Chapter 073: Refusal Means Refusal

He Yunqing frowned, wearing an expression that clearly said, “Who are you calling cousin?” as he walked over to Xiaoxiang. He reached out, drew Jiang Yao a little closer to his side, glanced up at the troublesome lightbulb, stood on the stool, and, with practiced ease, fixed the lamp in a matter of moments.

Xiaoxiang scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “Jiang Yao, if I’d known your cousin was so handy, I wouldn’t have tried to show off.”

Jiang Yao chuckled awkwardly and scratched her own head.

“Well… let me go chop some firewood, then,” Xiaoxiang said innocently. “Didn’t you say last time that you loved meals cooked over a wood fire? They taste so different from what comes out of an electric cooker. I’ll go chop some wood, and tonight we’ll have a proper country meal.”

“Hey, wait—” Jiang Yao tried to call after him, but before she could stop him, Xiaoxiang had already gone out to the courtyard and picked up the axe.

Beside her, He Yunqing had already stepped down from the stool. “Is he always so eager to help?”

Jiang Yao rolled her eyes. “Cousin, he only comes back to town once every few days. Where would he get the chance to be ‘always’ eager?”

He Yunqing shot her a sidelong glance.

“If you like food cooked over a wood fire, I can chop more wood for you,” he offered, rolling up his sleeves.

“You? Forget it.” Jiang Yao waved her hands in refusal.

She truly couldn’t picture someone as refined and elegant as He Yunqing doing such heavy, menial work. The image was simply too jarring.

Stars in the sky are meant to shine above, admired by all.

To He Yunqing, these words sounded almost like an insult.

He gave her another sideways look, snorted softly, and strode out into the courtyard. He picked up another axe and began splitting wood.

Jiang Yao was surprised to see that, despite his inexperience, He Yunqing handled the task with remarkable skill.

“Cousin, are you here to visit Jiang Yao?” Xiaoxiang asked.

He Yunqing said nothing.

“Cousin, what does Jiang Yao usually like?” Xiaoxiang pressed.

He Yunqing frowned. “Could you not call me ‘cousin’?”

Xiaoxiang, undeterred by the rebuke, continued cheerfully, “Oh, well… What kind of men does Jiang Yao like?”

He Yunqing set down the axe. “Men like me.”

And with that, He Yunqing brought the conversation to an abrupt and awkward halt.

Xiaoxiang was momentarily stunned; the axe slipped from his hand and landed squarely on his foot, the blunt side striking him painfully.

Jiang Yao hurried over. “Are you alright?”

Xiaoxiang waved his hand, glancing from Jiang Yao to He Yunqing. “I’m fine.”

“You call that fine? You’re hardly ever back in town, and the moment you return you injure yourself. How am I supposed to explain this to Aunt Zheng?” Jiang Yao scolded, helping Xiaoxiang up and guiding him into the house. “Come on, let’s go inside and have a look.”

Limping, Xiaoxiang followed her indoors. Outside, He Yunqing’s brow was furrowed so tightly it seemed almost knotted. As he listened to their voices drifting from inside, he split the firewood with a sharp, forceful crack.

Seated inside, Xiaoxiang couldn’t resist craning his neck to peek outside.

“Jiang Yao, I think your cousin’s acting a little… strange,” he whispered.

“Strange? How so?” she asked.

“Well…” Xiaoxiang hesitated, unable to put his finger on it. “Does he not really want me here?”

“Of course not,” Jiang Yao reassured him. “You two just aren’t acquainted yet.”

Before long, the firewood was chopped. Jiang Yao cooked a meal over the wood fire, prepared four small dishes, and invited Xiaoxiang to stay for dinner.

“Well, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Xiaoxiang said, settling at the table and eyeing the dishes. “Your cooking is so much better than what I get at home, Jiang Yao.”

Across from Jiang Yao, He Yunqing cast Xiaoxiang a cool glance. “Sometimes, it pays to show a little restraint.”

“Huh?” Xiaoxiang blinked in confusion.

Under the table, Jiang Yao nudged He Yunqing’s leg with her knee.

He Yunqing said nothing more, resuming his meal with quiet, elegant composure.

Jiang Yao smiled and picked up some food for Xiaoxiang. “Last time you were here, you loved these shredded potatoes, so I made them again tonight. Eat up, don’t be shy.”

Xiaoxiang grinned as he ate, returning the gesture by picking up food for Jiang Yao. “You put in all the work—eat more yourself, Jiang Yao.”

He Yunqing, sitting to the side, frowned.

“Cousin…” Xiaoxiang addressed He Yunqing, “since it’s our first meeting, Jiang Yao’s family is my family too. Come, let me toast you.”

He Yunqing set down his chopsticks with a frosty expression, but did not raise his glass.

Xiaoxiang felt a little awkward.

Jiang Yao hurried to smooth things over. “He doesn’t drink—can’t hold his liquor.”

“Oh, I see!” Xiaoxiang replied, his face lighting up with understanding. “In that case, I’ll drink for both of us. Cousin, feel free to do as you like.”

With that, he drained his cup in one go.

After a bite of food, he continued, “Cousin, I’m a straightforward person—no hidden agendas. Today, I finally got to meet Jiang Yao’s family, so I want to be clear with you.”

Jiang Yao took a bite of rice.

“To be honest, I like Jiang Yao. My whole family likes her. I hope you’ll give us your blessing. If you do, I promise—”

Jiang Yao choked on her rice, coughing violently.

He Yunqing’s face, already pale, grew even darker.

He patted Jiang Yao’s back lightly, and said, clear and unwavering, “I do not approve.”

“Why not?”

“I just don’t approve,” He Yunqing replied, cold and firm.

Jiang Yao finally caught her breath, gesturing for Xiaoxiang to sit down. Then, grabbing He Yunqing by the sleeve, she pulled him into the kitchen.

“He Yunqing, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I should be asking what he’s doing?” For once, He Yunqing’s anger was unmistakable.

“He’s a guest!”

Her words seemed to soften his expression slightly.

“And I’m not a guest?” he retorted, his tone less harsh now.

“Well…” Jiang Yao was at a loss. “Of course you’re a guest. But not all guests are the same.”

“What’s the difference? Oh, right—he just confessed.” He Yunqing shot her a sidelong glance. “In any case, I don’t approve.”

“And what right do you have not to approve?” Jiang Yao went up on tiptoe, glaring at him. “Do you really think you’re my cousin?”

“So you’re saying you want to approve?”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Jiang Yao was flustered, blurting out, “Why is it that you’re allowed to have a girlfriend, but I’m not allowed to have a boyfriend?”

That one sentence plunged them both into silence.

If only she could take her words back—but it was too late.

Looking into her eyes, He Yunqing’s gaze flickered with a rare, almost imperceptible smile. “So you do mind that I have a girlfriend.”

“Who said I mind? Besides, does it really matter whether I do or not?” Jiang Yao replied, bracing herself.

“Hey, you two! The food’s getting cold,” Xiaoxiang suddenly called, interrupting their argument. “Come eat, quick!”

Jiang Yao shot He Yunqing a glare, then turned to Xiaoxiang with a smile. “Alright, we’re coming.”