Village Belle Chapter 142
Translated by Digitalian (ko-fi)
Chapter 142 I Want to Marry Sister Taozi
Xie Yuntang walked back home. Xie Qing and Mrs. Xie-Qin were sitting in the main hall looking at the account book. When they saw him, they subconsciously looked behind him.
They didn't see Su Tao.
Mrs. Xie-Qin smiled and asked, "Where's Taozi?"
"Sister Taozi was tired, so I took her home first." Xie Yuntang walked into the main hall and sat down.
Xie Qing closed the account book and then asked, "How's the book club?"
"It's alright."
Xie Yuntang hesitated for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly with nervousness. But then he quickly said firmly, "Dad, Mom, I want to tell you something."
Mrs. Xie-Qin and Xie Qing exchanged glances, and Xie Qing nodded. "Go ahead."
"I want to marry Sister Taozi." After Xie Yuntang finished speaking, his face subconsciously turned red.
Hearing this, Mrs. Xie-Qin was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. "Your father and I have no objections, as long as you're willing. Have you asked Taozi?"
"No, I want to wait until after the examinations next year before telling Sister Taozi."
Xie Yuntang felt that he had nothing now, and marrying Sister Taozi would be unfair to her.
Besides, Sister Taozi didn't want to get married now, so he wouldn't force her.
He wanted Sister Taozi to get married happily.
Seeing that he had a plan, Xie Qing didn't say much. "You make the decision. You don’t have to worry about your mother and me. Whenever you're willing, your mother and I will go to Taozi's house to propose marriage."
"Thank you, Dad and Mom," Xie Yuntang said happily.
……
Su Tao had no idea what Xie Yuntang was thinking. She was focused on opening the school.
Early the next morning, she went to see the teacher. The teacher thought her idea was excellent. Over the years, some people in the village had sent girls to school.
However, it was already good enough for the girls to know a few characters. They couldn't pursue a career like the boys.
Teaching girls on a regular basis was already quite a bit of effort.
He said, "We need to inform the village chief about this, but don't worry, I'll do it."
He paused, looking at the pretty girl before him, and earnestly instructed, "If you're going to teach, teach properly. Don't just do it haphazardly."
"Teacher, don't worry, I’ll definitely teach properly," Su Tao earnestly promised.
The teacher knew her character well, so he didn't say anything more. "Alright, I'll go to the village chief later."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Su Tao didn't expect the teacher to agree so easily, her eyes crinkling into crescents with laughter.
After talking for a while, she left.
Seeing Zheng Duoyin drawing water by the river, she smiled slyly, quietly walked over, and kicked his bucket, rendering his efforts futile.
"Who is it! You scoundrel..."
Zheng Duoyin turned around and roared, but when he saw Su Tao, he immediately exclaimed happily, "Big Sister, when did you get back?"
"Yesterday."
Su Tao remembered that Zheng Duoyin had a younger sister, so she slapped his arm. "I'm going to open a girls' school. Bring your sister over and let me teach her."
Zheng Duoyin was stunned for a moment, his face strange, as if he had seen a ghost. "You'll teach her?"
"What? Is that not allowed? I'm much better at studying than you." Su Tao raised her hand and smacked him on the head in annoyance.
Zheng Duoyin wasn't angry. He rubbed his head and muttered under his breath, "You'll turn her into a fierce woman. If my sister is like you, my mother will beat me to death."
Su Tao, "..."
She glared at him in annoyance. "If you say that again, I'll beat you up!"
Seeing her fierce look, Zheng Duoyin quickly corrected himself and said, "I'll go home and talk to my mother."
"That's more like it. I'm going home now. We’ll talk next time." Su Tao waved her hand and left.
Zheng Duoyin quickly followed, carrying water. "Big Sister, wait for me!"
"Big Sister, did you know Zhou Sheng was engaged yesterday?"
"So soon? Which family is she from?"
"The Zhu family, Zhu Xiaohua. I don't think she's pretty."
"And you think you’re good-looking?"
"... Big Sister, I'm at least decent-looking, right? People in town want to arrange a marriage for me, but I haven't agreed to any of them."
"If Zhou Sheng looked like you, he'd probably cry himself to death. Anyone wanting to arrange a marriage for you must be blind."
"... Big Sister, am I really that bad in your eyes?"
"I thought you knew!"
"..."
The two walked and talked, soon arriving near Su Tao's house.
Lin Sanzhu was drying chili peppers on a stool in front of her house. They had softened a few days ago, so she took them out to dry in the sun.
Hearing her daughter's voice, she turned to look. Zheng Duoyin wasn't very good-looking as a child, but he had changed completely as he grew up, becoming handsome and tall.
Since Zheng Duoyin now worked as an accountant in town, many families wanted to arrange a marriage with him.
Zheng Duoyin's mother was picky and hadn't agreed to any of them.
She was quite satisfied with Zheng Duoyin.
Thinking of this, she cheerfully called out, "Duoyin, were you fetching water? Why didn't you go to town?"
Zheng Duoyin put the bucket down and took a breath. "The shop is still being renovated. I'll go in a few days."
"You've come all this way. Come in and sit for a while." Lin Sanzhu warmly invited him into the courtyard, and Zheng Duoyin readily went in.
Su Tao, standing behind him, rolled her eyes. Did Lin Sanzhu think she didn't know what she was thinking?
Let her do whatever she wanted. It was pointless anyway.
In the main hall, Lin Sanzhu grabbed some dried peanuts and began to inquire, "Duoyin, is working in town tiring?"
"Not tiring. It’s just clerical work," Zheng Duoyin replied with a smile.
"It's good to be educated. You get an easy job. Taozi, where are you going? Hurry and bring Duoyin a bowl of water."
Lin Sanzhu saw Su Tao about to enter the house and quickly called out to her.
Su Tao rolled her eyes, then glared at Zheng Duoyin and said fiercely, "Zheng Duoyin, do you dare drink it if I bring it to you?"
Zheng Duoyin wouldn't dare let her bring it, and quickly waved his hand. "Auntie Su, no need, no need, I'm not thirsty. If I were thirsty, I'd get it myself!"
"How dare you talk like that, wretched girl! Come here!"
Lin Sanzhu was exasperated and came out to pull her inside. Su Tao showed her some respect because there was an outsider present.
At this moment, a voice came from outside the door. The man's voice was very gentle, with a hint of joy. "Sister Taozi."
The three looked toward the door. The young man wore an off-white fitted long robe with an asymmetrical collar. He was tall and handsome, with a refined face. Anyone who saw him could not deny his good looks.
Lin Sanzhu had just thought Zheng Duoyin was quite decent-looking, but compared to Xie Yuntang, she felt that Zheng Duoyin was a bit unattractive.
No, she had to find another good match for her daughter.
Her thoughts of arranging a marriage for her daughter immediately faded. She said, "Yuntang, you’re here. Come in and sit down."
"Someone sent some mutton. Dad asked me to bring some over for you."
Xie Yuntang paused for a moment after seeing Zheng Duoyin upon entering, then looked at Su Tao and said gently, "Sister Taozi, come to my house for lunch. Mom made mutton bone soup."
At the mention of delicious food, Su Tao quickly nodded. "Okay." She then took the mutton from his hand and handed it to Lin Sanzhu.
Afterward, she leaned closer to Xie Yuntang. "Milksop, did you bring me anything to eat? I didn't eat much this morning."
Xie Yuntang took out a paper bag from his pocket. "I brought a few pastries. There's plenty more at home. We'll eat them later."
He hadn't brought much food because he wanted to invite Sister Taozi to his house.
