Watching him in that state, Lin Fang felt disdainful, humored, and pitiful at the same time. Finally, he stopped and asked, “Can you make it there? If you can’t, you should just give up. Go back and wait.”
“Who said that I can’t go on?” Zhou Yuan huffed as he brought out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat. He panted as he followed Lin Fang.
Lin Fang shot him a glance and lifted a corner of his lips, but did not say anything, merely continuing the journey.
One step at a time, Zhou Yuan felt that every step was agony for him. He reminded himself in annoyance that the gentle and beautiful girl was just not far away. It was like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey, forcing him to walk on without complaining.
After a tough journey, they spotted a few little silhouettes far ahead. Lin Fang’s sight was pretty sharp as he waved and shouted, “Xiao Shu!” Forgetting about Zhou Yuan, he ran towards her in a hurry.
Zhou Yuan blinked in a daze before squinting at the figures ahead. Finally, he spotted the person he was looking forward to meeting. A smile crept to his face as he ran after Lin Fang.
“Xiao Shu!” Lin Fang grinned and greeted Xiao Shu with a fawn.
Before today, Xiao Xue never minded things like this, but she had just escaped a forced marriage. It was like she suddenly turned mature, knowing how to interpret things that never crossed her mind before.
Watching Lin Fang’s expression towards her little sister, Xiao Xue understood what was going on. She could not help sneering, but she said nothing in response.
“Why are you here?” Lu Xiao Shu suddenly felt defeated as she rolled her eyes at Lin Fang disdainfully.
Lin Fang laughed nervously, “I, err, I’m here for Lu Qi. Aren’t you both going to send refreshments and food for them? It’s such a coincidence that we’re taking the same path!”
Lu Xiao Shu had nothing to say. She glared at him before moving on with their journey together with her sister, Xiao Yu, and Ah Yun.
However, Lin Fang wanted to help her with the bamboo basket in her hands. He smiled, “I can hold that for you. Aren’t you tired after such a long journey?”
“Geez,” Lu Xiao Shu skillfully leaned sideways to avoid him. She rolled her eyes, “I have the strength to do it. There’s no need to trouble you!”
Lin Fang was very distressed. He opened his mouth, wanting to provide her with an explanation, but he did not know what to say. He could merely say “oh” in response. It was agonizing to him because he still could not formulate a plan to get her alone to explain his disappearance.
“Wait up, wait for me!” Of course, there was no way Zhou Yuan could catch up with Lin Fang. After a moment of chatting between Lin Fang and the others, Zhou Yuan finally caught up, panting heavily with his face all flushed.
Other than Lin Fang and Ah Yun, the Lu sisters and Xiao Yu were startled when they saw Zhou Yuan.
Lu Xiao Shu was shocked, while Xiao Xue’s expression turned pale white and Xiao Yu yelped in alarm, watching Zhou Yuan with wide and frightened eyes.
Their reactions left Ah Yun baffled.
Lu Xiao Shu aggressively glared at Xiao Yu as a hidden warning. Then, she tried her best to stay collected while curiously asking Lin Fang, “Who is he? Why did he follow us here?”
Lu Xiao Shu was extremely aggravated. Lin Fang, you punk! What’s wrong with you? What are you planning with this fella following you here? Aren’t you done with your schemes?
Lin Fang was confused by her question, but before he could say anything, Zhou Yuan grinned and said, “I, I’m Zheng Yuan, Lin Fang’s distant cousin. Err, I, I accompanied him out for a walk and here I am…”
He followed with a pitiful expression towards Lu Xiao Shu as if begging her, “Sister, please spare me!”.
Lu Xiao Shu was annoyed but she found it funny at the same time so she laughed out loud.
Lin Fang merely followed suit and nodded with a grin, “Yup, this is my— distant cousin.”
“Oh, I see! It’s getting late now, so we better hurry up!” Lu Xiao Shu nodded as if nothing had happened.
Seeing her actions, Xiao Xue’s anxiety slowly disappeared whereas Xiao Yu was left flabbergasted. She was filled with admiration for Lu Xiao Shu.
Yet, she could not help thinking back to that day. Could it be her memory that was failing her? Perhaps this boy— was not the one who harassed them the other day?
Being a silly and confused girl, Xiao Yu had no guts to tell everyone what happened that day. She expected that Lu Xiao Shu would tear her into pieces if she spilt the tea.
Zhou Yuan saw that Lu Xiao Shu did not exclude him, and Xiao Xue did not say anything to refuse his company too. It put him on cloud nine as he happily nodded and followed them.
Seeing Xiao Xue holding a basket, Zhou Yuan pitied her. How could they let such a delicate beauty do heavy work like this?
He acted as if it was by coincidence that he slowly caught up with Xiao Xue and extended his arm to offer help. He smiled, “I can help you with this heavy work.”
“Ah!” Xiao Xue did not expect him to be daring enough to snatch the basket from her hands. She was momentarily shocked to the point that color drained from her face. She lost her grip on the basket, but Zhou Yuan caught it in the nick of time.
