Chapter 165: Interested 

Disclaimer: 

1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests. 

2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author. 

3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.

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Liu Shu had just turned to take Shao Rong’s hand when he heard some footsteps coming from outside the door. There were sounds of talking and laughter, “You just needed to bring yourselves! Why did you bring so many gifts! What are you doing….” He shi’s smiling voice drifted in from the outside. 

Liu Shu paused. He turned and opened the door, just as He shi had stretched her arm out to do the same. She froze for a minute when the door opened, then spotted Liu Shu. She immediately smiled and said, “What a coincidence.”

Liu Shu calmly said, “Shao Rong came by to send some flowers. Since I was free, I am sending her back.”

He shi looked behind him and saw Shao Rong. She quickly greeted her, “Shao Rong is here?”

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Liu Shu didn’t say anything. Silently he appraised the girl, before looking at the woman staring at him with delight. He immediately understood what was happening. He smiled and nodded his head, “Aunt Zhang, Zhang Bing, welcome.”

Aunt Zhang quickly nodded her head. Her face full of smiles, she said, “Thank you, Eldest… You are really sensible! Shu is really sensible!” Then she quickly poked her daughter, “Quickly greet your Liu Shu ge!”

Zhang Bing was so embarrassed, her face was red. In a tiny voice, she greeted, “Liu Shu….. ge.”

Liu Shu was already covered in goosebumps when he heard Aunt Zhang deliberately refer to him as “Shu”. Now hearing Zhang Bing, he felt even more uncomfortable. He nodded and turned to look at his mother. 

He shi smiled and said, “Let’s not stand at the doorway talking! Quickly come in, come in…. Shao Rong, I won’t send you off. Liu Shu can bring you home!”

Shao Rong wasn’t dumb. She naturally understood what was going on in front of her. As though a bucket of ice water had been poured on her, she looked and saw He shi’s obviously satisfied expression. Everything she did, showed her elation. Shao Rong was even more discouraged. When she heard what He shi said, she quickly said, “It’s alright… There’s no need for Liu Shu ge to send me back, I can return home on my own!”

He shi waved her hands. It was clear that she was feeling happy. “Liu Shu will send you back!” Then she invited the Zhang family into the house.

When Aunt Zhang went past Liu Shu, her face was still full of smiles, while Zhang Bing was so embarrassed she was tripping over her feet. She walked with her head lowered and nearly fell over at the doorstep. At the side, Liu Shu subconsciously reached out to steady her. But that made Zhang Bing even more awkward. She ran into the room bashfully, without even a word of thanks.

Liu Shu was embarrassed. 

Xiuxiu’s mother smiled and entered the door. She did however, take a close look at Shao Rong. She smiled and said to Liu Shu, “Zhang Bing’s family are from Qianzhuang Village. Zhang Bing works at the workshop. Today, since her mother is here, she thought of visiting your family. Your mother just called me along…. Oh, enough of this, you should quickly send this girl home!”

Liu Shu nodded his head, he was clear what had happened. Dajiumu was clearly telling him that Zhang Bing wasn’t here at her invitation, and she definitely wasn’t here to speak for them. 

Xiuxiu’s mother had mentioned other people from Qianzhuang Village as a match for him before. She was probably worried that he was unhappy with her about that. 

Liu Shu smiled and nodded his head, “Dajiumu, go in and have a seat. I will send Shao Rong off before returning.”

Xiuxiu’s mother smiled and nodded her head. Then she headed into the room. 

Liu Shu turned and looked at Shao Rong and saw that all the colour in her face had disappeared. Her head was lowered and she was biting her lower lip. Liu Shu shook his head and said, “Let’s go.”

Shao Rong bit her lower lip and said haltingly, “Liu Shu ge, you really don’t have to send me back. I can head back on my own. It’s the daytime – there should be no issues…. In the morning I came here by myself. Actually, it isn’t too far to walk….” Then she backed up a step before looking up at him and saw that he had a smile on his face. Inhaling sharply, she said, “Go back!” Then she waved and headed out. She moved quickly, headed toward the alley. It almost looked as though she was running. 

Liu Shu paused for a moment before going to harness the donkey cart. He jumped up and drove the cart out, catching up to Shao Rong in no time. He called out, “Shao Rong!”

Shao Rong had already heard the noise from behind her. Turning to look at him, her smile seemed to look somewhat natural. With a light and airy gesture, she waved her hand, “There’s really no need to send me back Liu Shu ge. You should go home!”

Liu Shu jumped off the cart and went to pull on her arm. “Get on the cart, otherwise, I will carry you up.”

Shao Rong was immediately stunned! Embarrassed, she stared at him open mouthed. Liu Shu was still smiling at her! Then he bent over, and his hand touched her waist! Shao Rong’s mind imploded. Terrified he would really carry her up the cart, she anxiously climbed aboard, face completely red. 

