The temperature difference between day and night in the mountains is large; it’s unbearable during the day, and you still need a jacket at night.
Qu Fulan went back to put on a jacket and then returned to the sunny gathering area, sitting with her girlfriends among the won and chatting while glancing occasionally toward the other side where Pei Ji’an was discussing matters with village officials.
Pei Ji’an was already wearing a gray jacket paired with military trousers, and black hiking boots, looking sharp and handso, making Qu Fulan unable to take her eyes off him.
Her friend nudged her gently, leaned over, and said discreetly, "Don’t be so lovestruck, you’re about to drool, there’s an aunt over there covering her mouth laughing."
Qu Fulan quickly withdrew her gaze, pretending nothing happened, not falling for the act of wiping her mouth; she wasn’t infatuated to that extent.
"Little Qu, is that your boyfriend?" The woman who had been smiling at Qu Fulan asked.
The village people didn’t know much about Qu Fulan and Pei Ji’an’s relationship, besides the people they brought with them. But won are sensitive creatures; sohow, they could hint at sothing.
It wasn’t sothing worth hiding, so Qu Fulan nodded slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
The woman then comnted to the woman beside her, "See, I told you I didn’t see wrongly; they are indeed a couple."
Three won make a market, so in a village full of won, gossip was inevitable. Now hearing such news, they couldn’t help but start gossiping.
"I ntioned yesterday that soone like Mr. Pei finding a girlfriend like Little Qu is a perfect match."
"One is as beautiful as a fairy, the other handsor than a movie star; it’s the first ti I’ve seen such good-looking people, like they’ve stepped out of a TV show."
With everyone chattering away, Qu Fulan was blushing from the attention, and then soone asked.
"Are you preparing to get married?"
Such questions sounded like the marriage squad urging people to wed, but Qu Fulan didn’t take it to heart, saying calmly, "Not yet, we’re just dating."
"Oh, Little Qu, you should hurry and marry; these days, finding a satisfactory partner isn’t easy, and you should cherish it when you find one. Otherwise, so many people out there are eyeing your partner; you can’t guard against them."
"That’s exactly right, get married early, and you’ll be at ease sooner. There aren’t many good n in the world."
Qu Fulan maintained a polite smile, vaguely nodding and agreeing, without intending to explain anything. After all, everyone’s way of thinking was different, and explanations wouldn’t help.
As people laughed while talking, they caught the attention of the n on the other side who were discussing, soone asked, "What are you laughing about, so happily?"
"Talking about Little Qu and her boyfriend’s wedding."
"Exactly, Mr. Pei has brought benefits to the village. When you marry, the village will definitely prepare a gift to send over, hoping Mr. Pei won’t mind."
These won joked excitedly, disregarding Qu Fulan’s feelings completely.
Qu Fulan wished she could find a hole to bury herself in.
It seed like she was pressuring for marriage, akin to being publicly humiliated.
Pei Ji’an glanced at the mortified Qu Fulan, smiling at them, saying, "I’m more than happy, why would I mind?"
Upon hearing this, the won imdiately added, "See, I told you Mr. Pei is responsible, he surely won’t let Little Qu down."
"Little Qu is a good girl, no one would bear to let her down."
On the other side, a man couldn’t help but interject, "You won shouldn’t speak nonsense, Mr. Pei has traveled a long distance to see his girlfriend. Their relationship is going well, no need for you to worry, just take care of your chickens, ducks, and geese and don’t let them run around."
With that, everyone laughed and didn’t continue the topic.
When it was ti to disperse, Qu Fulan left faster than anyone. If she had intended to stroll with him earlier, now she had no such desire, feeling utterly embarrassed to face people.
But just after she returned to the house, the house owner ca over, calling to her, "Little Qu, Mr. Pei is looking for you, he’s waiting outside."
Qu Fulan really didn’t want to go outside at all.
"Go on, facing trouble sooner than later makes things easier," her friend "comforted" her.
To be honest, those won had been married for many years, and had long been devoid of shyness about weddings, but she and her boyfriend weren’t married yet, being publicly teased about marriage would be unbearable for anyone.
Qu Fulan lay on the bed in sha and frustration, burying her head, unwilling to get up, but the house owner called again, forcing her to pretend nothing was wrong and go out.
From afar, she saw Pei Ji’an standing at the entrance, tall and very eye-catching like a scenery, but Qu Fulan only dared a quick glance before hurriedly averting her gaze, not daring to look again.
"Why are you looking for ?" Qu Fulan asked moodily, her eyes staring at the ground as if searching for money.
"Want to go for a walk?" Pei Ji’an asked.
A delayed invitation was lighter than grass, Qu Fulan wanted to decisively refuse, but couldn’t bring herself to say it outright.
Opportunities to stroll in the mountains might not co by again; missing it might an missing it forever.
"Where to walk?" Her gaze still fixed on the ground."
Pei Ji’an didn’t answer but took her hand instead. She symbolically resisted a little but couldn’t break free and let it be.
If not for the public teasing, the feeling of walking on a country path might have been different; now she felt uneasy and didn’t know what to say.
She didn’t know what to say, but he did, opening his mouth with words that made her want to turn and leave.
He said, "Why did the village won suddenly talk about our wedding, even acting as if to support you?"
This was bringing up a sore topic, as if she was desperate to marry and had united the villagers to pressure him.
Indeed, those won had such intentions, thinking they were doing her a favor, worried Mr. Pei might not cherish Little Qu, so they spoke publicly to get him to express his intentions.
After all, only soone with the ability to get the officials to agree to build roads for them, and at such a quick speed, was surely a big deal, making him more sought after.
Even though Little Qu couldn’t help much with road constructions, she had sponsored many things for the school and said she’d help promote the village. If successful, future sales of fruits and the like would be easier. Although they didn’t understand her completely, they recognized her goodwill and wouldn’t want such a good girl wronged.
Qu Fulan’s face turned red from the questioning, retorting angrily, "How would I know why they suddenly brought it up, ask them, not !"
After speaking, she forcefully broke free from him, successfully this ti, raised her leg to run, but before she could, Pei Ji’an drew her into his embrace.
"You..." Qu Fulan was caught off guard, feeling extrely embarrassed, "People are watching, let go of ."
Though during the day this path saw lots of traffic, at this ti no one was around, but who knew when soone might co by.
Thankfully, Pei Ji’an didn’t trouble her, soon releasing her, but his deep and steady voice resonated in her ears.
"I respect your wishes."
What those words ant, only Qu Fulan knew, leaving her heart deeply touched.
Reviews
All reviews (0)