Chapter 33 - 0 Meeting Acquaintances in Town
Chapter 33: Chapter 033 Meeting Acquaintances in Town
Chapter 33 -033 Meeting Acquaintances in Town
Bai Zehao hurried out from the house upon hearing his little sister call for him.
He looked at Bai Ruozhu with a puzzled expression, asking, “Little sister, what’s so urgent?”
Bai Ruozhu chuckled twice and took out a purse, swinging it before Bai Zehao’s eyes.
Lin Ping’er’s eyes couldn’t help but widen at the sight.
“Wow, little sister’s sewing has improved.
Is this for your big brother?” Bai Zehao evidently didn’t react as quickly as his mother; he assumed Bai Ruozhu was giving him a gift.
Bai Ruozhu shook her head helplessly, lowered her voice, and said, “Big brother, you’re so slow.
You’re really wasting the future big sister-in-law’s hard work.”
“What?” Bai Zehao exclaimed loudly, his eyes wide open.
He even grabbed Bai Ruozhu’s arm, which was swinging back and forth.
Lin Ping’er gave Bai Zehao a glare and said in a low voice, “Let’s go inside and talk!”
Only then did Bai Zehao realize what was happening.
His sun-tanned face instantly turned red, the flush even spread up to his earlobes.
Seeing him in this state, Bai Ruozhu was in a great mood and deliberately didn’t rush to give him the purse immediately.
She hummed a tune as she walked into the main hall.
“Ruozhu, quickly tell us what happened.
Look how anxious your big brother is.”‘ Lin Ping’er had laughter in her eyes, and her tone was somewhat pressing.
It was clear that she was just as eager as a child to tease the boss.
Because only when she was in a good mood could she be in the mood to joke, Bai Ruozhu was also in a good mood.
She glanced at Bai Zehao and said, “Big brother, you have to buy me sugar-coated haws.
I’ve been running errands for you.”
Bai Zehao was anxious and blurted out without thinking, “Alright, I’ll buy you ten strings next time, isn’t that enough?”
Both Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping’er burst into laughter.
Bai Ruozhu pulled on her mother’s arm, laughing heartily, “Mother, look how anxious big brother is.
He even bribed me with ten sugar-coated haws.
He isn’t afraid I’ll lose my teeth to sweetness; he really can’t wait to get a wife.”
“Little sister, you…” Bai Zehao was both anxious and embarrassed.
He could only stomp his feet in place.
Bai Ruozhu thought the joke had run its course, and she then told them about her encounter with Wan Caiyue.
The more Bai Zehao listened, the brighter his eyes shone, but his face turned even redder.
“Mother, I reckon sister Caiyue went out to find me without her family’s knowledge.
She really cares about and respects big brother.
We can’t treat her poorly in the future.” Bai Ruozhu, afraid that people would think it improper for a girl to speak up on such matters, tried to speak up for Wan Caiyue.
Lin Ping’er nodded repeatedly, “I watched Caiyue grow up; she has always been a good girl.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t have agreed to this match.
Now, I like her even more.”
Bai Ruozhu laughed, her future would be more lively with one more person in the family.
She walked over and stuffed the purse into her big brother’s hand.
The sight of her big brother blushing was just too adorable, and she couldn’t resist teasing him.
“Big brother, you must keep this safe.
By the way, do you want to send any gift in return?” Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but giggle; her big brother was just too shy.
Bai Zehao quickly said, “No, no.
If anyone finds out, it would ruin her reputation.”
Bai Ruozhu thought it made sense; if they weren’t careful, people might say that they were exchanging gifts behind closed doors.
Even though the two were engaged, they were not yet married after all.
“Today’s matter is only known to us; none of us can speak of it.
Boss, keep it hidden so no one sees it.” Lin Ping’er suddenly said sternly, “We may think it’s nothing, but one misstep could ruin Caiyue’s life.”
Bai Ruozhu nodded urgently; her mother was thoughtful as always.
Bai Zehao also nodded, his face still red as he put the purse back in the house.
Before long, Bai Yihong returned home.
His body smelled faintly of alcohol and he had a gloomy look on his face.
It was clear that he hadn’t been invited by the village head for a meal and drinks, but had gone somewhere else to drown his sorrows.
“Father, where did you go drinking?” Lin Ping’er frowned, asking somewhat displeasedly.
Bai Yihong waved his hand, “I went to Zhou Deshun’s house.
Didn’t drink much.” His feet were steady; it seemed like he hadn’t drunk much.
“Father, what’s wrong?” Bai Ruozhu poured some tea for her father and sat down next to him, asking what was on his mind.
Bai Yihong didn’t intend to share initially, but considering how many times his daughter came up with good ideas that helped him gain some respect in the village, keeping her in the dark might not be the right thing to do.
“It’s nothing really, it’s just that the village head and the elders were very friendly towards me a while ago, but not so much anymore.
I don’t care about false reputations, but it’s a bit unsettling and disheartening.” Bai Yihong said while tapping on his chest.
Bai Ruozhu sighed.
It was true to her conjecture.
Bai Yihong’s previous actions indeed won the village people’s praise.
The village chief even said he was reasonable and understanding.
But now, another rumor has surfaced, claiming he had sent his daughter to become someone’s mistress and had deceived the villagers.
As a contrast, no matter how reasonable and understanding he was, it could not match the severity of the allegation that he had sent his daughter to be someone’s mistress.
“They are the village chief and the elders.
They believe gossip so easily, don’t they have their own judgments?” Lin Ping’er spoke indignantly.
Bai Yihong shook his head, “In the end, it’s all my fault for being too quiet before.
The village chief and the others don’t know me well, how could they know my character?”
Bai Ruozhu appreciated her father’s attitude; He never complained about others and was always magnanimous.
That afternoon, Bai Yihong took Bai Zehao to the back mountain to chop wood.
He declared that no matter what the villagers thought of him, he would keep his word.
Making desks and chairs for the school was something he must do.
The next day, Bai Ruozhu went to the town, ostensibly to go to the Du Family’s Pharmacy to check the sales of the toothpaste.
But in reality, it was because she craved good food and wanted to eat some delicious things in town, such as the sour taste of sugar-coated haws.
Bai Zehao volunteered to accompany her, and he solemnly promised, “Don’t worry, little sister, I promise to buy you ten sugar-coated haws.”
Bai Ruozhu’s mouth twitched as she said, “No need, two are enough.
We can get the others later.”
The two took an ox cart into the town.
Bai Ruozhu once again went to have the wonton she had last time.
The stall was run by an old couple who kept their food very clean and in generous quantities.
The soup was rich and clear.
Bai Ruozhu wished she could have a few more bowls, but her appetite was constricted due to her pregnancy, she could not eat too much at once even though she had a craving.
After their wonton meal, the two went to find sugar-coated haws, but they couldn’t find the seller for a long time, until Bai Zehao noticed a man in an alley, “Over there, he looks like he’s about to go home.
Let’s hurry up and catch up!”
Because the haw seller was not walking fast, the two caught up with him effortlessly and bought two sugar-coated haws.
As Bai Ruozhu was preparing to return to the same route with her big brother, she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
She tugged at her brother’s sleeve and quietly turned the corner into the alley.
After walking for a bit and taking another small turn, she peeped around the corner.
A smirk tugged at her lips; it was indeed someone she knew!