My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 20 Part 3

Huo Shu, seeing Ji Taoyu enjoy the pastry, took one too: “Didn’t you say no proper job means no good match?”  

“Huh?”  

Ji Taoyu’s frown eased into a smile. All those careful notes on matchmaking criteria from village wives and fulangs hadn’t gone to waste: “Brother Huo takes advice so well, you’ll surely find a good match.”  

He blinked, whispering: “When you find someone you like, I’ll ask Mother to speak for you. She still has some influence.”  

Huo Shu found his earnest enthusiasm amusing, as if pulling strings was a point of pride.  

He didn’t argue, just nodded: “Mn.”  

“What kind of work are you thinking of?”  

Huo Shu said: “What do you think suits me?”  

Ji Taoyu pondered: “With your skills, you’ve got options. Hunter and butcher  would work. Or find something in town.”  

“But I’m no expert. Best ask my father.”  

Huo Shu almost said your father’s not that reliable either, picking a fiance like that for you, but held back. No need to offend him now. He just nodded.  

They ate the pastries in silence, yet it didn’t feel awkward.  

Huo Shu sipped his tea: “I’m going to town tomorrow. Want to come?”  

“To see Third Sister Wu?”  

“Mn.”  

Ji Taoyu chewed the pastry, then shook his head: “I’ll pass.”  

Huo Shu’s brow twitched imperceptibly.  

After a pause, he urged: “Come. It’ll cheer you up.”  

Ji Taoyu felt a peculiar warmth at Huo Shu’s concern.  

Even someone he’d just met cared, while the person he’d grown up with had agreed to break the engagement without a word and disappeared.  

All those years of childhood friendship, perhaps they meant nothing compared to fame, fortune, and beauty. 

No wonder he’d been so disheartened.  

Since childhood, he’d been told to uphold propriety, that he’d marry into a scholarly family, that he’d wed You Lingxiao. 

He'd grown accustomed to the idea, never questioning whether he even liked You Lingxiao - it was just fate.

Then, in an instant, everything he’d believed was overturned. The shock had been overwhelming.  

Not just the collapse of his beliefs, but You Lingxiao’s sudden change, or perhaps his true nature which was hidden until now.  

The abrupt shift, the shattered future his parents had painted, it had all crushed him.  

Ji Taoyu looked at Huo Shu, who was watching him too. He set down the pastry, unable to meet his gaze: “I… I’m not sad anymore. No need to cheer up.”  

“If you’re not sad, then come.”  

Huo Shu paused, then added: “I should bring something for Changsui’s son. I don’t know what to buy.”  

Ji Taoyu pouted. So that was the real reason.  

Still, he hesitated, because going shopping with Huo Shu seemed improper. But then he remembered, he was no longer engaged. He was free.  

While Tongzhou valued propriety, it wasn’t so strict as to forbid respectable interactions between unmarried men and women.  

As long as they weren’t alone in a room doing something scandalous, it was fine.  

Considering Huo Shu’s kindness, he relented: “Alright.”  

Huo Shu’s brow smoothed at Ji Taoyu’s agreement.  

“Sorry for the wait.”  

Ji Yangzong returned after dealing with the villagers. A few families with good harvests had delivered their grain and taxes early, easing his burden.  

Every year, collecting taxes from dozens of families was a hassle. Those who paid voluntarily were a blessing.  

At least his efforts for the village paid off.  

“I asked you to serve Brother Huo, but you ended up eating yourself.”  

Ji Yangzong entered to find his ger at the table, snacking on pastries and tea, utterly at ease, even unafraid of Huo Shu’s grim demeanor.  

Ji Taoyu smiled sheepishly and stood, nudging his father into the seat while he stood dutifully beside him.  

Ji Yangzong sat and asked: “What did you need, Huo-lang?”  

Huo Shu stated his purpose.  

“Looking for work? That’s good.”  

Ji Yangzong nodded approvingly. He’d worried about idle youths causing trouble. If everyone had jobs, the village would be more peaceful.  

Someone as imposing as Huo Shu could intimidate the villagers, especially women and children. If he caused trouble, no one could stop him.  

It was perfect that he came looking for honest work. Even if he hadn't shown up, Ji Yangzong would have eventually asked Yuan Huiru to persuade him. Now, that effort was spared.

“Our village butcher, Master Qiao, was looking for apprentices recently but hasn’t found the right ones. If you don’t mind hard work, I’ll take you to see if it suits you.”  

Huo Shu glanced at Ji Taoyu, who widened his eyes and nodded encouragingly. He said: “Fine.”  

Ji Yangzong, pleased Huo Shu wasn’t picky, took a sip of tea.  

It was refreshing to meet a man who wasn't pretentious.

“Don’t underestimate butchery. It’s lucrative. Every butcher I know lives well.”  

Huo Shu said: “Thank you, Village Head.”  

“No trouble. If I can help fellow villagers, I will. The rest is up to you.”  

Ji Yangzong said: “Master Qiao’s out butchering for someone these days. Once he’s back, I’ll introduce you.”  

“Alright.”  

With that settled, Huo Shu glanced at Ji Taoyu, then stood to leave.  

“This guy doesn’t seem to know how to chat. Says his piece and leaves.”  

Ji Yangzong saw him out, then grumbled upon returning.  

Ji Taoyu pressed his lips. Huo Shu didn’t seem that taciturn to him.  

Odd, really.  

“Wait, I just saw Huo Shu holding a black cloak. Looked familiar.”  

Ji Yangzong suddenly remembered something and stopped Ji Taoyu: “Wasn’t that cloak in your room before?”  

Before Ji Taoyu could answer, Ji Yangzong realized: “So it was him who brought you home the other day!”