When the pears are green

In the dim light, the town lost its bustle as it did during the day, and even the wandering beggars returned to their homes.

Bursts of dog barking and footsteps sounded behind Li Yun'an who was hurrying on his way. Frightened, Li Yun'an quickly covered his ears and ran towards the alley where his home was. He didn't even hear the greetings from the neighbors who came out of the alley to check what was going on.

"Why is this kid running away?" the old man with slightly gray hair muttered in dissatisfaction.

Another strong man holding a lantern told the old man to stop talking, saying that the drought was getting worse and the nights were becoming increasingly uneasy.

The two men stared at the entrance of the alley for a while, and only returned home with peace of mind after seeing that there were no strange people or objects nearby. After they locked the gate, they used a few thick sticks to prop it up.

Li Yun'an lowered his head and continued to run forward, almost bumping into Li Ying who was waiting for him at the gate of the courtyard with a lantern.

Li Ying did not blame Li Yun'an. He first took a look at the deserted alley entrance in the dim light, and then pulled Li Yun'an towards home.

"You little brat, don't you know what the situation is? How dare you come back so late?" Li Ying cursed and threw the blown-out lantern at Li Yun'an. Knowing he was in the wrong, Li Yun'an quickly reached out to catch it.

Mrs. Li Liu pushed the angry Li Ying aside and said that as long as Li Yun'an came back safely, it would be fine.

"Yes, Dad. Besides, my brother also went to Nanguan to find Sister Yang. He didn't mean to come back so late." Lingling hurriedly explained to Li Ying on behalf of Li Yun'an who kept his head down and didn't speak.

Li Ying looked Li Yun'an up and down, then motioned Li Liu to ask Li Yun'an.

Li Liu cleared her throat and asked with a smile, "Yun'an, why did you go to see Miss Yang? Didn't you say you two are not familiar with each other?"

"I just went to ask her some questions, and she said we were quite familiar with each other." Li Yun'an rubbed his hands uncomfortably. He was afraid that Li Liu would ask more questions, so he shouted that he was hungry and wanted to eat first.

The other three members of the Li family looked at Li Yun'an who was fleeing in panic, and they all made "tsk tsk" sounds at the same time.

"Yun'an, do you want your mother to find a matchmaker?" Li Liu walked up to Li Yun'an who was eating and asked.

Li Yun'an shook his head and explained to Li Liu that he would ask Yang Jing tomorrow. He was afraid that if Yang Jing was unwilling, it would make them both very embarrassed.

Li Liu looked at Li Yun'an in disbelief. She didn't expect that Li Yun'an, who was always smart and clever, had become a complete fool in this matter.

"Well, then you must ask all the questions you want to ask tomorrow, because you will go to the county school the day after tomorrow. You can ask Miss Yang directly, don't beat around the bush. Zhimin came here today, and he said that he will send you and Mingde to the county school the day after tomorrow. He also asked me to ask you if you want to bring a husband named Jiang Qian with you." Although Li Liushi disliked Li Yun'an's dullness in her heart, she could only guide him bit by bit.

Li Yun'an quickly said that he understood. He was planning to find Yang Jing first tomorrow and then find Jiang Qian.

All night long, the sound of dogs barking could be heard one after another.

At daybreak, the news that several homes had been robbed spread throughout the town.

Upon hearing the news, Master Li looked worriedly at Li Yi who was talking to Jiang Qingye and Song Xing, and then asked Song Li embarrassedly: "Madam Jiang, can you let Nian Nian stay at your house for a while? I'm afraid that the study will become the target of the thieves. After all, everyone in the town knows that only the two of us live here. If they just want the things, it's fine, but I'm afraid they will lose all conscience."

Song Li quickly agreed, and she persuaded Master Li and Li Yi to live together in the Jiang family first.

Master Li rejected Song Li's kindness. He sighed and told Song Li, "I am grateful to Madam Jiang for taking Nian Nian in. This library was left by my father, and I have to take care of it. Besides, I am an old man, and they won't do anything to me."

Song Li stopped trying to persuade Master Li. She said she would ask Jiang Qingzhou to come and pick up the three children in the afternoon.

Master Li thanked Song Li again. After comforting Master Li, Song Li hurried to the restaurant to deliver bean sprouts, and then returned to the market to set up a stall.

The vendors at the market were discussing what happened last night, and the air was filled with a sense of unease.

As the drought continues, people have begun to cut back on their daily spending and the bean sprout business is not doing well.

