Xu Zhixian was stupefied. Cheng Min saw his son's reaction and couldn't help but patted his arm. "Mother is speaking. Why are you stupidly gawking like that?"
Xu Zhixian slowly returned to his sense. He said strenuously: "Mother, what did you just say?"
"I didn't say anything. You boy, don't scare your mother..."
"The previous sentence!"
"Let Yujin be your wife?"
When Xu Zhixian heard the sentence again, he suddenly felt his whole body uncomfortable. With a loud 'thump,' he jumped up from his seat and exclaimed with a loud, uncontrollable voice: "Mother, are you crazy? Elder sister Jin and me? Marry? How is this possible!"
For so many years, Xu Zhixian grew up listening to the adults using Cheng Yujin's name every day to let him study and work hard like her. Over time, Cheng Yujin has become a living symbol, like Confucius's portrait hanging on the wall. Who would ever consider marrying Confucius?
Xu Zhixian was taken aback by the shock. He was too shocked and didn't pay attention to the volume of his voice. After shouting, he felt embarrassed. How could he use such words? Obviously, he didn't mean it...
At this moment, a servant girl's puzzled voice came from outside: "Eldest Miss, why are you standing here? Eh, eldest Miss..."
Xu Zhixian's brain seemed to be shattered. His expression was indescribable. Cheng Min knew that this matter had been broken. She stood up and smacked Xu Zhixian's forehead, glaring at her son: "See what trouble you cause now! Stay here and reflect on your wrong! Don't you dare to go out!"
Xu Zhixian nodded vigorously. He also didn't want to. Cheng Min hurriedly pushed the door open. At the corner of the building, a servant girl was holding a food box, clearly at a loss: "Lady, eldest Miss told this servant to send this food box to you..."
Seeing the food box, Cheng Min sighed helplessly. Cheng Yujin must have sent this box after hearing that Xu Zhixian was helping with the guests in the outer courtyard. She was afraid that her cousin would be hungry, and specially came to deliver a meal. Unexpectedly, she heard such words from him.
Cheng Min didn't expect that the girl's kindness would result in such a situation. She said to the servant girl: "Second young master is inside. Send the box in and also tell him what the eldest girl said to you."
The servant girl didn't quite understand the situation, but vaguely had some guesses from the loud voice that had just come from inside. She dared not say much, and bowed her head: "Yes."
After sending the servant girl away, Cheng Min held the hem of her skirt and walked fast, and finally caught up with Cheng Yujin at the moon gate. Here was the place that separated the inner and outer courtyard. Cheng family built a small garden with winding corridors among the trees. The two sides were covered by vines and other plantations, which not only added a touch of nature, but also blocked outside view. Cheng Yujin was about to walk into the garden when she heard Cheng Min voice calling her. She turned around and greeted Cheng Min with a smile: "Aunt."
After finally caught up with Cheng Yujin, Cheng Min felt embarrassed when she remembered the thing that had just happened. She held Cheng Yujin's hand and said: "Yujin, my family's stupid boy is simple-minded. He spoke without thinking, so don't put his words into your heart."
Cheng Yujin thought to herself: speaking without thinking, so the meaning was real. Cheng Yujin smiled and held Cheng Min's hand: "Aunt, I understand. Don't worry, I don't mind."
Cheng Min sighed, "Do not take Zhixian's words into your heart. Marriage has always been done on parents' orders, brought together by the matchmaker. I am truly fond of you. It's my utter wish that you can become my daughter-in-law. Young people are unstable. They might say one thing today and another thing tomorrow. Zhixian is still young. He still doesn't understand your goods. After you married in and slowly get along, he will understand that such a dignified and virtuous girl like you is the best person to spend life together. If he dares to trouble you in the future, just tell me, and I will beat a sense into him!"
"Aunt, Yujin understands your care." Cheng Yujin gently shook Cheng Min hand, "My engagement has been canceled once, and my future marriage is difficult. Aunt takes pity on me and wants me to marry biao elder brother. This is to save me from the fate of unmarried and being talked about maliciously. But biao elder brother is also a man, and he has his own ideas. Since he doesn't like this marriage, then forget it. After all, I am an outsider. Aunt doesn't have to put yourself in a dilemma because of me and damage your mother-son relationship."
