Xu’s mother turned to her husband and said gently, “Give Huo Chen some more meat.”
Father Xu frowned, puzzled. “When did you start worrying about Huo family?” he asked in confusion.
Xu’s mother quickly explained, “No, no—Huo Chen saved our Yingying today. If it weren’t for him, who knows if she would’ve made it back down that mountain in one piece.”
Father Xu’s eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing his face. Without hesitation, he grabbed half of the wild boar meat they’d set aside and pressed it into Huo Chen’s hands. “Huo Chen, take this home. Eat it. Thank you for saving my daughter.”
But Huo Chen shook his head, his expression resolute. “I don’t want it. Xu Ying saved me and Lao Hui once before. I owe her too.”
He thought of Lao Hui’s condition today. Though he wasn’t sure exactly what Xu Ying had done, he could feel that Lao Hui’s injuries had eased significantly.
Xu’s mother, undeterred, picked up the meat herself and tried to hand it to him again. “Ah, you’re right—my daughter did save you once. But you already gave her some money back then to thank her. This time, it’s you who saved her. How can we not return the favor?”
For a moment, something flickered in Huo Chen’s dark eyes. Then, his lips curved slightly. “Then… Auntie, could you cook me something to eat instead? Last time’s meal was delicious.”
Xu’s mother’s eyes lit up with understanding. This boy wasn’t complimenting her cooking—he was praising her daughter’s! A proud smile spread across her face. “Of course it was delicious! My daughter’ cooked it ? They’re not something I can take credit for.”
She gave a self-satisfied chuckle. “Everyone who’s tasted it says it’s amazing. Even the Jade Emperor himself would come down from the heavens for another bite.”
But then she sighed. “Ah, but not this time. My daughter’s not feeling well today.”
Huo Chen nodded quietly, his lips pressing into a thin line, his fists tightening ever so slightly at his sides. “Auntie, I’ll head back then.” He hefted the meat onto his shoulder and jogged away without another word.
Xu’s mother stomped her foot in frustration. “Aiyah, this child! He really doesn’t want to take it!”
Father Xu shook his head, unconcerned. “Forget it. I didn’t want to keep that kind of meat anyway. Why are you so anxious? Let’s hurry home—what’s going on with Yingying?” His face was etched with worry.
Xu’s mother glanced at her husband, troubled thoughts swirling in her mind. Her daughter was so beautiful, like a fairy out of a painting. Could that fierce, wild Huo Chen possibly have feelings for her? If he did… with his rough temperament, what would they do if he insisted on taking Yingying away?
She waved a hand dismissively, muttering, “She’s just… on her period. Probably because she fell into the water last time and caught a chill. That’s why her stomach hurts.”
Father Xu nodded solemnly and quickened his steps.
When they arrived home, they were greeted by an unusual sight: Xu Ying lay on the bed, completely surrounded by worried family members.
Xu’s two elder brothers hovered anxiously, while Xu Jing’s cousins milled around the room, peering at her with concern.
“I’m really fine…” Xu Ying said helplessly, pressing a hand to her forehead.
Was it possible to feel suffocated by too much care? She felt like she was about to be buried under everyone’s affection. All this attention just because she was on her period—it felt like they were treating her like a noble princess!
“Ah, my darling daughter! Mama’s home!” Xu’s mother shouted before she’d even stepped through the doorway.
But when she walked inside and saw the house packed with people, she stopped short, blinking in surprise. “What’s everyone doing here?”
“Mom, we heard little sister wasn’t feeling well, so we rushed over.”
“Yeah, Mom, what happened? Why’s her stomach hurting so much?”
“If only I could take the pain for her…”
“Auntie, it’s our fault—we took Yingying up the mountain. She must’ve overexerted herself.”
Xu Jing frowned thoughtfully. In the past, Xu Ying’s periods had always been normal. Maybe today’s pain really was from all that climbing and running around in the mountains.
Xu Ying propped herself up with a sigh. “My stomach doesn’t even hurt anymore!”
No one believed her.
Frustrated, Xu Ying threw off her blanket and stood up, pacing around the room to prove it. Couldn’t she just enjoy a bit of pampering and rest while she had an excuse? Must they all force her to get up? Oh, how cruel!
Only when they saw her walking around without issue did everyone finally relax. Their tense expressions softened into smiles as they turned their attention to lunch—and the wild boar meat waiting to be cooked.
A chorus of praises erupted, showering Xu Ying with adoration. “Oh, Yingying is so amazing!” “Like a little fairy descended to earth!”
But before they could fawn over her further, Aunt Xu rushed in from outside. “Jingjing! Come quick—they’re here!”
Xu Jing sighed in resignation. At nineteen, she’d already been through countless blind dates. Yet every suitor so far had been… less than ideal.
Aunt Xu waved for Xu’s mother too. “Come along—you need to help judge the boy’s character.”
While most of the probing would fall on Xu Jing’s shoulders, Aunt Xu still wanted a second opinion.
Xu Ying perked up curiously. She’d never seen a blind date in action before! Xu’s mother hesitated, then relented, thinking: My daughter’s getting older too… it wouldn’t hurt for her to observe.
“But listen here,” Xu’s mother warned sternly, “you stay inside. Don’t let them see you. What if they take a fancy to you instead of Jingjing? That’d be a mess.”
It wasn’t vanity—it was fact. Her daughter’s beauty was too dazzling.
Xu Ying obediently stayed indoors, watching from behind the window as the man’s family arrived.
Inside, Xu Jing sat beside her on the bed, whispering nervously. “Yingying, what kind of man do you want to marry?”
Xu Ying paused, momentarily caught off guard. In her past life, she’d once dreamed of love—of a man who understood her without needing words, who saw through her silences. But that naive longing had long been crushed by bitter experiences.
Still, she smiled softly and offered her cousin honest advice. “The most important thing is character. Find someone calm—someone who doesn’t panic when things go wrong. A man who’s steady, who can think clearly and protect you when life gets tough. Someone who gives you a sense of security.”
She continued gently, “And respect. Marry a man who respects you, who understands you. That way you’ll have your own space, even after marriage.”
“A man with a strong sense of responsibility is better too. Someone who can make decisions without being swayed by outsiders. And…” Xu Ying’s gaze turned serious, “avoid bad habits. Smoking’s tolerable if he’s willing to quit. Drinking’s fine in moderation. But gambling? Never. A man who gambles will ruin everything.”
Xu Jing listened intently, her eyes shining with admiration for her younger cousin.
Soon, the man’s family arrived, and Xu Jing was called out to meet them.
Xu Ying peeked out from behind the curtain—only for her eyes to narrow in cold fury.
It’s him?
The man stepping into the yard was none other than the scoundrel who’d bullied Gu Fuying before.
He dared to show his face here, daring to woo her cousin?
Xu Ying’s heart filled with quiet rage, but she held herself back. This wasn’t the time to act rashly. Her cousin needed time to see his true character for herself.
Outside, Aunt Xu welcomed the guests warmly while the matchmaker praised the young man’s family to the heavens.
“The boy’s family’s got solid credentials,” the matchmaker boasted, giving a thumbs up. “He works at a seasoning factory—he’s a regular employee! His parents are both factory workers too. Stable jobs, stable income! You won’t find a better match.”
Aunt Xu beamed, delighted.
But beside her, Xu’s mother narrowed her eyes skeptically. The matchmaker’s honeyed words sounded too slick, too practiced. She tugged at Aunt Xu’s sleeve, signaling her to stay cautious.