Chapter 142: The Idiot in Love
By midday, Bai Ruozhu once again pushed the cart out, with Dengdeng still in his sleep basket, hanging on the side of the cart. The cart was filled with food and two jars of soup. She first went to her own field to deliver food to Zhang Liliang and the others, and then pushed the cart to the old mansion’s field.
Bai Yihong and the others hadn’t noticed Bai Ruozhu yet when someone from the neighboring field spotted her, "Ruozhu, are you here to deliver food again?"
Bai Ruozhu smiled and answered, "Yes, my parents and brothers were working so hard, so I wanted to make some good food for them."
"What a diligent child, and the food smells so good," someone praised.
At this point, Bai Yihong and the others stopped their work upon hearing the commotion, and ran to the edge of the field to start eating. People from the neighboring fields also started arriving with food, so everyone gathered around, curious to see what Bai Ruozhu had made today.
Upon seeing, people began to compliment. Not only did Bai Ruozhu’s food smell good, it looked appetizing as well. The red and green colors were unlike anything other families made.
Bai Ruozhu suddenly saw her elder brother blushing, she was confused and followed her brother’s gaze, and couldn’t help but chuckle.
It turned out that people from the Wan Family were also coming to send meals to the field, and among them was her future sister-in-law.
Upon seeing Wan’s wife, Bai Ruozhu waved at her and loudly asked, "Aunt Wan, are you also here to deliver food? I made extra today, should we eat together?"
Wan Minglu spoke highly of Bai Ruozhu when he returned home after eating at the Bai family’s place, and Wan’s wife had been curious ever since. Upon hearing the offer, she immediately agreed, though Wan Caiyue blushed with embarrassment.
"Silly girl, we country folk don’t care about formalities, what’s there to be embarrassed about?" Wan’s wife tugged Wan Caiyue over, implying that she should just go over.
Wan’s eldest son also ate the food made by Bai Ruozhu at the wine feast, and had been admiring Wan Minglu these past few days. When he heard Bai Ruozhu’s invitation, his eyes lit up and he hurriedly said, "Dad, Mom, let’s go over. Our two families should interact more."
Wan’s wife glared at him and whispered, "Look at how greedy you are, you’re even drooling!"
Wang Mingfu subconsciously touched his chin, only to realize that he wasn’t drooling, and realized his mother was teasing him.
Other families also wanted to join in the fun, but there were too many people. Those who were tactful knew that the Bai family and the Wan family were going to become in-laws, so they dispersed.
By the time the Wan family brought their food over, Bai Zehao’s face had turned red all the way to his neck. Bai Ruozhu was mischievous and deliberately asked, "Why is my older brother so hot? Would you like to drink some green bean soup first?"
Bai Zehao agreed enthusiastically, as if afraid of being questioned further. He then picked up the green bean soup and gulped down a few mouthfuls, which made his pounding heart finally calm down a bit.
Bai Ruozhu held back laughter. After all, her older brother was still a young boy, and it was normal for him to be nervous and shy in front of his sweetheart. In contrast, Wan Caiyue’s face was also flushed, looking even more charming, but she was more reserved and stayed mostly behind her family members, rarely showing her face.
Bai Ruozhu nudged her mother with her elbow to let her join in the fun. Lin Ping’er laughed and lightly scolded Bai Ruozhu, whispering, "Stop teasing your older brother."
"My second son came back yesterday and couldn’t stop praising how delicious Ruozhu’s food was. He praised her to the skies. Today I’m very curious." Wan’s wife looked at the cart full of dishes, her eyes filled with both admiration and surprise.
"Aunt Wan, don’t praise me. Let’s start eating." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.
Everyone was eager to start eating. They each picked up their chopsticks, fearing that if they were too slow, the dishes would be snatched away. As they ate, they continued to compliment, which made Bai Ruozhu feel a bit embarrassed. She just chuckled on the side without picking up her chopsticks.
"Ruozhu, why aren’t you eating? Now is exactly the time you need to replenish your strength." Mrs. Wan’s gaze at Bai Ruozhu was somewhat heartbroken. It was tough for Bai Ruozhu, after all, the people at the old Bai mansion were too lazy.
Bai Ruozhu said with a smile, "I have already eaten when I was cooking at home. I also drank the soup, Aunty, don’t worry."
The more she interacted with Mrs. Wan, the more she liked her. The disagreements from when Mrs. Wan wanted to break off the marriage were completely gone. After all, she only wanted the best for her daughter and didn’t do anything to harm the Bai family.
The busy farming days passed extremely quickly. In the blink of an eye, several days passed and the harvest in the fields was almost complete. Once they finished harvesting, it would be time to turn the soil and sow the seeds for the next season.
Bai Yihong felt embarrassed to keep occupying the Zhang family’s time, so he talked it over with Zhang Liliang, saying that the harvest was almost complete and it wouldn’t be good to delay his time any longer.
Zhang Liliang, being a straightforward man, said directly, "Sure, I should be going to do business anyway. But Rongrong and her mother will stay and continue to help. It’s quite quiet at our place anyway, so you wouldn’t mind if they stay for a few more days, would you?"
"Of course, you’re welcome to stay. It’s just that I feel embarrassed to make you work so hard," Bai Yihong said.
"No problem. Having her learn to cook with Ruozhu is also beneficial for me, as I will have delicious meals in the future." Zhang Liliang said and laughed heartily.
On hearing this, Bai Ruozhu said, "I will need to trouble my aunt, then."
That night, Zhang Liliang returned to town, planning to do some business in the north. Early the next morning, all the helpers arrived. After breakfast, they all went out. Wan Minglu was the last to leave. When he saw that everyone else had left, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and rushed towards Bai Ruozhu, who was holding Dengdeng.
"This is my full moon gift for Dengdeng, although it’s a bit late." Minglu said, then he put a pair of silver anklets on Dengdeng’s small chubby feet.
The anklets had small bells on them. When Dengdeng moved, they jingled, amusing him so much that he broke into a smile.
Bai Ruozhu was taken aback and quickly said, "No, Brother Wan, this...this is too valuable."
Wan Minglu feigned displeasure and said, "You accepted gifts from others, and yet you refuse mine? That’s rather disrespectful, isn’t it?"
Bai Ruozhu was at a loss for words, and before she could say anything, Wan Minglu left. She tried calling after him, but it was too late.
As the people in front hadn’t noticed the gift from Minglu, but the people from the Bai family had seen everything.
Bai Ruozhu gave a bitter smile to her parents, then pointed to the silver bracelets on Dengdeng’s feet, "These are rather heavy. I didn’t even get the chance to refuse. It seems we owe a favor to the Wan family again."
Lin Ping’er thought for a moment and said, "Take the opportunity to give them a return gift. Don’t reject it, it might seem strange."
Bai Ruozhu nodded her head, then she glanced sideways and noticed that her second brother was looking at her with a very strange expression, as if he were looking at... an idiot. Bai Ruozhu touched her face. Had she made a mistake just now? Why was her brother reacting like this?
Bai Zepei realized that Bai Ruozhu truly didn’t understand. He couldn’t figure out how his usually smart little sister could behave like such a fool when it came to these matters?
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La La La, it’s New Year’s! Today, I received a few more rewards, I’m really loving all of you. So, I, Mouka, want to run an activity. I invite all of you to join Mouka’s Book Friends Group. Tonight at 10:00, I will start sending Red Envelopes and will continue for the next three days. So get there first, it’s first come, first served~ The group number is: 1~3~2~9~0~5~4~2~9 (I’m afraid the numbers won’t show up, so please remove the wave lines yourselves)