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The scene earlier made it difficult for Yun Cuihe, as an elder, to intervene. After hearing that there was no more noise outside, she finally stepped out of the room.
“Yueyue, did your father and brother leave?” Yun Cuihe asked.
Chu Yue nodded. “Yes, they left. They probably won’t be back in the near future.”
Yun Cuihe hesitated for a moment before asking, “Is that really alright? After all, they are your maternal family.”
Chu Yue lowered her head.
“Mother, I have my reasons for doing this.”
She wanted to bring Xiaotao to her side. Even if others thought she was unfeeling towards her maternal family, she still wanted to do this.
Lu Xinghe walked up and took Chu Yue’s hand.
“Mother, we understand this matter. Please don’t worry.”
Yun Cuihe opened her mouth, then sighed. “Alright, as long as you two have discussed it, there’s no need to maintain contact with your in-laws if they behave like that. It’s not important. What matters is that our family lives happily.”
The Chu family father and son were greedy men. If given the chance, not only would they cause trouble, but Zhao Shi would also join in. That would make it impossible for the whole family to live peacefully.
“Yueyue, don’t take what your father said to heart. From now on, this is your home.”
Chu Yue nodded. “I understand, Mother.”
“I’ll go back to my room and continue making your jacket. It’s getting cooler in the mornings and evenings, so I need to finish it soon.”
After saying this, Yun Cuihe went back to her room.
In the ten days that followed, under Chu Yue’s careful attention, the radish and cabbage seeds in front of the house had grown into small seedlings about two inches tall. In another three or four days, the radishes in the denser areas could be thinned and transplanted.
After lunch, Chu Yue rested for a while before picking up a hoe and turning over the other three plots of land next to the vegetable seedlings. Lu Xingping and his younger brother followed behind, sprinkling the composted ash, straw, and pig manure fertilizer.
These vegetables required a lot of water and nutrients. With the base fertilizer added, the vegetable seedlings would grow better.
When the three of them finished, the sun was setting. Lu Xingping took the hoe from Chu Yue’s hands.
“Big sister-in-law, you rest. Let me and Xing’an water the plants.”
Chu Yue nodded, washed her hands, drank some water, and sat under a tree to rest, using a branch to draw patterns on the ground.
Inside the house, Lu Xinghe was writing something. He glanced outside instinctively and saw the little girl with her head down, knowing she had something on her mind.
He put down his pen, stood up, and came outside to sit in front of Chu Yue.
“What are you thinking about?”
Chu Yue looked up at Lu Xinghe, then turned back to continue drawing with the branch.
“I was thinking, did Dr. Zhu’s master go to Nanping Town?”
Lu Xinghe squatted down and looked her in the eye.
“No rush. If he’s arrived, Dr. Zhu will bring him.”
Chu Yue nodded but seemed distracted.
“Husband, do you think I’m heartless and despicable?”
Lu Xinghe shook his head.
“If it’s about your parents, I don’t think so.” He stood up. “There’s a saying you may not have heard, but I’m sure you understand the meaning: ‘If you give me a quince, I’ll return it with a jade bracelet. It’s not revenge, but a lasting goodwill.’ Your parents treated you that way, with no real affection. Your response is completely natural. Although we live in a worldly society, we can’t care too much about worldly opinions if we want to live freely and happily.”
Chu Yue thought for a moment, then looked up at him.
“Thank you, Husband.”
Lu Xinghe extended his hand, initially intending to pat her head but remembering she was concerned about growing taller. He changed his mind and pinched her cheek before returning to the house to continue his reading.
Chu Yue rested her chin in her hands, gazing at Lu Xinghe, who was reading seriously inside. A smile appeared in her eyes.
The next day after the Moon Festival, they began laying green bricks and plastering the walls. Lu Xinghe went to Liushu Village. Master Liu had been notified early, and today he was going to finalize the arrangements with him.
He went In the morning and returned by noon.
On the second day after Lu Xinghe came home, Master Liu arrived with his tools, accompanied by Wu Yong, to Banpo Village.
Lu Shoucheng, who was waiting at the village entrance, led them to the new house. After Master Liu was briefed on the doors, windows, and furniture to be made, he turned to Wu Yong.
“Where are you from, young man?”
Wu Yong smiled and introduced himself, “I’m Wu Yong, from Niutou Village.”
Lu Shoucheng was a bit surprised. “Oh? That’s the same place as my nephew’s wife. Do you know Chu Yue?”
Upon hearing Chu Yue’s name, a slight bitterness flashed in Wu Yong’s heart.
“Of course, I know her. Her maternal family is next to mine. We grew up together.”
Lu Shoucheng laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder.
“That’s quite a coincidence. This courtyard belongs to my nephew’s family. Since you’re from Chu Yue’s maternal family, you’ll need to keep an eye on the carpentry work for them.”
Wu Yong stood frozen in place.
“This courtyard with green bricks and tiles is Lu Xinghe’s family’s?”
Lu Shoucheng nodded. “Yes, it’s Lu Xinghe’s family’s.”
Wu Yong felt mixed emotions.
He was happy that she would finally live a good life, but sad because, from now on, the person accompanying her wouldn’t be him.
“Don’t worry, uncle. I won’t slack off on the carpentry work here.”
Lu Shoucheng patted him on the shoulder again.
“Alright, then. I’ll leave the carpentry work to you and Master Liu. I’ve got other things to take care of.”
Once the door was installed and could be locked, Lu Xinghe no longer had to stay there every day. It had been half a month since he last warmed the bed for his wife.
Wu Yong looked back at the house, his emotions hard to describe.
Just then, Master Liu’s voice called out, “Wu Yong, come help me carry this tree.”
Wu Yong quickly put down the tools in his hands.
“Hey, Master, I’m coming.”
The family still ate lunch at the old house, and today’s lunch was made by Chu Yue and Yun Cuihe together.
Chu Yue pulled up a small handful of densely grown radish seedlings from the front of the old house, cleaned them, and placed them in the brown rice porridge that was about to be served. Having not eaten fresh vegetables in a long time, the aroma of the radishes was intoxicating.
Wu Yong followed Master Liu into the Lu family’s old house with some nervousness. When he saw Chu Yue coming in and out with a bowl of porridge, his gaze seemed to be fixated on her.
She had grown taller and was no longer as thin as she had been at her maternal family. Her cheeks were fuller, and she looked even more beautiful than before.
Lu Xinghe noticed the way Wu Yong was staring at Chu Yue, and his brow tightened slightly.
He hadn’t expected that Wu Yong would turn out to be Master Liu’s disciple. The coincidence made him uneasy.
“Ahem!” Lu Xinghe cleared his throat.
Wu Yong immediately snapped his gaze away, looking a little embarrassed as he scratched his head.