From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 300: Chapter 301: Dragged Into It

Seeing that her threats weren’t scaring him off, Xu Nuo anxiously looked back the way she came. ’Why aren’t Sanhua and Dazhuang here yet? I knew I should have waited for them.’

She glanced around frantically and spotted the corner of a robe peeking out from under a willow tree. Without a second thought, she rushed toward it.

Gu Lehuan was still debating whether to reveal himself when she suddenly appeared right in front of him.

Their eyes met, and Xu Nuo recognized Gu Lehuan from their matchmaking meeting. A look of delighted surprise flashed across her face. "Husband, so you were here!"

"Husband? You damn woman, you dare lie to me? You think you can just grab any random man off the street?" he sneered. "I’d like to see just who this so-called husband of yours is."

Gu Lehuan knew he was now involved. With a sigh, he stepped in front of Xu Nuo. "Miss Xu, I’ve been waiting here for ages. What took you so long?"

Xu Nuo quietly let out a sigh of relief. "I ran into this Li Laizi and we exchanged a few words. You’ve been waiting a long time, let’s head back!"

Hearing Gu Lehuan’s familiar tone, Li Laizi knew they actually knew each other. He was about to spew some threats, but then he looked at the other man—a head taller and a good deal broader than him—and lost his nerve.

Bitter that his prize was about to fly the coop, he mustered his courage and spat, "Fine, you adulterous pair! Xu Nuo, have you forgotten? You’re still in your mourning period! Couldn’t you wait to find a lover?"

Xu Nuo shot back, "What are you talking about? He is the husband my mother arranged for me before she passed away! Matchmaker Lao can attest to it."

Knowing his plan had failed, Li Laizi shot a few vicious glares at Gu Lehuan, then stalked away, cursing under his breath.

Xu Nuo gave an awkward laugh. "Gu..."

"Gu Lehuan," he supplied in a flat tone, guessing she had forgotten his name.

"Gu Lehuan, thank you so much for that. I really don’t know what I would have done otherwise." As she spoke, Xu Nuo created more distance between them.

Seeing her defensive posture, Gu Lehuan lost all interest in continuing the conversation. ’I guess I was forced into doing a good deed today,’ he thought. He gave her a nod and was about to turn and leave when she called out to him.

"Gu Lehuan, I’ll walk with you." Seeing Li Laizi still loitering not far away, Xu Nuo didn’t dare stay there by herself.

Gu Lehuan didn’t object, simply walking ahead in silence.

"Um, I’m truly sorry about what happened before. My mother is gone, and I want to observe a mourning period for her. I didn’t want to delay you, which is why I sent Matchmaker Lao to see you."

Gu Lehuan shook his head. "Actually, I should be thanking you. I did absolutely nothing and got ten taels of Silver. I’d say I came out on top."

"So," Xu Nuo asked, "are you still looking to marry into a wife’s family?"

Gu Lehuan gave her a look and refused to say another word. He escorted her to a busy street, then promptly ducked into an alley and left.

Xu Nuo rubbed her ear. ’Sheesh, I didn’t think I said anything that bad.’

&

「Gaoling Village」

One day, early in the morning, just as everyone was finishing breakfast and the workers from the tofu mill were about to leave, the sound of gongs and drums erupted.

"What good news is this so early in the morning?" Liang Xiaojun put down his bowl and walked out of the kitchen.

"It’s probably the Gu Family Brothers making a fuss about something again. Don’t just stand there gawking. Hurry and get the donkey cart out; we still have deliveries to make." Afraid his son would take this break as an excuse to slack off, Liang Mugen hurried to the backyard to help him lead the donkey out.

"Quick, quick, go look! It looks like the government officials are here again!" Liu Heizi came jogging over. His house was situated on higher ground, giving him a clear view of the village entrance.

"Gongs and drums again... The last time this happened was when Lao Gouqi became a scholar. Don’t tell me he’s become an Advanced Scholar now?" The twig Liang Xiaojun was using to pick his teeth fell to the ground. By the time he snapped out of his daze, he was already outside the courtyard.

"Dad, hold off on the donkey! I’m going to take a look."

By the time they reached the village entrance, a huge crowd had already formed outside Gu Wenheng’s courtyard.

Seeing the excited looks on everyone’s faces, Liang Xiaojun went over and asked, "What’s all this about? Did Lao Gouqi become an Advanced Scholar?"

Gu Mingdong gave him a look, then a smug, beaming smile spread across his face. "Advanced Scholar? He’s the Champion Scholar! You know what that is? He’s from our Gu Family."

"..."

The new county magistrate, Xia Chenglin, was profusely congratulating the Old Clan Leader, Gu Sanbu, and Gu Dashishi.

Although he himself was an Advanced Scholar of a lower tier, he knew there was a world of difference between that and being the Champion Scholar.

Not only was their starting point higher than his, but their future prospects were also something he could never match.

"The Champion Scholar will be returning to his hometown in a few days. This official will come again to offer my congratulations then." Xia Chenglin knew his presence made everyone uncomfortable, so after sitting for a moment, he offered to take his leave.

Gu Sanbu led all the family members in respectfully escorting him to the village entrance. Only when his entourage had disappeared into the distance did he turn and grab Gu Shulin, his hands trembling. "Our Gu Family has finally made it."

Everyone else was ecstatic as well. Theirs was now a Champion Scholar’s village.

In the past, whenever they left the village, people would bring up Gu Juren. From now on, they would talk about the Ancient Scholar.

Lost in the excitement, no one noticed Li Cuicui sitting dazedly on a stool, still unable to process the news.

Hong Daya cradled her pregnant belly and asked her quietly, "Mother, what are you thinking?"

"I’m wondering how the Star of Literature from the heavens ended up being reborn from my womb. I must have done something wonderful in a past life." Li Cuicui licked her lips. "My life has been worth living."

Hong Daya also never imagined her younger brother-in-law was this brilliant. The Champion Scholar! That was the ultimate goal for countless students.

She stroked her own belly, hoping this baby would be a boy who could grow up to be just like his Seventh Uncle.

Perhaps every mother has had such a thought, but once a child is born, the script for their life is already written, and a mother has no power to intervene.

Gu Yuanjin was no longer the timid, dirt-poor eldest brother he used to be. With a wave of his hand, he sent his household manager into the city to make purchases. Before Gu Wenheng returned, the running banquets would begin.

The other brothers were not to be outdone, sending people to town to buy bolts of fabric. They wanted to ensure everyone was dressed in new clothes to add to the celebratory atmosphere before the Champion Scholar’s return.

Such grand gestures inspired all the villagers. Without the village head even having to say a word, they spontaneously grabbed their farm tools, cleared the weeds along the roads, and gave the fronts and backs of their houses a thorough cleaning.

"This is how the Gu family should be." Gu Sanbu walked through the village, leaning on his cane. He never thought he would live to see the Gu family prosper so.

Seeing Gu Dashishi once again surrounded by the heads of several nearby villages, Gu Sanbu slowly approached with his cane.

"Grandpa Gu, do you think you could have a word with the Champion Scholar? See if the children from our neighboring villages could come here to study."

"That’s right! Let us bask in some of this good fortune. We wouldn’t dare hope for a Champion Scholar, but even if one of our own became a Scholar or a scholar, that would be wonderful!"