Chapter 24 A Date? He reached up and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt…
Seeing that Chen Mian was unwilling to talk about her story with Ji Yu, Li Cuiping suddenly started scratching her with both hands, making her giggle.
"Hurry up, are you going to tell me or not? Are you going to tell me or not?"
"Spare me, spare me, hahaha..." Chen Mian begged breathlessly.
She genuinely didn't think there was anything special about her relationship with Ji Yu. It was simply that Ji Yu saw her downfall and helped her; she happened to witness Ji Yu's awkwardness and laughed at him.
Li Cuiping, however, did not think so. In her eyes, Chen Mian and Ji Yu's story was like the male and female protagonists in a movie, a handsome man paired with a beautiful woman.
Whenever the female lead encounters difficulties, the male lead comes to her rescue, and the two often bump into each other. Isn't this a harbinger of love?
Li Cuiping stroked her chin. "I think he definitely likes you. No one could dislike such a lovely girl like Mu Mian."
Chen Mian shook her head: "I don't believe it. He only took care of me because of my brother."
Li Cuiping asked curiously, "Do you like him?"
Chen Mian blinked her round almond-shaped eyes, pondered for a moment, and then shook her head. She liked gentle boys like her brother who could take care of her in every little detail and care about her every move.
Ji Yu is too stubborn, and he's so much older than her; she's not interested. Besides, he's been going on blind dates with other people, and they might get married soon.
Ji Yu, still carving wood: Waaaaah, I knew Mianmian would definitely dislike me...
Li Cuiping said wistfully, "When will I meet my male lead? I want to find someone older than me so that he can protect me."
Chen Mian hugged her with a smile: "Our Cuiping is so cute, I've done the math, your male lead is already on his way on horseback!"
Li Cuiping replied happily, "Then I'll be waiting, hehe, I want to get married soon."
Chen Mian didn't quite understand. She always felt that she was still young and didn't want to date or get married so early, so why did her friend want to get married so soon?
She looked at the other person with a slight doubt. Li Cuiping said, "Only after I get married can I escape my mother's control forever."
"Even though I'm far enough away from home now, what if she comes looking for me someday? Besides, I also want to have a sweet romance." She countered, "Don't you want that too?"
Chen Mian: "I don't want to. I'm already doing a great job of supporting myself right now. My next plan is to earn money and bring my parents over..."
The two little girls always have endless whispers to each other when they get together. When they were little, their parents would force them to be separated, but now that they are far away from the emperor, no one can control them.
Before falling asleep, Chen Mianmian was still thinking in her sleep, "It's so good that Cuiping has finally returned safely. They can be together every day again."
A few days later, in the morning, Yu Xiaoyue, dressed in a neat pantsuit, arrived at the cotton farm carrying a cloth bag.
She first chatted with her friend for a few minutes, then whispered something mysteriously, which startled the other person, who widened her eyes and also showed a subtle smile.
Yu Xiaoyue smiled and waved her hand, "I have to go find Kapok now, I still have a mission. I'll come find you again this afternoon."
Aili replied with a smile, "Go ahead, and help me with some chores while you're at it!"
Yu Xiaoyue: "Don't worry, just wait to get paid."
Yu Xiaoyue walked along the farm path into the heart of the cotton fields. As autumn deepened, the cotton plants had withered, leaving only the snow-white tips standing out against the golden landscape.
Chen Mian had two shiny black braids, a square scarf wrapped around her head, and a white cloth bag hanging in front of her. She kept repeating the action of bending over and getting up.
Noticing Yu Xiaoyue's arrival, she straightened up and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Aunt Yu, what brings you here?"
Yu Xiaoyue smiled gently as she looked at the girl's still somewhat immature but pretty face: "I was just idling around at home anyway, so I decided to come and help Ayili."
Chen Mian nodded knowingly and warmly invited the other party to pick fruit in her area.
Chen Mian was a little proud, and proudly raised her chin: "This is where Cuiping and I found it. There are few people and it's quiet here. The cotton is of good quality, big and white."
Yu Xiaoyue smiled and agreed, as she happened to have something to discuss with the other party.
Yu Xiaoyue took out a headscarf from the cloth bag, neatly wrapped it around her hair, walked to the girl's side, and began picking cotton.
She chatted casually about recent events, and then talked with Chen Mian about Cuiping for a while before casually mentioning that she wanted to go on an autumn outing this weekend.
Yu Xiaoyue said with a troubled expression, "Ayili is too busy to come, and Ji Yu is boring, so I can only invite you two here."
After she finished speaking, she added, "You don't need to prepare anything. I will prepare food and drinks in advance, and then have Ji Yu drive us there."
Li Cuiping, who was picking cotton on the opposite side, vaguely noticed the "autumn outing" and "delicious food" and quietly moved over.
Chen Mian was still hesitating when Li Cuiping, who was beside her, had already taken her arm and leaned against her, urging her to agree.
Li Cuiping: I've never been out to play before, so say yes, sister!
Chen Mian glanced down at the greedy girl hanging on her arm. Well, she had no choice but to agree.
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaoyue smiled mysteriously, "Then let's set the departure time for nine o'clock this weekend. Ji Yu will pick you up then."
Chen Mian: "Okay."
Inside the cotton farm, cotton pickers are still working diligently, accompanied by the occasional folk songs from various regions, as truckloads of snow-white cotton are transported to all parts of the country.
Sunset and sunrise, the cycle repeats itself.