After hearing Cheng Yujin's sensible words, Cheng Min became even more distressed: "Nonsense! I am truly fond of you. If you can come to our Xu family as my daughter-in-law, I must burn incense and thanks to the Buddha. I'm only afraid that the stupid boy in our family doesn't have any talents and isn't worthy of you."
"Aunt is joking. Biao elder brother is so good. He will meet a girl he likes in the future, so you shouldn't force him because of me."
"Yujin..." Cheng Yujin's reasonings made Cheng Min felt extremely uncomfortable. She knew that those words were right. Her wish to make the Cheng Yujin her daughter-in-law was not without pity. But in the end, Xu Zhixian was Cheng Min's own flesh and blood. If Xu Zhixian was unwilling, how could Cheng Min wronged her son for a niece.
Cheng Yujin saw it so clearly, and that's why Cheng Min became even more uncomfortable.
"Zhixian's words aren't necessarily his real thought...you can take your time. Which couple aren't like this? Many have never met before married. After marriage, if you spend your time together, feelings naturally will grow. In this world, there aren't many who have mutual feelings before marriage. How can one choose a marriage based on liking alone?"
Cheng Yujin smiled and gently pushed Cheng Min's hand away: "Yujin thanks aunt. But I don't mind, so aunt also shouldn't feel guilty."
The more sensible Cheng Yujin was, the more distressed Cheng Min became. She asked skeptically: "You really don't mind?"
"Yes." Cheng Yujin's smile was unchanged. Of course she didn't mind, because she had found a better candidate.
In the beginning, she indeed had an idea about Xu Zhixian. If she had never met Lin Qingyuan, right now she must think for a way to remedy Xu Zhixian's attitude. However, now that she had another husband candidate with a higher comprehensive score, she no longer cared about the previous one. Yet, Cheng Yujin was still surprised. She knew that she wasn't popular among young men, but never expect that Xu Zhixian would have such a huge repulsion about marrying her. Since she no longer had any intention on Xu Zhixian, naturally there was no need to force the other party. It's better to settle the matter today, so everyone would still getting along amicably in the future.
Oh, and additionally, she could also use the opportunity to gain more Cheng Min's favor.
Cheng Min also knew that her words were merely a comfort. But the boy wasn't willing, could she, as his mother, force him to get married? A twisted melon wasn't sweet. Fortunately, Cheng Yujin was sensible and took the initiative to refuse and gave Xu Zhixian a face.
Cheng Min's heart became sour, pitying this ill-fated niece even more. Cheng Yujin was excellent in everything, except that her luck was so bad. Her engagement was broken under the reason that wasn't her fault, and she ended up in such a state of having nowhere to go.
Cheng Min held Cheng Yujin's hand once again: "Good child, do not worry. The future is long. If there is anything, tell your aunt. Aunt will take good care of you."
"Yes." Cheng Yujin smiled and nodded, "Thank you, aunt.".
....
After parting with Cheng Min, Cheng Yujin walked into the corridor, neither slowly nor quickly. The vine leaves on the eaves grew very luxuriantly, and only a little bit of sunlight leaked in mottled beams.
A gust of wind blew, and the leaves made a rustling sound. Cheng Yujin stopped suddenly and said to Lian Qiao who walked behind her: "Our food box is now in aunt's place. Go and take it."
Lian Qiao was stunned. They originally came to deliver pastries to Xu Zhiwei and other young masters. But unexpectedly, they overheard the conversation between the lady and the biao young master. Cheng Yujin didn't come inside and directly handed the food box to a nearby servant girl and left. How could the food box be emptied in such a short time?
Lian Qiao looked at Cheng Yujin's face and understood that Miss was finding an excuse to send her away. Lian Qiao bowed and said: "Yes, Miss. This servant will go now."
Lian Qiao walked down the corridor and soon disappeared from the view. But actually, she didn't go far. Lian Qiao found a suitable place to hide, watching the movement over Cheng Yujin's side. This position was just right. She couldn't hear the conversation in the corridor, but still could rush over immediately if something happened. Lian Qiao squatted down and silently watched the situation over there.
After Lian Qiao left, Cheng Yujin stood for a while before slowly walked to a corner. She spoke unhurriedly: "Second biao elder brother, are you still not coming out?"
After a while, Xu Zhixian slowly walked out from behind a wall. His eyes flickered. He stared at the ground for a while, then at the green leaves nearby, but didn't dare to look at Cheng Yujin: "Elder sister Jin."
