Chapter 1284: Novelty

Ah Song is very perceptive, leaving as soon as Gu Jin’an returned.

After Ah Song left, Gu Jin’an said, "Master Ouyang and I made an agreement that before the Imperial Examination in two years’ time, there will be no talk of marriage for Third Miss, but I must place in the top three. Ouyang Family’s daughters cannot be married off too humbly, otherwise he cannot explain to Mrs. Ouyang Family or Ouyang’s in-laws."

For Master Ouyang to be willing to do this, he must have some affection for him. After all, if Big Sister or Xiao Yu were to marry into some local destitute family or among slaves, he would also disagree.

And even if he was unwilling to admit it, his family’s status was far inferior to Ouyang Family’s.

"Really!" Brother Cheng perked up, grabbing Gu Jin’an’s arm, "That’s great, at least Big Brother won’t be single anymore."

Being single is pitiful, during the New Year and festivals, others have their wives and children with them, if Big Brother doesn’t, just thinking about it is sad.

Gu Jin’an was quite helpless, pressing the top of his head, "Can’t you stop talking about being single? Am I really that undesirable as your big brother?"

Brother Cheng laughed, "Big Brother is great, but Second Sister says because Big Brother is so great, the aunties in the village like to talk gossip about him, never saying anything about Brother Qingliang or Brother Qingtian."

Brother Qingliang and Brother Qingtian are quite old too, but the village women don’t talk about them, only picking on Big Brother, and when they do, there’s a crowd that joins in. Second Sister says it’s the celebrity effect; if you’re not famous, people don’t care to talk about you.

Once Big Brother placed in the small three yuan exams, the village women loved discussing his marriage even more, it was really annoying.

Brother Cheng then asked, "So Big Brother, when will you and Third Sister get engaged?"

"Engaged? You’re dreaming." Gu Jin’an glanced at him, "It’s just a private agreement, to be engaged, you need to wait until I place in the top three of the Imperial Examination at the earliest."

He then instructed Brother Cheng, "This concerns Third Miss’s reputation, remember not to blab, and until this matter is publicly settled, don’t reveal it to anyone."

Brother Cheng immediately covered his mouth, "Big Brother, rest assured, I won’t blab."

But he felt two years was too long, by then Big Brother would be twenty-two, the village women would gossip even more.

Gu Jin’an didn’t think it was long, feeling that if this could work out, it was already fortunate enough, what’s the harm in waiting a couple more years?

Brother Cheng then asked Gu Jin’an, "Big Brother, did Master just talk to you about this? Did he say anything else? Tell me, tell me, I want to hear."

Gu Jin’an: "Hear what? I’m so tired my eyes are drooping, hurry up and rest to recover, otherwise if our parents find out, they’ll worry again."

Actually, the Master asked about other things too.

Like when he started having feelings for Third Miss and why his heart was moved by her.

He was stunned at that time, his face flushing, carefully recalling all the encounters he’s had with Third Miss.

At first glance, she rode a fast horse, holding a long bow, leading a group of Shadow Guards charging in, like a female general descending from the heavens, she saved them.

The moment he saw her riding forward, he was stunned; the moment she saved him, his heart rippled with strange feelings... he’s always been the one protecting others, and for the first time being protected by someone else, he felt novel and deeply moved.

She was the first person to unconditionally come to rescue him without even meeting him, a young maiden with such beauty, it was indeed difficult not to feel moved.

The seed of his feelings was planted from that moment.

Later, upon learning that both her parents had passed, he felt pity for her.

Furthermore, because of the new bank venture, her abilities and like-minded heart became apparent... though at first meeting he only had thoughts, interacting during the preparation of the new bank made him completely develop fond feelings for her.

Though he was embarrassed, he still candidly told Master Ouyang his feelings.

After hearing, Master Ouyang sighed, "This way, I can be at ease."

He was just afraid Gu Jin’an’s feelings were fleeting with not enough depth, and would fade too quickly, leaving Miss Ming hurt.

But being that Brother Cheng is his own brother, Gu Jin’an couldn’t tell him these things, he could only scold him, "Quickly go to sleep, recuperate well, we’ll go home the morning after tomorrow."

Brother Cheng hummed, "Big Brother is mean again. I’ve helped you with great efforts, and soon after getting what you want, you turn mean to me. Next time I won’t help you."

Gu Jin’an said, "Better there not be a next time."

Just this one time was enough, another, he’d be infuriated.

"Go sleep quickly, lie face down and not flat, otherwise you’ll hurt terribly."

Brother Cheng: "Got it, Big Brother is really naggy."

He still had injuries on his back, couldn’t sleep lying flat.

Brother Cheng lay on the bed, tilting his head to look at Gu Jin’an, "Big Brother was also hurt seriously, you should go sleep too, otherwise I’ll recover and you’ll still be ill, then parents will know."

Gu Jin’an shot him a slightly disdainful glance, covering him with a thin blanket, "Got it, you’re the truly naggy one, just sleep."

Haha, Brother Cheng laughed, muttered something, then closed his eyes, and fell asleep in just a few breaths.

Gu Jin’an sighed, really seriously ill, starting to sleep so quickly.

He lifted a hand to check Brother Cheng’s forehead, and seeing Brother Cheng no longer had a fever relieved him greatly, then he laid beside the bed and slept.

Perhaps now that a major concern was solved, Gu Jin’an slept soundly, waking up when the sky was already pitch black.

Brother Cheng was already awake, lying in bed eating steamed meat pie. Seeing Gu Jin’an awake, he quickly placed the bowl on the table, wiped his mouth, sat up, and said, "Big Brother is awake, let’s eat."

I wasn’t eating lying in bed, earlier I was eating at the table.

Gu Jin’an shook his head, instead of talking to him, he looked outside. Ah Song was boiling medicine under the corridor, hearing the noise here, he looked up, "Good Brother An woke up, must be hungry, I’ll bring the meal right in."

Saying this, he brought the dishes warming on the stove inside, "This is for you, Brother Cheng has already eaten."

Gu Jin’an nodded, thanked Ah Song, and started his dinner, asking, "Has Doctor Sheng come?"

Ah Song said, "Not yet, I’ll send someone to call him once you’ve finished eating. You both need your wounds re-treated, let Doctor Sheng take a look at you brothers."

Gu Jin’an: "Alright, many thanks to Brother Song."

After Gu Jin’an finished eating, Doctor Sheng came with his medicine box to examine the brothers, after checking Brother Cheng’s pulse, he smiled, "The young man’s health seems quite well, recovering nicely, rest another day, going home the day after tomorrow should be fine, but must continue to rest well, or you might faint."

Children born with weaknesses, if their health isn’t properly cared for, after such a calamity, in severe cases they might die young, while mild cases still take ten days to half a month to recover.