After returning home from the county town, their car attracted a lot of attention as soon as they entered the residential compound.
Seeing how much stuff they had bought, everyone crowded around and started chattering amongst themselves.
"Hey, isn't this the 'three turns and one sound'?"
"Is this sewing machine a Butterfly brand? It's such a rare find!"
"Look at that Phoenix brand bicycle, it's so shiny it's like a mirror!"
Lu Lin greeted everyone with a smile as he unloaded the items from the car one by one.
Some people couldn't help but exclaim, "Comrade Lu is so good to his wife! He's provided her with everything that other families have!"
Hearing these compliments, Gu Mingyue blushed and quickly helped Lu Lin move things.
After setting up the sewing machine and bicycle, Lu Lin carefully checked them one last time before driving the military vehicle to return them.
When he returned, he saw Gu Mingyue resting on the sofa.
Lu Lin walked over and handed her a glass of warm water: "You must be exhausted. Take a rest for a while."
Gu Mingyue took the water glass, shook her head and smiled, "I'm not tired. You've finished everything. I was just watching."
Lu Lin affectionately flicked the tip of her nose: "Watching is also a form of support."
Gu Mingyue leaned gently on his shoulder, her heart filled with warmth.
After so much time, the seafood noodles I ate this morning have long been digested.
Gu Mingyue stretched her shoulders and got up to cook.
The vegetables my sisters-in-law gave me are still in the basket: cucumbers, bok choy, tomatoes, and a few long, thin green beans.
If we don't eat it quickly, it will spoil.
She first cleaned and washed the green beans, cut them into sections, and stir-fried them quickly with minced garlic, and the aroma immediately filled the air.
The bok choy is blanched in water with a little salt and sesame oil to retain its original sweetness.
Cut the tomatoes into chunks and stir-fry them with eggs to make a sweet and sour tomato and egg stir-fry.
Cucumbers are simply served cold, smashed and then mixed with vinegar and minced garlic, making for a refreshing and appetizing dish.
Before long, four dishes were served.
Looking at the table full of delicious-looking home-cooked dishes, Lu Lin couldn't help but exclaim, "My wife's cooking skills are getting better and better!"
Lu Mingyue put down her bowl and chopsticks. "There's no meat left at home. Let's eat like this for now."
As two carnivores, they can't live without meat at home, so she plans to go and buy some meat to make her own cured meat.
After lunch, the couple washed up and lay down on the bed to rest.
Lying in the room, you can clearly hear the sound of the waves not far away, like gentle, hypnotic music, which quickly lulls you into a sweet dream.
The afternoon sun shone through the sheer curtains, casting dappled light and shadow in the room.
Gu Mingyue opened her eyes first, and looked at Lu Lin, who was fast asleep beside her, in a daze.
His brows relaxed slightly, his breathing became even, and sunlight danced on his eyelashes, making him look much gentler than usual.
She couldn't help but reach out and gently smooth the fine lines between his brows.
As if sensing something, Lu Lin slowly opened his eyes and saw her looking at him. A smile appeared on his lips: "Awake?"
Gu Mingyue nodded, her voice still carrying the languor of someone who had just woken up: "Mmm."
Lu Lin reached out and pulled her into his arms, gently kissing her forehead.
Seeing that he was about to make another move, Gu Mingyue quickly stopped him, "It's still daytime, don't do anything reckless."
Lu Lin seized on the loophole in her words, "Then say tonight is fine."
"No, not at all!"
If she continues like she did last night, her back will be ruined.
"Alright, get up quickly, we still need to tidy up the yard."
Gu Mingyue nudged Lu Lin, who was still lying in bed.
She got out of bed first, washed her face, and changed into some old clothes. Lu Lin also came out quickly, and the two of them began to tidy up the courtyard.
Gu Mingyue tidied up the clutter in the corner of the yard, while Lu Lin swept up fallen leaves and dust.
Since I didn't have any handy tools at home, I borrowed them from next door.
The open spaces on both sides of the yard were loosened in preparation for planting vegetables.
Neither of them had experience growing vegetables, so when they borrowed the items, they took the opportunity to ask Wang Fengmei for advice.
Lu Lin dug the trenches in front, while Gu Mingyue watered them from behind. Before the water soaked down, she evenly sprinkled the rapeseed.
But after only a short while, Gu Mingyue was bitten by several mosquitoes, and her arms and ankles were unbearably itchy.
Lu Lin immediately put down what he was doing, took out the mosquito repellent cream he had prepared earlier from inside the house, and gently applied it to her skin: "I should have lit some mugwort to fumigate her first."
Gu Mingyue smiled and said, "It's okay, it'll be fine in a bit."
Unexpectedly, the mosquito repellent cream was ineffective, and many mosquitoes still flew onto her.
Gu Mingyue was still scratching herself from the mosquito bites.
Lu Lin felt sorry for her and put down his work, saying, "I'll go up the mountain to dig up some wild herbs later; they can repel mosquitoes and relieve itching."
Gu Mingyue was a little worried: "Go now? The sun is still so strong."
"I'll be back soon." Lu Lin picked up a small hoe and a bamboo basket.
"There are mugwort, mint, and some wild wormwood on the mountain. If you pick them, dry them, and burn them at night, the mosquitoes won't dare to come."
He walked up the mountain path and soon disappeared into the tree-lined mountain road.
Before long, Lu Lin returned carrying a full basket of wild grass, including fragrant mugwort, bright green mint, and several unknown herbs.
Gu Mingyue took the bamboo basket, brought it close to her nose, and immediately felt refreshed: "It smells so good!"
Lu Lin said with a smile, "Tonight we'll burn some mugwort to fumigate the yard, and then use mint and mosquito repellent cream. With both methods combined, the mosquitoes will definitely not dare to come near."
Lu Lin picked out a few seedlings that looked like they had a good survival rate and planted them on the side of the yard, so he could use them as needed.
After planting the vegetables, the two began tidying up the grape trellis on the other side of the yard.
The original grapevines have withered, leaving only a few dry vines entwined on the trellis, making a slight rustling sound in the wind.
Lu Lin stood on the ladder and carefully untied the withered vines, while Gu Mingyue helped from below by handing over tools and clearing away the dead branches.
It's not suitable to plant new grape seedlings this season; we can only wait until next spring to replant them.
The only thing we can do now is to tidy up the grape trellis and keep it stable before winter arrives.
Lu Lin inspected every joint of the wooden frame, reinforced any loose parts, and then wiped the frame clean with a cloth.
Gu Mingyue then spread a layer of clean, fine sand around the area to prevent weeds from growing and to make walking easier.
After working for most of the day, the grape trellis looks brand new.
Although the lush green leaves are gone, the neat wooden frame looks particularly charming in the setting sun.
Lu Lin climbed down the ladder, looked at his work, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Next spring, we'll plant some good grape varieties and let them climb up the trellis and cover the whole yard."
Gu Mingyue couldn't help but imagine the grapevines climbing all over the trellis next year, and her heart was filled with anticipation.
Then they can drink tea and enjoy the cool shade under the trees, which is exactly the idyllic life they have always longed for.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
