The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 186: The Heart of a Man (Seeking Monthly Pass)

Chapter 186: Chapter 186: The Heart of a Man (Seeking Monthly Pass)

Wang Yongzhu was speechless. To those unaware, they might think something had happened to her. Big brother was about to pass away, and Old Granny Zhang didn’t shed a tear. Yet here she was, merely accompanying him to town on a nocturnal trek and crying her eyes out.

Despite her disdainful words, her heart melted into a puddle, and she felt tears unwillingly falling from her eyes. After a thought, she stopped, turned back and yelled, "Mom, don’t worry, I promise to come back safe and sound, and I’ll even bring back an obedient son-in-law for you to meet!"

Old Granny Zhang’s weeping abruptly ceased and after a long pause, a faint voice replied, "Mom is waiting—"

Wang Laozhu, caught off balance, nearly toppled over. Turning to look at his daughter, he thought, good grief, is there anything she won’t announce to the world? And so loudly in the middle of the night, as if afraid others might not hear?

Wang Yongzhu, regardless of how Wang Laozhu looked at her, couldn’t help but crack a smile and hastened their pace, dragging her father along.

After only a few steps, they saw upfront Wang Yongping and another cousin, both carrying Wang Yongfu, stumble, nearly dropping Wang Yongfu in the process.

Jindou and Jinhoo rushed over in alarm, barely managing to steady him.

As Wang Yongzhu caught up, she heard the cousin ask, "Laosi, so, is your sister really planning to find a son-in-law at home?"

Wang Yongping nodded in affirmation, his expression somber.

The two relatives behind exchanged glances, nearly saying something, but upon hearing footsteps and seeing Wang Laozhu and Wang Yongzhu approaching, they squeezed their eyes shut and dared not speak.

Upon reaching the edge of the village, they saw from afar someone holding a torch, and upon closer inspection, it was Song Chongjin?

Wang Yongping in surprise, "Brother Song, what brings you here?"

Only after glancing at Wang Yongzhu trailing at the back did Song Chongjin reply, "I heard the commotion and knew you all were heading to town tonight. I’ll guide you; I know a shorter route. If we’re cautious, there won’t be any issues."

Wang Yongping was overjoyed, "Thank you!"

At this critical time, saving time was saving lives!

Jindou and Jinhoo also stepped forward to express their gratitude.

At that moment, Wang Laozhu felt a deep fondness for Song Chongjin, finding him all-around exemplary, even more so than his own sons.

Song Chongjin, with a detached expression, nodded and led the way.

The path he knew involved crossing over a mountain, and on the other side was a road that connected to a few other villages, extending all the way to town.

At night, the mountain breeze was fierce. As they climbed the slope, the wind caused the flames on the torches to flicker uncertainly. Jindou and Jinhoo were upfront, lighting the path, while those following behind were nearly walking by feel alone.

Wang Yongzhu, carrying items on her back, didn’t find it particularly heavy, but the uneven terrain and poor visibility made her somewhat frustrated.

She stepped on sharp rocks for what felt like the umpteenth time. Since everyone was wearing cloth shoes, the sharp edges of the rocks painfully jabbed her soles each time.

But she was too embarrassed to complain about the pain, considering the others ahead were carrying Wang Yongfu. She could only endure it. Not long into the journey, exhaustion wasn’t the problem—it was the sweat from the pain.

Inwardly regretting not having taken a torch for herself, it was a relief when they finally climbed atop the hill. They followed Song Chongjin to a spacious clearing, where everyone set down the stretcher to take a breather.

In the darkness, Wang Yongzhu followed them up and distributed flatbreads she had been carrying, giving one to each person.

No one was polite; hungry and tired, they took their shares and began to eat.

When she handed one to Song Chongjin, he hesitated before accepting it.

Wang Yongzhu then gave a cylinder of water to Jindou and the others. Without eating anything herself, she took a couple sips of sugar water, then stealthily retreated to a hidden spot. There, she removed her shoes, pulled out a handkerchief from her bosom, and gently rubbed her feet.

