Seeing that he was being watched by a crowd, Chen Ershuan found himself more tongue-tied, âMiss Su, could we perhaps step away to talk?â
âThereâs no need to step away. If we go into some alley to talk, people would think that we have something to hide.â She said impatiently, âIf you want to say something, say it. If not, Iâm leaving.â Instead of consoling her, she did not need any. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
A passerby, seeing Chen Ershuanâs timid behavior, encouraged him, âSpeak up, brother. You wonât be a man if you donât say it!â
âIâll say it!â Chen Ershuan cleared his throat loudly, but his words came out as a whisper, âMiss Su, I want to propose to youâ¦â
Su Qingyue was stunned for a moment, sizing him up and down, âUmbrella seller man, you look like a decent person, are your eyes all right?â
âExactly.â An aunt next to them couldnât hold back her comments, âThis girl is so ugly, yet this young man still finds her attractive, why would he set his sights on such an ugly person?â
Su Qingyue agreed, âThis auntie really has a discerning eye!â
âThis girl is remarkably extraordinary to be able to admit her ugliness.â A man nearby praised, âUmbrella seller, you must have put on the wrong pair of glasses when you left home.â
âI donât care if sheâs a bit ugly. Miss Su is the most clever woman I have ever met. I am just from a simple family, a virtuous wife is all I needâ¦â Chen Ershuan looked at Su Qingyue sincerely, âMiss Su, considering all the effort I put into finding you in the Vegetable Market for so many days, please marry me!â
âYou didnât just hear that I sold a recipe for fifty taels of silverâ¦â
âAbsolutely notâ¦â Chen Ershuan stated, âYou can leave the recipe money to your family, and Iâll provide another twenty taels of silver as a dowryâ¦â
âBeing able to afford a dowry of twenty taels⦠This young man has got some assets.â The aunt nearby hastily asked, âWhich family does this young man belong toâ¦â
Seeing how sincere Chen Ershuan was, suggesting she leave the money for her family, although she wouldnât marry him and she doesnât really have a family, Su Qingyue replied, âIâm sorry, Brother Chenâ¦â
âAre you not satisfied with my offer? Orâ¦â Chen Ershuan wanted to say something else, but Su Qingyue interrupted, âDidnât you hear that Iâm already married? As they say, a virtuous woman would not marry twice. Although I am not a virtuous woman and my husband is not commendable, he hasnât done anything wrong. Therefore, I donât like to mess around, I am afraid I have to apologize to Brother Chen.â
Pulling over the eager aunt nearby, âListening to you just now, you are familiar with girls ready to marry, right? Please help introduce some to our honest Brother Chen⦠I must be on my way.â
With that, she continued her journey.
Chen Ershuan watched as her figure disappeared into the crowd, a slight disappointment in his heart. In reality, marrying such an unattractive woman had caused quite an argument at home. The family, having no other choice, reluctantly agreed.
He had always assumed that such an unattractive woman would have a hard time getting married and thought it was good enough that he was willing to marry her, therefore he never asked if she was already married. He never thought she would be already taken.
âThat ugly girl just now mentioned that you sell umbrellas, where is your house? How old are you this year?â The helpful aunt continued to inquire. Chen Ershuan, however, was feeling disheartened after the realization that his beloved was taken, and he had no desire to respond, âThank you for your concern, auntie, but my family will handle my marriage matters.â
âWell, thatâs fine tooâ¦.â
Chen Ershuan continued to look in the direction Su Qingyue had left, visibly despondent.