The woman in the mirror had a small, heart-shaped face, her eyes were bright and black, like ripe grapes in autumn, her nose was slightly upturned, showing a hint of liveliness, and her lips were pale pink with a hint of white, subtly revealing a sickly appearance due to insufficient blood and energy.
Shi Lan scrutinized the beautiful and elegant features again and again, and her heart immediately felt much more at ease. The original owner was outstanding in appearance and had an elegant temperament. In addition, with her delicate, fair, and almost transparent skin, Shi Lan immediately felt confident in keeping Li Tiezhu in check, and also understood why Li Chunni had the idea of killing the original owner without saying a word after seeing her.
Most men are driven by lust, and while it's not impossible for a woman to win a man's heart solely through her inner beauty, she is extremely rare. No one dares to claim that the man they've set their sights on possesses such high moral character.
Having experienced men like Young Master Liu who were obsessed with good looks, Li Chunni deeply understood the importance of appearance. When she saw that the original owner not only possessed beauty comparable to hers, but also skin that made her envious and jealous, and an aura that far surpassed her own, Li Chunni completely erupted, leading to the scene that unfolded when she first entered this body.
There was a knocking sound coming from outside. Shi Lan put down the bronze mirror and turned around to look. Li Tiezhu came out of the kitchen and asked towards the door, "Who is it?"
“It’s me, your Aunt Cuihua.”
A middle-aged woman's voice came clearly through the courtyard gate, followed by the creaking sound of the door opening. The two then exchanged a few words in hushed tones, and Li Tiezhu closed the door and turned to go back to the kitchen.
Shi Lan frowned, feeling that the name sounded familiar, but after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't figure out who it was. After all, most of the people in Li Family Village were related, and she couldn't remember who it was for the time being.
After waiting a while, Li Tiezhu came in carrying a basin of warm water. Shi Lan tidied her loose hair, leaned closer, and asked him, "Who is it so early?"
Li Tiezhu dampened a handkerchief and handed it to Shi Lan, saying, "She's Uncle Deyun's aunt."
Shi Lan opened her eyes wide and asked with a face full of curiosity, "I've seen it before?"
Li Tiezhu nodded. "I've met you before. I came here for drinks before, with Uncle Deyun."
"Oh," Shi Lan covered her face with the warm handkerchief, carefully wiped it clean, put the handkerchief in the basin, and then said, "It's only just dawn, what's she doing here?"
Li Tiezhu was washing towels with his head down, his eyes fixed on the rippling water in the wooden basin. "My aunt's daughter is back. She wants a fresh pheasant to nourish her daughter."
Shi Lan squinted at Li Tiezhu, who was acting strangely. She knew that the only person who could make him not look her in the eye was Li Chunni, whom she had once had feelings for. This Aunt Cuihua was probably Li Chunni's mother.
A sense of alarm flashed through Shi Lan's mind. This Li Chunni had a very strong mentality. She had just harmed her yesterday, and this morning she sent her mother over to find out the truth. It seemed that she still had a backup plan.
"So, is my husband going hunting in the woods today?" Shi Lan looked at Li Tiezhu with her big, clear eyes, her pink lips slightly pouting, as if she were being coquettish.
Looking at her like this, Li Tiezhu felt a tickle in his throat and his mouth was extremely dry. The fleeting glimpse of white he had seen last night was flashing before his eyes again, and the unquenched thirst welled up in his heart once more.
Seeing him staring at her intently like a hungry wolf, Shi Lan couldn't help but smile slightly. Her slender, white fingers gently touched the hem of his robe and shook it lightly. "Husband, I'm talking to you."
Li Tiezhu was so shaken by her tugging that his heart felt like it was sitting in a cradle, swaying so gently that his whole body felt weak and tingly.
"Yes, I'll go," Li Tiezhu said, his body already drenched in sweat, his palms soaked.
Having received her answer, Shi Lan let go of her hand and began to comb her hair again in front of the mirror.
Feeling the weight on his clothes lighten, Li Tiezhu felt a little lost. He felt a sudden lightness in his heart, as if something was missing, and unconsciously reached out and tugged at his clothes.
After quickly tying her waist-length hair up high, Shi Lan got up and walked outside.
Li Tiezhu followed behind her and asked, "Wife, where are you going?"
Shi Lan glanced at him and said, "I'll cook for you. Take it with you and we'll eat it at noon."
"No need, there are two leftover pancakes from last night, I'll take them with me later," Li Tiezhu hurriedly reached out and pulled her, feeling her soft, cool fingertips, his large, fan-like hands softened their grip a bit.
Shi Lan glanced at him but didn't insist. She knew she didn't know how to use the stove yet, and she would figure out how to cook on her own after Li Tiezhu left.
"Okay, I'll wrap it up for you. Come back early when you hunt the pheasant. I'll be waiting for you for dinner tonight," Shi Lan said, trying to pull her fingers out of the warm wrapping, but she couldn't pull them out even after two tries.
Li Tiezhu noticed her movements and, though reluctant, had no choice but to let go.
After having breakfast and seeing Li Tiezhu off, Shi Lan rearranged the house and began cultivating her magic technique. Soon, a familiar warmth flowed slowly through her meridians, gradually filling her limbs and bones, warming her cold body.
In the evening, Shi Lan struggled to start a fire and began kneading dough to prepare dinner.
When she was doing missions before, Shi Lan had lived alone before. She could cook a few ordinary meals. Although she wouldn't say they tasted amazing, they were still palatable.
As dusk fell, Li Tiezhu strode in, startled by the fragrant aroma wafting through the air.
Hearing the noise, Shi Lan poked her head out of the kitchen. Seeing it was him, she said, "You're back. Go and absorb the nutrients. The cakes will be ready soon."
Li Tiezhu was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses. He gave a perfunctory reply, threw the string of pheasants he was carrying and the two rabbits slung over his back onto the ground, and then went to fetch water to wash his hands.
Before long, Shi Lan brought out a steaming bowl of vegetable porridge and crispy scallion pancakes.
Li Tiezhu took a sip of the hot vegetable porridge from the bowl, and his heart felt warmed by the warmth.
Since the hunter who adopted him passed away, Li Tiezhu had been taking care of himself. Every time he returned from hunting, the house was cold and empty. If he wanted to eat, he had to endure the heaviness in his body and cook for himself. He thought that this would be how it would be from now on, and he got used to it.
Unexpectedly, the person he kindly rescued changed his life; his home became more vibrant, and he had hope for the future.
And then... Li Tiezhu's gaze slid to Shi Lan's waist and abdomen, and a smile spread across his face. He would have offspring in the future, and his lineage would have a successor.
Shi Lan set out the bowls and chopsticks, glanced at his smiling face, and said coquettishly, "Silly boy," before picking up a glistening pancake and putting it in his bowl. "Eat up."
Li Tiezhu gave a loud "Ai!" and lowered his head to slurp his food.
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