Qiao Yu knew he should play dumb, but he still couldn't help asking, "Did Lu Yan agree?"

Ah Hua was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Yeah. He said he would treat the sapling well."

Qiao Yu didn't say anything more about this matter. He nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go with my father and the others when the time comes."

People are often not so lucky that they just happen to marry someone who likes them and whom they like. If you can only choose one side, then whether you will feel happier if you marry someone you like or someone who likes you is unconclusive.

Shu Miao insisted on marrying the person she loved regardless of whether the other party liked her or not. This was also a kind of courage. Qiao Yu could not say whether she was right or wrong, and could only wish her the best.

Her blessing was a bit forceful. The next day, when she went to send Lu Yan off, she first asked him, "Did you agree to this marriage?"

Lu Yan, who had accompanied his parents to the bride's reception, had brought some dried meat and animal hides, but he didn't appear unhappy. Although he rarely smiled, he remained calm—at least outwardly. Whenever someone spoke to him, his smile remained fixed on his face.

But when Qiao Yu asked him this, he almost failed.

He stared at Qiao Yu, was silent for a moment, and nodded: "I volunteered."

Ever since Qiao Yu said she wouldn't marry, she looked at him the same way she looked at everyone else. Then Shuiyue arrived, looking just as pretty as Qiao Yu and capable, and he fell in love with her instantly.

But unexpectedly, Shuiyue also said that she would not get married.

Lu Yan prided himself on being a talented young man, the best among the unmarried young men in the tribe, and a match for Qiao Yu and Shui Yue in both appearance and age. But now, he'd been rejected twice in a row. The blow had left him disheartened.

Meanwhile, his family repeatedly persuaded him that Shu Miao was a good match. First, Shu Miao liked him and would definitely treat him well. Moreover, while she lacked the beauty of Qiao Yu and Shui Yue, she was also a pretty lady with a good personality. Second, Shu's family was honest and capable, and they were the relatives Shan and Qiao Yu valued most and were willing to support. She had a promising future. Looking around, there was no better match in the tribe.

Lu Yan knew he couldn't put it off any longer. No one his age in the tribe would remain single unless they couldn't find a woman. The tribe needed to increase its population, and if everyone remained unmarried like him, Qiao Yu would probably come in person to force a marriage in a few days.

He was disheartened anyway, and since he couldn't marry the girl he wanted, it didn't matter who he married. And rationally, he also admitted that his family's analysis was correct.

So he obeyed the wishes of his family elders and agreed to the marriage.

Qiao Yu didn't avoid asking anyone else. Everyone present, whether male or female, stared at Lu Yan with a nervous look in their eyes.

Seeing him nod and say it was voluntary, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and smiles returned to their faces.

Qiao Yu stared at Lu Yan with a threatening look and warned him, "Shu Miao is my sister. Since you voluntarily agreed to this marriage, you must treat her well. If you treat her badly, hit her, or treat her coldly, as her sister, I will not forgive you."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and showed her fist to Lu Yan.

Lu Yan's polite smile froze. He looked at Qiao Yu deeply and nodded, "I understand."

He felt a little sad.

Compared to Shuiyue, his feelings for Qiao Yu are more complicated.

He had the chance to marry Qiao Yu. However, he was like the frog in the well in Qiao Yu's fable, blind to the outside world. He simply believed he was the most outstanding young man in the valley tribe, and that Qiao Yu wanted to marry, leaving him no other choice. He arrogantly tried to negotiate terms with Qiao Yu, ultimately ruining the marriage.

Now, looking at Qiao Yu like the sun in the sky, shining brighter day by day, until he needs to look up at her, to the point where she is unattainable, the regret in his heart is like an ant, gnawing at his heart day by day.

The reason he wanted to marry Shuiyue was simply because Shuiyue looked similar to Qiao Yu, had good abilities and status, and was also Qiao Yu's good friend.

If Qiao Yu knew what Lu Yan was thinking, he would definitely say to him: Young man, you think too much.

The Shu family was deeply moved when they heard Qiao Yu's words.

Especially saplings.

She walked over, pulled Qiao Yu, and called out with a sob, "Yu."

The two sisters grew up together, but Qiao Yu suddenly became the leader and became busy all the time. He no longer whispered to her, and their intimacy was gone. Shu Miao felt more lost than anyone else.

Later, when she was about to get married, she fell in love with Lu Yan, and she was not without hesitation because he was Qiao Yu's man. It was not until Qiao Yu expressed her determination not to marry that she allowed herself to like Lu Yan.

Lu Yan's proposal to Qiao Yu was rejected, so he turned to Shuiyue. He had no eyes for her. Shu Miao knew she had resented Qiao Yu in her heart—it was Qiao Yu who brought Shuiyue back to the tribe. She wouldn't marry herself, and yet she brought back such a beautiful Shuiyue, making Lu Yan's eyes fall on her. It was truly inappropriate.

But now, all the loss and resentment in Shu Miao's heart melted away in Qiao Yu's words of protection.

Yu is good to her after all.

"Live a good life." Qiao Yu patted the sapling's shoulder. "I wish you happiness."

"Yeah." The sapling nodded vigorously.

"Yu, don't worry, I will keep an eye on Yan and make sure he treats Miao well." Lu walked over and said with a smile on his face.

"That's good." Qiao Yu also laughed.

She waved at the saplings and said, "Alright, let's go, it's getting dark."

In the tribe, marriages aren't filled with formalities, and there's no such thing as asking for leave. After work, in the evening, the groom's family picks up the bride from their home, carrying dried meat. They then walk back home, have dinner together, and then the couple goes to their own cave or house to enter the bridal chamber. That's it.

While they were talking, it was getting dark.

"Okay." Shu Miao wiped her tears and followed Lu Yan's family to the house that Lu Yan had been assigned. After walking a few steps, she looked back.

"Go." Ah Hua wiped away her tears and waved to her daughter.

Watching their figures disappear at the end of the road, Shan said, "That's enough. We don't live far away, and I can see them every day. There's nothing to be reluctant about."

As he spoke, he leaned on his crutches and walked towards his house step by step, his back looking a little lonely.

Seeing other people's daughters getting married, while his own daughter vowed to never marry, although he could understand, he still felt uncomfortable.

Seeing this, Qiao Yu hurriedly chased after him, held Shan's arm, and told him about the things in the tribe.

Before reaching the door of his house, Shanquan saw that his father's face had returned to its usual smile.

He glanced at his sister, his mood also extremely complicated.