Ugly girl only wants to farm

Xu Chaoyan nodded in understanding. She glanced at Meng Jiuxia, who was sitting next to her, and gently shook her a few times. Usually, everyone would be asleep by this time.

Because they stayed up a little later today to celebrate the New Year, and because they were also a little tired during the day, Xu Chaoyan had already taken a nap and moved around a bit to ease her fatigue.

Meng Jiuxia rubbed her eyes, her voice slightly dazed: "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

Xu Chaoyan pointed outside and said, "It's almost midnight. Your older brother is going to set off firecrackers. Let's go back and rest first."

Earlier, Xiao Yaya had been yawning a lot, and they were worried that the elderly couple wouldn't be able to stay awake, so they told them to take Yaya back to rest first, while the younger ones would watch over her.

Meng Jiu and Zhang Xuyang had already gone outside to set off firecrackers.

Xu Chaoyan took her sister-in-law to fetch hot water, as there were still some embers left in the stove.

When Meng Jiuhe returned after setting off firecrackers, his hands were red from the cold. Xu Chaoyan saw him rubbing his hands and quickly put a hot water bottle in his hands.

"Let's warm up first, the hot water is ready."

As Xu Chaoyan was getting ready for bed, she accidentally shifted her pillow and was suddenly stunned by a red envelope underneath.

Meng Jiuhe saw that she was holding the red envelope in her hand and had a look on her face that said, "You've caught me."

Xu Chaoyan waved the red envelope in her hand and looked at him with a bright smile: "What's going on with this?"

Meng Jiu looked at her with a doting expression, walked over and sat down, gently ruffling her hair: "I originally wanted to give you a surprise, so you could find it yourself first thing tomorrow morning. Who would have thought you would find it ahead of time? There's no surprise at all."

Xu Chaoyan held the red envelope in her hand, feeling a mix of emotions. She had originally thought this man was cold-hearted and only focused on studying the classics, but she never expected him to be so thoughtful.

Meng Jiuhe rarely showed an unnatural smile. Xu Chaoyan saw that his face was flushed and he was a little embarrassed, so she couldn't help but poke his face with her finger again and again.

"What's wrong? Scholar Meng, you still have moments of embarrassment? If you want to give it to me, just give it to me openly and honestly. I'm actually quite happy to know in advance."

Meng Jiuhe took the red envelope directly from her hand, placed it under the pillow to weigh it down, and then took her hand and began to carefully examine it.

I still remember when Xu Chaoyan first married into the Meng family, although her face had all sorts of pustules, the skin on her hands was still quite good, smooth and delicate. Now her skin looks a bit rougher, and some calluses have grown on her fingers.

He felt a pang of heartache. Xu Chaoyan saw him silently fiddling with his fingers with his head down and wondered to herself what was wrong with him now. He was perfectly fine before.

She tentatively asked, "Husband, I'm so glad you prepared a red envelope for me. I should have prepared one for you too. It's all my fault for not thinking things through. How about I prepare one for you tomorrow?"

She thought Meng Jiu was angry that she hadn't prepared anything for him.

Meng Jiuhe raised her hand, his voice noticeably lower: "My wife, you have worked so hard this year managing the household. You not only supported my studies but also kept our little home in perfect order. What have I done to deserve you in this life? I was wrong before, and I apologize to you here."

Xu Chaoyan's face relaxed: "Hey, I thought you didn't get the red envelope and were still angry with me. Turns out you're here being all sentimental and saying all this to me. What's a little hardship? As long as you're happy, I'm happy, and everyone's happy, that's all that matters to me."

She thought to herself, "If I don't stand up for myself, are we going to starve to death relying on you, you scholar? Only when you're doing well can I be well. You idiot."

In this wicked old society, where husbands were considered the most important people, she couldn't easily leave or travel freely to explore the beautiful landscape without money. Besides, it was extremely inconvenient for a woman to travel alone. It was better to stay with her handsome husband, at least it would be pleasing to the eye.

