readytorunbook Chapter 337 The Calm Lake (77)
Chapter 337 The Calm Lake (77)
Aunt Qi smiled modestly and said, "I don't know if this will work out or not, but I'll try my best."
The old lady chimed in, "Whether it works out or not, at least we tried, so your son won't have any regrets."
Aunt Qi pulled Yue Niang aside and said a lot more: "Yue Niang, don't worry, Yu'er will definitely give you an explanation for this matter. Just stay at home these days and we'll be ready to marry you."
After saying that, he looked at her with a guilty expression: "It's just that everything is a bit simple right now, and I'm sorry to have troubled you."
Seeing her daughter looking bewildered, the old woman shook her head and then nodded, and Yue Niang finally gave a soft "hmm".
As Aunt Qi was leaving, she kept winking at Xu Chaoyan, signaling her to go outside and say a few words.
"Little Meng's wife, come sit in your aunt's room, I'll discuss some things with you."
Xu Chaoyan was still wondering what they were discussing, but then she realized it was probably about finding someone to smooth things over and needed to discuss it.
Then the old woman spoke up: "Have you set a date for your trip to the prefectural city? I'm sure the neighbors already know about what happened yesterday. I want to get this marriage done as soon as possible so that Yue Niang doesn't become the subject of gossip and a laughing stock."
Xu Chaoyan nodded: "Aunt Qi, you're so thoughtful. We can leave anytime, we just need to pack our things. The entrance exams aren't urgent yet. Aunt Qi, you just set a date and we'll get it done."
Aunt Qi looked worried and said, "I'm so worried! My family only has a few rooms in our old home in the countryside, and I'm afraid it will be unfair to Yue Niang and her daughter. But we will still give her the proper ceremony. I'm thinking of just setting a date and having a two-table banquet. I don't plan to invite any relatives. We don't get along well, and I'll have to trouble you, Xiao Meng's wife, to help out these next few days. As for the wedding dress, we can just buy it from a tailor shop. I don't want Yue Niang to be too tired."
Xu Chaoyan nodded: "Aunt Qi, what you said makes a lot of sense. There's no need to go to so much trouble to prepare the banquet, I'll take care of it. Since those people don't have a good relationship with your family, it's better not to invite them, so as not to cause any trouble later."
When Meng Jiu and the others returned and heard about this, Zhang Xuyang was so surprised his jaw almost dropped. He asked, somewhat uncertainly, "..."
"So, Qi Yu will be my brother-in-law from now on, right?"
Xu Chaoyan nodded: "That's true. Although it's a bit early to call him brother-in-law now, the wedding is just around the corner. You can call him that for a few days first and see how it goes."
Zhang Xuyang seemed unwilling to accept this fact. Although what happened yesterday had prompted his family to discuss preparing a generous gift to express their gratitude in a few days, they never expected that Qi Yu would actually want to take responsibility for his sister.
To be honest, his initial reluctance wasn't because Qi Yu was a bad person, but because he couldn't accept his friend becoming his brother-in-law.
Seeing that he was still in a daze, Meng Jiuhe walked up to him, patted his shoulder lightly, and teased him a bit.
"You should just accept this fact. Qi Yu's grades were always better than yours. Now that you're his brother-in-law, you have even more reason to ask him for help and expect him to share his knowledge without holding back."
Unmarried men and women are not supposed to see each other during their wedding days, but their two families live in the same courtyard. They see each other all the time. So, now that she's feeling a bit better, Yue Niang wants to go help out in the kitchen.
They bumped right into Qi Yu, who was walking towards them. They both involuntarily jumped back, then each took two steps back.
Qi Yu stood there holding a bowl of braised pork, coughed lightly with her hand to her lips, and said somewhat awkwardly, "My mother made braised pork with bamboo shoots and asked me to bring it over for you to try."
Moon Lady blushed and stepped aside to make way for her: "Father and the others are playing with Ya Ya inside. You can just take her there."
Qi Yu nodded to her and took a step forward, then suddenly turned back and asked, "Sister, how is your recovery going?"
I thought Zhang Yueniang was gone, and I patted my chest and breathed a long sigh of relief. But then I suddenly heard someone ask me a question, and I choked on my saliva and coughed repeatedly.
Qi Yu was at a loss for what to do and looked completely helpless.
Seeing him about to approach her, Yue Niang quickly waved her hand, signaling him to stop. It took him a long time to recover, his face flushed red from coughing.
"Qi Yu, don't come any closer. I'm fine now. You can take it first. I'll go and get back to work."
Before Qi Yu could go first, Yue Niang rushed into the kitchen and sat there for a long time before she recovered.
"Moon Lady, boil some water and roll out some noodles to make a topping for this braised pork with bamboo shoots. Qi Yu just delivered it. You didn't even go and greet him. Hurry up and tidy things up. He's still waiting over there. Go and thank him."
Zhang Yueniang was startled, her voice filled with helplessness: "Mother, you walk so quietly? You're like a cat, it scared me to death."
Then they stuffed in some dry grass and finally managed to get the firewood burning.
"You can go and thank them yourself. I'll knead the dough and make hand-pulled noodles right away. It will take quite a bit of work."
Seeing the girl's shyness, the old woman chuckled and said, "You've been married before. Oh, what's there to be shy about? I just asked you to thank her, and you're acting all coy. You and Qi Yu aren't strangers. Take this opportunity to talk more and build up your relationship."
She raised her face and drawled out, "Mother, what are you saying?"
Seeing her daughter's hesitant manner, the old woman stopped teasing her. She transferred the bowl of braised bamboo shoots and pork to her own bowl, quickly washed it clean, and filled it with a few bright red peaches. Still somewhat unwilling to give up, she tried to speak again.
"Moon Maiden, Moon Maiden." No matter how she called, Zhang Moon Maiden remained silent.
The old woman simply shoved the bowl into her hands: "Don't dawdle any longer. Qi Yu is so shy, she blushes even when we say a few words to her. Hurry up and take these peaches over. These were found by me and a few other women in the back hill. Take them over so that the mother and daughter can have a taste. Remember to send a few to the Meng family later as well."
The bowl in Zhang Yueniang's hands felt like a hot potato; her mother was so unfair. After shoving it into her hands, she immediately ran away.
She took several deep breaths and mentally prepared herself before walking outside, thinking to herself, "Why am I hiding? I should just treat him the way I always have."
He happened to meet Qi Yu's gaze, who was standing not far ahead.
Looking at his handsome appearance, her face couldn't help but feel hot again. She cursed him inwardly, "You stupid, inarticulate person, just say it! You damn foot, just walk forward!"
Qi Yu saw her holding a bowl, her face flushed. The setting sun cast its golden rays upon her, making her look gentle and serene, with a touch of earthy charm. He was mesmerized.