The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 370: You Can Change It Now If You Don’t Want To (4)_1

Chapter 370: Chapter 370: You Can Change It Now If You Don’t Want To (4)_1

"Just came to have a look," Shen Songming suddenly lost interest in talking, casually asked about the sweet potato planting, took some pickled bamboo shoots, and got up to leave.

Fang Li insistently tried to keep him, grabbing Shen Songming and insisting that he must stay for a meal and to give any orders he wished.

Shen Songming looked at his almost obsequious smile, lowered his head to see the hand holding his arm, and frowned.

Fang Li quickly realized and somewhat sullenly let go.

Before Fang Li could let go, Shen Songming had already broken free, smiled, and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t stay any longer!" After saying this, he glanced at Old Scholar Fang, trusting that he would understand that it wasn’t convenient to speak at their house and that Old Scholar Fang should come to see him when he was free.

Fang Li dared not pull him back and continued to urge him to stay, "Although our family’s cooking doesn’t compare to those restaurant chefs, our simple home dishes have a unique flavor too!"

"I can’t," Shen Songming directly boarded the carriage and ordered the coachman to drive on.

Fang Li couldn’t hide his disappointment and, noticing that quite a few villagers were watching, walked a few steps with a smile, calling out to Shen Songming to come to him again if there was anything he needed.

Fang Fang also looked on with some regret as the carriage departed. Other than that blind man she had seen long ago at her cousin’s house, she had never seen anyone so handsome and noble! If only the man her family was considering for her was like this as well!

As the carriage disappeared into the distance, she turned and asked, "Let’s see what they brought, shall we?" She didn’t dare to open the gifts from other’s family in front of Old Scholar Fang.

Grandma Fang looked at the gifts, "The roast chicken definitely cannot be left out, but let’s leave the rest for now! They look like fine items that we couldn’t use ourselves!"

"Grandma! We can’t leave out the pastries either; they will spoil!" Fang Fang reminded.

Grandma Fang glared at her and put away the pastries.

Fang Liuyang also wanted to eat, but seeing that even Grandma Fang wouldn’t allow it, he didn’t dare say anything and eagerly focused on the roast chicken.

Lady Yu was puzzled, "Why did Young Master Shen come out of the blue, brought some gifts, and left? What’s the matter?"

Lady Ruan’s eyes flickered, "Qinqin will be done mourning next spring, won’t she?" The Magistrate’s family’s young master.

Lady Yu slightly furrowed her brows, lowered her head in thought, her frown deepening. Young Master Shen was the Jinan Magistrate’s son; their common family couldn’t possibly climb that high. Could he be thinking of wanting Qinqin to be a concubine?

At the noon meal, half a roast chicken was on the table. While Fang Fang talked about how handsome and wealthy Shen Songming was, she stuffed roast chicken into her mouth, wary of Fang Liuyang stealing more from her.

Lady Yu looked at her plump body, her round face with narrowed eyes, and sighed helplessly, "Eat less! If you don’t slim down, you won’t be able to find anyone at all!"

Fang Fang pouted in dissatisfaction, slowing down the movement of picking up food, but she still ate a lot, feeling as if she hadn’t eaten much.

Old Scholar Fang didn’t pick up his chopsticks at all and, without eating, put down his bowl, "I’m going out for a bit."

Fang Li saw him getting up to lead the ox and promptly put down his bowl, "Father, I’ll come with you! I can drive for you!"

"I’ll go by myself!" Old Scholar Fang said adamantly.

"If you go by yourself and something happens, there won’t even be someone to run errands; I’ll drive for you, it will be smoother!" Fang Li knew he was going to meet Shen Songming, and of course, he wanted to tag along.

Old Scholar Fang gave him a sharp look.

Fang Li instantly deflated, reluctantly let go, but still muttered, "Father! It’s not convenient for you to drive the cart out alone, and if the cart stops somewhere, there’s no one to keep watch..."

Old Scholar Fang drove the cart out himself, heading straight for Taiping Town, and stopped outside the Yue Sheng Tavern, looking for Shen Songming.