Chapter 179: Chapter 99: Huai Zi’s Cousin (Part 2)

Mrs. Yang came over and spoke with Mrs. He, then lavished praise on Yu Qin.

Mrs. He rolled up her sleeves and said to Juhua, “You two go rest with Yu Qin for a bit. I’ll help your mother clean up.”

Mrs. Yang also smiled and said, “Your Aunt He is no stranger. Just let her keep me busy. You young girls go have a chat. Anyway, they won’t be eating here tonight, so the afternoon won’t be so busy.”

Juhua agreed and led Liu Xiaomei and Yu Qin to her room.

Because of Qingmu’s strange behavior, she paid extra close attention to this Yu Qin. In their conversation, she tried to draw out details about her family and her hobbies, feeling like the Big Bad Wolf eyeing Little Red Riding Hood.

The three of them made small talk for a while. Then Liu Xiaomei needed to use the outhouse, so Juhua accompanied them both.

Yu Qin complimented Juhua’s family’s outhouse on being clean and fresh.

Juhua smiled. “My brother did all this. He might not talk much, but he’s very meticulous in his work.” She wanted her brother to leave a good impression on Yu Qin.

Liu Xiaomei saw a small, delicate basket hanging on the woven-straw wall next to them. It was filled with some toilet paper. She praised it, saying, “How convenient! It’d be such a pain if you forgot to bring paper, wouldn’t it? This basket is so delicately woven, too. It’s quite charming.”

Juhua added, “My brother made that, too.”

Actually, her father had woven the basket. But to score points for Qingmu, she credited it to him. Besides, Qingmu knew how to weave anyway.

Yu Qin smiled sweetly and said, “My cousin Huai Zi is also very meticulous. He keeps the outhouse clean, too.”

Juhua gave her a strange look. ’It seems my efforts were wasted. The girl apparently has feelings for her cousin!’

Then Yu Qin continued, “Brother Huai Zi soaks acorns, dries them, leaches them for a few days, and then grinds them into powder to make tofu.”

Juhua couldn’t help but say, “He learned that from my brother. My brother was the first one to make acorn tofu.” Internally, she thought, ’Your cousin isn’t as good as my brother.’

Liu Xiaomei confirmed it, “Juhua’s family was the first to make it. They used it for pig feed at first, and only later made it into tofu.”

But Juhua didn’t get the praise for Qingmu she was hoping for from Yu Qin. Instead, the girl said, “Is that so? Brother Huai Zi is so smart; he learned it right away. He’s smart with his studies, too. When he recites his lessons with Yangzi, Yangzi says he hardly ever makes a mistake.”

Juhua was utterly speechless. ’Talk about beauty being in the eye of the beholder,’ this was a living example. She couldn’t help but worry for Qingmu. Normally, he shouldn’t have fallen for a girl so quickly on their first meeting. He’d never been like this with any girl before.

Her mind started to race. ’What if my brother and Zhang Huai become enemies over this Yu Qin? Wouldn’t that be terrible?’ And so, her rich imagination took flight, instantly creating and directing a rural drama of love, hate, and betrayal.

After she was done, Liu Xiaomei came out of the outhouse and tugged on a dazed Juhua. “Let’s go. What are you still standing here for?”

Juhua finally snapped out of it, feeling she was being ridiculous. ’In just a few moments, my thoughts have strayed so far. I’m getting way ahead of myself!’

While Juhua was at home keeping an eye on Yu Qin, out in the wasteland, Qingmu wasn’t letting Zhang Huai off the hook either.

He pulled Zhang Huai to one side, far away from the others. While picking up the grass roots and pebbles turned up from the soil, he asked, “What’s the deal with that cousin of yours?”

Zhang Huai asked in confusion, “What deal?”

Qingmu said unhappily, “How come she’s been staying for so many days and still hasn’t left? In past years, didn’t relatives from your grandmother’s side usually leave after one night?”

Zhang Huai’s mouth fell open. He stared at him strangely and said, “How should I know? You think I can just tell her not to stay? What’s it to you how many days she stays?”

Qingmu was furious. He lowered his voice and said, “She even helped you make gloves. I think she wants to marry you. Let me tell you, if you’re going to marry her, do it soon, and stop bothering Juhua.”

Zhang Huai was aghast. “What nonsense are you talking about? Who wants to marry…” He quickly stopped himself—his voice was too loud and had drawn everyone’s eyes toward them.

Big Mouth Zhao laughed and called out, “Huai Zi, who are you marrying?”

Liu Ershun added, “He’s definitely discussing with Qingmu which family’s daughter is the best to marry. They probably have different ideas and started arguing. Isn’t that right, Huai Zi? Which family’s daughter is it? Tell us so we can all judge.”

Qingmu and Zhang Huai looked helplessly at the men. Zhang Huai retorted, “You should worry about your own wife. She’s waiting for you to marry her this year.”

At that, everyone roared with laughter.

After a while, Zhang Huai said quietly to Qingmu, “Don’t overthink things. Why would Yu Qin marry me? My uncle is helping her find a husband; they’ve already checked out several families. If our family had that intention, would my mother have gone to Liu’er’s house to propose marriage last year? You’re getting suspicious over a pair of gloves. It was only because Yangzi saw you had gloves and pestered my mom about it. My mom didn’t have time to make them, and since she was visiting, she helped out. If you’re so suspicious, why don’t you ask Juhua to make a pair for me?”

Qingmu shot him a sullen glare. “You should be more careful. I can tell she has ideas about you. Don’t let something else happen, or you’ll really have a hard time explaining yourself.”

Zhang Huai said in disbelief, “No way. All these years, nothing’s ever happened. Doesn’t everyone have female cousins? We all get along the same.”

Qingmu eyed him sideways. “Get along the same? Is it so rare for cousins to marry and make a close family even closer? Anyway, I’ve said my piece. You figure out what to do. Just don’t come crying to me for help later. I’ll definitely be on Juhua’s side.”

Zhang Huai said glumly, “Then I’ll have my mom send her home. It is strange, now that you mention it. She’s never stayed at my house for this long before.”

Qingmu said with certainty, “I’m not mistaken. She definitely has ideas about you.”

There was one more thing he didn’t say: Liu’er used to look at him the same way. He hadn’t paid it any mind back then, but seeing Yu Qin today had suddenly put him on high alert.

Zhang Huai, annoyed, shot back, “Since when did you get so perceptive? Why don’t you take a look at the girls in our village and see if any of them have ’ideas’ about you?”

Qingmu had just picked up a stone. Hearing this, he tossed it at Zhang Huai, and the two started roughhousing. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep