Chapter 360 Elder Brothers Are All Roadblocks
Ye Shenge watched Ouyang court disaster, smiling as Xia Hong extended her hand.
"Guess!"
"Ow, ouch, ouch!"
"You know pain? You think I've become shrewish."
This was the first time Ouyang had been hit by his mother, and he couldn't accept it.
"Oh, your son really likes his current mother. Making you live a more cheerful life has always been my wish."
As he spoke, Ouyang hugged his mother. This was his sincere wish. Ever since his father passed away, his already quiet and elegant mother had become even more silent and lonely. Who would have thought that coming to the Bai Rong brigade would allow her to live a different kind of life.
Xia Hong understood what her son meant, and tears welled up in her eyes. She let go of his hand and sat down.
Ye Shenge quickly poured Xia Hong a cup of hot tea and smiled to change the subject.
"Aunt Xia, guess what we were just discussing? It's something that would make you overjoyed if you heard it."
"Oh? Is it about this fellow Ouyang?"
Ouyang saw that his mother's mood had shifted and smiled gratefully at Ye Shenge.
Mother Ye quickly chimed in, saying mysteriously to Xia Hong,
"Your son has his eye on someone and wants me to help him find a wife!"
"Really!"
Xia Hong immediately looked at Ouyang, hoping for his confirmation.
Ouyang rubbed his nose. There was no progress with Little Fatty yet, and his family already knew everything. If he couldn't win over Little Fatty, he'd be ridiculed every day.
"Mm, I do have that plan."
"Good, good, good. Mom will start looking for one for you right away. I guarantee you'll be married next year."
Ouyang looked at Ye Shenge, who was watching the show. Little Fatty and Ye Shenge were classmates. Zi Shao still had two years before he could marry her, and Ouyang was the same.
"No rush, no rush. I'll have Shenge help me."
"Shenge?"
Xia Hong looked at Ye Shenge doubtfully. As far as she knew, Shenge didn't know many girls. Asking Shenge to find one...
Xia Hong first looked at Qi Xuan, thinking she was asking Qi Xuan!
Ye Shenge didn't let Xia Hong be confused for too long, to avoid her getting anxious. She whispered into Xia Hong's ear for quite a while, and Mother Ye also leaned in to add a few words.
Ouyang watched his mother's gaze shift from surprise to dislike, and finally to anger. To avoid another beating, he slowly retreated from the danger zone.
"Heh heh, alright. My son has good taste. He's even got his eye on a girl who hasn't even grown up yet. Truly an old ox eating young grass."
"Why is it old ox eating young grass? I'm not that old, twenty-three, the prime of my life."
Xia Hong scoffed and calmly took a sip of tea to moisten her throat.
"Heh heh, it's all your wishful thinking for now. If you want to be like Zi Shao, you need the capability. I'll just wait for you to woo Tang Tang into the family."
Ouyang quickly leaned in upon hearing this, still with confidence on his face.
"I'm not trying to be like Zi Shao. I just really like Little Fatty's personality. Besides, how can you call it 'wooing'? I will treat the person I choose sincerely and make Little Fatty willingly follow me."
Xia Hong put down her teacup heavily, her tone very stern.
"Fine, then I'll wait. Also, I really like Tang Tang. If you have fate, then work for it. If not, or if she's unwilling, you can't force her."
Ouyang hugged his mother helplessly. Was he the kind of man who forced people?
But Ouyang didn't know that by following Zi Yi Sheng for a long time, he had habitually exerted pressure on others, always making people feel forced.
Xia Hong returned home suppressing her inner ecstasy. She had to quickly relay the message to the old man and make him happy too.
As evening approached, Zi Yi Sheng returned, bringing a whole sheep home. As northerners, they liked to drink a bowl of mutton soup in winter to ward off the cold. They had no chance to eat it in the south. This time, the family had a big gathering again.
Ouyang followed Zi Yi Sheng to his home, wanting to quickly report on work and then go to get closer to Little Fatty.
Zi Yi Sheng clearly sensed Ouyang's urgency, and even his speech speed increased.
"Our people have all been arranged and are in their respective positions."
"Tell everyone to be cautious and discreet. Ignore the disputes of others; I only need to know everyone's movements."
Zi Yi Sheng looked at Ouyang, who kept pricking up his ears to listen to the movements next door, and was curious.
"Do you have something urgent?"
Ouyang had never hidden anything from Zi Yi Sheng and nodded frankly.
"I'm planning to pursue Chen Tang Tang, so..."
Zi Yi Sheng pointed at Ouyang with amusement. This iron tree, older than himself, had finally blossomed.
