When Ji Dong arrived home, all the helpers had left, leaving only Xiao Cui tidying up the cluttered house.
"Xiao Cui, it’s okay, I can take over from here. You should take a rest." Ji Dong quickly took the large basin from her hands: "Why are you, a delicate girl, handling such heavy stuff?"
Zheng Xiaocui shyly smiled, lowered her head and then finally said, "Big Brother Ji, do not exhaust yourself too much. You also have to oversee the construction of the new house. Try not to worry too much about the housework."
"Ha, I’m a grown man, can’t I take a little hardship? Xin He, on the other hand, has a lot on her plate. She has to take care of both home and shop matters. I just want to help her as much as I can." Ji Dong waved his hand and immediately began to tidy up.
Then, Zheng Xiaocui timidly presented a food box: "This, this is chicken soup I’ve made. You are always so busy, big brother Ji. It’s good for nourishment."
"I...I shouldn’t accept this." Ji Dong quickly tried to refuse.
Xiao Cui hastily replied, "The Chinese New Year is coming, and my family also slaughtered a hen. I made some chicken soup and intentionally brought some for you. It’s a nourishing supplement, it’s good for the body."
"But..."
"Just remember to drink it, Big Brother Ji," Zheng Xiaocui interrupted and she quickly shoved the food box into Ji Dong’s hands, then took off running.
Ji Xinhe had just walked in as Xiao Cui was running out, narrowly avoiding bumping into her.
Ji Xinhe smirked and laughed: "Big brother, what are you doing? Don’t tell me you bullied Xiao Cui? Look at how she ran off, like a scared bunny."
Ji Dong quickly protested, "I didn’t do anything to her, she just insisted on giving me this chicken soup. Although it’s a costly item and I feel bad accepting it, she said it’s very good for the body. Where am I in need of nourishment?"
Ji Xinhe coughed awkwardly: "Just drink it since Xiao Cui gave it to you. She has a kind heart. You shouldn’t let her down by refusing her gesture."
"But this chicken soup... it’s not something ordinary..."
In the countryside, killing a chicken is something that happens only on special occasions and hence considered quite a luxury.
"If she’s giving you such an expensive item and you refuse it, wouldn’t that be an insult to her?"
Ji Dong froze, and he thought that what Xinhe said seemed to make sense. He nodded absent-mindedly, "It might be... But isn’t it wrong to take advantage of others?"
"Isn’t this simple? You can repay her with a present! Xiao Cui takes such good care of our home, we should definitely repay her kindness," Ji Xinhe advised patiently.
Ji Dong slapped his thigh: "Ah! Why didn’t I think of that? But what should I give her?"
Ji Xinhe answered with a playful grin: "Why are you asking me? I’m very busy, I don’t have time to think about it. Why don’t you make up your own mind? Whatever girls like, just give her that."
Ji Dong scratched his head, what do girls like?
Ji Xinhe wisely dropped the subject, she giggled: "I’m going to make meatloaf and rice balls, Xiao Bei is expecting them."
Ji Dong nodded in a daze: "Okay."
He then looked at Mu Houchu, who was still standing there without moving, "Is there something you want?"
Mu Houchu pursed his lips, "There’s something I wanted to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"I’d like to set the date for Xinhe and me to get married as soon as possible."
Ji Dong chuckled happily: "That’s great! It’s about time! When are you planning to tie the knot?"
Mu Houchu answered, "Early February seems to be a good time."
Ji Dong was grinning from ear to ear, "That’s wonderful, truly wonderful! We’ll prepare right after the New Year. It’s perfect timing, the new house would have been finished by then, it’d be perfect to host the wedding."
When Mu Houchu heard the word ’wedding’, the corners of his mouth curled slightly into a smile, "Good."
"I wonder what Xinhe thinks."
"I’ve asked her and she seems fine with the date."
Ji Dong slapped his thigh with excitement, "That settles it! I’ll start notifying the villagers in a few days."
——
Late in the evening, Ji Xinhe "bang" crashed into Mu Houchu’s room, "Mu Houchu!"
Mu Houchu turned around, arched an eyebrow, "You’re looking for me so late, missing me?"
Ji Xinhe was grinding her teeth: "You’ve set the date for our marriage with my brother?"
"Early in February, I told you in advance and you didn’t object."
"But I didn’t agree!"
How was she supposed to refuse that scoundrel who threatened her with his confession?
"I assumed you agreed." Mu Houchu said softly.
"But I..."
"Hmm?" Mu Houchu raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of threat.
Forced, Ji Xinhe managed to plaster on a smile: "Isn’t the date a bit too rushed? Chinese New Year is coming, and you set the date on February 7, leaving us only a month."
"One month is enough for preparations. I think it’s great." Mu Houchu smiled.
In a few more days, his big plan would commence, those officials hunting him down would inevitably fall into his trap. He would no longer be a fugitive, and she would no longer be an accomplice. What could he use to pressurize her to marry him sooner?
He knew her more than anybody else. Even if she cared about him now, she would still resist the thought of getting married. She has always valued her freedom, disliked obligations. The decision of marriage was something she wouldn’t hurry on, especially now that her business was booming. Where could she possibly fit time for a wedding?
Missing out on this opportunity would make the next time even more difficult.
And he was worried about her, wished she could stay by his side, feared he might lose her. Only by marrying her and keeping her by his side for the rest of her life, could he feel at ease.
He needed to marry her before his trap was set, otherwise, she might keep delaying it once she realized there’s no longer a threat.
With that thought in mind, Mu Houchu’s eyes hardened with resolution, "It’s final."
——
In just a few days, news of Ji Xinhe and Mu Houchu’s upcoming marriage had spread throughout Yang Luo Bay which was a close-knit community. For big occasions like weddings, everyone in the village was bound to get excited.
Ji Xinhe had to concede, but considering she had feelings for Mu Houchu anyway, and this forced marriage was hardly unjustified. Besides, with their current desperate situation, she was afraid he might inadvertently expose himself and get captured.
So every time she visited the town, she made sure to gather information about the local gossip and news. The casual conversations amongst townsfolk usually provided a good overview of what was happening with the government officials.
The town was unusually lively today, and the talk of the town wasn’t about official arrest warrants but something else.
"Did you hear? The Wang Family, the manor lords from our town, returned from the capital city!"
"The Wang Family? Which Wang Family?"
"You forgot? The manor lords who left for the capital city more than ten years ago. They’re different now, they are royal merchants! They even have few members working as officials in the capital city! Quite impressive!"
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