When Tang Momo heard that Xu Xiaoyun had fallen into the water, she and Zhang Xiaoli were busy packing up a few things to take over to the Gu family to thank them. 

Tang Jianan came back from outside with the twins and shared with them what he had just heard outside. 

“Sister Xiaoyun fell into the river. Fortunately, Aunt Hua was washing clothes by the river and rescued her, but she hasn’t woken up yet.” Tang Jianan said with some worry in his tone. 

After hearing this, Tang Momo couldn’t help but sigh, she was really worthy of being the female protagonist. Aunt Hua even saved her, which avoided a lot of trouble. 

“Sister, don’t go to the river these days. I heard people say that the Dragon King is looking for a new bride. Didn’t you almost have an accident a few days ago?” Tang Jianan looked at Tang Momo with concern. 

If Tang Momo hadn’t been discovered last time, she would probably have drowned in the trap. So, when Xu Xiaoyun fell into the water today, some people started talking, suggesting that their Qingshui Brigade must have angered the Dragon King recently. 

“Don’t talk about this nonsense outside in the future. You will get arrested if you promote feudal superstition.” 

Tang Momo couldn’t help but smile at this. There’s no such thing in the novel. Perhaps it was the butterfly effect she brought with her? 

Although Zhang Xiaoli scolded her son, she also looked at Tang Momo with a worried look. 

Well, Tang Momo thought there was someone sensible at home, but it seemed she was mistaken. 

Afraid that they would continue this topic, Tang Momo quickly pointed to the things on the table. “Mother, aren’t we going to the Gu family to thank them? Aren’t we leaving?” 

“We’ll go after we eat. Otherwise, they might think we’re just there for a meal.” At this time, every family has limited food supply, so food seems to be particularly precious. 

“Then I’ll go cook.” After Tang Momo said that she looked at the twins. She had no problem cooking, but she couldn’t light the fire. 

“I’ll do it. You’re just recovering, so don’t overwork yourself.” Zhang Xiaoli felt that Tang Momo suffered this time, so she wanted her to rest more. 

“It’s just cooking, don’t worry.” Tang Momo said without giving her a chance to refuse and went straight to the kitchen. 

Tang Momo was willing to take the initiative to cook, not only because she wanted to reduce the burden on Zhang Xiaoli, but also because she thought her cooking tasted better. 

“Let’s go help, Mother can rest here.” Looking at their running figures, Zhang Xiaoli felt some sadness. Since Tang Dajun passed away, their children have been forced to grow up. 

“Sister, what are we going to eat in the evening?” Tang Yangyang kept her eyes on the cabinet while speaking, and the delicious meat buns at noon seemed to still remain in her mouth. 

Tang Momo thought about the big bones she bought earlier and realized there wasn’t enough time to make the bone soup. She began salting the bones while answering Tang Yangyang. 

“We just had meat buns at noon. Let’s eat something simple at night and stew some bone soup tomorrow at noon.” After saying that, she rubbed the little kid’s head. 

Hearing that there would be bone soup tomorrow at noon, Tang Yangyang’s eyes lit up and she began to look forward to tomorrow’s lunch. 

*** 

At this time, the Xu family was in chaos due to Xu Xiaoyun’s accident. 

Everything had seemed fine when the siblings returned from the city, but Xu Zhengfu’s comments at the supply and marketing cooperative had become a thorn in Xu Xiaoyun’s side. Why should her betrothal gift be used to buy a watch for Xu Zhengfu? If anyone deserved a gift, it should be her. 

Although she felt uncomfortable, Xu Xiaoyun knew that if she really said this, her mother would definitely side with her brother, so she planned to talk about it when she discussed the betrothal gift. 

But Xu Zhengfu didn’t even give her a chance to catch her breath. As soon as they returned, he boasted about how good the watch he saw today. At the end, he didn’t forget to add. “When Xiaoyun’s betrothal gift is settled, I will buy it back.” 

“Brother, I don’t even have a partner yet. What are you thinking about?” Xu Xiaoyun looked at Xu Zhengfu with some displeasure. 

“Isn’t it coming soon? Am I not just making plans in advance?” Xu Zhengfu laughed and continued to arrange her betrothal gift. 

Seeing that their parents did not stop him, Xu Xiaoyun became even angrier, and her voice became louder: “Brother, how come something that didn’t happen becomes true when you say it? If others hear it, will I still have any reputation left?” 

“I’m just talking at home. Do you think your brother is that thoughtless?” Xu Zhengfu’s tone began to become impatient. What happened to Xu Xiaoyun today? 

Seeing everyone looking at her as if she was overreacting, Xu Xiaoyun felt even more aggrieved. She threw her sleeves and ran out of the yard. 

During the rainy season, the river is slippery. Xu Xiaoyun accidentally slipped and fell into the water. 

But because of what happened earlier, her family thought she jumped into the water herself, which scared them. 

Everyone pointed their finger at Xu Zhengfu, thinking that he shouldn’t have spoken like that. What if Xu Xiaoyun got hurt? 

Although rural people value sons over daughters, after all, they had raised their daughter for so many years, and it would be a lie to say that they didn’t feel sorry for her. 

Xu Zhengfu also felt aggrieved. He had no idea that Xu Xiaoyun would jump into the river just because he said a few words casually. Besides, he had said that before, so why did Xu Xiaoyun react so strongly? 

For a while, the Xu family was in chaos because of Xu Xiaoyun’s fall into the water. 

*** 

At the Gu family, it was dinner time. Gu Chengze sat next to his grandmother and ate quietly. 

“If you ask me, the Tang family is really lacking in manners. Chengze saved the girl’s life, and they didn’t even say a word of thanks?” Zhou Hairong, the wife of Gu Dahai, the eldest son of the Gu family, said with dissatisfaction. 

