Xu Ruyi completely understood that Zhao Lie had truly taken a liking to her, but thinking he could marry her with such small favors? Dream on!
After packing everything up, she held the pheasant in one hand while stuffing the hare into the basket. When she tried to lift the basket, she couldn’t even budge it at first attempt.
“This is way too heavy! How am I supposed to get it home? Tch, such a waste if I don’t take all this back.” Xu Ruyi frowned in frustration.
Seeing this, Zhao Lie immediately emerged from hiding, strode over, picked up the basket, and even reached for the pheasant to help her carry it too.
Noticing Zhao Lie hadn’t left, Xu Ruyi felt somewhat pleased.
‘He’s quite considerate. I wonder what his family situation is like. I’ll ask Mother about it later. If his circumstances are poor, forget it—I can’t handle any hardship.’
“Zhao Lie, you’re still here! I thought you’d left! Hey, I’ll carry the pheasant. The basket is heavy enough already!” It wouldn’t be appropriate to let him carry everything.
Zhao Lie nodded reservedly and then led the way ahead.
Outwardly composed, inwardly he was practically setting off fireworks: She cares about me! She’s worried I might get tired and is sharing the load!! She’s carrying one pheasant—that thing weighs three jin! She didn’t let me carry it because she’s afraid I’ll overexert myself!!
The more he thought about it, the more energized Zhao Lie felt!!!
Xu Ruyi: Heh!! Whatever makes you happy!
Watching the man ahead of her as if he’d taken stimulants, Xu Ruyi thought that if he had a tail, he’d be wagging it exuberantly. Who knows what delusions he’s entertaining.
Just as they reached the outskirts, they ran into Xu Sigui, who had come looking for her. “Brother, I’m over here!”
Seeing his sister safe and sound, Xu Sigui breathed a huge sigh of relief. Noticing Zhao Lie beside her, he greeted him warmly, “Brother Lie, you’re up in the mountains too!”
Zhao Lie nodded and handed the basket to Xu Sigui, instructing gravely, “The mountains aren’t safe. Take your sister home early.”
Inner thoughts: This clueless kid, couldn’t you have shown up a bit later?
The weight made Xu Sigui stagger, but he could still manage it. Seeing that it was getting late, he nodded in agreement. “Alright, I understand. You should head back early too, Brother Lie.”
Satisfied that Xu Sigui understood, Zhao Lie nodded to Xu Ruyi and left.
Watching Zhao Lie walk away, Xu Sigui couldn’t resist teasing his sister, “Sis, does Brother Lie have a thing for you? He even escorted you down the mountain specially, and he carried your basket too.”
Xu Ruyi shot him a glare. “You talk too much. Let’s hurry home—Mother will be worried.”
The whole way back, Xu Sigui chattered nonstop. “Sis, Brother Lie is hardworking and capable. What do you think of him?”
Xu Ruyi rolled her eyes. “What does a little brat like you know? Stop playing matchmaker.” Though her words were dismissive, inwardly, her curiosity about Zhao Lie had grown a notch.
When they arrived home, Xu Mu was both shocked and delighted to see the basket full of game.
Learning that Zhao Lie had helped, she guessed the young man probably had his eye on her daughter. But given his family circumstances, she couldn’t bear to let her daughter marry into hardship.
She couldn’t help but advise, “Ruyi, from now on, if you need anything done, have Goudan do it. Don’t trouble others.”
Xu Ruyi was somewhat surprised. “Mother, is there something wrong with Zhao Lie?”
“Ah,” Wang Cuihua sighed deeply, “there’s nothing really wrong with him, but his family line is thin. They came here as refugees during the famine. His mother passed away when he was eight, and his father Zhao Lieren died ten years ago. The family has no farmland and relies solely on hunting for a living.”
After a moment’s thought, she added: “Although he has the skills to support a family, it’s ultimately an unstable life. I don’t want you to live in constant worry after marrying him.”
Hearing this, Xu Ruyi understood – Zhao Lie had no parents and no family property. Though he had a trade, it belonged to a high-risk profession unsuitable for settling down.
Since her family was concerned, Xu Ruyi wasn’t insistent on having him. “Alright, then I’ll avoid him from now on.”
Seeing her daughter being sensible, Wang Cuihua felt relieved. “Good, as long as you understand. I’ll go prepare dinner now.”
Looking at the Danggui on the ground, Xu Ruyi didn’t feel like handling it. “Little brother, you take care of these.”
Xu Sigui nodded, feeling his sister should rest and naturally having no objections. “Alright, sister, I’ll handle them! You go rest!”
Xu Ruyi didn’t feel embarrassed either. She directly returned to her room to change clothes and lay down to rest, not getting up until Wang Cuihua called her for dinner.