Chapter 23 1/2

“Thanks to your help, otherwise my fish pond wouldn’t have been sorted out so quickly. I’ve heard your father say that you’ve been asked to take care of the fish ponds in the village before. Today, I finally got to witness your skills.”

“The two villages are not far apart. If Ji Lizheng feels that I’ve done a good job with the fish pond, he can call me anytime if there’s anything wrong with it in the future.”

“Well, you really are capable.”

Ji Yangzong, carrying a hoe, spoke amiably to the young man beside him.

“Come inside and have a rest for a while.”

As the two entered the courtyard, Huang Manjing, who was feeding the chickens and ducks, greeted them.

“Has Taoyu returned yet?”

Huang Manjing glanced at the sturdy young man standing beside her husband, with a fair complexion and regular features, seemingly honest and reliable.

She had heard from her husband about the canceled engagement between the Zhou family in the neighboring village and the eldest son of the Ji family. She understood the implications.

She hadn’t expected someone to come knocking on their door so soon. It was probably just an excuse to meet and do some work.

Nevertheless, she was a bit displeased and gave Ji Yangzong a glare, feeling that it was too soon for someone to come calling after their daughter had only been single for a few days. It seemed that Taoyu hadn’t gone out much recently, and today was probably the first time she had ventured out in a while.

It was rather impatient of the Zhou family to send someone over so quickly, not considering whether Taoyu would be happy about it.

Of course, since the guest had arrived, and he seemed decent enough, Huang Manjing didn’t want to embarrass Ji Yangzong in front of their guest. She warmly greeted Zhou Zheng and said, “She went to the city and hasn’t come back yet. I don’t know if she’ll be back today. Maybe she’ll stay at her aunt’s place in the city for a while.”

Zhou Zheng felt a bit embarrassed and replied, “It’s okay. I came to help with the fish pond, as my father told me about it.”

Although he said this, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed. He and the Ji family didn’t have much interaction, but since his father was also a respected figure in the village, their families occasionally crossed paths.

If it weren’t for wanting to catch a glimpse of Taoyu, he wouldn’t have hurried over to help with the work. Now that the work was done, but Taoyu wasn’t around, he felt like he had come all this way for nothing.

He had hoped to see Taoyu before making any decisions about their future, but it seemed that he would have to come back another time. He couldn’t possibly arrange a marriage without even meeting her.

However, before he could finish his thought, a voice came from outside the courtyard, calling out, “Dad, Mom, I’m back!”

“Oh, you’re back!”

Ji Yangzong smiled when he heard the voice and went to the door to greet his daughter. However, when he saw her, he was taken aback.

“What happened to you…”

Before Ji Yangzong could finish his sentence, he heard his son complaining, “I came back on a cart, and it got stuck in a ditch. I banged up my hands and legs.”

“Who was driving the cart? This is outrageous!”

Ji Yangzong immediately forgot to ask Taoyu about being with Huo Shu, and instead scolded the cart driver.

Huang Manjing, upon hearing that Taoyu had fallen, hurried over and lifted her off the horse. “Are you badly hurt? You’ve been so unlucky lately. I must go burn some incense at the temple.”

On the side, Zhou Zheng saw the Ji family surrounding their daughter, and couldn’t help but think that she seemed quite delicate. Even though she had fallen, she still looked pitiful.

He had heard that Taoyu was one of the most beautiful girls in the area, and seeing her now, he couldn’t help feeling a bit envious. Although he was a simple man, seeing Taoyu made his heart flutter.

Taoyu held Huang Manjing’s hand and said, “I just banged up my hands and legs a bit. They hurt, and I can’t walk well. Fortunately, Huo Shu happened to pass by and gave me a ride back.”

Huo Shu didn’t pay much attention to Taoyu’s parents’ complaints about her suffering, and as soon as he entered the house, he noticed the unfamiliar young man standing there, just like when Yu Lingxiao came last time, standing in the same spot.

He hadn’t paid much attention to what Taoyu was saying to her parents, but as soon as he entered the house, he noticed the young man standing there, and his eyes seemed to stick to him as if they hadn’t left him since he arrived.

“Huo Shu, thanks for bringing back Little Taoyu. This child always troubles you.”

Huo Shu slowly withdrew his gaze. “It’s nothing.”

Taoyu saw Huo Shu looking back from elsewhere and noticed there were still people in the courtyard. Her face slightly reddened as she whispered, “Mother, who is that?”

Ji Yangzong hurriedly replied, “She’s Zhou Zheng, the second son of the Zhou family from the neighboring village. He came today to repair the fish pond for his father.”

Taoyu recalled who it was and blinked, then politely nodded to him, considering it as an acknowledgment.

Immediately, she slipped away. “My knee is hurting. I’ll go back to my room and apply some medicine.”

