Shangguan Wenyan carried the chicks and ducklings up the mountain. The December weather was a bit cold, and the biting wind howled, mercilessly blowing against everything in the world.

The branches swayed violently in the wind, making creaking and groaning sounds, as if they were groaning in pain in the cold wind.

The withered grass on the ground was blown about by the wind, flying everywhere and blurring people's vision.

Even in such cold weather, Shangguan Wenyan did not feel the chill at all.

His mind was not on the cold weather at all; he was only thinking about the pear blossoms at home.

Thinking of the joyful expression on Pear Blossom's face when she saw the chicks and ducklings, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up, his face beamed with happiness, and his steps became lighter.

Shangguan Wenyan walked up the mountain step by step, and with each step, his anticipation grew.

He could almost see the light of surprise shining in Pear Blossom's bright eyes, and her smile blooming like a flower.

Thinking of this, he quickened his pace, eager to return home immediately and present this surprise to Lihua.

The mountain road was rugged and uneven, but he walked as if on flat ground. Shangguan Wenyan carefully protected the chicks and ducklings in the cage in his hands, afraid that they would be harmed in the slightest.

These chicks and ducklings were specially selected by him for Pear Blossom. Pear Blossom will surely be very happy!

The life of men farming and women weaving is not bad either. In order to buy these small animals for Pear Blossom, they asked the shopkeeper to carefully select them.

As he walked, Shangguan Wenyan's smile grew increasingly distorted, making his figure particularly conspicuous in the cold weather.

Holding the basket tightly in her hands, she walked resolutely towards home.

Finally, he saw the outline of Zhuangzi's house, which stood quietly in the cold wind, as if waiting for his return.

Shangguan Wenyan's heart began to race. He took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, and then quickened his pace as he walked into the house.

The moment he pushed open the door, Pear Blossom was busy inside. Hearing the sound, she looked up and saw the basket in Shangguan Wenyan's hand, her eyes flashing with joy.

Shangguan Wenyan smiled and walked up to Lihua, put the basket on the ground, and gently lifted the cloth on top to reveal the chicks and ducklings inside.

When Pear Blossom saw these adorable little animals, her eyes lit up immediately. She exclaimed in delight, "Wow, these chicks and ducklings are so cute! Thank you, Brother Shangguan!"

Looking at Li Hua's joyful expression, Shangguan Wenyan felt a sense of satisfaction. He smiled and said, "I bought them at the farmers' market in town this morning. I picked out healthy ones, and they were all very lively when I brought them back."

Pear Blossom looked at Shangguan Wenyan with gratitude in her eyes: "Thank you, thank you, Brother Shangguan, you are so considerate."

Shangguan Wenyan smiled gently, "I'll buy it for you as long as you like it."

Ma Lihua ignored him and looked at the chicks and ducklings in the cage, thinking to herself that she should tell him to raise them well and make sure they were plump.

At this moment, Ma Lihua remembered what her grandmother had said: it's almost the New Year, and she wondered if the villages in the mountains would slaughter pigs.

Thinking about cured meat and such, she had a good idea.

Ma Lihua thought, why not raise two pigs? In the afternoon, white light shone through the mottled window frames and onto the wooden floor inside the house, creating patches of light and shadow.

Ma Lihua sat on the stool, watching the chicks and ducklings running around, but her thoughts had already drifted far away.

The courtyard of Brother Shangguan's house is quite large, and it's just sitting empty anyway. If we raise two pigs, by the end of next year, not only will we have pork to eat, but we might even be able to send some back to her father and grandfather!

Thinking of this, her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and she stopped feeding the ducklings vegetable leaves.

So, during dinner that evening, she planned to tell Shangguan Wenyan about her idea of ​​buying two piglets the next day.

At that time, Shangguan Wenyan was sitting at his desk by the window, holding an ancient book in his hands, studying it intently.

The afternoon sunlight fell on his shoulders, casting a faint shadow on his figure.

After cooking, the three members of the Ma family became incredibly self-sufficient, setting out the bowls and chopsticks themselves.

After finishing her meal, watching Shangguan Wenyan go to wash the dishes, she said to her grandmother, "Grandma, what do you think about us raising two pigs here?"

Ma Linghua was taken aback, then thought for a moment, "Would that kid be willing? Besides, if we raise pigs, who will cut pig feed for us? This isn't our home. Your dad and grandpa both know how to cut pig feed."

Ma Hehua felt a little nervous. Could it be that she was going to be asked to gather pig feed?

"It's alright, I believe Brother Shangguan will handle it." Ma Lihua thought, Brother Shangguan can do everything, surely he can feed pigs, right?

Shangguan Wenyan: "…………………………"

After washing the dishes, Shangguan Wenyan tidied up and went back to his study to read his books, but Ma Lihua came to his door.

Upon hearing Ma Lihua's words, his face stiffened, and he almost dropped the book in his hand.

"Raise? Raise pigs?" His smile vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of curiosity and hesitation in his eyes.

In his mind, life might involve reading, sipping tea, composing poems, painting, raising insects, and raising pigs—things he had never even considered.

Shangguan Wenyan looked up at Ma Lihua, trying to find a hint of a joke, but Ma Lihua's eyes were full of seriousness.

"Lihua, about raising pigs... shouldn't we reconsider?" Shangguan Wenyan put down his book, sat down next to Ma Lihua, and said softly.

He tried to persuade Ma Lihua to give up the idea, saying, "Raising pigs is dirty and tiring, and I have no experience. What if I don't raise them well..."

Ma Lihua looked at Shangguan Wenyan, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes: "Brother Shangguan, I know you think raising pigs is troublesome, but we can't just watch others eat pork during the New Year! If we raise two pigs and take good care of them, we can have a harvest at the end of the year, and we can send some back to my father and grandfather to express my love as their granddaughter." Her voice was not loud, but it carried a sad yet expectant expression.

Shangguan Wenyan fell silent, feeling that what Lihua said made sense.

Isn't it just raising pigs?

He can, he is absolutely capable of learning.

Looking at Ma Lihua's expectant and longing eyes, his heart softened, and he sighed, "Alright, Lihua, since you want to raise it, I'll give it a try."

Ma Lihua's face immediately lit up with a smile. She knew that Brother Shangguan was the best, and a feeling of gratitude welled up in her heart: "Brother Shangguan, thank you. Please take good care of them."

they?

Shangguan Wenyan gritted his teeth, a slight twist appearing on his handsome face.

The next morning, before dawn, Shangguan Wenyan and Ma Lihua got up early to go to town to select piglets.

Throughout the journey, Shangguan Wenyan remained somewhat uneasy, unsure of what awaited him.