Chapter 64 ☆ Jelly (Part 2)

Cheng Yaoyao was indifferent, “There will be plenty of work in the future. You can help me with it.”

Shen Yan’s heart warmed at her words, and he seized the moment to say, “As long as you come back with me, you won’t have to do any work in the future. You’ll be happier than before.”

Cheng Yaoyao was skeptical, “That sounds nice, but we’re settled here. How can we go back?”

Shen Yan hesitated, “Of course—”

Cheng Yaoyao began to walk away, “Forget it.”

“Yaoyao!” Shen Yan reached out to grab her hand, but she pushed him away.

“Don’t touch me!” Cheng Yaoyao said angrily.

Shen Yan, feeling both irritated and fascinated by Cheng Yaoyao’s anger, found her even more charming when she was upset. Despite his previous indifference, he thought she was wonderful. Seeing her frustration, he gritted his teeth and said, “Yaoyao, my family plans to have me join the army. If you agree to come with me, they’ll find a place for you too.”

Cheng Yaoyao was relieved to find out that Shen Yan wasn’t aiming for the worker, peasant, and soldier quota. She lost interest in his further pleas and turned away.

After sharing the news with Han Yin and Zhang Xiaofeng, who were thrilled, Cheng Yaoyao remained bothered by one persistent annoyance: that little bald guy^[1]refer to the secretary.  kept pestering Xie Zhao with endless chatter.

Frustrated, Cheng Yaoyao tried to eavesdrop but Xie Zhao ignored her presence. Angry, she left with the basket.

Returning home with an empty basket, Cheng Yaoyao found Grandma Xie and Xie Fei drying eggplants in the yard. The vegetables were abundant, and the aroma of drying eggplants wafted through the alley.

Grandma Xie deftly cut the dried eggplants, while Xie Fei arranged them on a sieve, filling the yard with their fragrance.

Cheng Yaoyao called out weakly, “Grandma.”

Grandma Xie smiled warmly, “Yaoyao, you’re back. Did Brother Zhao eat well?”

“He had a good appetite,” Cheng Yaoyao said as she set down the basket.

Grandma Xie asked, “Are you feeling too hot? Let Xiao Fei bring you some jelly from the well and pour honey on it to cool you down.”

Xie Fei went to get the jelly, but Cheng Yaoyao declined, “I don’t want it.”

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you ask for food this morning?” Grandma Xie checked Cheng Yaoyao’s forehead. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Cheng Yaoyao shook her head, “No, I just want to sleep for a while.”

“Alright, go rest then,” Grandma Xie said, relieved that Cheng Yaoyao’s temperature was normal. “I’ll prepare dinner. You can sleep a bit longer.”

Cheng Yaoyao went to her room.

Later, Xie Zhao returned home, drenched in sweat and covered with salt frost. He gulped down a bucket of well water as soon as he arrived.

“Drink slowly! Here’s tea brewed by Yaoyao,” Grandma Xie said, handing him a teacup. Xie Zhao drank it quickly, with the tea dripping down his throat.

Grandma Xie, concerned, asked, “Are you exhausted? Working in this heat is really hard.”

The bitter tea revived Xie Zhao, easing his fatigue. Xie Fei handed him a wet towel, and he wiped his face, feeling refreshed. He scanned the yard before heading to take a shower.

Grandma Xie brought Xie Zhao honey water and snacks, “Fill your stomach first; dinner will be ready soon!”

The plate had glutinous rice cakes and two pastries made by Cheng Yaoyao. Xie Zhao asked, “Where did these snacks come from?”

Xie Fei smiled and said, “The Fuling cake that Sister Yaoyao brought back is delicious.”

Xie Zhao remained silent and didn’t touch the snack.

The sky above the courtyard was adorned with rosy clouds. Noticing the water level in the tank was low, Xie Zhao picked up a bucket and went to fetch water. Grandma Xie, busy cooking in the kitchen, saw him and urged, “Put it down! You’ve been working hard all day, take a break.”

