BYBOTE Chapter 11: Tsundere Luo

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If Luo Fei had wanted to lock Xi Yanqing in a dark room for a year for hiding the truth about his relationship with Liang Boyuan, then now he figured he could "reduce his sentence" by a month. Xi Yanqing was annoying at times, but as his mother, Li Yuehua, had said, he was very considerate.

This person always seemed to notice what he needed the most and provided for him gently, like the porcelain dish, the bucket of warm bathwater, and now this beautiful set of sewing threads. Xi Yanqing was truly thoughtful—like a spring rain that nurtured things silently.

If there was still something annoying about him, it was that, apart from using the toilet, he now had another reason to keep thinking about him—while doing needlework.

Luo Fei hugged the sewing kit, turning it over and over again, unable to sleep… It was happening so soon—Xi Yanqing’s betrothal visit.

"Second Brother, can you stop tossing and turning?" Luo Yi complained, gripping the blanket tightly. He was utterly exasperated with his brother, who had been restless ever since receiving the sewing kit from Xi Yanqing. "There’s only so much warmth in the blanket, and you’re letting it all escape with your fidgeting!" It was just a bunch of sewing threads. Was it really worth getting so excited about? Or was he nervous about Xi Ge coming to propose?

"If you don’t like it, don’t share a bed with me! Stinky brat, always complaining!" Luo Fei retorted. He didn’t like sharing a bed with Luo Yi either because this little rascal rolled around a lot in his sleep, practically tracing circles. In his previous life, he was used to sleeping alone. Even after coming here, he and his two brothers each had their own quilts, so he never had to squeeze in with anyone. But Luo Yi had vomited on his own blanket earlier, and it was now washed and drying outside, so he had no choice.

"It’s because you never told me what that little dish was for!"

"I told you it was a ‘butt relationship token,’ didn’t I?" Luo Fei smirked and playfully smacked Luo Yi’s backside. "That ‘butt’ part—get it?! Besides, you should’ve asked before using it."

"I was just gonna wash it and put it back after using it!" Luo Yi regretted it so much. Who would’ve thought such a delicate little dish was actually a ‘poop scraper’?! Just thinking about it made him feel sick all over again. "Ugh!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Don’t throw up on my blanket too!" Luo Fei panicked. Each of the three brothers had only one quilt. If Luo Yi ruined another one, they’d have no choice but to huddle under a single blanket!

"Sibao, come sleep with me instead," Luo Ji said. "Don’t squeeze with Second Brother. He has to wake up early tomorrow, so he can’t stay up too late."

Luo Ji figured he understood Luo Fei’s thoughts—probably a mix of emotions. Originally, he had thought of Zhang Yangfan, but it was Xi Yanqing who treated him well. It must be frustrating, so he couldn’t sleep. He was happy, that much was clear from how much he loved the sewing kit, but he also seemed a bit conflicted because it was from Xi Yanqing.

Luo Ji’s guess was half right. Luo Fei didn’t care about Zhang Yangfan anymore—he was busy thinking about how to get back at him. What kept him awake wasn’t Zhang Yangfan, but trying to figure out Xi Yanqing’s intentions. Was it really just because they were "hometown friends" that he treated him so well?

Or did he expect him to embroider beautiful things to help support the household?

Yes, that must be it!

With this realization, Luo Fei finally put the sewing kit aside, cleared his mind, and quickly fell asleep.

Xi Yanqing was still busy tidying things up at this hour. He reorganized the betrothal gifts he had bought, carefully wrapping everything in red cloth again. Then, he laid out the firecrackers in a dry place—according to local customs, he would set them off before leaving in the morning. This way, the entire village would know about it. At that point, Luo Fei would have no way to escape—just thinking about it made him happy!

However, there was one thing he had overlooked. With so many things to carry, he wouldn't be able to transport them all to the Xi family in one trip. Normally, in such situations, family members would help, but he had no family around, so he had to rely on friends instead. Since he had no relatives in Huaping Village, friends were his only option.

He figured he’d have to visit Han Yang early in the morning, as it wouldn’t look good to have someone from the Luo family carry the gifts themselves. Luckily, after returning, he had visited those who had helped the original owner before, so asking for help now wouldn't seem too abrupt.

What Xi Yanqing didn’t know was that Luo Ji had already spoken to Han Yang about this matter, and Han Yang had agreed to come and help first thing in the morning. So, at the crack of dawn the next day, Xi Yanqing got himself cleaned up, grabbed some pastries, and headed to Han Yang’s house.

