A group of people rushed into the schoolroom, looking for Fang Jun.
Fang Jun, however, shook his head resolutely, "No, you cannot go to Xiao Family Town. Xiao Yue has just settled down there, and your going would only cause her more trouble."
"Oh, Brother, I just miss Sister Xiao Yue, that's why I want to go and see her."
"I said no, and that's final. You stay put and don't wander off."
The little girl chuckled and immediately changed her tune, "Brother, you received Grandpa's letter a few days ago too, right? He might come any day now. If I don't go to Xiao Family Town to wait for him, what will we do when Grandpa arrives?"
Hearing this reason, Fang Jun was a bit moved.
It made sense. If his grandfather arrived at Xiao Family Town and couldn't find both of them, even with Feng Xiao Yue there, it wouldn't be quite right.
"Alright, then you go back. But you must listen to Xiao Yue."
The little girl agreed, quickly packed her things, and with a few maids, set off for Xiao Family Town.
Xiao Family Town, Sihai Restaurant.
Feng Xiao Yue was still incredibly busy.
The lunch service today was packed again. Feng Xiao Yue directed the waiters to serve wine and dishes. Once the rush finally subsided, she quickly sat down for a moment's rest.
Just then, the curtain at the door was lifted, and the shopkeeper, Yao Sheng, walked in.
Seeing her boss arrive, Feng Xiao Yue quickly stood up to greet him, "Shopkeeper, what brings you here today?"
Yao Sheng smiled and nodded, "I happened to be passing by, so I came in to take a look."
"Shopkeeper, we're full today. If you wish to eat, you might have to make do with the back kitchen." Feng Xiao Yue gestured behind her with a smile.
Yao Sheng nodded, "Alright, then just prepare a couple of dishes simply. I haven't eaten the food cooked by our own chefs in a long time."
Feng Xiao Yue quickly made a gesture to Xiao Mu, who immediately dashed into the kitchen. After some bustling, a small space was cleared on a corner table. It was only half a table because the other half was still piled with various items.
As soon as Yao Sheng sat down, Feng Xiao Yue brought him tea.
"Xiao Yue, you sit down too." Yao Sheng beckoned Feng Xiao Yue to sit diagonally opposite him.
Seeing Xiao Yue settled, he smiled and said, "Xiao Yue, you're sixteen this year, aren't you?"
Feng Xiao Yue nodded, "Yes, I am exactly sixteen."
Yao Sheng nodded, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "At sixteen, it's time to get married."
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiao Yue suddenly felt a hint of foreboding.
Even when she had first come to Sihai Restaurant, Yao Sheng had never brought up this topic. So, Feng Xiao Yue quickly said, "Shopkeeper, I already have a betrothal in my hometown, so..."
Hearing Feng Xiao Yue's words, Yao Sheng smiled slightly, "Xiao Yue, in principle, I shouldn't say much if you have a betrothal. But think about it, your betrothal in your hometown, how many years has it been since you returned? Perhaps that man has already married and had children."
"The one I'm talking about is from a prominent family."
"In this Xiao Family Town, you should know the name of the He family."
Hearing "He family," Feng Xiao Yue's smile became a little strained. "Shopkeeper Yao, as I said earlier, I have a betrothal in my hometown, so I truly cannot obey."
Yao Sheng was not in a hurry. He smiled and nodded, "Alright, you can consider it. He Zhen, I watched him grow up. The He family has only had one son for three generations, and it's him. They truly dote on him, afraid to drop him and afraid to melt him."
"The He family here in Xiao Family Town not only owns restaurants and inns, but they are also in the textile business. If you marry into their family..."
He paused deliberately halfway through his sentence.
Just then, Xiao Mu rushed in, "Sister, Sister, Little Girl Sister is here! She's at the entrance."
Feng Xiao Yue heard this and bowed to Yao Sheng, "Shopkeeper Yao, someone from my hometown has arrived. I'll go and greet them."
Yao Sheng waved his hand, and Feng Xiao Yue turned and left the kitchen. Watching her go, Yao Sheng let out a long sigh.
"Alas, I don't understand. A heavenly pie is falling into your lap, and you're just throwing it away."
After speaking, he picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food, and then took a sip of wine.
Meanwhile, Feng Xiao Yue had already hurried to the entrance of the restaurant.
Seeing her emerge, the little girl, full of excitement, skipped over, "Sister, I'm here!"
Feng Xiao Yue smiled and walked up, taking the little girl's hand. "Why are you here at this hour? Have you eaten?"
"I have, I have. Staying in Hetou Village every day is making me so bored," the little girl said with a grin. "My brother told me to stay in the school and not go anywhere. Chen Xiaobei and the others don't take me when they go into the mountains, so I came out."
Hearing this, Feng Xiao Yue's heart tightened. "What did you say? Into the mountains? In this cold winter, what are they doing in the mountains?"
"I don't know either. Forget it, forget it. Sister, never mind him. Do you have anything fun here? I'm so bored in Hetou Village."
Looking at the little girl's puffed-up expression, Feng Xiao Yue smiled faintly.
"It must have been hard on you. Let me arrange a room for you to stay first."
The little girl chuckled, "Thank you, Sister."
As they were talking, they heard the sound of horses nearby.
Then, several young men, laughing and chatting, rode down the main street with a group of followers.
One of them glanced at Feng Xiao Yue and suddenly reined in his horse.
"Why, isn't this Miss Xiao Yue?"
Feng Xiao Yue looked up at the person who had spoken. It was He Zhen, whom Shopkeeper Yao had mentioned earlier.
Feng Xiao Yue knew that people like this could not be offended. She quickly put on a smile and greeted him, "So it's Young Master He. Come by for a cup of tea when you have time."
He Zhen smiled slightly, "Alright, we'll come by after we return from hunting."
Just then, the little girl stepped forward and stood in front of Feng Xiao Yue. "Hey, I'm telling you, don't think you can just chat up my sister because she's pretty. Don't have any ulterior motives. My sister and my brother have been engaged for a long time."
Her words stunned He Zhen for a moment. He rubbed his nose with slight embarrassment. "Oh, I see. My apologies, that was rash of me."
With that, he cupped his fists in greeting to Feng Xiao Yue and rode away.
Seeing He Zhen leave, Feng Xiao Yue sighed softly.
The little girl, noticing this, couldn't help but ask, "Sister, that person spoke to you so familiarly. He's such a frivolous person, don't associate with him in the future."
Feng Xiao Yue knew that some things should not be told to the little girl, so she could only nod in agreement, "Okay, I understand. Let's go, I'll take you to your lodging first."
Meanwhile, He Zhen, who had ridden out of Xiao Family Town in one go, reined in his warhorse.
The men beside him also stopped. "Young Master He, why aren't we going any further?"
He Zhen stroked his chin, looked at the people present, and said, "What the woman next to Feng Xiao Yue said just now, when did Feng Xiao Yue get engaged? Did you hear anything about it?" Su Dan Novel Network
Everyone shook their heads.
"Yes, I even asked Shopkeeper Yao to propose for me. How did an engagement suddenly appear out of nowhere?" He Zhen scratched his head in confusion.