Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 617 - 617 618 Who Says No One Wants It_1

Chapter 617: Chapter 618 Who Says No One Wants It_1 Chapter 617: Chapter 618 Who Says No One Wants It_1 “If I were to place high in the future, would I not strive to stay in the Capital but be assigned to a county or town instead?” Tian Niu blinked innocently.

Zhao Jiangshui had no choice but to say, “If I could place high, of course, I would hope to stay in the Capital. Being assigned to a local post, I’m afraid, there wouldn’t be much prospect for advancement.”

A pang of pain tugged at Tian Niu’s heart, and she said, “That’s good, too. Otherwise, it would be quite dull for you to stay here.”

Zhao Jiangshui moved his lips but ended up saying nothing.

Feeling her heart sinking, Tian Niu stood up, “Speaking of which, these days my mother has been matchmaking for me, saying it’s best to marry me off next spring. When you return with your name written in gold on the list, I will just come to see you with my husband. After all, I have been your student, and it would give me face to say so later.”

Zhao Jiangshui suddenly stood up with a “whoosh” and grabbed Tian Niu’s arm, startling her with his strength, “What did you say?”

Bewildered, Tian Niu said, “I said my mother is looking for a husband for me, hoping to marry me off soon.”

Zhao Jiangshui quickly said, “You’re only fourteen, why marry so early?”

“In our former village, there are girls who marry at thirteen. My mother thinks that marrying me off early would help rein in my willful nature. She says once you have a husband, you’ll learn to be content.”

“You agree to this?”

“Why not agree? A woman’s life, in the end, is to marry. I’m not in high demand, and if I wait a few more years, even the slight advantage of youth will be gone. Who would want me then? I don’t want to be the laughingstock of never getting married all my life.”

“Who says no one will want you?” Zhao Jiangshui said angrily, “I······”

Tian Niu tilted her head, looking at him, “You what?”

Zhao Jiangshui sighed, “I was thinking you’re young, and didn’t want to say this so early.”

Hope kindled in Tian Niu’s heart, and she quickly asked, “What are you saying?”

“Listen, just wait for me. Just one year. I’ll come to marry you in one year. Don’t be in a hurry thinking no one wants you. I····· I won’t disdain you,” Zhao Jiangshui said seriously, word by word.

Tian Niu said joyfully, “Really?”

Zhao Jiangshui blushed slightly, “I was always afraid to tell you before, because I have achieved nothing yet and I can’t give you anything. Your family is noble, and I don’t want people to think you are marrying beneath yourself. I was thinking, after I acquire some achievements next year, then I’ll tell you······” That’s why he was studying so hard, having not taken the Autumn Examination too seriously before, thinking if he didn’t pass this time, there would always be the next. But he was afraid she couldn’t wait, so he had to succeed on his first attempt.

Tian Niu threw herself into Zhao Jiangshui’s arms, “That’s great, then I’ll wait for you. Once you have your achievements, come back to marry me, no backing out!”

Zhao Jiangshui laughed helplessly, “When have I ever backed out? That’s what you like to do.”

Yet his arms involuntarily circled the Tian Niu in his embrace.

“Tian Niu, I’m just afraid I won’t pass this time, and then······”

“Even if you don’t pass, I’ll still marry you. I would follow you whether you were a chicken or a dog; I won’t disdain you!” Tian Niu said earnestly.

Zhao Jiangshui scolded with a smile, “You’re comparing me to chickens and dogs now.”

Then they heard Mrs. Lin suddenly knock on the door, “Jiangshui, is Tian Niu with you inside?”

She was actually not at ease, delivering chicken soup for so long, unattended by others, was really quite inappropriate.

Zhao Jiangshui quickly let go of Tian Niu and rushed to open the door, “Mother, we…”

“Auntie, Jiangshui just happened to have a tricky problem, and I casually mentioned a few pointers, which got us discussing and forgetting the time,” Tian Niu was already sitting properly at the desk, with a book in her hand, pretending to read.

Mrs. Lin then smiled and nodded, “I see, is Tian Niu staying for dinner?”

“No, I must hurry back, my mother will scold me if I’m out too long, Auntie, I’ll take my leave now.”

Tian Niu secretly winked at Zhao Jiangshui and then quickly ran away.

Mrs. Lin laughed and scolded, “This child, always coming and going without a trace.”

Zhao Jiangshui smiled without replying, feeling much lighter at heart, and Mrs. Lin said, “Jiangshui, you’ll be leaving in a few days, have you packed everything? Don’t forget anything.”

“Mother, rest assured, I can handle it myself, I’ve packed quite well.” A faint sense of melancholy inevitably rose in his heart, before, just ten or so days without seeing her made him miss her terribly, but this time he would be away from home for a year, he didn’t know how he would manage.

Upon returning, Tian Niu excitedly told Muniang about the incident, and Muniang felt relieved, silently praising Zhao Jiangshui for being somewhat responsible.

Madam Liu was even more at ease, glad that her daughter’s infatuation was not in vain, just a year’s time, she could wait.

Tian Niu took advantage of these days to visit the Zhao family, as Mrs. Lin was always home, and it wouldn’t be proper for her to brazenly enter through the front door every day, which would surely be deemed too scandalous by Mrs. Lin. So, Tian Niu climbed over the wall next to Zhao Jiangshui’s room to see him, and Zhao Jiangshui, left with no choice, made excuses to go out daily to buy books and ink to meet Tian Niu.

This way, he prevented her from taking risks, and it was also a way to reassure himself.

A few days of studying would not be missed, but these few days were their time to say goodbye.

In the blink of an eye, the end of the month arrived, and Zhao Jiangshui finally left. Tian Niu cried like a tearful doll, and Zhao Jiangshui couldn’t console her. He didn’t want to see her so heartbroken and was reluctant to leave. Tian Niu didn’t want to delay his journey, holding back her tears, she said goodbye to Zhao Jiangshui, watching his carriage disappear into the distance, then she burst into even more violent sobbing.

But Tian Niu had a cheerful disposition; a short period of sadness was inevitable, and a month later, she was back to her spirited self, with no trace of gloom left, only hope remained, and she began sneaking out again to play everywhere.

Madam Liu was originally worried that her child might fall into depression, only to be surprised at her rapid recovery.

“What did I say? It would be strange if Tian Niu could stay depressed,” Muniang remarked with a tsk.

Madam Liu held her forehead, “Now I almost wish she would be a little depressed, she’s really not a bit of worry.” But even so, her heart was naturally relieved.

After sending off Zhao Jiangshui, it wasn’t many days before Yu Jin and Nangong Anan arrived, and Muniang had already cleaned out a room for them in advance.

But this time, Yu Jin did not use a wheelchair but entered with the support of Nangong Anan, and Muniang was immediately stunned, realizing that the reputation of the Divine Doctor was indeed well-deserved.

Yu Ze was especially excited, taking over from Nangong Anan’s hands, “Jin, are your legs almost fully recovered?”

Yu Jin smiled faintly, “The Divine Doctor said that with a little more rest, I’ll be able to move around completely on my own.” There was a new light in his expression that wasn’t there before.

“That really is wonderful!”