FID – Chapter 788

Chapter 788: A Pleasure Worth More Than Gold

Zhiqiu has always been frugal.

Moreover, in the family, from the elders to the younger ones, very few people would buy expensive jewelry. Even if they had some, they rarely wore it out.

She didn’t understand why he was acting so unusually today.

Seeing the confused expression on the girl’s face, Liu Zhiqiu chuckled, his fingers brushing her cheek. “Don’t you like it?”

“It’s not that…”

“If you like it, I’ll buy it.”

Liu Muqiu bit her lip, staring at him intently. “These are very expensive.”

He looked back at her. “If you like them, no matter how expensive, I can afford it.”

His words were like honey, easily sweetening her heart.

The girl’s eyes slowly curved into crescents. She didn’t need to wear gold or silver, as long as he had this intention, she was already very satisfied.

“Stop grinning, which one do you like? Little White Lotus, we’re shopping today, don’t be stingy.”

The shopkeeper, who had been standing not far away, overheard Zhiqiu’s words and also smiled broadly.

See? I told you, you can’t neglect the rich family. Now here comes the big business!

Liu Muqiu didn’t hesitate or push back. Since Brother Zhiqiu said to buy, then she would.

Her gaze slowly swept over the jewelry in front of her, picking up pieces to compare and select. In the end, she chose a gilded flower hairpin and a simple jade pin.

She thought that would be the end of it, but the man led her to continue picking out earrings, bracelets, and even waist ornaments.

At first, she held back a little, but by the end, Liu Muqiu completely let go.

Even if she wasn’t going to buy anything, she would still pick things up with enthusiasm, admire them, then move on to the next piece.

The man stayed by her side, offering sincere advice whenever she asked if something looked good.

There was no impatience, nor indifference.

At the door, two women had been standing there for quite some time, watching the scene unfold inside.

Finally, they gritted their teeth and walked in.

“Cousin Zhiqiu, are you two getting married?”

Liu Muqiu was stunned by the question. When she came to her senses, she quickly stood in front of Liu Zhiqiu, her eyes cold as she faced the two women.

Yang Shuqing and Yang Shuyu, she remembered them. These two were eyeing Zhiqiu!

Liu Zhiqiu placed the scattered jewelry back and then turned to look at the two women in front of him. He answered, “Yes.”

Another thunderclap, which extinguished the flames of battle that had risen in Liu Muqiu’s heart, left her stunned as she turned her head.

She didn’t quite understand.

Upon hearing his answer, Yang Shuyu’s face turned red. “Didn’t you say you were burdened with huge debts? Isn’t it harming others with you marrying like this?”

“Is it any of your business?” Liu Zhiqiu sneered lightly, then addressed the shopkeeper who was standing aside, “Shopkeeper, package these up, buy them all.”

“Sure!” The shopkeeper immediately responded, enthusiastically stepping forward to carefully gather the jewelry and begin packaging it.

The sight of all those items made the two women’s eyes go red. “You said you had no money, but you can buy so many things for your wedding. Cousin Zhiqiu, you lied to me, didn’t you! You’re willing to spend silver for this seductress!”

“A pleasure worth more than gold is priceless,” Liu Zhiqiu’s impatience was stirred by their accusations. “What’s wrong with lying to you? Who are you to me? Get lost!”

Aside from Little White Lotus and his family, he had little patience for other women.

If Little White Lotus hadn’t appeared, he would have lived as a bachelor for a hundred years based on his own abilities.

Silenced by the man’s retort, Yang Shuyu’s eyes reddened, while Yang Shuqing turned to look at the still stunned Liu Muqiu. “He has a debt of fifty thousand silver, don’t believe me? Go ask Grandma Liu. I’ve confirmed it. If you marry him, not only will you have to work in the fields, but you’ll also have to help him pay off the debt. Don’t think that just because you got a few things, it’s all that great! Wake up…”

“I’m willing. Does it have anything to do with you?” Liu Muqiu immediately fired back, instinctively.

Not to mention the debt, even if Zhiqiu really owed fifty thousand or a hundred thousand, she was capable of paying it off and supporting him!

