Lin Chunhua had rushed back carrying a hoe and heard these words as soon as she entered the courtyard gate. Catching sight of the village’s two biggest gossipmongers, she felt a throbbing ache in her temples.
She threw her hoe into the corner by the wall and walked inside, saying, “You must be the girl from the Zhao family. What match is there between our two families that requires your approval?”
Zhao Juan turned her head at the sound of the voice. Seeing no warmth or politeness on Lin Chunhua’s face, she lowered her head and greeted her meekly, “Auntie.”
Lin Chunhua didn’t acknowledge her. She first looked at Zhang Hehua and Wang Chahua, smiling as she said, “It’s already noon. Aren’t you two going back to get lunch ready?”
Zhang Hehua felt a bit sheepish. After all, she hadn’t known at first that the match with the Qin family had been called off. Stumbling upon this matter and then having Lin Chunhua ask them to leave was quite awkward.
Wang Chahua, however, had no such awareness. She smiled and said, “The meals at my house are all cooked by my daughter-in-law. I say, you should also bring a few daughters-in-law into your home early so you can enjoy your golden years sooner.”
Zhang Hehua rolled her eyes inwardly. This total fool, always bringing up the one topic you shouldn’t.
Lin Chunhua also knew that Wang Chahua was habitually tactless and couldn’t read the room. Nor did she expect them to leave immediately right now—if they left after hearing only a half-baked story, it would cause even more trouble when they went around spreading rumors outside.
So she played along with her words, saying, “Isn’t that right? People our age just look forward to holding grandchildren. Once my oldest son’s leg heals up, he’ll have to get married, and then I’ll be able to enjoy the blessing of having children and grandchildren around.”
With that, she turned to Zhao Juan and said, “I heard someone outside earlier saying that my Zhijun’s girlfriend had arrived. Girl from the Zhao family, you can hardly be considered my Zhijun’s partner. After all, as your parents said, we only met once for a blind date. There were no betrothal gifts exchanged, nor was anything finalized. It doesn’t count as an engagement, so naturally, there’s nothing for you to acknowledge or disavow.”
Zhao Juan’s face turned bright red and then pale at her words. Extremely embarrassed, she felt immensely wronged inside.
She liked Qin Zhijun. She had taken a liking to him the very day of the blind date. Qin Zhijun was tall, handsome, and possessed the manly toughness of a soldier. Even though Qin Zhijun was now crippled, she still liked him.
However, she hadn’t expected that when she came to the door carrying gifts to express her willingness to marry Qin Zhijun anyway, she would be spoken to like this by the Qin family’s mother. In her mind, she didn’t mind Qin Zhijun’s condition and was still willing to marry him, so the Qin family ought to feel deeply grateful to her. How could they react like this?
In truth, what she didn’t realize was that her son’s leg was injured, ruining his future, and the cold-hearted Zhao family had immediately broken off the match, which drew Lin Chunhua’s redirected resentment in the first place.
Secondly, the news that Qin Zhijun had a potential partner hadn’t had time to spread yet. Breaking it off was fine since only a few close families knew about it anyway. Yet this young girl had made a huge scene, telling people from the moment she entered the village that she was Qin Zhijun’s girlfriend. She had even drawn Zhang Hehua and Wang Chahua to watch the entire spectacle right here. Before this afternoon was over, the whole village would know that her son Zhijun had been dumped.
When that time came, how would the villagers wag their tongues? Saying his future was gone, his leg was crippled, and even his marriage had fallen through—the gossip would only be far nastier than that.
How could she not be furious?
Thinking of this, she looked at Zhao Juan and said, “Not to mention the marriage was never finalized—even if it were, with your Zhao family’s snobbish ways, I couldn’t afford an in-law like that. It’s already noon, so you had better head back now.”
This was an explicit, direct drive to send her away.
Qin Zhijun gestured to his younger sister and whispered a few words in her ear. Qin Xiaomei nodded, went into his room, took out the few packages of pastries and canned food from the table, and handed them back to Zhao Juan.
Zhao Juan had a strong-willed nature. Driven away without a shred of courtesy by Lin Chunhua and seeing the Qin family return all the items she had brought, she lacked the face to say anything more. Taking the things, she fled in embarrassment.