“That’s right. Even though their life isn’t easy, they should still show proper manners,” Xu Xiaohui, Gu Dajiang’s wife, agreed. 

Zhao Xiuli glanced at her two daughters-in-law. Don’t think she didn’t know their little schemes. Under her warning eyes, the two sisters-in-law quickly fell silent. 

Gu Chengze lowered his eyes and said nothing. He knew from childhood that the Gu family did not welcome him. After all, in the eyes of his two aunts, he was just a burden. 

The Gu family was considered a well-off family in the Qingshui Brigade. He knew his aunt’s suspicions, but he had never coveted anything from the Gu family. Unfortunately, they were always unwilling to believe that. 

At this time, a voice came from the gate of the courtyard. “Is Aunt Zhao home?” 

Tang Momo trailed behind Zhang Xiaoli, casting a discreet glance at the courtyard in front of her. In the end, she had to admit that the Gu family’s courtyard was far superior to the one at the Tang family’s place. 

Thinking that she was about to meet Gu Chengze, Tang Momo was a little excited. After all, she had some idea what he looks like. 

His sharp features, sword eyebrows, starry eyes, and high nose bridge, there’s a moment of anticipation now that she’s finally meeting him 

Recalling about the description of the male protagonist appearance in the novel, Tang Momo couldn’t help but sigh again—he truly has the aura of a male protagonist. 

Hearing the voice again, Gu Chengze dropped the chopsticks in his hand. Seeing that everyone’s eyes were on him, Gu Chengze lowered his eyelids to hide the emotions in his eyes. 

Then he raised his eyes and looked at their expressions and quickly confirmed that they had not heard the sound earlier. 

He pinched the center of his brow, realizing that he was hearing things again. His condition seemed to be getting worse. 

At this time, Zhou Hairong had already brought Zhang Xiaoli and her daughter inside the main room. 

Zhou Hairong looked a bit embarrassed; she had just been criticizing them for their lack of manners, but the slap in the face came so quickly. 

Tang Momo caught a glimpse of the changing expressions on Zhou Hairong’s face next to her, and quickly confirmed her identity—the male protagonist’s aunt. 

If their family was like little cabbages now, Gu Chengze in the past was not much better off. 

His mother gave birth to him alone, but she was unwilling to tell her family about the man’s information. 

The elders of the Gu family felt sorry for their daughter and naturally gave her more care. But in the era of material scarcity, if they took more care of their daughter, the resources allocated to their sons would naturally be reduced accordingly, and as a result, the two daughters-in-law couldn’t help but feel resentful. 

Later, after his mother passed away, Gu Chengze life in the Gu family became more and more difficult. Although he was protected by his grandmother, it was still hard. It was not until he joined the army that the situation improved. 

Just as Gu Chengze was thinking about his hallucinations, Zhang Xiaoli was explaining her purpose and intentions. 

Seeing what they brought, the Gu family members were stunned. 

Zhao Xiuli stood up and firmly declined. “We appreciate your gratitude, but you should take these things back. What Chengze did was simply his duty as a soldier.” 

As long as they had this attitude, these things must not be accepted. 

Although Zhou Hairong and Xu Xiaohui felt a little regret for their mother-in-law’s refusal, they also knew that she always kept her word, so they also refused. 

Tang Momo took advantage of the time when they were pushing and shoving to secretly look at Gu Chengze on the other side. Although he half-lowered his head, it did not prevent her from looking at him. 

Sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, high nose bridge, and sharp features—he truly matches the description from the novel. Judging from the height of his sitting posture, he was estimated to be more than 1.8 meters tall, which was definitely the standard of the male protagonist. 

While looking at him, Tang Momo recalled the description of the male protagonist and his family in the book. Unexpectedly, Gu Chengze looked up, and their gazes met. 

Tang Momo was a little embarrassed for being caught peeking and quickly retracted her gaze and lowered her eyes. 

Gu Chengze was a bit stunned; it was the first time a woman had stared at him so boldly. Remembering her surprised expression when their eyes met, he couldn’t help but smile. He guessed she wasn’t that bold after all. 

Tang Momo tried to ignore Gu Chengze’s gaze on her. Well, she had looked at him for so long, so it was only fair for him to return the look. 

Thinking of this, Tang Momo stood in a more dignified posture and even looked up and smiled at him. See, she would consider it as paying back the debt. Now it was Gu Chengze’s turn to be surprised. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Aunt Zhang’s voice. “Momo, you haven’t formally thanked Xiao Gu yet; hurry up.” 

“Comrade Gu, thank you for saving me. I will repay you in the future.” Tang Momo spoke in a clear voice with a serious face and bowed to Gu Chengze at the end to express her gratitude. 

“This child is quite sincere.” Zhao Xiuli’s impression of them improved significantly because of their visit to thank them. 

Gu Chengze saw her bowing and quickly helped her up. “This is what I should do. You are too polite.” 

“There’s no such thing as what you should do. The captain told me about that day. If it weren’t for your persistence, Momo might not have come back.” Zhang Xiaoli’s eyes were becoming moist. 

“Mother, I’m fine. Don’t cry.” Tang Momo patted her shoulder and comforted her. 

Gu Chengze couldn’t help but look at her twice more when he heard her. The tone and voice seemed familiar. 

Just when Gu Chengze wanted to confirm whether her voice was the same as the one, he heard in his hallucination, the hallucination didn’t sound again until the mother and daughter left. 

After leaving the Gu family’s house, Zhang Xiaoli felt a bit more at ease now that one of her worries had been settled. 

While Tang Momo’s mind drifted back to the events of the novel. 

At this time, the Xu family had just invited Doctor Lin from the health clinic back, but Xu Xiaoyun in the room slowly opened her eyes.