"You have a good eye. However, Chen Tang Tang is indeed a good girl, pure-hearted and lively. Although she doesn't have a prominent family background, she at least won't drag you down."
"It's still too early. If only she were as perceptive as Shenge. But I see her as a child who hasn't woken up yet."
Zi Yi Sheng looked at Ouyang with disdain.
"It's useless even if she wakes up. She's about the same age as Shenge. Even if she wakes up, there's still time to wait. Being my companion is also quite good."
Ouyang grumbled in his heart, eager himself and wanting to drag him along.
"What if the Chen family doesn't have a rule against marrying someone underage? Maybe I can even get ahead of Zi Shao!"
Zi Yi Sheng, having his sore spot poked, gave Ouyang a kick.
"Get lost now."
"As you command. I'll go work hard first."
Zi Yi Sheng was truly depressed. Would he end up being the last one to get married?
Ouyang hurried to the Ye family's doorstep and stopped. He tidied his clothes, and listening to the chatter of Little Fatty inside, he straightened his back.
Chen Tang Tang was the joy of the Ye family, getting along well with everyone. Today's lamb feast was held at the Ye family's. All the young people in the family gathered together to chat and play.
Ouyang walked in and the first thing he saw was Ye Shenge and Chen Tang Tang surrounded by a group of men. Ye Shenge was understandable; those men were all her brothers. But Little Fatty was truly uninhibited, beaming with joy.
Zi Yi Sheng followed into the house. Seeing this scene and Ouyang's sullen expression, his mood instantly improved. If only there were a few more roadblocks for Ouyang, that would be even better.
"It seems Ouyang's path is arduous. It won't be easy to get ahead of me."
After retaliating again, Zi Yi Sheng joined the circle. He wouldn't help a subordinate who dared to mock him.
Ouyang took a deep breath. What was he afraid of? He was the number one secretary in Mingcheng. Knowing how to speak to different people was his specialty.
"What are you all talking about? Let me join."
"Oh, Big Brother Ouyang is back."
"Quick, Ouyang, what have you been busy with?"
Ouyang was enthusiastically pulled into the circle by everyone. Ouyang directly stood beside Chen Tang Tang, his tall figure immediately covering Chen Tang Tang's already short frame.
Ye Shenge and Zi Yi Sheng, with tacit understanding, stood by and watched, enjoying Secretary Ouyang's attempt to win over the little sweetheart.
Ouyang was also capable. While talking to anyone, he didn't forget to say a few words to Chen Tang Tang. He didn't let Chen Tang Tang have a chance to talk to others, nor did he neglect her.
Until dinner was called, Ouyang directly sat beside Chen Tang Tang. Xia Hong watched, secretly happy in her heart, sighing at her son's decisiveness.
"Comrade Chen Tang Tang, I suppose we are acquainted friends now, aren't we?"
Chen Tang Tang took a bite of the delicious lamb soup, her eyes squinting with happiness. When she heard Ouyang's soft question, she looked confused.
"Of course, we are friends. Besides Shenge, I suppose I'm the most familiar with you here."
"That's good. You don't mind if I call you Tang Tang along with Shenge, right? It sounds too formal to keep calling you Comrade Comrade."
Chen Tang Tang didn't think that much and simply nodded in agreement. She took another bite of cumin lamb, so happy that she truly didn't care what the person next to her was saying. The world was big, and eating was most important.
Ouyang clearly saw this. A foodie was good; catering to her preferences wouldn't be difficult.
As Chen Tang Tang was eating happily, she saw a piece of lamb chop appear in her bowl. She looked up and found Ouyang had put it there for her.
"Eat quickly. If there are many people, you won't get any if you don't grab it."
Ouyang's words dismissed Chen Tang Tang's doubts. He wanted Little Fatty to get used to him first, and then to attack her heart step by step.
Chen Tong Hua was sitting nearby and naturally saw Ouyang's actions. Such intimate behavior was inappropriate, but he didn't dare to speak up due to the large number of people present.
Chen Tang Tang left with her stomach full. They were moving in two days and wanted to pack up their new home. Ouyang followed them, only leaving after seeing them enter their home.
However, Chen Tong Hua, who had already returned home, came out again, looking at Ouyang with a very serious expression.
"Comrade Ouyang, your actions today were inappropriate. I hope you won't do this again in the future. It would be bad if it affected my younger sister's reputation."
Ouyang smiled and pulled the future elder brother aside. His attitude was exceptionally good.
"Tong Hua, is it okay for me to call you that?"
Chen Tong Hua had never had the opportunity to interact with people in high positions like Ouyang and Zi Yi Sheng before. He already treated them with respect, and he wouldn't refuse their goodwill.
"It's fine. Just don't do anything that could be easily misunderstood in the future."
