Chapter 16 He was used to sleeping alone, and being embraced by her…

Through the half-open window, the silhouettes of two people standing in the courtyard could still be faintly seen.

Hu Sanniang somewhat awkwardly rubbed her hands, “Lady Li, I didn’t want to bring this up at this moment. But……”

She glanced away from the direction of the courtyard gate, her heart tightening, and pulled Li Ruantang a few steps further inside, “Earlier when you taught Fu Lanxian a lesson, our Hu family was deeply grateful. But she has long held power and influence in the village, and the villagers are all afraid of her.”

“Now, those families who previously extended credit to you have gone back on their word. They want you to repay immediately, otherwise–”

“Otherwise what?” Li Ruantang frowned slightly, she knew that Fu Lanxian wouldn’t let this go easily.

Hu Sanniang coughed lightly in embarrassment, looking anxiously at the ground. Whether it was because the clouds had been too thick these past two days or not, when she lowered her head, she suddenly noticed ants marching in a long line through the cracks in the green bricks.

They moved slowly, but Hu Sanniang dared not delay. She quickly said, “Otherwise they will……”

She secretly glanced at the door of the room where Li Ruantang and her husband were staying temporarily, wiped her sweat and said in a low voice, “They will take your husband to pay off the debt.”

“Oh?”

This was indeed something Fu Lanxian could come up with. Li Ruantang coldly curled her lips, her sleeves lightly brushing, yet inexplicably producing a sense of pressure, “I’d like to see who dares!”

“Lady Li, please calm down.” Hu Sanniang naturally knew of Li Ruantang’s skills, but even she, who hadn’t read much, understood the principle that a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake.

“They haven’t come looking for you yet. Why don’t you take your husband up into the mountains to hide for a while? We happen to have a humble room in the small valley behind, which can be made livable for a few days with some tidying up.”

She spoke earnestly, and as she spoke, she called for Zhou Fulang. He was carrying a small bundle and a food basket, while Hu Youning, following behind, was carrying bedding. They were already fully prepared.

“What about you?”

“Lady Li need not worry about us. After all, we are from the same village. I don’t think they will give us too much trouble.”

Li Ruantang shook her head, “Since Fu Lanxian is willing to resort to such a low tactic, she must be prepared to seek revenge. She still has ill intentions towards Young Master Hu, and those who come will not easily give up.”

“Lady Li makes a good point.”

Hu Sanniang pondered for a moment, exchanged a glance with Zhou Fulang, seemingly having made a decision. She bowed, “I, Hu San, have only this one son. Now, I’m shamelessly asking Lady Li to take Ning along with you up the mountain.”

“That’s not possible.” Li Ruantang waved her hand.

“Lady Li, Ning can endure hardships. He absolutely won’t be a burden to you two.” Zhou Fulang was most worried about this matter. Now hearing Li Ruantang’s reasonable words, his knees were about to bend to plead again. He only hoped that Ning could follow Li Ruantang and leave this troublesome place of Hu Family Village.

“Zhou Fulang, you misunderstand.” Li Ruantang lightly supported his sleeve, “It’s not that I’m unwilling to take Young Master Hu up the mountain, but that I never intended to avoid this matter in the first place.”

“Lady Li, they have numbers and power on their side. You’re still injured, you’ll end up at a disadvantage.” Hu Sanniang spoke quickly and urgently. As her voice rose, the young man sitting seriously in the room making a flower wreath for Ah Ning was startled, his hands trembling, only catching half a phrase.

At a disadvantage? What disadvantage?

He was puzzled, listening intently for a while, but the voices in the courtyard grew softer and softer. Meng Jun had no choice but to put down the willow twigs and walk towards the door.

He carefully leaned against the door panel, separated by a thin layer of wood.

Li Ruantang’s voice came through faintly, “Since Jiujiu is my husband, there’s no more room for discussion on this matter.”

Seeing her resolute attitude, a glimmer of hope gradually welled up in Hu Sanniang’s eyes, “Lady Li, have you come up with a strategy?”

“Mm, it’ll be about tonight.”

Li Ruantang nodded, raising her eyes to look at the clouds pressing on the horizon, dark and heavy and unending. Like the pain pressing on her wound, never seeming to stop.

She gave a few more low instructions to Hu Sanniang before turning to walk towards the door. Upon hearing her footsteps, the young man’s heart leapt to his throat. He hurriedly took a deep breath, tiptoed, and scurried back to the kang, sitting up straight.

He sat rigidly upright, feeling it was a bit too deliberate. He hastily picked up the half-finished flower wreath, just as he was pinching a flower from the basket.

Creeak—, the door opened in response.

Meng Jun’s fingers trembled nervously as he stole a glance at the door. Earlier, she hadn’t finished speaking, and in the courtyard she had mentioned tonight again.

But the young man, confused, overlooked the sky outside the window, truly unable to see what would be special about tonight.

What exactly did she want to do?

As he was thinking, the flower in his hand slipped unnoticed and fell to the ground.

Li Ruantang walked over and bent down to pick it up.

There had been some gloom in her eyes originally, but the moment she pushed open the door, those almond eyes curved, and not a trace of displeasure could be seen.

Now she looked even gentler.

If the young man hadn’t overheard a bit, he would have truly been fooled by her.

“Wife-master.” He hesitated to speak, his gaze falling on the small flower in her palm. After pondering for a moment, he changed his tone, “How do you think this flower wreath I made turned out?”

The half-finished product in Meng Jun’s hand was somewhat more delicate than the first flower wreath he had made.

Li Ruantang nodded, “I told you Jiujiu’s craftsmanship isn’t bad. Look, this is only your second time making one, and it already looks quite presentable.”

“Then……” The young man’s face reddened at her praise, lowering his head to steal a glance at her, “Can I make a new one for wife-master?”

After all, he wasn’t from Hu Family Village, and according to Ah Ning, the Mountain Goddess was extremely perceptive of people’s hearts. She would surely understand that the first time he gave Li Ruantang a flower wreath was unintentional, while this time it was indeed heartfelt, but not out of deep affection. It was because his first flower wreath truly didn’t look good, and now Li Ruantang had lost her memory, becoming gentle and warm-hearted.

But what if she regained her memory and returned to that cold demeanor, then saw the flower wreath he had given…

The young man’s back chilled, glancing at her somewhat resentfully.

He would bet eight, no, nine out of ten.

***

Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)

One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.

Synopsis:

Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.

Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.

Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.

Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.

There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.