Chapter 43: Exhausted, Right?

Since Mrs. Zeng was silenced by her daughter-in-law in the morning, she spent the entire afternoon like an eggplant hit by frost, silently working alone in another field, cutting rice with a knife.

On the other hand, the atmosphere among the others was quite cheerful.

Zeng Guangjin knew that his old mother was acting inappropriately, so he made an effort to liven up the mood. After all, he was a scholar, and his identity as a man of letters was evident. Dagen and Mrs. Xiong naturally wouldn’t disregard his status.

Dong Yun had no intention of standing out, but it seemed like she ended up doing so anyway. At least, by stepping back, she could enjoy some peace, so she decided not to think too much about it.

As for Pear Blossom, with the annoying old woman no longer buzzing in her ear, she felt much more at ease and found herself with more energy for her work.

Remembering what Zuo Qi had said about building endurance, she pushed herself even harder, working her waist, abdomen, and arms, her strength increasing dramatically due to the 20-point physical enhancement from her body. It was almost like she was on a cheat mode.

Dagen looked ahead, watching his daughter, who had already left him and his wife far behind, and couldn’t help but say, “Are we getting too old, or is Pear Blossom just too fast?” Mrs. Xiong, seeing Dong Yun and Zeng Guangjin still far behind, smiled and said, “This child really has endless energy.”

By this time, Daniu no longer had to cut the rice but was just responsible for tying the bundles they harvested and stacking them together.

Mrs. Zeng, looking at the pile of rice just cut, pressed her dry lips tightly together, not daring to say a word. She turned to borrow a cow from the neighboring Wang family and, with Daniu, piled the rice onto the cart to transport it to the rice barn.

Dong Yun watched Pear Blossom, who had reached the end and was now cutting back from the other side. She truly couldn’t understand how this girl, with her frail body, possessed such explosive strength. After working for two hours without rest, her back seemed to be coiled like a spring, tirelessly bending, and her arms kept moving without pause.

Suddenly, Dong Yun remembered what Fifth Aunt had once said, “A girl’s body is always weak, and when the arms lack strength, she can’t keep up when reaching the top; that’s such a waste.” Back then, Dong Yun was too young to understand what she meant, but the guard captain, kneeling nearby, turned red in the face when he heard it. “Though it’s not all about that,” Fifth Aunt had continued, “sometimes a girl’s softness has its own advantages. Just a little touch, and it can be done. Ah, you’ll understand when you’re older.”

Now, years later, Dong Yun had long shed her naivety. Even when a young girl was bending over to cut rice, she couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind of the confusing thoughts, and gently moved her sore arms. She called out ahead, “Pear Blossom, take a break. Watching you work like that makes me tired.”

Pear Blossom straightened up, wiping the sweat from her forehead.”It’s fine, not too tired,” she said. “Today’s training is up to standard, just a bit too hot, the sun’s harsh, but everything else is fine.”

Since Sister Dong called for her to take a break, Pear Blossom decided to rest. She put away the sickle and walked toward the shade where Dong Yun was resting.

Seeing her approach, Dong Yun poured a bowl of water and handed it to her, asking, “Are you tired?” Pear Blossom took the bowl, tilted her head back, and drank it down in one go. She shook her head. “It’s just the first day, not tired.” Dong Yun looked at her, seeing the sweat quickly forming again on her forehead after drinking the water. She took out a handkerchief and offered it to her. “Wipe your face.”

Pear Blossom hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “I’ll just use my sleeve, your handkerchief will get dirty.”

Dong Yun smiled. “It’s fine, I’ll wash it later.” Pear Blossom looked at her dirty hands and shook her head.

Dong Yun, watching the stubborn girl before her, suddenly reached out and pulled her close. She pressed the handkerchief to Pear Blossom’s face, slowly wiping the sweat from her forehead and neck.

Pear Blossom hadn’t expected this. She stood there, dumbfounded, feeling a strange sensation in her heart as she looked at Dong Yun’s close face and the wind lifting a strand of her hair.

She stood still, allowing her to wipe the sweat away.Just then, a voice interrupted her.

“Daniu—”

Qin Dabao came running from a distance, holding something in his hand.

Daniu straightened up. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to find you,”

Qin Dabao said. “I couldn’t find you, so I came to your house. Xinghua said, you’re all here helping the Zeng family harvest rice.”

Daniu nodded. “Oh, what do you need me for?” Qin Dabao glanced at her and then at Pear Blossom, who was standing with Dong Yun. Casually, he said, “Nothing, just came over to visit.”

Pear Blossom felt a little unsettled by Dong Yun’s sudden action with the handkerchief. When she saw Qin Dabao approaching, she secretly sighed in relief. She quickly said to Dong Yun, “I’ll go see them,” and before Dong Yun could respond, she ran off toward the two of them.

