The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 489 - 487 You’re Willing, I’m Willing

Chapter 489: Chapter 487 You’re Willing, I’m Willing

After the ordeal with Li Jinzhi, Wang Yongping developed an aversion to those delicate women who easily burst into tears or coquetted, viewing them with the same contempt as one would a snake or scorpion, avoiding them at all costs.

Liu Xiaoqiao always wore neat trousers, had a refreshing vibe, and possessed a tomboyish charm rarely seen in girls. She was forthright and did not beat around the bush—she said what was on her mind. Wang Yongping found her company very comfortable.

This was a different feeling from when he was with Li Jinzhi. He did not have to constantly walk on eggshells in fear that a single word out of place would upset her, forcing him to apologize profusely.

With Liu Xiaoqiao, Wang Yongping felt free to speak his mind. Even if he occasionally said something wrong and she got angry, she never gave him the silent treatment or made him guess what he had done wrong.

Wang Yongping knew he was slow-witted and couldn’t fathom a girl’s thoughts.

And he often misspoke, which only made the girls even angrier.

Liu Xiaoqiao would explain why she was upset after he had apologized.

He did not always have to guess and wonder, forever missing the mark, which was exhausting for both of them!

Following his arrival at Chongzi Gou, whenever Wang Yongping chatted with the men, they would inevitably touch upon the timeless topic of finding a wife.

When asked what kind of wife he wished to marry, Wang Yongping’s mind briefly entertained the thought that marrying someone like Miss Liu wouldn’t be so bad.

But he dared not dwell on it.

Now that Liu Xiaoqiao had asked him, Wang Yongping had a moment of clarity and realized whom he wanted to marry—it was Liu Xiaoqiao herself.

Wang Yongping hemmed and hawed, struggling to voice this thought, and simply held Liu Xiaoqiao’s hand without letting go.

Liu Xiaoqiao, already understanding, her face flushed with shyness.

Although unspoken, both knew exactly what was in the other’s heart.

The Liu Family pretended not to notice, allowing the two to come and go together daily to nurture their relationship.

And now, with a single shout, Wang Yongping had openly acknowledged their connection.

In this day and age, which upright man would tolerate a woman, other than his wife, tugging at his ear unless she were a family member?

Father Liu struggled to keep a straight face—wanting to laugh yet holding it in, which looked rather comical.

The Liu brothers, with no such reservations, had already scurried away to snicker.

Wang Yongping, seeing the reactions of the Liu father and sons, knew his shout had been overheard and felt a bit embarrassed. He looked at Father Liu, stumbling over his words, unable to speak.

Wang Yongzhu gave Wang Yongping a sharp glance. He had yelled so loudly just before; why had he turned timid upon facing his future father-in-law?

Left with no choice, Wang Yongzhu stepped in as his sister.

"Uncle Liu, my brother has been staying at your house, receiving your and Auntie Liu’s meticulous care, almost like he’s your own son, and he’s really fortunate for that," she said.

Father Liu chuckled and stroked his beard, "My dear niece, you are too polite. My old lady and I take a liking to Yongping; it’s simply our fate with him."

"Uncle Liu is right. My Fourth Brother was saved by Sister Xiao Qiao and the two Liu brothers, narrowly escaping death, and hence a bond of benevolence was established. It must be our family’s good fortune, and even more so for my Fourth Brother, having met someone as kind-hearted as Sister Xiao Qiao. Otherwise, where would my Fourth Brother be today? It all seems to be destiny decreed by Heaven!" Wang Yongzhu continued along Father Liu’s line of thought.

The two exchanged pleasantries in roundabout ways, each implicitly stating their family’s position.

The Liu Family was willing.

The Wang Family was also pleased.

It was a perfect match.

Seeing that Wang Yongzhu not only didn’t object but seemed very happy to facilitate the matter, Father Liu’s heart finally settled completely.

Delighted, he slapped his thigh and ordered his son, "Today is a joyful day, with our great-niece and her husband visiting. I’ll go get some fine wine from your Uncle Haizi, and you ask your mother to cook a few good dishes! Let us men have a proper drink."

Liu Dasheng agreed and left.

Concerned, Liu Daming accompanied Father Liu to find the wine.

Only Song Chongjin and the three Wang siblings remained in the room.

Song Chongjin, seeing Wang Yongzhu so absorbed in the discussions of Wang Yongping’s marriage that he even neglected the blister on his own hand, felt both pain and envy.

He kicked the still dumbfounded Wang Yongping, "Go ask Miss Liu for a needle!"

Coming to his senses, Wang Yongping, though not completely understanding what his sister and godfather had discussed, generally knew it pertained to him. Seeing the joy on his godfather’s face and even the mention of drinking, he figured it must be good news.

He meant to ask his sister about it, but upon meeting Song Chongjin’s gaze, he decided against it and dutifully dashed towards Liu Xiaoqiao’s room.

Returning to her room, Liu Xiaoqiao, her cheeks still feverish, wore a smile she herself hadn’t noticed.

Wang Yongping knocked on the door, "Sister Xiao Qiao, it’s me, your Fourth Brother. I need to talk to you about something."

As he spoke and pushed the door open, Liu Xiaoqiao stood up a bit flustered. Although their affection for each other was clear, today’s explicitness suddenly made them feel awkward.

"I... I need... do you have a needle?" Wang Yongping stammered.

Liu Xiaoqiao was startled; Wang Yongping had chased her to her room just to ask if she had a needle?

Somewhat annoyed yet amused, she found a needle and said peevishly, "I’ll take it to Sister Wang for you. You’re so clumsy, don’t lose it!"

Wang Yongping chuckled but didn’t argue.

Only when Liu Xiaoqiao approached did he whisper, "Sister Xiao Qiao, rest assured, I’m not ungrateful. Tonight, I’ll talk to my sister and tomorrow we’ll go down the mountain together to inform our parents, so my parents can choose a good day to propose!"

Liu Xiaoqiao, blushing, nodded her head.

They entered the main room one after the other. Liu Xiaoqiao wanted to tend to Wang Yongzhu’s blister but was stopped by Song Chongjin, who opened his palm, indicating for her to hand him the needle.

Busy, Liu Xiaoqiao passed the needle to Wang Yongping, who had just taken it when Song Chongjin snatched it and was about to get started.

Wang Yongzhu held his forehead, "Sterilize the needle tip with fire."

Following instructions, Song Chongjin heated the needle over the oil lamp, waited for it to cool a bit, and then carefully lanced the blister.

As the fluid flowed out and dried up, Song Chongjin took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom, carefully applied the medicinal powder to Wang Yongzhu.

Meanwhile, Liu Dasheng had already shared the good news with Mother Liu in the kitchen.

Mother Liu was overjoyed, all her fatigue swept away, as she prepared a table full of delicious dishes.

At dinner, both Mother Liu and Father Liu looked at Wang Yongping differently; Mother Liu, in particular, kept piling food onto Wang Yongping’s plate.

The Liu brothers kept pouring wine for Wang Yongping.

By the end of the meal, Wang Yongping was quite tipsy and was escorted by Song Chongjin to rest in the room.

Though Father Liu was happy, he didn’t drink much.

After eating and tidying up the main room, Liu Xiaoqiao excused herself to wash the dishes and hid in the kitchen. The main room was now left with only Wang Yongzhu, Song Chongjin, the Liu father and son, and Mother Liu.