Chapter 35: At this point, do I still need to count yours and mine?

“I… I didn’t mean to cry,” she said, her soft voice thick with nasal congestion, a little embarrassed.

“I know.” The man showed no sign of mockery, replying softly again.

Lin Yiwan felt her tears becoming increasingly uncontrollable.

“How… how did you know?”

Actually, she didn’t want to give away her mother’s belongings at all. Especially to those who hadn’t been kind to her.

“I guessed.  These were left to you by your mother; they should be kept as a memento.” Not given away to strangers.

Lin Yiwan didn’t know how to describe her feelings. She thought she didn’t care, but knowing he’d retrieved them for her, she couldn’t help but cry.

How could she not feel heartbroken? They were her mother’s belongings! 

In her previous life, when she was alone and helpless, she relied on these few precious items for a little warmth. 

If it hadn’t been absolutely necessary, she wouldn’t have given the furniture away. Now he’d retrieved all of it?

“Will it cause you trouble?” After the initial wave of emotion, Lin Yiwan quickly thought of this. After all, these things were hot potatoes, and many people had seen them yesterday. If she openly took them back, it could be a minefield.

“Don’t worry, I’ve taken care of it.” Xie Lin dared to do this because he had a way to make everything above board. It would just take some effort.

“Thank you!” Lin Yiwan’s voice was still nasal, her eyes and nose red, looking pitiful and adorable.

“You don’t need to thank me.” Xie Lin’s voice remained steady, but lower than usual, the ending slightly trailing off, like a feather lightly brushing her ear. 

He hadn’t said anything sweet, yet it inexplicably made her ears burn.

“Then… I’ll treat you to dinner!” This was the only way Lin Yiwan could think of to repay him.

Hearing this, Xie Lin glanced at the sky, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

“It’s too late; I won’t stay for dinner tonight.” As long as they weren’t married, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to spend the night together.

He never underestimated the power of gossip. Sometimes, seemingly insignificant idle chatter could drive a person to death!

Lin Yiwan blinked again, but couldn’t suppress the bitterness. Except for her grandfather, no one in this world had ever considered her so thoughtfully.

If it hadn’t been for her grandfather’s insistence last year, she would still be working like a dog for that family at the textile factory.

“Okay! Then tomorrow?” She was eager to do something for him. But she wasn’t very capable; the only thing she was good at was cooking.

This time, Xie Lin readily agreed.

“Okay, I’ll buy the groceries. What do you want to eat?”

Hearing this, Lin Yiwan chuckled.

“I’m treating you to dinner, how can I let you buy the groceries?” Her eyes, washed clean by tears, curved into crescents, bright and clear.

Xie Lin’s eyes softened involuntarily.

“At this point, do we still need to keep track of whose is whose?” His low, magnetic voice sounded teasing yet helpless, making her ears itch.

“Um… okay, what do you want to eat? I can make anything.” A confident expression graced her pretty face!

After a moment’s thought, she seemed a little hesitant.

“Or should I go with you?”

Looking at her animated face, Xie Lin finally couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“Okay, I’ll come over to get you tomorrow morning.”

After making plans, Xie Lin didn’t stay long and prepared to leave.

“Wait.” Lin Yiwan called out.

The man stopped, his deep eyes focused on her.

“Can I keep the furniture here?” The rooms in the courtyard were all empty; any spare room would do.

“Okay, I’ll have it delivered early tomorrow morning.” Xie Lin readily agreed.

Sure enough, before dawn the next day, Xie Lin found a truck and had the furniture delivered. Lin Yiwan had also woken up early to wait.

Under the gray sky, the man carried the disassembled furniture, easily moving it into the courtyard. He made two trips, and all the furniture was moved into the courtyard.  He didn’t let Lin Yiwan lift a finger.

“Be careful not to trip, I’ll do it.” The strong man, after moving the disassembled boards, carefully reassembled them.

Seeing that she couldn’t really help, Lin Yiwan didn’t insist, and went to make breakfast.  In her previous life, she had traveled all over the country, and had sampled various local delicacies.

She put the soaked rice into the stone mill in the corner and ground it. The milky white rice paste dripped into the aluminum basin below. In a short while, a small basin of rice paste was collected.

She lit a fire, added water, brought the water to a boil, poured the rice paste into a round, flat pan, spreading it evenly, cracked an egg into it, mixing it with the rice paste, and sprinkled in some vegetables. She put the pan into the pot and covered it.

A few minutes later, she lifted the lid; steam carrying the aroma of rice wafted up, the rice skin like translucent crepe, the egg underneath setting into a tender yellow cloud.  She scooped up the rice skin, forming it into a long strip, and placed it on a plate.

Repeating the process, after steaming all the rice paste, Lin Yiwan made a small bowl of sauce.

Just as she finished, Xie Lin came in. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, his hair slightly damp with sweat. He looked a bit wilder.

Lin Yiwan quickly poured him a dipper of water.

“Wash your hands, breakfast is ready.”

Xie Lin washed his hands with the water she poured, and the two went outside to the locust tree.

The sun had already risen, emitting rays of golden light. Early morning birds chirped in the trees.

Xie Lin looked at the rice noodles with sauce on the stone table, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

“This is the breakfast from the south that Sister Ningning told me about when she returned from the countryside. I tried making it, see if it’s good?” Lin Yiwan blinked, calmly telling a lie. She couldn’t exactly say she learned it in her past life, could she?

Xie Lin didn’t doubt her; he could tell just by looking how authentic the noodles were. Because before going to the Northwest, he had been stationed in a southern military region for several years.

He picked up a piece; the soy sauce flowed down the creases. The moment it entered his mouth, the smooth rice aroma mixed with the egg aroma, the sweetness of the soy sauce spreading on his tongue. The smooth and tender noodles slid down his throat, leaving a fragrant aftertaste.

“Delicious.” Xie Lin praised, and ate mouthful after mouthful, his head down.

Seeing him eat with relish, Lin Yiwan’s eyebrows curved involuntarily. The affirmation of her hard work was undeniably pleasing.

After breakfast, Xie Lin took out a leather bag from somewhere.

“This is what I found out, take a look.”

Lin Yiwan took the leather bag, opened it, and quickly scanned it. Suddenly, her gaze fixed on a line of words, her fair hands trembled slightly, and her bright black eyes showed a hint of bloodshot!

Lin Weimin! You’re really something!

Taking a deep breath, she spoke slowly.

“Brother Xie Lin, I want to go to the textile factory later.”

As if he had already anticipated it, Xie Lin asked, “What do you want to do? I’ll help you.”

Lin Yiwan’s gaze remained on the paper, her voice seeming to be squeezed out from between her teeth.

“I want him to pay the price!”