C17 The Engagement Back Then

"Is that so..." Years ago, when Dung Qiu was expecting Gu Yingchu, she went up the mountain and encountered Miao Cuihua, who was also there with her child. At the time, Miao was pregnant with her second child and had stepped into a trap, injuring her foot badly. If the bleeding hadn't been stopped, she would have lost the baby. Dung Qiu saved her, and in gratitude, Miao often said that Ho Xuemao should marry Gu Yingchu.

However, Gu Yingchu had never visited the Ho family, nor had she met Ho Xuemao.

Dung Qiu had a rough idea of what the Ho family intended, and now the only backup plan she had for Gu Yingchu was gone.

"Sister, what do you think?" Ho Li asked Dung Qiu.

"Since the Ho family has made their stance clear, we certainly won't push the issue," Gu Yingchu finally stood up and said.

The room was dimly lit, but you could still make out the features clearly. Gu Yingchu was like a luminous pearl in the night, radiating an enchanting glow.

Ho Xuemao was of average appearance, quite tall, with a square face. Standing by the entrance, he was easy to see.

To the two people outside, Gu Yingchu was stunningly beautiful, almost overwhelmingly so, which perhaps explained her many admirers.

Hearing Gu Yingchu's words, Dung Qiu felt a bit more confident and nodded, saying, "It was a misunderstanding. Now that it's cleared up, that's good."

"Yes, our place is a bit simple. You two should head back; it's better to speak plainly," Gu Yingchu said, directly showing them the door.

Being dismissed so abruptly, Ho Xuemao's face turned a bit sour. Gu Yingchu's reputation wasn't great, and they didn't want someone like her in their family.

Ho Xuemao glanced at Gu Yingchu, regretting his earlier words. But he quickly brushed off that feeling. Her reputation in the village was terrible, and he had even heard rumors on the way about her being involved with a man named Stone from the village. He didn't want damaged goods.

Seeing the man standing at the door, his face conflicted, Gu Yingchu was annoyed that he was blocking her way. She needed to go out; once the floodwaters receded, she planned to head up the mountain.

Just as the Ho family seemed about to leave, Lin Manru spoke up, "These fish were caught from the river, weren't they?"

Gu Yingchu raised an eyebrow and replied, "Why don't you ask the fish if they came from the river?"

"How could fish talk to me?" Lin Manru asked, caught off guard.

"If they can't talk, then how can you claim my fish were taken from the river?"

Lin Manru was left speechless, unable to respond to Gu Yingchu's sharp retort.

“Mom, I’m heading out.” Yingchu grabbed another bucket, gathered her things, and left without acknowledging the two men from the Ho family.

“Gentlemen, let’s just put the past behind us. Rest assured, I won’t make the same mistake again,” Dung Qiu said, leaving Ho Xuemao speechless.

Ho Li had no choice but to lead him away.

“You too, leave,” Dung Qiu said to Lin Manru, not bothering to hide her displeasure. Even she could tell that Lin Manru was likely behind this mess.

Lin Manru noticed Dung Qiu’s sour expression and scoffed. Her goal was achieved, so she didn’t care about Dung Qiu’s reaction.

She strutted away.

When Yingchu reached the creek this time, the water level had risen significantly, and the spot where she used to catch fish was completely submerged. Yingchu chose a new spot, set down her bait, and then headed up to the embankment.

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