It was only then that Liu Shu climbed back up. He turned and smiled at her, before driving the cart toward the town gates. Once he was out of the lane, Liu Shu asked absentmindedly, “How is the hunt for new farmland?”

Shao Rong’s mind was still reeling from what had happened earlier. After a long time, she stammeringly responded, “My ge is still looking… It’s not easy to find.”

Liu Shu nodded his head, “It really isn’t. It does take some luck to bump into something suitable. You don’t have to worry, I’m also keeping an eye out. It would be fine so long as it’s within the vicinity and not too far away.”

“Good…. Thank you….” Shao Rong was still a bit stunned. She was a bit baffled and was wondering if she had misunderstood?

Liu Shu turned back and looked at her, smiling. “Why are you being so courteous with me?”

Shao Rong’s heart leapt and her face burned fiercely. Her mind went blank and she couldn’t think of anything to say. She just looked at Liu Shu in a daze. 

Liu Shu again smiled. This time, his smile was very free. He drove the cart out of town toward Niangou Village. Very quickly, they arrived at the Shao family’s door. It was only then that Liu Shu turned and looked at Shao Rong. Shao Rong was hurriedly trying to get off, so he reached out and blocked her path. “Shao Rong, wait a moment…. I have something to say to you.”

Stopped, Shao Rong looked at him a bit nervously. Again, her face started to flush. After a while, seeing that he kept looking at her, smiling and silent, she involuntarily started to feel a bit embarrassed and awkward. She lowered her voice and asked in a quiet voice, “You… What did you want to say?”

Liu Shu thought for a moment before saying. “Thank you for the gift. In future, don’t come out by yourself. If there is anything important, I will send Uncle Tian over to pick you up. As for the rest….” He mumbled to himself for a moment, before lifting his head and smiling at her, “In a few days, I will get a matchmaker over to propose marriage.”

In a flash, Shao Rong turned completely red. Both shocked and shy, she didn’t know how to react to that. Dazedly, she raised her head to look at him and only saw him smiling at her. She didn’t know what to say. 

Liu Shu continued, “I am the eldest son in the family – I have a lot of younger siblings. You are young, and being the youngest, don’t have to carry the burden of responsibility….” He smiled when he said that. Then he gently asked, “If the marriage is confirmed, you will need to take on a lot more in future.”

Shao Rong bit her lip and looked up at him. Drumming up her courage, she asked, “I…. What you said… are you serious?”

Liu Shu smiled, and gently tidied her fly away hairs. In a gentle voice, he said, “Of course I’m serious. I am very serious.”

He jumped off the cart and stretched his hand out to help her down. Then he placed both hands on her shoulders, looked at her and said, “I will first speak to my parents about it, so that they won’t be caught off-guard. Also, so they won’t repeat today’s incident… and invite someone else home.”

Shao Rong raised her head and looked at him. Her lips were trembling slightly, there was a shy smile on her lips. She looked particularly delicate. 

Liu Shu’s heart trembled. He almost lowered his head to kiss her… Thankfully, he remembered just in time that it was still daytime, and this was just outside her family’s door. He could only resist the urge. Gently patting her, “Go on in. Remember, don’t go out by yourself.”

Shao Rong bit down on her lip and nodded her head. She went to the door and knocked before turning to look at Liu Shu. Liu Shu had already boarded the cart and moved off slightly. Then he turned to wait for her to enter. This way, when Shao Huai or Shao Gui opened the door, they wouldn’t have to waste a lot of time exchanging pleasantries. 

The one who opened was Shao Gui. When she saw Shao Rong, she found it strange and asked, “Why are you back so early?”

Shao Rong mumbled an indistinct reply before turning and looking at Liu Shu. Shao Gui also saw the action and called out, “Oh…. Liu Shu is also here. Do you want to come in for a while?”

Liu Shu smiled from afar and waved his hand. “No need. You should head back into the house!” Then he drove the cart off.

Shao Rong stared blankly at his back, before realising that Shao Gui was looking at her strangely. She quickly covered up her expression and said, “Something happened in the Liu family today… So I came back. Quickly close the door!” Then she headed into her room. 

Liu Shu drove the cart back, while recalling every little thing that Shao Rong did. He himself found it strange – why was he suddenly so taken? He hadn’t even the slightest interest before. But today, watching Shao Rong stand there in the garden, carrying a potted plant with her back facing him, his heart was moved…..

Thinking of Shao Rong’s bashful appearance, he couldn’t help grinning. When he got home, he finally recalled that there were still visitors! When he thought of the delighted Aunt Zhang, Liu Shu shuddered. Then he thought of the girl called Zhang Bing. She was so nervous and embarrassed – Liu Shu again shuddered and quickly rubbed his arms. 

This was what it meant to be in love – both were similarly aged girls, with similarly embarrassed expressions, but one looked lovely to Liu Shu, while the other one made him cringe!