"What if I say I did it intentionally?"
Chen Tong Hua hadn't even considered that Ouyang might have feelings for his younger sister. There was already a significant gap in their identities.
"What do you mean? I don't understand!"
Ouyang, with his thick skin, didn't feel the slightest embarrassment even when saying such things.
"I want to pursue Chen Tang Tang, so everything I do for her is deliberate. I am serious, and I hope Tong Hua won't object."
Chen Tong Hua was stunned. He had never experienced anything like this himself and was flustered for a moment, pacing back and forth.
Ouyang was patient. This was his first step in getting closer to Little Fatty; if he could win over the future elder brother, everything else would be easy.
"You, you're serious?"
"Very serious!"
"I, I'm telling you, even though we come from ordinary families, we're not afraid of you. Don't play games with us."
Ouyang solemnly extended his hand, his face devoid of any smile.
"I also come from an ordinary family, and now everyone has moved to the countryside. Everything from the past has gone with the wind, so we are all equal now.
Also, I am already 23 years old and have long passed the stage of being fickle. The decision I am making now has been carefully considered, and I am sincere towards Chen Tang Tang.
While I can't say I'm in love with Chen Tang Tang, I do like her very much. I like her authenticity, her lack of pretense, and even more so her personality. Being with her always makes me happy, so please give me this chance."
Chen Tong Hua still didn't dare to agree. He was afraid this was just Ouyang's fleeting whim, but he wouldn't stop it. Everything depended on his younger sister's wishes.
"My younger sister probably doesn't know yet, right?"
"Mm, I want to let her get to know me gradually before I confess. Of course, if I try my best and Chen Tang Tang still doesn't accept me, I promise I won't pester her."
Chen Tong Hua was silent for a moment, and then nodded.
"Alright, let's try. But you have to promise not to do anything out of line, and you can't be alone with Tang Tang. After all, gossip is powerful."
Chen Tong Hua was afraid that if they didn't end up together, his younger sister's reputation would be ruined.
Ouyang truly understood Zi Shao's bitterness at this moment. Elder brothers were all roadblocks. Fortunately, he only had one roadblock, while Zi Shao tragically had seven.
"Alright, I promise not to deliberately be alone with Tang Tang."
If Little Fatty initiated it, then he couldn't be blamed. Playing word games was his forte.
Chen Tong Hua's face finally broke into a smile. Of course, he wanted his younger sister to marry well and be happy. Ouyang's family was simple, with no bothersome siblings, making it easier for his sister to get along, which was what satisfied him the most.
Ouyang's smile never faded. Xia Hong saw her son's triumphant look and smiled inwardly, though her face showed displeasure.
"What? You got something from just one act of flattery? I'm telling you, Ouyang Li, Tang Tang is very simple. Don't use the tactics you use at work on her."
Ouyang was helpless. When did he become a cunning and treacherous person in his mother's eyes?
"Oh my, don't worry. I will definitely use my most, most, most sincere heart to pursue your future daughter-in-law. I guarantee I'll marry her next year."
"Next year! What nonsense are you talking about? Tang Tang is only sixteen this year, just a few months older than Shenge."
"Mom isn't precise. She'll be seventeen soon. Next year, rounding up, she'll be eighteen, an adult."
Old Master Ouyang watched his grandson play theatrics with a smile. Good things were coming to his family; he would soon have four generations under one roof.
Xia Hong couldn't be bothered to argue with her son, as she always lost.
"Then I'll immediately make a new dress for Tang Tang. It will be my first gift to her."
"No, no! It's only a few days until the New Year, and we haven't even made things clear between us. If you make it too obvious, I'm afraid it will scare her."
"Is that so? Then fine. I'll give it after you two have settled things."
Ouyang breathed a sigh of relief. How could the first gift come from his mother?
Ouyang spent the whole night in excitement. He finally understood the excitement and drive Zi Shao felt when he fell for Ye Shenge. He just wanted it to be dawn now, he wanted to bring Little Fatty breakfast.
Ouyang went out early the next day and brought back a pile of things at noon. After sorting through them at home, he carried them next door.
Ye Shenge also got up early and came to Chen Tang Tang's house to help. Seeing Ouyang come in, she raised her eyebrows with a smile, automatically considering herself invisible, and watched Secretary Ouyang display his prowess!
"Oh, Ouyang, why are you here? Is there something?"
Chen Tang Tang saw Ouyang and quickly went to meet him, her chubby face breaking into dimples with a smile.
Ouyang shed his usual fake smile, his face filled with a gentle expression.
"I heard from my mom that you usually take good care of her. Since you're moving to a new house, I bought some gifts you might need. I hope you won't refuse."