Chapter 157 - 157: She Must Be Shy
“I don’t care for anything right now other than making money,” replied Qiao Xiaomai.
She meant every word.
Any man, regardless of what he’s like, she just isn’t interested in.
In her former life, she had a boyfriend who was her college classmate.
Although he came from a humble family, he treated her exceptionally well, so much so that she entirely trusted him. With her birth mother’s death and her father’s indifference combined with her stepmother’s manipulations, she naturally fell for him.
Though studying at university, she was ready to marry the man. She even bought a new house.
But then, she discovered that the man was intentionally approaching her on the orders of her stepmother. In the new house she had painstakingly decorated, she first bore witness to her boyfriend’s infidelity and was then nearly raped by a thug hired by her stepmother.
During her struggle with the thug, she suddenly developed a superpower of immense strength.
She nearly killed the thug and the cheating couple, yet, although it was satisfying to take revenge, it also left a deep scar on her heart: a nausea for men and a loathing for marriage.
The revulsion for men she could hide on ordinary days, making it imperceptible to others.
However, her aversion to marriage was her Achilles heel, absolutely not to be mentioned, if it was brought up, her cheerful mood could instantly turn cold as winter.
So, at this moment, facing Gao Xiaomei’s probing questions, she used a lot of effort to maintain her facial expression. “Xiaomei, Third brother Tong may be good, but I and he can never happen. 1 don’t like him, and he probably also doesn’t like me.”
“Uh…,” Seeing that Qiao Xiaomai was not shy, and even seemed a bit irate, Gao Xiaomei put away her gossiping intentions and quickly nodded. “Alright, 1 won’t mention it again.”
“Thank you for coming over.” Qiao Xiaomai’s hand hidden under the blanket squeezed a piece of cloth, and she managed to squeeze out a smile on her face. “I don’t have much to offer at my house. I’ll give you some bean sprouts as a thank you gift. Don’t mind if it’s not much.”
With that, Qiao Xiaomai called out loudly, “Dami, come in.”
Qiao Dami had been sitting by the stove boiling bean dregs for the chickens. Hearing the call, she rushed into the room, “Sister, what’s up?”
“Pack some bean sprouts for your sister Xiaomei,” ordered Qiao Xiaomai.
“Alright!” Qiao Dami complied and ran out to get a basket.
Gao Xiaomei shook her hands in refusal, “No need, no need, you rest up. I’ll be leaving now.”
She folded the menstrual cloths and tucked them into her chest, preparing to stand up.
Qiao Xiaomai quickly reached out to stop her, “You’ve come a long way and it’s not easy. Take these bean sprouts, I’ll feel uncomfortable if you don’t.”
“Uh…”
“You can also come visit me when you have free time,” Qiao Xiaomai added.
Although Anping Village was populous, she had no good friends.
From what she gathered, Gao Xiaomei seemed okay, and it would be nice to get to know her better.
Gao Xiaomei nodded, “Alright, 1’11 come to play with you in the future.”
Did Qiao Xiaomai say she didn’t like Third Brother Tong because of what happened earlier, making her feel embarrassed?
Considering this, Gao Xiaomei decided to interact more with Qiao Xiaomai. It was rare that Third Brother Tong had feelings for a girl, she needed to do some matchmaking.
Carrying a basket of bean sprouts, Gao Xiaomei returned home.
Her house was very close to the Tong family. When she arrived home, Third Brother Tong was still at her place.
It was mid-afternoon, her parents were out working in the fields and her brother Gao Xiaoshan and Third Brother Tong were using a clump of washed hemp rope to weave a fishing net.
Seeing her come back, Third Brother Tong stopped what he was doing, “You’re back?”