She had just seen Song Chongjin looking in her direction when she quickly stashed the handkerchief away, put her shoes back on, and pretended as if nothing had happened.

Then she noticed Song Chongjin still watching her.

Puzzled, she stepped forward and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Song Chongjin saw she hadn’t eaten anything and handed her half of his pancake, "Have some. We still have a way to go."

Wang Yongzhu quickly waved her hands. What a joke, she had just touched her feet with her hands and hadn’t washed them yet. Grab a pancake to eat?

How disgusting!

"I haven’t eaten from it!" Song Chongjin explained, guessing she had misunderstood.

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t help but laugh and cry, "I’m really not hungry. Is one enough for you? If not, I still have some in my bag!"

Song Chongjin was stunned for a moment, then looked down and started gobbling the pancake. He ate in such a hurry that he seemed to choke, not speaking but gasping until his face changed color.

Not thinking much, Wang Yongzhu handed him the tube of water she had drunk from and patted his back.

Song Chongjin took the water and gulped down two mouthfuls. It tasted sweet; was it sugar water?

He took another sip, but with Wang Yongzhu’s pat, he almost choked again.

Wang Yongzhu hurriedly apologized, "Sorry, I didn’t hold back, my bad!"

Song Chongjin didn’t say anything, only slowed down his eating pace and occasionally took a sip of the sugar water.

The relatives nearby, seeing Wang Laozhu guarding Wang Yongfu from a distance, nudged Wang Yongping, who was devouring his pancake, and with a wink and a nudge said, "Laosi, did you see? That Song family kid, even after calling off the engagement, seems to get along with your little sister. I’m not saying, but with his family conditions, he’d be quite fitting as an in-law to your family—"

Their words were cut short by the cold gaze Song Chongjin swept their way, sending a chill down their spines as they fell silent.

Old Wang also heard this and glanced back at Song Chongjin; the boy was a fine fellow. He had only his mother at home. Thinking of making him a son-in-law, Old Wang shuddered at the thought of his own wife’s temper and dared not continue the line of thought.

After eating and drinking their fill, they continued on their way.

Jindou and Jinhu stood up, looking at Song Chongjin, waiting for him to lead the way.

But Song Chongjin didn’t move, saying, "The path ahead is all downhill. Just follow the trail and be careful where you step. I’ll walk in the middle to watch your steps to prevent you from slipping."

That made sense; on this downhill mountain trail, if someone slipped, the person in front could get knocked down.

So everyone nodded in agreement and switched the relatives carrying the stretcher, letting Wang Yongping and the previous carrier rest. Wang Laozhu still followed the stretcher, watching over it.

Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu fell behind.

Wang Yongzhu had also heard the teasing words of her relatives and saw Song Chongjin’s stern face. She explained, "They’re just talking nonsense. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to be our son-in-law!"

Song Chongjin snorted coldly, his face turning even darker.

Wang Yongzhu found it strange. The man was still angry, even after she said she wouldn’t ask him to become their son-in-law?

The heart of a man, truly as elusive as a needle at the bottom of the sea!

They walked in silence for a while until Wang Yongzhu suddenly realized she could see the path clearly. She hadn’t been stumbling over uneven stones all this half a day.

Turning her head to look at Song Chongjin a few steps ahead, she noticed he gripped the torch tightly, yet angled it slightly backward, illuminating the path right in front of her, making it clear for her to see.

A thought struck Wang Yongzhu. Had Song Chongjin seen her massaging her feet earlier and intentionally fallen behind to light her way?

If only the Xiao Tiantian System weren’t upgrading right now, she could know whether Song Chongjin’s favorability had increased or if it was at a level ready for an upgrade.

On the tenth day after Xiao Tiantian System left, she suddenly missed it, missed it, missed it so much.

No sooner had Wang Yongzhu finished thinking than a familiar voice sounded in her mind, "Humph, now you realize the good of this system, huh? Foolish host, do you know you have offended this system? Tremble!

"Yo, Tian Tian, you’re back from the upgrade!" Wang Yongzhu’s heart leapt for joy, paying no mind to the system’s melodramatic words.