Chapter 442: Too Late

Chapter 442: Chapter 442: Too Late

Before leaving for Yeyang the next day, the horse-drawn carriage made a special stop in front of Zhang Cuicui’s house.

It was still dark, before the break of dawn.

Ji Huan got out of the carriage, thinking Zhang Cuicui wasn’t up yet. In reality, Zhang Cuicui had been waiting for a while and came running out on tiptoe as soon as she heard the wheels.

"Are you ready?" Ji Huan asked.

Zhang Cuicui, suppressing her excitement, said, "All ready."

"It’s a long journey, and going back and forth would be a hassle. We can’t have you running around with us all day, so it’s best if you stay at the shop. Did you mention this to your aunt? Did she agree?"

"I mentioned it. My mother, she..." Zhang Cuicui hesitated.

When the Liu matriarch heard that she was going to the county seat to show her face in public as a shop assistant, and that she would even be living at the shop—where she wouldn’t be the only young woman—she was naturally against it, without a second thought.

She didn’t want her daughter to end up truly unmarriageable.

But Zhang Cuicui was adamant. The mother and daughter had a huge fight last night, which ended on bad terms.

Seeing Zhang Cuicui sneak out of the house empty-handed, Ji Huan guessed what had happened.

As an unmarried young woman, it wasn’t an easy decision for Zhang Cuicui to make. And as a mother, the Liu matriarch’s disapproval was also understandable.

It was just that the shop was genuinely short-staffed. They had hired Li Shi yesterday, and with the addition of Zhang Cuicui, the staffing would be barely complete.

But if it caused a rift between mother and daughter...

"How about this, Cuicui? If it’s inconvenient for you to go to the city, you can stay in West River Gully and work with Aunt Xie and the others. That way, you can also take care of your family nearby."

Before Zhang Cuicui could speak, the courtyard gate creaked open.

"Mother?"

Zhang Cuicui was surprised, and also a little anxious.

She was afraid the Liu matriarch would stop her from going.

The Liu matriarch, with a coat draped over her shoulders, walked up to them, clutching a cloth bundle in her hand.

"Wuan, this auntie thanks you so much for promoting our Cuicui like this... We’ll be troubling you from now on. If she doesn’t do a good job or makes a mistake, you just go ahead and hit her or scold her..."

As she spoke, she tried to press the cloth bundle into Ji Huan’s hands.

"This auntie doesn’t have much to thank you with. I just boiled a few eggs for you to eat on the road."

Ji Huan glanced at Zhang Cuicui and didn’t refuse, reaching out to accept it.

"Auntie, you’re so thoughtful. We were just getting hungry."

"Mother, you agree?" Zhang Cuicui’s worry turned to joy.

The Liu matriarch sighed. "I thought about it all night. If I weren’t so useless, if this family hadn’t been a burden on you, you wouldn’t have to... Since you want to go, then go. I may be short-sighted, but Wuan is a reliable person. I can rest easy with you following her... Once you’re there, you have to be diligent. Be sharp and observant. Don’t be like those clueless types. You can’t just be a burden to others."

"I’ll definitely be diligent! I won’t be a burden!"

With her mother’s support, a great weight was lifted from her heart. Zhang Cuicui cast off her earlier dejection and felt a surge of energy through her entire body.

"Cuicui is quick-witted and efficient. Auntie, you can rest assured. It’s still early, and you’re not in the best of health. You should hurry back inside and rest."

"Eh, alright. You two be careful on the road..."

"Mother, let me help you back inside..."

Zhang Cuicui helped the Liu matriarch back into the house, leaving Ji Huan and Guan Shan where they were.

In the freezing weather, where dripping water turned to ice, just that short time out of the carriage had made her face go numb. Bending down to place the eggs inside the carriage, she couldn’t help but rub her hands and stomp her feet.

When Guan Shan saw this, he started to take off his own gloves and scarf to give to her.

Ji Huan refused. "In a minute, we’ll help Cuicui put her things on the carriage, and it won’t be cold once we’re inside. You have to drive the cart; wearing these will help block the wind a little."

