Chapter 16 : Hot All Over

After understanding everything, Huang Shumin wiped the tear stains from her face. “Mom and Dad are right, a harmonious family leads to prosperity.”

She wasn’t particularly clever, but she could tell that her mother was indirectly addressing her. So, she couldn’t afford to be stubborn or become a troublemaker in the family.

Every time she thought about how she had stormed off in anger without understanding the situation, Huang Shumin felt her face heat up with embarrassment. She realized she had to let it go, or she’d be left with regret.

“It’s not a big deal, don’t dwell on it,” Liang Junqiang said, lowering his head to kiss Huang Shumin’s cheek comfortingly. He then held the egg cake up to her mouth. “I already had one; you should eat it. It’s really delicious.”

Now that she knew the reason behind everything, Huang Shumin couldn’t resist the sweet aroma. The opportunity to enjoy such a treat was rare she only ever had it once before in her life. This was the second time, and it was thanks to Liang Qingqing.

However, in front of Liang Junqiang, she felt too embarrassed to eat it, so she reluctantly set the egg cake aside. She then turned her attention to what she was more curious about. “Is Qingqing really going to work tomorrow?”

“Of course, she said so herself. Why would she lie?”

It wasn’t even dark yet, so it couldn’t have been a dream.

It was almost unbelievable. Could Liang Qingqing really have become as sensible as their mother said?

But with her frail and delicate appearance, could Liang Qingqing actually handle farm work? Even if she was full of determination now, she’d realize how tough it was once she started. Huang Shumin figured Qingqing might only stick with it for a short while, but even earning a few work points was better than lazing around at home. She just hoped Qingqing could last a bit longer. In light of the egg cake, Huang Shumin was willing to get along with Qingqing.

—

“Qingqing, wake up! Didn’t you say you were going to work in the fields? We need to go find the team leader early to get you assigned some tasks.”

Half-asleep, Liang Qingqing felt as if she were in a small boat, gently rocking along with the waves. The sensation continued until a big wave splashed over, waking her up.

“Ah!”

She opened her eyes abruptly to find Ma Xiuzhi’s large eyes staring back at her. She then remembered the grand statements she’d made in front of everyone the previous day, and her expression twisted uncontrollably before turning into a groan.

“If you don’t want to go…”

Before Ma Xiuzhi could finish her sentence, Liang Qingqing interrupted, throwing off the covers and sitting up with a sudden move. She started rummaging for the clothes she had prepared the night before, declaring firmly, “I’m going.”

It’s just working in the fields; no matter how tough or exhausting it is, she would have to tough it out.

Seeing Liang Qingqing’s positive attitude, Ma Xiuzhi smiled with relief. “Alright, I’ll go check if your sister-in-law and the others have finished cooking. Get dressed and come out quickly.”

“Alright.”

During the peak of summer, the sun rises earlier and brighter than usual. The men of the Liang family get up early and handle most of the heavy chores like filling the water barrels, chopping firewood, and watering or weeding the family plots.

Meanwhile, the women take care of the detailed tasks, such as washing clothes, cooking, and cleaning.

A house can only remain clean, organized, and functional through careful division of labor and teamwork.

“She’s really up?”

In the kitchen, Huang Shumin scooped the cooked porridge from the pot and glanced at the slender figure washing her face in the yard. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. In the past, Liang Qingqing would sleep until late morning, sometimes even until they returned from work at noon. So, seeing her up so early was indeed surprising.

Wang Xiaomei, sitting by the stove and watching the fire, looked up at Huang Shumin’s comment, the corners of her lips curling up slightly without saying a word.

“Separate my and Qingqing’s portions first. You can divide the rest later yourself.” Since they needed to meet with the team leader soon, Ma Xiuzhi was anxious about time. After quickly explaining, she turned to urge Liang Qingqing.

Seeing Ma Xiuzhi’s urgency, Huang Shumin and Wang Xiaomei quickened their movements as well.

“Go change your clothes quickly.”

Having just finished washing her face, Liang Qingqing heard this and responded with a smile before heading inside to change. Before she could even remove her clothes, she heard Ma Xiuzhi’s cheerful and distinctive voice from outside: “Fan Yanxing, what are you doing here?”

Fan Yanxing? Who is that?

Curious about this unfamiliar yet familiar name, Liang Qingqing hastened to change, eager to see who it was before the person left.

Outside, Ma Xiuzhi, moving swiftly, carried a chair from the main room while smiling and asking, “Are you here to see our second child?”

“Yes, Auntie. I came to get something from Junqiang.”

The voice was clear and pleasant! But why did it feel familiar? Liang Qingqing tilted her head, trying to match the voice with a face in her memory.

