Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Chapter 362 - 192: The Daughter Won’t Marry Out

He suppressed the hollow feeling in his chest and said to Zhang Huai and Qingmu, "Tomorrow, get Changxing, Sanshun, Big Mouth, and the others to come out and help us plant more of these willow branches. If we plant them a year earlier, they’ll have another year to grow. They’re just sitting around at home with nothing to do anyway."

’Since Juhua likes it so much, I’ll work hard to create a ’Yangliu River’ for her!’

Zhang Huai heard this and nodded. "If we all work together, it’ll be just like we’re out having fun."

Qingmu was naturally happy to hear this. He had just finished packing his things and was about to leave when he heard Li Changyu ask, "Qingmu, you only visit your grandmother’s house a few times a year. How did you end up falling for that girl from Liujiatang?"

’Qingmu’s engaged, and suddenly I don’t feel so calm myself,’ Li Changyu thought. ’I want to know how he feels about that girl, to see if it matches what I’m feeling. Or maybe, just hearing someone else’s story will put my mind at ease.’

Seeing him suddenly bring up the old topic again, Qingmu shot him an annoyed look. "Why should I tell you?"

But Li Changyu exclaimed, "Hey now! So you really do like her! It wasn’t just your parents arranging it for you?"

Qingmu then realized he was being tricked into talking. He glared at him fiercely and said he was nosier than Granny Hua.

He didn’t deny it, though. ’It’s true, I got engaged because I like her, and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that,’ he thought. ’But I don’t need to say any more. I haven’t even told Huai Zi about things like this, only Juhua.’

Li Changyu chuckled. "I knew it. If you didn’t know her well, you’d never have gotten engaged at a time like this. You must have really fallen for her and were afraid something would go wrong if you waited, so you rushed to get engaged."

Qingmu said irritably, "I’m already eighteen! Getting engaged now is considered late. How is that ’rushing’?"

Hearing this, Zhang Huai couldn’t help but laugh, turning his head so Qingmu wouldn’t see.

Li Changyu laughed sheepishly. "I’m not saying you got engaged too early. It’s just that we didn’t hear a single peep about it beforehand."

Qingmu replied helplessly, "So according to you, I should have paraded it around the village with gongs and drums first? Fine, I’ll be waiting. When you find a girl you like, you’d better tell me so I can have a heads-up. That way, I won’t be the one thinking you’re ’rushing’ to get engaged."

Li Changyu and Zhang Huai heard his words and should have laughed, but for some reason, they couldn’t.

Watching Qingmu’s departing figure as he strode away, the two of them also turned and headed toward the village.

Zhang Huai chuckled and said to Li Changyu, "Want to come over to my place? I can give you a farewell meal."

Li Changyu waved his hands dismissively. "No, it’s fine. I’m going to my uncle’s house for dinner tonight. I’ll be back in a month or two, and when I am, I don’t care if you’re busy or not—I’m eating a meal at each of your houses."

Zhang Huai couldn’t help but laugh at that. He said earnestly, "That’s actually a great time to come back. The weather will be warm, the flowers will be in bloom, and you can catch plenty of fish and shrimp. The Huang Shan and Ni Qiu will be out in the fields, too."

Li Changyu sighed. "These past few years studying away from home, I’ve gone on spring outings with my classmates and ended up missing out on the beautiful scenery of my own hometown."

Chatting all the way, the two parted ways at a fork in the road.

When Li Changyu got home, he saw his father, mother, and grandfather sitting together talking about something. "Grandpa!" he shouted, rushing over to squeeze onto the same stool. He hugged the old man’s arm, rested his head on his shoulder, and asked affectionately, "What are you guys talking about?"

Li Mingrui said with some displeasure, "Changyu, you’re leaving tomorrow. Why are you only coming home now? Your grandpa wanted to talk with you more, but you were nowhere to be found."

Li Changyu smiled. "I’m not leaving tomorrow, but the day after. I can still keep you company tomorrow..." He was about to say he could spend the whole day with him, but then he remembered he had promised Qingmu and Zhang Huai he would go plant cuttings. The rest of the sentence died on his lips, and he just grinned foolishly at Li Mingrui.

Li Gengtian asked, puzzled, "Where were you messing around all afternoon? Your mother went to your second uncle’s house and couldn’t find you."

Mrs. Fang was in the middle of mending a piece of clothing, patching a worn-out spot on the elbow. At his words, she glanced up at him. Although she didn’t say anything, it was clear she was displeased with her youngest son’s behavior.

Li Changyu gave his mother an apologetic smile. "I went with Huai Zi to Qingmu’s house to ask about his engagement. Afterward, we were planting cuttings by the Little Qing River and were busy for a long time before coming back."

When Li Gengtian heard that they had been planting willow trees by the river, his jaw dropped in surprise. When he then heard that they also planned to plant peach trees and other fruit trees in the future, he couldn’t help but laugh. "Looks like I’ll have to step down as village head—how are you kids always one step ahead of me? I was just thinking we should plant more fruit trees by the mountains and the river, and you all have already started."