Folk tales: Sleeping together in melon sheds
In ancient times, there was a small town called Qingyang, the people in the town were simple and the four seasons were distinct. There is a melon field in the south of the town, and in summer, the green melon vines are wrapped around the wooden frame, and the golden melons are heavy and hung on the branches, attracting passers-by.
This year, a happy event happened in the family of Uncle Zhang, the owner of the melon field. His daughter Xiaocui is over fifteen years old, and she is slim and gentle. Xiaocui is not only good-looking, but also smart and clever, and is a well-known clever girl in the town.
One day, the sky was suddenly cloudy, lightning and thunder roared, and heavy rain poured down. Xiaocui happened to buy needlework for her mother in the town, but she didn't bring rain gear, so she had to hurry home. When passing by the melon field, she saw that Uncle Zhang's melon shed was not far away, so she decided to go to the melon shed to hide from the rain.
The melon shed was empty, only a few ripe melons lying quietly under the melon leaves. Xiao Cui found a clean place to sit down, took out the needlework from the baggage and began to work. Soon, an old voice came from outside the melon shed: "Girl, can you let me go into the shed to hide from the rain?"
Xiao Cui looked up and saw an old man in ragged clothes with a wrinkled face standing in the rain, holding a wooden stick in his hand, trembling and majestic. She felt pity, and quickly got up to help the old man into the melon shed, and handed him a clean cloth to wipe his face.
The old man was grateful and thanked him again and again. He claimed to be surnamed Li, and was a foot-walking merchant who missed the inn because of the long distance, so he braved the rain to make his way. Seeing that the old man was old and had difficulty moving, Xiao Cui took the initiative to help him pat the rain on his body, and brought him ripe melons from the melon field to quench his thirst.
The two chatted while eating, and the old man told Xiaocui the story of his adventures when he was young, as well as the customs and customs of various places. Xiao Cui listened with relish, and laughed like silver bells from time to time. Before you know it, it's getting late, and the rain is gradually stopping.
Seeing that it was getting dark, Xiao Cui got up and prepared to go home. The old man suddenly took her hand, and a strange light flashed in his eyes: "Girl, you are kind-hearted, and I have nothing to repay you." If you don't dislike me for being old and infirm, I'm willing to marry you and spend the rest of my life together. ”
Xiao Cui was shocked when she heard this, and hurriedly withdrew her hand, blushing shamefully: "Uncle Li, where did you start talking about this? I am just an ordinary peasant girl, how can I be worthy of a noble person like you?"
The old man stubbornly shook his head: "No, girl, you are wrong. In my opinion, you are more beautiful and kind than any young lady. I am willing to spend the rest of my life taking care of you and loving you. ”
Xiao Cui was flustered in her heart, she never thought that she would encounter such a thing in this melon shed. She knows very well that her identity is very different from that of the old man, and she already has someone in her heart - that is Zhao Ming, a scholar in the town. The two have known each other since childhood, childhood sweethearts, and have already made a private decision for life.
However, in this wilderness, the night is dark and the wind is high, how can Xiao Cui refuse the request of a strange old man? She was conflicted and hesitated.
Seeing that she was silent, the old man thought that she had acquiesced to his proposal, so he stood up happily and began to pack up the things in the melon shed: "Girl, I will go to prepare the dowry, and I will go to your house tomorrow to propose marriage." ”
Seeing this, Xiao Cui hurriedly stopped: "Uncle Li, you misunderstood......! I can't promise you. ”
The old man was stunned: "Why? Girl, do you dislike me?"
Xiao Cui shook her head: "No...... No. I...... I already have a sweetheart. ”
The old man sighed when he heard this: "I see." In that case, I can't force it. But please remember that I, Li, really want to marry you. If you change your mind in the future, you can always come to me. ”
After speaking, the old man walked out of the melon shed slowly with a wooden stick. Xiaocui stood in the melon shed, looking at the back of the old man who was getting farther and farther away, and her heart was mixed. She didn't know if she had made the right decision, or what her future would hold.
As the night deepened, Xiao Cui carried a lantern and walked home alone. Her heart was unusually heavy, as if she was being clung to by something. She didn't know how to deal with this sudden turn of events, nor how to explain it to her family.