Xie Zhao ignored her, flexed his arm muscles, and quickly filled a bucket with water, which he then poured into the tank.

“You stubborn boy!” Grandma Xie muttered under her breath. Then, raising her voice, she said, “Brother Zhao, there’s some jelly hanging in the well. Bring a bowl for Yaoyao.”

Grandma Xie, thinking Xie Zhao would follow her instructions, went back to her cooking. However, she heard the sound of water pouring outside and saw Xie Zhao still fetching water. It struck her as odd.

Recalling Cheng Yaoyao’s gloomy demeanor earlier and Xie Zhao’s stubbornness, Grandma Xie realized these two were in a spat.

Grandma Xie shook her head and told Xie Fei, “Xiao Fei, go check on Yaoyao. She looked unwell when she got back. I’m worried she might be suffering from heatstroke…”

The wooden barrel was tossed into the water tank with a clang.

Xie Fei, who was lighting a fire in front of the stove, heard this and was about to leave. Grandma Xie told her, “It’s not your concern. Light the fire.”

Curious, Xie Fei asked, “But—”

Grandma Xie waved her hand dismissively, pointed outside, and gave her a meaningful smile. Xie Fei blinked, confused but intrigued.

Xie Zhao took the basket from the well, retrieved a covered bowl, and returned the basket.

The bowl contained green jelly, shimmering like frozen tofu and crystal clear. He cut it into small pieces and drizzled a bit of honey over it, releasing a cool, fragrant aroma.

Xie Zhao knocked gently on Cheng Yaoyao’s door with the bowl in hand. After a moment of silence, he pushed the door open and walked in.

Cheng Yaoyao’s room was refreshingly cool, filled with the scent of jasmine and mint leaves. The setting sun cast a soft light through the window, creating a dim, warm ambiance. A new mosquito net hung over the bed, and only Cheng Yaoyao’s slender figure was visible beneath it.

Xie Zhao placed the bowl down. The clinking sound of the bowl and spoon made Cheng Yaoyao stir slightly, but she remained unmoved.

Xie Zhao lifted the mosquito net and saw Cheng Yaoyao lying face down, looking sulky. The small quilt was a mess, and one bare foot poked out from under the net.

He looked down at her and asked, “Are you asleep?”

Cheng Yaoyao didn’t respond.

Xie Zhao grabbed her foot and tucked it back under the net. When it came out again, he gently nudged it.

With a blank expression, Xie Zhao then started tickling the soles of her feet.

Cheng Yaoyao quickly withdrew her foot, glared at Xie Zhao, and said, “What are you doing?”

Xie Zhao pointed to the bowl of jelly and said, “Grandma asked me to bring this for you.”

Cheng Yaoyao, her cheeks flushed from just waking up, turned her head away with a pout. “I don’t want to eat it.”

Xie Zhao paused, saying nothing.

Cheng Yaoyao folded her arms in frustration. After a long silence without any comfort from Xie Zhao, she turned her head to see the room was empty, and Xie Zhao was gone. The bowl of jelly remained as the only evidence of his visit.

Feeling hurt and confused by Xie Zhao’s coldness, Cheng Yaoyao wiped tears from her eyes and clutched a small bamboo pillow, longing for home.

Cheng Yaoyao and Xie Zhao were in a one-sided cold war. Despite Cheng Yaoyao glaring at him, refusing the porridge he prepared, and ignoring the baths he made, no one else in the family seemed to notice.

The reason was simple: Xie Zhao was extremely busy.

Watermelons were picked from the fields and transported to the city twice daily. The villagers who worked with him were exhausted, but Xie Zhao, responsible for driving, never got a break. His physical strength remained, but he looked even thinner and more worn out.

Cheng Yaoyao barely saw Xie Zhao during these days. He left for the city before dawn, came home only to eat a few bites, and quickly left again. At night, he helped prepare her bath and fell asleep against the door.