Chapter 101: Mist in the Eyes

“Well, by the way, why didn’t we see Li Xiulan and Gao Taohua, the mother and daughter? Just now, I saw Gao Shunyi’s eldest son and his wife.”

“Li Xiulan took Gao Taohua to the town today, saying they were buying some things.”

“Could it be that Taohua’s marriage is settled, and they went to town to prepare the dowry?”

“It’s quite possible. Wasn’t it said a few days ago that two families were interested in Taohua? It’s likely settled now.”

“Fortunately, Li Xiulan isn’t here today. Otherwise, Zhang Degang would probably be scolded to death by Xiulan.”

“Wait and see. When Li Xiulan returns to the village and finds out that Gao Shunyi helped Zhang Degang repair the house but it collapsed and injured him, she might cause a scene at Zhang Degang’s house.”

“With the village party secretary backing her, she might have to tone it down a bit. Li Xiulan tends to bully the weak and fear the strong.”

Luo Qiao walked ahead, followed by Lu Yichen limping behind. It had rained, making the road difficult to walk on; every step sank into mud.

Suddenly, there was a commotion behind them. Luo Qiao stopped and looked back. Lu Yichen had almost slipped. Luckily, with his agility, he grabbed onto a small locust tree nearby. However, his injured leg couldn’t hold him, and he almost fell to the ground.

Luo Qiao suddenly felt a twinge of heartache. Lu Yichen hadn’t been in the village for long, and most villagers didn’t know much about his background. Luo Qiao only knew he had served in the military before, and his injury was from a mission.

He had mentioned it casually once before, but when Luo Qiao tried to ask more, he didn’t say anything further.

Luo Qiao turned back, holding his arm to help him. To ease the awkwardness, she said, “It rained heavily last night. Look at how muddy the road is now. It’s so easy to slip. I wonder when they’ll pave cement roads like in the city.”

With Luo Qiao’s help, Lu Yichen quickly regained his balance, though his expression was grim.

Lu Yichen replied lightly, “Thank you.”

Carefully, Luo Qiao asked, “May I ask how long you’ve had this leg injury?”

Lu Yichen clearly didn’t want to talk about it, but after she had just helped him, he sighed, “It’s been almost a year now. This is how it’ll be for the rest of my life. Not much different from being disabled.”

After saying this, he pulled his arm away from Luo Qiao’s support and walked ahead, stepping on untouched ground.

Watching Lu Yichen’s back, she sensed his current mood was particularly low.

Luo Qiao admired soldiers a lot in her previous life. Wherever there was a need, they always rushed to the front lines. For some reason, tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.

Watching Lu Yichen enter the courtyard, Luo Qiao finally lifted her feet and walked towards her own home. She went back and made a pot of tomato, egg, and spinach soup. Just as she was about to eat, she suddenly remembered the desolate Lu Yichen.

She sighed and got up to fetch a basket. Looking at the basket made her smile—it was the one Lu Yichen had given her a few days ago, saying he had several at home.

Seeing her carrying things with a makeshift bag every time she went to the vegetable plot or to wash clothes by the river was inconvenient, so he had casually given her two of them. This solved her big problem.

One was used for picking vegetables and the other for washing clothes by the river. She had few clothes, just a few each time, and the basket was just right

She picked up five buns and five steamed rolls, filled a small bowl with egg soup, closed the courtyard gate carefully, and then walked cautiously towards Lu Yichen’s courtyard. She figured he might not be in the mood to cook dinner.

He had taken care of her often before, so it was only right to repay him now and then. Cooking was one of the few skills she had now.

Lu Yichen looked surprised to see Luo Qiao standing outside the gate and said, “The road is all muddy. Why did you come out?”

Luo Qiao handed over the basket and mischievously said, “I thought you might not be in the mood to cook, so I brought some over. You shouldn’t go hungry no matter what.”

Lu Yichen replied coldly, “No need, I’m just about to cook.”

He didn’t want to keep eating this girl’s food for free, but Luo Qiao was insistent. If he didn’t accept it, she would keep holding it. So, they stood there at the gate in a deadlock.

Unable to find a way out, Lu Yichen finally said, “Come in first.”

With that, he turned and limped into the house. Meanwhile, Luo Qiao had just come out of the kitchen after putting down the basket and small bowl…