Returning from the west village, Zhou Song didn’t head home; instead, he went straight to Lin Erzhu’s house.

Tomorrow, after visiting the craftsmen, they’d be going to town to buy wedding items. He’d already borrowed Lin’s ox cart earlier, and when Lin Erzhu heard it was for Zhou Song’s wedding preparations, he waved it off, saying Zhou Song could keep it as long as he needed.

Not wanting to waste time, Zhou Song thought he’d better ask Aunt Qian in advance about what was needed, especially regarding the fabric and embroidery threads for the wedding attire—things he knew nothing about.

It was Lin Erzhu who opened the door and greeted him with a cheerful, “Oh, you two have really got it together, huh?”

Confused, Zhou Song followed him inside, only to find Shen Qingzhu already there, sitting at a table with Aunt Qian and Liu Fang, all laughing and chatting together.

“Ah, Song, you’re here just in time! Come over and see the embroidery patterns Qingzhu’s drawn for your wedding attire,” Aunt Qian said, spotting him first and waving him over.

Since Zhou Song and Shen Qingzhu had become engaged, Aunt Qian had warmed up to him a lot. She used to call him “Shen Xiaolang,” but now she called him “Qingzhu” so naturally.

“Zhou Song,” Shen Qingzhu greeted him with a smile, looking up.

That one smile washed away all the frustration Zhou Song had felt at the Zhou family’s house, leaving him feeling incredibly light. He smiled, his lips curving, as he walked over to join them.

Shen Qingzhu handed him a piece of paper from the table. “I noticed that most wedding robes are decorated with either dragons and phoenixes or mandarin ducks. They all look the same, so I tried something a bit different.”

Zhou Song didn’t know much about embroidery designs, so he was just going to compliment whatever he saw. But as soon as he looked at the pattern, he froze.

On the design, an orchid was blooming amid pine branches. These two plants had nothing in common yet looked extraordinarily harmonious together. The delicate orchid nestled within the resilient pine branches, as if they were naturally meant to be together.

It was their shared scent bond.

Seeing him staring at the drawing in silence, Shen Qingzhu spoke first, “I started with a design for the cuffs. If you don’t like it, I can change it.”

“I love it,” Zhou Song said quickly, looking up at him. “I really love it.”

“See, I told you he’d like it!” Aunt Qian laughed, taking back the embroidery pattern. She knew about their bond scent and found this design far more meaningful than the traditional dragon and phoenix or mandarin ducks.

Liu Fang chuckled, “Qingzhu, your drawing is wonderful. I love it too. Could I maybe ask you to draw a couple of designs for me as well? I’d like to embroider them on clothes for the baby.”

“I think that’s a great idea!” Lin Erzhu said, sitting beside his wife. “This pattern is one of a kind in the village. No one else could match Shen Xiaolang’s artistic skills.”

Shen Qingzhu readily agreed, saying he enjoyed drawing and reading in his free time. It wasn’t a chore for him—in fact, he found it quite enjoyable.

He looked at Zhou Song, who was still standing, and patted the seat beside him, signaling him to sit down.

Now that they were officially engaged, they no longer had to be as cautious as before. Zhou Song, though feeling a bit nervous, obediently sat beside him. Their arms touched lightly, and he looked down, hiding the smile in his eyes.

“I heard from Little Brother Lin that you’re planning to fix up your house?” Shen Qingzhu leaned in closer, speaking softly.

The faint scent of orchids surrounded him, and Zhou Song couldn’t help but take a small breath in. Realizing how silly he must have looked, he cleared his throat and said, “Yes, it’s been years since the house was last repaired. Some parts are drafty, so I thought it’d be a good time to renovate.”

Lin Erzhu hadn’t mentioned the new study and bathing room Zhou Song was planning, wanting to keep it a surprise, so Shen Qingzhu assumed it was just a simple repair job and nodded in approval. “That’s good. Better to fix it up now than have issues later.”

