Chapter 199: Visit
About the question of rounding the house, Li Man couldn’t straight up answer anything even if she’s beaten to death. At the end of the day, she’s still a woman, did she have to comply with this kind of thing? The environment, the atmosphere and the feelings of both parties, all were indispensable. He set the date so suddenly, there’s even no rehearsal whatsoever, her heart couldn’t accept it no matter what.
“Man Er, what do you say?” Seeing her without words, Li Mo seriously asked once more, rounding the room was a big event, they can’t be sloppy about it.
What can she say? Agree to it? Their house only have two rooms, so they have to go to hers to do the deeds? Who’s going to be first?
Ngh… can’t think about it anymore.
Li Man’s face was boiling hot, she gave an angry glare at him, “The sky is getting dark, you still don’t want to go back? They’re going to search for us.”
“Then, you agreed?” Li Mo was wild with joy, his mind was already planning if there’s anything that should be prepared first. At least, the room has to be cleaned, the brick bed has to be more comfortable, he also has to find some spare time to wash himself clean for her.
“I don’t care about you anymore.” Looking at his face rippling with spring joy, Li Man ruthlessly glared at him and rushed forward with small steps.
Li Mo’s smile got wider and wider, knowing that she’s shy, he caught up to her in just a few steps, “Slow down, be careful not to fall.”
Li Man ignored him and ran to the entrance of the village, when she happened to bump into Li Yan and Li Shu who were looking for them in a flurry.
“Wife, where have you been?” When Li Shu saw her, he ran to her in haste, clutching her hand and nervously asked.
Li Yan’s eyes faintly lingered on Li Man’s face, and then fell to Li Mo who’s behind her, “Big brother, today’s washing clothes was really troublesome, even two people had to go from afternoon until the sky got dark.”
Hearing Second Brother’s ridiculing tone, Li Mo felt a little embarrassed, but he couldn’t hold back the wide smile from appearing on his face. He came over and patted Second Brother’s shoulder as he said apologetically, “We let you worried about us. I only brought Man Er to the mountain to go around.”
“Is there anything good in the mountain?” Li Shu looked at Li Man with a puzzled look, jealousy already appeared in his eyes, “Do you like it? I’ll take you there next time.”
Li Yan scrutinized and examined Li Man, “Going around?”
Li Mo looked at Li Man, lightly snorted and answered Li Yan’s question, “That’s right, going around. Man Er also picked a lot of wild garlic, she said that it’s delicious.”
Stared at by three men who were all her husbands, Li Man couldn’t help but felt nervous, “It’s already night, let’s go home, Little Five is waiting for us worriedly.” She hastily got rid off them and walked forward.
“You know that we’re worried but still late going home?” Li Yan casted her a dissatisfied look, followed her from by her side and slowly went home.
Li Man suddenly didn’t dare to face Li Yan and Li Shu. When they got back home, she immediately took the wild garlic and eggs from the basket and went straight to the kitchen.
In fact, when Li Yan looked at her expression, he already knew there’s something wrong. He could still let her go, but he would not let Li Mo go.
Waiting until Li Man went into the kitchen, Li Mo was dragged to the East Room by Li Yan and Li Shu.
“Big brother, what did you do with her this whole afternoon?” Looking at big brother’s smile stretching from one’s ear to the other, Li Yan couldn’t help but felt sour.
Li Shu also sniffed out a bit of peculiarity, excited and sour he asked, “Big brother, did you kidnapped her to the mountain and secretly ate her?”
The two younger brothers asked this directly, even Little Five was standing on edge, staring with big eyes and earnestly questioned him.
Li Mo felt a bit embarrassed and vexed, “Nonsense, we didn’t do anything.”
“Nothing is done? Then why our wife blushing like that?” Li Shu thought that something’s not right.
Li Yan, on the other hand, was relieved. He believed big brother’s words, however, he only believed that he hasn’t eaten her yet. As for other things, what already happened could be seen clearly from those two people’s expressions.
