The day was set, and the Zhao family arrived with gifts.
While the adults chatted indoors, they sent the two young people out to wander.
The two walked along the path in silence, occasionally nodding awkwardly in greeting when they encountered someone. The atmosphere was a bit peculiar.
Seeing that they were alone, Zhao Shixiao took two popular red hair ties out of his pocket and offered them to Chen Qian Yue.
Chen Qian Yue quickly stepped back, "I don't want your things."
Zhao Shixiao looked crestfallen and kept his hand extended persistently.
"Please take them. I just think these hair ties really suit you, nothing more. I'm not asking you to accept me, it's okay if you don't like me. I know I'm not good enough for you, but if you take them, I'll feel a little better."
Chen Qian Yue felt a pang in her heart and took the items. After a moment of thought, she decided to offer some comfort.
"Don't be too sad, you'll find someone more suitable later."
Zhao Shixiao's head drooped in disappointment, and two tears slid from the corners of his eyes. He quickly turned away, not wanting Chen Qian Yue to see his moment of weakness.
His voice raspy with a nasal tone, he said, "There will never be anyone more suitable..."
Chen Qian Yue immediately understood his meaning, her face flushing involuntarily, and her gaze softened considerably.
"Yue Yue, please allow me to call you that. My infatuation is perhaps wishful thinking. With your qualities, you can find someone much better. Just pretend today never happened, and I wish you happiness. I'll tell my parents when I get back that it was my own issue."
He turned to leave, but Chen Qian Yue called out to him.
Chen Qian Yue fidgeted with her fingers, speaking shyly, "I don't really dislike you, you're actually quite a nice person."
Zhao Shixiao was instantly overjoyed and strode over, intending to pick Chen Qian Yue up. He started to reach out, then quickly retracted his hand, awkwardly tugging at his sleeve.
He tilted his head back and grinned like a foolish twenty-stone man. At that moment, Chen Qian Yue felt he must be deeply in love with her.
His above-average good looks, accentuated by the sunlight and his smile, were exceptionally radiant. Chen Qian Yue felt as if her heart had fluttered for a moment.
Zhao Shixiao, feigning a stammer, said, "Yue Yue, how much betrothal gift do your parents expect? I'll go prepare it immediately. Just tell me what you want, and I'll make sure you become the happiest bride in the entire brigade."
Chen Qian Yue was stunned, and Zhao Shixiao immediately covered his mouth, his eyes full of regret for speaking out of turn, his expression looking a little wronged.
He lowered his hand and awkwardly explained, "Did I scare you? I didn't mean to be so abrupt. I was just too excited. The thought that you don't dislike me... it just made me..."
Chen Qian Yue let out a soft laugh, "Made you what?"
Zhao Shixiao gazed at Chen Qian Yue with adoration, his silence speaking volumes, as if pink bubbles were rising around them.
After a moment, Zhao Shixiao coughed awkwardly. "I apologize, you are truly too beautiful, I was momentarily captivated."
Chen Qian Yue's cheeks flushed, her face as rosy as a peach blossom. Her heart raced with delight, and she felt as if she were walking on cotton.
They walked and stopped along the way, chatting from sunrise to sunset, from the flowers and grass by the roadside to their future prospects...
They seemed to have an endless supply of conversation, and the more they talked, the more astonished Chen Qian Yue became. She wondered if there could truly be someone whose thoughts aligned so perfectly with hers. Was this destiny?
Seeing that time was getting late, they headed back to the Chen residence. Chen Qian Yue was so enthralled by Zhao Shixiao's words that she lost all track of direction. Anyone with eyes could see the situation was promising.
With all due courtesy, the Chen family saw off the Zhao family with smiles.
Mother Chen: "Daughter, what do you think of that Zhao Shixiao?"
"He's quite good. I feel like he cares a lot about me. He even bought me two red hair ties as a welcome gift."
Seeing her daughter's shy and bashful demeanor, Father Chen frowned.
"How could you accept things from him at this stage? What have I been teaching you all this time?"
