Chapter 13: with translation of chapter title

Gu Xixi said lightly, "That matter has nothing to do with the debt my third uncle and aunt owe me; you don't need to lump them together."

Who would believe that this cousin of hers had no idea what she was planning for her parents?

Gu Qingye froze, she stared at Gu Xixi with tears in her eyes, as if she had made up her mind about something.

Suddenly, she grabbed Mu Nan Zhao's sleeve with both hands and cried, "Chen big brother, please plead with Sister Xixi for me, don't lay hands on my parents—they're old and can't take it!"

Gu Qingye lifted her little face to look at Mu Nan Zhao, her long lashes half-lowered, eyes full of pleading, tears streaking her cheeks like pear blossoms in rain.

The onlookers all felt pity seeing that.

Someone advised, "What big a conflict can't be talked out nicely? Raising your hands against elders is inexcusable."

"Yeah, look how pitiful Qingye is crying—she's a dear cousin; she certainly didn't mean to harm anyone."

"Qingye is young; as her older sister, you should forgive her!"

Gu Xixi stared speechlessly at the sky.

From ancient times to now, is it whoever can act or write a little essay who gets to be right?

Everyone who doesn't know the inside story jumps in as a peacemaker, and she won't stand for it!

Gu Xixi was about to retort when she suddenly heard the sound of fabric tearing.

The surroundings fell silent at once.

Under everyone's gaze, Mu Nan Zhao flicked at the sleeve that was only half left, his thin lips moving slightly, "Dirty."

Gu Xixi was stunned, then saw Gu Qingye holding a torn cuff standing there, so incredulous she even forgot to cry.

Mu Nan Zhao lifted his eyes to the onlookers again, with a hint of impatience.

"Do you know whose these few plots of land are?"

The villagers, being looked at by him, felt inexplicably tense.

After a moment, someone began to nod, then others followed.

Mu Nan Zhao said coldly, "Since you know, then keep your mouths shut and stay out of it."

Gu Xixi feared that if he went on he'd offend the whole village, so she stepped in at the right moment to smooth things over.

"My third uncle has already promised to rent the land to me today."

"Thanks for keeping me company here; you can all disperse now."

Gu Qingye still stared blankly at Mu Nan Zhao, as if she had lost her soul.

Why?

She had begged him in such a humble tone, yet he remained completely unmoved.

In terms of looks, intelligence, and even popularity in the village, from childhood on, which point of Gu Xixi could compare to hers?

He actually wouldn't even give her an extra glance!

Liu Shi rushed over and roughly grabbed her daughter, "Hurry up and come home with me, don't embarrass yourself here!"

Gu Lao San chose to pay rent in grain, so Gu Xixi instructed Chen Dafu to go with them home to get it.

Zhang Shen, intending to let the young couple cultivate feelings, said, "I'll first take everyone back to farm the land."

"Little Chen's health isn't great, Xixi, walk slowly with him."

Having said that, Zhang Shen didn't wait for Xixi's reply and hurriedly led the hired workers away.

Thus, Gu Xixi never imagined she would end up alone with Mu Nan Zhao in this situation.

Rather than make idle chatter, she'd prefer to look at flowers, grass, and scenery.

Mu Nan Zhao suddenly said, "If it were me, today not a blade of grass would grow in the field."

Xixi lifted her head to look at him, "You've never managed property and household before, have you?"

Mu Nan Zhao said disdainfully, "Gold and silver are trivial things, easily obtained."

Xixi sighed, "If you're still like this, why would you deign to trouble yourself at my home?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she felt a sharp gaze directed at her.

Xixi silently cursed, realizing she had accidentally blurted out the truth.

But she heard Mu Nan Zhao say, "You do have some self-awareness."

Xixi relaxed, laughing, "I've told you I'm not lying to you—I'm short of money and grain, and I still owe for that cow I killed."

"Now that we can scrape something from Gu Lao San's pocket, why not?"

"Besides," she paused, then lowered her head and kicked away the small stone at her feet.

"Cutting his wheat would take at least two or three days, plus handling the stalks and reworking the field—it's time-consuming, labor-intensive, and not worth it."

Mu Nan Zhao glanced sideways, "So you've already figured out what you want."

"Is coming here today still a threat to collect a debt?"

Gu Xixi gave a sly smile, made a hushing gesture, "Shh, keep it down."

She thought of Gu Qingye, and her mood wasn't so light anymore.

According to the plan, Gu Xixi should have been matchmaking Mu Nan Zhao and Gu Qingye until the lovers finally became a couple.

But what's going on now?

Gu Xixi worried endlessly, stole a glance at Mu Nan Zhao, only to be caught in the act.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Gu Xixi gave a dry laugh, "Gu Qingye has never offended you; why treat her like that?"

Mu Nan Zhao turned his head toward her, brows slightly furrowed, "Aren't you the one who dislikes her?"

Gu Xixi could only say, "My relationship with Gu Qingye is between me and her."

"Given our friendship, you wouldn't hold a prejudice against her just because of me, would you?"

Mu Nan Zhao turned back, facing forward, "Oh."

Oh? Xixi frowned, what does that 'oh' even mean?!

To avoid arousing Mu Nan Zhao's suspicion, Gu Xixi decided to call it a day for now.

Anyway, they're the official couple; there will be plenty of chances for them to spark.

As for Gu Qingye's actual character, whether she's a good match.

Gu Xixi couldn't care less; she's not anyone to Mu Nan Zhao, she just needs to keep her money and her life.

"That Gu Tiezhu seems to have been giving you flirtatious looks all along."

Gu Xixi was lost in thought when she suddenly heard Mu Nan Zhao say that, and she jumped.

"Nonsense, who's been giving him flirtatious looks!"

Mu Nan Zhao: "……Oh."

Gu Xixi gritted her teeth, another 'oh'!

She simply asked outright, "Why has your attitude changed today?"

"Why did you insist on going out with me? Why did you speak up for me just now?"

"What do you want now?"

Mu Nan Zhao actually didn't avoid answering, "The reason is what you yourself said."

"I'm stuck here; I won't be able to leave for a while."

"If you fail to live up to expectations and squander the family fortune, it will be of no benefit to me."

Gu Xixi forced herself to suppress an eye-roll.

It's taken for granted to mooch off others' food and drink.

Mu Nan Zhao saw through her thoughts, "Back then you bought me for a single coin, which was not my wish either."

Gu Xixi: "……"

Fine, I'll support the man I bought myself.

Gu Xixi isn't unable to support him!

Gu Xixi worked hard, personally selecting seeds and mixing medicinal herbs, and had all the millet seeds ready by the afternoon.

At sunset, Zhang Shen returned home and shared some good news.

"The people Xixi found using this method are really effective!"

"We've finished weeding for the day, and the land is level."

"At most, we'll need another half day, and we can sow the seeds tomorrow afternoon."

Gu Xixi dug up all the wild yams buried in the sand heap, saying, "That's about what I expected."

"We'll plant the millet and yams together tomorrow,"

"Yams are most afraid of waterlogging."

"Using intercropping, we'll plant a row of yams on the high ground between each millet plot."

Zhang Shen nodded repeatedly, taking careful notes.

She looked around again and asked, "What about Xiao Chen?"

Gu Xixi said indifferently, "I don't know; I haven't seen him since I came back."

Zhang Shen searched everywhere, unwilling to give up, and indeed, the person was gone again.

"This man keeps running off, his heart's gone wild—do you want to rein him in?"