"Alright, my two elder brothers, stop teasing me. It's just a few companies, there's no need to praise them so highly."
Seeing Liu Changfa and Sun Jianguo giving him thumbs-up, Er Zhu chuckled dismissively.
Such matters were trivial to him; how could they appear like world-shattering feats in the eyes of these two senior figures!
After a few more idle chats, Liu Changfa and Sun Jianguo left with profuse thanks. As soon as they were gone, Er Zhu was surrounded by four women.
"Er Zhu, I'm sleeping with you tonight!"
"Me too! I've already arranged my work. Don't think you can brush me off with work!"
"And me! I have a lot of things I want to tell you!"
...
Before Er Zhu could speak, the four women eagerly voiced their desires, showing no feminine reserve.
Li Mei opened her mouth to speak, but seeing the bright daylight, she swallowed the words back.
"Er Zhu, you certainly have good fortune with women. So many beauties waiting to serve you."
"Tsk tsk, no wonder you're not in a hurry to find a girlfriend. If I were you, I wouldn't be in a hurry either!"
"Ah, it's good to have capability. Not only can you earn money, but you also have so many beauties throwing themselves at you!"
...
Just as Er Zhu was about to speak, the admiring voices of several villagers suddenly came from the doorway.
If it were in the past, Er Zhu would have thought the villagers were mocking him. But now, he knew clearly that the villagers were happy for him.
However, this was not a good thing for him. If he could, he would even sever his romantic entanglements, leaving only Li Mei.
Alas, there was no such technique in the Heluo Divine Art...
"Is it okay, Er Zhu? You've finally returned, we just want to be closer to you."
Seeing Er Zhu's lack of response, Wang Xiaomei frowned, urging him with some impatience.
Among the four women, she was actually the most anxious to see Er Zhu. Besides apologizing to Er Zhu on behalf of Wang Lili, she also needed to discuss the wedding.
During Er Zhu's absence, his parents had urged him to marry many times. This matter had to be resolved immediately!
With that thought, Wang Xiaomei grabbed Er Zhu's arm. Just as Er Zhu was about to shake her off, Wang Xiaomei leaned closer, giving him meaningful glances.
The other two women, eager for Er Zhu's affection, did not notice this small gesture.
As for Li Mei, who was farther away, she naturally couldn't see it at all.
"Alright, you two can go back. Xiaomei can stay."
Er Zhu naturally saw that Wang Xiaomei had something to say. Just as the other two women were arguing the most heatedly, he suddenly spoke.
Instantly, Liu Yan and Lin Qingqing fell silent. The villagers, seeing this scene, couldn't help but stifle their laughter.
Knowing the outcome, they did not linger and returned home one after another. The two women also left, and Wang Xiaomei and Er Zhu went inside. In the courtyard, only Li Mei stood in the wind, her eyes filled with disappointment.
She had thought she was the most important person in Er Zhu's heart, only to realize it was Wang Xiaomei!
But then again, Wang Xiaomei was a true heiress from a wealthy family. What could a widow like her compare to?
Thinking of Wang Xiaomei, Li Mei clenched her fists, her fingernails digging deeply into her flesh, her heart bleeding!
Er Zhu's past promises still echoed in her ears, yet the person now holding his arm was someone else!
What a mockery this was...
Li Mei gave a self-deprecating laugh, her eyes tearful as she looked at the house. Just then, the door curtain opened, revealing Er Zhu's resolute face.
"Sister Mei, why are you standing outside? Come in quickly."
Er Zhu said as he stepped aside, making way for Li Mei. Li Mei nodded slightly and eagerly entered the house.
She thought Er Zhu had forgotten her, but he had remembered her all along!
"Xiaomei wanted to discuss her parents urging her to get married. Sister Mei, don't overthink it."
Just as Li Mei walked to Er Zhu's side, Er Zhu suddenly spoke. His words were plain, but in Li Mei's eyes, they were a reassurance.
So, it was just something to discuss, she had thought Er Zhu had truly chosen Wang Xiaomei...
With that thought, Li Mei felt relieved and realized she had been worrying needlessly.
It seemed she needed to find something to do. Constantly overthinking at home was not good.
Li Mei's gaze fell upon Willow Town. She suddenly remembered a school she had passed a few days ago, her eyes filled with determination!
"Er Zhu, I also have something to discuss with you."
Just as Er Zhu turned to walk into the house, he suddenly heard Li Mei's voice from behind him. Er Zhu turned his head in confusion.
"Let's talk tonight. I'll cook first." Before Er Zhu could ask, Li Mei seemed to remember something, picked up her apron, and started to get busy.
Talk tonight again!
So what? Was he going to discuss matters with them, with one on each arm, tonight? Thinking of that scene, Er Zhu couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Dinner was finished quickly. Wang Xiaomei went to take a bath first. Only then did Li Mei gather her courage and approach Er Zhu.
"I... I want to go to school, but that school is quite expensive..."
Li Mei took a deep breath, looking at Er Zhu with great certainty, but the more she spoke, the more uneasy she felt.
She was already being supported by Er Zhu and now she wanted him to bear such high tuition fees. The more Li Mei thought about it, the more regretful she felt. She even regretted bringing this up.
"Sure, Sister Mei, if you want to go to school, you can. You don't need to worry about tuition fees. No matter how expensive, we can afford it."
Er Zhu thought it was something important, but Li Mei was talking about this.
He naturally supported this wholeheartedly.
He had long heard from his aunt that Sister Mei was an excellent student when she was in school. If not for her family's poverty, she could have gone to college!
Although Sister Mei was a bit older now, she wasn't too old. Besides, it didn't matter how old she was; at worst, he could build a school for her, and that would be no trouble at all.
"Okay, then I might not be able to take care of things at home from now on. The school requires boarding."
Li Mei was stunned. She hadn't expected Er Zhu to agree so readily. She turned to leave, but suddenly seemed to remember something and added.
"Sister Mei, just focus on your studies. I'm not the fool I used to be. I'll take good care of myself."
Seeing Li Mei's worried expression, Er Zhu clasped her shoulders, looking at her with a smile, his eyes full of tenderness.
This kind of look only appeared when he looked at Li Mei. If other women knew that Er Zhu had such a look, their jaws would drop in shock.
Looking at Er Zhu's affectionate gaze, Li Mei gave a slight smile. She nodded heavily, gazing at him with affection.
In the air, an ambiance of intimacy began to rise, and the temperature of the air grew hotter!
The dim light illuminated Er Zhu's resolute profile, and Li Mei stared, somewhat mesmerized...