By the end of October, the weather had gradually turned cooler.
Wang Cuihua returned home with a delighted expression. Seeing her daughter embroidering, she hurried over. “Ru Yi! Your aunt told me today that Sanshui’s mother is willing to arrange a meeting between her third son and you. Would you like to meet him?”
Over the past few months, Xu Ruyi had already met three potential matches, none of whom satisfied her.
This time, she held little hope. “Mother, have you inquired thoroughly about this one?”
“I’ve made all the necessary inquiries. This time, it’s Xu Lao San from the family at the village entrance. His family is distantly related to ours, beyond the fifth degree of mourning. He’s quite honest, tall, and sturdy. Sanshui’s mother said that once you marry, they’ll divide the family property, so you won’t have to crowd in with them.”
“Why hadn’t we heard about his family before?”
“Previously, their family was very poor. But half a month ago, Xu Lao San dug up a ginseng root and sold it for silver to build a house. Now that Xu Lao Er is also married, Sanshui’s mother wants to find a match for her third son. Hearing that our family is looking for someone from the same village, she came to ask. Your aunt knows their situation well and thought it was a good match, so she told me.” Wang Cuihua shared everything she knew.
Xu Ruyi thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. “Then let’s meet him. But I don’t want to meet at his house. Let’s meet at our aunt’s place.”
“Alright, I’ll go tell your aunt and ask her to find out when they can meet.” With that, Wang Cuihua hurried out energetically.
With no one else at home—Xu Niannian had gone with Xu Sigui to catch fish—Xu Ruyi found she could no longer focus on her embroidery.
Putting her things away, she decided to go out for a walk.
Xu Ruyi headed toward the small stream at the foot of the mountain, where Xu Sigui usually went to catch fish.
Just as she reached the mountain’s base, she ran into Zhao Lie, who was coming down from the mountain. Xu Ruyi nodded in acknowledgment, intending to leave after the brief greeting.
Zhao Lie had been feeling miserable lately. He had thought they might have a future together.
Later, he found it difficult even to catch a glimpse of her and understood she was avoiding him.
He repeatedly reminded himself to stay away from her and respect her decision.
But all his resolve crumbled the moment he saw her in person. Seeing her distant demeanor made Zhao Lie’s heart ache.
He also knew she had been meeting potential matches and had already seen three of them.
Seeing that she was about to leave, Zhao Lie decided to throw caution to the wind. He stepped forward and pulled her into a secluded spot.
Caught off guard by the sudden pull, Xu Ruyi was momentarily stunned.
Looking at Zhao Lie’s anxious face, she felt somewhat annoyed. “Zhao Lie, what are you doing?”
Clenching his fists, Zhao Lie spoke with utmost seriousness, “Ru Yi, I like you. Would you consider marrying me? I may not have farmland, but I can hunt, cook, and do household chores. I promise that if you marry me, you won’t have to lift a finger. I’ve also saved some silver and guarantee you won’t go hungry. Will you marry me?”
Well, that was quite the shift—from asking her to consider him to outright proposing.
Seeing him drenched in nervous sweat, Xu Ruyi found it somewhat amusing. “Zhao Lie, if I bought a Servant Girl, I wouldn’t have to do any of those things either. Why should it be you?”
Hearing this, Zhao Lie thought it made sense and deflated completely.
The man before her stood over six feet tall, nearly six-foot-three.
His body was all muscle, exuding strength. Though his looks weren’t exceptional, every time she saw him, he was neatly groomed, clearly someone who knew how to manage daily life.
Actually, Zhao Lie was her best choice for a spouse—not bad-looking, capable, decisive, with no parents to serve after marriage.
When she first returned and learned she had to marry, Xu Ruyi immediately considered Zhao Lie the ideal candidate.
But humans are like this—what they can’t have seems most desirable. Men still need proper training.
Since she wasn’t in a hurry to marry, she chose to let him be the anxious one.
Under her scorching gaze, Zhao Lie nearly burned up with tension.
His heart pounded nervously, unsure what verdict would fall.
Though he knew she wouldn’t agree, he still wanted an answer.
Xu Ruyi shook her head. “Zhao Lie, I have matchmaking meetings these coming days, so I can’t give you an answer.”