Chapter 744: Disdaining Himself
Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations
Chu Qingning gently lifted the child into her arms, patting the infant’s back lightly until a weak cry was heard.
Breathing out the air she had been holding, Chu Qingning felt a surge of relief and accomplishment – she had successfully saved both mother and child.
“It’s okay now!”
After quickly dealing with the aftermath, Chu Qingning carried the child out of the room and handed him to the father, “It’s a boy, both mother and son are safe.”
The man knelt before Chu Qingning again, “Miss, I owe you a great debt, one I will never forget in my lifetime.”
Chu Qingning helped the man to his feet, “Go see your wife. She’s suffered a lot, nearly losing her life. Treat her well.”
The man nodded earnestly, “I know, and I will repay her.”
Chu Qingning nodded, “Go on.” She was relieved to have encountered a man of conscience.
The news of Chu Qingning saving the mother and child soon spread across the neighboring villages, significantly boosting her reputation.
At the Li Family Porcelain Workshop.
In the workshop, Li Shaoliang spoke to his father, Li Zhenzong, with unprecedented seriousness, “Dad, I have a favor to ask of you, and you must agree.”
Seeing his son’s solemn expression, Li Zhenzong straightened up, responding, “Tell me, what is it?”
Li Shaoliang pursed his lips, his resolve unwavering as he said, “Dad, I want you to go to the Chu family on my behalf and propose marriage to Qingshuang. Is that okay?”
Li Zhenzong spat out his tea in shock, looking at Li Shaoliang incredulously, “Are you joking?”
Li Shaoliang frowned, puzzled by his father’s reaction, “Dad, I’m not joking. I’m serious. Please, do this for me.”
Li Zhenzong waved his hand in refusal, “No, I don’t agree.”
“Why not?” Li Shaoliang couldn’t understand, “Is marrying Qingshuang a bad idea? Dad, is there something you’re hiding? If there is, tell me, and I’ll solve it.”
Li Zhenzong slapped the back of Li Shaoliang’s head, exasperated, “Nonsense, my refusal isn’t due to any other reason…” He paused, then added with a tone of tough love, “It’s because I don’t thinkyou’re worthy of Qingshuang.”
Li Shaoliang was stunned, “Dad, are you really my father?”
Li Zhenzong looked away, “Go back. We’ll talk about this in a couple of years.”
Li Shaoliang protested, “That won’t do. In two years, Qingshuang might be taken by someone else. You need to act now and settle this.”
Li Zhenzong’s disapproval of his younger son deepened, “What’s the rush? Qingshuang won’t be taken by anyone.”
Li Shaoliang was adamant, his frustration evident, “How can you be so sure? If we don’t settle this now and Qingshuang is taken by someone else later, I’ll have nowhere to cry.”
“Does Qingshuang know about this?” Li Zhenzong was incredulous; had his son lost his senses?
Li Shaoliang admitted, “She doesn’t know. It’s my decision. I need your support first, then I’ll… talk to Qingshuang.”
Li Zhenzong cut him off, “I don’t support this!”
Li Shaoliang didn’t know what to say.
“Dad, why don’t you support me?”
Li Zhenzong glanced at Li Shaoliang, “You’re just not good enough.”
“Look at yourself, what can you do besides managing a store? The guy next door, who’s about your age, is already running his own business. I ran into him yesterday; he’s even opening a branch in the next city. Now, look at you…”
Li Zhenzong made his disdain crystal clear, feeling more and more unable to look his son in the eye as he spoke.
“Dad…” With such a comparison, he truly felt inadequate. Li Shaoliang opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.
He couldn’t help but feel disdain for himself!
Li Zhenzong waved him off, “Go back to the store. I’ve got a lot to do here and don’t need you getting in the way.”
“Dad, is there really no room for discussion?”
“No, get out of here. I don’t want to see you.” Li Zhenzong’s disapproval was palpable.
Li Shaoliang had no choice but to leave.
However, from this conversation, he had an epiphany. According to his father, only if he proved himself capable would his father agree to his marriage to Qingshuang.
It seemed that striving to improve was the only way to win his love.
Yes, he must strive to improve.
At the cow farm.
“Moos” of distress echoed from the cow farm as the manager rushed out, perhaps too anxious to notice, and ran towards Chu Qingzhi’s horse.
Chu Qingzhi raised her hand, creating a barrier of spiritual energy, “Manager, what’s the rush?”
The manager felt that he had bumped into something and quickly stopped. “Miss, you’re here? Quick, Miss, help me. The cow is about to die.”
Frowning, Chu Qingzhi dismounted, “Let’s see.”
Entering the cow farm, the cow’s agonized moans became even more pronounced, tugging at the heartstrings. Chu Qingzhi hastened her steps.
Ge Lihua followed Chu Qingzhi, and together they reached the birthing pen of the cow.
The cow, in pain, was butting its head against the wall.
Without hesitation, Chu Qingzhi climbed into the pen, placed her hand on the cow’s back, and gently patted it. After a moment, she tapped the side of the cow’s belly lightly a few times, and soon, the calf was born smoothly.
The cow, exhausted from the effort, lay down immediately after giving birth, its eyes filled with gratitude as it looked at Chu Qingzhi.
The manager, witnessing this, couldn’t help but marvel at Chu Qingzhi’s skill. Not even the best doctor in the cow farm could achieve such a feat. “Miss, what can I do now?”
Chu Qingzhi instructed, “Get some food for the cow, to help it recover its strength.”
“Right away,” the manager replied, eager to assist.
The doctor, who had been assisting with the cow’s delivery, approached Chu Qingzhi humbly and asked, “Miss, why did the calf come out after you tapped a few times?”
Chu Qingzhi explained, “The spots I tapped are acupoints on the cow’s body that help relax its muscles, alleviate pain, and thereby dilate the birth canal to aid in the delivery.”
The doctor, looking enlightened, thanked her, “Thankyou, Miss. I’ve learned something valuable.”
Chu Qingzhi nodded, then climbed out of the pen, “Lihua, let’s have a look around the farm.”
Ge Lihua agreed, “Okay.”
After walking around, Chu Qingzhi had a plan in mind, “Manager, I’d like to buy some cows and calves. Could you spare some?”
The manager readily responded, “Of course. How many would you like?”
It wasn’t the season for spring plowing, so the demand for cows was low, and with the recent births, the farm was nearly overrun with cows.
Chu Qingzhi stated, “Twenty cows and twenty calves.”
The manager was overjoyed at the prospect of selling forty cows, which would significantly ease their overcrowding issue, “Certainly, when would you like them delivered?”
Chu Qingzhi replied, “Could you deliver them the day after tomorrow?” The cow shed would be ready today, and with one day to prepare, they would be perfect for the new arrivals.
The manager agreed without hesitation, “Deal.”
After signing the agreement and paying a deposit, Chu Qingzhi successfully concluded the deal.
Intending to buy a total of one hundred cows and still needing sixty more, Chu Qingzhi and Ge Lihua then headed to the next cow farm to continue their purchases.