Huo Shu took out a large bunch of mountain chrysanthemums from under his armpit. “Take these.”

Taoyu quickly took them and shamelessly said to her parents, “I… I picked these.”

Huang Manjing, feeling sorry for the child, couldn’t help but scold, “You fell and still think about these things. It’s spoiling and troublesome. You should thank Huo Shu properly.”

Taoyu thought if it weren’t for him insisting on going to the city by herself, she wouldn’t have fallen, so she didn’t need to thank him.

But in front of her parents, she respectfully said, “Thank you, Big Brother Huo.”

Seeing the mother and daughter go inside, Ji Yangzong said, “Thank you so much today, Huo Shu. Have a cup of tea before you leave.”

He glanced in the direction of the pavilion where Zhou Zheng was standing. Based on his understanding of Huo Shu, he knew he would probably leave without saying much when he saw someone there.

Saying this was just being polite, and since they were from the same village, there would be plenty of opportunities to repay favors later. He didn’t expect Huo Shu to simply say, “Okay.”

With that, Huo Shu went over to tie his horse to the tree where he had tied it when he came back home last time, then went under the pavilion on his own.

Ji Yangzong: “…”

Was this guy okay today?

He must be thirsty, definitely thirsty.

He had no choice but to force a smile. “Ah Zheng, why don’t you sit too? This is Huo Shu from our village.”

Zhou Zheng scratched the back of his head, his mind already drifting away with Taoyu. He vaguely heard Ji Yangzong say something.

But when he turned around, there was already a stern-looking man sitting under the pavilion, staring at him.

Zhou Zheng suddenly felt a chill down his spine for no reason. He thought maybe she had worked too hard and sweated on her back, feeling cold in the wind.

She sat down opposite Huo Shu with some reluctance, feeling a bit uncomfortable starting a conversation, as if sitting on pins and needles.

On the other hand, Huo Shu didn’t seem uncomfortable at all.

It wasn’t until Ji Yangzong came out with tea that Zhou Zheng breathed a sigh of relief in the inexplicable low pressure.

“Ah Zheng, Huo Shu, have some tea.”

Ji Yangzong poured tea for the two of them. Zhou Zheng picked up the teacup and said hospitably, “Uncle Ji, I have a lot of fish fry at my place. In a couple of days, I’ll pick out some good ones and bring them over to you.”

“That would be troublesome for you.”

“Not at all. We’re neighbors, and I can come and go quickly with my donkey cart.”

Seeing Zhou Zheng so enthusiastic and willing to come again, Ji Yangzong thought she must be quite satisfied with Taoyu. He didn’t expose it and felt quite good: “Alright, when the time comes, you pick out some good fish fry and bring them over. Whatever the price is, don’t refuse. Otherwise, I’ll feel embarrassed to ask you to do favors again.”

Zhou Zheng smiled sincerely, “Okay.”

With that, she wanted to inquire about what Taoyu liked or what Ji Yangzong preferred. When she came again, she could bring them along. But then she caught sight of the cold Huo Shu beside them.

She swallowed her saliva, hesitating to speak.

Seeing the imposing figure beside them also made Ji Yangzong feel a bit awkward. Asking him to leave would be impolite, but he wasn’t leaving nor saying anything.

For a moment, even he felt awkward.

Ji Yangzong tentatively said, “Huo Shu, Master Qiao hasn’t come back yet. When I went to their house this morning to collect taxes, Bai Niangzi said he should be back in a couple of days. When he returns, I’ll inform you immediately.”

“Thanks, Lir Zheng.”

“These are just words from fellow villagers.”

Ji Yangzong immediately said, “Have dinner and then go back. I’ll ask your aunt to prepare some appetizers for you.”

Huo Shu said, “No need.”

Seeing Huo Shu refuse dinner but showing no intention of leaving, Ji Yangzong felt a bit puzzled, unable to grasp what this person was thinking.

On the other hand, Zhou Zheng, sitting on the side, felt a bit unwilling but unable to stay. He said, “Ji Lir Zheng, it’s getting late, so I’ll head back first.”

“Ah Zheng, stay for dinner before you leave!”

Zhou Zheng stood up. “Thanks for the invitation, Ji Lir Zheng, but my elder brother will be back tonight, and my mother instructed me to have dinner together. Maybe next time.”

“In that case, I won’t keep you.”

Ji Yangzong also got up to see him off, only returning to the courtyard after seeing him off at the door. He then saw Huo Shu also standing up.

“Lir Zheng, I’m also heading back.”

“?”

Ji Yangzong put his hands behind his back, feeling a bit awkward for a moment, and said, “It’s still early, why not stay a bit longer?”

“No, thanks.”

With this simple response from Huo Shu, Ji Yangzong then saw him go to tie up his horse without any intention of exchanging further pleasantries, and he just left like that.