March 3rd.
In late summer, the willows sway gently in the warm breeze, and the cicadas chirp lazily in the trees. Their chirping sounds drift into the village courtyard, only to be quickly dispersed by a wisp of hot air.
Summer in the countryside is hot, but it also brings a sense of freshness and tranquility. A gentle breeze sweeps across the fields, carrying the fragrance of ripening rice and the earthy aroma of the soil.
The lush trees provide a cool and shady place for people.
Sunlight spilled onto the mottled red brick ground of the courtyard and also streamed through the window, illuminating a delicate and graceful figure.
Jiang Yumeng, with her black ponytail and a sun hat, held scissors in one hand and a plastic bag in the other, looking at Gu Fan with a charming smile: "Senior, I'm ready, let's go."
Gu Fan was also wearing a hat and holding scissors.
"It will be very sunny later, so why don't you stay at home and Grandpa and I will go over there."
Gu Fan advised.
Jiang Yumeng was naturally unhappy. She pouted and said, "No, I don't want to be home alone. I want to help Grandpa cut tea leaves too."
Since that's the case, Gu Fan stopped trying to persuade him and nodded, "Let's go then."
Grandpa Gu's small courtyard is backed by a mountain, where he grows his own tea leaves, which are now ready for harvest.
At this moment, Grandpa Gu and Zhang Linfeng were picking fruit.
Although Grandpa Gu was old, he was still quite healthy. When he saw Gu Fan and the other person arrive, he greeted them with a smile, "You've come?"
Gu Fan smiled and said, "Grandpa, I came straight here after receiving your call. You have to bring me a few pounds of tea!"
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Gu glared at his grandson and said, "You have the nerve to talk back? Who told you to bring my precious granddaughter-in-law here to sunbathe?"
Jiang Yumeng quickly said, "Grandpa, please don't blame Gu Fan. I insisted on coming."
Grandpa Gu glared at Gu Fan: "You're just lucky to have found such a protective little girl."
Gu Fan: ...
Four people picking tea leaves in one tea garden is quite a fast pace.
The sun was getting stronger and stronger, and before long, the group was soaked through.
"Mengmeng, are you alright?"
Gu Fan walked to the girl's side with concern. He was worried that she would get heatstroke. If that happened, Old Jiang would skin him alive.
Jiang Yumeng slightly raised her hand, her slender, jade-like hand gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. When she turned her head, the sunlight shone directly on her face, and her smile was as warm as the sunlight.
"It's okay, I think it's very interesting. This is the first time I've done this kind of work! It's so much fun!"
Gu Fan reached out and wiped the sweat from her brow: "It's almost time. Let's pack up and head back."
Grandpa Gu was worried that Jiang Yumeng wouldn't be able to handle it, so he told everyone to go back.
The picked tea leaves also need to undergo processing, such as sun-drying, which is handled by Zhang Linfeng.
After returning home, Gu Fan told Jiang Yumeng to take a shower.
"This girl is really good; you'd better make the most of her."
Grandpa Gu sat in the chair, a lighthearted look on his face.
Gu Fan smiled slightly: "Grandpa, don't worry, your granddaughter-in-law won't run away."
"Stay here tonight, and go back tomorrow," Grandpa Gu suddenly said.
Gu Fan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, then I'll trouble you, Grandpa."
Grandpa Gu sighed, "Ah, this old man is too old to walk anymore, otherwise I really would like to go back to the city for a visit."
Gu Fan's expression shifted: "If Grandpa wants to, that's fine too."
He also wanted to bring his grandfather home to live with him in his old age. His grandfather's health was not good to begin with, and his senior brother Zhang also had his own things to take care of, so he couldn't be by his side all the time. If something happened, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Grandpa Gu waved his hand: "Alright, alright, this old man won't get involved. Big cities are so polluted, it's not as quiet as here."
Gu Fan sighed inwardly.
At this moment, Zhang Linfeng walked over. He was also in a sorry state, his clothes were soaked with sweat, and he looked a shade darker.
Suddenly remembering something, Old Master Gu looked at Zhang Linfeng and said, "By the way, Zhang, I remember you opened a bookstore?"
Zhang Linfeng smiled slightly and said, "Yes, Master, the bookstore is now in the care of my sister."
Grandpa Gu nodded: "Zhang Xiaofeng, that girl? Hehe, it's been many years since I've seen her!"
Zhang Linfeng's brows furrowed gently: "Yes, I used to see her always circling around Master, calling him Grandpa."
Grandpa Gu also smiled, as if he had remembered something.
After chatting for a while, the old man showed signs of fatigue, and Gu Fan and Zhang Linfeng helped him back to his room.
Zhang Linfeng then started cooking, and told Gu Fan to take a shower first.
When Gu Fan returned to the room, Jiang Yumeng had already taken a shower. Her hair was still wet, and she was sitting on the bed with her pair of delicate white feet swinging in the air.
Upon seeing Gu Fan, Jiang Yumeng's eyes immediately curved into a smile: "Senior, I'm done washing up, it's your turn."
Gu Fan smiled and nodded, then walked towards her.
Jiang Yumeng tilted her head, facing him, and asked in confusion, "What does senior want to do?"
Gu Fan paused, then his eyes darkened: "Let me see your neck."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yumeng immediately felt a little guilty: "No, I'll get a tan, and I'll look ugly."
Gu Fan sat next to her and easily noticed the red marks on the back of the girl's neck.
"You got sunburned?"
Gu Fan felt a pang of heartache; such fair and delicate skin, ruined by the sun.
Jiang Yumeng winked playfully: "It's just sunburn, it's nothing... Ouch!"
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