After a pause, he asked, “Do you have enough money?”

Shen Qingzhu knew the typical dowries and betrothal gifts in their village and didn’t expect much. But if they were in the capital, given his status, a wedding would usually involve a grand procession with dozens of carts of gifts, along with a similar amount in dowries.

But here, ten taels of silver could buy two acres of good farmland or a strong ox for seven or eight taels. Jewelry, cloth, and other items were very costly here, so Zhou Song’s gift of ten taels was already a very generous gesture.

“I do.” Zhou Song nodded quickly. Worried that Qingzhu might think he was trying to act wealthier than he was, he hurried to explain, “Rest assured, I have more than you’d expect. If I weren’t afraid of drawing too much attention, I’d have given you more than ten taels. I wouldn’t want you to feel shortchanged.”

Seeing Shen Qingzhu’s expression, he added, “After we marry, you’ll manage all the household finances. Everything will be yours, and I won’t keep anything from you.”

Shen Qingzhu chuckled at Zhou Song’s earnestness and reached out to pat his chin affectionately. He found Zhou Song quite adorable.

Startled by the touch, Zhou Song’s ears flushed red, his head ducking slightly.

The three others at the table pretended to be focused on the embroidery designs but couldn’t help sneaking glances, stifling their laughter. Zhou Song was clearly already wrapped around Qingzhu’s finger.

After the little commotion, Shen Qingzhu, noticing everyone’s amusement, regained his composure. “If everyone likes the design, I’ll draw the rest soon.”

Drawing the pattern was easy, but embroidering it would take painstaking effort, and it wasn’t something Shen Qingzhu could do himself. As Wu Lanshu would say, his hands were suited for holding a brush, not a needle, as he’d probably just prick his fingers.

Aunt Qian, holding the design, was already imagining how she’d embroider it. If the cuff alone was this intricate, the hem would need an even grander design.

“Yes, this design is perfect! Go ahead with the rest,” Aunt Qian encouraged, smiling as she took the paper. “Oh, by the way, Qingzhu had mentioned wanting to teach Song and Little Brother Lin to read. What do you think?”

“Teach them to read?” Aunt Qian looked surprised before breaking into a smile. “That would be wonderful!”

There was no school in the village, so most villagers couldn’t read. Families with high ambitions for their children would send them to other villages to study, but the tuition fees for non-residents were much higher, and few could afford it.

She’d always admired how literate Shen Qingzhu was and secretly wished her son could have the chance to study, even if he didn’t achieve great success. But she’d been too shy to ask. So now, hearing the offer, she happily patted her son, “Well, thank Qingzhu already!”

“Oh, yes! Thank you, Shen Xiaolang!” Lin Erzhu said, hastily bowing in gratitude.

Shen Qingzhu waved off the formality, smiling. “It’s nothing. I was just looking for something to do anyway.” He then turned to Liu Fang, who was watching with interest. “Sister-in-law, you’re welcome to join too if you’d like.”

“Me?” Liu Fang was surprised, hesitating. “But I’m just a housewife…”

“That doesn’t matter,” Shen Qingzhu replied. “Learning to read is just for fun. If you learn, you could read stories to your baby, and as they grow, you could even teach them yourself.”

Liu Fang was tempted. Stroking her belly, she thought about it. She worried it might be too much trouble or that she wouldn’t be able to keep up.

“If you want to learn, then learn,” Lin Erzhu said, putting an arm around her and glancing at Zhou Song and Shen Qingzhu. “Our brother-in-law is generous and patient.”

At this, Shen Qingzhu was taken aback, and Zhou Song grumbled with a hint of embarrassment, though his ears turned red, and his gaze shifted.

Aunt Qian laughed, “You’re all mixing up your terms of address! Qingzhu calls you ‘Brother Lin’ and ‘Sister-in-law,’ but now you’re calling him ‘brother-in-law!’ How are we supposed to keep the generations straight?”

