Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Chapter 136 Jiang Di is heartbroken, Xia Yao makes overtures

The next day, Xia Lanyue got up early to prepare and then went to town, hoping to see Dai You as soon as possible.

When she arrived, Dai You was huddled in the corner with his back to her.

"Dai You, Dai You," Xia Lanyue called softly, waiting for Dai You's response, but he did not move for a long time.

Xia Lanyue raised her voice a little higher, "Dai You?"

Dai You remained motionless, as if he hadn't heard anything.

Xia Lanyue knew he must be heartbroken, because he would usually be sitting by the fence waiting for her.

Xia Lanyue wanted to explain to him, but she could only speak when they were close enough that the entire official residence could hear her if she spoke from this distance.

Xia Lanyue tried again, but Dai You still ignored her. Xia Lanyue had no choice but to wait until his anger subsided a little.

Two hours passed, and Dai You lay there without changing his position. Xia Lanyue couldn't help but worry. She got up and found the village guard. "Brother, could you let me in to see my brother? He's been lying there motionless for a long time. He seems to be sick."

Village Guardian glanced at Dai You. "He's asleep. Why are you moving him?"

"Even when you're sleeping, you should move around a bit. Can you let me in to check on him?" Xia Lanyue said in a pleading tone.

“That won’t do. I don’t have the key. The key is with Village Chief Zhao, but he went to visit relatives in the village and isn’t here,” the village security guard told the truth.

Xia Lanyue was disappointed. She thanked the village guard and sat back down by the fence.

Xia Lanyue understood that Dai You was throwing a tantrum, but she had no choice but to take out the food and place it by the fence. She said to Dai You, "I've put the food here. Remember to eat it. I'll come see you tomorrow." After saying that, she turned and left. She just hoped that Dai You wouldn't make a fuss about the food.

She had just stepped out of the official residence when she saw Jiang Di peeking out from behind a tree.

Xia Lanyue's heart skipped a beat. She had a feeling that he must have come to see her because of what happened yesterday.

Jiang Di walked up to her with a disappointed look on her face, hesitated for a moment and then said, "Do you have time? I'd like to talk to you for a while."

Xia Lanyue smiled and nodded, then looked around. "There are too many people here. Shall we go to the shop?"

“Let’s go to my house,” Jiang Di said.

Xia Lanyue followed Jiang Di all the way to the Jiang family home, but it seemed that Jiang Shi was not there. Jiang Di led Xia Lanyue to the room where she used to live, and after the two sat down, Jiang Di poured Xia Lanyue a glass of water.

"I heard that Village Chief Zhao arranged your engagement yesterday?" Jiang Di stared into Xia Lanyue's eyes, seemingly still somewhat disbelieving, wanting to get an answer from Xia Lanyue.

Xia Lanyue looked at the cup in her hand and nodded, "Mm."

Jiang Di's face showed undisguised disappointment. He took a deep breath, seemingly to calm himself down, then lowered his head and remained silent.

“I know you’re angry, angry that I lied to you,” Xia Lanyue said hesitantly, “but I can’t explain this.”

"Why can't you explain it? Tell me, and I'll believe you," Jiang Di said, trying to keep her tone calm.

Xia Lanyue lowered her head. She wanted to explain, not wanting to betray Jiang Di's trust, but she also felt this was an opportunity for Jiang Di to give up on her. However, doing so would definitely hurt Jiang Di. Not knowing what to do, she was caught in a dilemma.

Both of them remained silent; the room was unusually quiet, with only the chirping of crickets at the doorway breaking the silence.

Xia Lanyue finally spoke, "Jiang Di, we are friends. No matter who I marry, our friendship will never change in my heart."

Jiang Di lowered her head.

Xia Lanyue knew he understood what she meant, and continued, "As a friend, you are really good to me. You have helped me a lot, and I will remember it all for the rest of my life."

Jiang Di turned his head to the side, not wanting Xia Lanyue to see his expression.