Chen Qian Yue pouted, her expression turning displeased.
Mother Chen: "Alright, alright. Why are you arguing with a child? She doesn't understand these things."
"You just spoil her."
"He said these hair ties meant nothing else, besides, it's just a trinket worth a few cents. It's no big deal for me to accept it."
Father Chen: "You're making excuses now. If you two don't end up together, who knows what people will say about it."
Chen Qian Yue glared at Father Chen, immediately defending Zhao Shixiao, "Dad, how can you think of him like that? He hasn't offended you. Not everyone is a bad person."
"You can know someone's face, but not their heart. One must guard against others. I'm not saying he's bad, I'm just telling you to be careful. You're still young, you'll understand when you're older that I'm doing this for your own good."
"Hmph, I never want to understand. I don't like it one bit when you deliberately belittle others under the guise of doing what's best for me. Besides, he's such an outstanding and ambitious person, he surely isn't a bad person."
With that, she stormed off to her room, slamming the door shut.
Father Chen was thoroughly angered. Pointing at her door, he exclaimed, "That's how she talks to me! She's all grown up, yet still so undisciplined."
Mother Chen: "Our Yue Yue is a bit spoiled, but isn't that because you've pampered her? Who else can you blame? Don't be angry. The child is immature, we parents just need to guide her a bit."
"With her temper, who can tolerate her? Even if a man can, her future in-laws will surely have something to say."
"Then I'll support her for life. Our family can afford to raise a child."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Which girl doesn't get married? Aren't you delaying her entire life? Sigh, I must have owed her in a past life."
He finished, took a puff of his pipe, and walked inside. Mother Chen smiled helplessly, shook her head, and followed him.
From that day on, Zhao Shixiao would often visit Chen Qian Yue's brigade after work.
He would bring her small gifts, such as hand-woven flower garlands, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.
The two had endless conversations, and Chen Qian Yue enjoyed this feeling immensely. Chen Qian Yue kept it a secret from her family, and they had clandestine dates.
The new brigade leader for the Tomato Brigade had not yet been appointed, so the brigade followed the old rules. Consequently, Zhao Shixiao was assigned easy tasks, allowing him to finish work early and spend time with Chen Qian Yue.
Today, as he was returning from Chen Qian Yue's brigade, he happened to encounter Jun Jiuli, who was herding a small group of cattle, all belonging to the brigade.
His eyes were filled with remorse as he looked at Jun Jiuli with a captivating gaze, asking gently, "Hong Hong, how have you been these past few days?"
Jun Jiuli immediately took three steps back, "Comrade Zhao, what are you saying? You and I have absolutely no relationship. Your sudden outburst like this could lead to misunderstandings for others."
Zhao Shixiao's face immediately contorted with pain, "Hong Hong, I only know that you must have been feeling miserable all these days. If you blame me, I accept it. This was a blind date arranged by my father, and I have no feelings for her. It's all my fault for not having the courage. My heart has always been with you, and I don't think I'll ever be able to let you go."
Shui Wa: "This guy is really getting into character. It seems we didn't hit him hard enough. (/"≡_≡)═_═)"
"If you feel you owe me, then what compensation will you offer? Stop babbling and give me something practical."
Zhao Shixiao was shocked. He touched his face. In his mind, Zhu Hong Hong should have been devastated, begging him to stay.
"A pauper, trying to act all high and mighty? I have nothing to do with you, and you're unhappy that I'm not heartbroken for you. Get out of the way, a good dog doesn't block the road."
After saying that, Jun Jiuli drove the cattle away. Zhao Shixiao stood there motionless. A small calf darted past and butted into him forcefully, sending him tumbling from the embankment.
He landed on his backside on a large rock, sprawling awkwardly and unable to get up for a long time.
Shui Wa: "Hahaha~ Serves the scumbag right."
Jun Jiuli: "Bad luck, wasting time talking to that dead scumbag is delaying my plans for the Zhu family's path to prosperity."