Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Chapter 34: Cousin (II)

Cheng Min also knew that her words were merely a comfort. But the boy wasn’t willing, could she, as his mother, force him to get married? A twisted melon wasn’t sweet¹. Fortunately, Cheng Yujin was sensible and took the initiative to refuse and gave Xu Zhixian a face.

Cheng Min’s heart became sour, pitying this ill-fated niece even more. Cheng Yujin was excellent in everything, except that her luck was so bad. Her engagement was broken under the reason that wasn’t her fault, and she ended up in such a state of having nowhere to go.

Cheng Min held Cheng Yujin’s hand once again: “Good child, do not worry. The future is long. If there is anything, tell your aunt. Aunt will take good care of you.”

“Yes.” Cheng Yujin smiled and nodded, “Thank you, aunt.”.

….

After parting with Cheng Min, Cheng Yujin walked into the corridor, neither slowly nor quickly. The vine leaves on the eaves grew very luxuriantly, and only a little bit of sunlight leaked in mottled beams.

A gust of wind blew, and the leaves made a rustling sound. Cheng Yujin stopped suddenly and said to Lian Qiao who walked behind her: “Our food box is now in aunt’s place. Go and take it.”

Lian Qiao was stunned. They originally came to deliver pastries to Xu Zhiwei and other young masters. But unexpectedly, they overheard the conversation between the lady and the biao young master. Cheng Yujin didn’t come inside and directly handed the food box to a nearby servant girl and left. How could the food box be emptied in such a short time?

Lian Qiao looked at Cheng Yujin’s face and understood that Miss was finding an excuse to send her away. Lian Qiao bowed and said: “Yes, Miss. This servant will go now.”

Lian Qiao walked down the corridor and soon disappeared from the view. But actually, she didn’t go far. Lian Qiao found a suitable place to hide, watching the movement over Cheng Yujin’s side. This position was just right. She couldn’t hear the conversation in the corridor, but still could rush over immediately if something happened. Lian Qiao squatted down and silently watched the situation over there.

After Lian Qiao left, Cheng Yujin stood for a while before slowly walked to a corner. She spoke unhurriedly: “Second biao elder brother, are you still not coming out?”

After a while, Xu Zhixian slowly walked out from behind a wall. His eyes flickered. He stared at the ground for a while, then at the green leaves nearby, but didn’t dare to look at Cheng Yujin: “Elder sister Jin.”

“I am fourteenth this year, and my birthday is in the twelfth month. You should call me biao younger sister.” Cheng Yujin smiled, “But it doesn’t matter. Second biao elder brother can call me as you want.”

If a man had a romantic interest in a woman, he would never call her ‘elder’ sister. Xu Zhixian called Cheng Yujin so, wasn’t it because of this reason?

Hearing this, Xu Zhixian became even more awkward. His gaze slowly moved to Cheng Yujin, taking a brief look only to shift his gaze again hurriedly. He used to play together with his siblings and cousins, including Cheng Yujin, but never paid attention to her look. But today, Xu Zhixian suddenly found out that Cheng Yujin actually was very beautiful. Her black hair was like a cloud, with skin as white as snow and a pair of red, beautiful lips. The tip of her eyes was sharp and distinct, with delicate facial features. In particular, Cheng Yujin was wearing plain white clothes without any makeup or accessories. In Xu Zhixian’s shock, Cheng Yujin actually looked clean and pure, so fragile and frail.

The young man was too ashamed to look at Cheng Yujin directly. In the past, Cheng Yujin always wore red clothes and bright-colored adornment. This made people ignored her appearance and paid more attention to her exquisite and luxurious dresses. Unexpectedly, after she changed into a white dress, Cheng Yujin showed a kind of fragility that she didn’t usually have. This contrast was even more shocking than a ‘sickly beauty’ type of charm.

Xu Zhixian also realized for the first time that Cheng Yujin was a young woman, and even a very beautiful young woman. Because she was too capable and always carried a sense of natural ‘elder sister’ aura on her body, Xu Zhixian subconsciously called her ‘elder sister Jin.’ In fact, Cheng Yujin was younger than him.

Xu Zhixian didn’t know what to say now. He didn’t even know what he wanted to do by chasing Cheng Yujin secretly. When he heard Cheng Min’s words earlier, he blurted out a strong rejection. But in fact, he didn’t hate Cheng Yujin. Even the thought of spending the rest of their life together wasn’t repulsive to him. He was merely too shocked.

Xu Zhixian didn’t know what to say. Cheng Yujin has heard those words, so he at least had to give a clear explanation. For a long time, Xu Zhixian was stumbled in hesitation before he finally said: “Elder—biao younger sister, I didn’t mean it.”

“I know.” Cheng Yujin said, “Second biao elder brother, you are kind-hearted and always treat others sincerely. These years, you have helped us a lot. Today, you even come to help our manor to entertain the guests. I’m very grateful. How can I blame you?”

Xu Zhixian scratched his head anxiously, not knowing what to say: “I didn’t mean that. I’m really happy to be able to help you.”

Xu Zhixian gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak: “Biao younger sister, what I said to mother before isn’t intentional. I said that because…”

Halfway through Xu Zhixian’s words, Cheng Yujin suddenly interrupted: “Biao elder brother.”

Cheng Yujin had to stop Xu Zhixian’s next words. She accidentally ran into the conversation between Xu Zhixian and Cheng Min, and heard that the cousin that grew up together with her didn’t like her. This situation was already tricky enough. She didn’t want Xu Zhixian to speak out more. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even be able to get along as ordinary cousins in the future.

Xu Zhixian was stopped mid-sentence. After this interruption, the courage he had just gathered suddenly disappeared. He was secretly upset. Why Cheng Yujin happened to hear that conversation? For a while, he stood there awkwardly. Xu Zhixian suddenly raised his voice and said: “Elder sister Jin, don’t worry. If you cannot marry anyone, I will marry you.”

Cheng Yujin was surprised. After a while, she burst into laughter. Then, with a stern face, she said: “Second biao elder brother, men and women should not touch hands when they give or receive things. You and I are no longer children. What you just said might be misunderstood by others, so you cannot say it anymore.”

Xu Zhixian was anxious. Those words were sincere, but Cheng Yujin thought that he just wanted to comfort her. After speaking, Cheng Yujin turned her back and was about to leave. Xu Zhixian silently looked at Cheng Yujin’s back and shouted: “I’m not joking or pitying you. Elder sister Jin, if you can’t find a suitable husband, then I will come to marry you.”

The moment he entered the yard, Cheng Yuanjing heard Xu Zhixian’s words.

T/N:

I honestly dissatisfied with my translation of this chapter…. ‘second biao elder brother’ is too mouthful and unnatural. But the alternatives are either putting in ‘er biao ge’ or ‘second cousin’ which are even worse @[email protected] I wonder if there are better ways to convey full meaning of the relation title, but not using excessive pinyin? My translation already have enough missing info. For example, the word ‘aunt.’ Both Ruan-shi and Cheng Min are Yujin’s aunt, but from the chinese words, readers can know at glance the exact relationship (wife of father’s brother and father’s sister).

1. A twisted melon isn’t sweet: something that is forced won’t yield a good result.