Chapter 600 - 372: A Perfect Match

Chapter 600: Chapter 372: A Perfect Match

From cooking to eating, and all the way until washing dishes, Second Aunt kept talking about Qixi and Zhang Xiaohua.

Fortunately, everyone at home is tight-lipped. Whether or not it works out in the end, at least there’s no worry about this getting out from here.

After the meal, without taking a break, Second Aunt led Xiaomi out the door.

Qixi also told her that recently many matchmakers have been visiting Zhang Yuan’s house to talk about proposals, fearing that if he’s late, Xiaohua might be engaged to someone else.

Qixi’s yard is not far from the Jiang home, just next to Liu Qingfeng’s yard.

Following Xiaomi to Zhang Yuan’s house, Second Aunt could see Qixi eagerly waiting at the doorway.

Yep, he’s really interested.

"Xiaomi, remember what Mom told you. Later, when you go play in Xiaohua’s room, ask her secretly, okay?"

Xiaomi nodded repeatedly: "Don’t worry, Mom, I remember everything."

Really now, before it was Sister Yajing probing Second Sister’s opinions for Liu Ze, now it’s her turn to do the same thing.

The Zhang Yuan household also just finished their meal, and the sisters Xiaocao and Xiaohua were washing dishes together.

Not sure if Xiaomi was seeing things, but she felt Sister Xiaohua’s eyes light up upon seeing them—or rather, upon seeing her mom?

Second Aunt gently pushed Xiaomi’s back and then went to find Yang Xiuyun.

"Xiuyun sister, are you busy? Do you have time for me to talk about something?"

Xiaomi sighed; her mom is straightforward, right to the point.

But that’s good, saves time instead of beating around the bush.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi eagerly ran to Zhang Xiaohua: "Sister Xiaohua, my mom wants me to ask you something, but I have to ask secretly."

Xiaocao immediately pouted: "Xiaomi, you’re my best friend, and you want to whisper secrets with my sister."

"Don’t be mad, Xiaocao, this is an important matter concerning Sister Xiaohua, not intentionally hiding from you."

Quickly calming her friend, then pulling Zhang Xiaohua to her room.

Xiaomi wasn’t new to the Xiaocao house; though she didn’t know every detail, she knew where each person’s room was.

Thankfully, Xiaocao feigned anger but didn’t follow since it was an important matter.

Xiaomi closed the door with a ’bang.’ ℴℴ𝘮

"Xiaomi, did Qixi send you?"

"Uh? Sister Xiaohua, you know?"

Xiaomi’s eyes widened; she hadn’t even started asking, yet Xiaohua seemed to know everything!

Zhang Xiaohua blushed slightly: "Yeah, they’ve been saying that once you all return, Aunt Jiang should be asked to propose."

Xiaomi felt a bit bewildered but then shook off distracting thoughts and reconsidered.

Feeling somewhat enlightened.

"Sister Xiaohua, have you and Brother Qixi been fond of each other for a while?"

Almost instinctively called him uncle; if Qixi marries Sister Xiaohua, he’d become Xiaocao’s brother-in-law, and she’s so close to Xiaocao, naturally she’d call him brother-in-law too!

Zhang Xiaohua blushed: "The winter before last, I went to the pond to collect water hyacinth and fell in. It was Brother Qixi who saved me."

Xiaomi felt dizzy: "How come no one ever mentioned this?"

Qixi was in their house at that time, yet not a whisper was heard?

And Xiaocao never mentioned it either.

Zhang Xiaohua nodded: "It was getting dark, and there was some rain. Brother Qixi saved and hurriedly carried me home; no one saw except my parents, only we know."

Xiaomi understood: "So you never told anyone else?"

"Brother Qixi said not to let others know to preserve my reputation."

Xiaomi understood that. Falling into water, then being carried home by a man soaking wet, isn’t a good look for a girl.

Especially since Qixi isn’t an elder but rather a young man.

"So, Sister Xiaohua, did you both develop feelings after that? Do Uncle Zhang and Aunt Xiuyun know?"

Perhaps having said a fair bit, Zhang Xiaohua relaxed and pulled Xiaomi to sit on the bed, speaking slowly.

"Actually, at first, my parents sent gifts to thank Brother Qixi. He stayed at your home then, so we didn’t interact much."

"Later, your family needed more labor due to abundant crops, so we grew closer. Brother Qixi said he asked Mr. Liu to redeem his contract and set up his own household."

Xiaomi understood; this familiarity likely meant mutual fondness.

"My parents initially opposed, feeling Brother Qixi’s status was unsuitable. If I was with him, our children would always be Liu family servants, never of good status."

"But later, Brother Qixi regained good status, built a house, bought land, and Aunt Yang proved to be a virtuous elder, so my parents stopped opposing."

Though discussing her romantic experiences with a child felt awkward, she found it easier after the first word was spoken.

Xiaomi expressed understanding: "So, Aunt Xiuyun has been observing for so long, waiting for us to return from Nanyang Prefecture?"

"Yes." Zhang Xiaohua blushed again: "Brother Qixi said you’re the most familiar with him, so if my parents are unsure, talk to Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang."

No wonder, when it comes to other matchmakers, they wouldn’t know Qixi’s background, but they’re different; Qixi has been with them for six or seven years.

Remembering when Qixi first arrived at the Jiang house at age fifteen, my brother was seven then; this year he’s fourteen, that’s a full seven years.

Apart from one year with Uncle Liu in Cheng County, there’s a solid six years of living and eating together with the Jiang family.

"But Sister Xiaohua, don’t you mind Brother Qixi being much older? Seven years, you know."

In these times, this is quite an age gap, as she recalls being born when her dad was just around twenty-two, already with four kids.

Zhang Xiaohua, blushing, softly said: "I think it’s nice, being a bit older, knowing how to care for others."

Alright then, Xiaomi felt relieved, these two are truly fond of each other.

Reflecting, it’s no wonder last year she refused to disclose her admirer, she’s been working hard to gather a dowry.

Uncle Zhang in Xiangmu Village, after all, carries some prestige, and the family’s quite well-off.

Qixi’s older age places him at a disadvantage when competing for the hand of Sister Xiaohua.

No wonder he’s been working diligently this year; now looking back: aside from age, the spotless little yard, dozens of chickens and rabbits, and neatly cultivated ten acres of land are his assets for marrying.