The old house has been vacant for too long. Grandma Qin Zheng's legs are weak and she can't even take care of herself, so naturally she can't clean it. Even though her married aunt Qin Xiang'e comes back to clean it from time to time, it's still a lot of work to clean now.

Around dusk, seeing that Qin Zheng was still busy, Ye Yun went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

There wasn't much in the kitchen; the only thing that caught the eye was half a pound of millet in a jar. Ye Yun started boiling water, grabbed some millet, cleaned it, and threw it into the pot.

She then went out again and found many edible wild vegetables by the roadside on her way back.

In those impoverished times, people relied on the mountains and rivers for sustenance. Fortunately, various wild vegetables grew in the mountains during this season, which saved many people from going hungry.

Ye Yun quickly picked a large handful of wild vegetables and rinsed them clean with water when she got back.

The small pot next to the earthen stove was also warmed up. They basically set up the rice cooker and the wok together, so that the two pots could be used together after the fire was lit. Ye Yun found the little bit of lard, scooped out a small spoonful and threw it into the wok.

The lard melted instantly under the high temperature.

Seeing this, Ye Yun grabbed the washed wild vegetables and threw them all into the pot.

Sizzle—

As soon as the wild vegetables, still glistening with moisture, hit the pot, they sizzled and splashed oil. Ye Yun quickly grabbed a spatula and stirred them. In no time, the enticing aroma of wild vegetables mixed with lard filled the air.

While she was cooking, Qin Zheng and Qin Xiang'e were carrying the dried items back into the house in the sunset.

The house had been cleaned inside and out, and the quilts that had been airing out all afternoon smelled nice. Although there were many unsightly patches, they were still warm and cozy, making people feel comfortable.

"Qin Zheng! Call your aunt, wash your hands and come eat!"

Ye Yun called out from inside the shack.

Qin Zheng had just put a quilt on the kang when he heard Ye Yun calling from outside. He turned to look at Qin Xiang'e, who was setting the table, and said, "Aunt, let's eat first."

"Okay, sure."

After Qin Zheng went out, Qin Xiang'e peeked at Ye Yun through the small window.

Ye Yun was moving a small dining table to the open courtyard, and she brought out the stir-fried dishes and bowls of soup. When she saw Qin Zheng coming out covered in sweat, she picked up a towel and went over to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Looking at this scene through the window, Qin Xiang'e finally showed a hint of relief on her old face.

Where is Aunt?

As Ye Yun wiped Qin Zheng's sweat with a towel, she glanced towards the main room. Why wasn't Qin Xiang'e coming out with Qin Zheng?

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng called out into the main room again, "Auntie? It's time to eat!"

"Hey! Coming right now!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Xiang'e hurriedly left the main room and helped Qin Zheng's grandmother, who was lost in thought again, to the dining table.

The old lady didn't remember anyone, but she never forgot about eating.

Without Qin Xiang'e's prompting, the old woman picked up her bowl and chopsticks with her trembling hands, took a bite of food, and drank some soup, quite content.

They had previously mistook Qin Zheng for someone who had stolen something, but now he was sitting at the same table with him.

After dinner, Ye Yun got up to wash the dishes, but Qin Xiang'e quickly stopped her, saying the same thing: "How can we let a new bride like you do it? Just rest."

After saying that, he slammed the bowls and chopsticks together and carried them to the well.

Ye Yun silently looked at Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng didn't say a word, but took her hand and told her to go and rest on the side.

Ye Yun: "..."

Qin Xiang'e was a capable woman. While washing the dishes, she chatted with the old lady who was resting at the door.

The old lady was hard of hearing due to her age, so Qin Xiang'e raised her voice to call out to her. The old lady didn't know if she understood or not, but every now and then she would nod at Qin Xiang'e in response.

Ye Yun turned and went back into the house.

Qin Zheng was busy tidying up other items, and didn't think much of it when he saw her go back to her room.

A cool summer night breeze, carrying the scent of locust blossoms, blew into the inner room through a small wooden window a meter wide. Ye Yun went inside and, before it got dark outside, started making the kang (a heated brick bed).

After she laid out the mattress and sheets, it was time to put on the two quilts.

Qin Zheng placed the two quilts together on the kang (a heated brick bed), clearly intending to keep one for himself and one for her as well.

He was quite self-aware.

Ye Yun hesitated for a moment, then touched one of the quilts and fell into deep thought.

"Zhengzi's family, are they still busy?"

Suddenly a voice came from outside.

The curtain was lifted, and Qin Xiang'e entered the room cautiously, carrying a small wooden box.

Qin Xiang'e was meeting her new daughter-in-law for the first time, and she was afraid of being disliked by Ye Yun, so her smile and tone were a little nervous: "Zhengzi's wife, I've come to give you something."

Sending something?

Ye Yun's gaze fell on the palm-sized wooden box in Qin Xiang'e's hand, and she was suddenly reminded of her past life.