Chapter 26: Want to Grow Up With You

The next day

Xia Ning’an was woken up by the noise. She was groggy and heard a commotion in the courtyard. She didn’t know what was happening.

She quickly grabbed her coat and put it on before going outside.

She saw her parents and second brother in her second brother’s room, and Lu Zecheng was at the door.

She walked over to Lu Zecheng and asked,

“What’s wrong, Zecheng Ge?”

Lu Zecheng heard Xia Ning’an’s voice and said happily,

“The vegetables in the boxes have sprouted. Several boxes have turned green.”

“So fast?”

Xia Ning’an pretended to be confused. It seemed that the Farm Spring Water had a very good effect on growing vegetables.

“Little Sister, come and see. The napa cabbage, chives, and Chinese spinach have sprouted.”

Xia Ninghao waved to her.

“How did they sprout so quickly?”

Xia Ning’an went over and saw a few green sprouts emerging from the three wooden boxes.

“I’ve been growing vegetables for so many years, and this is the first time I’ve seen them sprout so quickly.”

“Maybe the seeds we bought this time are better?”

“Probably. Anyway, it’s a good thing that they’ve sprouted.”

“Yeah, you guys continue to study them. I’ll go make breakfast.”

After Xia Ning’an finished speaking, she pushed Lu Zecheng to the kitchen. It seemed like having him by her side was a very ordinary thing.

Lu Zecheng was also happy about this small change. Even when she wasn’t by his side, he was used to listening to her voice amidst the noise.

“Zecheng Ge, we’ll be able to eat chive boxes in a few days.”

“Yeah, when the first batch of chives is ready, we’ll make chive boxes to eat.”

“What do you want to eat today?”

“Whatever you make, I’ll eat it.”

“How about I make pan-fried buns for you?”

“Okay, I haven’t eaten them before.”

The two of them chatted casually.

Xia Ning’an took out the prepared filling and proofed dough from the farm kitchen. She sprinkled a layer of buckwheat flour on the countertop and started kneading the dough. She made it into small portions. Lu Zecheng said he could help roll out the dough, so Xia Ning’an handed him a rolling pin. Although he rolled it slowly, the dough he rolled out was quite round. The two of them worked together quite well.

They filled four entire lids, over 200 small buns.

Xia Ning’an placed the small buns in the pot, one next to the other. She poured in a little oil and half a scoop of water and started to pan-fry them over low heat.

When the sauce was absorbed, she sprinkled some sesame seeds and chopped green onions. The aroma was intoxicating.

Xia Ning’an took out the pan-fried buns one by one, continuing with the second batch. If only she had a flat pan.

After the buns cooled slightly, she picked one up and put it in a bowl for Lu Zecheng.

“Zecheng Ge, try it. Is it delicious?”

Lu Zecheng smiled and took the bowl. “It smells so good.”

“The crust is crispy, the filling is fresh and juicy, and it’s very delicious. An’an is very good at cooking.”

“It’s delicious. Eat more later. We made so many.”

Xia Ninghao smelled the aroma in the courtyard and rushed to the kitchen after washing up.

“Little Sister, what delicious food did you make? It smells so good.”

“I made pan-fried buns. Second Brother, try them.”

Xia Ning’an said as she cut the seaweed. She put shrimp skin, seaweed flakes, sesame oil, chopped green onions, pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. She poured hot water over it, and it became shrimp skin and seaweed soup. This was a good pairing with pan-fried buns to cut through the richness and was very fresh.

When Li Fang saw the breakfast on the table, she said, “An’an, you’ve made something new for us to eat again. We’ve eaten so much delicious food. I don’t even feel tired from the autumn harvest.”

“The food is good, and my old waist feels lighter these days.”

“Father and Mother, you’re in a good mood, so everything feels good. Our life will get better and better.”

“Yes, it will get better and better. Old man, you have time today. Go get the homestead approved. We need to settle down early. Don’t wait until the autumn harvest is over, and people are taking on other jobs.”

“Okay, I’ll go get the land approved today.”

Lu Zecheng, “Xia Shu, I also want to get a homestead approved. I want to build three rooms. How about I go to the village committee with you later?”

Xia Changhai quickly waved his hand. “Tell me which piece of land you like, and I’ll talk to the team leader. Don’t bother yourself. It’s a small matter.”

“Xiaolu, are you uncomfortable living here? Why do you want to build your own house?” Li Fang asked hesitantly.

“Auntie, I’ve cut ties with my family now. I definitely need a place to live. You’re going to build a house anyway. If you don’t mind, I want to get the homestead approved together with yours. That way, we’ll be closer.”

He thought that even if he couldn’t marry the girl he loved in the end, he still wanted to live close to her. Even though this thought made him despise himself, he couldn’t help but want to be close to her. He would be selfish this time. In the future, he would be good to her like a brother.

“It’s good to build it together. It’s better to live close. It will be convenient for you to come home when you and An’an get married.” Li Fang said happily.

“Father and Mother, let’s build the house spacious this time. We’ll also build a brick house, which will be cool in summer and warm in winter. It will be comfortable for Big Brother and Second Brother to live in when they get married. Maybe the house will be finished, and Second Sister-in-law will automatically come knocking.”

“If she’s like that, I wouldn’t want her.”

“Then, Second Brother, tell me what kind of woman you like.”

“I haven’t found one yet. I’ll find someone I like when I get married.”

“Yeah, life is so long. You should choose someone who shares your values, someone who makes you feel comfortable together, someone who has common interests and is willing to grow up with you as a partner. Marriage is not just two people living together. It’s about compatibility. You can go through storms together and share your joys and sorrows. We should get married for happiness, not because we’re old and just want to find someone to settle down with.”

“Little Sister, you said it so well. I don’t want to get married like others, just meeting someone and getting married. That’s irresponsible to yourself and to life.”

Hearing their words, Lu Zecheng was momentarily stunned. Did An’an really feel so repulsed by their engagement?

“Of course, things aren’t absolute. You can’t envy the kind of childhood sweetheart relationship that I have with Zecheng Ge.”

Lu Zecheng felt like his mood was on a roller coaster. He secretly said to himself, if his injuries could recover, he would work hard to grow up with her and become the person who could give her happiness!