Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 152

Xu Zhaodi didn't say much, but instead strolled around the night market.

He Yuzhu said, "If you have nothing else, I'll head back. I still have things to do at my shop."

He Yuzhu had already seen it. He was carrying a bag with something inside, but because he didn't want to peek at Xu Zhaodi's body, he didn't use his mental power to check.

"I really need to talk to you about something."

Xu Zhaodi lowered her head and took two steps to a slightly secluded spot, then said shyly, "I made you a pair of shoes. Do you think they fit?"

As he spoke, he took out a brand-new pair of cloth shoes with multi-layered soles from the bag and handed them to He Yuzhu.

Her pretty face was flushed, making her look quite adorable, but Xu Zhaodi's face was filled with tension and unease.

"What? You're saying these shoes were made for me?" He Yuzhu asked, somewhat incredulous.

"Ah."

Xu Zhaodi lowered her head and said softly, "I didn't do it well the first time. Why don't you try it and see if it's suitable?"

Why did you decide to make shoes for me?

He Yuzhu was surprised and did not want to accept Xu Zhaodi's gift.

Just as he was thinking about how to politely refuse this kindness, Xu Zhaodi had already shoved the shoes at him, and He Yuzhu subconsciously reached out to take them.

Xu Zhaodi said, "You...you can't complain about how bad I am. I've been learning needlework lately, and I'll get better and better in the future."

"No, I'm not saying I'm disgusted, I..."

Before He Yuzhu could finish speaking, Xu Zhaodi said, "I'm going back now. I'll come back to see you in a couple of days."

After saying that, he turned and ran away, leaving He Yuzhu standing there bewildered in the wind with his shoes in his hand.

Helpless, He Yuzhu had no choice but to carry his shoes back to Yandaixie Street.

It was the busiest time at the tavern, but Xu Huizhen still spotted the shoes in He Yuzhu's hand at a glance.

He quickly put down what he was doing and came over to ask, "Oh dear, where did these shoes come from?"

Since business improved, Xu Huizhen hasn't had time to make shoes for He Yuzhu. She usually buys Warrior sneakers or wears leather shoes, and rarely wears these handmade cloth shoes.

He Yuzhu said, "I was strolling around the night market when Xu Zhaodi suddenly ran over and handed me a pair of shoes."

Hearing Xu Zhaodi's name, Xu Huizhen felt a little jealous and couldn't help but say, "You took it just because she offered it to you? You're really something."

After saying that, he ignored He Yuzhu and turned back to work.

He Yuzhu sighed. Why was Xu Zhaodi so clingy? He couldn't shake her off.

When Xu Zhaodi returned home, her mother asked, "Did you send her away?"

Xu Zhaodi blushed and said, "Yes, I gave it to Zhu Zi and then ran back."

"You're useless too, why don't you stay and have a chat?"

"Mother~" Xu Zhaodi protested, shaking her mother's arm.

“You’re still shy, child. That Zhu Zi is really good. He’s made a fortune in the last two years, bought a house, and his business is booming. If you can marry him, you’ll never have to worry about anything for the rest of your life.”

Xu Zhaodi couldn't stand it anymore and started to cling to her mother, acting all cute and spoiled.

After a moment, Xu's mother said, "Tomorrow I'll have your father go drink with He Daqing, and then we'll talk about your marriage directly."

"I won't get married. I'll stay home and take care of my mother," Xu Zhaodi said shyly.

"What are you saying? I have your brother to support me in my old age. You should hurry up and marry yourself off."

The next morning, Xu Wude told He Daqing that he had something to discuss with him and that he would treat him to drinks that evening.

He Daqing nodded in agreement. After getting off work that evening, he handed the food he had brought back to Wen Yuping and wrapped some pig's head meat in brown paper before going to the backyard.

Upon entering the west wing, Xu Wude was very polite and warmly welcomed He Daqing.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Xu Wude started talking about children, first mentioning how He Daqing had raised He Yuzhu to be successful, and how they now had a well-off family business.

He Daqing was very pleased. Although he was modest, he was secretly overjoyed.

He Yuzhu is indeed very capable. His business is booming, and he earns more every day than he does in a year.

Although He Yuzhu and He Daqing secretly kept separate accounts and He Daqing couldn't take advantage of him, He Daqing was still very pleased. When talking about He Yuzhu, everyone gave He Daqing a thumbs up and praised him for having a good son.

Xu Wude suddenly changed his tone and started talking about his own daughter, Xu Zhaodi.

