My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 34 Part 3

"It’s already deep winter, everywhere’s freezing cold. How can he possibly leave at this time of year? Instead of staying put for the New Year, where could he be going? You must’ve misheard."  

"How could I mishear? He said there’s no money to be made in the village, so he wants to try his luck elsewhere."  

"At his age, why can’t he settle down?"  

"Ai, he was originally set on living a steady life. But after his marriage proposal was turned down, his pride as a man took a hit. He thinks it’s because he has no money, so now he wants to leave."  

Huang Manjing huffed. "For such a grown man, his skin is awfully thin. That kind of temperament isn’t good either, he still needs to toughen up. You shouldn’t bother with him."  

Ji Yangzong said, "I’d rather not, but if no one talks him out of it, he’ll pack up and leave today! Ai!"  

Ji Taoyu was skeptical, suspecting his parents might be trying to trick him again. But then he thought, he had run away yesterday without giving a clear answer. Maybe Huo Shu really did think he looked down on him for having no money or property.  

Yet hearing that he might leave today made his heart race.  

He didn’t enter the kitchen, turning instead to run toward the Zhao family.  

The sky was gray, a cold mist drizzling with fine rain.  

The rain wasn’t heavy, but the chill was biting.  

Even Huo Shu, who had never been bothered by the cold, felt it when he woke up early.  

He took out the cloak he hadn’t used in a while and fastened it, planning to make a trip to town.  

He needed to buy some things before visiting the Ji family again in the evening.  

"A-Shu, since you’re going to town, could you exchange this cotton cloth I bought the other day? The pattern isn’t suitable for sewing."  

"Alright."  

After breakfast, Huo Shu packed Yuan Huiru’s cloth into a bundle and tied it to his back. Not bothering with an umbrella, he simply put on a bamboo hat and rode out on his horse.  

At this hour, it was still early, and with the icy drizzle, few people were out unless they had urgent business.  

From the saddle, Huo Shu saw no one on the paths from the side road to the main road.  

Thinking of the cold, he urged his horse into a trot once on the main road, planning to make the trip quick.  

But just as he reached the village’s main path, he heard a frantic shout from behind.  

"Brother Huo!"  

Huo Shu turned and saw a figure rushing down the path, a light dusting of frost already covering their head.  

In such cold weather, the young ger wasn’t even wearing a hat or the autumn cloak he should have had on. Huo Shu frowned.  

He tugged the reins, about to dismount, when the running figure suddenly tripped and fell face-first into the mud.  

Huo Shu’s heart clenched. He swiftly swung off the horse and hurried forward.  

Ji Taoyu lay in the wet, muddy ground, struggling to push himself up, afraid that if he delayed even a moment, the man would truly be gone.

He had thought his father and mother were just scaring him, never expecting Huo Shu to actually pack his belongings and prepare to leave. In his panic, his steps became unsteady and hurried, causing him to fall.  

Ji Taoyu had just pushed himself up from the ground when a pair of hands grabbed his arms and gently pulled him up.  

"Are you alright?"  

The fall hadn’t hurt much, but his hands and clothes were covered in mud. Yet, upon hearing that familiar voice, Ji Taoyu couldn’t help but feel his nose sting, his eyes turning red.  

"Y-you’re leaving?"  

Huo Shu frowned deeper at the sight of the nearly tearful figure. "Leave for where? I’m just going into town."  

He added, "To buy you more sugar-roasted chestnuts."  

Ji Taoyu pressed his lips together, eyeing Huo Shu’s bundle. "Then why are you carrying that?"  

"This is cotton cloth, foster mother asked me to exchange it with the cloth merchant."  

Realizing it was just a misunderstanding, Ji Taoyu let out a long sigh of relief.  

He thought to himself, how could Huo Shu possibly leave? It must’ve been his parents trying to provoke him.  

But seeing him with that bundle had still given him a fright.  

"Oh, then… I’ll head back first."  

Huo Shu wouldn’t let him leave just like that. He held Ji Taoyu’s slender arm, keeping him close.  

"You thought I was leaving?"  

"N-no, I-I was just… out picking vegetables and happened to see you."  

Ji Taoyu’s face burned. "You should go to town. Don’t… don’t let me delay you."  

Huo Shu looked at him. "What if I really were leaving?"  

Ji Taoyu’s eyes widened as he suddenly met Huo Shu’s gaze. "You—"  

"What about Yuan niangzi then?"  

"She has a grandson. I could bring Zhao Pan back."  

"Right, Yuan niangzi has a grandson and a daughter-in-law. She’ll still have someone to care for her in her old age. If you were to leave, you could arrange things properly for her."  

Ji Taoyu’s brows furrowed, his lips trembling slightly. "Then… what about me? Didn’t you say you wanted to marry me?"  

Huo Shu’s voice carried a hint of regret. "But you weren’t willing."  

"I… I didn’t—"  

Ji Taoyu’s face flushed as his voice dropped. "I wasn’t unwilling."  

Huo Shu’s brow lifted as he repeated, "Then I’ll marry you."  

Ji Taoyu's face flushed with embarrassment as he murmured, "Mm."

"Then I’ll check the almanac, pick an auspicious day, and come to your family to propose."  

"Mm."  

"Then I’ll kiss you."  

"Mm… Huh?"  

In his fluster, Ji Taoyu suddenly processed the words, his face turned even redder. "Huo Shu!"