Chapter 25: Who Would Risk Their Life for Him?

Lao Qian, as Village Chief, certainly does not want a violent conflict to occur in the village.

He cannot pacify Gu Daye's family, nor can he persuade Gu Lao San's family to pay compensation.

Today he came under the pretense of giving thanks, but actually he wants to ask Gu Xixi to continue helping.

However, Gu Xixi refused without leaving any room.

Lao Qian knows he is being unreasonable, awkwardly rubbing his hands, "I know too; I really couldn't think of anything else, so I came to ask you, eldest niece, don't take it to heart."

Gu Xixi nodded, "No."

Lao Qian took his leave sensibly; before leaving he said, "That flatbed cart has been idle too long, many parts have loosened; these two days I had someone fix it, replacing all the iron nails with new ones."

"The cart must be roadworthy; safety comes first."

His words had no fancy circumlocution; instead, they let one hear his sincere intent.

"Uncle Qian, wait." Gu Xixi finally called out to stop Lao Qian.

"My great-grandfather went to see you today; perhaps he heard that others in the village are selling water spinach."

Lao Qian wondered, "How so?"

Gu Xixi said, "His family used to be the only vegetable-selling household in the village."

"They hoarded the vegetable seeds and refused to share them with anyone."

"Recently his family missed the cabbage order pre‑booked by the restaurant, yet they saw others starting to sell water spinach."

"Do you think they can accept this calmly?"

Lao Qian nodded in understanding, "I was wondering why his temper is even worse today than before."

Gu Xixi smiled, "My great‑grandfather's family only burned less than half a mu of cabbage."

"His family's status in the village is upper‑middle; this level of loss would not drive them to mutual destruction with Gu Lao San."

"Even if my third uncle is a tough guy, the great‑grandfather's family might not dare to strike him; it's just thunder with little rain. Uncle Qian, do you know what to do?"

Lao Qian suddenly took a deep breath, suddenly enlightened, "Exactly!"

"Originally, as Village Chief I had settled the leftover issue of the burnt fields; that was already done."

"Gu Daye is letting off steam, Gu Lao San is being obstinate; I can't afford to provoke them, nor can I hide? The less people meddle in their quarrel, the better; once they lose interest, it will naturally die down."

"The problem vanished at once; Lao Qian was very pleased, 'Still, eldest niece, you see things clearly!'"

"From now on, if you have any business, go find Uncle; people ought to help each other."

Lao Qian walked away with light steps.

Mu Nan Zhao glanced sideways at Gu Xixi, "Not bad, you've become the Village Chief's free advisor."

Gu Xixi said flatly, "I just wanted that cart."

On the day of the fire rescue, she found that flatbed cart in the ancestral hall and took it to carry sand and earth.

Later, upon inquiry, she learned it was a cart made when the village built the road six years ago, and it had no owner.

After the road work it had been left idle there, weathered by wind and sun, becoming somewhat worn, but the shaft and axle were basically intact and could still turn.

Upon learning this, Gu Xixi's mind turned to it at once.

After her millet harvest, to turn it into money she had to go to the city to sell grain.

With a cart and an extra head of livestock, transporting and purchasing grain would be far easier.

So when Lao Qian was troubled, Gu Xixi volunteered, saying she could restore those scorched fields.

The condition was that broken cart nobody wanted.

Lao Qian readily agreed, immediately giving his approval.

In fact, this proved his judgment was correct.

After dinner the cart was delivered, just as Lao Qian said, looking completely renewed.

Gu Xixi gave the cart a push and was very pleased.

Mu Nan Zhao stood aside watching and said, "It's just a broken cart; what's there to be happy about?"

Gu Xixi didn't even look up, "We farming folk don't dare compare pomp; as long as it's usable, that's enough."

Mu Nan Zhao snorted coldly, "You can't even afford a draft animal, yet you want to use a cart."

Gu Xixi replied, "I'll buy one soon."

She straightened her waist and looked at Mu Nan Zhao, "I've noticed you've been looking for fault since just now."

"Which of your nerves is acting up again?"

At that moment Aunt Zhang was boiling water in the kitchen; only the two of them remained in the courtyard.

Mu Nan Zhao stared into Gu Xixi's eyes, "What's up with Gu Qingye at noon today?"

"Why did you again make an excuse to go to the kitchen, leaving just me and her, a lone man and woman?"

"You ran off yourself, yet you didn't forget to fill your stomach first."

The last sentence was almost spat out by Mu Nan Zhao through clenched teeth.

"Ah…" Gu Xixi's originally confident gaze became somewhat wavering.

"I didn't run off; I just suddenly remembered I had something to do."

"It's what Uncle Da Fu said—lately a kind of weed has sprung up in the fields, and I must deal with it."

Mu Nan Zhao sneered, "Hopefully it's really just a weed."

"Do you know what your cousin said?"

Gu Xixi remained silent.

Mu Nan Zhao said, "She asked me, why haven't we gotten married yet—is it because I look down on you, or you look down on me?"

"Gu Xixi, you answer this question."

Gu Xixi felt her scalp tingle under his cool gaze, and she spoke solemnly and seriously:

Obviously, you look down on me!

You have the looks of an immortal, noble birth, skilled in both literature and martial arts; I'm merely a country girl who farms.

Even if I only think of you in my heart, it's a desecration of you!

Mu Nan Zhao raised his brow, "So you mean I look down on you, and you don't look up to me?"

Gu Xixi hesitated, "That's the truth."

Mu Nan Zhao gazed at her, smiled, his smile beautiful yet dangerous.

So you find it troublesome and want to push me onto another woman.

He abruptly changed expression, angrily shouted, "Gu Xixi, you really know how to settle scores!"

"I didn't mean that." Gu Xixi defended herself.

"Today really wasn't something I deliberately arranged."

"Do you think I enjoy being a meddling matchmaker?"

Her motive in trying to pair Mu Nan Zhao with Gu Qingye is unspeakable.

Therefore, before success, she must absolutely not admit it to Mu Nan Zhao!

Gu Xixi then said, "Or do you think I have insufficient land to farm and am just bored?"

Mu Nan Zhao wavered somewhat.

Logically speaking, the Gu Xixi he saw is certainly not that kind of person.

She is either busy tinkering with those flowers and plants all day, or shut inside the house making clanging noises until late at night.

The remaining time she still has to go into the mountains and work the fields.

The only thing she seems to care about is farming to make money.

Even when helping the Village Chief, she insists on bringing back a broken cart.

Mu Nan Zhao simply couldn't fathom what benefit Gu Xixi hoped to gain by painstakingly trying to match him with Gu Qingye.

Gu Xixi saw Mu Nan Zhao's hesitation and seized the moment, "You know what my relationship with Gu Lao San's family is like."

"How could I possibly care what kind of person his family's daughter marries?"

Everything she said is true.

Because she only takes responsibility for getting the male and female leads together; aside from that, she truly doesn't care.

Mu Nan Zhao, having seen countless people, could tell Gu Xixi was likely not feigning, and his expression eased slightly.

"The morning after next, come with me to the city; I have business to attend to and need your cooperation."

Gu Xixi instinctively objected, "On what grounds?!"

Whatever he's up to surely isn't good; who would want to follow him into danger!