The warm spring sun was bright and gentle. Two people stood in front of the fence, one of them standing and occasionally bending down to get closer to the one who was squatting down. The gentle spring breeze blew through their hair, sometimes tangling in the wind, but they were soon forced to separate when the other got up. They separated and reunited like this, and together and apart, accompanied by intermittent singing, a fenced yard was completed in the afterglow of the setting sun.
To thank Chen Chong for inviting him to stay for dinner, Tian Yu prepared the meal early. Since it was springtime and the days seemed to be getting longer, this way, after dinner, it wouldn't be completely dark, making it easier for Chen Chong to get home. With limited ingredients, Tian Yu simply made a pot of egg noodles, adding some leftover crushed garlic as a dipping sauce. Tian Yu didn't think it was very good, as there weren't many vegetables, but Tangyuan and Chen Chong didn't think so. They both thought it was delicious, and besides the last time they had it in the county town, this was only the second time they'd eaten it. They also proved their point by finishing the entire pot of noodles.
After dinner, Tangyuan wanted Chen Chong to play with him for a while, but Tian Yu saw that it was getting late and advised Chen Chong to go back and rest early, as they had to go hunting in the mountains the next day. Tangyuan didn't pester him anymore and told Chen Chong that he would come to see him as soon as he returned. Chen Chong promised to bring him a gift when he came back, and then he went back to his room to play by himself. Tian Yu saw Chen Chong to the door, thinking of something to say, but not knowing what to say. He scratched his head and said, "Then be careful and come back early."
"Yeah, don't worry, it's fine. I know this area very well."
"Okay, I'll head back now. You should head back early too." Tian Yu said, then turned to go into the courtyard.
Seeing Tian Yu turn to leave, Chen Chong hastily pulled her back into his arms. Tian Yu was startled by the sudden embrace and, afraid of being seen, tried to push Chen Chong away, but he held her even tighter. He leaned on her shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry, no one will see. Let me hold you a little longer."
Tian Yu sensed his reluctance and sadness, so she patted his back and let Chen Chong hug her. The warm and strong embrace gradually relaxed Tian Yu. The two held each other quietly for what seemed like an eternity before Chen Chong reluctantly left. This departure might mean many days without seeing each other again. They had only just confirmed their feelings for each other; how could he bear to leave? But for their future, he had to go. His father had entrusted him with many things, but right now, hunting was the only way to earn money; he couldn't think of any other method for the time being.
After Chen Chong left, Tian Yu lost interest in helping Tang Yuan with her homework and said she was a little tired and wanted to rest early. Tang Yuan obediently washed up and went to bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, probably exhausted from archery practice during the day. Tian Yu, however, felt no sleepiness. She got up and went to the outer room, sitting on a chair in the living room, gazing at the moon outside, lost in thought. It had been almost a month since she arrived, and she seemed to have adapted to everything here. Now, with Chen Chong, thinking of him always warmed her heart; with him, everything was much easier. At first, she only wanted to be friends with him, but gradually, without realizing it, feelings had developed in her heart. Thinking that they were really together wouldn't be bad; they would surely have a better life together.
The next morning, Tian Yu overslept. Tang Yuan had already fed the chickens and made breakfast. Tian Yu pretended to be annoyed that Tang Yuan hadn't woken her up. Tang Yuan thought she was too tired and needed more rest. Besides, he had promised Chen Chong he would take good care of Tian Yu, so he wanted her to sleep a little longer and didn't wake her. She quickly ate the breakfast Tang Yuan had made, and then the village head and Zhao Jincheng arrived. They said they were there to measure the wasteland she wanted to cultivate. Tian Yu led them to the area she wanted to cultivate and described the general area she planned to plant. Part of it had already been cleared and was ready to be planted, while another part still needed trimming. After understanding, the village head roughly measured the area with his steps, and Zhao Jincheng took the paper and pen to record it. After measuring all the land Tian Yu planned to plant, the village head asked Tian Yu if she could manage to cultivate it all by herself. Tian Yu told the village head not to worry, she could manage, even with all the extra land. When asked what she planned to plant, Tian Yu honestly said she hadn't decided yet. Tian Yu chatted with the village head about the local climate, what crops were usually grown, and what precautions to take. She asked earnestly, and the village head answered all her questions without reservation. As it was approaching noon, Tian Yu politely invited them to stay for lunch. The village head declined, but praised Tian Yu's cooking skills, saying he should treat her to a proper meal sometime. Tian Yu readily agreed, promising to cook a good meal to express her gratitude. After seeing them off, Tian Yu remembered that Tang Yuan had gone out again and hadn't returned. She went out to look for him and bumped into him at the door. Asking where he had been, she learned he had gone to practice archery. