Chapter 55

Author's Note:

There will be a giveaway of 88 small red envelopes in this chapter! See you this afternoon!

Chapter 55

After Ming Chunxi returned, Qing Mengzhu sat in the courtyard until after noon.

He didn't come to his senses until the Guards and Dharma Protectors started whining for food.

He didn't have much of an appetite, so he simply opened a can of food for the two dogs.

The two dogs probably knew he was in a bad mood, so they didn't make a fuss.

He was too lazy to eat a proper meal, so he just ate some dried meat and then asked Zhao Hexi: "Hey bro, wanna go out for barbecue tonight?"

Zhao Hexi: [What's wrong? That tone of voice.]

Qing Mengzhu: [Ming Chunxi confessed his feelings to me.]

Zhao Hexi replied instantly:

Holy crap!!

[So decisive?!]

[He took the initiative? His long-cherished wish has been fulfilled. Let's interview you. How do you feel now?]

Qing Mengzhu: [It's a bit complicated, I'm still not quite over it. Let's go out for drinks tonight, my treat.]

Zhao Hexi sensed something was wrong: [Is Ming Chunxi still with you? How about I buy the materials and come over to your place to make it? It's not convenient to chat outside.]

Qing Mengzhu: [That works too.]

Zhao Hexi: [How are you feeling? Should I take a day off and come see you?]

Qing Mengzhu: [No need, I'll be quiet for a while.]

Zhao Hexi: [See you tonight, I'll be there around 7 pm.]

After talking with Zhao Hexi, Qing Mengzhu was still restless and couldn't sleep at home, so she simply grabbed her tools, put on her hat, and went to the field to mound soil around the chili peppers.

The intense sunlight beat down on him, and he finally felt hot in the afternoon.

Around 4 PM, Tan Wenlei went to work next door and saw him in the field. He exclaimed in surprise, "You didn't rest today? I thought something so serious had happened that you'd have to stay home and rest for a couple of days!"

Qing Mengzhu: "Doing some work makes me feel calmer."

Tan Wenlei agreed, "That's true. This morning, not to mention you, even I was scared half to death when I came out and saw them. How can these little brats be so bold?"

Qing Mengzhu smiled wryly, "Don't you know how dangerous it is? How's that child who fell into the water now?"

Tan Wenlei: "They said it's a bit of pneumonia, and the whole family is in the hospital right now. They probably won't come to thank you for a couple of days."

Qing Mengzhu her hand. "No need for thanks, it's good that the child is safe."

Tan Wenlei: "Of course we need to, it's such a big deal. I posted about it on WeChat Moments this morning, and your brother even asked me about it."

Qing Mengzhu then realized, "Ming Chunxi asked you?"

Tan Wenlei: "Yes, he was very worried. He asked me why I jumped into the water to save someone and if I was alright. I told him I was safe and sound and had already gone home, and he was relieved."

Tan Wenlei said with a chuckle, "Your brother seems cold, but he actually cares about you quite a bit."

Qing Mengzhu weakly, "Right?"

Ming Chunxi visited the village frequently, and Tan Wenlei was very hospitable, so it wasn't strange that the two added each other on WeChat.

He was still confused this morning and forgot to ask Ming Chunxi how he knew. Now there's no need to ask; the case is solved.

After working for a while longer, Qing Mengzhu wasn't in the mood, so she said goodbye to Tan Wenlei and went back.

He found some lotus tea, intending to brew a pot to calm his nerves, and also to cool down his body while eating the barbecue later.

When he smelled the familiar lotus fragrance, he remembered that the tea leaves inside were given to him by Ming Chunxi. After the tea was made, he also shared half with Ming Chunxi, and his feelings became even more complicated.

Around seven o'clock, Qing Mengzhu filled a flowerpot with charcoal, started a fire, and placed a clean wire mesh on it to heat it up. Then she waited for Zhao Hexi to come over.

A short while later, the sound of a car stopped in front of Qing Mengzhu's house, and the Dharma Protectors and Guards went out to greet the person.

Zhao Hexi came in carrying two large bags full of meat skewers. "There was a bit of traffic today, so I'm late."

Qing Mengzhu: "It's alright, it's not too late."

