Old Man Yuhou's Proposal

Zhao Dongchuan shook his head. Thinking too much was useless. He would take it one step at a time. The main problem was this damn system; the trigger for missions was completely random, with no discernible pattern.

If it was triggered by passersby, many people had no reaction. If it was triggered by supporting characters, there was even less reaction. Anyway, it was very random.

If only the system were a bit more powerful and could take him back!

Zhao Dongchuan thought silently.

… … … … … …

The next day, early in the morning, Zhao Dongchuan got up and went to the kitchen to cook a pot of porridge for himself, using the system's rice. While it was cooking, he practiced a session of Five Animal Frolics and Seizing Skill moves to warm up.

By the time his morning exercises were done, the porridge was also ready. The porridge made from the system's rice was fragrant, sweet, and exceptionally delicious!

He gobbled down several bowls in one go, drinking the last bit of broth from the bottom of the pot before rinsing the pot with water and scrubbing it clean.

He couldn't waste it; the system's rice was consumed little by little!

"I wonder where the system got it from. Could it be spirit rice pilfered from some cultivation world?"

Then he shook his head again.

"It shouldn't be considered spirit rice. Although this rice can improve one's physique, its effect isn't that exaggerated! It's probably just ordinary rice from another world that's rich in energy!"

Zhao Dongchuan muttered to himself.

No longer dwelling on it, Zhao Dongchuan finished tidying up and prepared to go out for a stroll and chat with the old and young men in the village.

It had been a long time, and he wondered if there had been any changes in the village.

He left his house and wandered around the village, cheerfully greeting everyone he met.

Everyone he met also responded enthusiastically.

"Little Mr. Zhao is back!"

"Uncle Zhao, have some candy… … … …"

"Brother Zhao!"

"Little Zhao, you must stay for a few more days this time…"

"Little Zhao, do you want a wife?"

… … … … … …

It seemed something significant had been mixed in.

Zhao Dongchuan, who was originally smiling and nodding in response to greetings, looked closely and saw that the person was none other than the professional matchmaker: Zhang Guilan.

"Aunt Gui Lan!"

Zhao Dongchuan gave an awkward smile and a greeting, then pretended not to hear what she said and simply ran off.

"Little Zhao, don't leave… I'm going to introduce a good girl to you this time…"

Before Zhang Guilan could finish, Zhao Dongchuan had already vanished in a flash!

"This kid, why is he running away… He doesn't even want a wife when I introduce one… He's so young, in the prime of his life… Could it be that he's no good in that regard?" Zhang Guilan thought of her husband, who had been like a weak shrimp lately, and couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

Zhao Dongchuan took several turns. Seeing that Zhang Guilan hadn't caught up, he stopped and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He had been so shocked by that "little brute" last time that he didn't want to encounter another "troublemaker" like that.

He had thought that after so long, everyone would have forgotten about it.

But they were still persistent!

"It seems I need to speed things up. Finish things here quickly and leave!"

Zhao Dongchuan murmured to himself.

Although he had a good reputation and good relationships in Shuangshui Village, and people wouldn't normally try to harm him, he couldn't stop someone from trying to advance themselves. If someone tried to "frame" him, he wouldn't be able to explain himself, even if he was in the right.

Even if he could rely on his "superpowers" to escape, there was no logic in guarding against thieves for a thousand days.

He looked around and found that this area was not far from Shaoan's house, so he walked straight towards his house.

… …

Before he even reached the door, he heard the chattering of voices coming from the courtyard.

Seeing that the courtyard gate was open, Zhao Dongchuan walked straight in.

"Little Zhao, you're here!" Sun Shaoan greeted Zhao Dongchuan with a smile on his face.

"Brother Shaoan, why are you smiling so happily?"

Sun Shaoan smiled softly and said, "Hehe, your Sister-in-law Xiulian is back from Shanxi!"

Just as he was speaking, He Xiulian walked out from the inner room, wearing a red floral cotton jacket, with two small braids, and a light blue scarf.

"Brother Shaoan, our dad is calling you. He said he wants to discuss the banquet…"

He Xiulian first said something to Sun Shaoan, then smiled and greeted Zhao Dongchuan.

"Little Zhao, hello!"

Zhao Dongchuan nodded in response, "Hello, Sister-in-law Xiulian!"

Sun Shaoan pulled Zhao Dongchuan and said, "Come on, let's go inside for a cup of tea!"

Inside the room, on the kang, Sun Yuhou and He Xiulian's father, He Yaozong, were taking turns smoking dry tobacco. The dry tobacco smoke and cooking smoke together made the room very warm.

In the kitchen behind, Shaoan's mother and Sun Lanhua, Sun Lanxiang, were busy preparing food for the guests.

"Little Zhao, you're here, come sit down quickly!" Old Man Yu Hou saw Zhao Dongchuan enter the room and greeted him warmly.

"Lanxiang, pour your Brother Zhao a cup of water!"

Lanxiang was about to get up when Sun Shaoan waved his hand, signaling.

"I'll do it! You focus on cooking!"

Zhao Dongchuan took the large, chipped bowl that Sun Shaoan handed him and took a sip of water.

"This is Xiulian's dad… This is our village's educated youth… Zhao Dongchuan… Uh… He's a great scholar, he can write poetry and essays, published in some… some magazine!" Sun Yuhou introduced the two.

"Mm-hmm, he's a good young man!" He Yaozong looked at the handsome Zhao Dongchuan and nodded repeatedly after hearing Sun Yuhou's introduction.

Unfortunately, his family only had one daughter, Xiulian, who was already promised to Shaoan. Otherwise, he would definitely try to make him his son-in-law!

Zhao Dongchuan smiled and greeted them, then continued to drink water.

"That's right, Little Zhao, I've heard all about your situation from Shaoan. You should go home, you can't delay your own matters. It's a parent's heart, you really should go back and see them!"

"This is what we discussed: while you're still in our village, we'll move the wedding forward. That way, it won't delay your matters, and you can also attend Shaoan's wedding. What do you think?" Old Man Yu Hou looked at Zhao Dongchuan with a hopeful expression and said.

Ever since Sun Yuhou heard Sun Shaoan mention Zhao Dongchuan's plan to return to his Hometown for the New Year, he had this idea. Today, Xiulian's father came, so he discussed it with him.

Everyone had no objections to moving the wedding forward, and Xiulian was especially happy.

The Sun family had received a lot of help from Little Zhao, so it was only right and proper to invite Zhao Dongchuan to the wedding. Since he couldn't stay for long, they would hold the wedding earlier.

Zhao Dongchuan was slightly touched when he heard them say they wanted to move the wedding forward and insisted he attend Shaoan's wedding.

"Alright, this truly is the best of both worlds, but wouldn't it be a bit too rushed? Are all the things for the banquet ready? Don't delay Brother Shaoan's wedding, or I'll be truly at fault! Sister-in-law Xiulian definitely won't forgive me!"

"Hahaha!"

Everyone laughed!

He Xiulian also blushed and looked at Sun Shaoan.

"Most of the things are ready. We'll start inviting relatives and friends over in the next two days!" Old Man Yu Hou said with a smile.

"That's right, we've set the wedding for the day of the 'Little New Year'. This way, it's after the New Year, and the event is done, and you won't delay your journey!" Sun Shaoan took the bowl Zhao Dongchuan had finished drinking from, picked up the hot water kettle, and poured another bowl, saying with a smile.