Because the knife cut her left side, Xiaoman has been lying down for days and needs to be fed.
Tonight we had noodles, thin noodles with lard, a golden-brown fried egg pancake, and bright green bok choy and scallions.
This is a special meal made for Xiaoman, who is injured.
Tian Tao tied the noodles together with chopsticks and then fed them to Xiao Man.
Although the two used to be together from morning till night, they always spoke and acted naturally.
When Xiaoman was first injured, Tian Tao was so nervous that she didn't realize it, but now she feels a little embarrassed when feeding him.
Xiaoman felt embarrassed, especially after his grandmother said those things; his heart pounded whenever he saw Tian Tao.
Tian Tao is not yet fourteen years old. She has been raised in Xujia Village for more than a year. The little girl has grown taller, but she only reaches Xiaoman's shoulder.
Now working at the pharmacy, Tian Tao goes there every day wearing faded, neatly mended clothes, and then changes into the pharmacy's work uniform.
Even without rouge and powder, the little girl always had a wildflower she picked casually stuck in her little braid, making this innocent girl as radiant as spring.
"Peach, I have something I want to tell you!"
Xiaoman was impatient; after eating his noodles in a few bites, he wanted to ask the question.
As if she knew what he wanted to say, Tian Tao quickly put down the bowl of noodles in her hand, picked up another bowl, and casually put a bamboo tube in it: "You drink this bowl first, while the eggy smell is still in your mouth, or you'll throw up."
This bowl contains the milk that Tao'er's mother squeezed out.
Although Xiaoman agreed to drink the milk, she was still reluctant: "Taozi, tell your mother that I eat white flour and white rice every day, so maybe I shouldn't drink it!"
Tian Tao shook her head, her face slightly flushed: "You promised me~ Mother, you have to drink it, we all hope you get better soon!" As she spoke, she stuffed the bamboo tube into Xiao Man's mouth.
Sigh...
Xiaoman was lying down and couldn't move, so he could only drink the little milk he had. He also managed to speak:
"Peach, I'm five years older than you. Can I take care of you for the rest of my life?"
Xiaoman really put in a lot of effort to say those words, and immediately felt much more relaxed.
He spoke, but Tian Tao twisted the hem of her clothes, lowered her head, and remained silent.
Back when I was still in my hometown, my grandparents said they wanted me to be a child bride, which was actually a way to sell me for money. My parents disagreed, and even after a big fight, they couldn't change my grandparents' and uncles' minds.
Just then, war broke out, and the whole family fled to the outskirts of the prefectural city.
Knowing that going back would mean endless work, insufficient food, and uncertain marriages for their children, the parents decided to settle in Xujia Village.
Life is getting better and better now. I can even become an apprentice in a pharmacy and work with Brother Xiaoman.
She liked this older brother from the Xu family very much, but she didn't dare to say it.
Not long after, Tian Tao overheard her parents talking one night.
My mother said what if my grandparents, uncles, and other relatives came looking for me? She suggested I find a way to get engaged first.
Everything in the village is good during Xiaoman. If my hometown comes looking for me again in the future, I can stay in Xujia Village.
Tian Tao's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Only then did she realize that her parents had long favored Xiao Man, but she was too young...
She thought Xiaoman's boxing was particularly powerful and domineering, especially his ability to kill the thugs who broke into the pharmacy.
Now Xiaoman says he wants to "take care" of himself for the rest of his life!
Tian Tao lowered her head and didn't answer, which made Xiao Man anxious: "Say something, will you or won't you!"
I mean what I say. If you agree to this marriage, I promise to take care of you for the rest of my life and not let anyone bully you. Anyway, you can manage the family money.
It's okay if you don't agree. My grandma said she'll recognize you as her goddaughter, and I'll be your godbrother..."
Tian Tao looked up, her face already flushed: "I don't want a godbrother!"
"Then what do you want? You haven't said whether you'll agree or not!" Xiaoman kept asking.
