Chapter 184: First Meeting, Two Childhood Friends

An Qinghe pulled Zhang Shen, saying he wanted to borrow the stove this afternoon so everyone could drink the tea he personally fried.

Zhang Shen doubted, "Have you ever fried tea before? Don't waste these tea leaves, and don't burn down our kitchen."

Mainly because the locality doesn't produce tea, Zhang Shen, having lived to this age, has never seen anyone fry tea.

In case An Qinghe runs into trouble frying the tea, Zhang Shen won't be able to help him out.

An Qinghe's mind was wholly on the tea leaves and tea plants as he pestered Zhang Shen, saying, "Don't worry, although I've never personally fried tea, I have seen others do it in Shu."

"It's mainly about technique and heat; there's no problem!"

Seeing Zhang Shen waver, An Qinghe seized the moment, "Auntie, don't you want to try the tea that Xixi grew?"

"This is definitely the fruit of Xixi's hard work; having the whole family taste it together, she'll surely be happy."

Zhang Shen always puts Gu Xixi first, and thus she was completely convinced.

"All right, you fry the tea, I'll tend the fire and help you adjust the heat."

An Qinghe beamed, grabbing Zhang Shen's hand and shaking it back and forth, "I knew you were the best, just like my mother!"

Zhang Shen laughed, "You brat! You just can't stop your habit of reaching out!"

While those two discussed the tea leaves, Gu Xixi didn't hear a word.

She glanced at the kang, then looked out the window.

Hmm, there was no red rain falling, nor any summer snow.

At the east and west sides of the kang table, Mu Nan Zhao and He Jinglan sat opposite each other.

The two wore polite smiles as they engaged in a friendly chat.

He Jinglan: "So you were the teacher at the village school before."

Mu Nan Zhao: "Yes, but I'm temporarily unable to take on the role, so I recommended an old friend of mine to the village chief."

He Jinglan: "Master Liu? I already met him this morning."

The two smiled at each other, the atmosphere appearing remarkably harmonious.

Shitou and Old Doctor sat on the inner side of the kang table, Shitou waving at Gu Xixi, "Xixi sister, hurry up and come up!"

Gu Xixi nodded with a smile, then calmly took off her shoes and climbed onto the kang, sitting beside He Jinglan.

Her lips moved slightly, her voice as tiny as a mosquito's buzz, "What are we playing?"

He Jinglan curled a mysterious smile, tilting her head and whispering, "This is Chen Fang, your fiancé; since it's our first meeting, our talk naturally ought to be reserved and polite."

Gu Xixi broke out in a cold sweat.

He Jinglan continued facing Mu Nan Zhao, sitting upright with proper posture, displaying a perfectly appropriate polite smile.

"From today onward, I too will be teaching at the village school,"

"I didn't know Master Liu was actually recommended by Mr. Chen; won't Mr. Chen blame me for stealing Master Liu's job?"

Mu Nan Zhao smiled amiably, "How could that be? Having two teachers is a blessing for the village school."

He Jinglan praised, "I just knew Mr. Chen is a broad-minded person."

The two once again exchanged smiles and lightly nodded.

Gu Xixi really couldn't stand watching them act like that, urging, "The food's getting cold, dig in."

Zhang Shen came over with two bowls of red bean soup, "Xixi, go sit over there; I'll sit by Jing Lan so it's easier to serve the rice."

Gu Xixi saw the direction Zhang Shen pursed her lips toward—right beside Mu Nan Zhao.

She was about to refuse, saying she wanted to sit by Shitou, but she met Mu Nan Zhao's lifted glance.

His eyes held a hint of mocking laughter, as if saying, "You won't even dare take a single seat?"

Gu Xixi's temper was provoked.

She promptly lifted her rice bowl and moved over, squeezing Mu Nan Zhao hard as she sat down.

No joke! As the head of the household, could she be forced by a worthless fellow bought for a single cash coin to dare not sit wherever she pleased?

During the meal, He Jinglan occasionally brought up topics, exchanging a few words with Mu Nan Zhao.

Gu Xixi ate without glancing sideways, yet she wasn't lonely—Shitou and An Qinghe chattered at her, their mouths impossible to shut even while eating.

Zhang Shen saw that Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao were ignoring each other, and she secretly grew anxious.

Was Little Chen still resentful because Xixi had hit him?

Or was it that when she went out to pull vegetables, the two had another unpleasant spat?

Zhang Shen nudged He Jinglan under the table, then gave her a glance.

He Jinglan had long had her own plan; upon receiving Zhang Shen's hint, she smiled and said, "When do you two plan to get married?"

Gu Xixi nearly spat out a mouthful of red bean soup.

Zhang Shen was both surprised and full of praise, saying, "Well said! This Miss He, if she doesn't speak it's fine, but when she does, it's crucial!!"

Everyone's gaze at the table focused on Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao.

He Jinglan explained solemnly, "Just now I heard Mr. Chen say he's been living here for a year."

"I figured the two of you should have a happy event soon, so I'll stay a few more days to be sure to catch a cup of wedding wine."

Just as Zhang Shen couldn't help but want to applaud and cheer, He Jinglan abruptly shifted the topic.

"However… the fact that you've delayed your marriage this long—could there be some unspoken difficulty?"

She looked at Mu Nan Zhao, "Mr. Chen used to be a scholar; perhaps his ambitions are lofty, and his heart isn't in this rural cottage."

Knowing He Jinglan was picking a fight, Mu Nan Zhao replied indifferently, "Don't look at me; the decision isn't in my hands."

Zhang Shen felt a bit guilty, not daring to look straight at Mu Nan Zhao.

Speaking of this, Little Chen indeed never said a single "no."

From beginning to end, it's been Xixi dragging her feet, refusing in every way to marry Little Chen.

And now, today she's gone and beaten him up like that!

An Qinghe's eyes kept rolling, looking at this and glancing at that.

At this moment, he finally found a chance to speak: "Gu Xixi's marriage is, of course, for her to decide."

One must choose a man who shares her interests and can understand her.

Otherwise, wouldn't that be letting down such a fine girl as Gu Xixi?

An Qinghe puffed out his chest and lifted his head, almost as if he should hang a sign saying 'I'm the most suitable choice' around his neck.

Zhang Shen said displeasedly, 'This is none of your business! Eat your meal, don't interfere!'

He Jinglan also felt that the timing was about right.

We can't let An Qinghe speak too much, otherwise today everyone will lose face.

She intentionally glanced at Mu Nan Zhao and said with a smile, 'A woman fears marrying the wrong man; Gu Xixi wanting to wait a bit longer and consider more options is perfectly normal.'

What if the people around her aren't suitable; she might someday meet her true soulmate somewhere else.

An Qinghe happily said, 'Quite right; perhaps fate lies far away, not nearby.'

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao glanced at each other simultaneously.

As if scalded by fire, each withdrew their gaze.

In the afternoon, Mu Nan Zhao cornered He Jinglan beside the Houyuan granary.

'What exactly do you want to do?'

He Jinglan blinked in confusion, 'You're Chen Fang now; I definitely have to pretend not to know you.'

Mu Nan Zhao said with a dark face, 'You know I'm not talking about that.'

He Jinglan pretended to suddenly understand, 'You're talking about Gu Xixi, right?'

'Gu Xixi is my best friend; naturally, what I want to do is hope she does well.'

Mu Nan Zhao sneered, 'You say her true soulmate—could you be referring to that barbarian?'