“I think so too,” Lu Qingyuan said proudly. “Among all the family’s private vegetable plots around here, ours are the best-kept.”

“Very impressive.” Shu Beiqiu praised sincerely. “Just looking at it is satisfying.”

Lu Qingyuan’s voice became even more cheerful as she plucked some cabbage sprouts while explaining how she managed the garden.

The cabbages had already been eaten, but the sprouts that grew afterward were also delicious.

As long as she didn’t uproot the stalks, new cabbage sprouts would continue growing. She could pick some today, and before long, another batch would sprout.

Shu Beiqiu carried the basket, picking alongside her. The two chatted and laughed as they worked.

Jiasheng had been sneakily watching them from the courtyard gate, following Grandma Lu’s instructions. He then ran back to her side and whispered, “Aunt looks really happy, and so does Tall Uncle.”

Grandma Lu smiled warmly at his words. It seemed this match was truly a good one.

At noon, when Father Lu and the others returned for lunch, they saw Shu Beiqiu wearing an apron, busy cooking in the kitchen.

Lu Qingyuan, on the other hand, was sitting in front of the stove, feeding the fire while absentmindedly cracking sunflower seeds. The firelight cast a warm glow on her face.

“Xiao Shu, why are you the one cooking?” Mother Lu asked in surprise.

“I wanted everyone to try my cooking.”

Shu Beiqiu smiled.

Before they had even taken a bite, Eldest Sister-in-law Lu and Second Sister-in-law Lu were already praising the food as they helped bring the dishes to the table.

“It looks delicious.”

“Yes, the color is great, and it smells amazing. No need to mention the taste—it’s sure to be good.”

Shu Beiqiu felt a little embarrassed by all the compliments.

“It tastes really good.”

Sitting beside him, Lu Qingyuan took a bite and immediately praised him. Then, with her actions, she proved just how much she enjoyed his cooking.

She ate an extra bowl of rice compared to usual.

After the meal, she felt too full to even sit down.

There was no need for them to clean up the dishes. Lu Qingming and his brother took care of everything.

Mother Lu suggested that Lu Qingyuan and Shu Beiqiu go for a walk.

Like Mother Shu, she believed that the two of them didn’t spend much time together and needed to make the most of it.

“I’m too full,” Lu Qingyuan murmured as she placed a hand on her stomach while walking along the path.

“Let’s take a slow walk for a bit,” Shu Beiqiu smiled. “Next time I come over, I’ll make something delicious for you.”

“What will you make?” Lu Qingyuan asked curiously.

“Braised fish.”

“Great, I love fish!”

Lu Qingyuan nodded eagerly.

Just then, two people approached from the front—it was the team leader and Secretary Chen.

She greeted them first, and Shu Beiqiu followed her lead.

The team leader, who was about the same age as Father Lu, looked up upon hearing someone call out to him. He saw a young man and woman standing together, looking quite well-matched.

“This is my partner, Shu Beiqiu,” Lu Qingyuan introduced, noticing the team leader’s curious gaze on Shu Beiqiu.

Shu Beiqiu turned to look at her and was met with a bright smile.

He couldn’t help but smile along with her.

Secretary Chen glanced at them before quickly leaving with the team leader.

“Is that the same Secretary Chen we saw in the pine forest yesterday?” Shu Beiqiu bent down slightly, whispering in Lu Qingyuan’s ear as he watched the man walk away.

“Yes, that’s him,” Lu Qingyuan nodded.

Secretary Chen was tall and lean, with sharp features, but he always had a serious expression.

“He’s quite young, isn’t he? He hasn’t been here long, and many people in the production team aren’t happy with him. Compared to the old secretary, who was practical and hardworking, he prefers empty talk.”

The land had been left fallow for a few years as the older generation, based on their experience, knew it needed time to recover before planting crops again.

However, as soon as Secretary Chen arrived, he insisted on reclaiming the land before it was ready.

For experienced farmers, this was nothing but a waste of time and effort.

That was why many in the production team felt he was too young and inexperienced. Unlike the old secretary, he lacked practical knowledge and refused to listen to those who had been working the fields for years.

“If he only has theoretical knowledge and no practical experience, he’ll eventually learn the hard way,” Shu Beiqiu said as they walked side by side, leaving just a fist’s width of space between their shoulders. “But once he stumbles, he’ll know better next time.”

“My father said the same thing,” Lu Qingyuan lowered her voice. “What about your secretary?”

Shu Beiqiu chuckled. “He’s a short-tempered but very responsible old man.”

“That sounds a lot like our old secretary,” Lu Qingyuan laughed as well.

They strolled outside for about an hour before returning to the Lu family’s courtyard. Shu Beiqiu sat for a while, drank half a cup of tea, then got up to leave.

Grandma Lu was taking her afternoon nap, so they didn’t disturb her.

Lu Qingyuan walked him to the gate.

“I won’t see you off too far. Jiasheng and Lusheng are playing in the backyard, and if Grandma calls for me, I might not hear her if I go too far.”

“That’s fine,” Shu Beiqiu looked down at her. “But don’t treat me like a guest, and don’t be so polite to me, okay?”

“I think I’m already being quite casual with you,” Lu Qingyuan laughed, meeting his warm gaze. “Take care on the road.”

“Mm.” Shu Beiqiu nodded, giving her a deep look before turning to leave.

Lu Qingyuan stood at the gate, watching him walk farther and farther away. Only when he disappeared from sight did she turn back to keep an eye on Grandma Lu.

During lunch, she had noticed that Grandma didn’t have much of an appetite. She was worried, so she decided to stay close.