“Dabao, what are you doing here?”

Qin Dabao pulled out what he had been hiding behind his back. “Wild fruits I picked on the mountain, thought you might like them, so I brought some over.”

Pear Blossom looked at the small, dark wild fruit that resembled tiny clay jars. There were some on the mountain near Daliushu Village, but not many. She was pleasantly surprised. “You actually picked them? When I went last time, they weren’t ripe yet. I thought by the time I went again, they’d all be gone.”

Seeing her reaction, Qin Dabao knew she liked them and hurriedly shoved a bundle of leaves wrapped around the fruits into her hands. “I just picked them casually. Xiao Bao and the others don’t like them, so I grabbed some on the way.” He quickly withdrew his hand, feeling a little awkward.

Pear Blossom grinned. “Good job, Qin Dabao, you’re showing some brotherhood now.” From a distance, Dong Yun watched the young couple standing face to face, wondering what they were talking about. The girl’s eyes narrowed into a line as she smiled, enjoying the lively scene before her.

Fubao, seeing Pear Blossom and Qin Dabao talking and possibly having something to eat, couldn’t resist. She toddled over, calling out to Pear Blossom.

Pear Blossom quickly bent down, opened her arms, and scooped the little one up. “Why aren’t you resting in the shade? Why are you running around?”

Fubao clung to Pear Blossom’s neck, her eyes fixed on the wild fruits in her hands. She pouted and said, “Eat, give Fubao some.”

Pear Blossom was amused by her appearance, spreading the wild fruits in front of her and saying, “You can only take two.” Fubao looked at all the myrtle berries in front of her but could only take two, pouting in dissatisfaction.

Pear Blossom tapped her nose, “These things aren’t good to eat too much of. If you eat too many, you’ll get a bad stomach ache.” Fubao was instantly scared, halting her hand reaching for the wild fruit in mid-air. However, she couldn’t resist the temptation of the fruit and ultimately only took two.

Pear Blossom set her down and handed her two large, ripe fruits. “Take these to your mother and share them with her.” Fubao obediently took them, wobbling as she ran toward her mother.

Dong Yun looked at the unknown wild fruits her daughter handed over, shaking her head. “I won’t eat them, but you can, Fubao.”

Fubao quickly said, “I can only eat two. If I eat more, I’ll get a stomach ache.”Dong Yun chuckled and, after taking the wild fruit, asked, “Did Pear Blossom tell you that?” Fubao nodded and immediately bit into one. Her mouth and teeth turned black in an instant. Dong Yun, seeing this, quickly lost her desire to eat the fruit.

Dinner had been prepared by Dong Yun earlier, with two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup. Mrs. Zeng didn’t have the face to join, so everyone ate happily.

After the meal, the Dagen couple left. As usual, Daniu silently followed behind on the way back. Pear Blossom looked at Dong Yun’s tired face and the messy table and said to her mother, “Mother, I’ll play with Fubao for a bit longer, I’ll come back later.” Mrs. Xiong didn’t mind and let her go.Zeng Guangjin wiped his mouth and returned to the East room.

Dong Yun wasn’t a fool. Of course, she didn’t think that Pear Blossom stayed just to play with Fubao. After a whole day of working, anyone would want to rest. She couldn’t help but feel moved. How could someone so carefree have such a considerate heart? Was it just for her, or was she like this with others as well?

Her initial reluctance to intervene had brought about such a relationship. If this were a business deal, she would have made a huge profit.

When Fubao heard that Pear Blossom was staying to play with her, she happily hugged Pear Blossom’s leg, trying to climb into her lap.

Pear Blossom pinched her little face and smiled. “Let me help your mother clean up first, then I’ll play with you.” Dong Yun, hearing this, was sure that Pear Blossom stayed to help. She felt comforted but still refused, saying, “You’ve worked hard all day in the fields, go rest. I can manage on my own.”

Pear Blossom didn’t speak but walked to the table and began working. These tasks were usually done by Xinghua and her mother, but since Pear Blossom had helped out during previous gatherings, she was already used to it.

Seeing her insist, and feeling a bit tired herself, Dong Yun finally gave up and went to clean the pots on the stove.

Fubao didn’t make a fuss and followed behind Pear Blossom, almost getting stepped on a few times.

Pear Blossom quickly washed the dishes and swept the floor clean. When she saw Dong Yun had prepared a large bucket of warm water, she curiously asked, “What’s this for?”

“This is for Fubao’s bath,” Dong Yun explained. “The well water is too cold, I need to add some warm water.” By then, Fubao had already stripped off and stood in the yard, happily calling for Pear Blossom.Without saying a word, Pear Blossom grabbed the heavy wooden bucket and said, “I’ll do it.”