He was puzzled. Tian Tao wasn't usually so hesitant. It was just a matter of saying yes or no, why did she have to think about it for so long?
Tian Tao's face turned even redder: "No, what kind of brother do you think I have?!"
Xiaoman grinned: "Honest Uncle said there's also Brother Qing!"
Hehe, hehe! I know, you agreed? That means you agreed!
Xiaoman finally realized what was happening and immediately smiled broadly. However, her wound was painful, and after laughing for a couple of minutes, she grimaced in pain: "Ouch, it hurts so much!"
The word "pain" had barely left her lips when the door was suddenly pushed open, and Tao'er's mother, Tian Gui, and Xiaoman's grandmother were all crowding in the doorway...
It was a little awkward, but the door was already open, and the three people stepped in with different expressions.
Tian Gui said with a stern face, "If Xiaoman is in a lot of pain, drink another bowl of medicine!"
Tao'er's mother smiled and said, "Is Xiaoman's bowl of noodles enough? If not, Auntie will cook another bowl."
Grandma Xiaoman stood to one side, thinking that she would tell Grandpa Xiaoman and Errui's mother in a little while that they could start preparing the betrothal and engagement gifts.
The sudden appearance of the three people made Xiaoman and Tiantao blush instantly, and they wished they could disappear into the ground.
Xiaoman couldn't help but cover up her groan.
Soon, Jiang Zhi learned that the marriage could be arranged.
So, just as the stench of blood in Qingquan Bay had faded, Xujia Village had this joyous occasion.
Because Xiaoman was still recovering from her injuries and unable to get up, the engagement was temporarily postponed. They planned to hold the ceremony on an auspicious day after the grain was sold, but the news still spread.
In the mosquito coil workshop, dozens of people gathered together, their hands and mouths never stopping.
After a few tiring days outside, Mr. Pi had a lot to say and felt right at home here.
She had already recounted how domineering she and Aunt Jiang were, and how suffocating she felt when going out with her great-grandfather, at least eight or ten times.
Now everyone in the village knows that Xu Changming was kicked out and humiliated, and they are also talking about Xu Xiaolan's sudden disappearance.
After all, she was like this before she turned eighteen: suddenly appearing and suddenly disappearing, then sending back a little child.
Everyone is speculating: Last time, it was her older brother Mao Wan who went to see her and got injured. I wonder if Er Rui will go to see her again this time?
But Pi has been back for two days, and Errui and Aunt Jiang haven't reacted. It seems they don't plan to go looking for her.
Unable to guess Village Chief Jiang's intentions, the topic has now shifted back to Xiaoman's wedding.
Someone said, "I knew something was off when the Tian family sent that little girl to work. They must have been thinking about getting her married off. They even brought her home. Now they've really climbed the social ladder by marrying into Xiaoman!"
That person's words were sarcastic.
Jiang Zhi has already announced that the people from the medicine guard will all receive a reward this time.
Xiaoman was injured and cost ten taels of silver. Wuyang and Xu Genqing each paid five taels, which immediately wiped out one-third of the pharmacy's three-month profit.
It is said that a great reward will surely bring forth brave men, and this amount of money is truly generous, making many villagers envious and tempted.
The moment these jealous words were uttered, someone immediately chimed in, "If you want to marry Xiaoman, fine. Why didn't you think of taking Xiaoman home to recover from her injuries back then? Don't tell me you don't have a house!"
Nowadays, every household has empty rooms and doesn't welcome the Xiaoman festival, probably because they're afraid of bloodshed and bad luck.
Qin replied that the pharmacy had been closed for the past few days, and with Xu Genqing at home, she would go to the workshop to work whenever she had free time.
Upon hearing Lin's wife talking about Xiaoman and Tiantao, he immediately retorted with dissatisfaction.
Xiaoman and Genqing received more silver; they earned it by risking their lives.
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