Pampered by the Toughest Man After Divorce
Chapter 1614 - 1436: Epilogue

Chapter 1614: Chapter 1436: Epilogue

He slurped his noodles just like most of the men from the mountains, noisily, but everyone in the village ate like that, and Xia Dabao didn’t mind it since she herself was pretty crude; she couldn’t criticize others for the same behavior.

Halfway through the meal, Tao Shanding felt hot and opened his outer coat, revealing his chest underneath, then rested his feet on the cross bar of the stool.

Xia Dabao didn’t quite like that.

Had there been other people around, she wouldn’t have said anything, but it was just the two of them eating noodles, and he was being too casual.

Although Xia Dabao didn’t say anything, Tao Shanding noticed her sudden frown and realized what was bothering her. He quickly sat up straight, buttoned his clothes back up, and said with an apologetic smile, "I’m used to this at home; that’s how we folks from the foothills are."

Seeing him apologize, Xia Dabao also smiled nonchalantly, "It’s okay. We’re still not familiar with each other. Once we are, it won’t matter."

Tao Shanding couldn’t help but feel that there was a hint in Xia Dabao’s words.

However, Xia Dabao just focused on eating her noodles.

Aren’t all country men like this? When it’s hot they strip down and do their work bare-chested, they don’t sit properly when eating either, preferring to squat at the doorway with a bite of food, or even if they sit properly, they rest one foot up as if to appear more commanding.

If she were to marry nearby, she would have to accept these traits of country men.

But she still felt that, in the early stages of their relationship, the other party should pay attention to their image.

The meal finally concluded, and Xia Dabao and Tao Shanding both insisted on paying the bill, but Tao Shanding firmly refused to let Xia Dabao pay, claiming it was a man’s job to provide for the family.

Xia Dabao offhandedly asked, "Then what are women responsible for? Farming, watering vegetables, having children, taking care of the in-laws?"

Tao Shanding thought for a moment, then said with a smile, "Depends on what you like. Once we’re married, you don’t have to do anything. I can support you."

"Can I just sleep in every day then?" Xia Dabao asked.

"Sleeping all day would ruin one’s health, so it’s still necessary to do some household chores occasionally, just not too tiring," Tao Shanding said.

"I haven’t said I’d marry you," Xia Dabao said determinedly.

"That’s fine. The matchmaker said these things take time. We’re both from the countryside, no need to fuss over details. Let’s just continue being friends for now..." Tao Shanding seemed very patient.

"Okay," Xia Dabao responded.

Before coming, she had thought of just dealing with her mother, expecting that these large householders owning fruit gardens would be somewhat bullying like Zhao Datu; in that case, she would have just walked away.

But the Tao Shanding in front of her, although not a dashing gentleman, was honest, simple, and mild-mannered, which she couldn’t dislike.

"It’s still early, how about we walk around some more? There are some stalls selling Pearl Flowers up ahead. If you like, I can buy some for your hair," Tao Shanding said, noticing Xia Dabao’s hairstyle lacked even a single wooden hairpin.

"No need, I have plenty of accessories at home, I just didn’t wear them out. Besides, our family has been away for two years, right? Our fields have gone fallow, I need to rush back to tend to them," Xia Dabao declined the offer to walk further.

"Well then, how about I come to Peach Blossom Village and help you out? There isn’t much to do in our fruit garden at the moment," Tao Shanding said.

"Better not. If you come to help, folks in our village might think my parents found a son-in-law. If we don’t end up together, it would seem like I was using you. Let’s go out together some other time," Xia Dabao suggested.