"What did you eat to grow so tall!" Xia Lan complained. If they stood close together, she couldn't even see his face clearly.
"You're not short," Qin Yu said, sensing Xia Lan's sorrow.
"Of course I know I'm not short, it's just that you're too tall," Xia Lan pouted sullenly.
"Haven't you noticed? All the men in our village are about the same height as Qin Yu!" Xu Fulin looked at Xia Lan in surprise.
The men of Shanghe Village are known in the area for being tall and strong because their ancestors had Hu (non-Han) ancestry, making them stronger than ordinary children from birth.
Xia Lan should know these things, but she seems to have never heard of them before.
“…I haven’t left the house.” Xia Lan’s heart tightened, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at Xu Fulin, and answered.
“That’s true. If it weren’t for your parents’ accident, I would never have even heard of you.” Xu Fulin nodded. With such a muddle-headed village chief in Xiahe Village, Xia Lan’s pretty face was bound to attract attention.
If it were him, he would also tell her to stay home and not go out.
Xia Lan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Little did she know that Qin Yu had seen her relieved expression clearly, and he gave Xia Lan a deep look.
"They're here, they're here." The aunties, along with their husbands, came over pushing carts loaded with new rice. They unloaded the rice one by one, and the village chief personally inspected it. Only after confirming its quality did Qin Yu carry the rice into the house.
After accepting the rice, the man took the furniture his wife had chosen and drove her home.
After several trips back and forth, only the reserved furniture remained in the yard; the rest had been moved away.
"I'll take care of the rest. You go and rest." Qin Yu pushed Xia Lan back into the house to rest, while he stayed behind to talk to the village chief.
Xia Lan obediently returned to her room, where she saw the brand-new rice. She happily held it, smelling its aroma, and was filled with joy.
In the courtyard, Qin Yu glanced at Xu Fulin, who was staring intently at Xia Lan's retreating figure. "Go back now if there's nothing else!"
"You're crossing the river and burning the bridge, aren't you?" Xu Fulin rolled his eyes at Qin Yu. "What's wrong with looking at your wife? Is it really necessary to be so jealous?"
"You also said that's my wife." Qin Yu's voice was cold, and his eyes were sharp.
Compared to the honest and simple-minded Qin Yu just now, he seemed like a completely different person.
"Really going to be your wife?" Xu Fulin asked in surprise. "I thought you were going to break off the engagement."
Qin Yu glanced at Xu Fulin indifferently.
Xu Fulin obediently shut his mouth and said no more. "By the way, the transport team's goods are arriving tonight, and they want to see you."
"Understood." A glint flashed in Qin Yu's eyes. "Find someone to collect all the mountain produce from the village."
"Okay." Xu Fulin nodded. "Then I'm off."
"Now that you have a wife, when are you going to renovate your house? I'll still reserve that piece of land at the foot of the mountain for you," Xu Fulin said to Qin Yu.
Qin Yu said casually, "No rush."
"Alright! I'm leaving then." Xu Fulin turned and left. Qin Yu watched his retreating figure, his coldness vanishing.
When he turned around, he was back to his honest and simple self.
"Xia Lan, what do you want to eat for lunch..." Qin Yu asked with a smile when he returned to the house and saw Xia Lan's sullen appearance.
"Can I eat?" Xia Lan clutched her stomach. She had been eating porridge for two days and wanted to eat white rice.
"Okay, then go to the backyard and pick some vegetables. There's also some cured meat that my aunt gave me. I'll make you vegetable and cured meat rice?" Qin Yu asked Xia Lan with a smile.
Xia Lan's eyes lit up with joy, and she nodded happily. "Good, good, good!"
Xia Lan happily walked to the backyard and saw several plots of land where the green vegetables looked delicious.
Xia Lan cut off the vegetable stalks, carried a large cabbage back to the kitchen.
Qin Yu had already washed the rice, placed the sliced cured meat on top, and started cooking. Xia Lan returned carrying a large cabbage, which Qin Yu quickly took from her. "The rice will take a while to cook. You haven't fully recovered yet, so go and rest!"
"Let me start the fire. From now on, you cook and I'll start the fire." Xia Lan felt that all she could do was start the fire, which was what the original owner did most often.
"Okay." Seeing that she was determined, Qin Yu stopped trying to stop her and gave his seat to Xia Lan.
Xia Lan successfully lit the fire by following the original owner's memories, and happily turned to look at Qin Yu.
Qin Yu blinked at those big eyes, seemingly waiting for praise, and pursed his lips. "Very good."
"Hehe." Xia Lan lowered her head happily after receiving Qin Yu's praise. "I am still somewhat useful."
"Hmm, it works." A smile flashed in Qin Yu's eyes.
As the firewood burned out, the rice in the pot gradually emitted an enticing aroma, carrying the scent of cured meat, making Xia Lan swallow hard.
Qin Yu washed the cabbage thoroughly, then chopped it into small pieces. Just as the rice was almost cooked, he opened the pot lid, quickly poured in the chopped cabbage, drizzled on some soy sauce, and then closed the lid, finishing the task in one smooth motion.
Xia Lan blinked her big eyes, looking at Qin Yu with a blank expression.
I was just short of asking, "Why did you do that?"
Qin Yu smiled slightly, feigning profundity, and offered no explanation.
After a while, the aroma of rice, meat, and cilantro mingled together, and with the addition of soy sauce, the oil from the cured meat made each grain of rice glisten. With the seasoning of soy sauce, no other seasoning was needed; it was already a great success.
Qin Yu mixed them together, then served Xia Lan a bowl first. Xia Lan couldn't wait to put a bite in her mouth, and her taste buds tingled instantly. She was so happy she almost cried.
"This is so delicious!" Xia Lan looked at Qin Yu with wide eyes. "How are you so amazing? This is so delicious. This is the first time I've ever eaten such a delicious meal."
The adoration in Xia Lan's eyes greatly pleased Qin Yu, who blushed slightly and poured Xia Lan another bowl.
"I am so happy to have you." Xia Lan was originally a little hesitant, but after finishing the meal, she decided that she must stick to Qin Yu's coattails.
How could I let go of a man who can make ordinary rice and dishes taste so good?
Upon hearing Xia Lan's words, which sounded like a confession, Qin Yu's face instantly turned red, even the tips of his ears turned bright red. He lowered his head, not daring to look at Xia Lan, covered his face with his bowl, and buried his head in his mouth, shoveling rice into his mouth.
Xia Lan stuck out her tongue. She knew she had misspoke again. Such words wouldn't be a big deal in modern times, but in this era where subtlety was valued, it was like a naked confession.
"Uh, I'll do the dishes!" Xia Lan didn't know how to explain, afraid that if she did, people would think she was confessing her feelings, so she simply pretended nothing had happened and let it pass.
After finishing his own meal, Qin Yu went over and took Xia Lan's hand, shaking his head at her. "You're not better yet, don't touch cold water, I'll wash you."
"But I also want to help you..." Xia Lan said shyly.
"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, no rush." Qin Yu patted Xia Lan's hand and chuckled.
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