The Farmer's Daughter is the Favorite of the Family

White Wolf and Xiaoba also followed behind slowly, catching some pheasants from time to time.

Xu Zhiyong said: "It's been a long time since we've felt so carefree. Little sister, once I finish my exam, I plan to travel and test myself. I've learned a lot, but I haven't had the chance to put it into practice."

Qibao replied: "Second Brother, you just decide what's best for you."

It's not surprising that Second Brother was thinking about this, Qibao thought. He was already fifteen years old, and in this era, it wasn't long before discussions about marriage would start. With his current skills, he could easily look after himself, so Qibao wasn't worried.

"Third Brother, I remember you selling one of your drawings before." Qibao said.

"Yes, it was a portrait. To avoid causing trouble at home, I sold it using Junhao's name. The unusual style drew attention, and a merchant ended up buying it." Third Brother Xu Zihao said.

Xiaowu grinned: "Third Brother, will you share some of that money with me? We're buddies, after all!"

Third Brother glanced at him without replying.

"Hmph! So stingy!"

They rode along happily, enjoying every moment of their journey.

Qibao recalled a song she heard in her previous life and was inspired to write:

"Let's roam this world together, live life to the fullest. Ride horses and share the beauty of the world. Enjoy wine and sing out your joy, seize your youth and live wildly..."

Her clear voice echoed through the forest.

"Sister, you sing so beautifully and the lyrics are great. Did you write them?" Xu Zhiyong asked.

"No, it's a song composed by someone else..." Qibao replied.

"The lyrics capture the essence of living freely. You're right, it's important to do what you want while you're young." Xu Wenwu agreed.

Xiaowu said: "Sister, please teach me how to sing. I like the tune."

Qibao didn't hesitate and taught him the words one by one.

Even though he was off-key, he managed to remember the lyrics. From then on, it was Little Wu's singing that filled the air, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter.

When they returned to the Xu family, Mrs. Wang noticed her smiling grandchildren and said, beaming: "Looks like you all had a great day!"

Xiaowu couldn't wait to say: "Grandma, Qibao taught us a song today. I'll sing it for you."

At these words, his brothers scattered in a hurry.

Xiaowu stood speechless: "..."

In the capital city.

"Grandpa, are you still my real grandpa? Are you selling your own grandson?" Su Chenyu slumped in his chair, looking utterly dejected.

Feeling somewhat guilty, Grandpa Su tried to explain: "That girl, Cancan was so pretty and lively when she was younger. She gained some weight over the years, but not too much."

Su Chenyu said: "Grandpa, you mean she's just a little chubby? Good heavens! She's practically a black meatball now!"

The old man continued: "I saw that you two had such a good time when you were little, and Cancan often chased after you and called you Brother Yu. I also liked that girl, and I thought that you two were childhood sweethearts, so I agreed to the bet."

Su Chenyu said helplessly: "Grandpa, she was a chubby little girl too. And it was always her bothering me when we were young, okay? How did we become 'childhood sweethearts'?"

"General Cui has a good relationship with our family, and if things go bad over Cancan, it would be bad for both families. Why don't you just marry the girl?" Grandpa Su suggested gently.

Su Chenyu exploded: "Grandpa, are you still my real grandpa? Aren't you just setting me up?"

"Then what do you think we should do?" Grandpa Su asked: "The whole city knows about this now. Even the Emperor's heard about it. Yesterday, during court, the Emperor mentioned arranging a marriage. I pretended not to understand, and managed to get out of it for now. But if you don't want to marry, it won't be good for Cancan's reputation!"

"It's all your fault!" Su Chenyu grumbled: "Why did you go drink so much?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Grandpa Su replied: "General Cui just returned from the southwest. He's here to protect our Longhun Kingdom's borders, and he's worked hard for our country. When he invited me to drink, how could I refuse him?"

Su Chenyu looked ready to cry.

Just then, a middle-aged man walked in: "Chenyu, Cancan is here, go meet her. Your attitude makes us too embarrassed to see this girl."

"Father! You let her in?" Su Chenyu exclaimed, alarmed.

The man who entered was indeed Su Chenyu's father, Su Zi'an.

"I can see that Cancan truly likes you." He continued: "Sure, She's not the prettiest girl around, but she has a cheerful personality and a good heart—no ulterior motives. She's actually quite nice, and we can't just keep avoiding her, can we?"

"Fine, fine. I'll go." Su Chenyu said reluctantly. Then he stepped outside, looking as if he was enduring a difficult chore.

"Zi'an, don't blame me, my boy." Old Mr. Su said: "I'm sure General Cui set this up to trap you. Knowing your love for alcohol, he used his precious daughter as bait. He'll do anything for her."

"Ah! I wouldn't object either. I know General Cui's character, becoming in-laws wouldn't bother me. But the thing is, Chenyu's attitude..." The grandfather trailed off.

Su Chenyu walked through the main gate and saw a massive lump of flesh sitting beside his mother. It was practically twice as big as Mom.

Mother Su explained: "Chenyu, your cousin Cancan came to visit today. Why don't the two of you chat? I'll be keeping Cancan for lunch. I'll tell the kitchen to make more dishes while you two talk."

As soon as Su Chenyu's mother left, she glared at the girl sitting across from her. The girl was staring at him with affectionate eyes, holding a handkerchief tightly in her plump hands.

Su Chenyu shuddered: "Turn your head away! Don't look at me like that!"

Cui Cancan said with a hint of shyness: "Brother Yu, you finally agreed to see me. Cancan is very happy."

Seeing her enormous body and the innocent look on her face, Su Chenyu felt his hair stand on end.

He forced a smile and said: "Well, Cancan, there are so many young masters from famous families in the capital, why do you have to hold on to me? Don't give up the forest for a crooked tree like me!"

Cui Cancan replied: "Brother Yu, have you forgotten? When we were little, we played house and you asked me to be your wife. Cancan remembers it all!"

Su Chenyu looked confused and said: "When did I say that? Even if I did, it was something we said when we were kids playing together. How can you take it seriously?"

Cui Cancan was a little sad: "So Brother Yu has forgotten. Are you avoiding me because you think I'm ugly and fat?"

Seeing the redness at the corners of her eyes, Su Chenyu found himself speechless. What kind of manly thing is it to cry a girl out? he thought to himself.

At this time, Mother Su walked in and saw Su Cancan lowering her head with red eyes, and immediately said: "Chenyu, have you bullied Cancan again? I have told you so many times that Cancan's mother and I are like sisters. Her mother is gone now, and I love Cancan as my own daughter. If you bully her, I will skin you alive!"

"Aunt Yun, Brother Yu didn't bully me. I accidentally got sand in my eyes." Cui Cancan said hurriedly.

Mother Su shot her son a knowing glance. She realized Cui Cancan was covering for him—there was no sand in the room, this smelly boy must have said something he shouldn't.

Su Chenyu remained silent, unable to set things straight. What had he said? He had been extra nice, speaking to the tear-prone girl with utmost patience and restraint.

Mother Su pulled Cui Cancan and said: "Come on, Auntie Yun has prepared some delicious food for you. I'll take you to try it."

With that, Mother Su and Cui Cancan left the hall.

Su Chenyu was left alone in the main hall, muttering softly: "She's already so plump, yet she's still eating!"