Chapter 284: Why Won’t You Marry Me?
Afraid that Gu Fei was in trouble, Lan Zhi looked back in alarm, only to see Gu Fei dodge to the side. Mr. Xu pushed at nothing but air, stumbling and nearly falling over.
Taking advantage of the pause, Mr. Xu’s servant hurried forward and blocked Lan Zhi’s path.
Trapped, Lan Zhi stood there, on the verge of tears. "Mr. Xu, I’ve already told you I won’t marry you. What is the meaning of this?"
Seeing the tears in the beauty’s eyes only made her seem more exquisitely pitiful to him. Mr. Xu softened his voice, "Lan Zhi, I am truly sincere about wanting to marry you. If you come with me, you’ll feast on the finest delicacies and dress in silks and satins. Isn’t that a hundred times better than staying here?"
Just as he spoke, Er Lang entered through the doorway carrying meat and vegetables. Hearing Mr. Xu’s words, he tossed them aside and stormed in.
Lian’er stamped her foot and rushed to pick up the items scattered on the floor. ’What a disaster it would be if someone came in and tripped!’
Gu Fei felt her headache worsening. ’Of all the times for my second brother to show up, it had to be now. Isn’t he just walking straight into the line of fire?’
Gu Erlang charged in front of Lan Zhi, shielding her behind him, and glared fiercely at Mr. Xu. "Who the hell are you? What’s all this nonsense you’re spouting?"
Seeing a man appear out of nowhere, Mr. Xu furrowed his brow. "Get lost! I’m speaking with Lan Zhi. This is none of your business!"
Gu Erlang clenched his fists in anger. "You... Is ’Lan Zhi’ a name you have any right to speak?"
Gu Fei stood to the side, wringing her hands, unsure of what to do.
Just then, Lan Zhi suddenly tugged on Gu Erlang’s sleeve. Peeking her head out from behind him, she said to Mr. Xu, "I am already promised to another. This is my future husband. Mr. Xu, please go."
An expression of irrepressible joy spread across Gu Erlang’s face. ’Lan Zhi... she said I’m her future husband!’
He instantly felt ten feet tall. Straightening his back, he declared, "That’s right. She’s my fiancée. Stop harassing her."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Xu sized Gu Erlang up from head to toe.
Gu Erlang spent his days driving a cart and hauling goods for others, so he was dressed in practical, short-fitting garments made not of fine fabric, but of coarse, dark blue cloth.
Moreover, from working outdoors, his skin was tanned dark, making him look every bit the country boy.
After sizing him up, Mr. Xu sneered. "You? You think you’re worthy of her? Miss Lan Zhi is as beautiful as a flower. Are you a toad lusting after swan meat?"
Gu Erlang was furious. Looking at the dashing young master before him, dressed in fine robes with a jade belt, he wanted to retort, but a profound sense of inferiority welled up inside him.
"You... you—" he stammered, his face flushing crimson.
Gu Fei frowned and was about to speak, but Lan Zhi clutched Gu Erlang’s sleeve and stammered, "I... I just... I want to marry him! It has nothing to do with you."
Having said her piece, Lan Zhi’s face turned bright red with embarrassment.
Mr. Xu laughed coldly. "Lan Zhi, is his family forcing you to do this?"
"You clearly have feelings for me. We fell in love at first sight during the Lantern Festival. Otherwise, I would never have sent someone to propose marriage."
"Besides, ask anyone! I, Xu Yong, am ten, a hundred times better than this country bumpkin in every single way!"
"You’d have to be blind not to see it."
Humiliated again, blood rushed to Gu Erlang’s head. He raised his fist and swung at Mr. Xu.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Gu Fei grabbed Gu Erlang’s wrist and barked, "That’s enough."
Gu Erlang’s fist froze in mid-air.
Gu Fei flung her brother’s hand away and fixed Mr. Xu with a cold stare. "Mr. Xu, you wanted to hear it from Lan Zhi herself. You’ve heard her now, with her own words. If you understood what she said, then stop harassing her."