“Han Yang, are you home?”

“Xi Di? Coming, coming!” Han Yang was in the middle of hitching his ox cart when he heard the call. He quickly came outside and gave Xi Yanqing a strong pat on the shoulder. “You brat! Haven’t seen you these past few days, but now you show up bright and early.”

“Who wouldn’t show up early for something this important?” Xi Yanqing joked. “By the way, where’s sister-in-law?”

“She’s watching the kids. Come on in first, I haven’t hitched the cart yet.” Han Yang then called toward the inner room, “Lingling, come out and see who’s here! You didn’t get to see him last time when you were at your parents’ house.”

“I recognize the voice! It’s Xi Di, isn’t it?” Mu Ling walked out holding a two-year-old boy, smiling. “Zhuangzhuang, call him ‘Uncle.’”

“Pig!”

“No, not ‘pig’—‘Uncle!’”

“Pig!”

“You little rascal! Your teeth aren’t even fully grown, and you’re already learning to insult people.” Xi Yanqing teased the chubby little boy, then handed over the pastries. “Sister-in-law, it’s nothing fancy, just some snacks for the kid.”

“Tsk, you didn’t have to bring anything! You already brought something last time.” Mu Ling was familiar with “Xi Yu” since she had grown up with them. Back when Xi Yu hadn’t left yet, Han Yang had already been engaged to Mu Ling, so she was quite used to his presence.

“I wouldn’t have come empty-handed if I were just being polite.” Xi Yanqing helped Han Yang secure the ox cart harness and handed him the rope.

“I heard from Luo Ji yesterday that you’re looking to buy an ox?” Han Yang asked.

“Yeah, if you know of a good one, let me know.”

“Alright, after we get back today, I’ll ask my second uncle. He knows a lot about livestock.” Han Yang agreed readily, then tightened the ox rope. “Xi Di, open the main gate so I can drive the cart out.”

“Got it.”

Xi Yanqing opened the door and stepped aside, but just then, a voice rang out from a short distance away.

“Oh? Han Yang, where are you off to so early?”

The voice was unmistakably gossipy—it was none other than Zhang Yangfan’s nosy mother.

The Zhang and Han families lived close to each other, with only two households in between. Qin Guizhi had come out to dump slop and immediately spotted Han Yang’s ox cart moving. She had heard from Jiang Baining yesterday that Luo Fei had come to borrow the ox cart, but it was only available today. However, instead of Luo Fei, it was Xi Yanqing who had come for it.

“Xi Xiaozi is going to the Luo family to propose marriage today, so I’m helping him out,” Han Yang said honestly. Unlike his sharp-witted brother Han Xu, Han Yang was too straightforward and didn’t think too much about others’ intentions. Since he assumed Qin Guizhi was simply asking out of curiosity, and since it was good news, he answered without hesitation.

“You’re proposing to the Luo family?” Qin Guizhi frowned, set down the slop bucket, and quickly shuffled over with an exaggerated air of concern. “Oh, Xi Xiaozi, you need to think this through carefully! You’re the only one left in your family—don’t disappoint your late parents.”

“It’s just a proposal. How is that disappointing my parents?”

“Of course, it is! Are you planning to let the Xi family lineage die out?”

“You’re making too big a deal out of this, Aunt Qin. What does this have to do with the family lineage?” Han Yang frowned, finding her words too unpleasant. This was supposed to be a joyous occasion—why bring up such ominous talk?

“It’s very serious!” Qin Guizhi, her waist thick as a barrel, huffed like an indignant water buffalo. “I’m not being nosy—I’m just looking out for you. You probably don’t know this since you’ve been away, but Luo Fei’s plum blossom mark has faded so much it’s barely visible. That means he won’t be able to bear children! If you marry him, won’t the Xi family line end with you?”

“Aunt Qin, you’re meddling too much. What happens in my family is none of your business,” Xi Yanqing said with a smirk.

“You! How can you be so ungrateful?” Qin Guizhi was still bitter about the way the Luo family had treated her son during his wedding. Now that she saw Xi Yanqing going to propose to Luo Fei, she jumped at the chance to stir up trouble. “That Luo Fei is a barren hen! If you marry him, you’ll regret it sooner or later!”

“Aunt Qin, what nonsense are you spouting? My Luo Fei is a human—he doesn’t lay eggs. I suppose your family only marries hens, which is why they lay eggs—like Zhang Yangfan, that rotten egg.”

