Chapter 25.2

In the Qing Song Brigade, every household’s kitchen was filled with the smoke of cooking. By the time Gu Sui arrived halfway, he was almost there.

Guan Yue looked at the sun above—she guessed something must have delayed Gu Sui; she wasn’t about to sit there like a fool in the sun.

Guan Yue chose two small saplings, estimated their position, and grew them to about ten meters high, blocking the sun’s rays. She then grew a rocking chair and lay down to wait—comfortable and shaded.

Gu Sui arrived at the mouth of the valley, habitually looking up at the cliff, and saw two large trees and the small figure under them. He quickly ran over.

“Hurry up and clear those trees—what if someone sees them? What if someone notices those two big trees suddenly appearing on the cliff? People wouldn’t think it’s a sign from the mountain god—they’d just think there’s some kind of demon in the mountains.”

Guan Yue laughed and jumped up, using her abilities to quickly turn the two trees into bundles of wood. She moved them next to the tree house to dry slowly.

After Qingxi Village’s people left, she was the only one left living in the valley—this girl was becoming more and more brazen.

Gu Sui muttered to himself for a long time, telling her to be careful to keep her secret safe. Guan Yue agreed with a nonchalant “uh-huh,” but he could tell she wasn’t listening at all.

“Gu Sui, what do you want to eat today?”

“Today, I want to eat cold lotus root slices—my lotus root is already grown, it’s in the water tank outside the kitchen.”

Gu Sui went to check the water tank—a sturdy, fresh-looking lotus root lay at the bottom of the clear water, and the lily pads on the surface were still a vibrant green.

Gu Sui cut two of the leaves off and put them in a basket: “When these leaves are dry, you can make lotus leaf tea.”

Guan Yue was very open in front of him—Gu Sui knew that the herbs she grew using her powers were potent, and her vegetables and fruits were also better in taste.

While Gu Sui cooked, he casually placed the letter he had brought with him on the table.

Guan Yue poured herself a cup of water, and when she put the cup down on the table, she didn’t notice the force of her hand—water splashed out, soaking the letter.

Guan Yue quickly picked up the letter and shook the water off the envelope. She glanced at the address—it was from Gu Sui’s parents.

“Gu Sui, I got your letter wet.”

Gu Sui was too busy in the kitchen to respond: “It’s fine—just open the envelope.”

Guan Yue hesitated: “Oh no, your parents’ letter—I shouldn’t look at it, it’s not right for me to see it.”

Asking her to open it was one thing, but looking at the letter? That was different.

Guan Yue quickly tore open the envelope and stole a glance at the kitchen—she couldn’t resist the urge to peek.

“You can look if you want. There probably isn’t much in there anyway,” Gu Sui reassured her, knowing exactly what she was thinking.

Guan Yue gave a sly smile: “You’re telling me to look.”

“Yeah.”

Inside, there were two letters—no wonder it was so thick.

Father Gu wrote in his letter about some everyday family matters, saying that life in the Northeast was going well for them. Mother Gu, however, focused less on their life and more on expressing her concern for Gu Sui. She even mentioned that she had found a potential match for him—a well-educated young lady. 

Guan Yue held the letter and rushed into the kitchen to find Gu Sui. “Your mom is setting you up with someone,” she announced. 

As she said this, Guan Yue didn’t even realize how sour her tone sounded. 

Gu Sui smiled and asked, “Who is it?” 

Guan Yue huffed. “I heard she’s very pretty, very educated, far better than someone like me who can’t even read big characters.” 

Gu Sui was washing vegetables, his hands wet. He curled his index finger and gently tapped Guan Yue’s nose. “Nonsense. Go on now, I’m busy.” 

Guan Yue stomped her foot. “No! You need to explain yourself. Do you like her? Your mom wrote that you two have known each other since childhood!” 

Gu Sui had initially thought there was no rush to address this, but seeing her so flustered, he couldn’t help but reveal the truth. “I grew up with plenty of people. Why would I like her? I only like you. Don’t you know that?” 

Guan Yue’s mouth fell open in shock, and her face turned red, from her neck to her forehead. Yet, oddly enough, she didn’t seem all that surprised. 

Just as she was about to flee, Gu Sui wouldn’t let her. He grabbed her arm. “I said I like you. Do you like me?” 

If she claimed she hadn’t noticed his feelings for her, she would be lying. 

But she hadn’t expected him to confess at this moment, let alone corner her and demand an answer. 

Both shy and startled, Guan Yue hesitated for a moment. Then, she decided to face her feelings honestly. She nodded. “I do like you!” 

She didn’t know when it began, but this man had slowly become embedded in her life. Every day, she found herself looking forward to him—looking forward to him cooking for her, smiling at her, spending time with her. 

Just moments ago, the thought of him leaving her and treating another woman well had made her heart ache. 

With those words of affection spoken aloud, Guan Yue felt like a seed that had been suspended in her heart finally landed, rooted, and began to grow. 

Gu Sui hadn’t expected her to respond so straightforwardly without any hesitation. He couldn’t help but laugh. 