’The scarf and gloves were ones I used last year. The scarf is fine, but the gloves are a bit small. It’s my fault—I’ve been so busy with the shop lately I haven’t had time. He’ll just have to make do for now. I’ll make him a proper pair later on.’

Guan Shan took off his gloves anyway, his fan-like palms firmly enveloping Ji Huan’s hands.

"Are they still cold?"

Ji Huan struggled a little and whispered, "We’re right in front of their house."

Not only did Guan Shan not let go, he held on even tighter.

"You’re cold." Her hands were ice-cold.

Ji Huan was starting to realize that Guan Shan had a bit of a contrary streak.

’Behind closed doors, I can tease him and do whatever I want. But once we’re outside, Guan Shan will hug me or hold my hand whenever he feels like it.’

’No, that’s not right. Before, at the shop entrance, when I pretended to kiss him to spite that young man named Qin, he was the one who reminded me to be more reserved...’

Ji Huan thought for a moment and gradually began to understand.

’Whether it was hugging me in broad daylight in West River Gully or holding my hand in front of someone else’s house this time, Guan Shan’s motives are different from mine. It’s not intentional, and it’s not a joke. He does it because he thinks it’s necessary.’

’He’s certainly uncomfortable with deliberate displays of affection, but when it comes to unintentional acts that are for my own good, he does them as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, without a second thought for what others might think.’

’After all, he’s always seen himself as my legitimate husband.’

Ji Huan had once tried to remind him not to get too into character, otherwise she was afraid she’d get drawn in too. But it seemed that clear facts just didn’t get through to him.

And... it seemed it was already too late.

Before Zhang Cuicui came out, their clasped hands separated.

Ji Huan helped her stuff her bedroll and other belongings onto the carriage, and then they helped each other aboard.

The carriage was crammed full of wooden buckets and basins of braised goods, so the two of them could only sit squeezed tightly together.

After her initial excitement wore off, Zhang Cuicui spoke hesitantly.

"I-I never thought you’d give this opportunity to me."

"What’s so surprising about it?"

"I’m not good-looking, and my personality isn’t good either..."

Ji Huan suddenly remembered that she had once called her ugly.

’Perhaps my one careless comment really did crush a young woman’s confidence and leave a shadow on her that’s hard to erase.’

"Cuicui, I have to apologize to you. I don’t know if the way you think has anything to do with me, but... you’re not unattractive at all. I only said that to make you angry."

Zhang Cuicui was stunned for a moment, then she smiled, as if a weight had been lifted.

"You didn’t do anything wrong. I was the one who insulted you first."

"Then let’s put it behind us and never mention it again."

Zhang Cuicui nodded vigorously. "Okay."

After a pause, she asked again, "So why did you choose me?"

"My cousin said you’re a fast learner and meticulous, no matter what you’re doing. I also paid attention and watched you when I went to West River Gully, and you really did a good job."

Being praised to her face, and by Ji Huan of all people, made Zhang Cuicui both happy and nervous.

"I thought it was because of what happened to my family recently..."

"That’s part of the reason, but not all of it. Don’t think of this as pity. There are plenty of people in the village who need help. I chose you mainly because you have the merit to be chosen."

Ji Huan didn’t beat around the bush and spoke her mind freely.

"Cuicui, what happened is in the past. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I know it’s difficult, but... you have to look forward. I still prefer your old personality."

The old Zhang Cuicui was like a little firecracker—sharp-tongued and quick to annoy people, but full of life. Plus, she never meant any real harm, which made it hard to truly dislike her.

After Zhang Weimin’s incident, she seemed fine on the surface and quickly pulled herself together, but her personality grew quieter and more subdued with each passing day.

It was no wonder, really. Anyone who suffered such a devastating blow would find it hard to recover right away.

She needed time.

As the morning sun rose, the city gates came into view.

Zhang Cuicui took a deep breath and said, full of confidence, "I will."