Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 616 - 616 617 Just Do As I Say_1

Chapter 616: Chapter 617: Just Do As I Say_1 Chapter 616: Chapter 617: Just Do As I Say_1 With what Muniang said, Madam Liu felt somewhat reassured and busily went off to the Embroidery House, because Muniang had specially arranged for the opera troupe to perform along the way and had people send hand-painted embroidery products of various characters to sell locally; the response had been quite good. This sparked Muniang’s desire to set up an Embroidery House locally.

The Embroidery House was not like the opera house; naturally, it couldn’t be limited to just Qinghua City. Besides, Muniang had already opened a second Embroidery House in the Capital City earlier. It was now time to expand, so the cities that the opera troupe passed through would gradually see the opening of Yuyang Embroidery Houses.

The preparation for the first Embroidery House in Pingyue City was nearing completion, and it was estimated that in three to five days, they could have a grand opening. Madam Liu was now planning for the Embroidery House in the second city. The priority was to choose a competent manager to take over the Shopkeeper’s position there.

So, these days Madam Liu was indeed so busy that her feet hardly touched the ground, and to make matters worse, Tianniu, that child, was not giving her any peace of mind at all, truly worrying her to death.

Muniang walked straight into Qiao Laosan’s yard, took a turn around but didn’t see anyone. Was the child really able to idle away like this, still holed up in her room?!

Muniang knocked on the door, and then Tianniu’s sullen voice came out, “Mom, stop persuading me. I said if I can wait, then I can wait!”

“It’s me, Tianniu.”

Upon hearing this voice, Tianniu scrambled up and quickly came to open the door, “Mu, why have you come?”

“Your mom asked me to come,” Muniang said.

Tianniu’s head drooped instantly, “Why does my mom have to be like this?”

“Your mom is doing this for your own good. Waiting for a year for a man without a name or status is one thing, but to wait without him even speaking a clear word, why should you?”

Tianniu anxiously said, “He’s busy studying hard right now; he must have not expected this. I don’t want to disturb him.”

Muniang looked at her and said, “Is it because you don’t want to disturb him, or is it because you’re afraid he’ll say he doesn’t like you?”

Tianniu’s face turned red, “Mu, can you not always hit the nail on the head like this?”

Muniang took Tianniu’s hand and sat down with her, speaking earnestly, “I know you like him, but have you ever thought, after a year things might change, and perhaps he’s met a girl he likes in the Capital. In order not to face reality, you choose to wait under the guise of self-deception. The outcome might be even worse. What if he decides to marry another woman after you’ve waited for him for so long? What if he fails the exam; that’s one thing, but if he passes and surely has to serve as an official in the Capital, Qinghua City will only be a place where he stays for a few days, and the Capital will become his home. Will you continue to wait here? Wait until you’re old and die?”

Tianniu’s eyes reddened, “I don’t want this either. Actually, I was also hoping that he would come and talk to me, after all, in a few days he’ll be heading to the Capital for the exam, and he must understand the significance of this long separation. If he really cares, he surely would’ve spoken to me.”

Muniang listened to this and also felt a pang of heartache. In her heart, she felt indignation towards Zhao Jiangshui, as his behavior towards Tianniu initially was clearly one of interest. And now, what was it all about? Was he thinking of climbing the social ladder in the Capital and then looking down on Tianniu?

Yet thinking about Zhao Jiangshui’s personality, she shook her head again; that couldn’t be right. That man wouldn’t be so worldly, at least not yet; he wasn’t like that.

“Tianniu, go ask Zhao Jiangshui and get a clear answer. Let’s be straightforward and not play the fool. If he says he has no interest in you, then why should we wait for him and put on a brave face? It will delay your chances of getting married,” Muniang said with determination.

Tianniu shrank back slightly, “I, I’m a little scared.”

“What’s there to be afraid of? You’re in the prime of your youth, how many years can you afford to wait?” Muniang spoke harshly, “Besides, clearing things up will give you peace of mind. Look at yourself; what do you look like right now? I have no respect for you!”

These words clearly struck a chord with Tianniu, who clenched her fists and said indignantly, “Then I’ll just ask. I, Tianniu, can handle anything that comes my way. Why should I be afraid?”

Muniang burst into laughter. This was the Tianniu she knew. Taking her by the hand, she said, “Just do as I tell you…”

These days, Zhao Jiangshui had been studying hard at home. Now that Mrs. Lin had married into the family, she took on the cooking duties. Although her culinary skills were no match for Muniang’s, she was a woman, after all, and she had learned quite a bit from being around Muniang. After three years of eating their own cooking, the Zhao men found her dishes to be pure bliss.

Mrs. Lin, seeing how hard Zhao Jiangshui was studying, would often make nutritious dishes like ginseng chicken soup for him. She was busy in the kitchen when she saw someone entering the courtyard. Assuming it was a neighbor dropping by for a visit, she stepped out only to find Tianniu standing there.

“Tianniu? What brings you here?” Mrs. Lin was unaware of the young woman’s connection to Zhao Jiangshui and naturally expressed her surprise.

Tianniu smiled and said, “It smells delicious. What are you busy with, Auntie?”

Mrs. Lin’s nature was simple, and the change of subject easily distracted her, “I’m making ginseng chicken soup. There’s plenty, would you like a bowl? Let me serve you one right away.”

Tianniu followed her into the kitchen and said, “This is for the brother in the house who is studying, isn’t it?”

“Yes, he’s buried in his studies, so I naturally want to make him something nice to bolster his health.”

“Let me take it to him for you, Auntie. You don’t need to busy yourself; don’t wear yourself out,” Tianniu said as she quickly grabbed the bowl of chicken soup and dashed away before Mrs. Lin could respond.

“Ah…” Mrs. Lin chuckled to herself. The girl seemed to be in her own little world.

Knocking on the door with the chicken soup in hand, Tianniu caught Zhao Jiangshui by surprise. He had expected Mrs. Lin to be bringing the soup and was about to greet her as ‘Mother’ when he saw Tianniu blinking her large eyes at him.

“What are you doing here?” Zhao Jiangshui asked in astonishment.

Tianniu entered the room with a grin, placing the chicken soup on the table, “This is my aunt’s house. Why can’t I be here? I’m helping her deliver the chicken soup. Drink it while it’s hot,” she offered.

Zhao Jiangshui gave a resigned smile, “You really thought this through.”

Although he said that, he was actually quite pleased. It had been a while since he last saw Tianniu, and although he had taken their time together for granted before, he now missed her. Just the other day, he went to buy some books and ink and somehow found himself taking a long detour, purposely walking past Tianniu’s house. He really was bewitched by the girl.

“I came this time to say goodbye to you, Brother Zhao,” Tianniu said as though mentioning it offhandedly. “I heard that you’re heading to the Capital to take the exams in a few days. We’ll be apart for at least a year or at most a lifetime. We’ve met by chance, and you’re not going to give me a proper farewell?”

Zhao Jiangshui’s expression stalled before he said, “Where did you get this notion of a lifetime? I’ll be gone for at most a year.”