“Big brother, do you think we’re fools? Oh, no, it’s awkward, there’s still Little Five.” Li Yan deliberately pulled Little Five to his side and asked big brother.
In fact, Li Mo also didn’t want to conceal the good news. He was only waiting for when they want to go to sleep and seriously tell them, but who knew that these few people were unsettled, he could only say, “Man Er already agreed.”
“Agreed to what?” Li Yan’s heart was jumping, he already realized what was happening. His inner ecstasy gushed out, only waiting for Li Mo’s words.
Li Mo didn’t let them down and said slowly, “She agreed to be our wife.”
“Ah, really? That’s great!” Li Shu excitedly shout and jumped.
Li Yan busily held him, “Third brother, don’t be too happy too early.”
“What do you mean?” Li Shu didn’t understand.
Li Yan looked at Li Mo, “Has she promised to rounding the room with us?”
“That’s right.” Li Shu also asked, this was what the brothers most concerned about.
Li Mo’s face was red, he looked at Little Five with a tangled expression, “Little Five, you should go to the kitchen and see if she need a hand.”
“Big brother, I want to hear, sister is my wife too.” Little Five straightened his back at this time, he made a serious declaration.
The other three brothers’ head were full of black line, Li Shu slapped the back of Little Five’s head, “She’s indeed your wife, but you shouldn’t concern yourself over this matter now.”
Little Five hit Li Shu’s arm back and said, “No way, she’s my wife, if you guys want to round the room, then I want to do it too.”
“Do you even understand what rounding the room means?” Li Shu asked him with a teasing smile.
Little Five actually didn’t quite understand, but he felt if he’s excluded now, it would be difficult in the later years, of course he didn’t want it, “What do you care? Anyway, sister is also my wife.”
“Little Thing, why are you so stubborn?” Li Shu really wanted to kick him out at this time. There are a lot of brothers already, why does this little one wants to grab her too? Haa…
Li Yan was anxious and interrupted their conversation, “Alright, alright, how about listening to big brother now?”
Thus those few people one by one looked at Li Mo.
“I’ve looked at the calendar, three days from now would be a good day for rounding the room. But our wife hasn’t given her approval yet.” Li Mo truthfully confessed.
“Three days from now?” Li Shu got really impatient and excited, “Then I have to prepare everything perfectly.”
“What do you want to prepare?” Li Mo busily asking, his intention to learn was too obvious.
Li Shu sneered, “you will know when the time comes.”
“Wait, wait.” Li Mo busily held him, “Our wife hasn’t given her approval yet, you shouldn’t mess things up.”
“I know.” Li Shu let out an evil smile.
Li Yan thought about it and asked Li Mo, “She also didn’t refuse, right?”
“En.” Li Mo nodded.
Li Yan understood, “Alright, I know. But, big brother, if we round the room three days later, fourth brother won’t be at home, we three brothers… En?”
Although he didn’t say the later part, but the meaning was so obvious.
Li Mo lost his temper from being embarrassed, even though they’re brothers, but these words were still too straightforward, “Then, what do you say we should do?”
He wanted to say that he’s the oldest in the family, it’s also a natural order to start from him, but this status would also suppress them, wasn’t it too much? Besides, will they really be convinced?
“Of course big brother should be first.” Although Li Shu’s heart could vomit vinegar, but he always thought that this was what his older brother should have.
Li Mo’s heart was comforted, his face brimming with smile as he looked at Li Yan.
Li Yan actually wanted to suggest on drawing lots, but looking at big brother’s eyes full of expectation, he couldn’t bring out what he wanted to say. But only god knows how much he wanted that girl.
“Second brother?” Li Shu bumped Li Yan, “What are you thinking about?”
Li Yan smiled at Li Mo, “Then, big brother, you have to behave well.”
His words also tacitly agreed on Li Mo being the person to deflower Li Man, it’s just, he felt dejected, Li Mo also felt a bit awkward, “Second brother-“
“Alright, big brother, recuperate yourself these days. That’s right, how’s your back’s injury?” Li Yan asked with care.
