spending all their money, he still wouldn’t recover? If he had wanted to live, he wouldn’t have ended up in this state.

Similarly, if he wanted to die, no one could stop him.

Hui Niang said, “We live at the village’s end now, no longer with your grandmother.”

“These days at Doctor Qian’s place, I could tell you must be eager to return home and see everyone.”

Wei Zhao didn’t want to.

His only wish was for these two to stop bothering him.

Listening to his wife’s words brought a smile to Wei Shouzhong’s eyes.

They had once despaired when they thought their son had died in battle and their daughter had met with misfortune.

Now that Ah Lang had returned, life had hope again.

Wei Shouzhong’s gaze fell on something ahead; his eyesight wasn’t good, so he squinted.

That looked somewhat like Miss Wan from next door.

Turning back now would seem too deliberate. The country road was narrow, so Yu Tingwan intentionally moved to the side to make way.

She heard Hui Niang speaking one-sidedly.

“We’ve raised some chickens at home; they all lay eggs. I’ll boil one for you every day.”

Wei Zhao didn’t respond.

Hui Niang worried about her son’s health and tried hard to nourish him. “Would you like fish? I’ll ask your father to try catching some from the river and make soup with tofu for you.”

Wei Zhao’s eyes remained vacant.

Hui Niang sighed, “We haven’t saved much these years, but your father and I have discussed it. After spring plowing, your father will work at the docks carrying goods, and I’ll weave baskets to sell at the county market.”

“If no girl takes a liking to you, we’ll save more for your betrothal gifts.”

Hui Niang added, “With money involved, they’ll surely be willing to live well with you.”

Do you even hear what you’re saying? But Wei Zhao remained unresponsive, as if nothing mattered to him anymore.

Even if someone cursed him to his face right now, Wei Zhao wouldn’t…

Oh, he would drag that person down to death with him.

As they drew closer, the young woman’s gaze involuntarily fell upon the person in the donkey cart.

From this angle, she could only see half of Wei Shen’s profile.

Yet even this glimpse was enough to shock Yu Tingwan to her core.

He was deathly pale – beyond mere illness.

His face bore numerous scrapes; his forehead seemed worst, wrapped in white bandages. He appeared too weak even to lift his eyelids.

His exposed hands showed swelling and bruising.

Hui Niang kept anxiously checking his breathing.

Clearly, his fall from the mountain that day had left serious injuries.

How had he ended up in such a miserable state, covered in wounds? He looked… utterly helpless.

He couldn’t even walk – Yu Tingwan belatedly realized her fear had been unnecessary.

In this state, she could easily overcome Wei Shen! Before she could withdraw her gaze, Wei Zhao sensed her presence and shot a piercing look her way.

His eyes were deep and mysterious; when they met hers, they seemed to penetrate straight to her soul.

Their eye contact brought an overwhelming pressure. Yu Tingwan’s heart jolted, and she instinctively stepped backward.

But her legs suddenly weakened beneath her.

She stumbled.

Physical discomfort washed over her – her head throbbed while mysterious dizziness enveloped her.

Her vision went black.

Images flashed before her eyes –

The same sounds of gongs and drums, the same festive red decorations entering her vision.

Yu Tingwan felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest.

She saw a bride sitting on the wedding bed, still wearing her red veil.

Her heart raced in confusion, thinking she was back at the Dong family’s place.

No, this wedding chamber was very modest.

But it had been decorated with great care.

She looked around, somewhat puzzled.

Just then, footsteps outside grew closer, accompanied by playful commotion.

“In the blink of an eye, you’re married too! Everyone in the village is happy for you. Go in quickly, don’t keep the bride waiting!”

That was Aunt Wu’s voice.

“I’ve been so muddle-headed, how did I not think to match you two up? I’ve been busy with pointless things, but thankfully you found each other.”

That was Li Lian’s voice.

“Why does it matter that it’s not dark yet?”

“Your health isn’t good; go rest early, no need for socializing. Your mother is waiting for grandchildren too.”

With a creak, the door opened.

The groom was pushed inside by others.

Yu Tingwan looked carefully and was shocked: !!!

Wasn’t this Wei Shen, who had just been half-dead in the donkey cart?!