Watching the unruly girl head in the direction of Li Fugui’s courtyard, he had initially thought they were betrothed, but now it seemed they were not, not at all. Did she not know to avoid giving the wrong impression?
Chu Lian had yet to realize his mind was full of jealousy and speculation, completely neglecting Xiaoxiao.
"You’re going to see Li Fugui again?"
"..." Why couldn’t this man just leave her alone, following her everywhere? Who she saw was none of his business, was it?
Wang Xiangxiang gave him a disdainful glance and kept walking without responding.
Seeing the unruly girl’s attitude, Chu Lian grew even more frustrated. "Don’t you know to avoid impropriety? There should be no intimacy between unrelated men and women."
"..." No intimacy between unrelated men and women? That was laughable. Who was the one failing to observe propriety? She truly didn’t want to speak with this shameless man anymore.
Chu Lian did not expect the unruly girl to ignore him once again. Her attitude only fueled his anger, prompting him to utter malicious words, "Do you actually think you can find a perfect match in Li Fugui? He’s not nearly as good as me in any way—neither in appearance nor family background."
His words completely infuriated Wang Xiangxiang. She stopped, turned to face him, her eyes full of scorn, and after a cold laugh, she said, "You think he is not as good as you? You overestimate yourself."
"..." So she thought Li Fugui was better than him? He wanted to hear how exactly Li Fugui was superior.
"Li Fugui is so much better than you in many ways. He is loyal and deeply devoted. From being an Eldest Young Master, he fell into this rural life. He didn’t give up on himself; he teaches the children to read, to cook, and works the fields alongside everyone. He is trying his best in his own way. How can such a person not be admirable?"
Chu Lian was shaken by her words. Li Fugui, whom he thought was of no particular talent and couldn’t even manage a tavern, was held in higher esteem by this unruly girl.
The way she said, ’How can one not like such a person’ filled him with jealousy. She was telling him that she liked Li Fugui more than him.
Wang Xiangxiang continued, "Apart from your looks and family, what else do you have?"
"I also have..." He wanted to argue, but he found himself at a loss for words. Indeed, what would he have if not for his status? He probably wouldn’t amount to anything, couldn’t even get a fire started.
Seeing him try to speak but falling short, Wang Xiangxiang let out a sneer, "So, Eldest Young Master Chu, you indeed overrate yourself. Without all that, do you think those rich young ladies would still fancy you? Do you still think you’re better than Li Fugui now?"
Her words rendered Chu Lian speechless. Now that he thought about it, those people really were attracted to his appearance and family wealth, but in front of this unruly girl, they were worthless.
He felt his pride was insulted. He had to prove to her that he was not a worthless person, so he followed the departing Wang Xiangxiang, "I’ll stay here to compete with Li Fugui. I want to show you that I am better than him."
"..." Had she provoked him into wanting to prove something to her? Wang Xiangxiang didn’t believe it. "Eldest Young Master Chu, you should go back to being a young master. You can’t endure hardship."
Dismissing the unruly girl’s attitude, he couldn’t be belittled by her, "I will prove it to you."
"..." Wang Xiangxiang was speechless. Prove it to her? What was the point?