She easily carried the warm water to the yard, poured it into the large basin, then added half a bucket of cold water from the water tank. After checking the temperature, she called to Fubao, “Come to the basin, I’ll wash you.”

Fubao was excited to play in the water with Pear Blossom. When she washed with her mother, the water splashed everywhere, and she would often get scolded. But she knew Pear Blossom wouldn’t scold her.

Dong Yun came over, looking at them, and asked, “Can you do it?” “I have three younger siblings at home, no one knows better than me how to do this,” Pear Blossom laughed, then grabbed the ladle and poured water over Fubao from head to toe before lathering her up with soap.

Seeing that Pear Blossom was skilled, Dong Yun relaxed and turned to do other things. However, after taking a few steps, she looked at Fubao and warned, “Wash properly, don’t splash water everywhere.” Fubao shrank in the basin and, seeing her mother enter the house, giggled at Pear Blossom.

Though they spoke, Fubao was still mischievous. Pear Blossom spent a great deal of effort finally getting the little one clean. After Fubao changed into fresh clothes, Pear Blossom sent her into the house, emptied the water, and washed the large basin, placing it in the corner.

At this point, Dong Yun had finally finished most of the housework, letting out a long sigh and massaging her sore back and arms.

Today’s workload had been tough, but with the help of Pear Blossom’s family, it was much better than last year, though still not easy.

Just then, a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder from behind. Reflexively, she stiffened, wanting to pull away, but quickly realized it was the young girl standing behind her. She relaxed her back. “Sister, you must be exhausted,” the powerful hand gently massaged her tired shoulders, followed by a soft voice.

Dong Yun responded absent-mindedly, “You’ve grown as tall as me now.” She vaguely remembered that when she first came to Daliushu Village at the end of last year, Pear Blossom’s height was only up to her shoulder. She didn’t expect that after two years, she had grown so much.

Pear Blossom replied, “It’s probably because my father is tall. I take after him.”

Dagen’s height was inherited from the Liu side of the family, but he was taller than the old master Liu. Pear Blossom took after her father, and she was certainly not short, especially in the last few months when their meals had improved. The children had grown quickly, their previously yellow hair now had more color, and their faces had become noticeably healthier.

Looking at the shoulder right in front of her, which she could easily rest on, Pear Blossom felt a sense of accomplishment. She had once thought that Sister Dong was too tall and elegant, feeling like there was no chance to get close to her. But today, she could actually rest her hand on her shoulder.

Dong Yun felt the appropriate pressure on her shoulder, almost wishing she could lean into Pear Blossom’s body and have her massage her shoulders and back, serving her well. But thinking about how she had been sweating all day, she reluctantly turned around and said, “It’s getting late. You should go back and rest.”

Pear Blossom, with some regret, pulled her hand back and stood up properly, but her eyes were full of joy, as if something happy had just happened.

“Okay, then I’ll go.”

Dong Yun thought that tonight, Pear Blossom seemed different from her usual self, no longer awkward. She looked so well-behaved and even exuded a hint of gentleness. Dong Yun didn’t know why she felt this way from a young girl, but tonight, Pear Blossom seemed to be wrapped in a layer of moonlight, hazy and somewhat unreal.

As Pear Blossom turned to leave, Dong Yun suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called her back.

“Wait, I’ll get something for you.”

She turned around, entered the house, and quickly came out with a small porcelain bottle, handing it to Pear Blossom. “Apply this on your face before you go out tomorrow. Your skin won’t get sunburned, and it won’t tan easily.”

Pear Blossom paused slightly as she took the bottle, then asked, “Sister, you don’t like me being tanned, do you?”

Dong Yun was stunned for a moment, then after a while, she said, “You’re fine however you are. But with more than a month of harvesting left, I don’t want to see your skin getting sunburned.”

Pear Blossom responded with an “oh” and took the small bottle. Then she asked, “Do you have more, Sister?”

Dong Yun nodded. “I have more.”Just as Pear Blossom was about to turn away again, Dong Yun suddenly asked, “You asked about studying earlier. Do you want to learn to read? Perhaps… I could teach you.”

Pear Blossom didn’t expect Dong Yun to remember this, and her previously disappointed mood was instantly lifted. But looking at Dong Yun’s tired face and remembering how busy she always was, she turned her tongue around and changed her words, saying, “No, I was just asking casually.”

Dong Yun smiled and looked at her. “Girls can learn to read too. After the harvest, when I have time, I’ll teach you.”

Hearing that she would teach her later, Pear Blossom held back her excitement and said, “Okay, I’ll wait until you’re free, Sister.”

Dong Yun leaned against the door, her gaze soft as she looked at Pear Blossom. “Go back now, be careful on the road.”