Chapter 175: Shameless
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Shen Mo saw that Jiang Xia was quiet, and thought that she was unsure of his reason for being there. He quickly explained, “The wild vegetables you gave me last time were tasty. Even Uncle Wang agreed. I heard that your village is trading it for grain. I’m worried the wild vegetables might run out, so I came to trade for more.”
He then pulled out three grain tickets from his pocket, asking, “Is this enough?”
Jiang Chuan’s face changed when he heard this. He wondered why Shen Mo hadn’t mentioned wanting wild vegetables before. Now that his daughter was home, did he suddenly want the wild vegetables?
Jiang Chuan liked Shen Mo. He was a hard worker, from a good family, and had even been a soldier. But, if Shen Mo was interested in his daughter, Jiang Chuan would have to rethink things.
“Xiao Xia, Xiao Gu, your mom isn’t home today. So, if you want to have someone over for a meal, you’ll need to help cook.”
“Mom’s not home? Where is she?” Jiang Gu asked curiously.
“She’s at the neighbor’s house. She’ll be back soon.” Jiang Chuan answered. “The neighbor wanted to learn some craft skills from your mom. She’s been there for a bit and should return soon.”
Jiang Xia just nodded, staying quiet.
Seeing Shen Mo still waiting, Jiang Chuan looked at Jiang Xia again. From her father’s look, she understood that he didn’t want her to go out with Shen Mo.
But Jiang Xia had different thoughts. Shen Mo was a wealthy and influential man who didn’t worry about basic needs. Their family praised the taste of the wild vegetables, so why not seize this opportunity to expand their vegetable sales?
If the wild vegetables grew well, Shen Mo might even help them find more customers. Taking him around wouldn’t hurt, right?
“There might not be any wild vegetables left at the foot of the mountain. We haven’t gone up the hill in a while, and others who go daily didn’t find much. I can take you up to look, but finding anything is down to luck.” Jiang Xia finally said.
After some thought, Shen Mo realized he may have overstepped.
Why had he suddenly invite a young girl to accompany him up the mountain?
But since Jiang Xia had agreed, backing out now would make him seem scared.
“Okay, let’s go have a look,” Shen Mo agreed.
“If there are no vegetables on the mountain, come back quickly for dinner. Don’t waste time up there,” Jiang Chuan quickly advised.
“Dad, don’t worry. 1 know what I’m doing,” Jiang Xia assured her father. She immediately understood what her father was implying.
How could she possibly take action with Shen Mo around? What if he saw her as a monster?
Just before leaving, Shen Mo handed Jiang Chuan a stack of grain tickets, saying it was for the meal.
Jiang Chuan accepted them, but when Shen Mo wasn’t looking, he passed the tickets to Jiang Xia, telling her to return them to Shen Mo.
Jiang Xia had been worrying about this, but it seemed her dad thought just like she did.
Without wasting any time, Jiang Xia and Shen Mo set off. They hardly said a word to each other during the trip.
However, Jiang Xia was physically weaker. While Shen Mo, walking ahead of her, didn’t break a sweat, she was nearly exhausted.
Seeing this, she gave up the idea of taking Shen Mo on a tour around the mountain. Instead, she led him straight to the place where they usually found the wild vegetables.
As expected, nothing was left.
This could explain why Jiang Gui came to their house and said what he did.
Seeing this, Shen Mo didn’t say anything. He just asked Jiang Xia to lead the way down the mountain.
The journey down the mountain was no easier than the way up. However, thinking about the delicious braised fish that Zhou Lan had prepared, Jiang Xia didn’t find the journey so difficult anymore.
But as they approached the house, they could hear shouting coming from inside.
Jiang Xia frowned, sensing that something was not right.
Moreover, she recognized the voice of the person shouting. It was Old Madam Jiang, whom she had met earlier in the afternoon.
Judging by the number of people in their house, it wasn’t just Old Madam Jiang. Her two daughters-in-law must have come too.
She didn’t know what Old Madam Jiang had heard or whether she simply couldn’t stand seeing their family living well, but she had somehow found her way to their house..
