On the third day of recuperating in Linshui Village, Zhan Xinjia found new fun.
"Brother Er Gou, Brother Er Gou, the water is too hot! We're washing our hair, not beheading us! Give me some more cold water!"
The sky was clear and the breeze was gentle; the clouds drifted and rolled.
The fence is covered with morning glory vines, birds chirp in the distance, and the sounds of chickens and dogs can be heard. From the wheat fields not far away, the occasional breeze carries the aroma of soil and coarse grains.
Several bamboo chairs were placed together on the stone floor of the courtyard. The little girl lay face up on one of the chairs, swinging her legs, which were wrapped tightly in bandages. Her head was tilted back, and her soft, long black hair fell naturally into the basin of water below.
With a "bang!", the wooden ladle used for scooping water struck her head, making a crisp, clear sound.
"Um, why did you suddenly hit someone, Er Gou?"
Zhan Xinjia pouted and touched her forehead with a wronged expression.
She glared at the young man in front of her.
The young man gritted his teeth, unable to bear it any longer, and rolled up his sleeves.
"Insolent speech! Disrespectful! Unruly! Unreasonable! Outrageous! How can this be allowed to happen!"
He had no choice but to discipline the child today! He paced back and forth in the yard in a huff, and in his anger, he finally resigned himself to picking up the wooden ladle and adding cold water to the vat for her.
Shen Suqing decided to wash her hair with a cold face.
Before she learned her lesson, he vowed he would never speak softly to her again.
The early June sun wasn't too hot; it felt warm and comfortable on her skin, making the little girl yawn constantly.
The young man's slender fingers gently stroked her hair, carefully smoothing out the slightly tangled ends with his fingertips as the warm water flowed. His movements were gentle and patient, and the places his fingertips touched felt incredibly comfortable.
I was so pleased with the letter that I almost fell asleep on the spot.
To prevent water from getting into her eyes, she squinted.
The two were very close, and a few strands of his hair fell around her neck, tickling her as he moved back and forth, making her want to scratch them every now and then.
This, however, drew criticism from the young man.
"What are you fidgeting about again? Be careful not to get water in your ears. Don't come crying to me if your ears hurt."
He had a stern face, was very serious, and spoke with righteous indignation.
Although he said it in a fierce tone, he still took a dry towel from the side and covered her ears.
Zhan Xinjia covered her ears, her lips curving into a wide smile.
Looking at him from this magical angle while he was lying on his back, his face looked even more handsome. Even when washing someone's hair, he was focused and serious, as if he were handling official business in his study. He was so handsome that he was flawless and devastating.
Moreover, the former Lord Shen was the kind of handsome man who was very upright, with the demeanor of a civil official, arrogant and awe-inspiring; just standing there, he was like a soldier.
Although he is gentle and approachable, his status and attire set him apart, giving him a sense of aloofness that makes him seem unapproachable.
But things are different now!
He wore a coarse cotton robe like those worn by country farmers, and his usually meticulously styled black hair was simply tied up with a bamboo stick, with messy and flowing strands, which made his already handsome and refined face appear even more gentle and elegant.
Having shed that sense of distance, the current Xiao Shen seems like the kind of boy next door who would pretend to be relaxed, pick up a gardenia, climb over the wall, and secretly toss it to the girl he likes.
Overall, it feels very real and alive.
Judging by appearance alone, one would never guess that the person in front of them is actually a high-ranking official, serving as an advisor to the crown prince.
The more Zhan Xinjia looked at the letter, the more excited she became. Plus, it felt so good to have someone wash her hair, she almost started moaning.
"Young Master Shen, don't you like the name Shen Ergou? Your parents must have given you that name before you went to the Taoist temple. So, if we calculate it that way... you've been Shen Ergou for at least nine years?"
"..."
Shen Suqing was so angry that his hands trembled.
Ignoring the soap scum still on his hands, he bent his knuckles and flicked her forehead lightly, his thin lips pressed tightly together.
"Why is your brain working so well now? Hmm? Isn't our silly Ah Zhi so stupid that he'd rather go hungry than not give food to others?"
Mentioning this, the two of them involuntarily recalled that kiss that wasn't really a kiss, and the atmosphere suddenly became extremely awkward.
Shen Suqing also realized that he had spoken out of turn.
A blush rose to the tips of his ears, and he coughed a few times, trying to appear calm.
"I'll teach you a lesson about this later. Also, don't call me 'second...dog,' it's utterly disrespectful."
Shen Suqing had never felt so embarrassed by a name.
Doesn't he have any pride?
How will he maintain his dignity and respect as an elder in front of young girls in the future?
He was starting to regret coming to the village for help. He should have just thrown Ah Zhi at the village entrance and let himself die there. He should have just let him rot in the ground...
At least I won't have to endure the sarcastic and unsettling mockery from young girls.
"Okay, you're done washing. Use a towel to dry your hair first, and I'll get you a new dry towel to dry it."
Watching Master Shen angrily walk into the house and gradually disappear, Zhan Xinjia chuckled softly, humming an off-key tune as she leisurely lay on the bamboo chair, swinging her legs wrapped like dumplings.
Before my eyes was a clear, azure sky with leisurely white clouds. Occasionally, a few sparrows would chirp and flit overhead, then joyfully fly towards the sunlit depths of the fields.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over the view, completely blocking out the scenery.
Zhan Xinjia blinked in confusion, and suddenly a strange young man she had never seen before appeared before her.
"Oh my! Whose little sister is this? She's so beautiful! She looks like she's from a painting. I've never seen her in the village before!"
The dark-skinned boy laughed heartily, revealing a set of white teeth.
"Hello little sister, my name is Wangcai."
He looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a handsome face. He wore a straw hat on the back of his head and neck, and his faded coarse linen clothes were splattered with mud, indicating that he had just returned from working in the fields.
The boy's smile was simple and sincere, with a kind of honest and cheerful quality, like a sunflower in full bloom chasing the sun in a field.
Zhan Xinjia, who was used to being outgoing, didn't find it strange. Her hair was still wrapped up and wet, and she couldn't move her legs, so she could only greet people in this awkward and strange posture of lying on her back.
Hello, I'm Azhi.
Since everyone is from the same village and they are neighbors, it doesn't matter if she gets to know a few more people, especially since they are all neighbors of Master Shen.
The boy scratched his head, hesitated, and then pointed to her leg.
"Are you injured?"
Just as Zhan Xinjia was about to reply, Shen Suqing, who had just retrieved the towel, came out of the house.
Upon seeing a strange man standing in the courtyard, Shen Suqing quickly stepped forward and placed his hand in front of the little girl. His expression immediately turned serious and cold, and his tone became harsh and unapproachable.
Who is it?
Sensing that the young man in front of him didn't seem to like him, the boy scratched his head awkwardly and nervously waved the things he was carrying.
"Isn't this Mr. Su's house? My dad asked me to bring some sweet potatoes over for Mr. Su. Wait... oh my goodness! Isn't this Brother Er Gou?!"
The boy's eyes widened, and he suddenly became excited.
"Brother Er Gou, you used to hold me when I was little!!"
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