Lin Chunhua was usually known for having a good temper, but today she had been sharp, shaming the girl away in just a few words. However, thinking about it, Zhang Hehua found it understandable. Her most promising son had met with such a misfortune, and just as he returned to the village, the Zhao family came the next day saying the marriage was off. It was no wonder she didn’t put on a pleasant face for that girl.
She smiled and explained to Lin Chunhua, “When that girl entered the village, a bunch of us were sitting over by the old locust tree. She came up to ask for directions to your house, so I casually asked if she was a relative of yours. The girl said she was Zhijun’s girlfriend, which is why I led her here. Seeing that only Zhijun was home at the time, I figured they weren’t married yet and Zhijun’s leg was still injured, so I stayed behind a bit longer.” This chapter was copied from novelping.com without permission.
With this explanation, her words sounded quite diplomatic. Lin Chunhua was an easygoing person who didn’t like holding grudges with anyone, so she smiled and thanked her for being so thoughtful, adding:
“We only met that one time during the blind date. At the time, I thought the girl seemed decent and wanted my Zhijun to settle down early. Who could have known Zhijun would injure his leg? On the morning of the second day after we got back, her family eagerly sent the matchmaker over to wash their hands of it. Just now, Old Man Tian told me that Zhijun’s partner had come to the house. As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard her talking like that. How could I not be angry?”
“People’s gossiping tongues never spare anyone. My Zhijun is down on his luck right now with an injured leg—what would it look like if rumors spread outside that his marriage fell through?”
Zhang Hehua expressed her understanding and comforted her, “Rest assured. I witnessed everything today. Later on, if anyone in the village starts making up wild stories, I’ll definitely help set the record straight when I see them. How can it count as a marriage match without an engagement or betrothal gifts? Which family doesn’t go on a few blind dates before getting married?”
Wang Chahua chimed in from the side as well. She wasn’t entirely incapable of reading the room; her reactions were simply a bit slower than others.
Lin Chunhua got the response she wanted. Smiling, she brought out a bowl of home-dried peanuts and said to the two, “You two are blessed; you get to enjoy the happiness of having children and grandchildren right now. Since you’re in no rush to go home and cook, stay and have a cup of tea at my place.”
Qin Xiaomei was quite observant. Seeing her mother go get the peanuts, she grabbed two cups, brewed hot tea, and brought it out.
The tea was naturally nothing high-grade—just broken tea leaves and dust—but in the countryside, it was already top-tier stuff, only brought out to entertain important guests.
Even so, by that afternoon, several women in the village who were close to Wang Chahua and Zhang Hehua had heard the story in full detail—or rather, a bit more than full detail. Ten parts were what Zhang and Wang had actually seen and heard, while another two or three parts were somehow added along the way during the telling.
What Lin Chunhua had wanted to avoid most happened anyway: Qin Zhijun of the Qin family became the hottest topic of village gossip after meals once again in Qinghu Village.
Around three or four o’clock in the afternoon, when Gu Wan walked out carrying Niuniu, who had just woken up and was throwing a fuss looking for his mother. She went to find her eldest sister-in-law and saw four or five women washing clothes by the edge of Big Green Lake, animatedly discussing Qin Zhijun’s partner.
“I heard that the girl from Sanjiawan is a worker at the county printing factory. Her parents saw that Qin Zhijun was going to be a cripple, so they hired a matchmaker to come to the door and say the match was off. But that girl is a good one! She made a declaration right there at the Qin house today, saying her parents acted dishonorably, that she wouldn’t accept breaking off the match, and that even if Qin Zhijun is a cripple, she still wants to marry him!”
That woman spoke vividly, capturing about thirty percent of the tone and mannerisms of the Zhao family girl that Wang Chahua had mimicked for her. The women all burst out laughing.
“What do you think that girl is after? Qin Zhijun was an officer in the army, but if he can’t stay in the military, he’s worse off than a farmer now! And his leg is crippled on top of that,” one woman remarked.
The woman who had mimicked the speech wiggled her eyebrows at the others and said, “You don’t get it, do you? Young girls just like handsome guys! Qin Zhijun was born handsome, tall, and broad-shouldered. He just limps a little bit—it’s not like he’s paralyzed, so it doesn’t affect… anything.”
