Chapter 24: I Don’t Have Any Besties
At this moment, Huang Kaiyou’s family was also standing not far away, but their focus was not on conscription recruitment, but on Huang Qi.
“Dad, Mom, you must have heard that my eldest sister-in-law just spoke, and it was indeed a woman’s voice!” Huang Long whispered to his parents.
“And her hands are indeed fair and tender. Those villagers were not lying.” Huang Bo, who had gone to gather intelligence, walked back to report. A strange excitement appeared on his face because just looking at “eldest sister-in-law’s” jade-like hands made him feel restless.
“Could it be that he is really a woman? If that’s the case, won’t our plan be completely ruined?” Zhou Fang showed a worried look on her face.
“His voice sounds like a woman, and his hands look like a woman, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is a woman. After all, there are quite a few pampered young masters in this world who look neither male nor female.” Huang Kaiyou was still unwilling to give up and added, “And don’t you think it’s strange? Since he can already speak, it means his toothache has almost healed. Why is he still wearing a veil?”
“Dad’s suspicion is reasonable!” Huang Long echoed thoughtfully.
“Then what are you going to do?” his wife Zhou Fang asked curiously.
“I won’t give up until I see his face. Let me think of a way!” Huang Kaiyou pondered for a moment.
“Heh heh, now that the conscription system has been changed, I wonder what those bachelors will do?” Huang Bo looked at the villagers in the distance and a hint of mockery appeared on his face.
“Yeah, especially He Chao and Liu Keqian. They used to talk about grand ambitions, but now they don’t even know if they’ll survive for much longer. It’s hilarious.” Huang Long also couldn’t help but laugh.
…
In the evening, guests came to the house. Huang Kairong, who was always frugal, had to light the oil lamp. The guests were the families of He Chao and Liu Keqian. They all brought gifts. Although they were common agricultural products like eggs and cured meat, and not many, their value in this era was immeasurable, especially for villagers who couldn’t even get enough to eat. Huang Qi’s family was caught off guard and didn’t understand why these two families were suddenly giving gifts.
The two sides chatted about family matters in the yard, and the topic inevitably turned to conscription.
“Alas, your Huang Qi is capable enough to find such a beautiful partner. What about our He Chao? He’s already twenty-six this year, and in two more years, he’ll have to join the army,” He Chao’s mother said worriedly.
“In two more years? Judging by the current trend, the conscription system can be changed at any time. We might have to go tomorrow,” He Chao’s father said, drawing on his self-grown tobacco with a dark expression.
“Alas! Brother He! Our Liu Keqian is no different! They were born in the same year. He Chao, at least, has a cheerful personality, but what about him? He can’t even utter a word with one punch. How can he find a partner like this?” Liu Keqian’s father also shook his head helplessly, looking at his son.
“Dad, why are you talking about me like this in front of sister-in-law? Am I that bad? I can’t find a partner because I hardly meet any young girls in the countryside!” Liu Keqian retorted somewhat unconvinced.
“Yeah, when you can’t even see a girl normally, what’s the use of having a cheerful personality?” He Chao also huddled with his good friend for warmth.
“Why do you two have so many excuses? How did Huang Long and Huang Bo find partners?” Father Liu immediately questioned.
He Chao and Liu Keqian opened their mouths, but in the end, they couldn’t find a reason to refute. Huang Qi felt a little sympathetic. After all, the two of them were very close to him, and he naturally didn’t want to see his two brothers go to the battlefield to die.
“Alas! It’s really a case of drought in one place and flood in another!” Huang Qi couldn’t help but mutter. He knew that when he was in the HongHua Sect, every Immortal Elder had women by his side, and there were still many women who couldn’t get married, all desperately trying to find a husband. Only the fairies were more popular. But in the countryside, there were so many single men, hated by everyone. It was like two completely opposite worlds.
“If ordinary girls from the Immortal Sect who are worried about getting married could combine with the brothers in the countryside who are worried about getting married, it would be a form of resource complementarity. Unfortunately, the conditions in Huatian Village are so harsh, I’m afraid they wouldn’t be willing to marry down,” Huang Qi began to daydream. After all, he was once one of the bachelors, and he could empathize with them at this moment.
“By the way! Niece, your family is well-off and should have extensive social connections. You should know many besties, right?” At this moment, Mother Liu took the opportunity to ask Huang Qi.
“Ah?” Huang Qi was instantly stunned. As a disguised rich young lady, how could he possibly know any besties? He knew a lot of “best guys.”
“Yes, niece, you probably don’t know that our He Chao and Huang Qi are not only cousins but also grew up together, inseparable. You wouldn’t want to watch him go to the battlefield to die, would you? If you have any unmarried sisters, could you introduce them to our He Chao?” Mother He eagerly made her request.