Meanwhile, Shu Beiqiu carried a bamboo basket to the commune health clinic. After handing it over to his younger brother, Shu Beidong, he went to the main road to wait for the bus to the county.

When he arrived at the machinery factory, it was not yet 1:30 PM. He stopped by his dormitory, fetched some water, took a bath, and changed into his work uniform.

With his sharp features and tall frame, the uniform looked especially fitting on him.

His dormmate, Wu Xiankang, was also working the night shift that day.

When Wu Xiankang returned from outside, he saw Shu Beiqiu washing clothes at the sink on the balcony.

“Hey, Xiao Shu, you’re back!”

“Mm.” Shu Beiqiu responded with a nod. “Brother Wu, do you know when the factory is showing a movie?”

“Wow, you never used to care about that stuff,” Wu Xiankang looked at him in surprise.

He was twenty-five years old, had a fiancée but wasn’t married yet, and had previously tried to introduce Shu Beiqiu to someone, though Shu Beiqiu had politely declined.

“I want to take my partner to see a movie,” Shu Beiqiu smiled.

“You went back for a matchmaking meeting?”

Wu Xiankang had just lifted his cup of water, but upon hearing that, he immediately put it down and moved closer.

“Yes,” Shu Beiqiu nodded.

“You finally came around!”

Wu Xiankang patted his chest in assurance. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on this for you. I have a buddy in the projection room—if there’s any news, he’ll let me know!”

“Thank you, Brother Wu,” Shu Beiqiu said gratefully.

“It’s nothing,” Wu Xiankang grinned. “Now our entire dorm has someone special. We should find a time to have a meal together with our partners and get to know each other.”

The guys in their dormitory got along well.

“Sounds good.”

After hanging up his laundry and tidying up the balcony, Shu Beiqiu went to work with Wu Xiankang.

Thanks to Wu Xiankang’s big mouth, word spread quickly among their acquaintances that Shu Beiqiu now had a partner.

Shu Beiqiu didn’t mind at all.

After finishing his night shift, he returned to the dormitory, washed up, and lay on his bed. From under his pillow, he took out the small wooden doll he had brought with him, looked at it for a while, and then went to sleep.

Meanwhile, Lu Qingyuan’s concern proved to be justified.

Not long after she sat by Grandma Lu’s side, she noticed that her face looked off.

Reaching out to touch her forehead, she felt a burning heat.

Lu Qingyuan quickly told Jiasheng to call Father Lu and the others back.

She then changed Grandma Lu into a clean set of clothes. By the time Father Lu and the others rushed back in a panic, they all got on the team’s ox cart together and headed to the commune clinic.

The sound of the live stream starting didn’t catch Lu Qingyuan’s attention. Her eyes were fixed only on Grandma Lu.

【Qingyuan must be feeling awful, seeing her grandma sick like this.】

【Yeah, her eyes are all red. Sigh, it’s sad that she doesn’t know her grandma is about to pass away.】

【I can’t watch this. It reminds me of my own grandparents.】

Lu Qingyuan stared blankly at the barrage of comments floating across the screen.

She already knew.

From the moment her grandma fell ill, she knew that her days were numbered.

But she just couldn’t bear to accept it. She didn’t want to face it.

The barrage of comments soon died down. By the time evening arrived, Grandma Lu woke up, and the mechanical voice announced the end of the live stream. The number of new fans: zero.

Lu Qingyuan didn’t care. She helped Grandma Lu sit up and fed her some warm water.

After realizing where she was, Grandma Lu immediately grabbed Father Lu’s hand and said, “It’s nothing serious. Don’t make a fuss. I want to go home.”

“Mom,” Second Uncle Lu frowned. “How is this making a fuss? If moving you wasn’t a problem, we would have taken you to the county hospital already.”

“That’s right, Mom,” Third Uncle Lu stepped forward and held her thin hand. “I think you should still go to the county hospital.”

“I’m not going,” Grandma Lu withdrew her hand firmly. “I want to go home.”

The stubborn old lady fell silent after that.

Father Lu and his two brothers had no choice but to consult the on-duty doctor at the clinic. After a brief silence, the doctor told them the truth.

“She’s old. No matter what you do, she won’t have much time left. You should start preparing yourselves.”

The three brothers’ eyes instantly turned red.

When they walked out, Father Lu asked Lu Qingyuan to help pack up Grandma Lu’s things. Then, he carried her on his back and walked out.

By the time they returned to the Lu family courtyard, the rest of the family was already waiting. Seeing them come back, everyone quickly gathered around.

Grandma Lu waved her hand. “I’m fine. Go eat, then get some rest.”

Lu Qingyuan had no appetite and didn’t feel hungry either. She insisted on sleeping next to Grandma Lu.

Grandma Lu had no choice but to make room for her. Lu Qingyuan immediately lay down.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, she heard Grandma Lu’s gentle voice.

“Qingyuan, don’t be sad. Even if I leave, I’ll be watching over you all, just like your grandpa.”

Tears slipped silently onto Lu Qingyuan’s pillow. She didn’t dare make a sound, pretending to be asleep.

But then, a wrinkled hand reached over and gently wiped away her tears.

“Grandma…”

Lu Qingyuan couldn’t hold back anymore. She turned around and hugged Grandma Lu, burying her face in her shoulder as she cried.

“Don’t be sad,” Grandma Lu patted her shoulder softly. “It doesn’t hurt.”

The next morning, Mother Lu didn’t go to work. She and Lu Qingyuan stayed home to take care of Grandma Lu.

“I heard your grandma went to the clinic again yesterday?”