Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Liu Xiaomei, Meizi, and Juhua were laughing and chatting as they worked when Liu Sanshun came over. "I’m heading to the Little Qing River to cast my net," he told them. "I should be able to catch enough for a bowl of fish by noon. You all should stay for lunch."

He looked at Juhua expectantly as he finished speaking.

Liu Xiaomei quickly chimed in, urging them to stay, saying they weren’t that busy anymore and it wouldn’t hurt to have a meal before going home.

Juhua declined. "I still have things to do at home. I’ll come over for a meal next time. Besides, even though I haven’t eaten here, you’ve sent me fish several times already, haven’t you? It’s practically the same thing."

Meizi had been miserable ever since seeing Li Changming and was in no mood to eat there. She also said she had to go home. She’d already been out for half the morning, and her mother would be going to the fields that afternoon, so she needed to get home early to help out.

Seeing that he couldn’t convince them to stay, Liu Sanshun was a little disappointed. He smiled and said, "Alright then. Just come over when you’re free. I go fishing all the time anyway."

Juhua and Meizi both nodded, promising they would definitely come for a meal when they had the time.

Gou Dan’s mother still didn’t realize her daughter had feelings for Li Changming, let alone that she was falling deeper and deeper. As she pondered how to ask Grandma Huang to sound out the Zheng Family, she looked at Meizi, who had just returned. Seeing her daughter looking even more distressed than when she had left, her heart ached. This only strengthened her resolve to approach the Zheng Family.

That afternoon, she left her daughter at home and went with Qin to the fields to harvest corn.

In the fields, Gou Dan’s mother told her husband about the situation with Meizi.

She was just a woman; she couldn’t marry Meizi off behind the girl’s father’s back. She had to let him know, discuss it with him, and get his thoughts on the matter.

Qin, however, was delighted. He grinned. "Our Meizi has good taste! That Qingmu is an honest lad. Zheng Changhe is a solid man, and his wife isn’t hard to get along with. Juhua is diligent and sweet-tempered, too. I’d have no worries if Meizi married into the Zheng Family. And it’s great that they’re in the same village. We can go see our daughter whenever we miss her!"

Gou Dan’s mother shot him a look. "Nothing is certain yet. I’m worried the Zheng Family won’t agree. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with our Meizi, but I’ve heard Qingmu isn’t interested in marriage right now and wants to wait a few years. He’s already turned down several potential matches."

Qin’s eyes widened. "How is that the same? Can any of those girls compare to our Meizi? If Zheng Changhe turns down this match, he must be completely blind."

Seeing him get angry, Gou Dan’s mother quickly chided him. "What are you shouting for? What parents don’t think their own children are a cut above the rest? Besides, both of the Zheng kids are capable and hardworking. If he says no, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s looking down on Meizi. Juhua said a long time ago that she and her brother wouldn’t be considering marriage for the next few years. Have you forgotten about that fight between Aunt Zheng and Liu’er’s mother last year?"

Qin laughed. "Are you really taking something a kid said in a fit of anger seriously? If they really meant it and wouldn’t get married even if they met someone wonderful, wouldn’t that just be foolish?"

Gou Dan’s mother sighed. "We still have to be careful. I can’t let our daughter get hurt. I was thinking I’d first ask Aunt Huang to go to the Zheng Family to test the waters. If Aunt Zheng is agreeable, she’ll naturally have a matchmaker come to our door with a proposal. Wouldn’t that be more proper?"

Qin quickly agreed. "That’s a great idea. Aunt Huang is very discreet. Entrusting this to her is the right move."

With their plan settled, the couple focused on their work.

On their way home that evening, the two of them deliberately took a small detour past the Zheng Family’s shanyu field. When they saw Zheng Changhe, Qingmu, and Yang Family also harvesting corn, they greeted them warmly.

"Changhe, you must’ve gotten quite a haul from this land, huh?" Qin said with a laugh. "You’re having a good year. Doing better than the rest of us."

"Oh, come on, my friend!" Zheng Changhe replied. "Look at how much you’ve harvested, and you say that about me? This is the first year I’ve planted this plot. Only the Shanyu harvest was decent; the corn came in much worse. See? These kernels aren’t nearly as plump as the ones from the old fields."

Zheng Changhe never tired of talking about crops, and he eagerly told Qin about his results from planting on this new plot.

Qin set down his carrying pole and began comparing the size of their corn cobs with Zheng Changhe, casually chatting about things like fertilizing and weeding techniques.

Gou Dan’s mother also set down her carrying pole and greeted Yang Family with a wide smile. She then turned to Qingmu and said, "Qingmu, you’re not even resting at home during your break from the academy? Your studies must be tough. Aunt Zheng," she said, turning to his mother, "your Qingmu and Juhua are so sensible. You never have to ask them to do anything; they just pitch right in."

Qingmu grunted in acknowledgment but said nothing more. He filled a basket with corn, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and walked off.

Yang Family was pleased to hear the praise and replied modestly, "Oh, listen to you. He’s a grown man now. What would it look like if he still had to be told what to do? Your Meizi is the real treasure—so cheerful and frank. Everyone in the village sings her praises. Gou Dan is still little. He’s a clever boy, just hasn’t quite matured yet. Once he does, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy life!"