Chapter 16: A New Treasure (Part 2)

The next day, the Zhao family started shelling corn.

In Xinghua Village, corn was usually shelled by hand or with the soles of their shoes. People would turn their shoes upside down on a small wooden bench and grind the corn cobs against them.

A typical family could shell several hundred pounds in half a day if they worked together.

Since the Zhao family was short on helping hands, even six-year-old Zhao An’an had to pitch in. Despite her age, she worked like an experienced farmer, diligently grinding corn.

When Dai Ning came outside, she saw the little girl surrounded by a small pile of corn kernels, with almost twenty cobs beside her.

Seeing Dai Ning bouncing around, Zhao Yu brought a stool for her.

Dai Ning leaned forward, watching Zhao An’an grind the corn.

Zhao An’an shyly asked, “Miss, would you like to try?”

Dai Ning replied, “Sure!”

She was amazed by the technique, surprised that shoe soles could be used like that. Mimicking Zhao An’an’s actions, she tried a few times, but the corn cob barely yielded any kernels.

Zhao Ping, observing nearby, stifled a laugh. The young miss was really something.

Zhao An’an corrected her, “Not like that, miss. My brother says you have to do it this way.”

Under the little girl’s guidance, Dai Ning managed to shell half a cob.

Since her foot was still injured and she couldn’t go out, she found playing with corn rather entertaining.

Taking over Zhao An’an’s seat, she soon grew bored, barely managing one and a half cobs before she started slacking off.

Her hands hurt.

Dai Ning blew on her palms. “I’m done. Zhao An’an, you do it.”

“Oh,” Zhao An’an replied.

Watching, Zhao Yu noticed her palms were red, as he’d anticipated. Even Zhao An’an’s small hands were dry and rough from farm work, but Dai Ning’s were soft and delicate.

She sat beside him and asked, “Zhao Yu, haven’t you been visiting Du Tian’s mother recently?”

Without looking up, he said, “Why would I? Du Tian is at the hospital with her.”

Dai Ning’s mood brightened. “Then take me up the mountain! I haven’t been there yet.”

She had arrived in Xinghua Village at the height of summer and hadn’t wanted to go outside because of the heat. Now that it was cooler, it was the perfect time for an outing.

Zhao Yu glanced at her bandaged foot. “Your foot’s injured. Stop trying to run around. And you see I’m busy—I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

Rejected, Dai Ning knew he was stubborn and resistant to persuasion.

She was about to insist when Zhao An’an suddenly spoke up, “Brother, there’s a corn bug over there!”

“Where?”

“On the ground.”

The bug was not far from Dai Ning.

Seeing the insect squirming on the ground, Dai Ning’s face went pale. She recoiled, chair and all, in a hurry.

Zhao Ping, already accustomed to such things, grabbed a bottle to catch the bug.

Kids in the village weren’t afraid of bugs. For the family chickens, these bugs were a nutritious treat.

The bottle already held around ten bugs. Dai Ning only took one look before feeling utterly disgusted.

From behind her came a soft sigh. Zhao Yu, after cleaning his hands, covered her eyes.

Blinded, Dai Ning couldn’t see the two siblings catching bugs.

Zhao Yu scooped her up and carried her back to her room, setting her on the bed. Her eyes were wet, and she looked at him, pitifully.

“Stay in your room,” he said. “An’an and Zhao Ping didn’t know you were scared of bugs.”

She buried her face in the soft covers, not pouting or complaining this time. Her silence was proof of how disgusted she truly was.

After a long pause, Zhao Yu finally said, “I’ll make a swing for you tonight. I’ll take you up the mountain in a few days.”

With that, he left, heading back to help Zhao Ping and An’an with their chores.

After he’d been gone a while, the green orb rolled its eyes. “He’s really gone. You can stop pretending.”

From under the covers emerged Dai Ning’s grinning face.

The green orb pitied Zhao Yu, finding it unfortunate that he was falling for such a mischievous girl.

Dai Ning had a strong reaction to bugs, but as long as she couldn’t see them and they weren’t touching her, she quickly returned to her usual self.

She pulled out her phone, idly playing as she lay on the bed. “Zhao Ping’s disgusting,” she remarked, “catching bugs with his bare hands.”

The green orb sighed with exasperation.

――

That night, after gathering the shelled corn, Zhao Yu took out an old saw, plane, and chisel to make a wooden swing.

He worked skillfully, shavings flying as he carved the wood until it was smooth.

Zhao Ping came out and urged, “Brother, it’s late. You should go to bed.”

“You go ahead. I’ll be done soon.”

Zhao Yu stayed up late, working by lamplight.

From her window, Dai Ning occasionally glimpsed his shadow in the yard, her expression complicated as she realized what he was doing.

The beginnings of affection often make people act a bit foolishly.

Even for someone as calm and composed as Zhao Yu, something in him was changing.

Dai Ning smiled, finding it amusing. She hadn’t even started making a move yet.

Without further thought, she went to sleep.

The next morning, Dai Ning woke to find a swing hanging from the old walnut tree in the yard.

It was finely crafted and swung gently in the morning breeze.

Dai Ning was delighted.

She found a soft cushion and some silk, calling out sweetly before the family started their day’s work, “Zhao Yu!”

He came over, and she handed him the cushion and purple silk.

“Wrap the cushion on the swing seat and the silk around the ropes. Otherwise, my hands will hurt.”

Saying nothing, he wrapped the cushion and silk as she requested.

The swing, now soft and elegant, seemed tailor-made for a princess. She sat on it, her skirt blooming around her like layers of petals, dazzling in the morning light.

Seeing her, Zhao An’an’s eyes held a trace of envy, though she kept quiet.

Zhao Yu bent down to tell his little sister, “The young miss won’t be here long. When she’s gone, you can have the swing.”

Zhao Ping, acting like an adult, shook his head in resignation. The walnut tree, once cherished, had now become merely a plaything for the young miss.

After a few days, with the cooler autumn air settling in, Dai Ning’s foot healed enough for her to walk again.

Zhao Yu kept his promise and took her up the mountain.