Just then, Lu Lin walked in and saw Lu Wanwan looking worried, so he asked, "What's wrong? Did you have trouble making the phone call home?"
Gu Mingyue told Lu Lin about He Xiao's upcoming trip to the island, and Lu Lin raised an eyebrow, not too surprised.
“That kid has always been stubborn; once he sets his mind on something, he doesn’t give up easily. Let him come if he wants; it’s a good opportunity for him to see that you’re doing well here, and also for you to have a chance to clear things up with him.”
Lu Wanwan pursed her lips and didn't say anything, but she felt even more panicked inside.
She imagined He Xiao appearing in the camp, probably surrounded by the aunties from the family compound asking him questions, and then she would really be unable to clear her name no matter what.
Gu Mingyue saw through her thoughts and patted her hand: "Don't worry, your brother and I are here, we won't let him bully you. When he arrives, we'll ask him what he thinks first."
If he's unwilling too, that's fine; if he is willing, you should talk to him about your thoughts properly, you can't keep avoiding him."
Lu Wanwan nodded, but her heart was still pounding with anxiety.
Looking out the window at the path through the camp, she suddenly felt that the days she had just settled in were about to become lively again.
But this kind of excitement was not what she wanted.
On the way back to the courtyard from the camp gate, Lu Wanwan was still talking to Gu Mingyue about He Xiao's cold face.
Gu Mingyue suddenly changed the subject: "The tide has just gone out, which is perfect for beachcombing. I'll take you to the beach to collect seashells and dig for small conches. Let's put our worries aside for now."
Lu Wanwan's eyes lit up instantly, and most of her previous worries disappeared: "Can we really find seashells? I've only ever seen them in paintings!" She had never seen the sea in her hometown, and the thought of going to the beach to catch fish and collect shells made her steps much lighter.
As soon as the two arrived at the courtyard gate, they saw Xia Qinghe and Qin Hongmei carrying small bamboo baskets, who called out with smiles, "Mingyue, I heard you're going to go beachcombing? Take us with you!"
It turned out that the two men had seen them walking towards the sea at the camp gate and had deliberately followed them to accompany them.
"It'll be more lively with so many people!" Gu Mingyue readily agreed.
Qin Hongmei brandished the small shovel in her hand: "I've prepared the tools, they're perfect for digging clams."
Xia Qinghe added with a smile, "My husband said that the crevices in the rocks after the tide goes out are full of small crabs, and if we go too late, someone else will have already picked them all."
Lu Wanwan was itching to get started, so she quickly ran back into the house to find a cloth bag and urged Gu Mingyue to hurry up and set off.
Gu Mingyue was helping Lu Wanwan rummage through the cloth bag containing the seafood when Luo Cailing's clear voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Is Sister-in-law Gu home?"
The two went out to greet her and saw Luo Cailing carrying a small bamboo basket and holding two small iron shovels in her hands.
“I heard from Sister-in-law Qin that you were going to go beachcombing, so I came to join in the fun! This shovel is the one my husband used to dig rocks last time, so I brought it with me.”
Lu Wanwan moved closer to Gu Mingyue and secretly sized up Luo Cailing.
She was wearing a plaid shirt, her hair was neatly tied in a bun, and she had a smile on her face, making her look exceptionally friendly.
Gu Mingyue smiled and took a shovel: "You've come at the right time. With more people, we can get things done faster. It's Lu Wanwan's first time going to the beach, so you can help teach her."
"No problem!" Luo Cailing patted her chest and then turned to Lu Wanwan, "Don't worry, beachcombing isn't difficult. Follow me, and I guarantee you'll have a basket full of clams!"
As she spoke, she pulled a small net bag out of her pocket. "This is for you to put the little crabs in, so they don't pinch your fingers."
Lu Wanwan took the net bag, feeling a warm glow in her heart; the annoyance she had felt earlier because of He Xiao completely dissipated.
A short while later, Xia Qinghe and Xia Qinghe arrived as promised, and the group carried their tools and headed towards the beach.
Luo Cailing walked beside Lu Wanwan and told her some tips for beachcombing.
"When we get to the beach, if you see small air holes in the sand, dig down and you're sure to find clams; don't use your hands to pick out the small snails in the crevices of the rocks, just gently pry them open with a shovel."
The group chatted and laughed as they walked towards the sea. The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, blew over, making them feel refreshed and relaxed.
Lu Wanwan gazed at the distant blue sea, putting He Xiao's matter out of her mind.
Who cares? Let's have some fun first. We can deal with those worries later!
As the sun began to set, the beachcombing team began their long journey back home.
Lu Wanwan's bag was heavy, filled with clams and small sea snails, and a few small crabs with their claws outstretched were crawling in the net bag, all of which Luo Cailing and Xia Qinghe had picked up for her.
"Today was definitely worth it! These clams look so fresh!" Xia Qinghe shook the bamboo basket in her hand, beaming from ear to ear.
Luo Cailing then moved closer to Lu Wanwan and pointed to the conch in her pocket: "These conch are best eaten boiled. I'll teach you how to pick out the meat when we get back."
The group chatted and laughed as they returned to the family compound, and decided to move all their spoils to the Lu family's house.
Gu Mingyue started the fire, Luo Cailing and Xia Qinghe processed the seafood, and Lu Wanwan also helped wash the clams.
Although he was splashed with water, he was laughing very happily.
Soon, a bubbling sound came from the stove. Clams opened their shells, and small sea snails released their fresh aroma, filling the entire stove with the smell of the sea.
By the time a large platter of "seafood feast" was served, dusk had already fallen.
Delicious clams, bouncy sea snails, and plump little crabs, all coated in a rich sauce, make your mouth water.
Lu Wanwan picked up her chopsticks, took a clam, and felt the delicious juice spread in her mouth, instantly making her feel comfortable all over.
"Delicious! It's even fresher than stewed meat!" Lu Wanwan exclaimed as she ate, her face full of satisfaction.
Luo Cailing smiled and picked up a small crab for her: "If you like it, let's go beachcombing again next time and I'll take you to dig for bigger sea snails."
After a long day, Lu Wanwan ate two bowls of rice before stopping.
Lu Wanwan rubbed her aching back and watched Gu Mingyue clear the dishes. She went over and took the plate from Gu Mingyue's hands, saying, "Sister-in-law, you and my brother have been busy all day. I'll clean up the rest. Give your plate back to my brother."
Gu Mingyue smiled and tapped her forehead: "You little devil, you're so clever."
As soon as I entered the room, a pair of strong hands wrapped around my waist.
Lu Lin was standing behind her at some point, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance.
"He spent the whole day around Lu Wanwan and didn't say more than three words to me."
Seeing this, Lu Wanwan quickly took the plate and slipped into the kitchen, not forgetting to leave the door slightly ajar so she could peek through.
Under the lamplight in the courtyard, Lu Lin pinched Gu Mingyue's cheek, his tone tinged with jealousy: "You used to only have eyes for me, but now that there's another little girl, you've almost forgotten about me."
Gu Mingyue was amused by him and reached out to wrap her arms around his neck: "How could I forget you? It's Wanwan's first time on the island, so I have to take good care of her."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Lin lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his movements gentle yet possessive.
Gu Mingyue's cheeks flushed slightly. She gently pushed him away, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to his chest.
Lu Wanwan covered her mouth and chuckled in the kitchen before quietly slipping out.
It seems she doesn't need to worry; once her brother gets jealous, her sister-in-law's attention will quickly return to him.
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