You's mother followed You Lingxiao inside and comforted him, "You’re too sentimental. It’s only been a few days since the broken engagement, and the Ji family is already looking for someone new, after all the kindness you showed him."
You Lingxiao didn’t respond. He was consumed by the realization that he might truly lose Ji Taoyu.
He had listened to his mother before, believing the Ji family would comply with their demands. But things had spiraled out of control.
What was once a sure thing - Ji Taoyu would become his future spouse, was now gone, possibly soon to marry someone else.
It was as if You Lingxiao had finally woken from the haze of his recent successes, his feet now firmly on the ground.
He couldn’t bear to hear another word from his mother. He was convinced she had wanted to break the engagement all along and had manipulated him into it.
Seeing her usually obedient son silent, You's mother couldn’t help but resent the Ji family.
She said, "These people are ridiculous. The Ji family called off the engagement without a care for Ji Taoyu’s reputation. A ger with a broken engagement, and yet outsiders are still lining up to court him. How times have changed!"
At these words, You Lingxiao suddenly looked at You's mother. The word "reputation" struck him like a hammer.
He took a deep breath. If he wanted to keep Ji Taoyu, it seemed he would have to take matters into his own hands.
____
"Ah Shu, I heard you asked the village head about finding work, do you plan to learn butchery from Master Qiao?"
In the slack season of the tenth month, there wasn’t much to do beyond gathering firewood for winter and preparing the fields for spring planting.
But Huo Shu, with his strength and diligence, had already gathered plenty of firewood. The back eaves of the house were stacked high with logs.
Yuan Huiru had also paid this year’s taxes early, leaving her mind at ease.
"Mn."
"That’s good."
Yuan Huiru noticed the man by the stove seemed in better spirits today. Tentatively, she asked, "Once you've properly mastered butchery skills, should I find a matchmaker to look for a good match for you?"
Huo Shu paused.
"Don’t misunderstand, I’m not rushing you. It’s entirely up to you."
Yuan Huiru worried that Huo Shu, already pushing twenty-six, was past the prime age for matchmaking. But with his skills, once he settled down, many families would surely be interested.
She had feared Huo Shu wasn’t interested in marriage, but then he said, "I have someone in mind."
Yuan Huiru’s eyes lit up instantly, as if an iron tree had finally bloomed.
[铁树开了花" (tiě shù kāi le huā): lit. Iron tree has bloomed; fig. Something extremely rare/unexpected happening]
"Which family? Tell me!"
Huo Shu hesitated briefly. Since he’d admitted it, there was no point hiding it. "The Ji family."
Yuan Huiru was surprised but, upon reflection, found it reasonable.
She couldn’t help but laugh. Who would’ve thought this fierce, cold-faced man would take a liking to the delicate ger of the Ji family?
Life was truly unpredictable.
But regardless of whom Huo Shu fancied, having the desire was better than not. Amused, she teased, "You’ve got sharp eyes. But though the ger of the Ji family is lovely, his health isn’t the strongest, you know that, right?"
"That’s a fool’s concern."
Huo Shu said, "It doesn’t matter if he’s healthy or not, I won’t let him do anything strenuous."
Yuan Huiru smiled even wider. Hearing such protective words from Huo Shu was oddly endearing.
But her joy was tinged with worry. "I’m glad you feel this way, but even though Ji Taoyu’s engagement with the You family fell through, the Ji family isn’t easy to match into. It won’t be simple. I heard today that the son of the neighboring village’s head came, we should prepare early."
Huo Shu said, "No need to worry. I’ll speak to the village head myself."
Yuan Huiru nodded. "Since you have a plan, I won’t interfere and risk complicating things. But if there’s anything I can do to help, you must tell me."
"I will."
____
Two days later, shortly after breakfast, Ji Yangzong came by the Zhao family to inform them that the village butcher, Master Qiao, had returned.
Ji Yangzong came to fetch Huo Shu so they could head to the Qiao residence together.
"I’ve heard several young men want to apprentice under Master Qiao this time, not just from our village. Though I’m introducing you, I can’t force him to take you. Whether it works out depends on mutual fit. If it does, I’ll be happy for you. If not, don’t take it to heart, we’ll find other work."
Though Ji Taoyu had pestered him to put in a good word for Huo Shu, Ji Yangzong hadn’t agreed. These things couldn’t be forced.
So he laid it out plainly to avoid future misunderstandings.
"I understand."
Ji Yangzong knew Huo Shu wasn’t petty, so he said no more.
Walking ahead, he felt oddly uncomfortable.
It wasn’t that he disliked Huo Shu, he just sensed the man had ulterior motives. When he mentioned it to his wife and ger, they refused to believe him, accusing him of overthinking.
Now, seeing the man again, he wanted to provoke him, but facing that impassive expression, he didn’t know where to start.
"Thank you for taking care of Xiao Taozi. I’ve been so busy with taxes lately that I haven’t properly thanked you."
"No need. You’ve thanked me enough. No more is necessary."
Ji Yangzong seized the opportunity. "It’s strange, every time that child gets into trouble, he’s lucky enough to run into you. Seems heaven pities his frailty and sends you to protect him."
Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. He might not talk much, but he wasn’t oblivious to subtext.
With no one else around, Huo Shu said bluntly, "The village head knows why this ‘luck’ exists. There’s no need for such talk."
Ji Yangzong stopped in his tracks and turned to stare at Huo Shu.
Huo Shu met his gaze unflinchingly. "If the village head permits, I can continue looking after him."
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