Her chin was gently held, and she met the man’s smiling eyes, “Let’s go.”

“Mm!” Liu Muqiu nodded emphatically.

When she saw his eyes in that instant, her heart trembled.

Earlier, his words to Yang Shuyu echoed in her ears. As she walked out with him, Liu Muqiu almost moved in sync with him.

He said yes.

Yes.

Yes to marriage!

His hand clasped hers, dry and warm. As she looked at his tall, broad back, her heart was completely filled.

“We’re getting married, right, Brother Zhiqiu?”

Still, Little White Lotus calling him ‘Brother’ sounded pleasant, sweet to his ears. The man lifted the corner of his lips and said, “Little White Lotus, proposing is something a man does. You can be a little more reserved for now.”

His words made the woman break into a smile.

Before her, it seemed as if flowers were blooming all around.

She had been waiting for this moment.

Their next stop was the ready-made clothing store, then the wedding cake shop, followed by the furniture shop. 

Liu Muqiu threw herself completely into the process, not overlooking even the smallest detail.

She and Zhiqiu were getting married.

The items they were picking out were all for their wedding.

She poured all her heart into it, but still felt it wasn’t enough.

The items they bought, plus the ones Liu Erlin and Du Juan brought along, filled the carriage to the brim.

They had gone out early in the morning, toured the streets, and by now, it was almost noon.

Liu Muqiu didn’t want to return to the carriage and instead sat at the front with Liu Zhiqiu.

“Brother Zhiqiu, are we heading home now?”

The man gave her a smile and a glance, then didn’t answer, urging the horse to head toward the opposite side.

Watching the familiar route, Liu Muqiu still couldn’t come to her senses even when the Li residence came into view.

“Brother Zhiqiu?”

He gently pinched her cheek. “Even though you’re already part of the Liu family, this place is still your true roots. Since we’re getting married, we should inform Matriarch Li properly, so no one can find fault.”

“Yes, it should be said. The past is the past, and now is now. No matter what, we have to observe proper etiquette. With regards to your marriage to Zhiqiu — we absolutely won’t let you suffer even a bit of grievance,” Du Juan chimed in with a smile, emerging from behind.

Looking at the people around her, then raising her eyes to the Li residence with its signboard hanging above, Liu Muqiu’s nose turned red.

A sour ache welled up, but it wasn’t sadness.

Her uncle, aunt, and Zhiqiu, along with the elders and family left in the main household, had thought of everything for her, down to the finest detail.

She wasn’t suffering, not in the least.

The gatekeeper had already gone in to report their arrival, and the group followed behind him into the residence.

Along the way, the servants all glanced sideways at them.

Liu Zhiqiu and Liu Muqiu had come here before, but this visit was clearly different. There were Liu family elders accompanying them.

Upon receiving the message, Matriarch Li didn’t wait in the main hall; instead, she personally came out to greet them. After leading them into the sitting room and having them seated, she looked around at them and said, “Congratulations.”

“Elder Madam, your eyes are sharp. You could tell at just a glance,” Du Juan said with a smile, offering the gift she was carrying. “Our Zhiqiu and Muqiu are preparing to get married. We came today especially to inform you. Let’s not bring up those past grievances and entanglements anymore. Although Muqiu left the Li family, she carries the Li family’s blood. That fact cannot be denied. You’ve always been a senior to the child. As they marry, we hope you can give them your blessing.”

Only by receiving the blessing of one’s true blood relatives can the regrets in one’s heart be eased.

Even if Muqiu had no emotional attachment to this family, that fact could not be erased.

Matriarch Li fell silent for a moment, then removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and personally helped Liu Muqiu put it on. “You’ve chosen a good husband’s family. I’m old now, and my judgment and insight can’t compare to you young people. Muqiu, from now on, live a good life in the Liu family.”

Staring at the bracelet on her wrist, still warm from the matriarch’s body heat, tears silently slid down Liu Muqiu’s cheeks at that moment.

In this lifetime, she had achieved fulfillment.