Zhao Hexi bought pre-marinated meat skewers from a barbecue restaurant, and simply put the skewers on a wire rack to grill them; there was basically no room for personal creativity.

The two put the meat on the grill and then sat facing each other chatting.

Zhao Hexi took a big gulp of beer. "Are you still not quite back to reality?"

Qing Mengzhu: "I'm feeling a bit better now."

Zhao Hexi: "So, are you going to accept Ming Chunxi's confession?"

Qing Mengzhu drank her wine, still hesitant in her heart.

Zhao Hexi knew exactly what he was thinking, "You think Ming Chunxi's life is too far removed from yours, and if the two of you don't get along, the breakup will be ugly, especially with his mother involved?"

Seeing that he had almost guessed correctly, Qing Mengzhu clinked her wine bottle against his.

Zhao Hexi smiled but didn't offer any advice. Instead, he asked, "Do you know what a straight man like me does in this situation?"

Qing Mengzhu: "What should we do?"

Zhao Hexi: "Who cares what happens in the future? Let's agree first. If we can get along, we can. If we really can't work things out, we can discuss it together and part ways amicably."

As he spoke, Zhao Hexi picked up a skewer of grilled meat, blew on it, and took a big bite. "No matter what, I've been craving it for so long, I have to try it."

Qing Mengzhu: "I'm just afraid that we won't be able to part amicably."

Zhao Hexi: "That's definitely not your problem. With your personality, if things don't work out, you'll definitely part ways amicably."

Qing Mengzhu remained silent.

Zhao Hexi drank another half bottle of wine and said, "Actually, sometimes I feel that after all these years, you still haven't been able to get over your uncle's passing."

Qing Mengzhu wanted to refute.

Zhao Hexi gestured downwards with her hand. "Your rebuttal is useless. Whether you've truly moved on or not, you know the answer in your heart. Sometimes I'm quite surprised by how pessimistic you are, how you always shut yourself off from others."

Qing Mengzhu drank his wine, looking at the ground.

Zhao Hexi: "Everyone has their own way of living. We, as your friends, didn't say much about the way you chose to live before. But I think maybe you should change your way of living. Life is so short; it's such a pity to live twenty years old the same as eighty."

Qing Mengzhu in a low voice, "It's not that exaggerated."

Zhao Hexi: "I was just saying, I'm not trying to persuade you to date. I just think that you've liked Ming Chunxi for so long, and Ming Chunxi likes you too, it would be a shame not to give it a try."

Qing Mengzhu: "You're right, I should really think about it."

Zhao Hexi: "Seriously, God Ming's conditions are top-notch in any circle. His physique, looks, finances, and education—I dare say, if he showed even the slightest hint of wanting to be in a relationship, countless men would throw themselves at him."

Qing Mengzhu sipped her wine. "If I showed even a hint of interest, countless men would throw themselves at me."

Zhao Hexi laughed, "That's right, with such great qualities, what are you hesitating for?"

The two enjoyed barbecue and drinks.

The two dogs smelled the barbecue and ran over, circling around them.

Qing Mengzhu picked out the unseasoned roasted meat for them to eat.

They drank until after 11 p. m., Qing Mengzhu put out the charcoal and told Zhao Hexi to go to sleep.

He took out his phone to check it himself.

Ming Chunxi did indeed send him a message: [How's your decision? If you haven't made up your mind, I'll ask again tomorrow.]

Qing Mengzhu typed slowly: [Can we take things slowly when we talk?]

Qing Mengzhu typed very slowly, saying she would take her time, but her heart was pounding after she sent the message.

He stared at his phone screen; almost a second after the message was sent, "Typing..." appeared next to Ming Chunxi's name.

Then, Ming Chunxi sent a message: [Okay.]

Ming Chunxi: [As you said, we'll take it slow. It's inconvenient for you to stay here with me, so I'll come over on weekends, okay?]

Qing Mengzhu: [Won't it be too tiring?]

Ming Chunxi: [It's a short drive, not tiring at all. If you are, I'll let you know.]

Qing Mengzhu stared at the screen for a while, then sent a message: [Are you coming this week? Then I'll change the bedding in your room.]