Li Mo was gratified and nodded, “It’s okay already.”
“Then that’s good.” After Li Yan said this, he turned around and went out the door.
Li Mo saw his lonely back, he wanted to follow but what can he say to Second brother, letting him be Man Er’s first? Will his own heart be willing to do that?
Li Mo suddenly felt uncomfortable, this was his first time being selfish. He could give up everything else if his younger brothers wanted it, but he couldn’t say the same if Li Man was involved.
Fortunately Li Shu pulled him at that time, asking if they will round the room at the same night or one by one in order, letting him turned his attention somewhere else.
The sky has completely turned dark, Li Yan stood under the eaves looking at the dark blue sky when he suddenly felt his breathing was obstructed.
There’s a sound of cooking at the kitchen when Li Man coughed twice, seemingly got choked by the smoke rising up.
Li Yan turned his body and got inside.
At the corner on the top of the kitchen range, a small oil lamp was lit. Under the dim light, Li Man was flustered as she brought out the dishes from the cooking pot.
“Is it burnt?” Li Yan could smell something burning. When he walked nearer, surely enough, the dishes in the plate were really burnt.
Li Man was feeling guilty to death as she ran back and forth with the pot. It’s because she was absentminded from time to time, and now this good scrambled eggs with wild garlic was burnt to crisp.
“What are you thinking about?” Li Yan reached his hand as he tidied up her messy hair, revealing her white and delicate cheeks.
Li Man cocked her head slightly to the side, escaping his hand and put the plate down, “I still have to cook rice.”
“Man Er.” Li Yan caught her hand and looked at her with a complicated expression.
Li Man turned her head to look at him, “What happened?”
It was this stunned and innocent look that made him felt a lot of reluctance inside his heart, “Do you like big brother?”
“…” Li Man didn’t change her expression, “What do you want to do by asking me this?”
“Do you like him?” If she shake her head, then he will veto his third brother (of being Li Man’s first).
“Hasn’t your big brother already told you everything?” Li Man carefully noticed his peculiarity.
Li Yan was somewhat disappointed by her reaction, “You saying it like this, so you really like big brother?”
“I have to cook.” If Li Mo already said everything, shouldn’t he be happy? What’s with his attitude right now?
Li Yan released her hand and watched her squatted and busy herself under the stove. He let out a mocking smile, what could he expect, why should he get himself entangled?
Besides, he still could have her endless nights to come.
“Girl, have you prepared everything?” putting aside distracting thoughts, Li Yan has a more interesting idea. If he’s sad, then she should take some punishment.
Li Yan didn’t tell her clearly, only winking at her
“…” Li Man was flustered, is this about rounding the room?
When they were eating their dinner, Li Man was more certain that Li Yan’s unclear word before was really referring to rounding the room, because the stares of those brothers on her were too obvious, even Little Five was acting somewhat different.
What’s more frightening was that burnt dish, even though they were dumbfounded and hesitated to eat it, especially Li Shu, they unexpectedly still have the energy to say that it was delicious.
Just, their staring at her so firmly, lying through their teeth and saying delicious over and over, really made her doubtful; was the food or her that’s delicious?
Li Man was in a mess, this feeling of impossibility to stop halfway, she knew that it wasn’t a good idea to agree with Li Mo, how could it be any good?
Was three days from now really a good day? Then why she feel like its going to be the doomsday instead? Especially when she’s thinking of Li Yan’s evil laugh, Li Shu’s hungry wolf-like eyes, she really wanted to hide.
Sure enough, the next morning, even though she woke up early, she hid in the bed and refused to go out to see anyone.
Finally, Li Mo knocked on the door, “Man Er, have you woken up?”
“Oh.” She sat on the bed, and answered with a depressed voice.
“Breakfast is ready. Moreover, we (brothers) already picked a lot of wild garlic, don’t you want to see it?”
“Wild garlic?” Li Man remembered that they would go to the market to sell them today, she opened the quilt and walked over, “Oh, okay, I’ll come right away.”