Just as Song Li was staring at the bean sprouts in a daze, Li Yun'an walked to the stall. He first bought three pounds of bean sprouts, and then told Song Li about what happened to Ruyi yesterday afternoon.

Song Li smiled and glanced at Chen Yuan who heard everything she said clearly. She suppressed her smile and thanked Li Yun'an, and said that she would ask Ruyi to be more careful about the man who looked rather cruel.

Li Yun'an paid the copper coins and wanted to leave. Chen Yuan, who was standing next to him, quickly turned his face to the side to prevent himself from being recognized by Li Yun'an.

Song Li couldn't help it, she covered her mouth and laughed softly, attracting the attention of passers-by and surrounding vendors.

Chen Yuan dispersed the onlookers and asked Song Li helplessly, "Is it so funny?"

Song Li smiled and nodded.

"Cousin, when will my cousin be home? I want to go see the land in the afternoon." Chen Yuan's words successfully stopped Song Li's laughter.

Song Li waved her hands quickly after hearing this, saying that she was not Chen Yuan's cousin. Then she told Chen Yuan about the digging of ditches in Jiangjia Village, and asked Chen Yuan to come to her house to find Jiang Qingzhou at noon.

Chen Yuan nodded, said goodbye to Song Li, and continued to patrol the market.

Afterwards, two more groups of customers came to the stall. After putting the copper coins into her purse, Song Li suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to ask Li Yun'an how his talk with Yang Jing went yesterday afternoon.

At this time, Li Yun'an was hiding behind a locust tree on the left side of the entrance to Yangjia Hutong and watched Yang Yu leave. He waited for Yang Yu to walk away and immediately walked into the hutong. When he arrived at Yang's house, he met Yang Jing's eyes as she was about to close the door.

Yang Jing looked back at Yang Zhang who was spinning in the yard. She asked Li Yun'an quietly, "Mr. Li, what brings you here today?"

Li Yun'an brought the basket of bean sprouts to Yang Jing. He smiled and said that he bought it from Song Li and it was delicious.

Yang Jing looked at Li Yun'an speechlessly. She said that she would not accept the gift without any merit, and asked Li Yun'an to take it back himself.

Seeing that Yang Jing refused, Li Yun'an was about to put the basket into Yang Jing's hands, but Yang Jing quickly put her hands aside.

The two people's actions quickly attracted the attention of Yang Zhang, and she asked Yang Jing: "Jing'er, who is at the door?"

"Auntie, it's me." Li Yun'an quickly leaned over to greet Yang Zhang.

Yang Zhang looked at Li Yun'an carefully and recognized him as the young man who had come to her house with Wu Mingde before.

Yang Zhang thought Li Yun'an was looking for Yang Yu, so she quickly said that Yang Yu was not at home and asked Li Yun'an to come back at noon or in the evening.

"Auntie, I'm here to see Miss Yang." Li Yun'an hurriedly explained to Yang Zhang.

Yang Zhang stood up and walked to the gate. She first glanced at Yang Jing who was playing with her fingers, then asked Li Yun'an with a smile: "What does the young husband want to see Jing'er for?"

"My name is Li Yun'an, you can call me Yun'an. I met Madam Jiang at the market, and she asked me to help deliver some bean sprouts to Miss Yang." Li Yun'an made up an excuse for himself.

Yang Zhang took the basket that Li Yun'an handed over and asked Yang Jing in confusion, "Jing'er, who is Madam Jiang?"

"Auntie, she is Mingde's fiancée's sister. Miss Yang has a good relationship with her." Li Yun'an hurriedly explained for Yang Jing.

Yang Zhang's eyes moved back and forth between Yang Jing and Li Yun'an.

"Mr. Li, please thank Madam Jiang on behalf of Jing'er. If the matchmaker hadn't brought someone home to see the girl soon, I would have let Jing'er go and thank her in person." After Yang Zhang finished speaking, she hinted to Li Yun'an to leave, as the time agreed with the matchmaker was approaching.

Li Yun'an ignored Yang Zhang's hint and mustered up the courage to ask Yang Jing, "Madam Jiang is still at the market. Do you want to go with me to see her?"

"I…"

Yang Jing, who originally wanted to refuse, was unable to say no after seeing Li Yun'an's pleading eyes.

Yang Jing knew that although Li Yun'an was witty and humorous in his daily life, he was actually very reserved at heart. It was beyond Yang Jing's expectation that he could say such words.

"I wanted to go see Xiaoli, but my mother said I was sick and couldn't see anyone." Yang Jing changed the subject. Without waiting for Yang Zhang to express her opinion, she urged Li Yun'an, who was still in a daze, to hurry up.