Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 599 - 599 600 Almost Right_1

Chapter 599: Chapter 600 Almost Right_1 Chapter 599: Chapter 600 Almost Right_1 Mr. Zhao gave a wry smile, “I know I’m getting on in years and originally had no expectations, but who knew that upon my return this time, I’d run into you. The longing I thought had vanished suddenly rekindled.”

Mrs. Lin’s cheeks flushed, and for a moment she genuinely didn’t know what to say.

Not waiting for her response, Mr. Zhao decided to just get it out, “When I left Jinyang Town before, I was fleeing for my life. After the danger had passed, I came back to inquire about you, only to find that you had already married. The little hope I harbored in my heart then faded. After all, you were married, and I shouldn’t think further. So, I simply returned to the place I had taken refuge before, started some small businesses, and eventually set up a family. When I reached a certain age, someone introduced a wife to me. Life went on, until this time when I came back…”

Mrs. Lin felt her eyes burning as she listened to Mr. Zhao’s words. She had never known he harbored such feelings, that he had borne so much alone.

“Last time I visited Tupo Village, Muniang took me there to look at some goods. I met some villagers and inquired about your family. That’s when I learned just how miserably you had lived after your marriage. Had I known, I wouldn’t have fled Jinyang Town so disgracefully. Otherwise, I would never have allowed you to suffer like that,” Mr. Zhao sighed.

Tears began to roll down Mrs. Lin’s face, “There wasn’t much suffering, it’s just life, after all. Now that Muniang has become successful, life has also improved. Why bring up the past?”

Mr. Zhao looked at her with hopeful eyes, “Then let’s talk about the present. I was thinking, for the rest of my life, if I could just take care of you. If you despise me, then pretend you didn’t hear what I said today, and we can still be friendly neighbors. I’ll still be able to look after you. If you don’t despise me, then I…”

Mrs. Lin bit her lip, agonizing for a long while. As she met Mr. Zhao’s sincere gaze, her heart couldn’t bear to refuse him—after all, she was a woman who had been alone for so many years, and she was indeed lonely. Although Muniang treated her well, she had her own husband and children, not always available to keep her company. The older one got, the lonelier one became, a fact that couldn’t be more true.

Mrs. Lin nodded gently, “We should still see what the children think about this.”

Mr. Zhao’s face lit up with joy, “Is that a yes? There’s no need to ask the children. Muniang likes me a lot, and as for my two sons, I am their father. Since when does a father need his sons’ permission to marry? I’ll send a matchmaker to propose another day then!”

Muniang burst into laughter, pulling Yu Ze along as they left, “Now this is perfect. The meal today was certainly not in vain!”

Yu Ze smiled, “Are you pleased? Your Mr. Zhao’s going to propose, looks like you’ll be busy.”

Muniang smiled mischievously, “Isn’t that what husbands are for?”

Meanwhile, Uncle Cai took Tianniu and Zhao Jiangshui up the mountain. Tianniu bounced around like a rabbit, finding everything to be fun and even learning archery from Uncle Cai.

Zhao Jiangshui, on the other hand, was quiet the entire time, always on the lookout for any signs of habitation.

But with Tianniu constantly tugging at him to chat, it was hard for Zhao Jiangshui to find a moment of peace.

“Zhao Jiangshui! Do you think these wild pheasants are different from the ones raised at home? I’m telling you, these wild ones are much fiercer and faster. It’s really hard to shoot one!” Tianniu said with animated hand movements.

Zhao Jiangshui glanced at her, “I know, are they like you?”

After thinking for a moment, Tianniu tilted her head, “Sort of, my mom always says I’m a wild child.”

Zhao Jiangshui held his forehead in resignation, knowing that talking to her was just self-inflicted agitation.

“Hey, Jiangshui, do you see that? Is that a thatched cottage over there? Why don’t you go check it out and see if it belongs to the person you’re looking for?” Uncle Cai suddenly called out.

Zhao Jiangshui’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly ran toward the thatched cottage, with Tianniu following close behind.

After knocking on the door for quite some time, an old man finally came out, staggering as he walked and muttering to himself, “They said they’d bring me wine this morning, and now it’s only just arrived. Next time I won’t rely on you. People without honesty are the most boring!”

But when the door opened, instead of the wine deliverer, the old man saw a neatly dressed young man standing outside, which made his mood even worse, “Turns out you’re not the one with the wine, this is infuriating!”

Zhao Jiangshui had heard that this Mr. Mo had a notoriously quirky temperament, so he didn’t make a hasty judgment based on appearances. Instead, he bowed respectfully, “Young Zhao Jiangshui at your service. May I ask if you are the great literary genius, Mr. Mo Zixian?”

The old man’s eyes flickered for a moment, and then he feigned confusion, shaking his head, “What Mr. Mo? I’m just a messy old man, and you’re giving me all this formal talk. I want to sleep; keep your distance, or you might draw wild beasts to my home!”

With that, he began to close the door.

However, Tianniu suddenly interjected, “You’re lying. You are Mr. Mo.”

Zhao Jiangshui was also taken aback, “Do you know Mr. Mo?”

Tianniu stared at the old man, “When he spoke just now, his eyes were darting about, clearly hiding something. His shoulders even shrugged twice, obviously to disguise his own lies. Most importantly, when he heard the words ‘Mr. Mo,’ his eyes clearly lit up. His identity is almost certain!”

Zhao Jiangshui looked at Tianniu with amazement, not expecting such a straightforward girl to possess such delicate observational skills.

The old man was stunned for a moment before he burst into hearty laughter, “I like this girl; she has the look of being smart and sharp.”

Tianniu, pulling on Zhao Jiangshui’s arm, stepped forward, “If you like me, sir, please like him as well.”

The old gentleman playfully retorted, “Why should I like him?”

Tianniu pondered for a long time before replying, “Because he likes you too! If you’re willing to like him, then I will like you.”

Mo Zixian’s laughter rang out again, “Enough, come in.”

Tianniu was overjoyed, “Zhao Jiangshui, aren’t you going to come in quickly!”

Zhao Jiangshui gave Tianniu a deep look and then went inside. Uncle Cai arrived just then and said, “Tianniu, since there are acquaintances here, you stay put. I’m heading deeper into the mountains now; there are many wild beasts, and I’m afraid you might get hurt. Just stay here obediently. When I have hunted the game, I will come here to find you, and we can leave the mountain together.”

Although Tianniu had originally resisted because she wanted to accompany the hunt, even into the deep mountains, now that the thought of Zhao Jiangshui being here struck her, she suddenly wanted to stay too and nodded in agreement.

Mr. Mo’s courtyard was modest yet exceptionally elegant. Mr. Mo brewed tea for them personally, and Zhao Jiangshui quickly accepted it with respectful gratitude.

Mr. Mo smiled, “Young man, you came to find me on purpose. What is it that you want?”