Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 42: Chapter 043 I Want to Marry Qinghe_1 Chapter 42: Chapter 043 I Want to Marry Qinghe_1 In recent days, the idle chatter in the village hadn’t stopped, and Li Qinghe dared not even step out of her home; even Li Cheng, when he went out, was pointed at and murmured about.

But Li Cheng felt sorry for his sister and ultimately couldn’t bring himself to scold her.

“Qinghe, it’s time to eat. Just take a bite. If you keep this up, your health won’t be able to bear it.”

Li Cheng cajoled her earnestly, as she had not been willing to speak for days and refused to eat. This silent Qinghe filled Li Cheng with heartache.

Just when he thought she would remain silent again, Qinghe suddenly spoke, “Brother, would the Zhao family still want me?”

Li Cheng jumped, scarcely believing his ears, “What?”

Li Qinghe met Li Cheng’s gaze, “Brother, I’ll listen to you and marry into the Zhao family.”

Li Cheng was so overjoyed he almost leaped up. His sister had finally come to her senses. It turned out that what Muniang said was indeed true; Qinghe had her own views. Having experienced this incident, she surely wouldn’t continue to be stubborn.

“Sister, it’s best that you’ve come to realize this. Rest assured, the Zhao family are reasonable people. As long as I explain things properly to them, they will naturally believe you. My sister is so outstanding, how could they possibly not want you!”

Seeing the joy on Li Cheng’s face, Qinghe managed a faint smile and nodded. Over the recent days, she had thought a lot. Her obstinacy had brought such pressure on her brother, and her foolish behavior had placed him in such an embarrassing situation.

Having heard about yesterday’s quarrel in the village, and thinking about such a straightforward man like her brother being surrounded and scolded by a crowd, she felt uneasy. Qiao Yuanzhen had no intentions towards her, the Qiao family looked down on her, and now she had even tarnished the reputation of the Li Family.

Now, she truly felt disheartened. If this was to be her life, then so be it.

Seeing that Qinghe had finally come to a realization, Li Cheng felt much relieved. He knew Qinghe hadn’t let go but was instead in despair. However, he believed that, with time, she would surely move on. Moreover, the Zhao family was genuinely not bad, not to mention affable and well-off. Qinghe definitely wouldn’t suffer if she married over, and in the future, she would understand his well-intentioned efforts.

But just as he was starting to feel happy, he heard someone approaching from outside.

“Qinghe, are you there?”

Li Qinghe suddenly looked up. It was Qiao Yuanzhen!

Li Cheng’s heart lurched, looking at the man before him, his fists clenched with a cracking sound.

“How dare you come to my house?!” Li Cheng’s expression turned dark. The thought of this young man hurting Qinghe’s heart and damaging her reputation made him want to tear him apart.

Yet, in an unprecedented move, Qiao Yuanzhen lowered his stance, “Chengzi, Qinghe, about the purse incident, I really didn’t do it on purpose. That day in town, when Qinghe gave me the purse, Qian Yuan just happened to see it. He snatched it away forcefully. How could I not cherish something Qinghe gave me and casually give it to someone else?”

These words left both Li Qinghe and Li Cheng stunned. What did this mean?

Li Cheng cursed bitterly, “Who are you trying to fool? He snatched it and you just gave it away? Don’t try to bamboozle me with such nonsense.”

“The power of the Qian Family is well known to you all, not just in Tupo Village, but no one in the whole of Chatu Town dares to oppose them. How could I possibly offend them? Moreover, it was just a purse, and I thought it was inconsequential, so I apologized to Qinghe right away, who knew he would use that purse to create trouble? Had I known it would turn out like this, I would never have given him that purse,” he said.

“Then why didn’t you come? Qinghe has been slandered by idle gossip in the village to the point of disgrace, why didn’t you say a word in her defense?”

Qiao Yuanzhen wore an innocent expression, “Yesterday, I was at the school in the town, discussing issues with the Master until very late before returning. I spent the entire day today inside the house, focused on my studies. I never pay attention to the village rumors, I hardly ever step outside, and you know that, Qinghe.”

Li Cheng had nothing to say in response but still found Qiao Yuanzhen distasteful, his tone remained harsh, “Then you can leave! Our family does not welcome you!”

Li Qinghe stood dumbfounded on the spot, clearly struggling with what to say next.

Qiao Yuanzhen glanced at her then earnestly said to Li Cheng, “Chengzi, Qinghe has suffered damage to her reputation, and I’ve played a part in that. Given her current situation, it’s naturally hard for her to marry. I am a man, and I will take responsibility for her.”

The coldness in Li Qinghe’s heart wavered in an instant, her lips parted then closed again, but she still considered Li Cheng’s feelings and called out to him, “Brother.”

Li Cheng, too, was taken aback. He always thought that Qiao Yuanzhen only cared about his own prospects and benefits—selfish and self-centered. He had assumed Qiao Yuanzhen would marry into a wealthy and prestigious family and never fancy his sister. But now, he was saying he would take responsibility for his sister!

Yet, Li Cheng privately did not want Qinghe to marry such a man; he always felt such a man was not safe. He would only be at ease with an honest and upright man like Zhao Dashan.

“Qinghe, don’t forget the promise you just made to me! You said you would marry Zhao Dashan.”

Qinghe’s eyes dimmed, Li Cheng was clearly resolute.

Qiao Yuanzhen hurriedly said, “Can this marriage be not so rushed? I am sincere about Qinghe. I know you have a bad impression of me, but it’s all a misunderstanding. I truly want to marry Qinghe now. Chengzi, if you are worried, we don’t have to rush our marriage. We can wait until you feel at ease. Qinghe also has feelings for me. You might not care about me, but you should consider Qinghe’s feelings, shouldn’t you?”

Qiao Yuanzhen’s tone was sincere, his attitude earnest, causing Qinghe’s eyes to turn red. It was hard for her not to be touched, as after all, he was the man she had loved all her life.

Li Cheng glanced at Qinghe, unable to be truly ruthless. Indeed, how could he disregard Qinghe’s feelings? She loved Qiao Yuanzhen so much; how could he shatter her devoted heart based on his own selfish reasons? Now that Qiao Yuanzhen’s attitude was so sincere, he really couldn’t say anything further.

“Then I’ll give you a chance,” Li Cheng said, almost gritting his teeth, if not for Qinghe’s devoted heart, he would have chased him out with a stick long ago.

“Brother, thank you!” Qinghe exclaimed excitedly, hugging Li Cheng. She hardly believed that the man she thought was out of her reach wanted to marry her!

Qiao Yuanzhen’s mouth curled into an almost imperceptible smile, with Li Qinghe’s trust secured, things would be easier to handle.

Developing the barren hills was no small matter, and Muniang alone could not possibly manage. Thinking she needed the help of the villagers, she sought the assistance of the village chief to gather the villagers’ willingness to help, after all, the village chief was the most authoritative person in the village.

That day, Muniang’s house was bustling with activity. Who wouldn’t want to join in when there was work available? Besides, Muniang’s family offered a high wage—seventy copper coins for a day’s work—while working for others only paid at most sixty.

The small courtyard was filled with people; Mrs. Lin wanted to come out to help serve tea, but Muniang coaxed and wheedled her back inside to rest. Mrs. Lin just couldn’t sit still!