NOVPUB
Chapter 362: Chapter 365: Speaking from the Heart_1
"I... that was before I liked Chao Lian, it doesn’t count!"
Erhu explained anxiously.
He hadn’t even met her, so better not let Chao Lian know about this.
Qiao Duo’er and the others chuckled quietly—had he not just revealed his true feelings? Had he not just admitted he liked Chao Lian?
Suddenly, Erhu noticed an additional person in the courtyard—his beloved Chao Lian.
Seeing her bashful appearance, he was sure she had overheard everything.
Ooh, how embarrassing!
"I... You did that on purpose!" Erhu declared firmly.
Of all people there, Qiao Duo’er had the best hearing. She must have known Chao Lian was coming and deliberately set a trap for him to fall into.
Unfortunately, he had happily jumped right in.
Face blushing, Chao Lian explained, "I... I came over to see if I could be of help, I’ll go check over there."
Erhu followed her anxiously, swearing that wanting to marry Qiao Duo’er’s sister had been just a fleeting thought.
Please don’t be angry, because he didn’t know how to sweet-talk a girl!
Aunt Huang gave Tan Zhenghong a knowing look, then busied herself with other things.
"Wife, don’t mind them. You’ll always have me to cherish you," Tan Zhenghong said earnestly.
Qiao Duo’er nodded and rolled her eyes at Tan Zhenghong, "I’ve got nothing to do with them to begin with, I’m certainly not going to get upset over them."
You know... with us being an old married couple, there’s no need for such mushy stuff, haha.
If her original parents were good people, she wouldn’t take over someone else’s body for nothing. She’d give them her all, caring for them in their old age. If they were bad, who were they to her?
She wasn’t born a saint with a heart of gold for everyone.
Seeing his wife unaffected, Tan Zhenghong finally relaxed.
Having sent off the Qiao’s family members, the remaining tasks were dealt with smoothly.
Everyone was happy with the newly built house.
The banquet was lavish with delicious dishes, and plenty of alcohol—everyone could eat and drink their fill.
Tan Zhenghong, the head of the household, toasted everyone twice, ending up slightly tipsy.
After dinner, the craftsmen and guests dispersed. The helpers washed the dishes and had their meal with the cook before taking their red envelopes and leaving.
Only Uncle Huang and his wife and Erhu were left to help tidy up the yard.
"Let’s call it a day. Everyone should head back early and rest. Thank you all," Tan Zhenghong said gratefully.
Aunt Huang quickly waved her hand, "What are you talking about, child? We’re more than happy to help you."
Her son’s family lived in town, and sometimes the two of them felt lonely at home.
Having a younger person ask for their help was just the thing to alleviate that loneliness.
Qiao Duo’er handed out the prepared red envelopes to them.
"I don’t want it. I eat and drink at your place for free every day and still get paid. If I took the red envelope too, others would call me heartless," she protested.
Aunt Huang also refused, "We don’t want it either. If you’re going to be this formal, I won’t help you with anything in the future!"
"The old lady is right. I’d be upset too if you continued like this," Uncle Huang added.
With their firm stance, Qiao Duo’er reluctantly took back the red envelopes.
She didn’t like owing favors, but here, she seemed to owe more and more.
But that was normal. In this life, she was no longer living in darkness; she had a lover, neighbors, friends, and elders. It was natural to incur social obligations.
She needed to learn to share her heart, not just maintain relationships with silver.