He first recounted the amusing stories of Zhu Zi and Zhao Di's childhood, which moved He Daqing deeply. Then, Xu Wude began to praise Xu Zhao Di's virtuousness.

She also said that the two had a very good relationship, often going to the night market together, and that Xu Zhaodi even made shoes for Zhuzi to wear.

Xu Wude suddenly said, "Daqing, both children are adults now, over eighteen years old. It's not good to keep doing this sneaky thing. Why don't we just arrange their marriage?"

"Huh? A wedding?"

He Daqing was instantly terrified and broke out in a cold sweat, sobering up immediately.

How did the engagement scene suddenly come up while they were drinking and talking?

Xu Wude said, "Yes, I didn't expect the two of them to be so close. They're both so old, it wouldn't be good for either of their reputations if word got out. But if they get engaged, no one will say anything more."

"No, when did all this happen? How come I don't know about it?"

He Daqing was completely sober.

Xu Wude chuckled: "I was also surprised. I didn't expect the two of them to be together."

"Da Qing, although we've had our disagreements before, the past is the past. We need to look forward. For the sake of the child, the past doesn't matter."

Xu Wude said, "Let's not talk about anything else. Let's settle the children's marriage today and hold a wedding for the two children as soon as possible."

Although Xu Wude did not know He Yuzhu's thoughts, at this time, marriage was always arranged by the mother and the matchmaker.

As long as He Daqing agrees to the marriage between He Yuzhu and Xu Zhaodi, He Yuzhu's objections will be useless.

This is also why Xu Wude didn't consider He Yuzhu's opinion and instead approached He Daqing to propose marriage first.

But He Daqing didn't think so. Xu Wude didn't know, but how could he not know?

Xu Huizhen was said to be a partner, but everyone in the tavern knew that she was the future proprietress.

The two of them just haven't broken through to the final barrier yet.

How could He Daqing possibly agree to Xu Wude's request to make Xu Zhaodi his daughter-in-law?

He Daqing understood that He Yuzhu was currently making his own decisions, and it was not up to him to give him advice.

Even for ordinary little things, He Daqing would ask He Yuzhu's opinion. How much more so when it was He Yuzhu's life-long affair, how could he easily nod in agreement?

If he dared to agree, He Yuzhu would definitely turn against him.

In the end, you'll only embarrass yourself.

He Daqing said, "Old Xu, aren't you putting me in a difficult position? It's no use me agreeing to this!"

"Look at what you're saying! You're Zhuzi's father. You agreed to Zhuzi's request back then, how could you possibly object?"

He Daqing said, "It's hard to say right now. How about I ask Zhuzi for his opinion tomorrow?"

"this..."

This was not what Xu Wude had envisioned.

I originally thought that once I and He Daqing had a good time drinking and talked about our marriage, as long as He Daqing agreed, the matter would be settled.

At that point, even if He Yuzhu objects, it won't make a difference.

He Daqing said, "Old Xu, you're not being fair. Are you trying to get me drunk and make me agree to something?"

"How could that be? I just saw that the two children are getting along well and wanted to help them find a good match, didn't I?"

"Alright, don't mention it anymore. I need to ask Zhu Zi about this tomorrow; we need his approval for things like this."

After speaking, He Daqing stopped drinking and got up to leave.

"Old He, Old He, don't go! Listen to me..."

But He Daqing left the house without looking back, and Xu Wude's shouts from behind were useless.

Xu Zhaodi, who had been listening to the whole thing from inside the house, looked rather grim. He Daqing hadn't agreed to the marriage and was even asking Zhu Zi for his opinion.

Xu's mother hugged Xu Zhaodi and quickly comforted her.

When He Daqing returned home, Wen Yuping saw the anger on his face and asked, "What's wrong? Did you drink and argue again?"

As she spoke, she went to fetch water so that He Da could wash his face.

"I will do it myself."

After He Daqing finished washing up, he mentioned that Xu Wude had invited him for drinks because he wanted Xu Zhaodi to marry Zhuzi.

Wen Yuping quickly asked, "Did you agree?"

He Daqing said, "Am I that stupid? Of course, Zhu Zi should make his own decisions about things."

Wen Yuping breathed a sigh of relief. She dared not be careless in the slightest when it came to her eldest son.

Although they were usually very polite to each other, Wen Yuping was still somewhat afraid of He Yuzhu.

The next morning, He Daqing got up and went to the breakfast shop.

Everyone recognized them, and the waiter assumed they were there to freeload, so he took out an enamel mug to fill it with xiaolongbao (soup dumplings).