The woman beside her caught on to the subtle implication. Swiping at the speaker with a semi-wet hand, she pointed at her and laughed, “You really dare to blurt out just about anything!”
The group burst into another bout of laughter.
Gu Wan didn’t listen any further and walked away holding Niuniu.
Falling into Qin Zhijun’s arms the first time had been an accident, but this morning’s incident had been deliberate on her part. Yet the premise that emboldened her to act like that was that she was supposed to marry Qin Zhijun half a year later.
If the match between Qin Zhijun and the Zhao family girl from Sanjiawan hadn’t fallen through, then acting like she did this morning would make her truly shameless.
The Zhao family girl had a high school education, was a factory worker, and was chosen by Qin Zhijun himself. Now, she didn’t mind his leg and was willing to marry him even against her parents’ wishes. Such deep affection and righteousness would surely move him deeply.
Gu Wan, who had previously been certain that she would marry Qin Zhijun, was now unsettled. She felt a surge of sadness and helplessness. If she couldn’t marry Qin Zhijun, what was she going to do? She wondered if there were other ways, or other people who could benefit her just as Qin Zhijun could. The source of this chapter is novelping dot com.
As she was lost in thought, a voice suddenly sounded near her ear.
“Ninth Young Lady, after so many reincarnations, your actions still lack the air of the Fox Clan.”
Gu Wan started in shock. The voice belonged to an adult male, but beside her was only her clueless little nephew. Gu Wan felt a chill down her neck and her scalp go numb.
Trembling, she asked in a low voice, “Who’s there?”
Niuniu looked up at his aunt’s tense expression in confusion. Of course, Niuniu, who couldn’t even speak properly yet, didn’t understand what tension was.
“There is no need to fear. I am inside your consciousness space (Shihai). If you wish to speak with me, you only need to say it in your mind.”
How could Gu Wan dare to converse with him? In her panic, she only wanted to cover her ears, but unfortunately, her hands were occupied holding the child, leaving her unable to free them.
The man let out a helpless sigh and said, “You were once the daughter of the Red Fox Clan Leader. I am your Contracted Beast, coexisting with you through every life. I cannot harm you. The spiritual energy in this realm is sparse, and you are currently a mortal flesh body who has never cultivated. Before you enter the path of cultivation, every time I awaken requires burning my own soul power, so my time is limited.
Last time I woke, I barely managed to bestow upon you some Fox Clan inheritances. This time, I am here to inform you that Qin Zhijun possesses a Pure Yang Physique , a rarity in a thousand years. A Pure Yang Physique is not only of immense benefit to human cultivators, but it is also a supreme tonic for women of the Fox Clan. If you wish to merge your bloodline faster and better, he is your best choice. You belong to the Fox Clan; there is no need to observe these worldly rules of mortals.”
Gu Wan felt bewildered hearing him mention things like the Red Fox Clan Leader’s daughter, Contracted Beast, spiritual energy, and Pure Yang Physique, but she could grasp the general idea.
Having accompanied her for countless ages, the man knew her disposition thoroughly. He continued:
“If you find it uncomfortable to be too intimate with him for the moment, simply staying near him frequently will still yield some benefit. Within three zhang, the closer, the better. Though this method offers negligible benefit compared to dual cultivation.”
Gu Wan’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. Within three zhang meant a distance of nearly ten meters, which wouldn’t be difficult at all.
The man let out a barely audible sigh and said, “There are few left in this world with spiritual roots, let alone a Pure Yang Physique. Ninth Young Lady, heed my advice: he is merely a man. Being chosen by you is his good fortune. If he is useful to you, simply snatch him over.”
Gu Wan instinctively shook her head.
The voice seemed to have anticipated her reaction long ago and instructed, “My soul power is running low. Ninth Young Lady, remember well: before the Red Fox Mark fades, do not marry a mortal man under any circumstances. Otherwise, I fear you will end up taking his life.”
The man’s voice grew lower and lower until the last few words were almost imperceptible.
“Red Fox Mark? That birthmark on me? Why would it take a person’s life? Will I turn into a demon?”
Gu Wan asked a string of questions, but no further voice came from her mind.
Sansukini: Maybe she would exhaust their essence if they’re regular mortals.