However, life is always full of unknowns and uncertainties. Sometimes, a seemingly trivial decision can change a person's life. Xiaocui's story also quietly kicked off on this stormy night. Folk Tales: Sleeping Together in a Melon Shed (Second Half)
When Cui returned home, it was completely dark. She pushed open the door of the house and saw that her mother was anxiously looking at the door, so she hurriedly stepped forward, hugged her mother, and told her what happened in the melon shed today. When the mother heard this, she was also stunned, and then fell into deep thought.
"Cui'er, although this old man Li is older, looking at his behavior today, he looks like a righteous gentleman. The mother said slowly, "It's just that this marriage event, how can it be a child's play? You already have Zhao Ming in your heart, if you change your mind easily, I'm afraid that you will regret it in the future." ”
Xiao Cui nodded, tears rolling in her eyes: "Mother, I think so too." However, Uncle Li is old and alone, and if I refuse too directly, I am afraid that it will break his heart. ”
The mother and daughter discussed for a long time, but they didn't come up with a way to get the best of both worlds. Xiaocui's heart was troubled and she didn't sleep all night.
The next morning, as soon as the sky was bright, Xiaocui got up and went to the melon field. She wanted to go to see Uncle Li and tell him her decision in person. However, when she came to the melon shed, she found that the melon shed was empty, only a few leftover melon skins and candles that burned out last night.
Xiaocui felt a sense of loss in her heart, she didn't know where Uncle Li had gone, and she didn't know how to find him. She stood in the melon shed, looking into the distance, her heart full of melancholy.
Just then, a familiar figure approached from a distance. Xiao Cui fixed his eyes and saw that it was Zhao Ming. Zhao Ming saw Xiaocui standing in the melon shed, so he quickened his pace and walked to her side: "Cui'er, why are you here? I heard that you were hiding from the rain in the melon shed yesterday, and you met a strange old man?"
Xiao Cui nodded and told Zhao Ming what happened yesterday. After Zhao Ming heard this, his brows tightened: "The origin of this old man Li is unknown, you still have to be careful." However, I trust your decision, and I will support you in whatever you choose. ”
Xiao Cui looked at Zhao Ming gratefully, and a warm current surged in her heart. She knew that no matter what difficulties she encountered, she would have Zhao Ming by her side.
As the days passed, the relationship between Xiaocui and Zhao Ming became deeper and deeper. Together, they ploughed the fields, weaved, and took care of their families, and although they lived in poverty, they were full of happiness and contentment.
However, just as they were about to talk about marriage, an astonishing news spread throughout Qingyang Town. It turned out that Li Laohan was not an ordinary foot merchant, but a prince of a neighboring country. Dissatisfied with his father's arrangement, he fled the palace and traveled from place to place. During his travels, he meets Tsui and is fascinated by her kindness and beauty.
When Li Laohan learned that Xiaocui already had a heart, he didn't force it. Instead, he found Xiao Cui and Zhao Ming and sent his most sincere blessings. He also told Xiaocui that he was about to return to the palace and inherit the throne. He hopes that Xiaocui will remember him, but he also hopes that she can live the life she wants.
Xiaocui and Zhao Ming were moved by Li Laohan's honesty and open-mindedness. They knew that this prince from afar, although he was noble, had an approachable heart. They were also honored to be able to meet him.
On the day Li Laohan left, Xiaocui and Zhao Ming saw him off together. They stood in front of the melon shed, watching the back of Li Laohan walking away. Xiaocui's heart was full of emotion and blessings. She knew that this prince from afar would leave a deep mark on her life.
A few years later, Xiaocui and Zhao Ming finally tied the knot. Their wedding was held in Qingyang Town. Li Laohan also sent a messenger to send congratulatory gifts and blessings. Xiao Cui and Zhao Ming were grateful, they treasured this blessing in their hearts, and always remembered this friend from afar.
And that melon shed has also become a legend in Qingyang Town. Whenever people pass by there, they are reminded of the 15-year-old woman who used to hide from the rain and spend the night with others, and her extraordinary experience.