“I’ll go get him. He’s chopping firewood at the back door.” Ma Xiuzhi nodded and, recognizing the person’s face, suddenly remembered something. She hurriedly called out, “Qingqing, come out quickly! Fan Yanxing is here. You haven’t thanked him in person for what happened that night!”

Hearing this, Fan Yanxing and Liang Qingqing, who was inside the room, both paused for a moment. Memories of their first meeting slowly resurfaced in their minds.

Under the moonlight, in the cornfield, intertwined bodies…

Stop!

Even though it was early in the morning and the sun hadn’t fully risen, certain individuals felt an inexplicable warmth spreading through them. Looking closely, they could see that the tips of their ears were already covered in a layer of bright red.

They hadn’t expected to meet again so soon. Thinking back to their interactions yesterday, especially the awkward misunderstanding, Fan Yanxing awkwardly scratched the back of his head, his gaze involuntarily following Ma Xiuzhi’s words towards the closed door.

After a short while, some rustling sounds came from inside, and then the door opened from within. A familiar figure emerged. Though it was a common indigo outfit in the village, it was made unique by the face it adorned.

Her jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her skin was as white as snow, and the sunlight made her shine.

Her delicate features were free of makeup but still irresistibly attractive. She cast her fox-like eyes up and down at him, blinking her long lashes. Then she glanced at Ma Xiuzhi, who was smiling brightly like a flower, before composing herself. She slightly bent forward and said, “Thank you for taking me home that night.”

At these words, Fan Yanxing raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised that someone with her bad temper would express thanks so formally. After a two-second silence, he responded with a simple acknowledgment.

“Hmph.” Acting all aloof! Liang Qingqing rolled her eyes at him, though secretly. Fan Yanxing was momentarily stunned but then allowed a barely perceptible smile to curve his lips.

“Qingqing, pour a glass of water for Fan Yanxing. I’ll go call your second brother.” Seeing this, Ma Xiuzhi’s smile nearly reached her ears as she instructed Liang Qingqing and ran towards the back door.

Once Ma Xiuzhi was out of sight, Liang Qingqing dropped the pretense, her smile fading as she put her hands behind her back and casually asked, “You’re close with my second brother?”

“Hmm, not bad,” Fan Yanxing replied, noticing how quickly she shifted from being polite to casually aloof. His eyes glinted with interest. “Aunt asked you to get me some water.”

“Are you very thirsty?”

“Not particularly.”

“Well, hold on, you can have some when you’re back at the commune.” Liang Qingqing’s lips curved into a smirk as she saw his look of surprise and helplessness. “What’s the matter? Do you have a problem with that?”

“Not at all.” Fan Yanxing rolled his eyes, shrugging. It was her home, so what could he complain about?

Pleased with his response, Liang Qingqing nodded in satisfaction. Her gaze accidentally fell on his bicep as he moved, the well-defined curve briefly catching her eye, making him appear both attractive and enticing.

Unlike his refined appearance yesterday, today he looked rugged and rough. The black short jacket exposed his strong arms, with two buttons casually undone, revealing a hint of his collarbones, making him appear tall and imposing.

Liang Qingqing almost wanted to reconsider and get him that glass of water herself.

Just as she was about to say something, Liang Junqiang’s voice called out, “Yanxing.”

“Brother Junqiang.”

“Wait here, I’ll go get the letter for you. It’s been here for many days. Why are you here just now?” Liang Junqiang approached and patted Fan Yanxing’s shoulder with a friendly grin.

Fan Yanxing also patted his arm, explaining, “I was called by the commune to help out for a few days. I came as soon as I had the chance. Sorry for the trouble.”

“Hey, we don’t need to be so formal with each other,” Liang Junqiang said, then turned to see Liang Qingqing, looking surprised. “Why is my little sister up so early today?”

“…” It sounded as if she usually slept in, though that was true.

For some reason, when Liang Junqiang said that, she instinctively looked at Fan Yanxing. Seeing the corner of his mouth lift in a slight smile, her face quickly turned a shade of embarrassed pink.

She wanted to retort, but before she could, Ma Xiuzhi, who was a step behind, came to her rescue. “Stop talking so much, hurry and get the things for Fan Yanxing. You even forgot you’re supposed to be working today. What a memory!”

“Oh right, right.” Liang Junqiang made a gesture and quickly ran back to the room, and soon came out with a yellow envelope. The wax seal was intact, indicating it hadn’t been opened.

Liang Qingqing glanced at the envelope and saw the large, bold characters on the front, which were quite striking.

“Fan, Yanxing?” The name slipped out before her brain caught up, and she stunned.

Fan Yanxing! His last name is Fan? Fan!

How did she not realize this sooner? This was the same influential figure who clashed with the male protagonist in the book!