A military green jeep was parked on the side of the farm road. A man got out of the car, wearing a brand-new indigo denim jacket, revealing a crisp white shirt underneath. Upon closer inspection, even his hair was carefully styled.
Ji Yu took a deep breath, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the seam of her trousers. Feeling a little breathless, she raised her hand and unbuttoned the first button of her shirt.
After tidying up his clothes, he strode toward the pickers' quarters. As he passed the warehouse, he caught a glimpse of Batur lying in a rocking chair, smiling at him.
Batuer smugly said, "Hey, I heard you've taken a liking to one of our Han girls!"
"Didn't you just insist that she was your younger sister?"
Ji Yu looked away, pretended not to hear, and walked quickly past, not wanting to pay any attention to the other person.
This guy is going too far. Just to show off, he actually brought a rocking chair over. He's not doing any work this morning, he just wants to squat here.
Behind him, Batuer continued to watch his good brother's back with a smile. He had known Ji Yu for so many years, and finally, Ji Yu had come to his senses. He just didn't know when Ji Yu would be able to win him over. He wished him good luck.
Ji Yu was already standing outside Chen Mian's tent. He reached out to lift the curtain, hesitated for a moment, and then stepped back, standing there waiting for the other party to appear.
He was afraid that she hadn't gotten up yet and that it would be impolite for him to barge in, but he was already eager to see the girl he loved.
Inside the tent, Chen Mianmian and Li Cuiping had already packed up. Chen Mianmian was unusually not wearing her hair in braids today; her smooth, long hair draped over her shoulders, and her bright, almond-shaped eyes were full of spirit, making her look gentle and lovely.
She was holding a denim jacket, which she bought while shopping with her friend. She didn't usually have a chance to wear it while working, but she specially looked it out for today when she went out.
Li Cuiping urged, "Let's go, Mumian, Officer Ji will be here soon."
The two lifted the curtain and walked out of the tent, chatting and laughing. The man's eyes lit up instantly. The girl's long hair was blown by the breeze, as if dancing on his fingertips, making him feel a tingling sensation in his heart.
Chen Mian noticed the man's denim jacket, lowered her head and pursed her lips, feeling a little awkward and wanting to go back and change into another jacket.
But Li Cuiping, who was beside him, pushed him over with a smile.
Li Cuiping: "Good morning, Officer Ji. It's really kind of you to come all this way to pick us up."
Ji Yu finally reluctantly withdrew her gaze, saying, "No trouble at all." Then she turned and led the way for them.
The two people behind her were whispering again. Chen Mian gently pinched her friend, blaming her for not letting her go change her clothes.
Li Cuiping took her arm, leaned closer with a flattering smile, and whispered comfortingly, "This dress is so beautiful, and it's fate that you two are wearing it."
Upon hearing this, Chen Mian gave her a coquettish glare, and Li Cuiping surrendered, saying, "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore..."
The three got into the car, but didn't see Yu Xiaoyue. Chen Mian asked in confusion, "Where's Aunt Yu?"
Ji Yu explained with a headache, "My mom said at the last minute that she has to visit a sick friend, so she won't be coming this time."
Actually, Yu Xiaoyue didn't want to be a third wheel, so she made up an excuse in the morning. She didn't dare to look him in the eye when she talked to him.
Even if he saw through it all, there was nothing he could do about his mother. He could only hope that Mu Mian wouldn't refuse to go because of this.
Chen Mian didn't think that much about it; she genuinely believed that Yu Xiaoyue couldn't go because of something urgent.
The three of them fell silent for a moment, then the car started and drove onto the winding mountain road.
The towering spruce trees of the snow-capped mountains are occasionally dotted with wild fruit trees, their deep red fruits hanging from the bare branches.
Ji Yu rolled down the car window a crack, and the crisp, cool air, carrying the scent of pine resin, wafted in. The three people in the car took a deep breath in unison, enjoying the tranquility of the forest.
The two girls in the back seat were excitedly discussing the squirrels that passed by. The man's slender fingers gripped the steering wheel, his driving skills were superb, but his eyes inadvertently drifted to the rearview mirror.
The girl's eyes were as clear as the water of Swan Lake, crystal clear, and her almond-shaped eyes blinked slightly, sparkling with a lively light that was dazzling.
A gentle breeze swept by, lifting the girl's long hair from her shoulders and tickling her nose.
Chen Mian simply raised her hand to tuck her stray hairs behind her ear. As her eyes darted around, she seemed to sense the man's gaze and gave him a coquettish glare.
She turned her upper body slightly to the right, captivated by the beautiful scenery in the forest, while her right hand smoothed the hair behind her ear, her earlobe turning slightly red.
The man was forced to look away, staring at the winding mountain road ahead, his fingers clenched tightly, savoring the stunning moment he had just experienced.
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Author's Note: Mini-Theater:
Crucian Carp: Cotton still thinks I'm not a man anymore, sob sob sob...
Little Cotton: He's old.
Crucian carp: The answer is regret for not only inviting Mianmian.
Cuiping: Do you think Mianmian would agree to go with you if you didn't call me?
Random thoughts:
Originally, the plan was indeed for the male and female leads to camp alone, but after thinking it over, it was changed to the current version. The male lead will need some time to win over his wife, so he can't get her too easily.
This week's rankings are tucked away in a corner of the PC version, it's so frustrating, waaaaah! When will I finally get a VIP account? My best friend has already achieved Cyber Ascension, waaaaah...
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