The image of Zhou He from before, has blurred.
This was the first time Xu Nianhua truly saw Zhou He clearly.
Zhou He’s petite and slender body, and especially her round face, looked very adorable. When she smiled, she gave off an approachable vibe, suggesting a gentle nature at first glance.
"Zhou He," Xu Nianhua greeted with a smile, liking Zhou He from the very first moment.
One reason was Zhou He’s naturally amiable presence, and the other was the shy yet eager look in her eyes when she looked at Xu Nianji; it was clear she had fallen deeply in love with him.
When Zhou He smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons. She walked over to Xu Nianhua, a bit shyly, and said, "Nianhua, I came in a rush this time and didn’t bring you anything special, but I embroidered a handkerchief myself. Take a look, do you like it?"
Zhou He pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket. It was embroidered with osmanthus flowers, which were fragrant during Xu Nianhua’s birth month. She figured Nianhua would like osmanthus.
"Thank you, Sister Zhou He."
Xu Nianhua examined the handkerchief carefully. It was a plain cotton handkerchief, but in the corner, it had osmanthus flowers embroidered with golden threads against the vivid green leaves, lifelike in their detail.
"Sister Zhou He, your hands are really skilled, even prettier than the handkerchiefs sold in shops," Xu Nianhua praised, though she knew she could never embroider something as beautiful as this.
"This is all I can do."
Zhou He was a bit embarrassed by Xu Nianhua’s praise.
Although Xu Nianji was reluctant to leave, Xu Nian’an was busy outside selling mung bean jelly on his own, scooping the jelly and collecting money, and couldn’t keep up. After escorting Zhou He inside, Xu Nianji hurried back out to continue selling the jelly.
"Nianhua, whose house is this?" Zhou He looked around the room in amazement as she saw Xu Nianhua tidying up.
"This is a house we’re renting."
Xu Nianhua explained, "Sister Zhou He, do you know who your father—the Uncle Zhou—wants you to marry?"
Zhou He’s expression dimmed at the mention of this matter, "Nianhua, it’s a bit embarrassing, but my father wants me to marry a widower, surnamed Luo, around forty years old, whose wife just passed away."
She had thought Aunt Xu Qinghu was unreliable.
Now, she felt Zhou He’s father was even less reliable. It was somewhat understandable for Aunt Xu Qinghu not to care for her niece, but Zhou He’s father was her own father, and surely it must be hard for Sister Zhou He in her heart.
"Sister Zhou He, I’d like you to be my sister-in-law," Xu Nianhua’s gaze was sincere as she spoke, "Sister Zhou He, do you want to be my sister-in-law? Do you mind that our family is poor?"
"I don’t mind," Zhou He denied it hastily, afraid that a late denial would lead Xu Nianhua to think she despised the Xu family for being poor.
Zhou He lowered her eyes and said, "I’ve lived a hard life since I was young. I’m not afraid of being poor. I, I also want to marry Big Brother Xu, but my father..."
"No matter what, even if it kills me, I will not marry that man surnamed Luo," Zhou He’s hands clenched quietly.
Xu Nianhua took her hand, feeling her anger, and hurriedly comforted her, "There must be a way when we come to the mountain, there’s always a solution to every problem. Sister Zhou He, do you believe me?"
Xu Nianhua’s clear eyes met Zhou He’s, and she believed that Zhou He would indeed reject the Luo family, even at the cost of her life, as she stated later.