Chapter 114 - 114: 112: The Beauty and The Shrew
Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family
âWhat a shame not every woman has such assets! Sigh!â
As he spoke, he shook his head dramatically, giving an impression of speechlessness!
What does he mean that she doesnât have good assets?
Isnât her chest clearly bound with cloth strips?
Liu Sisi blushed!
She could not help but tighten the collar that was already fastened tightly. âHey! Where are you looking? If you dare to look around aimlessly, Iâll gouge your eyes out!â
Her eyes were misty with anger, and her cheeks were tinged with a blush.
A beautiful lady in anger, it has its own charm!
âTsk, tskâ¦. I thought you were a charming lady, but you turned out to be a fierce tigress!â
The spark in Nan Tianzongâs eyes flashed and disappeared, returning to his original gentlemanly demeanor. He casually picked up a folding fan, opened it and fanned himself.
âWhat a pity that youâre a woman. Otherwise, I could invite you to Yihong Courtyard to taste its delight- ha-ha!â
âShameless! Scum!â
Liu Sisi was so angry her teeth ached: âIf you are so fond of your little Taohong, why donât you marry her yourself and play with her slowly! Humph!â
She was infuriated!
She picked up a book in her hand and hit him on the head with it.
Badly enough, only today did she find out that the man in front of her was a rogue!
She dashed out of the bookstore and walked towards the noodle stall. Hopefully, this playboy would catch some kind of venereal diseases; that would be interesting! Letâs see if he would still spend his days loitering in inappropriate places.
âMom! Are you here? Grandma was waiting for you with noodles ready to eat.â
From afar, YingEr ran towards her, laughing and jumping into Liu Sisiâs arms, refusing to let go.
âMom! Iâve missed you so much, mom!â
âCome, YingEr, let me hug you. Mom has missed you too.â
Seeing such cute, soft YingEr, Liu Sisiâs heart melted!
She bent down to hug her, kissed her little cheek, and then turned to Aunt Cao: âHello Aunt Cao, sorry for the trouble youâve taken for looking after the kids.â
Today, Aunt Caoâs noodle stand didnât have many customers, only two people were sitting at the four tables she had set up.
âHey! Weâre neighbours, no need for formalities. Also, your kids are well-behaved.â
While Aunt Cao was talking, her face creased into a smile. She lifted the bowl of noodles that was kept upside down and served Liu Sisi: âEat quickly! I thought youâd come at our usual time, so I cooked a little early. Taste it and if itâs not good, Iâll make you another one.â
âThis bowl is just perfect, Aunt. You neednât bother. Please, sit and rest awhile!â
Liu Sisi sat down with YingEr in her lap. She looked at Di Xuan, who was engrossed in practicing calligraphy at the back of the bookstore. She couldnât help but smile. This child is really studious; she recently started teaching him not just writing but also character recognition. After ensuring that his pronunciation matched modern standard pronunciation, she finally felt relieved.
âOh, itâs okay! There arenât many customers today, so I can relax.â
Aunt Cao pointed to Di Xuan who was still quietly practicing calligraphy: âYour boy will definitely be successful in the future. See, even in this noisy market, he is so calm and composed. He does not get disturbed. Itâs rare and remarkable to see such concentration in a seven-year-old.â
Isnât it? Xuanâer is currently studying hard. As long as he keeps this up, I wouldnât say he would become a scholar with abundant knowledge, but at least he will have no problem reading and understanding characters.
âThe child is willing to learn on his own. As his mother, I canât really help him much.â
Liu Sisi said lightly as she ate her noodles.
Little Ying beside complained!
Pouting, she objected: âThatâs not true! All of my brotherâs knowledge is taught by my mother!â
âReally? Your mother is really impressive then!â
A flash of surprise passed through Aunt Caoâs eyes. It was hard to believe that the woman in front of her could actually read!
In this poor and remote place, even the men from ordinary families didnât have the chance to encounter books, let alone women knowing how to read. This is not something common!
Unable to help herself, Aunt Cao immediately started to view Liu Sisi in a higher regard.
âAbsolutely not! I only know a few common characters, far from impressive. Little Ying does not see others writing at home and instinctively think itâs impressive. Aunt Cao, donât listen to the childâs nonsense.â Liu Sisi hurriedly tried to redirect the conversation.
âThatâs true, kids often say things without understanding.â Aunt Cao answered casually, her mind filled with countless imaginings.
After the meal, Liu Sisi made some planed noodles to take back and was about to leave with her two children when Nan Tianzong suddenly stopped her: âA while ago, you mentioned wanting to try and apply for the female tutor position at the Gan Family. How did it go? Did they take you in?â
Nan Tianzong had asked this for a reason. Initially, he thought Liu Sisi was a fallen daughter from a wealthy family.
Yet, as each day passed, certain details of her life that were unconsciously revealed through their conversations and her way of doing things made it increasingly harder for him to see through her.
It was because of this very reason, the arrogant Miss Gan that other people could not handle, might actually listen to Liu Sisi?
âI havenât gone yet. There have been many matters at home recently, so I couldnât spare the time.â
While Liu Sisi was saying this, she was considering the idea to make a trip to Gan Mansion to try her luck.
Standing once again before the main entrance of Gan Mansion, as Liu Sisi looked up at the thick, heavy door of the mansion, she recalled the proud young girl from last time.
With a small smile, she led the two children forward to knock on the door.
The door was opened by an old servant who was somewhat curious to see Liu Sisi and her two children.
âElder Uncle, I am here to apply for the female tutor position for Miss Gan. Will you please pass on the message?â
The old servant was a bit surprised, he looked Liu Sisi up and down, âPlease, wait a moment.â As he was speaking, he closed the room door, and his footsteps disappeared in the distance.
Not long after, he returned and welcomed Liu Sisi inside.
While the outside of Gan Mansion was grandly luxurious, the inside was no less impressive. The white clay walls contrasted with the red columns and black tiles. Throughout the mansion, engraved beams supported arcs and corridors while the garden was filled with several kinds of brilliantly colored flowers. Liu Sisi followed the old servant through several pavilions and corridors, turned around a few screens, and finally arrived and stopped in front of a living room with tall and wide windows.
âTeacher please wait.â
The old servant led the three to the front of the building, then he entered the room to report, âOld Madam, the teacher is here.â
âPlease, come in.â
After a quick glance around the wide-open living room, Liu Sisi easily took in everything before her eyes. The one speaking was the old woman in the center â she looked spirited and extraordinarily sharp and capable. Besides her was the spoiled young girl Liu Sisi had met before.
Liu Sisi started with a small laugh and slowly moved forward to greet them.