Chapter 24: Miss, Please Spare Me!

"Pfft... only sixteen? Sorry, I didn't expect you to be just sixteen, Nan. That means you got married at fifteen!"

Zhang Xiaolan was so surprised by Nan's age that she spat out the water in her mouth. Realizing her reaction was a bit much, she hurried to explain herself, but fortunately, Nan didn't seem to mind.

"Yes," Nan replied, still a little shy, speaking only the simplest words.

"She already said she was betrothed as a child bride. She was always meant to be a member of the Gu family," Haizi interjected, taking the chance to point out Zhang Xiaolan's lack of common sense, inwardly sneering at her. Nan, on the other hand, became even more embarrassed and didn't know what to say.

"Xiaolian, it looks like in a few years, you'll be old enough to get married yourself. Just look, Nan is about to become a mother," Zhang Xiaolan noticed Nan's discomfort and decided not to press her any further, instead teasing Xiaolian in hopes of lightening the mood.

"Miss!" Xiaolian protested bashfully, calling out to Zhang Xiaolan. This only earned her an eye-roll from Haizi, who didn't hesitate to jab back.

"I'm afraid Xiaolian will never get married—she's so fierce, like a tigress. Who would dare to marry her?"

"Miss, just listen to him! Haizi's words are so mean," Xiaolian complained to Zhang Xiaolan, not wanting to argue in someone else's house, but knowing that Haizi was a little afraid of Zhang Xiaolan.

"Haizi, the way you like to argue with Xiaolian makes me suspect you actually like her. Should I go tell your family and have them arrange for you two to get married?"

Zhang Xiaolan didn't scold them. Since they seemed to enjoy bickering so much, perhaps pairing them together would ensure they'd never be lonely—or peaceful—for the rest of their lives.

"Miss, spare me!"

"Miss! I don't want that!"

As soon as Zhang Xiaolan spoke, both Xiaolian and Haizi protested in unison, faces full of pleading and distress. They'd known each other since childhood, always at odds, their personalities forever clashing, so her suggestion drew an immediate, strong reaction.

Their antics sent Zhang Xiaolan into peals of laughter, and even the shy Nan couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.

"I'm going outside to help Aunt Gu," Haizi announced, eager to escape the group of women, and ran out the door, while Zhang Xiaolan's laughter still rang out.

"Haizi is blushing now!" Zhang Xiaolan pointed at his retreating back, still laughing heartily. He wasn't so hard to handle after all.

"Miss, please stop teasing us," Xiaolian pleaded as soon as Haizi left, urging Zhang Xiaolan to let up. Although she knew Zhang Xiaolan was only joking, her face was flushed with embarrassment. Seeing Xiaolian so shy for the first time, Zhang Xiaolan found it rather amusing.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you," she said.

They hadn't stayed much longer before Haizi returned, having finished selling all the vegetables and even bought a sack of flour to take back. As they were leaving, Zhang Xiaolan took Nan's hand and said, "Nan, can I come visit you again sometime?"

Standing at the door to say goodbye, Zhang Xiaolan felt she had grown fond of Nan after their long conversation, and more sympathetic to her story.

"Yes, Miss, take care on your way home," Nan replied, now much more familiar with Zhang Xiaolan and the others. Her voice was no longer so quiet, and she responded with a smile.

"From now on, call me Sister Lanlan," Zhang Xiaolan said affectionately, inviting Nan to use her nickname. Nan nodded and called out softly,

"Sister Lanlan."