"I am fourteenth this year, and my birthday is in the twelfth month. You should call me biao younger sister." Cheng Yujin smiled, "But it doesn't matter. Second biao elder brother can call me as you want."
If a man had a romantic interest in a woman, he would never call her 'elder' sister. Xu Zhixian called Cheng Yujin so, wasn't it because of this reason?
Hearing this, Xu Zhixian became even more awkward. His gaze slowly moved to Cheng Yujin, taking a brief look only to shift his gaze again hurriedly. He used to play together with his siblings and cousins, including Cheng Yujin, but never paid attention to her look. But today, Xu Zhixian suddenly found out that Cheng Yujin actually was very beautiful. Her black hair was like a cloud, with skin as white as snow and a pair of red, beautiful lips. The tip of her eyes was sharp and distinct, with delicate facial features. In particular, Cheng Yujin was wearing plain white clothes without any makeup or accessories. In Xu Zhixian's shock, Cheng Yujin actually looked clean and pure, so fragile and frail.
The young man was too ashamed to look at Cheng Yujin directly. In the past, Cheng Yujin always wore red clothes and bright-colored adornment. This made people ignored her appearance and paid more attention to her exquisite and luxurious dresses. Unexpectedly, after she changed into a white dress, Cheng Yujin showed a kind of fragility that she didn't usually have. This contrast was even more shocking than a 'sickly beauty' type of charm.
Xu Zhixian also realized for the first time that Cheng Yujin was a young woman, and even a very beautiful young woman. Because she was too capable and always carried a sense of natural 'elder sister' aura on her body, Xu Zhixian subconsciously called her 'elder sister Jin.' In fact, Cheng Yujin was younger than him.
Xu Zhixian didn't know what to say now. He didn't even know what he wanted to do by chasing Cheng Yujin secretly. When he heard Cheng Min's words earlier, he blurted out a strong rejection. But in fact, he didn't hate Cheng Yujin. Even the thought of spending the rest of their life together wasn't repulsive to him. He was merely too shocked.
Xu Zhixian didn't know what to say. Cheng Yujin has heard those words, so he at least had to give a clear explanation. For a long time, Xu Zhixian was stumbled in hesitation before he finally said: "Elder—biao younger sister, I didn't mean it."
"I know." Cheng Yujin said, "Second biao elder brother, you are kind-hearted and always treat others sincerely. These years, you have helped us a lot. Today, you even come to help our manor to entertain the guests. I'm very grateful. How can I blame you?"
Xu Zhixian scratched his head anxiously, not knowing what to say: "I didn't mean that. I'm really happy to be able to help you."
Xu Zhixian gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak: "Biao younger sister, what I said to mother before isn't intentional. I said that because..."
Halfway through Xu Zhixian's words, Cheng Yujin suddenly interrupted: "Biao elder brother."
Cheng Yujin had to stop Xu Zhixian's next words. She accidentally ran into the conversation between Xu Zhixian and Cheng Min, and heard that the cousin that grew up together with her didn't like her. This situation was already tricky enough. She didn't want Xu Zhixian to speak out more. Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to get along as ordinary cousins in the future.
Xu Zhixian was stopped mid-sentence. After this interruption, the courage he had just gathered suddenly disappeared. He was secretly upset. Why Cheng Yujin happened to hear that conversation? For a while, he stood there awkwardly. Xu Zhixian suddenly raised his voice and said: "Elder sister Jin, don't worry. If you cannot marry anyone, I will marry you."
Cheng Yujin was surprised. After a while, she burst into laughter. Then, with a stern face, she said: "Second biao elder brother, men and women should not touch hands when they give or receive things. You and I are no longer children. What you just said might be misunderstood by others, so you cannot say it anymore."
Xu Zhixian was anxious. Those words were sincere, but Cheng Yujin thought that he just wanted to comfort her. After speaking, Cheng Yujin turned her back and was about to leave. Xu Zhixian silently looked at Cheng Yujin's back and shouted: "I'm not joking or pitying you. Elder sister Jin, if you can't find a suitable husband, then I will come to marry you."
The moment he entered the yard, Cheng Yuanjing heard Xu Zhixian's words.
A twisted melon isn't sweet: something that is forced won't yield a good result.