Chapter 477 I Don't Like Tofu

The night is dark.

All of Old Zhao's guests had left, leaving only his own family to do the final cleanup.

Chunhua locked herself in her room, her face flushed, and kept washing her face, trying to cool it down.

“Knock, knock.”

Someone knocked on the door, and she was startled. She turned around and saw that it was Old Mrs. Zhao who had come in.

The old lady walked in, sat on the edge of the bed, and said earnestly, "Actually, your aunt and I guessed what Afu was thinking a month ago. This child comes to Dahe Village to visit us from time to time and does some chores within his ability. He does all this because he cares about you and hopes to gain the approval of your family."

Chunhua's face turned bright red; she hadn't expected her grandmother to come and talk to her about this.

“At your age, it’s time for you to find a husband. Our doorstep has been worn down by suitors. Generally speaking, Afu is quite outstanding, but he’s a year younger than you.” The old lady continued, “Although your grandfather and I like Afu, it’s you who will get married, so you have to be willing. You have to think it through carefully, but don’t think about it for too long, so as not to delay Afu’s future.”

Chunhua lowered her head in thought.

Her mind was in complete turmoil, she couldn't find a way out, and she didn't know whether she should refuse or accept.

Just as he was hesitating, the door was pushed open, and Zhao Youcai staggered in, leaning against the doorframe: "Chun, Chunhua, tomorrow I'll go to the city to inquire about that young man your aunt mentioned. If he's really as good as your aunt says, we'll quickly arrange the marriage..."

Chunhua was startled and hurriedly said, "No, I don't want to marry someone I don't know."

"You...you mean you're going to marry someone you know?" Zhao Youcai slurred, pondering for a while. "Have you taken a fancy to some young man in the village? Come on, tell your father about it."

"Alright, you reek of alcohol, you stink!" Old Mrs. Zhao shoved him. "Go take a shower and go to bed, don't talk nonsense here."

After Zhao Youcai left, the old lady looked at Chunhua and said, "Actually, whether you want to or not, you already have the answer in your heart, so I won't say any more."

Chunhua sat blankly on the edge of the bed and sighed.

When her parents arranged a marriage for her, she felt incredibly resistant, but if that person were Afu, her resistance would turn into hesitation.

Does this mean she's not opposed to it?

She didn't sleep well all night and got up early to prepare for work at the restaurant.

Da Wang had a three-day holiday because of his wedding. Chunhua waited alone at the gate of the mansion with her things, and then they took a carriage to Ping'an County together.

Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, she spotted a familiar figure sitting in the main hall – it was Afu.

Her heart suddenly tightened, and she began to feel uneasy.

Hearing the sound of the car wheels, Afu quickly came over to help move the things. He looked perfectly normal, as if nothing had happened yesterday.

Zhao Ergou asked in surprise, "Why are you here so early?"

“Brother Dawang is taking three days off, right? I’m worried you guys won’t be able to handle it all, so I’ll come help out for these three days.” Afu said quickly. “Perfect timing, I’ll also learn from Brother Ergou how to be a manager.”

Zhao Ergou pressed, "What makes you say that?"

Ah Fu said with a grin, "Last night, the old lady said that she had already bought me a shop, and that after I get married, I can start my own business."

His parents died, and he was sold to the Shen family by his uncle when he was only two or three years old. He was forced to put his fingerprint on the contract of sale. He only found out last night that when he was four years old, the old lady had already canceled his status as a slave. He was not a slave of the Shen family, but rather an adopted son of the Shen family. The Shen family had even prepared a house for his marriage long ago.

Although he will establish his own household after marriage, he will still take care of the old lady and the county magistrate in their old age, and will be loyal to the young master for life.

"Hey, Ah Fu's already thinking about getting married." Zhao Ergou punched him on the shoulder. "If you like any girl, tell me, and I'll put in a good word for you."

Afu glanced at Chunhua furtively before continuing to work.

Chunhua felt extremely uncomfortable and lowered her head to do her own thing. All day long, she felt that Afu's eyes were on her.

Even the not-so-sensitive Wu Huiniang noticed it and secretly went to ask Chunhua what she thought.

Chunhua mumbled incoherently, her mind a complete mess.

“The little girl at the tofu shop next door delivers tofu to Afu every day,” Wu Huiniang said. “And there’s an old lady at the vegetable shop over there who wants Afu to be her son-in-law… If you care about Afu, you should hurry up and settle this matter.”

Just then, a clear little girl's voice came from the front yard: "Brother Afu, these are the two tenderest pieces of tofu that my mother made. I'm giving them to you."

"No, no need, I don't like tofu."

When Afu's voice came, Chunhua was stunned for a moment. She and Afu often ate at the same table, and she knew that Afu liked to eat soft tofu.

She lowered her head and continued with her work. A little while later, Afu came in. He coughed and quietly placed a small box on the table: "This is for you."

Chunhua glanced at it and saw a round box with a picture of a lady on it; it was rouge.

Her fingers paused: "I don't use this kind of thing."

"Whether you use it or not is your business, whether I send it or not is mine." Afu looked at her and said, "The old lady said she'll go to Dahe Village tomorrow to help me propose marriage. What do you think?"

"Propose... propose marriage?" Chunhua was startled. "Is it in such a hurry?"

“It’s the old lady who’s in a hurry, not me,” Afu coughed and said. “We’ll take our time. One day you’ll accept me, and then I’ll marry you with a grand wedding procession.”

After he finished speaking, he dashed out.

Chunhua wiped her hands clean, picked up the rouge with the portrait of a lady, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

For several days in a row, Afu went to the village every day. Although the matter of the two children had not been officially settled, everyone knew what was going on.

Cheng Wanwan sat in the courtyard, looking at her third son who was practicing martial arts. She couldn't help but sigh. San Niu was the same age as A Fu. A Fu was already in love, but her silly son was still a simpleton. He practiced martial arts all day long. His limbs were well-developed, but his mind seemed to be getting simpler and simpler.

In a few more months, the one-year agreement with He Xiao will be over. At that time, will San Niu find another master or do something else...? Cheng Wanwan has no idea yet. Asking San Niu will definitely not give her any answers. She can only wait and see.

She has no time to worry about the children right now, because the cotton in the field has started to open up in small areas.

As the saying goes, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Earth God will want to see the flowers, which means that the cotton bolls are starting to sprout.

The cotton boll-opening period generally lasts for more than two months. A small cotton seedling can produce up to a hundred bolls during the entire stage, and at least thirty. In a year with favorable weather and no pests, the cotton bolls will basically open. The average yield of a cotton seedling is about two ounces, and the yield of one acre is generally about four to five hundred catties.

Ten pounds of cotton can make a large quilt for use in winter snow, meaning that the harvest from one acre of land can make forty to fifty quilts.

Compared to silkworm farming, cotton farming is more time-saving, labor-saving, and economical.

Looking at the white cotton fluff in the field, Cheng Wanwan felt much better. If this stuff were promoted, how many people in the Great Yu Dynasty could be saved from freezing to death in winter?