Chapter 100: The Youth Grows Up (Part 35)

Chapter 100: The Youth Grows Up (Part 35)

Xu Zeli intended to matchmake Ding Yiqiang with his own sister, and this matter had naturally been discussed with the Xu couple.

For this young man who became a juren in his early twenties, they were naturally satisfied.

Moreover, since Ding Yiqiang had no one else in his household, their satisfaction grew even more.

Back then, Xu Zeli's condition for Ding Yiqiang marrying his sister was that he must become a juren before the age of twenty-four!

Ding Yiqiang worked very hard to be able to marry into the Xu family and succeeded in passing the provincial exams at the age of twenty-one, alongside the eighteen-year-old Xu Zeli.

However, his ranking was not as impressive as Xu Zeli's; he placed sixty-seventh on the second-class list.

Out of eight hundred candidates taking the provincial exam, only eighty were admitted to the second-class list.

Although Ding Yiqiang did not match Xu Zeli, he still surpassed many others by a wide margin!

After passing the provincial exam, Ding Yiqiang shamelessly visited the Xu residence several times under the pretense of academic exchange. Although men from outside could not enter the inner courtyard, Xu Zeli's intentional guidance allowed him to catch glimpses of Xu Zerou a couple of times.

Ding Yiqiang was a robust and sturdy man, taller than the six-foot-tall Xu Zeli by half a head. He spent most of his time either practicing martial arts and hunting with his father or immersing himself in his studies, rarely paying attention to the ladies around him.

The first time he encountered Xu Zerou was when she was returning from shopping for cosmetics with Cheng Ge Er...

They had just stepped off the carriage, and Ding Yiqiang happened to be crossing the threshold, leading to a face-to-face encounter that left him dumbfounded.

Her eyebrows like willow leaves, her eyes like autumn water, and her blue dress fluttering—wasn't this the beauty described in books?

Xu Zerou, descending from the carriage, met a clumsy man coming out of the house, who stared at her without blinking. She immediately felt a sense of disgust.

Instinctively, she shielded Cheng Ge Er behind her and glared back with raised eyebrows.

When Xu Zeli stepped over the threshold, he saw this scene and knew something was amiss. He quickly said, "Brother Ding, it's getting late, and there are some matters at home, so we won't keep you for dinner."

Ding Yiqiang, pulled back to reality by Xu Zeli's voice, hastily bowed. "Zeli, you're too kind. I apologize for my clumsiness today and for any offense caused."

Even though Ding Yiqiang did not mention names, Xu Zerou knew he was speaking to her.

Over the years, Xu Zerou had heard about her brother's close friend but had never met him. Today, seeing this clumsy man was her brother's friend, she felt both disappointment and revulsion, thinking him a lecherous man!

Xu Zerou slightly turned away, ignoring Ding Yiqiang.

Seeing that he had offended Miss Xu on their first meeting, Ding Yiqiang felt disheartened but forced a smile and left with heavy steps.

Xu Zeli quickly called out, leaving an excuse for another meeting, "Brother Ding, my youngest sibling misses your pastries. Come visit again sometime."

Ding Yiqiang, relieved that Xu Zeli did not take the incident seriously, responded, "Certainly!"

Xu Zerou did not understand her brother's intentions, but Cheng Ge Er, hiding behind her, did.

"Brother, what kind of person are you associating with? So impolite," Xu Zerou complained after Ding Yiqiang left.

Xu Zeli did not explain, merely smiling.

Instead, Cheng Ge Er giggled, covering his mouth. "Sister, Brother Ding is a juren. He has many friends. Why criticize him like that?"

Xu Zerou lightly punched Cheng Ge Er. "You little brat, now you have the nerve to tease your sister?!"

This unpleasant first encounter kept Ding Yiqiang awake all night, pondering how to change Miss Xu's poor impression of him.

A few days later, Ding Yiqiang visited again, bringing their famous pastries and shamelessly entering the Xu residence.

Unfortunately, Xu Zerou and Cheng Ge Er had gone with Xu Linshi to pray...

These pastries ended up benefiting Xu Zeping, filling his belly.

For two years, Ding Yiqiang persistently courted Xu Zerou, but she never agreed, causing him to consider giving up.

After all, he was already twenty-four, and ordinary men often had children by then.

But he remained alone, without direction.

His parents also pressured him relentlessly...

In July of the fourteenth year of Sheng'an, Ding Yiqiang leaned against a rockery in his backyard, gazing at the bright moon in the night sky, recalling the first time he saw Miss Xu. Her fair skin resembled the moonlight, captivating him.

The faint scent of orchids lingered, making him restless and unable to forget.

He took a swig from a wine jug and then threw it against the wall.

Bang!

Hearing the shattering sound, he resolved to give himself one last chance. If after the Qixi Festival... Miss Xu still did not favor him, he would listen to his mother.

Perhaps it was divine intervention; before reaching the restaurant where he was to meet Xu Zeli, he heard a girl's panicked cries.

"Help! Thief!"

"Someone help! Thief!"

Under the red lanterns, Xu Zerou's frightened face was visible.

Seeing Miss Xu's terrified expression, Ding Yiqiang ignored the crowd and pushed through, running to her side.

He protected her, saying, "Don't be afraid. Tell me the thief's features."

Xu Zerou clutched tightly onto Ding Yiqiang's sleeve, her heart in turmoil. In her purse was a handkerchief embroidered with her name... She couldn't imagine what would happen if someone with ill intentions got hold of it.

Looking at Ding Yiqiang's rugged jawline, she felt a sense of relief and decided to trust him for the first time: "That person is slender and has an extra finger on his left hand, wearing a hemp robe."

Ding Yiqiang protected the young girl while scanning the crowd with his eyes. He didn't ask why she wasn't with her brothers but instead escorted her to the most visible lantern riddle stage, telling her to wait there for him. Then he headed straight toward the direction Xu Zerou had indicated.

Amidst the bustling crowd, it took Zeli and the others half an hour to find Xu Zerou...

The reason Xu Zerou had gotten separated from them was that she craved some small glutinous rice balls and got swept away by the passing crowd.

After hearing the whole story, how could Zeli and the others have any interest in enjoying the lantern festival?

A young lady's reputation is paramount, but in this crowded Qixiao Festival, he couldn't wander around with the children, so he had no choice but to wait where they were.

If only he had brought Dahu and Jixiang along.

Zeping was equally anxious and volunteered: "Brother, I'll go back and get help, let Wu Shu and the others come out to catch the thief!"

Leaving the youngest, Xiao Rou, and Cheng Ge Er behind, Zeli naturally felt uneasy.

After much consideration, Zeli decided to adopt this plan...

Zeping plunged into the crowd and rushed to the Xu family's old residence to find help.

After two hours of frantic searching, they had turned the entire Qingshui Town upside down but found no trace of the thief Xu Zerou described.

As the crowd thinned and the candlelights dimmed, it was already midnight.

Just as Xu Zerou was about to give up hope, Ding Yiqiang appeared with a swollen face and limping leg. He handed her the light green purse: "Found it, don't be afraid."