Su Xiaoling’s heart was racing. She was nervous and terrified.
However, she tried her best to calm herself down so that Su Xiaolu would not notice anything amiss. After all, she was more than two years older than Zhou Heng. Su Xiaolu was different. She was just a few years younger than Zhou Heng. The two of them were very suitable.
Su Xiaolu was her favorite sister, and Zhou Heng was a very good person. If the two of them could really be together, she would be very happy.
Her feelings for him should not exist in the first place.
The moment she asked this, Su Xiaoling’s mind was filled with thoughts.
As for Su Xiaolu, she did not hesitate at all. Before she could say anything, her head was already shaking like a rattle drum. She quickly said, “I don’t like Third Brother. Why should I like him? He doesn’t have any martial arts skills. I want to choose a person with high martial arts skills as my husband in the future.”
“Furthermore, his martial arts must be on par with mine. This way, I can exchange blows with him anytime and anywhere in the future. We can also travel the world with our swords.”
1
Su Xiaolu said seriously. She was afraid that if she spoke too slowly, Su Xiaoling’s heart would stop beating.
She did not know why Su Xiaoling suddenly asked this question and even had a racing heartbeat. She was afraid that Su Xiaoling would think that she liked Zhou Heng and secretly do something to matchmake her and Zhou Heng.
It did not matter what kind of person she liked. What was important was that the person she liked was not Zhou Heng. This way, Su Xiaoling would not think too much and she would be at ease.
Su Xiaolu’s answer surprised Su Xiaoling. She gradually felt relieved. She smiled and said seriously, “Xiaolu’s wish will definitely come true. You will definitely find the person you like. Not only will he be skilled in the martial arts, but he will also love you very much.”
So this was the kind of person Su Xiaolu liked. Su Xiaoling remembered it deeply.
Su Xiaolu leaned against Su Xiaoling and rubbed her shoulder affectionately. “I’m still young. My dearest sister is the most important. The heavens will definitely give you a happy marriage.”
Su Xiaoling’s heart rate stabilized, and Su Xiaolu was relieved. Things had almost developed in a strange direction.
She knew that she did not like Zhou Heng, and she was afraid of being suddenly misunderstood.
Sometimes, a misunderstanding could hurt one’s bones.
She did not want to have a misunderstanding with Su Xiaoling. This was her favorite third sister.
The two sisters cuddled for a while before Su Xiaoling went to the kitchen. Su Xiaolu also came to help.
She was not allowed to do anything that was wet, but she was allowed to hold the stirrer.
At noon, Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao returned to help.
At night, Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng returned. The family had dinner together.
The days were peaceful and quiet.
At night, Madam Zhao leaned on Su Sanlang’s arm and told him about today’s troubles.
Su Sanlang listened quietly. After hearing this, he patted Madam Zhao gently and comforted her. “Darling, don’t worry. It’s best if the marriage that the heavens stopped doesn’t happen. Our third sister’s good marriage is still ahead.”
Madam Zhao said helplessly, “Sigh, Xiaoling will be 18 this year. I’m worried.”
Su Xiaoling was getting older, but she had yet to meet a suitable candidate she liked. It would not be good if this dragged on.
Madam Zhao could not help but feel worried.
“There’s also Chong. I showed him a few, but he didn’t even look at them. He refused to tell me which family the girl he likes is from.”
At the mention of Su Chong, Madam Zhao was also worried.
Now, only Su Hua, who was engaged, and Su Xiaolu, who was not old enough yet, did not worry Madam Zhao.
Su Sanlang smiled and said, “In any case, the Spring Quarter Examinations are around the corner. The children are leaving on the 20th. We’ll see at the end of March. There’s no need to rush Xiaoling’s marriage and Chong’s marriage. We can wait a few months and see.”
If Su Chong and Su Hua both achieved good results, Su Xiaoling would not have to worry about her marriage at all. There would naturally be good families fighting to marry her.
When Madam Zhao heard Su Sanlang’s detailed explanation, she could only nod. “That’s the only way.”
“Alright, don’t think too much. Go to bed early.”
Su Sanlang patted Madam Zhao’s shoulder.
Husband and wife fall asleep in each other’s arms.
Life went on as usual. The family went about their duties.
On the ninth day of the first lunar month, good news came from Chen Hu’s house.
Chen Daniu’s wedding date was set for June 6th, and Chen Erniu’s marriage was set for September 9th.
The Niu family also explained that after the two children got married, Chen Daniu and Niu Xibao would go to Furongzhou while Niu Xian and Chen Erniu would stay in Goathorn Town. Niu Xian would take over the restaurant, Fu Man Lai.
Shopkeeper Niu was already advanced in age and was about to retire. When he passes on the business to Niu Xian in a few years, he would not care about anything else.
Chen Hu and Madam Qian were disappointed that their daughter was going to Furongzhou. Niu Xian and Chen Erniu stayed behind, making them feel much better.
Ever since the engagement two years ago, everyone had seen Niu Xibao and Niu Xian’s characters. They only missed them but did not worry.
On this day, the two families ate together. The children automatically left the table, leaving space for Chen Hu, Madam Qian, Su Sanlang, and Madam Zhao.
Chen Hu was drunk, and so was Madam Qian.
As they chatted, the full moon hung in the sky. Finally, the four of them looked at each other and smiled.
Chen Hu held Madam Qian’s hand and said, “Darling, it’s getting late. Let’s go home.”
Madam Qian patted the back of Madam Zhao’s hand and said, “Sister-in-law, you and Brother should rest early too. Don’t clean up these bowls and chopsticks first. I’ll help tomorrow.”
Madam Zhao smiled and nodded.
They sent Chen Hu and his family off.
Madam Zhao nonchalantly instructed him to pack tomorrow and sleep early tonight. After that, she returned to her room with Su Sanlang. She even skipped washing up. The couple also drank.
Su Xiaolu and the others also washed up and went to bed.
Su Xiaolu practiced her sword crazily every day and fell asleep almost as soon as she touched the bed.
Therefore, she did not know that Su Xiaoling had gone out after she fell asleep.
Su Xiaoling moved very gently and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes with the warm water in the pot.
Hearing footsteps, she was stunned for a moment. When she saw that it was Zhou Heng, Su Xiaoling smiled and quickly said, “Little Brother Heng, what are you doing here? Go back to your room and rest.”
Zhou Heng smiled gently and walked to Su Xiaoling’s side to help. “I can’t sleep either. I’ll clean up with you.”
In this family, they saw each other every day, but they were rarely alone.
Su Xiaoling wanted to say no, but Zhou Heng had already started to clear the dishes beside her.
Su Xiaoling felt the pressure. Only then did she realize that Zhou Heng was already half a head taller than her.
The man beside him was no longer the child they had met before. He was already a 15-year-old boy. This year, Zhou Heng was 16 years old.
Su Xiaoling lowered her eyes and sped up. She and Zhou Heng were not children, and Zhou Heng was not her biological brother. They should not be so close.