Li Mo waited at the door as he heard rustling sound from inside, his handsome face exhibited a gentle smile.
Li Man wore her clothes, combed her hair and went out, Li Mo who was standing at the door said, “Wash yourself first then eat some breakfast, okay?”
“Wild garlic, did you all pick them?” Li Man was very curious.
“En.” Li Mo pointed to the two baskets in the yard, “It’s all there, I and three brothers went there this morning to pick them up.”
“You all woke up very early.” Li Man smiled a little, ashamed of her own laziness.
“Second and third brother still need to go to work.” Li Mo explained.
Li Man felt apologetic in her heart, she should have gotten up early and cook for everyone. Hah, she already promised to herself, what was she doing, feeling embarrassed and afraid, holing herself up inside the quilt?
However, she still won’t let them succeed so easily. Otherwise, she’s afraid she wouldn’t be able to stand (because of fatigue) those five men in the future.
Thinking like that, Li Man felt a bit more at ease. She walked to the courtyard and grabbed a small bunch of wild garlic. The soil on the roots was already cleaned, the dead leaves were also picked aside, this was good, after all they should have a good outward appearance for selling.
“Eat first, I’ll go with you to the market in a while.” Li Mo smiled at her.
“Okay.” Li Man put back the wild garlic, went to the kitchen, took some water and washed her face and rinsed her mouth. After that she hurriedly finished breakfast.
Waiting for her until she finished her breakfast, Li Mo then took a bag of water and put it on the cart, he then let Little Five to look after the house before he went with Li Man.
She already walked the road leading outside the mountain once, so she didn’t feel anything, but from time to time, when she sat on the small cart, her eyes saw mountains and beautiful landscapes, she felt freedom inside.
It was already noon when they arrived at the small town outside the village. At this time, there were hardly any people left.
Li Mo proposed to go to the place where Li Hua studied.
Li Mo nodded happily as she was very curious about what the ancient academy looked like.
Only when she arrived did she know that this wasn’t a government school but a private one as there were only several courtyards. It was said that private school was also good, however there weren’t that many student studying.
Li Hua was very pleasantly surprised as he never expected that his older brother would go with Man Er to see him.
At that time, he was cooking in the kitchen. But when he saw them, he immediately put down the knife for cutting vegetables and greeted them, “Big brother, how come were you both here?
“There’s just a bit of things that we need to do.” Li Mo said casually. At the same time, he looked at Li Hua carefully and finally felt that something’s not right, “It’s only a few days, how come you’re so thin? You can’t always study too hard and neglect your own health.”
“En.” Li Hua gave a response, but he kept on staring at Li Man. He also didn’t expect that in just a few days of not seeing her, the thoughts in his heart surged like a tide that can’t be controlled.
Li Man was embarrassed by his fervent staring and went into the kitchen, “What are you cooking? Let me help.”
“There’s no need for that. You both walked all the way here, aren’t you tired? Come to my room for a drink.” Li Hua walked in front and lead them to his room.
“En.” Li Mo gave a look to Li Man and they both walked behind Li Hua.
Li Hua’s room was located at the corner of the courtyard. Its small and can only accommodate a single person bed with a table and a chair, but the inside was clean and tidy nevertheless. The most important thing was the ventilation and light was good.
“So you live in here?” Li Man looked around curiously and asked, she thought it would be like a dormitory where several people lived together in modern times.
“En.” Li Hua drew a stool from under the table and let Li Mo sit and proceeded to pour water for the two people.
“I’m not thirsty. Fourth brother, you should sit and drink too, don’t just study everyday and tire your brain out.” Li Mo was a bit distressed for his fourth brother.
Li Hua felt embarrassed because for the past few days he actually couldn’t focus on studying. When he saw Li Man bending over the window with curiosity looking at outside, he smiled, “You two should sit first. I’ll go to the teacher and ask for a leave.”
“There’s no need to do that, we’d go in a while.” Li Mo busily said as he got up.
Li Hua said, “Big brother, you should sit down first. I have something to say when I come back.”
