Chapter 283 - Chapter 283: The Wayward Laidi
Chapter 283: The Wayward Laidi
Seeing Li Mei’s expression, Zhaodi wondered if something had happened. She looked at Li Mei uneasily and waited for her to speak.
Li Mei waited for Brother Pig to close the courtyard door before turning to look at Zhaodi and asking, “Zhaodi, tell me honestly, is there someone in Laidi’s heart?”
Zhaodi thought for a moment and looked at Li Mei. “Mother, I only know that Laidi is unwilling to marry the men in the village. She finds them ignorant and says they will have a roving eye once they have some money. She also says they’re not capable, but they’re quite arrogant. She even said that becoming a nun is better than marrying them.”
Li Mei said angrily, “Then what kind of man is she looking for?” Zhaodi shook her head. “She doesn’t talk to me much now. She doesn’t like to go to the Chen family.”
Li Mei had no choice. The mother and daughter sat there with a frown on their faces. “Mom, I know where Second Sister went.” Brother Pig had stood at the door of the hall.
“You know? Then quickly tell me where your second sister went.” Li Mei stood up and pulled Brother Pig to her side.
“Second Sister went to that person’s house. That person lives not far from town. He’s in a thatched house at the foot of the mountain.”
Li Mei asked, “How did you know? How did she know the scholar who lives at the foot of the mountain?”
Zhaodi said anxiously, “Mom, don’t ask Brother Pig how he knows. Go to Uncle Zhou’s place to borrow a carriage and let Brother Pig lead the way. Let’s go to town to take a look.”
“Alright, I’ll borrow a carriage.” Li Mei strode to the Zhou family’s house and soon drove the carriage to the door. After Brother Pig and Zhaodi got into the carriage, the three of them made their way toward town.
Brother Pig sat beside Li Mei and said to her, “After the snowfall during the new year, I saw Second Sister secretly walking out with two pairs of boots and two sets of sweaters. I thought she was going somewhere to play, so I ran out and hid near the stool on the carriage. I followed her to the foot of the mountain. Second Sister said that you would be angry if you knew, and didn’t allow me to say it. I was afraid that you would be angry, so I didn’t say it.”
Li Mei glanced at Brother Pig’s worried gaze and felt a warmth in her heart. She said gently, “Silly boy, I’m not angry with you. You should have told me earlier.” “Yes! I’ll tell Mom in the future.
Outside the three newly built thatched houses at the foot of the mountain outside Phoenix Town, Laidi was busy washing at the drain beside the houses. In the fenced courtyard behind her, a refined and handsome man was reading a book in a daze.
Under Brother Pig’s guidance, Li Mei arrived at the straw hut at the foot of the mountain. When she saw the man reading seriously in the courtyard, she thought to herself that he did indeed look like a decent person. No wonder he was able to seduce Laidi and make her lose her dignity as a girl. This wretched girl! Why didn’t she think about it? If he was sincere to her, why didn’t he invite a matchmaker to the house to propose marriage? How could he let her hang around him with no status? How would she face anyone in the future?
Brother Pig immediately saw Laidi, who was busy by the ditch. He pointed at
Laidi and said, “Mom, look, Second Sister is there!”
When the man reading seriously in the courtyard heard Brother Pig’s voice, he raised his head and saw the angry Li Mei. Laidi also turned around and saw her furious mother. She placed the clothes in the wooden basin and slowly walked up to Li Mei. She asked softly, “Mother, why are you here?”
Li Mei looked at Laidi and was furious. She got out of the carriage, walked up to Laidi, and slapped her face. She asked bitterly, “Did I teach you to be so shameless?”
Laidi covered her face and lowered her head in embarrassment. The man walked over and bowed to Li Mei. “Greetings, Aunt. Please calm down.”
“Don’t try to get close to me. I’ve never known anyone like you. I’m lecturing my daughter. Who are you to interrupt?” Li Mei looked at him and scolded him coldly.
Li Fengqi was stunned by Li Mei’s words. Li Mei turned to look at Laidi and shouted, “Aren’t you getting in the carriage? Do you want me to invite you?” Laidi lowered her head and followed Li Mei into the car.
At this moment, a blind old woman walked out of the house with a walking stick and shouted, “Fengqi, did Laidi’s mother come?”
“Yes, Grandmother.” Li Fengqi frowned and walked in to support the old lady.
The old lady said to Li Fengqi, “Fengqi! What are you thinking? Have you asked around? What does Laidi’s family do? If her family background is good, invite a matchmaker to propose marriage!”
Li Fengqi frowned and helped the old lady sit down under the eaves of the corridor. He took a deep breath and said, “Grandmother, I haven’t asked around yet. Her family has a carriage and can send those things. I think her family background is not bad.”
“That’s true! Didn’t you ask her?” the old lady asked.
“I only know that her family lives in Phoenix Village. She sometimes sends things to the grocery store in town. I’m not sure about the rest. Besides, I don’t Imow anyone in the village. Where can I find out? Grandmother, sit for a while. I’ll go get my clothes and dry them.”
Li Fengqi did not tell the old lady that he was thinking that he would only be able to move forward in his career if he married the daughter of an official one day. Although Laidi was kind-hearted and cute, she was still a village girl and did not meet his definition of an ideal wife.
Li Fengqi walked to the edge of the ditch and looked at the clean clothes in the wooden basin. He suddenly remembered that a few years ago, there was a Top Scorer in Phoenix Village. The Top Scorer was already famous and was even ranked second. That year, his teacher even asked everyone to look up to the Top Scorer. He heard that the Top Scorer married a girl from Phoenix Village. Perhaps he would ask if her family was related to that Top Scorer’s family. If they were, it could be considered a good marriage.
After Li Fengqi thought about it, he hung up the clothes and greeted the old lady. He took the book that he had copied for the bookstore and walked towards town.
Laidi sat in the carriage with her head lowered, not daring to look at Li Mei, who was driving the carriage in front. Zhaodi and Brother Pig leaned against Li Mei on the carriage. No one said a word as they returned to Phoenix Village silently. Brother Pig led the horse toward the Zhou family.
Li Mei opened the courtyard door and said to Zhaodi, “Zhaodi, go back first. Don’t let your in-laws think too much!”
Zhaodi glanced at Laidi and said to Li Mei, “Mother, the physician said that you can’t be angry.” Li Mei nodded and walked straight in.
Laidi followed Li Mei into the central room and knelt at Li Mei’s feet. She lowered her head and did not say a word.
Why was this child becoming more and more indecent? Li Mei took a deep breath and asked, “Do you like that man?” Laidi glanced at Li Mei and nodded heavily.
Li Mei suppressed the anger in her heart. “How did you know him? Where did he come from? Why does he live there alone?”
Li Mei suppressed the anger in her heart. “How did you know him? Where did he come from? Why does he live there alone?”
Laidi lowered her head and did not dare to look at Li Mei. “After the new year, I went to town to deliver goods. When the axle was broken and the carriage overturned, he helped me pick up the things that had fallen to the ground. Later on, I met him on the way to town to buy things. I bumped into him a few times and became familiar with him. I knew that he was good at learning and had even become a scholar.”
Li Mei nodded and asked, “Are his parents still around?”