"Alright, husband, let's not talk about this anymore. Go and rest. I have to get up early tomorrow morning to cook glutinous rice balls. Remember to eat a couple tomorrow so that all the bad luck will be gone."

Meng Jiu stroked her fingers, his voice becoming a little hoarse: "Yes, I'll listen to my wife and get some rest."

Xu Chaoyan soon realized that his so-called "resting early" was just a euphemism. An hour later, she rubbed her aching waist and pinched his waist hard a few times.

The next day, Xu Chaoyan finished making the glutinous rice balls, but before she could even start eating them, Shen Siheng started making a fuss at their door again.

Meng Jiuhe frowned repeatedly and began to complain, "Why can't this kid stay still? Didn't he just come here a few days ago? What is he doing here on the first day of the Lunar New Year?"

He originally wanted to spend some quality time with his wife, but he had to come and cause trouble again.

Xu Chaoyan rarely saw Meng Jiuhe show any disdain towards people, so Shen Siheng probably stepped on his landmine.

Xu Chaoyan didn't seem particularly angry. She quickly made a few more glutinous rice balls and threw them into the boiling water to cook. Then she went out to greet Shen Siheng.

"Young Master Shen, you've arrived quite early. Have you had breakfast yet? If you don't mind, please feel free to eat something."

Shen Siheng, carrying some firecrackers and snacks, nodded readily and added before leaving, "From now on, sister-in-law, just call me by my name. It feels too formal."

Then, as if it were his own home, he came in, sat down in the kitchen, and started stuffing firewood in.

Startled, Xu Chaoyan quickly gave Meng Jiuhe a meaningful look. This ancestor had stuffed a whole stove full of firewood into her kitchen last time, wasting a lot of firewood. Not to mention, they had only been here a short time, and all the firewood they had was bought with money.

Meng Jiuhe then went over and pushed the man aside.

"Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry to trouble you today. My house is so quiet. My sister-in-law went back to her parents' home, and my mother also took my younger sister back to her parents' home. There are only three of us grown men left at home. We looked at each other and decided to come out early this morning to look for you. There's a temple fair in the city today, the first day of the lunar month. Shall I take you to have a look?"

Upon hearing that there was something exciting to watch, Xu Chaoyan quickly got to work.

“My dear husband, let’s take my sister and invite my elder sister to go and have a look. I’ve heard that the temple fair in this city is very lively, and it’s packed with people on the first day of the lunar new year. Let’s go and pray for good luck.”

Shen Siheng nodded: "Yes, the temple fair here is indeed quite lively. Last night after midnight, many people rushed to burn the first incense. My father and older brother also went to try to get there last night, so they were still fast asleep when I left. That's why I came to find you."

After all, Mr. and Mrs. Zhang were getting on in years and didn't like crowds. Besides, there were firecrackers going off everywhere and crowds of people outside, so they didn't want to go out and squeeze in.

Zhang Xuyang was also worried about them going out, so the two elders stayed at home and guarded the yard.

A group of young people got together and chattered incessantly, but it was mostly Shen Siheng and Meng Jiuxia who were talking.

Meng Jiuhe remained calm and composed, occasionally exchanging a few words with Zhang Xuyang.

"Brother Meng, I heard that the county school will officially start on the fifteenth. The exam for the current students is also on that day. How are your preparations? Are you confident?"

Meng Jiuhe nodded calmly: "Let nature take its course, we'll just do our best."

Just then, a joyful voice suddenly came from afar.

“Shen Siheng, is that really you? Did you bring your friend to the temple fair? Would you like to stop by for tea and a rest later? I’ve booked a private room there.”

Qin Zhenzhen's gaze bypassed Xu Chaoyan and the others, lingering on Meng Jiuhe for a long time.

Today, Meng Jiuhe was wearing a new dress made by his wife. The moon-white robe made him look even more elegant and handsome.

This chapter was accidentally cut off when it was copied. While I was agonizing over whether to rewrite it or rethink what I wrote, I finally found it! Waaaaah!