Chapter 40: They Came to the Door

Having bundled everything, Leng You was about to run forward to help Xiang Wentian pull the sled when she suddenly felt herself lifted into the air. Xiang Wentian had scooped her up.

He spread a padded mat on the bricks and gently set her down.

Just as they had arrived, Xiang Wentian pulled the sled with Leng You seated on it.

“Sit still, let’s go!” Xiang Wentian pulled the sled.

“Brother, it’s too heavy, let me help you pull,” Leng You said, trying to jump onto the sled.

“Sit still!” His voice wasn’t harsh, but it brooked no argument.

“Oh!” Leng You obediently sat back down.

Although the things were heavy, sliding them on the sled across the hard-packed snow wasn’t much of a challenge for Xiang Wentian.

Xiang Huaixin, Bai Changpu, and Wen Jiuyue were busy building the house. Seeing Leng You and Xiang Wentian, they hurried to meet them.

They quickly unloaded everything. A smile spread across Wen Jiuyue’s face; her hope for the future had grown.

…

Early on the twelfth day of the first lunar month, when Xiang Wentian came to Wen Jiuyue’s place, Leng You noticed a tense look on his face.

“Brother, did they come looking for us?” Leng You had already guessed the reason.

“…Yes.” After a moment, Xiang Wentian nodded slightly.

Upon hearing this, Wen Jiuyue’s tears welled up.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Xiang Wentian stroked Leng You’s hair.

“I’m not afraid.” Leng You narrowed her eyes, masking the chilling coldness in her depths.

She didn’t want to scare Wen Jiuyue.

“My Youyou, what if they hurt you again?” Wen Jiuyue hugged Leng You tightly, her body trembling.

“I won’t give them another chance.” The icy coldness in Leng You’s voice was unmistakable.

“Let’s leave after we eat.” Xiang Wentian’s eyes were deep, but a hint of worry was hidden within.

“Okay.” Leng You nodded, calmly taking her seat at the table as usual.

“Youyou, listen to Grandma Wen, you must protect yourself, understand? If they hit you, run straight to Grandma Wen’s, don’t endure it.

If they don’t give you food, it’s okay, come back secretly and eat, Grandma Wen will always leave food for you.

If they make you…”

“Grandma Wen, do you trust me?” Leng You looked up, meeting Wen Jiuyue’s gaze directly.

“…Yes!” Looking into Leng You’s deep, adult-like black eyes, Wen Jiuyue unconsciously nodded.

“I’m finished eating, let’s go!” After eating, Leng You jumped off the kang.

As always, Xiang Wentian caught her in his arms.

“Youyou, are you really leaving like this? Aren’t you taking any clothes? You need a coat!” Her slightly calmed heart trembled again at the sight of Leng You leaving. Wen Jiuyue’s voice was slightly altered.

Leng You was wearing the cotton-padded jacket and trousers that Wen Jiuyue had made for her from her own old clothes the night she arrived. Her shoes were another pair made by Wen Jiuyue, rabbit fur lined, with a dark gray twill outer layer and no stitching.

Worried that Wen Jiuyue would feel sorry for her if she climbed in and out of the valley wearing new clothes, she always wore older or more durable clothes when going into the valley.

Today was no different. She was wearing this outfit, originally intended for her trip to the valley bottom with Xiang Wentian, which was convenient for her upcoming actions. If she wore better clothes and was seen by those people, it might affect her plans.

 “No, I’ll be back every day.” Leng You shook her head.

“Youyou…” Watching Leng You being carried away by Xiang Wentian, Wen Jiuyue felt as if her heart was being ripped out, she covered her mouth and wept.

“Grandma Wen, wait for me to come back.” Leng You turned back, her chin resting on Xiang Wentian’s shoulder, her gaze firm as she looked at Wen Jiuyue.

“Ai! Grandma Wen will wait for you to come back, you must hurry!” Wen Jiuyue nodded vigorously.

“Okay!” Leng You waved her hand and let Xiang Wentian carry her out the door.

“Youyou, be sure to protect yourself! Wuwuwu…”

The fierce north wind carried Wen Jiuyue’s heartbreaking cries clearly to Leng You’s ears.

Leng You: …

A sour taste made her nose feel stuffy.

“Be careful, don’t let them hurt you.”

Because of the strong wind, Xiang Wentian pressed Leng You’s small face against his neck, so his low voice went straight into Leng You’s ear, and a strand of it seemed to sneak into some unknown place.

The touch of baby-soft skin against his neck, a feeling that seemed to melt one’s heart, and the sweet smell of milk and faint grape blossoms carried on the wind, filled Xiang Wentian with a sudden fear.

This was something he had never experienced in his fifteen years of life. Even when he learned that his father, Xiang Huaixin, had been sent to a remote and desolate mountain village, he hadn’t felt a shred of fear; he firmly believed his father would eventually be exonerated and return home.

But this was different. Although the plan was meticulously arranged, it was still an eight-year-old child. No matter how mature her mind, it was difficult to compete with adults, especially a cunning villain like Leng Tiezhu.

Thinking of the hardships the little one had suffered, his heart ached. Now, he couldn’t bear to see her suffer even a little bit of harm.

He hadn’t thought about why, nor had he realized that Leng You’s well-being was affecting his heart.

“You know my skills now.” Having been meticulously trained by Xiang Wentian for over a month, Leng You was quite confident in her small frame.

“The acupuncture techniques Uncle Bai taught you are for saving people, but in critical moments, they can also protect you. You…” Xiang Wentian’s words caught in his throat. He didn’t know how to say it without misleading the child.

“Good methods are for good people. To deal with villains, naturally, you need to use even more vicious methods.” Having been reborn, Leng You felt her blood was cold. Compassion was for those who deserved it, not those who wanted to kill her.

“If you encounter something you can’t handle, don’t be reckless, I’ll protect you secretly.” Xiang Wentian had already told Leng You this, but he was afraid she might forget, so he repeated it.

This was completely out of character for him.

“Mm!” Leng You nodded against Xiang Wentian’s neck.

Her tender cheek lightly rubbed against the edge of Xiang Wentian’s jawline, which was just beginning to show angles.

“Good girl!” Xiang Wentian gently stroked Leng You’s small face.

In the distance, they saw four figures shivering in front of Xiang Huaixin’s semi-subterranean dwelling.

Leng You’s pupils constricted, and her whole body trembled involuntarily.

She knew this was the fear deeply ingrained in her bones and cells from her past life, a conditioned response.

“Youyou…” Feeling Leng You’s sudden tremor, Xiang Wentian’s heart tightened.