Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but smile at Cui Hongyu's shy demeanor.
He reached out again, putting his arm around her shoulders. He gently pecked her on the forehead.
The action startled Cui Hongyu, and she instinctively flinched backward.
"Husband, don't do that. If the editor gets angry, the book will be gone."
Only then did Chen Xiaobei realize that his previous action might have made her think too much.
"Don't worry, this dog of an editor would be happy if we did it more often."
Chatting and laughing, they put on their clothes, slung their baskets over their shoulders, and set off again.
After walking another two li or so, Chen Xiaobei noticed apple trees starting to appear on both sides of the road.
Some already had fruit, while others were just saplings.
Ahead was a small hill. After rounding it, their view opened up dramatically.
As far as the eye could see, there were dense apple trees, with clusters of fruit on each one.
Emerald green leaves, bright red fruit. A clear blue sky with no clouds.
Beautiful, exquisitely beautiful.
Cui Hongyu was even more excited, exclaiming, "It's so magnificent! There are so many more fruits than last time."
Chen Xiaobei picked the largest apple, plucked it, wiped it a few times, and offered it to Cui Hongyu.
"Here, take a bite and see if it tastes the same as the one you ate last time."
Cui Hongyu took it and took a big bite. It was sweet and juicy, with the familiar taste.
"Husband, it's so sweet. You try."
It was an unconscious gesture, natural and without any hesitation or affectation.
This reminded Chen Xiaobei of his first love in his previous life. They would share an ice cream or a cup of milk tea, each taking a bite, each taking a sip, without any pretense.
This was Cui Hongyu's instinctive reaction, her complete openness towards him.
It meant he had completely conquered her heart.
Recalling the moment they had become one, Chen Xiaobei understood a certain truth.
Winning someone's heart could unlock more places and positions.
While picking apples, Chen Xiaobei discussed with Cui Hongyu, "I want to pick some fruit and see if I can sell them in the county town tomorrow. If they sell, we'll bring the villagers to pick them too."
Cui Hongyu listened and smiled, "Everyone will surely buy such delicious apples after tasting them."
Indeed, for something new, the quickest way to gain acceptance was to let people experience it.
Chen Xiaobei was confident that these apples would be well-received in the county town.
Chen Xiaobei filled his basket, while Cui Hongyu's basket was only half full.
Cui Hongyu wanted to put more in, but Chen Xiaobei roughly stopped her.
"No, you're already carrying a lot. You can't put any more in."
Looking at the domineering Chen Xiaobei, Cui Hongyu sweetly agreed.
They walked back along the mountain path.
Chen Xiaobei let Cui Hongyu walk in front, while he followed behind, ensuring he could observe Cui Hongyu's every move. Su Dan Novel Network
As they passed the trees where they had rested before, Cui Hongyu's heart began to race again.
She even pretended to look casually at the grassy area.
Sweetness welled up in her heart, mixed with a hint of anticipation.
And this moment, when she slightly turned her head, was fully captured by Chen Xiaobei, who instantly understood its meaning.
Thinking of their future beneath the vast sky and on the earthy ground, Chen Xiaobei felt an inexplicable excitement.
By the time they returned home, it was well past noon. Hearing their arrival, their second aunt, Xiu Mei, immediately shouted through the wall.
"Xiaobei, Hongyu, come and eat. I've saved food for you both in the pot."
Cui Hongyu glanced hesitantly at Chen Xiaobei, who nodded slightly.
"Let's go and eat."
As they took a couple of steps out of the courtyard, the village guard captain Chen Daqiang rushed over, "Village Chief, Village Chief, there are some people at the village entrance who say they are from Centipede Ridge."
From Centipede Ridge!
It had been a long time since they had been in contact. Chen Xiaobei, too preoccupied to eat, hurried to the village entrance.
Upon reaching the village entrance, he saw Xiong Fei and Hou Liu milling about.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Xiong Fei smiled and walked forward, shouting from a distance, "Brother Xiaobei, it's been a while."
Chen Xiaobei politely returned the greeting, "Brother Xiong Fei, what wind blows you here? Please come in and sit for a while."
Chen Xiaobei invited them to sit under the big locust tree. From a distance, three tigers bared their teeth at them.
Xiong Fei waved his hand, "It's fine here, no need to go further."
Chen Xiaobei didn't insist, calling for the village guards to bring them two bowls of water.
"Brother Xiaobei, we've come today to discuss something. We plan to go up Qingniu Mountain again in the next couple of days. See if you can spare someone to guide us."
Going up the mountain again.
Chen Xiaobei couldn't understand why they suddenly wanted to go up the mountain again, but he remembered they had given him several hundred taels of silver last time, so he felt obliged to repay the favor.
"Alright, I'll make arrangements. When do you plan to go?"
"We plan to go tomorrow. Can that work?"
Of course, it could work.
"I'm going to the county town tomorrow, so I'll have someone else handle the mountain expedition."
As they were talking, Chen Xiaowen rushed over again, shouting as he ran, "Brother Xiaobei, Brother Xiaobei, people from the county have arrived."
Upon hearing that people from the county had arrived, Xiong Fei immediately stood up nervously. Chen Xiaobei, however, smiled calmly, "Xiaowen, take Brother Xiong and the others out of the village through the back."
After making the arrangements, Chen Xiaobei hurried towards the village entrance.
The visitors were Mao You and two county constables.
Chen Xiaobei hadn't interacted much with Mao You, as he usually stood beside Hu Fan and didn't say much.
However, Chen Xiaobei still treated him with great respect, "Master Mao, please, come into the village and have some tea."
Mao You chuckled and cupped his hands, "Please, Village Chief Chen, lead the way."
Mao You was a bit self-important, and his request to be led the way clearly showed he intended to put on airs for Chen Xiaobei.
But Chen Xiaobei didn't mind. He understood that Mao You's visit at this time must be on behalf of Hu Fan, and any matter related to the officials, no matter how small, was important.
Chen Xiaobei led Mao You past the big locust tree. The three tigers startled Mao You greatly. Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped forward and offered a lengthy explanation, after which Mao You cautiously skirted around them.
Entering Chen Xiaobei's house, the four puppies barked excitedly at the strangers, and the two wolf pups in the cage hunched their backs, emitting low growls.
Seeing this, Mao You trembled and pointed at the two wolf pups, asking, "Are these wolves?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled and nodded, "Master Mao, don't be afraid, they're all kept in cages."
But at this moment, Chen Qiao'er proudly pointed at the large vat and said, "We not only have wolves, but also several big snakes."
Chen Xiaobei felt a mix of amusement and helplessness, thinking, "You should be quiet right now."