“Hey, hey, hey! I’m not a matchmaker.” Huang Qi suddenly realized what they were up to. He thought, “So that’s why they were so polite. But he didn’t feel any aversion. As the saying goes, ‘Parents’ hearts are the same everywhere.’ Besides, the two brothers treated him very well.”
“What? Sisters? Mom! You really dare to think like that. Don’t you look at our family’s conditions?” He Chao immediately retorted to his mother with self-awareness.
The people around also involuntarily showed mockery, thinking, “Does he really think everyone is as lucky as Huang Qi? He’s at least cultivated immortals. Although he doesn’t seem like much, he’s been gilded. How can he be compared to ordinary people?”
“Yes, sister-in-law, my Huang Qi could find such a good daughter-in-law because she didn’t mind. You can’t expect every rich young lady to be like that, right?”
“Yes, introductions are fine, but you can’t make things difficult for our daughter-in-law, can you?” Huang Qi’s parents chimed in to help their “daughter-in-law” out of a tight spot.
“I’m sorry, I misspoke!” Mother He repeatedly apologized.
“Sister-in-law, my requirements are very low. I don’t need your besties. If you could introduce a maid or something, that would be fine.”
“Yes, with our family’s background, how dare we ask for a rich young lady? As long as she’s pure, her appearance doesn’t matter.” He Chao and Liu Keqian re-opened their mouths to implore Huang Qi.
“Wuwu…” Huang Qi was once again cornered. He thought, “If I really knew any girls, even just one, why would I be forced to pretend to be my own fiancée?”
“Niece, what’s wrong? You’re not even willing to help with such a small favor?” Mother He pleaded pitifully.
Huang Qi was extremely embarrassed and felt miserable. “Aunt, I’d like to help, but where would I find any besties or maids? There are many ordinary women in the HongHua Sect who can’t get married, but I don’t even know them. Otherwise, I could play matchmaker.”
“That sister-in-law, introductions are fine, but I’m making it clear beforehand. Whether it works out depends on the two nephews’ ability. If they fail, don’t blame our daughter-in-law.” Before Huang Qi could speak, his mother had already agreed, throwing him into a panic.
“Cousin-in-law, you can rest assured. You know my character best. As long as your daughter-in-law can help with the introduction, I will be immensely grateful.” Mother He quickly pledged.
“Yes, in this world, even parents and matchmakers can’t arrange marriages for them, let alone you. How could we dare to complain?” Father Liu also quickly agreed.
“Daughter-in-law, we are all family. These two children are truly like brothers to our Huang Qi. If you can help, please do your best.” Mother turned and said earnestly.
“Okay… Okay!” Huang Qi now had no way out and could only agree with a stiff upper lip. As for whether he could succeed, he would deal with it later.
The He and Liu families were immediately overjoyed, as if they had already found daughters-in-law, which showed their trust in this rich young lady Huang Qi.
“Take back your gifts. Since these two are good friends with Huang Qi, it’s only right that I help. I can’t accept gifts.” Huang Qi pondered for a moment and instructed. Firstly, their relationship was good, and he really couldn’t accept these gifts; secondly, if he accepted the gifts and couldn’t deliver, he would have no face to see anyone.
The two families pushed back and forth for a long time before finally taking their gifts back, as they truly had no surplus provisions at home.
“Daughter-in-law, don’t feel too much pressure. Just bring a couple of maids from home to tour our village. That will satisfy their request. Whether it works out or not is their own business,” Li Qier said, trying to comfort him.
“Just bring a couple of maids?” Huang Qi smiled noncommittally and thought, “My dear mother! This is my home. Don’t you know yourself if we have any maids?”
…
That night, Huang Qi spent his time cultivating. After reaching the first level of the Juling Realm, he found that he indeed didn’t get sleepy easily, so he didn’t feel like time was passing as slowly as before. By morning the next day, Huang Qi’s cultivation had reached the middle stage of the second level of the Juling Realm. This talent was incomparable to his previous self. Without a doubt, this must be the benefit brought by the mask.
“Alas! Mask, oh mask! If you didn’t have that damn feminization effect, I’d call you Grandpa… oh no… Grandma, Great Aunt! Unfortunately, this little benefit can’t compensate for my psychological trauma, so there’s no way I’ll bow down to you!” Huang Qi couldn’t help but sigh. Therefore, the feminization mask was still a big villain in his heart!
After breakfast, Huang Qi and his parents prepared to set off, their destination being the county office to register. Otherwise, once the deadline passed, “Huang Qi” would have to go to the battlefield. Although he was very sure that even the King of Heaven wouldn’t be able to find “Huang Qi” now, he didn’t want his parents and family to get into trouble.