Zhou Song suggested, “Let’s keep things as they are for now. We’ll change it after the wedding.”

He wanted to give Shen Qingzhu time to adjust, ensuring he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

Shen Qingzhu was actually unbothered by it. He rather liked Lin Erzhu’s casual, straightforward nature, but since Zhou Song suggested it, he didn’t argue.

Nodding, he continued, “Then it’s settled. Once Zhou Song’s house repairs are done, we’ll start, though we’ll likely be here often.”

Since they weren’t married yet, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Shen Qingzhu to go to Zhou Song’s house, especially with Liu Fang there. And it wouldn’t be ideal to have Lin Erzhu constantly visiting his place, so Aunt Qian’s was the best option.

“Come anytime! We’re happy to have you,” Aunt Qian insisted. “I’ll cook for you, and you’re not allowed to refuse.”

Though Shen Qingzhu had already promised to return, he added, “I already told Aunt Wu I’d be home for dinner, but I’ll be back another time to enjoy Aunt Qian’s cooking.”

Satisfied, Aunt Qian repeatedly invited him to come again soon.

As the sky darkened, Shen Qingzhu took his leave, and Zhou Song rose to walk him home.

This time, they walked side by side without needing to maintain any distance. Occasionally, their arms would brush, and neither of them minded.

On the path, a village auntie congratulated them warmly on their upcoming marriage, which made Zhou Song feel immensely happy. It was like everyone naturally accepted them together, and there was no longer any barrier between them.

Shen Qingzhu turned and caught Zhou Song’s softened profile, smiling as he asked, “Are you feeling better now?”

Zhou Song paused, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“Just… when you came earlier, you seemed unhappy.”

Surprised, Zhou Song hadn’t expected him to notice. In truth, the sight of Qingzhu had already washed away all his frustrations.

Shen Qingzhu stopped and turned to face him, “Little Brother Lin mentioned you went to the west village today. Did they say something unpleasant?”

Zhou Song met his gaze. Shen Qingzhu’s eyes, which had once been sharp and intense, now looked soft and warm, making Zhou Song’s heart feel unexpectedly tender.

After a slight hesitation, he nodded. “Yes.”

Shen Qingzhu didn’t ask more. He reached out, patting Zhou Song’s head gently with that familiar orchid scent.

Zhou Song’s eyes grew slightly misty. Since his parents’ passing, he’d forced himself to grow strong and mature. Nobody had treated him this tenderly, but Qingzhu did.

He raised his hand, suddenly wanting to hug him, to feel his warmth, as he had on the mountain that day. But he hesitated and lowered his hand.

Noticing, Shen Qingzhu took hold of Zhou Song’s wrist and led him to a familiar secluded path.

Since Zhou Xiaofu had been beaten there, fewer people walked this way. Parents even told their children to avoid playing around there.

Zhou Song followed quietly until Shen Qingzhu stopped. Just as he opened his mouth to ask, Shen Qingzhu stepped forward and embraced him.

Shen Qingzhu wrapped his arms around Zhou Song’s waist, leaning his head against Zhou Song’s chest with his eyes closed, saying nothing.

Zhou Song stood stiffly for a while before slowly relaxing. He tentatively placed his hands on Qingzhu’s shoulders, then, feeling braver, tightened his hold as if he wanted to merge their two bodies.

He lowered his head, resting his chin on Qingzhu’s shoulder, and gently nuzzled him.

In response, Shen Qingzhu opened his eyes, smiled silently, and nestled deeper into Zhou Song’s embrace, inhaling his scent of pinewood.

They stood quietly together, lost in their embrace. In the distance, a dog barked, snapping Zhou Song from his reverie.

Turning slightly, he murmured close to Qingzhu’s ear, “Would you like to hear my story?”

Shen Qingzhu nodded lightly, not moving from the warmth of Zhou Song’s chest.