Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Chapter 139 Xia Lanyue Wavers

Xia Huifang sighed as she watched the students being led away by their families, then turned to look at Xia Yao.

Xia Yao seemed unmoved, and simply turned and went back to the courtyard.

"What are we going to do? Two students have already left. I don't think your private school can continue to operate," Xia Huifang complained.

"It's alright, Mother. Even if there's only one student, I'll still teach him," Xia Yao smiled at Xia Huifang.

"Is that what I meant? It's all because of what happened between you and A-Yue that people are criticizing you, saying you're immoral and morally corrupt, which is why you don't come to study. If this continues, we won't be able to keep the students, and we won't be able to save face either," Xia Huifang sighed. "Our family has been scholars for generations, and we value our reputation the most. You're going to completely disgrace our ancestors. What kind of mess have you made?!"

"What happened, Aunt Xia?" Xia Lanyue couldn't help but ask as soon as she arrived at the Xia family home, she heard Xia Huifang and Xia Yao talking with serious expressions.

"Ah Yue, you've come at the right time. Since you're both here, let's talk about your marriage," Xia Huifang said, pulling on the hand of the man who was looking for a reason.

Xia Lanyue quietly withdrew her hand. "Aunt Xia, you should already know that Xia Yao and I don't have that kind of relationship."

"No matter what, now that the village chief has arranged your marriage, you should get married," Xia Huifang said, looking at Xia Lanyue, on the verge of tears.

Xia Lanyue's smile froze on her face. She was very grateful to Aunt Xia for taking care of them during this time, but marriage was a major event and not a game. Moreover, Xia Yao had someone else in his heart. But Xia Lanyue really couldn't lie to Xia Huifang, "Aunt Xia, I'm sorry, this marriage can't go on."

Upon hearing this, Xia Huifang couldn't hold back her emotions and burst into tears. She hugged Xia Lanyue tightly, unwilling to let go.

Looking at the scene, Xia Yao sighed, "Mother, let me talk to A-Yue about this."

Upon hearing this, Xia Huifang felt there might still be a chance. She released Xia Lanyue, wiped away her tears, and went back to her room.

Xia Lanyue's mind was made up, and she naturally wouldn't change it easily. She looked at Xia Yao, waiting for him to say something next.

“Ah Yue, you know that this matter has spread throughout the whole town. If we don’t get married, my mother and I will be ashamed to stay here any longer,” Xia Yao lowered his eyes. “I don’t care, but I don’t want my mother to be hurt because of this.”

Xia Lanyue didn't reply, she just stared at the ground.

“I really didn’t expect what happened with Li Zhuang,” Xia Yao said, looking at Xia Lanyue. “But we had a chance to dispel the rumor that day, but because of you… I had no choice but to say it that way, which led to what happened afterward, didn’t it?”

Xia Lanyue's heart tightened, and she bit her lip guiltily.

"So, Yue, I took on this identity to help you cover it up and to avoid embarrassing you. Can you really bear to leave with Dai You and abandon me and Mother?" Xia Yao asked.

Xia Lanyue didn't dare to look up at Xia Yao. She knew that she was indeed partly responsible for how things had turned out. "Then what can we do?" Xia Lanyue quickly added, "Besides getting married."

Xia Yao shook his head, "We can only get married. Even if we divorce later, we must still get married."

Xia Lanyue looked up at Xia Yao in surprise, her eyes full of rejection. "No, no, no," she said. She had just assured Dai You that she couldn't do this.

Xia Yao looked at Xia Lanyue, "Since the mistake was made by both of us, we have to work together to fix it. Don't you think so?"

“I really can’t do this, it’s not that I don’t want to help.”

"What are you worried about, Yue? As for the bride price, Yue doesn't need to pay anything. I'll cover it all. As long as you're the bride, that's all that matters."

“Dai You won’t agree,” Xia Lanyue said, lowering her head.

"I'll talk to Brother Dai; I'm sure he'll understand."

"No, no, you absolutely mustn't tell him. If he finds out, he'll probably beat you to death," Xia Lanyue said in a panic.

“Dai You was there that day, so he already knows about this. I’ll find a way to persuade him, so don’t worry too much,” Xia Yao said easily.

Xia Lanyue was anxious. It seemed he really hadn't noticed her affair with Dai You. "Is there really no other way? You have so many ideas."

Xia Yao shook his head. "If we hadn't fabricated our relationship that day, there would still be room for maneuver, but now there's no room for maneuver. If we don't get married, we'll go to jail."

Xia Lanyue looked regretful. She regretted her decision and her promise to help Xia Yao hide the woman's identity. She didn't know what to do. "Let me think about it."

Xia Yao seemed to see a glimmer of hope and nodded with a smile, "Okay, I'll wait for A-Yue's good news."

"Don't say that, maybe it's... bad news," Xia Lanyue's voice trailed off.

Xia Yao lowered his eyes. "If only you remembered the past, you wouldn't be in this predicament. It's a pity you don't remember me."

“You already have a woman you like, so don’t say these things anymore,” Xia Lanyue said.

"Is it because A-Yue cares about her that she doesn't want to accept me?" Xia Yao asked.

"Hey, don't overthink it, it's not like that."

"Does that mean A-Yue has someone she likes?"

Xia Lanyue was taken aback, her eyes darting away. "No."

Xia Yao smiled and said, "Since that's the case, I'd like to give it a try and see if I can regain my place in A-Yue's heart."

"No, we're discussing marriage, how did we get onto feelings? If you keep this up, I'm leaving," Xia Lanyue said, flustered.

"Haha, is A-Yue afraid of falling in love with me again?"

"No, you... I'm not talking to you anymore," Xia Lanyue said, turning to go back into the house.

“Then I really have to give it a try,” Xia Yao said from behind her.

"Xia Yao!" Xia Lanyue warned, trying to stop him.

"I'm here."

"Don't make trouble."

That evening, Xia Huifang went to Xia Yao's room. As soon as she entered, she whispered, "How did it go? Did she agree?"

Xia Yao shook his head. "She needs to think about it."

"What are you still considering?"

"It's a major life decision, and we need to think it through carefully. Let's give her some time," Xia Yao said calmly.

After listening, Xia Huifang didn't rush to persuade her. Instead, she pondered for a long time before asking, "Have you broken things off with that woman?"

Xia Yao was taken aback, but still didn't say anything.

Xia Huifang sighed and went out.

Xia Lanyue next door wasn't resting either; she was pondering the day's events. She had just decided to choose Dai You, but now she was hesitant. Not for any other reason than that when she kissed Dai You today, she didn't feel the expected flutter of excitement; instead, it was Xia Yao's touch that made her heart race. She herself couldn't quite understand her own feelings.

Dai You is devoted to her, and she likes Dai You too, but why does something feel off?

Xia Lanyue lay in bed, tossing and turning, thinking about these things. She didn't know what to do, or how to face her feelings.