Chapter 8: What Kind of Wild Path Is This

Chapter 8: What Kind of Wild Path Is This

Lu Mingchao widened her eyes, looking at the woman with thick, ink-black eyebrows, sunken cheeks, dark skin, high cheekbones, and a face that looked as rugged as a wilderness. Her eyelid twitched uncontrollably. "Auntie, do you also want to be the stepmother of Xie Yan's child?"

For crying out loud, how old is this guy? He could be my dad!

In the novel, Xie Yan was so insignificant that in Lu Minghui's colorful life, he was like a small pebble thrown into an unfathomable sea. Before the ripples could spread, he disappeared without a trace, as if he had never appeared.

Suddenly, the idea of being a rich widow with no husband around and a child to raise didn’t seem so great anymore.

Besides, she was picky and not that hungry anyway.

Maybe she should show some respect to Xie Yan and treat him like an elder, as a way to apologize for the Lu family.

Lu Mingchao had no idea of the impact of her words. As soon as her voice fell, an eerie silence enveloped the room.

Especially the Lu family members, their eyes wide with shock.

If Chaocchao dared to say this, they wouldn’t have dared to hear it.

"You little brat, spouting nonsense," the middle-aged woman said, her face flushed red, panting as she pointed at Lu Mingchao's nose impatiently, as if she had suffered a great insult.

But in the woman’s shifting gaze, Lu Mingchao caught a glint of interest.

Wow, she’s actually into Xie Yan!

"Auntie, I’m talking, but who knows if you’re even making sense?"

She wasn’t made of clay, after all.

"What did I say? We country folks don't speak like you noble people from the capital, with all your pretensions. A fallen phoenix is worth less than a chicken, after all. No wonder the nobles in the capital raised you for over a decade and still kicked you out, not even giving you a crumb to eat." The middle-aged woman's voice was unusually loud, her arrogance swelling.

"Aunt Feng."

"Some words are better left unsaid," said Lu Yao, who had been silently observing from the corner.

His tone was light, his expression indifferent, his long lashes hiding his emotions. Lu Mingchao couldn't quite make out the emotions in his eyes, only feeling a chill, a hard-to-describe indifferent coldness, like a pine forest in the deep mountains lightly covered in snow, impossible to ignore, sending shivers down the spine.

Lu Mingchao glanced sideways, her eyes bright.

Not just handsome, but very handsome.

She could see that Lu Yao's reception of her arrival was more cold than enthusiastic, but he was still willing to protect her.

Let him be cold.

What’s wrong with a beautiful girl having a few perks?!

As they say, it’s fine if the love is shallow, as long as it lasts.

Lu Mingchao convinced herself without any psychological burden and smiled excessively brightly at Lu Yao.

Lu Yao felt a little uncomfortable and looked away.

"Scholar," said the middle-aged woman, "who knows if this young miss from the city is just another ungrateful wolf with a black heart?"

"You should be more careful. Don't let the scar heal and forget the pain, feeding your good heart to the dogs." The middle-aged woman's words were filled with implication and sarcasm.

Lu Yao's expression remained unchanged, still cold and indifferent, but his words were like poison. "This is none of Auntie Feng's concern."

"Drinking too much cold water makes you sick, and meddling in others' affairs can be fatal."

"As Lu Mingchao said, if Auntie Feng has designs on Xie Yan, she should discuss it with Xie Yan's family."

"Lu Mingchao is not in a position to do so, nor should she overstep her role."

"We'll await Auntie Feng's good news."

The middle-aged woman was so angry she almost spat blood, feeling as if she was choking. She wanted to curse but held back, considering Lu Yao's scholar status. Glaring with hatred, she forced down her anger. "Who knows if your family will sell your own daughter to Xie Yan for a hundred taels of betrothal gifts?"

Then, she turned to Lu Mingchao with a smile.

"Miss, let me tell you, Xie Yan doesn't have a proper livelihood. He raises three children and hides in the deep mountains for ten days or half a month at a time. His life is rough. You, raised in the city, wouldn’t be able to handle that kind of rough life. I'm only saying these heartfelt words because I'm afraid you'll be deceived by unfeeling parents."

"What’s the point of marrying him? His age, his absence from home, or the fact that he's a widower with three children?"

"Listen to me, Miss. A man fears picking the wrong career, and a woman fears marrying the wrong guy. Once you marry the wrong man, you'll suffer for a lifetime."

Lu Mingchao thought: She’s really putting on a show, huh? Even a Sichuan opera performer couldn’t top this!

"Auntie Feng, you don't seem like someone who would be shameless, so why are you saying these things today? Is something wrong at home?"

"I’ve just been brought back to meet my family, and you’re already trying to cause trouble. I'm so vulnerable and afraid—are you trying to shame me to death?"

"I might as well hang myself outside your door."

Lu Mingchao lowered her eyes, a thin layer of mist covering her eyes, her fingers lightly touching the tip of her nose, her shoulders slightly trembling, her voice filled with unspeakable sorrow.

The middle-aged woman was stunned. What game does Chunsheng’s daughter think she's playing?

Before she could react, she was pushed back by the explosive Lu Xin.

"Don't bully my sister."

Yunniang's face was as cold as the icicles under the eaves. "Auntie Feng, Chaochao is my and Chunsheng's daughter. If she's hurt by your words, our two families are far from settled."

"We don’t need to run Xie Yan’s marriage by you. If you love sticking your nose in everyone’s business, would you stick it in a manure cart next?"

"Disgusting!"

Yunniang raised a broom and swung it toward the middle-aged woman.

Pushing and shoving, the middle-aged woman was driven out, and the gate was firmly bolted.

"Mother, how old is Xie Yan really?" Lu Mingchao couldn't hold it in any longer, clutching her mother's arm, her eyes blinking, her voice filled with light, bright curiosity rather than grievance.

Auntie Feng is even older than you are, Mother.

With that remark, the tense atmosphere in the room finally eased up, and there was a hint of cheerful conversation. Yunniang smiled at Lu Mingchao and gently patted the back of her hand. "Chaochao, you've misunderstood."

"The Feng family is only interested in Xie Yan’s marriage because of their sister-in-law."

"The Feng family’s situation is a bit complicated. I'll explain it to you later."

Lu Mingchao was taken aback; awkward moments can hit you out of nowhere.

Seeing this, Yunniang’s smile grew warmer. "Xie Yan is about the same age as your second brother, in the prime of his life, strong and vibrant."

Lu Mingchao glanced at Lu Yao, who stood tall and graceful like a jade tree, and silently compared the two in her head.

On one hand, a bachelor; on the other, a widower raising three kids.

Come on, young man, you gotta step up your game!

One step behind, and you’ll fall behind for good.

Is Xie Yan pushing too hard, or is Lu Yao just coasting along?

Noticing Lu Mingchao’s gaze, Lu Yao’s calm facade crumbled like an ancient temple wall, revealing a sheepish embarrassment.

Feeling a bit guilty, Lu Mingchao quickly looked away, adopting a meek and sweet expression.

"Maybe I should meet him first, just to see how things go."