บท 14: Proposal

Seeing Duan Yixin's surprised look, Chi Xinru asked, "Tell me, do you think he is an old pervert or not? He is already over seventy years old, but he still wants to marry you. He really dreams beautifully!"

Standing beside her, Chi Xiyou glared at his younger sister and said, "You are an unmarried woman. Don't talk about such shameful things in public."

Chi Xinru grinned at her elder brother and said, "I know, I know. Then I will just talk to Xin Xin in private about these shameful things."

Chi Xiyou shook his head helplessly, then looked at Duan Yixin and said, "Xin Xin, my parents have a proposal for you. Do you want to hear it?"

Duan Yixin was curious about what this proposal was, nodded, and said, "Well, let's listen first."

After she said that, Chi Xiyou cleared his throat and said, "My parents said they would adopt you as their daughter. If you agree, we will become siblings, and my family will protect you. When you get married in the future, we will become your natal family. If you're being bullied, we're going to stand up for you and fight them. Xin Xin, do you want to be our younger sister?"

Duan Yixin was surprised by this proposal and looked at Chi Xiyou and Chi Xinru. Seeing the brother and sister looking at her expectantly, she smiled and said, "I'm very grateful for your family's kindness to me, but I don't want to affect your family because of my affairs. Thank your parents for me."

After getting the answer, Chi Xinru showed obvious disappointment on her face, but Chi Xiyou just nodded and patted Duan Yixin's head gently.

"I understand. I will convey your words to my parents."

After saying that, he looked at the bamboo basket on her back and asked, "Are you going to the mountain again?"

Duan Yixin nodded and said, "Yesterday, I found some good things in the mountains. So today, I want to try my luck."

The Chi siblings exchanged glances when they heard her words. After a moment of silence, Chi Xiyou said, "How about we go with you? Ru'er and I have nothing to do today."

Duan Yixin thought for a while and asked, "Do you two need to get something first?"

Chi Xiyou thought he is going to enter the mountain and said, "I'm going to get the tools and the bamboo basket. Let's meet at the foot of the mountain."

After saying that, he hurried home. Chi Xinru looked at Duan Yixin and said, "Let's go, Xin Xin."

The two of them chatted and walked toward the foot of the mountain, but they didn't realize that Duan Sida was lurking behind them. After walking for more than ten minutes, Duan Yixin glanced at her back. Seeing that Duan Sida was following them, she frowned slightly.

When the two of them arrived at the foot of the mountain, Chi Xiyou was already waiting there. Looking at the wooden bow on his back, Chi Xinru's eyes lit up.

She trotted up to her elder brother and asked eagerly, "Elder Brother, are you going hunting? Can I join you?"

Chi Xiyou shook his head and said, "No. I want to go deep into the dense forest. It's very dangerous there."

Chi Xinru pouted her lips and said, "Elder Brother, I'm just following you and won't cause you any trouble. Let me follow you, okay?"

"No. It's very dangerous there. If anything happens to you, our parents will skin me alive. You should stay with Xin Xin." Chi Xiyou said seriously.

Seeing that being coquettish with her elder brother was of no use, Chi Xinru said, "Hmph, stingy. Then you must catch a rabbit or pheasant for me. I want to eat meat!"

Looking at his sister's puffing cheeks, Chi Xiyou chuckled, rubbed her hair, and said, "All right. Elder Brother will catch a big one for you."

After saying that, he looked at Duan Yixin and said, "Xin Xin, be careful and don't go too deep into the mountain. Let's have a meal together when I come back."

Duan Yixin nodded, and Chi Xiyou glanced at his younger sister again and then left after he warned her with his gaze. Seeing him walking into the forest, Chi Xinru turned to Duan Yixin and asked, "Xin Xin, what are you going to do now?"

Duan Yixin thought for a while and said, "I'm going to collect some pearls and see if I can find any edible plants or medicinal materials."

"Pearls? What is that?" Chi Xinru asked curiously.

Duan Yixin looked at her reaction and thought, 'Do people in this world really don't know about pearls and pearl mussels?

Seeing that Duan Yixin was just staring at her, Chi Xinru touched her face in confusion and asked, "Is there something on my face?"

Duan Yixin smiled, shook her head, and said, "Let's go, I will show you the pearls."

After saying that, Duan Yixin walked towards the river, with Chi Xinru following behind her. Behind them, Duan Sida stared at their backs and did not leave until they disappeared into the forest.

Duan Yixin and Chi Xinru walked for more than thirty minutes before they heard the sound of water. Chi Xinru looked at Duan Yixin with wide eyes in surprise and asked, "Xin Xin, do you hear the sound of water?"

Looking at her surprised expression, Duan Yixin smiled and said, "Yes. We are heading there now."

After saying that, she pushed aside the bushes and walked toward the direction of the river. Chi Xinru hesitated for a moment, but curiosity took over her, and she quickly followed Duan Yixin.

The moment she came out of the bushes, Chi Xinru was stunned. In front of her was a long and wide river with water as clear as a mirror. Seeing Duan Yixin squatting by the river, Chi Xinru walked up to her and asked, "Xin Xin, what are you doing?"

Duan Yixin raised her head and said, "I'm collecting the pearls."