Saying this, he went out the door and ran to the other main house, gently knocked on the door and went inside. Not long after, he went out.
Going back to his room, he said to Li Mo, “Big brother, my teacher want to speak with you for a bit..”
“With me?” Li Mo was drinking water and spit it out a little as he was slightly surprised, “What’s your teacher want to speak with me about?”
“I think it should be about my study-related matter.” Li Hua answered, although actually he already knew what’s going on.
Li Mo gave a look at Li Man and said, “Then, I’ll go in a bit. I’ll come back immediately.”
Li Man nodded, “En.”
Li Hua keenly observed the gaze between her and big brother. It wasn’t there when he was still at home a few days ago. Did something happen when he wasn’t with her?
Li Hua sent out Li Mo to his teacher’s room, then he quickly ran back to his small room.
“What’s wrong?” Li Man heard his hurried footsteps and couldn’t help but ask
“Nothing.” Li Man hastily answered as he quickly closed the door and window.
The room suddenly got dark and Li Man was stunned, “What are you doing, closing the window?”
As soon as she turned her head, she felt a shadow looming after her and her whole body was suddenly swept into his arms by force.
“Man Er.” Li Hua hugged her tightly.
“Li Hua, what’s wrong with you?” his hug was too tight and she found it a little bit difficult to breathe.
Li Hua reluctantly loosened his embrace as he looked at the fair and clear contours of her face, his eyes grew deep, “Man Er, these days, is everything good?”
“En? Its very good.” Is he worried about her? Li Man suddenly laughed and continued, “It’s always like that at home every day, you don’t have to worry.”
When Li Hua heard it, he felt dejected, “It’s all the same with or without me.”
“Ah?” What kind of misunderstanding is this? Li Hua busily changed the topic, “Li Hua, is it difficult studying in here? Do you cook every day?”
Li Hua didn’t want her to worry about the situation in here too much, he only asked, “Do you ever miss me?”
“Li Hua…” Li Man felt that there’s something wrong. He deliberately closed the windows and even took Li Mo away.
“I miss you.” Li Hua suddenly hold her face, a soft and warm lips gently fell on hers.
“Li Hua.” Li Man tried to break free from him and looked at him helplessly, “Don’t be like this, okay?”
Li Hua only stared at her closely, his breathing a little haggard, “Man Er, I have to go to Fu City with my teacher in a few days, I have to at least spend half a month before I could come back.”
“Ah? Is Fu City very far?” Li Man suddenly felt reluctant too. She’s worried because ancient transportation isn’t the same like the modern ones, the road’s dangers was even more unpredictable.
“En.” Li Hua nodded his head eagerly as he kissed her forehead and said quickly, “Originally, if you didn’t come today, I still planned on going back home tomorrow. Man Er, I really miss you.”
His lips slowly slipped down from her cheeks to her soft lips, desparately telling his thoughts and reluctance again and again.
TL NOTE
府城 [Fu City]: Capital of Fu perfecture (from Tang to Qing dynasty) / perfectural seat. Government administrative post was here.
Sorry about the late update guys. Actually my reason for the lateness is because of my inability to decide on the title’s translation. You see, the title is 探望 which can be translated to either 1 look about, 2 call on somebody (usu. from afar) or 3 visit. To match the title and the story, I had to finish translating it first (yeah, I’m kinda weird like that). What’s more, I don’t really have that much time translating, so be sure to be patient on me, kay?
Anyway, I think Li Yan and Man Er really have a major misunderstanding. If they don’t talk and be open about it, it would get worse and worse. Although Li Yan doesn’t want to hurt Li Man whatsoever, but his emotion could get the best of him if he’s hurt. And Li Man’s running away and prejudice doesn’t help at all. It’s a toxic relationship imo.
And, Li Hua came back!! With a kiss too! (☆´3｀) I miss you~
Sometimes, I forgot that they’re still teenagers. That explains their horndog mind and immaturity, lol.
As always, let me know in the comment if there’s any mistake! Ciao~!