Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Somewhat Annoyed

Translator: 549690339

“Alright, stop prying. You should head down the mountain soon. It’s already midday with all this delay.” Tong Sanlang stood up, dusted off his clothes, and added, “If you’re short on money, you can sell your tofu recipe at Jiwei Residence.”

“If you’re going to move, you should do it sooner rather than later.”

Qiao Xiaomai looked at him, maintaining her silence.

“By the way, about Yang Ye, Prince Wei… If you really do not want to be his kitchen maid, you can teach your skills to his chef instead. He may love food more than beauty, and if he can’t satisfy his appetite, he might not let the matter rest.”

“But you don’t have to be too afraid. He’s never been the type to bully people with his power. If you speak to him earnestly, you should be able to resolve this peacefully.”

Qiao Xiaomai remained silent.

Tong Sanlang met her gaze. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, then he forced a smile, his handsome face softening. “I’ll go down the mountain first.”

With that, he took a step forward, turned his head, and started walking down the small mountain path.

However, after a few steps, he stopped and said, “1 apologize for my previous rudeness. Please forget about it. I won’t bother you in the future.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he resumed his steps, heading down the mountain without a backwards glance.

Though the problem that has been bothering her lately was finally solved, she felt even more bitter and empty inside.

Tsk.

Feelings, they’re indeed mysterious.

Qiao Xiaomai stood up from the bench, biting her lip as she stared at Tong Sanlang’s retreating figure. Then, she turned around and, dragging her bundle of firewood, followed the path down the mountain.

As for Tong Sanlang…

This past month, he and Tong Tiehu had helped her many times.

But she had always been wary of Tong Sanlang, believing he had ulterior motives.

Now that everything had been talked out, it became clear that Tong Sanlang was primarily interested in her house because of the treasure buried underneath. He meant no harm.

In retrospect, she seemed to have been in the wrong.

Truth be told, this past month would have been far more troublesome without Tong Tiehu keeping the Sun Family in check.

As a younger person, she really didn’t know how to handle the Sun Family’s unreasonable demands.

She could beat them up, of course, but unless she killed them, she would end up having to pay their medical bills if she only injured them instead.

Thinking of the Sun Family’s aggressive behaviour as they ransacked her house, she couldn’t help but bite her lip again.

Actually…

When Tong Sanlang confessed, she should have been more gentle.

Aside from his confession, Tong Sanlang had never wronged her. Considering how he had helped her in the past, she should have been more graceful in her rejection.

Regretting her actions all the way, she straightened her face as she approached the village, struggling to drag her bundle of firewood home just as she had last time.

When Qiao Changshun saw her flushed face, he quickly fetched her some water and asked her to sit and rest.

Sitting on the small stool, she cradled her bowl and quietly observed their little courtyard.

Who would have thought there would be a national treasury hidden under this land from a previous dynasty?

“Xiaomai, it’s time to pay respect to your grandfather.” Qiao Changshun, kindling the fire in the stove, said to Qiao Xiaomai hesitantly.

“I’ll go in a bit.”

“How much are you giving?” Qiao Changshun asked nervously.

“Fifty wen.” Even though she had severed ties with the Sun family, her grandfather Qiao Qinghe was definitely worth fifty copper coins.

At her words, Qiao Changshun sighed in relief.

“Dad, have you ever thought of moving?” Qiao Xiaomai hesitated for a moment, then asked..