Lu Yuanfeng’s voice carried an inexplicable surprise and tremor.
The two had parted ways at noon, with Lu Yuanfeng having lunch at his own ho. In the afternoon, he helped his third uncle carry courage for the entire afternoon, his mind elsewhere, as if sothing was bothering him.
When he finally finished his chores and went to the vegetable field to water the plants, he figured out why he was unhappy.
He hadn’t seen Shuangshuang all afternoon.
He didn’t know what Shuangshuang was doing, whether she had tired herself with work.
After watering, Lu Yuanfeng didn’t leave imdiately but found a spot to wait for Shuangshuang.
He had a feeling Shuangshuang would co, and when she did, Fengzi was naturally overjoyed.
"What are you doing here?" Mu Shuangshuang widened her clear eyes like a blue wave, asking curiously.
Just now, Lu Yuanfeng must have been resting sowhere; otherwise, she wouldn’t have noticed him.
"Nothing... nothing much." Lu Yuanfeng shook his head.
"Alright then, I want to go to the mountain to gather so wild vegetables for our pigs." Mu Shuangshuang grinned at Lu Yuanfeng, chuckling lightly.
"Our?"
"Yes, the pigs were caught by you. Surely you don’t expect to raise them all by myself, do you? Are you trying to take advantage?"
Mu Shuangshuang kept a straight face, pretending to be serious.
If outsiders heard her, they’d definitely think she was talking about a baby rather than pigs. But Mu Shuangshuang, being carefree, didn’t overthink it.
"No, I... I’m willing to raise them." Lu Yuanfeng blushed, looking sowhat flustered.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s hurry up the mountain. If the piglets go hungry, we’ll both be in trouble."
Mu Shuangshuang took the lead, heading toward the mountain, but Lu Yuanfeng quickly followed. He helped clear the thorns on the mountain path for Mu Shuangshuang, and when they encountered slippery spots, he reached out to steady her.
All of this made Mu Shuangshuang feel a bit spoiled.
If before, when Fengzi had watered the vegetable field, she felt secure, now she felt protected.
Though she considered herself strong, it was a feeling she hadn’t fully appreciated before.
Mu Shuangshuang occasionally glanced at the man beside her. He was tall and full of energy. Standing next to him, she felt especially safe.
But beautiful monts always seem to pass by so quickly. Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng gathered wild vegetables and picked up so wood ear mushrooms and fresh mushrooms, all in the ti it takes for an incense stick to burn.
It felt like just a blink of an eye had passed.
When they reached the village path, both hesitated for a long ti, especially Lu Yuanfeng, who walked a few steps only to step in place, wearing a hole in the ground beneath him.
Suddenly, Lu Yuanfeng thought of sothing and quietly said.
"Shuangshuang, you go ho first. I’ll co find you later. You must be at ho."
Lu Yuanfeng repeated his words twice, and before Mu Shuangshuang could react, he jogged back ho.
The first thing he did upon returning was to check on the cabinet at ho, the one he had made for Shuangshuang.
It was a rounded cabinet coated in red paint, with several shelves. This wasn’t what made the cabinet special.
What made it unique was the small cabinet beside it, which had a copper mirror mounted on it. Standing close, he could see his own face.
The big cabinet was ant for Shuangshuang’s house, while the small one was Shuangshuang’s personal piece. Originally, they were a set, but now he decided to separate them.
But the items were large, so he had to find soone to help. Lu Yuanfeng went to seek Zhao Daniu and Zhao Dahu. Just as they were preparing to leave with the items, Xia Guagua, who hadn’t been seen in a while, reappeared.
The mont Xia Guagua saw Lu Yuanfeng holding the small cabinet, her eyes lit up.
"Brother Yuanfeng, the cabinet you’re holding is so beautiful."
Lu Yuanfeng paid no attention to her, but just because you ignore soone doesn’t an they’ll leave you alone. Xia Guagua reached out to block his path, loudly asking.
"Brother Yuanfeng, who is this for?"
"Get out of my way. Whom I’m giving it to is none of your business." Lu Yuanfeng said.
"Is it for that wench? Did she ask you for it, or did you two do sothing indecent?" Xia Guagua inquired through clenched teeth.
Lu Yuanfeng’s face suddenly turned dark and stormy.
"Can you not talk so disgustingly?"
Lu Yuanfeng’s expression changed, and Xia Guagua quickly reined in her temper. She said, "I’m sorry, Brother Yuanfeng, I shouldn’t have said that. But could you make one for too? I think it’s very beautiful..."
Xia Guagua lowered her head. This cabinet, especially the copper mirror on top of it, had caught her eye in an instant. If only she could have one too...
Unfortunately, Lu Yuanfeng’s kindness was not for everyone. He ignored Xia Guagua, maintaining a stern face, and walked past her without a glance.
Xia Guagua stood there dumbfounded. She had thought Lu Yuanfeng would at least offer so excuse, but he didn’t even spare her a glance. Filled with rage, Xia Guagua stord into Lu Yuanfeng’s house, grabbed a pair of scissors, and started cutting the clothes on his clothesline.
"Slut! I’ll cut up all his clothes. Let’s see how you hook up with him!"
...
...
Mu Shuangshuang was waiting for Lu Yuanfeng in the courtyard. Dinner was being prepared by Yu Si Niang, so she could sit outside, relax, and take a break.
After working all afternoon, she was indeed exhausted. If it weren’t to keep herself fit, she would have lain in bed without moving.
A mont of rest, and suddenly two people entered through the side gate of the courtyard, carrying a large rounded cabinet. The cabinet was painted a beautiful red. Once they set it down, Mu Shuangshuang could see who they were.
"Da Hu, Brother Da Niu, what brings you here? And this is...?"
"Fengzi made this. We’re putting it in your house, and he’ll explain everything when he arrives."
Mu Shuangshuang led them inside. Little Zhi was the most excited, as Mu Shuangshuang had long promised her a new cabinet. So now, she was hugging and kissing it with joy.
Mu Dashan paused his work, equally surprised.
It had been nearly twenty years since they last got new furniture—tables, chairs, cabinets, all were old items discarded by others, and he usually worried they’d collapse at the slightest touch.
Before Mu Dashan could make sense of it all, Lu Yuanfeng walked in from the yard, carrying the cabinet with the copper mirror, slowly approaching Mu Shuangshuang.
"Fengzi, why did you bring two cabinets?" Mu Shuangshuang was surprised and delighted, especially when she saw the copper mirror.
All won love beauty, and she was no exception. Ever since coming to this era, she had only a basin of water for reflection. Making do with its hazy beauty, she’d lasted this long.
Yet, deep down, she’d always wanted to buy a copper mirror.
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