Xia Lanyue's heart sank. She stopped speaking, for she had said everything she wanted to say. Now, she could only passively wait to see if Jiang Di would still want to be friends with her.

The air was eerily quiet. Xia Lanyue felt that every second was passing very slowly. She was looking forward to Jiang Di's reply, but at the same time, she was afraid because she didn't know what he would say.

Finally, Jiang Di spoke up, "How is Brother Dai?"

Xia Lanyue felt relieved. "He's not doing well. He's in jail, so he can't be doing much better," Xia Lanyue said, lowering her head.

"Give my regards to him. I can't visit him," Jiang Di said, looking at the ground.

"Okay, I will definitely bring it," Xia Lanyue smiled. "I ran into that sister-in-law the other day, the one who owes me fifty coins. She said you gave her rice cakes, thank you."

"You're being too polite with me again," Jiang Di said in her usual tone.

Xia Lanyue smiled with delight upon hearing the familiar words.

Jiang Di laughed along with her, but he still didn't look at her.

Leaving Jiang Di's house, I felt much lighter. Seeing Jiang Di today put my mind at ease.

When Xia Lanyue arrived at the Xia family home, she went straight to her room.

Upon entering, you'll see a folding fan on the table.

She was taken aback. Was this the fan with the love poem on it?! Xia Yao returned it to her? Xia Lanyue quickly picked it up and opened it to look, only to find that it wasn't the fan she had been looking for.

The fan in her hand was painted with bamboo and a line of poetry: "No one appreciates my lofty integrity; I merely cherish my steadfast heart." Xia Lanyue held the fan, not understanding why she had been given this.

At this moment, Xia Yao walked over from next door, saw that she was holding a fan, and went into the room.

"Did you write this poem?" Xia Lanyue asked.

Xia Yao didn't answer her question. "Isn't it well-written?"

Xia Lanyue didn't understand poetry, so she just nodded casually.

"You gave me a fan, this is my return gift, the bamboo on it is my painting," Xia Yao asked.

"A return gift?" Xia Lanyue was taken aback, then quickly handed it to him. "No need for a return gift. Why don't you give me back the one I gave you? I'll use mine, and you can use yours."

Xia Yao pushed the fan back, "How can that be? You've already given it to me, how can I ask for it back? If you don't like this fan, I'll give you something else."

"No," Xia Lanyue felt that Xia Yao was acting strangely. Why was he starting to give her things? Was he trying to win her over? Could he really be planning to marry her? "Xia Yao, you must have misunderstood something. Maybe you liked me a lot before, but I'm different now. I don't remember those things anymore, so please forget them too."

Xia Yao was silent for a moment, then asked, "Is it because of Jiang Di?"

Xia Lanyue was taken aback. What did this have to do with Jiang Di? She then shook her head.

"You like him?" Xia Yao pressed.

“No, this has nothing to do with Jiang Di,” Xia Lanyue lowered her head. Xia Yao thought she liked Jiang Di?! Didn’t he see what happened between Dai You and her that day?!

"Why is that?" Xia Yao asked.

"Do you really want to know?" Xia Lanyue looked up at Xia Yao.

Xia Yao nodded.

Xia Lanyue sneered, "I can't forgive you and Acheng for how you treated me before. It's that simple. How can I accept someone who harmed me?"

After hearing what she said, Xia Yao looked at the ground with a slightly guilty expression.

“I am very grateful for the care you and Aunt Xia have given me during this time, but that cannot erase what you have done to me and the harm you have caused me.”

"How do you want me to make it up to you?" Xia Yao asked sincerely.

Xia Lanyue shook her head. "No need. You don't need to waste your time on me. You should spend your time on that girl. Aunt Xia will be very happy to know that you have a girl you like."

Xia Yao shook his head, and just as he was about to speak again, he heard Xia Huifang's voice from the doorway, "Who are you talking about?"

No one knows when Xia Huifang arrived, or how much she overheard.

"It's nothing, Mother, you're here?" Xia Yao turned to Xia Huifang and said, "A-Yue and I were just chatting casually."