12dz Chapter 417 Shall we embarrass him?
Chapter 417 Shall we embarrass him?
Chu Qingxuan looked around and lowered her voice, "It's like this, my mother has been telling me to spend more time with a suitor lately, but I really don't like him."
Li Xiaoyun asked curiously, "Who was that person?"
“He’s Zhao Minghui, the son of Director Zhao of the Forestry Bureau in the city.” Chu Qingxuan frowned. “He’s always so glib; I hate people like that the most. Even when I come back to the village, he can’t give me any peace and quiet. He insisted on coming along, saying he wanted to accompany me to experience rural life.”
"This..." Li Xiangyang hesitated, "What kind of help do you want me to do?"
Chu Qingxuan's eyes lit up: "To get rid of him, I've repeatedly expressed my admiration for you, saying I like people who can go hunting in the mountains. If he asks you to take him hunting in the mountains, could you help me make him suffer a bit and embarrass him?"
Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes.
"Qingxuan, isn't this a bit much?" Li Xiaoyun said softly, "What if something happens..."
"No, he may be annoying, but he's not stupid," Chu Qingxuan quickly explained. "Besides, with Brother Xiangyang with us, we're absolutely safe."
Li Xiangyang thought for a moment and said, "How about this, if he really wants to go hunting with me, I can take him, but I won't deliberately make him suffer. The environment in the mountains is already harsh; if he can't endure it, that's his own choice."
Chu Qingxuan's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great!"
Just then, they arrived at the old Party Secretary's house. The courtyard was brightly lit, and the aroma of food wafted out.
"Grandpa, I've brought Brother Xiangyang and Sister Xiaoyun!" Chu Qingxuan pushed open the courtyard gate and shouted loudly.
The old Party Secretary peeked out from the kitchen, his weathered face beaming with a smile: "You're here? Come in and sit down!"
Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun followed Chu Qingxuan into the courtyard. Just as they were about to head towards the kitchen, a young man suddenly walked out of the main room. He was wearing a brand-new set of work clothes, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a confident smile on his face.
"Qingxuan, you're back." The young man greeted her with a big smile.
"Yes, they're back." Chu Qingxuan introduced them indifferently, "This is Li Xiangyang and his wife, Li Xiaoyun, friends of my maternal grandfather."
Zhao Minghui's eyes lit up: "Li Xiangyang? You mean that hunter who's on secondment at the Forestry Bureau? I've heard so much about you lately... I've heard Qingxuan talk about you a lot..."
He extended his hand warmly: "I am Zhao Minghui."
Li Xiangyang politely shook hands: "Hello."
Chu Qingxuan stood to the side, her brows furrowed, her impatience growing more and more obvious.
"Brother Li, I've heard you're an excellent hunter. Could you take me to see your skills sometime?" Zhao Minghui asked enthusiastically, his eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.
Li Xiangyang glanced at Chu Qingxuan, and seeing her wink at him, he nodded: "Sure, but conditions in the mountains are harsh, unlike in the city."
"No problem, no problem at all. I love challenging myself," Zhao Minghui assured him, patting his chest. "When do we leave? I'm ready anytime!"
Li Xiangyang hesitated for a moment, then said, "I happen to be free these few days, how about tomorrow?"
"Okay!" Zhao Minghui readily agreed, his face full of anticipation.
Just then, the old Party Secretary's voice came from the kitchen: "Don't just stand there, come in and sit down! The food will be ready soon!"
As the group entered the main room, Chu Qingxuan seized the opportunity to sidle up to Li Xiangyang and whispered, "Thank you, Brother Xiangyang!"
Li Xiangyang shook his head slightly, indicating that she didn't need to say anything more.
Li Xiaoyun watched the interaction between the two, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, but she didn't say anything.
Inside the main room, several dishes were already laid out on the table, their aroma filling the air.
The old Party Secretary, wearing an apron and carrying a plate of braised pork, walked in with a happy expression on his face.
"Come, come, sit down and try my cooking!" the old Party Secretary greeted with a smile.
After everyone took their seats, Chu Qingxuan's mother, Zhang Yulan, came out of the kitchen carrying a pot of tea.
Seeing Li Xiaoyun's pregnant belly, he was filled with envy and greeted her warmly.
"Xiaoyun, I heard you're pregnant? How many months along are you?"
"It's been over four months." Li Xiaoyun gently stroked her lower abdomen, a happy smile on her face.
Zhang Yulan nodded, then turned to Li Xiangyang: "Little Li, I heard you also have a temporary post at the Forestry Bureau?"
Li Xiangyang explained, "They're just technicians; they only go when there's a specific need. Otherwise, they stay in the village."
"I see..." Zhang Yulan's tone carried a hint of disappointment and regret, but she didn't say much more.
Seeing this, Zhao Minghui, ever the astute one, interjected, "Brother Li, with your abilities, you could totally develop your career in the city. My father always says you're a talented person!"
Li Xiangyang smiled calmly: "I like my life now, it's pretty good."
Zhang Yulan glanced at Zhao Minghui, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes, then looked at her daughter: "Qingxuan, you should start planning for the future. You can't always be so willful."
Chu Qingxuan lowered her head and remained silent, but she gripped her chopsticks even tighter.
The atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment, but the old Party Secretary noticed and quickly changed the subject: "Come, come, don't just talk without eating! Try this braised pork; it's one of my specialties!"
Only then did everyone begin to eat. The dishes were indeed delicious, and Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun kept praising them.
During the meal, Zhao Minghui talked animatedly about the latest happenings in the city, occasionally stealing glances at Chu Qingxuan, while Chu Qingxuan kept her head down and ate her food, hardly saying a word.
Although Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun were also pulled into a conversation by Zhao Minghui, they could clearly sense the undercurrents at the dinner table.
"Brother Li, I heard you went to the grasslands recently to help solve the wolf problem? That's really amazing!" Zhao Minghui said with admiration.
Li Xiangyang smiled calmly: "That's my duty."
"You're too modest. I'll definitely learn a lot from you when we go hunting tomorrow!" Zhao Minghui said confidently. "I've made thorough preparations; I even bought a special set of gear!"
Chu Qingxuan sneered from the side, but it was quickly drowned out by a cough.
Zhang Yulan glanced at her daughter and gently scolded, "Qingxuan, be mindful of your table manners."
Chu Qingxuan pursed her lips and did not respond.
After the meal, Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun politely declined the invitation to stay for tea and said goodbye to go home.
Zhao Minghui warmly saw him off at the gate: "Brother Li, I'll come find you first thing tomorrow morning!"
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Okay, see you then."
After saying goodbye to Li Xiaoyun, Li Xiangyang had only taken a few steps when he heard hurried footsteps behind him.
Chu Qingxuan caught up, holding a package of oil paper: "Sister Xiaoyun, Grandpa asked you to take some smoked meat back with you."
As she spoke, she stuffed the package into Li Xiaoyun's hand, her eyes pleading as she held Li's hand.
Li Xiaoyun was taken aback, realizing that this person was afraid she would ruin things. Helplessly, she nodded to her, and the other person finally breathed a sigh of relief and obediently let go.