Song Mingze's mind was filled with Qi Zhenzhen's angry face. As he stumbled back to his room, Chen Shi asked with some bewilderment, "Ze, didn't you say you wanted to go to town? Why are you back already?"
Song Mingze then remembered that he had met Qi Zhenzhen on his way out.
That fiery figure, who had been a scrawny girl before, why did she suddenly seem like a different person?
Beautiful eyes that shone, a charming smile that captivated – these were not enough to describe her current appearance. She was so radiant that with just one glance, he became smitten.
"What are you spacing out for? Mother is asking you a question!" Chen Shi nudged Song Mingze. "If you don't leave now, you'll miss the ox cart to town."
"If I miss it, I won't go. Mother, I don't feel like moving today." Song Mingze said nonchalantly. He had only wanted to go to town to clear his head and relieve his restlessness. Now that he wasn't restless, it didn't matter whether he went or not.
"Don't feel like moving?" Chen Shi wiped her hands on her apron and reached out to feel Song Mingze's forehead. "You didn't catch a chill from studying by lamplight at night, did you? Hurry up and get on the kang to lie down. I'll make you a bowl of ginger soup. Drink it while it's hot to ward off the cold."
Song Mingze nodded. "Alright."
He didn't want to drink ginger soup, but to get his mother to leave quickly, he had to agree.
Song Mingze took off his outer robe and burrowed into the covers, his mind filled with the thought of how wonderful it would be if Qi Zhenzhen were to snuggle into bed with him.
Thinking this, Song Mingze felt a wave of heat surge through him. Scholars were often romantic and passionate. Several of his classmates already had sweethearts, and when they gathered, they couldn't help but talk about romance and love. Song Mingze used to just listen casually, but now he felt that it truly was a beautiful thing, otherwise, why would he be thinking about it?
Chen Shi brought in the ginger soup she had brewed and saw Song Mingze's flushed face, looking concerned. "Oh no, I must go and fetch Doctor Mo. You must have caught a chill."
"Mother, Mother, don't fuss. I've been cooped up at home all day, how could I have caught a chill? I was just thinking too hard and got agitated. Give me the ginger soup, and I'll sweat it out." Song Mingze called out to stop her.
Chen Shi thought about it and agreed. Her son's face was red, but he seemed energetic, so she wasn't as worried.
After Song Mingze drank the ginger soup, she quickly tucked him back into bed and sat beside him, watching him.
"Mother was going to arrange a marriage for you, but you always refused. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to take care of you after you're married?" Chen Shi mumbled while doing her needlework. "Several boys your age in the village are already married, and two of them have wives who are already pregnant. Mother knows you're devoted to your studies, but one must establish a family before establishing a career. How can you establish a career without a family?"
In the past, Song Mingze would have impatiently interrupted Chen Shi, but today he didn't. As his mother spoke, Qi Zhenzhen's image still flickered in his mind. If he could marry her, it would be so beautiful, with her by his side, accompanying him.
"Why are you spacing out again?" Chen Shi looked up and saw her son staring blankly at the ceiling, chiding him.
"Mother, what do you think of Qi Zhenzhen?" Song Mingze slowly uttered.
Chen Shi froze, her needle veering off course and pricking her finger. The pain shot through her, and Chen Shi quickly put her finger in her mouth, sucking on it to stop the bleeding. "What did you just say?"
"I said, I'm interested in Qi Zhenzhen," Song Mingze repeated.
Chen Shi put down her needlework and said seriously, "Son, give up this idea. It's impossible."
Song Mingze thought Chen Shi looked down on Qi Zhenzhen. "Mother, how is it impossible? Zhenzhen is capable and has a good temperament. Why do you still look down on her?"
Chen Shi glared at Song Mingze. "Did I say I looked down on her? It's the Qi family who looks down on you. If we had proposed a marriage with the Qi family half a year ago, Yun Shi would have agreed without hesitation. But now, son, tell me yourself, in our village, whose life is as good as the Qi family's? Just their pickled cabbage business, that bright silver flows in every day. Do you think the Qi family would look favorably upon us?"
Song Mingze was speechless, but also a little unconvinced. "Grandfather is the village head, and I am a scholar. If I pass the exams in the future, I will become an official. Why wouldn't they look favorably upon us? Their family is well-off, but they are just merchants, with no status. After marrying me, she can even become a titled lady in the future. Such a good thing, why do you think they wouldn't agree?"
As he said this, the incident with the Du family was still fresh in his mind. Du Xiang was handsome and studied diligently. By all rights, he was no worse than his son, yet the Qi family still didn't think highly of him. To be honest, their own family had an advantage. His father-in-law was on good terms with the Qi family, and the second branch of the family also had a good relationship with them. If they could marry Qi Zhenzhen into the family, it would be good for the Luo family, and with them acting as intermediaries, this matter might actually succeed.
"Alright, Mother understands your thoughts. Don't rush this matter. Mother will go and sound them out first. After that, you must not speak carelessly. If the Qi family doesn't agree, you should focus on your studies, and Mother will find you a good girl from a respectable family. Don't you go acting like you'll die if you can't have Qi Zhenzhen," Chen Shi warned.
Song Mingze happily agreed. He was confident that Zhenzhen would take a liking to him. Wasn't that stomp she gave him earlier just a sign of a shy maiden? Song Mingze had heard from his classmates that when a girl acts shy around you, it means she has feelings for you.
In the evening, Yu Shi, who had just returned from work, was mysteriously pulled into the house by Chen Shi. Chen Shi got straight to the point, declaring that she had taken a liking to Qi Zhenzhen and wanted her as her daughter-in-law. Yu Shi wasn't too surprised; if her own Mingyue were a son, she would also have taken a liking to Zhenzhen.
"This matter isn't as simple as you liking her. It depends on the Qi family's wishes. Regardless of whether the Qi family is interested or not, you must keep this under wraps. A girl's reputation is the most important thing. Also, if the Qi family refuses, don't think of causing any trouble. Zhenzhen is not someone to be trifled with. If you can marry her, it's our family's good fortune. If you can't, don't dwell on it; it just means the two children have no fate," Yu Shi said sternly.
Chen Shi gave her a sideways glance. "I know what I'm doing. You're on good terms with Yun Shi, so sound her out. You've watched our Ze grow up since he was little, you know what kind of person he is."
Yu Shi nodded and said nothing more before returning to her room.
"Mother, why was Eldest Aunt looking for you so mysteriously?" Song Mingyue pouted. "What bad idea is she hatching now?"
Yu Shi poked Song Mingyue's forehead. "How many times have I told you, a girl must be composed? Why should you, a young lady, concern yourself with grown-ups' affairs?"
"Didn't you tell me to pay attention to everything?" Song Mingyue said aggrievedly. "The more I ask, the more you dislike me."