“You!” Qin Guizhi was momentarily stunned, then shouted furiously, “Xi Xiaozi, how dare you insult my son! I won’t let this go!”

“I was clearly talking about you… Tsk, ignorance is truly frightening.” Xi Yanqing shook his head, uninterested in arguing with her. He and Han Yang loaded up the ox cart with the betrothal gifts and then lit the firecrackers. Though a proper engagement would typically involve music and fanfare, people in the countryside weren’t that particular.

The loud “bang bang bang” of firecrackers quickly attracted attention, drawing in neighbors who had been tending to their morning chores.

“Oh, Xi Xiaozi, what’s the occasion?” an elderly neighbor, Granny Zhou, asked.

“Granny Zhou, I’m going to the Luo family to propose marriage.”

“Is that so? Congratulations!” Granny Zhou beamed as she eyed the loaded ox cart. “You sure came prepared. Have you set the wedding date yet?”

Although formal engagements typically followed a set of six traditional rites, in the countryside, people were more relaxed about it. Often, sending the betrothal gifts meant the match was nearly settled. Given that the Xi family boy knew about Luo Fei and Zhang Yangfan’s past yet still came with such a generous offering, the matter was as good as decided.

“Almost. I’ll be sure to invite you to the wedding feast later,” Xi Yanqing said, feeling cheerful. He even handed out some sweets to Granny Zhou’s grandchildren.

According to custom, Xi Yanqing should have brought his parents and an elder female relative for the proposal, but he had none. If Luo Fei had been a woman, he might have invited an elder aunt to accompany him, but since Luo Fei was a man, he decided against it. So, with Han Yang driving the ox cart, the two of them headed toward the Luo family.

Along the way, they encountered many villagers, all of whom curiously asked about their destination. Xi Yanqing responded kindly each time, all the while wondering whether Luo Fei was awake yet.

Not only was Luo Fei awake—he had been up for a long time!

Logically speaking, this shouldn’t have been possible, but that morning, Li Yuehua forcefully dragged him out of bed and repeatedly reminded him that today was an important day. He had to dress neatly and handsomely!

At first, Luo Fei was still a bit confused. It wasn’t until he washed his face that he finally remembered—Xi Yanqing was coming to present the betrothal gifts today. That damned sewing kit had distracted him so much that he had completely forgotten about it! He immediately perked up. "Mom, does this mean a lot of people will come to watch?"

"Watch? Watch what?"

"Ah, I mean, a lot of people will come to see, right?" He recalled that when Luo Ji went to present his betrothal gifts, a huge crowd had gathered. Even though today wasn’t a banquet day for the main family, that didn’t mean people wouldn’t come to enjoy the spectacle.

"Of course! Who doesn’t love a bit of excitement? Especially since it’s still early in the morning, and no one has gone to the fields yet. Those who aren’t busy will surely come over to take a look," she said. And then they’d start chatting about whose betrothal gifts were the most extravagant!

"Great! I know what to do then!" Luo Fei quickly put on his shoes and got ready. If a lot of people were coming, then he had to present himself in the best possible way! He couldn’t let people say he was still hung up on Zhang Yangfan, sulking even when Xi Yanqing came to propose!

This was about his reputation! Time for Luo the Actor to step up!

He washed his face again, combed his hair neatly, and even put on his best outfit—a simple cotton robe, but at least it didn’t have any patches.

"Mom, how do I look now?" Luo Fei adjusted his sleeves in front of Li Yuehua and smiled at her.

"Perfect, just perfect!" Li Yuehua beamed as she circled her son, her eyes filled with joy. He had always dressed himself up, but he had never looked this striking! He hadn’t put on any makeup or anything special, yet he looked stunning—especially when he gave that slightly shy smile. How could he be this lovable?

"My second brother is really handsome!" Even Luo Yi couldn’t help but comment.

"Second Brother, how did you do your hair like that? It looks so nice! I’ve never seen anyone style it like this before." Luo Ru felt that with a brother this good-looking, she was going to have a hard time finding a husband.

"I’ll teach you later." Luo Fei grinned. "It’s nothing special—just pull back the hair on both sides near the ears, tie it with a hairband, and then tuck the whole bundle through the upper section of the tied hair. Simple!" He figured fancy hairpins wouldn’t stand out much, so this way at least his hair wouldn’t look too plain.

"It looks amazing!"

"Of course!" Today, Luo the Actor was ready to dazzle the entire Huaping Village!

Sure, cows might be impressive, but had they forgotten about Luo the Little Prince? He was going to show them what true love between an engaged couple looked like!

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