“Live in your house?”
Wang Xiulan, her intentions exposed, flushed with alternating shades of pale and red. “Two respectable young women living with two grown men—how would that look? Are we asking for more gossip?”
He Mingchu ignored Wang Xiulan and instead looked at Bai Xiaomei.
“Aunt Xiaomei, my mother has passed away, and your husband is gone too. Why don’t you marry my father? That way, you and your daughter can live in our home.”
Everyone present gasped in shock.
Several neighbors who had arrived later hurried forward to pull He Mingchu aside.
“You foolish child, do you even know what you’re saying?”
“Mingchu! How can you speak like that? You’re just a kid—since when do you meddle in your father’s affairs?”
He Mingchu shook off the neighbors’ hands and cast an inquiring look at He Jianguo.
He had once stumbled upon Bai Xiaomei’s photos in a drawer. As a fellow man, how could he not understand those hidden feelings?
Since he was interested in that young girl anyway, why not bring both mother and daughter into their home? There would be plenty of opportunities for fun later.
He Jianguo’s face turned crimson, and he avoided looking at Bai Xiaomei. “You brat, what nonsense are you spouting?”
He Mingchu stared back at him. “Just say whether you’re willing to help them or not.”
Lin Xiyue felt a stir in her heart, thinking this wasn’t a bad suggestion. She just wondered how Bai Xiaomei would decide.
Bai Xiaomei had confided in Lin Xiyue before—she had married only because she didn’t know when she could return to the city, and the man had treated her well initially. But after marriage, his true nature emerged, and the whole family treated Bai Xiaomei like livestock.
After enduring all these years, she had finally seen a glimmer of hope, only to be rejected by her own family.
With nowhere else to go, marrying this man before her would at least provide temporary shelter.
As all eyes turned to her, Bai Xiaomei felt lost.
She had never been good at making decisions.
When her parents forbade her from being with He Jianguo, she painfully rejected him. When they told her to take her brother’s place in the rural assignment, she agreed. In the countryside, a few sweet words from Mr. Lin were enough for her to marry him.
Her entire life had been shaped by others’ choices.
Bai Xiaomei’s pleading gaze shifted from Wang Xiulan to Lin Xiyue.
Lin Xiyue casually wiped the tears from her face and approached Bai Xiaomei, whispering, “Mom, what do you think of this man?”
Bai Xiaomei covered her mouth. “I told you before—before I was sent to the countryside, I was involved with someone for a while… It was him.”
Lin Xiyue felt reassured—this was a sure bet.
“How do you feel about him now? I heard he doesn’t have a wife anymore.”
Bai Xiaomei merely glanced at He Jianguo before turning away, pressing her lips together without a word, though her cheeks were already flushed bright red.
Though Lin Xiyue appeared to be a ten-year-old child, her mind was that of a twenty-something adult. She understood all too well what such an expression meant in a woman.
She motioned for Bai Xiaomei to lean closer and whispered a few words.
Bai Xiaomei hesitated, looking at her uncertainly. “Will this work?”
Lin Xiyue replied, “They proposed it. We’re just going along with it—there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Bolstered by her daughter’s confidence, Bai Xiaomei felt more assured.
“Brother Jianguo, would you be willing to marry me?”
He Jianguo stammered, “I…”
The neighbors began to tease: “Oh my, she’s truly shameless! Asking a man that in public—is she that desperate for a husband?”
“It’s been years since Jian Guo’s wife passed. Having a woman to share his life isn’t a bad thing. How can a man just raise his son alone forever? He needs a woman to manage the household chores.”
He Jianguo listened to the neighbors’ chatter, his expression unmoved. He stared intently at Bai Xiaomei, the girl he’d loved since childhood.
“Xiao Mei, do you truly wish to marry me?”
Wang Xiuzhu slapped her thighs dramatically: “Heavens! Old man, come out quick! Your daughter’s causing chaos!”
Bai Yongjun had already heard Bai Xiaomei’s words from inside. He sneered—the cultured, obedient daughter he once knew had indeed become vulgar after working in the countryside, even daring to utter such words.
