Li Chun envied Chun Yu, who had grown up with the young madam.
But she cherished the opportunity to stay by the young madam's side even more. These past few days, the atmosphere at the Meng family had given her and her mother a brand-new way of life.
The mother and daughter had even woken up laughing from their dreams.
...
The captain and Xiang Tong were not heavy drinkers. Seeing the sun begin to set, they prepared to bid farewell and return.
Qi He earnestly tried to persuade them to stay. "It's not safe to spend the night on the mountain. It's not too late for you senior brothers to return early tomorrow."
"We have to spend the night on the mountain anyway. Besides, there are pregnant women at home, and we're worried."
Qi He thought about it. The captain was right. If his wife were pregnant, he wouldn't be at ease either. He would return even if it meant a long journey under the stars and moon.
Seeing that Qi He had been persuaded, the captain spoke again to take his leave.
"Wait, I'll go tell my wife," Qi He said, and then turned and ran quickly to the backyard.
"Oh my, listen to him. He calls his wife so smoothly, it's like a seamless transition."
"Anyone can see it. He must have secretly called her that countless times in his heart."
"Indeed."
The so-called senior brothers, seeing that there were no outsiders nearby, happily gossiped about Qi He's affection for Xin Ci.
"They were childhood sweethearts, innocent and pure."
"It's not easy for childhood sweethearts to achieve a happy ending."
"Yes, how many of those childhood sweethearts were snatched away by later mongrels, and how many childhood sweethearts lost their way, lured by charming little sprites."
"Many, I suppose."
"Don't worry. With Xin Ci's temperament, no one can fool Qi He under her watch."
"If anyone wants to seduce Qi He, they'll have to endure Fu Xiao Niu's fierce bombardment."
"That's right." Thinking of Fu Xiao Niu's ferocity when fighting the Tatars, the companions silently lit candles for that brave warrior.
They even generously added a phrase for her: Awesome.
Lan Tian Yao, seeing that the group was speaking so eloquently and Xiang Tong could occasionally chime in, felt a bit displeased standing there like a clueless goose.
"Can't you talk about something I know?"
"Don't you know Xin Ci?"
"I know her, but not as well as you do. I don't dare to speak carelessly."
"Mm, true." Xiang Tong didn't know Fu Xiao Niu well either. He only spoke occasionally to play along with the other three.
In fact, the ones who spoke the most were Pang Dun Er and Xu Jia Can, as they were around Xin Ci's age back then, and their youthful days of playing pranks together were still memorable.
Xiang Tong felt a pang of longing. "If I could relive those days, Brother would definitely find you sooner and have fun with you all."
"Tch."
"Forget it."
"We don't want to relive those days. This is good enough."
Although none of them mentioned the past, they all tacitly understood that no one wanted to experience the scene of Xin Ci being harmed again.
A sudden silence made Lan Tian Yao a little unaccustomed.
Then Qi He came over with a tray, saying it contained gifts from his wife for the senior brothers.
As soon as the group glimpsed the shape of the objects in the bags, they knew what was inside without opening them.
Lan Tian Yao was excited. Fu Xiao Niu was truly a thoughtful angel, preparing the things he loved without him even asking.
"As expected of Fu Xiao Niu."
Actually, he wanted to say: "She who knows me best is Fu Xiao Niu." But he was afraid Qi He might overthink it and, if it affected their marital relationship, he would be a sinner.
However, since he had already reached out, he couldn't come back empty-handed.
Moreover, he had to get back what he had lost today.
While others might be too embarrassed to take, he would take half of Xiang Tong's share.
Xiang Tong's heart ached as he saw this fellow actually pick up two bags.
But in front of Qi He and the others, he had to maintain his composure and pretend not to care.
After Qi He and Old Jin escorted them to the gate, Xiang Tong held back. But as soon as they rode their horses out of sight, Xiang Tong's figure lunged towards Lan Tian Yao.
Lan Tian Yao didn't hesitate. He dodged to the side and held up a bag, saying, "I don't want much from you, just half."
Xiang Tong, without thinking twice, reluctantly agreed.
Watching his pained expression, Lan Tian Yao's mood instantly improved as if he were soaring through the clouds.
Especially when they climbed the hill and saw the sea reflecting the sunset in the distance, he was immediately inspired to write poetry.
"Ah, the sea, the sea, full of water."
Pang Dun Er: He could also come up with a few poems like this.
Xu Jia Can: It seemed he could too.
Captain: He was lost in thought and heard nothing.
Xiang Tong: Others have pregnant ears; they have ears suffering.
Lan Tian Yao: Brother is happy in his heart, so what?
"The sky in the liberated areas is bright and clear, the people in the liberated areas love it so much."
Companions: The song is good, but the singer is a bit crazy.
Xiang Tong: Add one.
...
Qi He finally saw off the last group of guests. His father had also sent someone to let him know that he would return tomorrow.
The night was quiet, and occasionally, a dog bark could be heard from a nearby household. His own dog, Xiao Hei, immediately perked up, its ears raised as if it would charge and fight if it sensed any disturbance.
Qi He smiled and tightened the courtyard gate.
He thought about discussing with his father tomorrow about appropriately hiring a few more people for the household. At least they couldn't be without a gatekeeper, a cook, and laborers.
He made up his mind, glanced up at the starry sky, and could no longer suppress his inner feelings. He turned and ran back.
Mama Yang had just finished helping Fu Xin Ci with her wash. She sat against a large pillow wearing only a thin red spring blouse.
Qi He entered the room and gazed at his wife, who was like a lotus emerging from water. His feet felt as if they were glued to the ground, unable to move.
Mama Yang lowered her head, not daring to look at the young master, and softly reminded, "Young master, this servant has already prepared hot water for you."
"Mm, wait a moment." Qi He remembered that his wife's hairpins were meant for him to help remove.
The thought of his wife waiting for him for so long caused guilt to surge within him.
Fu Xin Ci also cooperatively swayed her neck. She was now incredibly thankful for choosing this wedding headdress made before the apocalypse, otherwise, her neck might have suffered internal injuries from its weight.
However, she was so engrossed in lowering her eyes and swaying her neck that she forgot how this action, in the eyes of a certain person, was alluring.
By the time she realized it, Qi He was already in front of her.
Hearing his intensified breathing, Fu Xin Ci, in a rather unromantic fashion, reminded him.
"Brother Qi, hurry and help me take out my hairpins, then you can go bathe."
Qi He smiled and nodded. With his calloused hands, and with Mama Yang's assistance, he slowly unpinned his wife's dark, lustrous hair.
Seeing that the young couple was not speaking, Mama Yang quietly withdrew, not forgetting to close the bedroom door from the outside.