Chapter 178: Chapter 178: My Sincere Proposal to the Lady

Translator: 549690339

Qiao Xiaomai glared at Tong Sanlang before her; her mind returning from the heat of her fury, she sneered, “Then let me ask you, in previous ten or more years, when the Sun family couldn’t wait to abuse my family to death, why didn’t you step forward to help?”

This was a question she was confused about since when she first arrived and even up till now, she still can’t comprehend.

Now he says he likes her.

How absurd.

Tong Sanlang raised his sword-like eyebrow, somewhat surprised; he certainly never expected Qiao Xiaomai to discover this matter.

He lowered his outstretched hands and explained, “Because you never asked Grandfather for help years ago. Our houses are very far apart; when the Sun family plundered your house, Grandfather never happened to run into them. He couldn’t reprimand the Sun family individually afterward, could he?”

“Family disgrace is not to be discussed in public. You didn’t approach Grandfather, if he meddled in without any prudence, wouldn’t you resent him for overstepping?”

Qiao Xiaomai was rendered speechless.

His explanation sounded plausible.

“Is it really just because of this?” Her eyes narrowed, her little face full of unbelief.

“Of course, it is,” Tong Sanlang nodded. With limpid black eyes, he locked gazes with the questioning Xiaomai, not evading, “Everyone in the village is familiar with my Grandfather’s character. If you had asked him at that time, he would have definitely stepped in and prevented the Sun family.”

Qiao Xiaomai ground her teeth. Although the reasoning seemed plausible, she didn’t believe him.

She didn’t trust his explanation.

She didn’t trust that Tong Sanlang actually liked her.

When Tong Sanlang was treating her unilaterally, solving her problems, he must have had some other ulterior motives!

Looking at Qiao Xiaomai’s icy expression and her slightly reddened eyes, Tong Sanlang gave a sigh. Straightening up his back, he said solemnly, “Miss Qiao, everything I have said just now is true.”

“I am Tong Sanlang, also known as Tong Zhan. At seventeen, having passed the Child Student Test, I will participate in the district examination in the autumn. Our household is comfortably well-off. Today, I sincerely confess to you, hoping to propose to you. 1 hope you would kindly consider.”

Qiao Xiaomai was caught speechless again.

He’s even gone to the extent of self-introduction.

Biting her lips together in stress, she was about to reject him, when the gate made a sound, followed by the voice of the Sun Family, “Changsun, Changsun, hurry and open the door, I’m here to see you.”

The sound made Qiao Xiaomai swallow the words on the tip of her tongue.

She looked toward the gate, her willow-brow eyebrows grudgingly frowning.

She remained silent; naturally, Tong Sanlang won’t make any sound either. He also turned his gaze toward the entrance.

The Sun family kept banging the gate, seeing no one answering, she peeked through the gap in the gate.

Through the gap, she caught a glimpse of Qiao Xiaomai sitting in the courtyard, but she failed to notice Tong Sanlang sitting on the other side of the table.

But it didn’t matter since someone was at home. She started knocking again, “Xiaomai, open the door quickly. 1 can see you’re at home.”

Qiao Xiaomai only sighed inwardly.

Knowing the Sun family’s character, she gritted her teeth, stood up and gathered the dried tofu hanging in the yard back into the room, and covered the pot of cooking soy milk. After all that, she went to open the door.

“Ah, you finally opened the door.” The Sun family somehow squeezed a smile on her old face.

Her gaze unintentionally swept across the courtyard and spotted Tong Sanlang. The smile on her face froze instantly.

She then exclaimed in disbelief, “Tong Sanlang, why are you here?!”

She swung her gaze incredulously between Tong Sanlang and Qiao Xiaomai. These two, a man and a woman, were alone together with the gate closed in broad daylight. Good heavens!

This vixen, this shameless woman!

Without any doubt, Qiao Xiaomai could guess what the woman was thinking right now. Feeling sour inside, she didn’t bother to go for any explanation, and coldly inquired, “What do you want?”

With a single sentence, she made the upcoming slanders of the Sun family go back down her throat.

Remembering her purpose, the Sun family forcefully masted her surprised face into a smile, “I came to find you.”

“Why are you looking for me?”

“Your fifth uncle is attending a gathering of scholars. Since they are all scholars, we need to maintain our dignity; I have come to borrow some silver from you,” the Sun family explained amidst smiles.

Fearing that Qiao Xiaomai would not agree, she hastily added, “All the attendees of this gathering are well-known personalities. There are several families in which the heads hold high positions. If your fifth uncle can build good relationships with them, there will surely be great benefits in the future..”