Reluctantly, Bai Yongjun emerged with a dark expression.
“Bai Xiaomei! Do you still consider us your parents?”
Bai Xiaomei shrank back upon seeing her parents. Lin Xiyue stepped forward, weeping:
“Grandpa, Grandma, since you won’t take us in, Mother and I have to find our own way. Now that someone’s willing to shelter us, why are you still opposed? Do you want to see us get arrested?”
Wang Xiuzhu and her husband fell silent.
Lin Xiyue turned: “Mom, Uncle is asking you! Do you want to marry him?”
He Mingchu stood quietly beside He Jianguo, finding Lin Xiyue increasingly intriguing.
Her mother appeared soft and indecisive, yet this girl seemed remarkably resilient.
He wondered how long she’d last once she fell into his hands.
His anticipation grew.
Bai Xiaomei lowered her gaze, not daring to look at He Jianguo, and simply nodded.
Seeing her nod, the weight lifted from He Jianguo’s heart. Beaming, he declared: “Good! You’ll come home with me first. I’ll make the preparations now!”
The neighbors laughed and offered their blessings, showering them with auspicious wishes.
Elated by the happy occasion, He Jianguo cheerfully invited the neighbors to the wedding feast.
Only Bai Yongjun and his wife wore grim expressions.
To make matters worse, He Jianguo turned back to call: “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, come join the celebration later!”
Their faces darkened further.
Lin Xiyue and Bai Xiaomei gathered their luggage.
He Jianguo took the light bundle and strode ahead with vigorous steps.
Upon entering the He residence, Lin Xiyue surveyed her surroundings.
The He home was quite spacious—four bedrooms, a main hall, and a kitchen in the courtyard. Though worn, everything was neatly kept.
He Jianguo’s face glowed with happiness, his sharp-featured face smiling broadly as he briskly poured tea for the mother and daughter.
“Rest here awhile. Ming Chu and I will handle the preparations!”
Bai Xiaomei stood up: “We shouldn’t sit idle. What can Moon Maiden and I help with?”
He Jianguo gently pressed her back down: “You and Moon Maiden must be exhausted from traveling. Just rest! There’s nothing to do!”
He then turned to instruct He Mingchu to buy red cloth and red paper at the market, along with meat from the butcher’s.
Lin Xiyue stood up: “Brother might not manage carrying everything alone. I’ll go with him.”
He Jianguo asked: “What can a young girl like you carry?”
Bai Xiaomei interjected: “Moon Maiden’s done farm work since childhood—she can carry things! Let her get along with her brother… Young man, what’s your name?”
He Mingchu’s expression remained indifferent as he stated, “My name is He Mingchu.”
Lin Xiyue’s body stiffened abruptly, followed by an overwhelming surge of joy within her!
She gazed at He Mingchu in disbelief.
A month ago, when she first realized she had traveled through time, she hadn’t grasped the full picture. But now, hearing the name “He Mingchu,” it suddenly dawned on her—this wasn’t an ordinary transmigration. She had crossed into a period novel titled The Wilful Young Miss Falls for Me.
He Mingchu was the male lead of this book.
She had heard that the male lead was gentle, refined, and kind-hearted, living alone with his father. Now that her poor mother had married the male lead’s father, making him her stepbrother, clinging to his coattails would surely pave the way to a bright future!
After all, in the original story, she was merely a tool for the female lead to showcase her kindness!
Bai Xiaomei pushed Lin Xiyue forward. “Her name is Lin Xiyue. Moon Maiden, go shopping with Ming Chu.”
He Mingchu took the money and coupons, and the two of them walked out of the He household one after the other.
Just a few dozen meters away, He Mingchu suddenly spoke coldly.
“Lin Xiyue, right?”
Before Lin Xiyue could react, he continued, “I only suggested your mother marry my father to provide you with a place to live. But that doesn’t mean I accept you as family.”
Lin Xiyue froze in place. Huh? What did this mean? Wasn’t the male lead supposed to be gentle and kind? Why was he giving her a warning right off the bat?