It wasn’t a restrained laugh or a subtle smile—it was full-on laughter, from the corners of his mouth to his eyes. Every inch of his face expressed his joy. 

With a surge of strength, Gu Sui pulled Guan Yue tightly into his arms. Leaning close to her ear, he murmured, “Little girl, all those meals I made for you weren’t wasted after all.” 

Guan Yue pushed him away, pretending to be fierce. “Hurry up and cook. I’m starving.” 

“Alright, my ancestor! Go wait outside.” 

Covering her burning ears, Guan Yue darted out of the kitchen and, unable to help herself, broke into a smile.

If only her father and mother were still around, she thought. She really wanted to show off to them that she had found someone she liked—a person who took care of her and made her delicious meals every day. He truly was wonderful! 

But alas, they were no longer here. Even so, she silently promised them she would live the rest of her life well and happily. 

Facing the mountains and forests, Guan Yue shouted at the top of her lungs, “Ahhh~!” 

Hearing the noise, Gu Sui came jogging out of the kitchen. “What are you doing?” 

Guan Yue turned her head to look at him, instantly feeling shy. “Nothing! Go back and finish cooking!” 

Gu Sui shook his head, amused. When he had first met her, he had thought she was someone who didn’t like to interact with others, radiating a sense of cold detachment and maintaining a careful distance from people. 

But now? She turned out to be a shy, clumsy little fox. 

After their mutual confession earlier, lunch was eaten unusually quickly. 

This was because Guan Yue kept her head down, fully focused on eating her meal, without making small talk with Gu Sui. 

She felt embarrassed, and Gu Sui let her be. 

When the meal was finished, Guan Yue tried to slip away, but Gu Sui caught her by the arm. “Don’t leave just yet. I need to write back to my parents and tell them I have a girlfriend now. Do you want to add anything to the letter?” 

“Add anything? What could I possibly say?” 

Her expression froze in confusion. 

Gu Sui chuckled. “Just sit here for now. Wait for me.” 

He pressed Guan Yue into a chair, and she kept turning her head to watch him. 

After a while, Gu Sui came back with paper and a pen. Ignoring Guan Yue’s curious gaze, he started writing the letter. 

Guan Yue sat beside him, desperately wanting to know what he was writing. 

However, because Gu Sui was taller, his arm resting on the table completely blocked her view. She couldn’t see a thing. 

Quietly, Guan Yue coaxed the plants beneath her chair to grow. Slowly but surely, the chair began to rise, inch by inch, until it was almost level with Gu Sui’s shoulder. 

She leaned her head forward to sneak a peek. 

By the time Gu Sui had finished writing the letter, Guan Yue had managed to read everything he wrote. 

She saw him describe her as intelligent, beautiful, and adorable. 

Guan Yue covered her face with her hands. Did she really deserve such high praise?

Gu Sui was fully focused on writing the letter. When he turned around, he was startled. What was this? In just a moment of distraction, she was up to something again. 

Standing up, Gu Sui walked over, scooped her off the chair by her waist, and turned to set her down on the table. Guan Yue’s legs dangled by his waist as she sat there. 

Standing in front of her, Gu Sui placed his hands on the table on either side of her and leaned in closer. Instinctively, Guan Yue leaned back. 

But she leaned too far, nearly toppling backward onto the table. 

Quickly, Gu Sui reached out and caught her by the waist, pulling her back upright. 

In the process, Guan Yue ended up crashing into his arms. 

Now, she was sitting on the table while he stood between her legs, his arms around her waist. The position they found themselves in—well, it carried a certain unspoken intimacy. 

Gu Sui chuckled softly and handed the letter to her. “The letter’s finished. Take a look. If there’s anything you don’t like, I can change it.” 

Guan Yue had already read the whole thing earlier when she was sneaking a peek. Blushing, she hooked her arms around his neck and said, “No need to change anything.” 

“So, you’re very satisfied with it?” Gu Sui teased deliberately. 

“Yes, yes, I’m satisfied. Now let me go!” 

Seeing her flustered, Gu Sui didn’t tease her further. He released her waist and stepped back, giving her room to hop off the table. 

As soon as Guan Yue’s feet touched the ground, she darted out of the room like a startled rabbit, disappearing in an instant. 

Chuckling to himself, Gu Sui went to the drawer to find a new envelope and some stamps. 

Not long after, Guan Yue returned. She rummaged through the room where she stored herbs, grabbed a few bottles of medicine, and shoved them into Gu Sui’s hands before turning and running off again. 

The most eye-catching bottle was labeled with the words Shiquan Dabu Wan (Ten Tonic Pills for Great Vitality). 

The name alone made it look suspiciously like a counterfeit product. 

With a laugh, Gu Sui casually added a note to the envelope, reminding his parents that the medicine was legitimate. He told them not to lose it, not to give it to anyone else, and to keep it for themselves. He also cheekily added that this was a gift from their future daughter-in-law. 

Tsk, tsk. This man had just confessed his feelings and established a relationship, and he was already claiming his future in advance.