FID – Chapter 605

Chapter 605: Doesn’t Disappoint

“Miss Yang is a guest, how could I let a guest help with the work? Crushing the soil blocks is not a tiring task,” Liu Muqiu said, turning her body and facing away from Yang Shuqing.

With her hand falling empty, Yang Shuqing awkwardly pulled her hand back. “I saw you panting halfway earlier, and in the end, Miss Shi had to carry you up. Nannan also said that the Liu family’s daughters are all carefully raised. Me and Shuyu have been used to farming since we were young, and we can handle the soil blocks easily. It’s better for you to rest more.”

As she spoke, she raised her eyes to look at the man in front of her who was busy turning the soil, but saw that he remained silent and didn’t react to her words. He didn’t even turn his head.

Biting her lip, she slowly stood up. This Liu Zhiqiu was as unresponsive as a block of wood—totally clueless!

Then, looking at the woman in front of her who was blocking her way, her gaze darkened. She used the motion of standing up to push her knee forward.

“Ah!” Liu Muqiu cried out, her whole body tumbling forward, and the small iron hammer she was holding slipped from her hand.

Just as her head was about to hit the iron hammer that had fallen in front of her, the man ahead turned around. With a long arm, he reached out and caught her firmly.

The people around them looked over when they heard the startled cry, and what they saw was Liu Zhiqiu half-holding the girl in his arms, while Yang Shuqing stood frozen in shock, looking utterly terrified.

“Miss Muqiu, why did you suddenly fall forward like that? I told you not to help, but look now, luckily Cousin Zhiqiu caught you in time, or you’d have ended up with a bruise.”

Liu Muqiu bit her lip, her body trembling a little, and her gaze towards Yang Shuqing darkened. “It’s all my fault, my body isn’t strong enough, and I couldn’t stay in place when Miss Yang bumped into me as she stood up.”

“You—what are you talking about? I didn’t bump into you! I didn’t touch you at all!” Yang Shuqing said, disbelief all over her face. She then looked at the people around them and quickly began to defend herself, saying, “I really didn’t push her!”

“No one said you pushed her, you said it yourself,” Liu Zhiqiu frowned deeply, looking at the panicked Yang sisters. “There’s only an orchard on this ridge, nothing else worth seeing. You two are guests at the Liu family. If anything happens to you outside, we won’t be able to explain to your family. You should go back down the mountain now.”

“I…”

Yang Shuqing wanted to say something, but on the other side, Qian Wanjin had already started yelling, “Ladies, please go back. There are only unmarried men here, and it’s really not proper for two unfamiliar young women to be here. It could attract gossip, and a woman’s reputation is very important. Don’t come to the Liu family’s house and then end up unable to marry when you go back, and then turn around and blame us. I already have a fiancée!”

Qian Wanjin’s disdain was obvious, and the two young girls couldn’t handle the embarrassment. Especially since everyone around them looked at them as though they were criminals.

Yang Shuqing wiped away her tears and ran away.

“Sister!” Yang Shuyu hesitated for a moment, but still chased after her.

Only then did Liu Zhiqiu release the girl in his arms and asked with pursed lips, “Are you satisfied?”

Liu Muqiu lowered her head, twisting her fingers together.

She hadn’t really expected to be able to hide it from him. “They’re not good enough for you.”

Over to the side, Liu Yusheng and Qian Wanjin, along with the others, turned around and resumed their work.

A true white lotus versus a fake white lotus—who wins and who loses? There was no need to even think about it.

Yang Shuqing did bump into Liu Muqiu, but it definitely wasn’t enough to cause a serious injury. Liu Muqiu simply went along with the situation and turned the tables on her.

See? Now she had successfully driven them away.

Now, her second brother was hers alone.

“I bet they’ll go back and complain, saying we all ganged up to bully them,” Qian Wanjin said.

Liu Yusheng nodded. “Knowing my aunt’s temperament, she’ll definitely make a scene out of this and use Muqiu’s background to stir up trouble.”

The two of them analyzed the situation thoroughly. On the other side, Liu Muqiu pondered for a moment before suggesting, “How about I start crying the moment we get back?”

“What’s the use of crying?” everyone asked.

“If I cry harder than them, they’ll feel guilty when they try to make a fuss.”

“Little White Lotus, you’ve truly mastered the essence of being a white lotus,” Shi Xianrou sighed. “But this works too. Those two only act according to whom they’re dealing with. They know my background and keep trying to get close to me—it’s exhausting just dealing with them.”

“Lucky Nannan, when are your relatives leaving? We have three fine, unmarried young men here—what if they give up on Zhiqiu and start setting their sights on us instead? I’m a little scared to go home.”

“Pfft!” Suppressed laughter echoed through the orchard.

With the two intruders gone, the atmosphere became even more relaxed and harmonious.

Liu Zhiqiu picked up his hoe again and continued working. Liu Muqiu squatted behind him, biting her lip. After a long moment, she spoke softly, “Liu-gege, are you mad?”

“What would I be mad about?” The man turned his head, looking confused.

Liu Muqiu didn’t know how to answer. She just felt like he was upset—definitely upset.

Since she didn’t know why, she thought about how Xianrou usually coaxed Qian Wanjin and decided to copy her. “I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”

“…Do you even know what you did wrong?” Liu Zhiqiu was both amused and exasperated.

Her eyes, completely clueless, couldn’t hide anything from him. She was obviously confused, yet she still dared to admit fault.

“Th-then tell me what I did wrong, and I’ll change, okay?”

“Forget it.”

“…”

“If someone bullies you, fight back. What’s there to change? You think you should just become a meek little wife who swallows her grievances?”

After saying that, the man continued working without looking back at her.

Liu Muqiu raised her small hammer and carefully broke apart the clumps of dirt. As she worked, a slow, warm smile spread across her lips.

By the time the group finished their work and made their way down the mountain, the sun was already setting.

As they approached the house, Qian Wanjin even stretched out his neck and pressed his ear against the courtyard gate, trying to gauge the enemy’s movements. Inside, all was quiet—there were no signs of commotion.

Liu Yusheng chuckled. “What are you thinking? If they were going to make a scene, it would’ve either happened already or they’re just holding back, waiting for us to return before they explode. Either way, don’t expect to just brush this off easily.”

Her aunt was not one to let things go.

And as for her other aunt—three words summed her up: completely clueless.

As they pushed the door open, Grandma Liu stretched her head out from the kitchen. “You’re back? Hurry up and wash your hands—dinner’s ready!”

The group exchanged glances. Yep, they were holding back.

One look at the old lady’s expression, and it was clear—she didn’t know what had happened on the mountain yet.

In the kitchen, the food was served. Wang-shi, Chen Xiuying, and the Yang sisters sat together. When they saw them enter, their gazes flickered, but no one said anything.

It wasn’t until halfway through the meal that Wang-shi suddenly put down her chopsticks and looked at Liu Muqiu. “Muqiu, I heard about what happened on the mountain today with Shuqing and Shuyu. I know they’re just distant relatives from Nannan’s maternal family, and we may not be considered honored guests, but don’t you think it was a bit too much to falsely accuse Shuqing like that?”

“What happened?” The Liu elders exchanged glances and stopped eating.

“Aunt, if you have any complaints, let’s talk after we finish eating,” Liu Yusheng said calmly. “Don’t bring it up during the meal and ruin my grandparents’, parents’, and uncles’ appetite.

She continued, “And don’t talk about whether someone is an honored guest or not. Since you came, my family has treated you well and done everything properly. My grandmother, mother, and aunt spent a lot of effort preparing this meal. Let’s not ruin the mood.”