In the distance, two figures, one tall and one short, with similar faces, looked like siblings. Who knows what they were whispering about, not even noticing his presence.
Qiao Yue initially wanted to leave, but then he thought better of it and quietly approached them. Suddenly, he shouted like a thunderclap, “What are you two sneaking around here for?”
Fang Chuyue and his companion were startled, taking a few steps back. Just as they were about to explain that it was nothing, they looked up and saw it was Qiao Yue. Fang Chuyue patted his chest, “Oh, it’s you.”
He even cheekily said, “Don’t you know that scaring people can be deadly?”
Qiao Yue wasn’t angry at being glared at. After all, he had said the same thing to him last time. He spread his hands and said, “I was just worried there might be thieves. How was I supposed to know it was you?”
His tone was light, with a playful lilt at the end.
“Really?” Fang Chuyue wasn’t entirely convinced and had reason to suspect Qiao Yue did it on purpose after recognizing him.
When Fang Chuyue looked over, Qiao Yue had already put on another expression. He said confidently and sincerely, “Really.”
Fang Chuyue reluctantly believed him, “Alright then.” Even if it wasn’t true, there wasn’t much he could do about it.
“You still haven’t said what you’re doing here. The banquet is about to start, and you’re not going in.” There were many people at the entrance, but they had circled around to the back. Saying it was nothing was hard to believe. Qiao Yue didn’t forget and asked again.
Fang Chuyue refused to tell, “That’s none of your business. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand.”
Fang Chuyue’s sister, who had been silent and almost invisible, thought, “Does anyone even see me?”
How could her brother be so familiar with the village’s lazy guy? And these two are acting so weird!
Fang Chuyue’s sister looked at one, then the other.
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in her head. Got it!
This guy’s surname is also Qiao. Given his relationship with Scholar Qiao, it should be easy to use him to get in touch with Scholar Qiao.
Yes, Fang Chuyue and his sister were so worried about this matter that they couldn’t even focus on the banquet. He had been planning this for two or three months, but opportunities to meet Qiao Xingsheng were rare. The only time he did, they exchanged just a few words before an aunt saw them.
This time, Fang Chuyue had brought a pouch, determined to give it away.
If it didn’t work, it would mean Qiao Xingsheng had no taste, just like that annoying guy named Li, Fang Chuyue thought angrily.
“Hey, be careful.” His sister pulled him back and then tiptoed to whisper in his ear. Fang Chuyue nodded and shook his head.
Qiao Yue thought, “These siblings really act like I’m not here, whispering right in front of me.”
Qiao Yue was speechless, crossing his arms and looking up. The sky was really blue!
Who knows what they talked about, but soon they came over looking excited.
Fang Chuyue asked his sister to keep watch at the front, in case someone came looking for them.
“Keep an eye out.”
“Got it, big brother. Don’t miss this chance.” His sister encouraged him, giving Qiao Yue a curious glance before leaving.
Fang Chuyue fiddled with his clothes, looking a bit shy and hesitant as he gazed at Qiao Yue. Qiao Yue was silent for a moment, rubbing the goosebumps on his arms, “What do you want to say? If you don’t, I’m leaving.”
Seeing him really about to leave, Fang Chuyue quickly grabbed his sleeve, “Don’t go, you’re so impatient! It’s just…”
Qiao Yue looked at the blushing brother in front of him and couldn’t help but interrupt, “Did you put on powder?”
“Powder your head!”
Qiao Yue suddenly realized and patted his forehead, “Oh, you’re embarrassed, blushing, huh.”
He never expected this proud brother to blush. Qiao Yue was genuinely surprised.
Hearing this, Fang Chuyue puffed up angrily, his face turning even redder.
“Now you’re angry.” Qiao Yue leaned in for a closer look, saying firmly.
Fang Chuyue: “…”
He should have just said it directly, not given this guy a chance to tease him. Fang Chuyue angrily threw the pouch at him, “Help me give this to your cousin.”
Qiao Yue raised the pouch to take a closer look, glanced at Fang Chuyue, then back at the pouch, and said with a slight smirk, “This pouch looks familiar. Isn’t it the same one from last time?”
His words had a hint of sarcasm, but Fang Chuyue was too tired to be angry, nodding, “Yes, so what?”
There’s nothing wrong with that.
He just didn’t expect that after two months, the pouch was still with this brother, meaning they hadn’t really interacted.
But thinking about it, it made sense. Qiao Xingsheng rarely visited the village, so they had little chance to meet.
Ignoring the strange feeling in his heart, Qiao Yue remembered what Xiaoyuan said about the Xu family sister last night and hesitantly said, “Uh… this might not work…”
If it were someone else, Fang Chuyue might not have even asked, but since he had already lost face the first time by mistaking someone, he asked again, “Can’t you just help me? I can pay you.”
Qiao Yue felt a headache coming on, “It’s not about the payment.”
“Then what is it?”
“You’re a brother, giving a pouch you embroidered yourself to a man. What if he’s not a good person? Or what if he’s already planning to get married?” Qiao Yue really wanted to knock some sense into him.
Even he, a man, knew this. Fang Chuyue couldn’t possibly not know.
Honestly, before the Li family incident, Fang Chuyue was quite popular in their village.
