Chapter 130: with translation of chapter title

Gu Xixi set down her teacup, sighed, and looked toward An Qinghe, speaking earnestly, "An brother!"

You've been in the Great Undertaking Dynasty for two years, right? If you still can't adapt to the local social customs and language habits, later when you do business in the Northwest, offending people will easily cause you to suffer a loss!

"Suffer a loss?" An Qinghe frowned and shook his head.

"Xixi, did I say something wrong that's hindering your understanding?"

An Qinghe had learned the language of the Great Undertaking Dynasty, as well as its customs and local scenery, from his uncles and elder brothers since childhood; before coming to Yunling, he believed he had made thorough preparations and would surely integrate locally.

At this moment, Gu Xixi saying he wasn't adapting made An Qinghe involuntarily doubt himself.

"Or... is it my accent?"

Gu Xixi laughed, "Not that; your accent is quite standard, and your language conveys meaning well."

"Then what?" An Qinghe grew even more puzzled.

Gu Xixi had to explain in detail, "In the Great Undertaking Dynasty, marriages emphasize the parents' order and the matchmaker's words."

"So, most ordinary people wouldn't, in public, ask a girl whether she likes him."

"Moreover, they wouldn't say to a girl they just met things like 'beautiful rose'."

She paused, then solemnly reiterated, "You'd get beaten!"

An Qinghe was startled, "Really? Why hasn't anyone warned me before!"

He thought of something, then quickly broke into a sunny smile, "I almost forgot—I'd never told any other girl about beautiful roses before meeting you!"

Gu Xixi broke out in a cold sweat.

How does this guy always speak so confidently with flirtatious lines? Is he a natural airhead?

Actually, An Qinghe was telling the truth; he'd been at the merchant association for less than two years, during which he had to adapt to various affairs and social relations, and in his spare time he still missed his hometown, so he simply had no time to pursue girls!

An Qinghe placed both hands on his legs, straightened his back, and said, "Xixi, I understand what you mean!"

Gu Xixi felt relieved, "As long as you understand, just watch your words from now on."

As she lowered her eyes to drink tea, she heard An Qinghe solemnly say, "People of the Great Undertaking Dynasty observe the rule of the matchmaker's words."

"I should first propose to you, gain your consent, and then I can speak sweet nothings to you!"

Pffft!

Gu Xixi's mouthful of tea was blocked and sprayed out; fortunately she turned in time, so it didn't hit An Qinghe.

Gu Xixi choked, coughing nonstop, her face flushed red, she pointed at An Qinghe but couldn't speak.

At that moment, the door curtain was lifted, and Zhang Shen rushed in hurriedly, not yet steady on her feet, and said:

"My Xixi already has a fiancé—Chen Fang! He's our village's schoolteacher, respectable, educated, of good character and appearance! I advise you to give up your delusions early and look for another girl!"

"Fiancé?" An Qinghe pondered the term.

"Oh, so he's not Xixi's servant after all."

"So you young man, you'd better quit fooling around."

An Qinghe raised his head, solemnly, "Since they're engaged but not yet married, that means they haven't wed."

"Do I still have a chance?"

"You! You!!" Zhang Shen nearly fell over from shock at his logic.

An Qinghe didn't understand, "In my hometown, as long as they're not married, other men still have a chance."

Gu Xixi also caught her breath, patting her chest, "This isn't about whether you have a chance or not,"

"We haven't even gotten to that point." She weakly waved her hand.

"Do you understand what 'mutual affection' means?"

An Qinghe blinked and nodded.

"Between us, there is no mutual affection."

"So whether you want to sweet-talk or discuss who fancies you, the object shouldn't be me."

"Let alone talk of marriage."

It seems An Qinghe finally understood this time.

Because his expression grew somewhat dim.

Zhang Shen let out a breath, then felt a bit of sympathy for An Qinghe.

So she comforted him, "Good lad, you understand now, right? Xixi doesn't feel that way, and besides she's already engaged, but don't be disheartened—you're tall and sturdy, and also handsome."

"There are still girls as good as our Xixi in the world; you'll surely be blessed with happiness and a full house of descendants!"

An Qinghe stared blankly at Gu Xixi, then at Zhang Shen.

"After a moment, his expression brightened as if enlightened, and he nodded, 'Auntie, rest assured, I will never give up on myself.'"

"Of course, as long as Xixi hasn't married yet, he still has hope; saying he'd give up now is far too early!"

"Zhang Shen and Gu Xixi, however, thought this guy had finally come to his senses."

Gu Xixi relaxed and took a piece of pastry to eat.

Zhang Shen then patted An Qinghe's shoulder with relief, "What a good boy, he listens to advice!"

"You've come from afar as a guest; tonight, whatever you want to eat, Auntie will make it for you!"

An Qinghe laughed, "Anything's fine! I've heard Xixi talk about your home cooking several times and have been craving it; today I finally get to see your skill, and I'm absolutely delighted."

He appeared well-behaved and easy to care for; Zhang Shen took a liking to him, and naturally felt a bit more affection.

"Good, good, then whatever I make, you'll eat."

"You two chat first; eat less pastry, don't fill up your stomach."

At dinner, Lao Langzhong didn't come out.

Shitou scooped some food and sent it to the rear courtyard.

When he returned, Huahua had already eaten the fragrant little fish cat food.

Seeing everyone had arrived, Aunt Zhang arranged for everyone to get on the kang and enthusiastically served An Qinghe vegetable dishes and soup.

You're not even old and yet you've left home—it's not easy.

Eat more, treat this place as your own home!

An Qinghe was extremely sweet‑talked; although he occasionally misused idioms, he could still make Aunt Zhang's heart bloom with joy.

Shitou nudged Mu Nan Zhao and whispered, "It's already this late and he still hasn't left—could he be planning to stay tonight?"

Mu Nan Zhao moved his thin lips expressionlessly, "There's no spare room at home—where could he stay, the granary?"

No sooner had he spoken than Aunt Zhang said, "Little An, you'll stay in this room tonight, but the house is small, so you'll have to share a bed with this kid."

Aunt Zhang said this, pointing at Shitou.

Shitou immediately protested, "Grandma Zhang, you're making me share the kang with him—what about you?"

Aunt Zhang laughed, "I'll go to Xixi's room."

Gu Xixi was drinking porridge and, taking a break, said, "I have no objection."

Shitou turned pale with fright, anxiously giving Mu Nan Zhao a look.

Oh no, oh no—Sis Xixi really wants to keep the blue‑eyed foreigner at home!

How can Mr. Chen not be in a hurry!

Mu Nan Zhao simply lowered his eyes to eat, as if deaf to everything around him.

Gu Xixi didn't notice Shitou's reaction, finished the last mouthful of porridge, and urged An Qinghe:

"Brother An, eat quickly—villagers go to bed early, we need to leave soon."

Shitou was startled again, "Sis Xixi, where are you taking this person?"

Gu Xixi helplessly corrected, "You should call him Brother An or Boss An—don't be rude."

An Qinghe, on the other hand, was very amiable.

He smiled at Shitou and said, "We're going to see a few families who grow fruit trees—are you coming?"