How would Zhou Yuan know that she was shocked? With how things were going, his heart fluttered and soared, suddenly feeling energized. Laughing as he held the basket, he could not help mumbling softly, “About what happened before, I’m sorry…”
Xiao Xue’s face flushed red in embarrassment. She hung her head how and scooted sideways in panic, tightly holding her sister’s hand without making a sound.
Lu Xiao Shu gave Zhou Yuan a glare and he immediately understood her point. He sent her a grin and gleefully carried the basket while following the group at the back.
At the thought that the basket was just held by the girl of his dreams, he suddenly felt that the normal basket had become a sacred item. With his spirits high, every step he took was no longer filled with agony and he was not panting anymore!
Watching him, Lin Fang gritted his teeth in jealousy. He’s fat and dumb, but his life is so blessed. On the other hand, I have lost to him…
Soon, the group delivered the refreshments and food to the construction site of the water canal.
Following Mr Wu’s instructions, the construction of this water canal was separated into many stages that were carried out simultaneously. The Lu Family and three other families were in charge of this stage. Today, there were a total of six people working on it. Xiao Shu and the others only brought enough food for those six people.
Lu Qi did not find it weird to see Lin Fang with them, but he asked who Zhou Yuan was. Once Lin Fang explained it like before, Lu Qi did not pay it any mind, other than just casually greeting him.
If he knew that this was that bastard Young Master from the Zhou Family who harassed his sister and tried to force her hand in marriage, he would surely beat him up into a pulp!
While everyone was eating, Lu Xiao Shu hinted Zhou Yuan to talk in private by shooting him a look.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yuan did not dare to openly watch Xiao Xue, and would occasionally steal a glance at her. It might not be a lot, but he could live with it. To him, every moment that he was allowed to watch her was precious.
Because of that, Lu Xiao Shu’s hints could have been meant for the blind since Zhou Yuan did not realize it at all even after a very long time.
When Lu Xiao Shu finally found out the cause of the problem, she went over to her sister and stood in front of her, effectively blocking away Zhou Yuan’s view. Only then, he noticed her hint and it gave him a shock. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he followed Lu Xiao Shu away from the group.
“Why did you follow us here?” Lu Xiao Shu left the pleasantries and angrily went straight to the point, “I thought we are done! Why are you here? And not to mention, that bullsh*t Zheng Yuan story! Hey! Do you think my family are fools that you can play tricks on?”
“I don’t mean—” Zhou Yuan grieved and hastily explained, “How would I ever dare to think that? But Xiao Shu, I sincerely like Miss Xiao Xue. She might hold a grudge against me back then, but who knows if she’ll slowly change her mind as we spend more time together?”
“You can stop your delusions!” Lu Xiao Shu snapped, “How could my sister possibly like you back?”
“Why not” Zhou Yuan refused to give in, “At least I dare to admit that there’s no one else who likes her more than I do and would treat her better than I would!”
“You’ve only met her once! You can go fool some other three year old with your charming words. Do you think you can trick me?” Lu Xiao Shu waved her fists angrily as a threat, “If you dare to do something stupid again, you will be eating my fist!”
“I’m not doing anything stupid! I’m truly sincere—”
“Shut it!” Lu Xiao Shu huffed, “Never visit us again! I’m well aware of what type of guys my sister likes. Anyway, it’s not someone like you!”
Zhou Yuan was extremely upset, but he kept silent.
Lu Xiao Shu let out a breath and said, “You heard me, never come back again!”
“Wait!” Zhou Yuan called out to her, “If, if I let you beat me up, does it mean that I can come again?” He put up a gallant look as if he would die in honor before announcing, “You can beat me up and I won’t say anything!”
Lu Xiao Shu suddenly froze.
Zhou Yuan looked around and said with understanding, “There are too many people here, would that make things difficult for you? It’s alright. When we get back to the village, we can go to that forest and it won’t be too late for you to punch me. Also, can I ask something? What kind of boys— does Miss Xiao Xue like?”
“…” He rendered Lu Xiao Shu speechless.
She thought that she was invincible and that there was nothing she could not solve. However, dealing with a stubborn dunderhead like him, she would have to admit defeat!
“That’s childish!” Lu Xiao Shu rolled her eyes at him and turned away.
Forget it, if it takes running into a wall for him to give up, then I’ll let him run headfirst into it! Anyway, seeing that he’s so thick-headed, I don’t think he would dare to do anything to my sister.
“Xiao Shu!” Lu Xiao Shu was just about to leave, but Lin Fang unexpectedly jumped out and grabbed her wrist. In spite of herself, she was dragged behind the thick bush beside them.
“Hey! Lin Fang!” Lu Xiao Shu was pissed, but she said with self restraint, “Are you done?”
“You’re mistaken!” Lin Fang knew that she had an impetuous and short temper. Forgetting the small talk and words of comfort, he rambled on with a barrage of gunfire, “The truth isn’t what you think, I swear! I know you’re mad that day, and I wanted to explain what happened so I chased after you, but I was blocked by my third brother! He blamed me for stealing his cockerel and punished me. Then, he dragged me home and complained to my father. Father got worked up and grounded me at home. I wanted to meet you long since that moment, but my old man ordered men to watch me and prevent me from leaving! Right at the instance I was allowed to leave, I came to Feng Ye village! Xiao Shu, please stop being mad at me. It really wasn’t my choice!”
