Su Cuiping's face turned as red as a tomato when the third brother confessed his feelings so directly. A strange sensation bloomed in her heart. "Oh! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Once the words were out, the third brother felt no shame. He decided to be completely clear. "Cuiping, I like you. The first time I saw you, I felt you were different. Later, when I heard the young master was traveling with you, I was so happy I couldn't speak. Because then I could see you all the time!"
Suddenly, Su Cuiping thought of something. Her face, which had been flushed with shyness moments before, turned pale. She turned to the third brother. "I was engaged before. Later, due to the drought, we mutually agreed to break off the engagement. Do you still not mind? Even if you don't mind, what about your parents? Won't they mind?"
After speaking, Su Cuiping looked at him nervously. To her surprise, the third brother answered without much thought, his reply firm. "I don't mind! As long as you're willing to be with me, I don't mind anything! I have no parents, and I grew up with the young master and my brothers. He is the most easygoing, and they could all see I like you, it's just you who didn't know!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, my teeth are going to fall out from the sweetness!" Leng Ren touched his jaw after hearing the third brother's words, feeling a pang in his teeth.
The second brother agreed with Leng Ren, pouting. "I wouldn't have guessed! This third brother always looks so simple and honest, but his words are so eloquent!"
"Hey, hey, hey... Don't push on me! You're crushing me!" Old Ten clung tightly to a stone pillar in the house, whispering upwards at the people on top.
He was like the base of a human pyramid. His brothers were stacked on top of him, one by one, peeking out.
Lin Rongrong, sitting in her tent watching the little one, couldn't help but peek out at the two people outside and stifle a laugh. Even Su Muqing, holding onto Lu Yuzhi, hid by the rickety broken door to watch the commotion.
The third brother, being a martial artist, knew they were eavesdropping. But Su Cuiping didn't. She thought everyone else was asleep. Little did she know, her shy, girlish demeanor was being witnessed by all.
Seeing that she didn't seem angry, the third brother decided to strike while the iron was hot. "Are you willing..."
"I don't know! Don't ask me! Marriage is a big matter, decided by parents. I have to listen to my parents, how can I just agree with you like this..." Su Cuiping quickly cut him off before he could say more.
When she realized what she had said, she couldn't help but pat her mouth. Why was she talking nonsense too? He hadn't even mentioned marriage! Oh, she was so embarrassed!
Su Cuiping turned and tried to run back into the broken house. But as she looked up, she saw a group of people who should have been asleep, all craning their necks in that broken house, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Now Su Cuiping truly wanted to cry. Heavens, she was so humiliated! "Muqing! You, you are all too wicked!" she exclaimed, then ran out with a blushing face.
Su Muqing quickly grabbed Su Cuiping, who was about to run away, and tried to comfort her. "Alright! Don't be shy, what's there to be embarrassed about? We're all so familiar with each other now, aren't we? Third Brother is so good! Hmm~"
"That's right! Sister Cuiping, my third brother is really a good person, just agree to him!" Old Ten, barely able to breathe under the weight, still spoke up for the third brother.
Those stacked on top of Old Ten also chimed in, "Miss Cuiping, my third brother is a really good person, just agree to him!"
"Third Brother, you must treat my Sister Cuiping well! Otherwise, I won't let you off," Su Muqing said, making a fist gesture.
"Heh, of course, I will treat her well," the third brother scratched his head, smiling foolishly.
"You all! I'm not talking to you anymore!" Su Cuiping stomped her foot and, embarrassed, ran back to her tent. She pulled Su Muqing in with her and quickly zipped it up.
Su Muqing saw how flustered she was. But the shy smile on her face was impossible to hide. It seemed she also had feelings for the third brother.
This was good! They were both her friends. If one of them had unrequited love, she would have felt awkward. But with mutual feelings and a sweet romance, how wonderful!
Outside the tent, everyone was covering their mouths and chuckling. Seeing his brothers' smiles, the third brother also felt a bit sheepish.
Lu Yuzhi walked over and patted his shoulder. "You're something else! You got ahead of me, I didn't expect you to be faster than me!"
"Ah?" Hearing Lu Yuzhi's words, the third brother was stunned for a moment, unable to speak for a long time, his blush quickly fading. All the joy from moments ago was gone.
He couldn't help but wonder. What did the young master mean by that? Did he also like Cuiping? Then, what should he do?
Lu Yuzhi patted the third brother's shoulder heavily. He said with a serious expression, "Treat her well, or I won't let you off, except for her."
Lu Yuzhi didn't realize that his casual remark had plunged the third brother into an internal battle between brotherhood and love.
The third brother was lost in his own thoughts when he heard Lu Yuzhi's final words about not letting him off, which only solidified his suspicion. He couldn't help but groan inwardly.
It's over, it's over. He's already giving me such a serious warning. It seems highly likely! The young master also likes Cuiping! Heavens! Why must you torment me like this?
Leng Ren and Leng Feng looked at him. Just moments ago he was as happy as a fool, and now his face was full of painful confusion. Was he so happy about having a romantic interest that he'd gone foolish?
Fortunately, the third brother wasn't one to keep his thoughts to himself. He immediately grabbed Lu Yuzhi's sleeve and quietly asked him if he was interested in Su Cuiping. If so, he would...
Before he could finish his noble declaration, Lu Yuzhi, Leng Ren, and Leng Feng all flicked his forehead simultaneously! Three bumps instantly appeared on his forehead!
Their collective evaluation of him was "Stupid!" Lu Yuzhi didn't even want to bother with him, rolled his eyes, and turned back into his tent to sleep.
The third brother was still a bit bewildered. Later, he pestered Leng Ren and Leng Feng for a long time. Only then did they tell him that the young master did not like Su Cuiping, but someone else! They assured him to relax, not to overthink, and to enjoy his sweet time with his girlfriend.
Only then did the third brother finally feel at ease. He hadn't lost either brotherhood or love. That was truly wonderful!