The Fang family was poor, and his parents were weak. Not to mention the villagers who liked to bully the weak, even his sisters-in-law were no different. When he was younger, Qiao Yue had seen Fang Chuyue, a little brother, being bullied by the village ruffians, pulling his pigtails. At first, the little brother would just hide with red eyes.
The last time he saw, Fang Chuyue had beaten the boy who bullied him to tears, crying for his parents.
After that, Fang Chuyue took care of his siblings and supported the Fang family, charming all the uncles and aunts in the village with his clever words.
Though some gossiped that his sharp personality would make it hard for him to find a husband, in reality, everyone secretly hoped to match him with their sons.
But Fang Chuyue always refused, saying he was too young.
Who would have thought the Li family incident would happen, making everyone realize he wasn’t unwilling to marry or just staying to help his parents, but that he had bigger ambitions.
Qiao Yue thought about this and suddenly realized those people weren’t wrong.
But even so, or maybe because of it, he should care more about his reputation.
Fang Chuyue looked surprised. He always thought Qiao Yue would disapprove of his actions.
“Thanks, but this pouch is, um, store-bought, not embroidered by me.”
Qiao Yue: “…” Well, this brother is indeed smarter than him, already thought of this.
Fang Chuyue asked again, “Does your cousin already have a marriage prospect? I haven’t heard anything.”
Qiao Yue looked at the brother across from him, feeling a bit complicated. But if Sheng Ge’er was really going to marry into the Xu family, he couldn’t just watch Fang Chuyue get involved.
“Well, it’s possible. I’ve vaguely heard he’s planning to connect with a family in the county.”
After saying this, Qiao Yue added, “But I might have heard wrong.”
“I see.” Should he really give up?
Fang Chuyue looked up at the sky, feeling dejected.
“Brother, are you done talking? The banquet is about to start, and more people are coming. Second Brother is probably getting overwhelmed.” Fang Chuyue’s sister ran over to ask.
Fang Chuyue had always wanted to learn cooking from Lady Mo, but she never took apprentices. Fang Chuyue gave him advice to help out these days. Maybe with some luck, he’d be noticed.
“All done.” Fang Chuyue thanked Qiao Yue again and led his sister out first.
After a while, Qiao Yue slowly returned to the Wang family’s courtyard. He scanned the area and saw that Xia He and Qiao Xiaoyuan’s table was already full.
Tian Zhuzi saw him and waved, “Shanzi, come sit over here.”
Qiao Yue walked over and hadn’t even sat down when he was asked, “Where did you go?”
“Just wandering around.”
Tian Zhuzi nodded, then looked at his hand, teasing, “That pouch looks quite delicate.”
Qiao Yue clicked his tongue, having forgotten he still had it in his hand. He put the pouch away and asked, “When does the banquet start?”
Tian Zhuzi withdrew his gaze, “Soon. The village head just gave a long speech. Your cousin is really impressive, almost overshadowing the groom, Wang Ming.”
Qiao Yue looked at Qiao Xingsheng standing with the village head. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was the host today.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Wang family started serving dishes one by one, and Wang Ming and his brothers began toasting.
Once the banquet started, everyone grabbed a dish as soon as it was served, too busy eating to talk.
Tian Zhuzi ate while marveling, “The village head really went all out. This banquet must have used half a pig.” He put a piece of steamed pork into his mouth.
Qiao Yue nodded, “The food is indeed well-made.”
“I heard the village head specially hired a chef. No wonder it tastes so good.”
“How’s the banquet, guys?” Wang Ming came over with a wine jug in one hand and a cup in the other, “Come, have a drink.”
“May everything go smoothly.” Qiao Yue raised his cup and drank.
“Another round!” The Wang brothers pulled them in for more toasts.
They hadn’t eaten much, but they had drunk a lot.
After a good drink, night fell, and the banquet was winding down. Many people had left, leaving only close family members.
Qiao Yue shook his dizzy head and said to Tian Zhuzi, “Are you staying? I’m heading back.” Xia He and the others had left long ago. Village banquets turned tables quickly, and if you didn’t drink, you could be done in fifteen minutes after the dishes were served.
Tian Zhuzi, who could hold his liquor better, saw he was drunk, “Want me to go with you?”
“No need, no need.” Qiao Yue waved his hand, slowly standing up.
A woman ran over and said, “Shanzi, your cousin is resting in the back. Can you take him home?”
Qiao Yue thought for a moment, “I’ll take him back.” He needed to relieve himself anyway.
Otherwise, he’d probably get scolded if he went back alone.
He had been to the Wang family many times, and though he was a bit dizzy, he could still find his way.
Fang Chuyue’s sister, carrying a stack of bowls, suddenly had her eyes light up. This was a golden opportunity, a reward for her hard work!
Fang Chuyue was helping out, hoping to learn from Lady Mo. But because of his quick tongue, he got praised, which made others jealous. To avoid trouble, after they finished eating, Fang Chuyue and his siblings stayed to help out, running in and out.
The Wang family’s attitude improved, though his sister grumbled about how it wasn’t their brother’s fault that others were incompetent.
But when Fang Chuyue asked, she did as told, despite her complaints.
Now, hearing the woman’s conversation with Qiao Yue, Fang Chuyue’s sister couldn’t help but feel that heaven rewards the diligent. Her brother was right!
She quickly ran to find her brother, carrying the bowls at a fast pace.
Before she even set the bowls down, she shouted, “Big brother, hurry!”