Bride Swap Backfire: My Cousin's Rebirth Made Us a Power Couple-Chapter 83 - 51: Busy

The next day, they headed to the county town again. This time, Dashan’s health had improved, so the group took his ox cart.

Dashan had been running a bit of a fever for the past few days. At his age, the slightest symptom would worry his children and grandchildren to no end, and they would always force him to rest at home.

But a man who had worked hard his whole life couldn’t sit still. The moment he felt a little better, he was back out looking for fares.

Xu Su Ying chatted with Dashan about staying healthy during the autumn and winter. Dashan listened intently but replied dejectedly, "It doesn’t matter how careful I am. I’m just old. This body isn’t what it used to be."

"Whether someone’s old isn’t just about age, but about their health. If you ask me, you’re in better shape than my De’an. Don’t be fooled by his youth—he’s a scholar, with a scholar’s constitution. All show and no substance."

While the two of them chatted animatedly, Chen Wanqing and Zhao Jing sat behind them, talking quietly.

"Didn’t you just go to the county town yesterday? Why are you going again today?"

Chen Wanqing’s gaze was so intense it felt as if she could see right into his heart. Zhao Jing felt a pang of fear and rubbed his nose uneasily. "The new year is approaching. An old client of Mr. Wang’s came to him, wanting me to help polish some greeting cards. Mr. Wang already accepted the job, so I couldn’t really refuse. I have to make another trip today."

"Are you sure it’s just one trip today? You’re not going again tomorrow?"

Zhao Jing nodded. "I’m sure."

’Worst case,’ he thought, ’I’ll just bring all the work home with me today and have Mr. Wang send someone to pick it up in a few days.’

Going to the county town day after day really wasn’t proper. The county examination was fast approaching, and running back and forth every day was indeed delaying his studies.

Before they knew it, they had arrived in the county town.

The three of them got off the ox cart, and Dashan led it away to his usual spot.

Zhao Jing escorted the mother and daughter to Qingxiang House. After saying his goodbyes, he left as well. As soon as he was gone, Xu Su Ying, just as expected, started questioning Chen Wanqing. "What’s Jing doing in the county town? Didn’t he just come yesterday?"

"I told you before, Mom. Jing helps people by copying books and polishing their writing to earn silver. I reckon he must have spent a lot on the engagement, so he’s a bit short on cash. Plus, he probably wants to earn some extra money these next few days to get me a nice betrothal gift..."

Xu Su Ying took the incense sticks out of their boxes one by one and arranged them on the shelves, frowning as she spoke. "Didn’t I ask Mrs. Zhao to pass on the message that we’d consider the engagement gift as the betrothal gift?"

"But Mrs. Zhao never gave us a reply, did she? I think Jing must have his own ideas about it."

"That boy, why is he being so stubborn about this? What time does he think he has? The county examination is right around the corner! Instead of fussing over betrothal gifts and dowries, I’d much rather he focus on his studies, pass the exam to become a Scholar in one go, and bring some glory to my daughter."

"Then you should find Mrs. Zhao again later and explain this to her. Zhao Jing isn’t someone who can’t tell what’s important. He’s just gotten sidetracked. It would be good for the elders to set him straight."

"You’re right. I’ll go find Mrs. Zhao later."

After saying this, Xu Su Ying turned to look at her daughter and started nagging, "My, my, you’re not even married yet and you’re already planning everything for Jing. And to think, when your own mother asked you to consider this marriage, you were so reluctant..."

"When was I ever reluctant?"

"Hmph, I’m your mother. I know what you’re thinking with just a twitch of your eyebrow. I..."

"Alright, Mom, don’t give me a whole lecture. The sun is already so high. If you don’t go find Mrs. Ying soon, she’ll be coming to find you. Go on, Mom, get busy. Your daughter is waiting for you to make a fortune and buy us a house in the county town."

"What’s the damn point of buying a house? My daughter will be getting married by then and won’t even live in it for more than a few days. And if I buy a house here, I’ll be farther away from you. If I want to see you, I’ll have to make a special trip all the way to the village."

"What are you talking about? I’m still running the shop, aren’t I? I still have business to do in town. If you buy a house soon, then when Jing and my brother take their exams, they won’t have to travel back and forth. Plus, on cloudy or snowy days, I won’t have to go back to the village. I could stay over at your place..."

"Alright, alright, I can’t win an argument with you. You’re always right. I’m heading out now. Will you be okay here in the shop by yourself?"

"Why wouldn’t I be? I was by myself yesterday, wasn’t I? Oh, right, Mom, don’t forget to come back half an hour before lunch. We still have to go to the Qian Family’s house to see my second aunt."

"I remember. I won’t forget."

Just as Xu Su Ying was about to leave, the woman from the umbrella shop next door came sauntering over again.

"Miss Xu! Yesterday, I saw a handsome young man come to pick up your Wanqing and take her home. I took a look, and he wasn’t your eldest son. Who was he? It couldn’t be..."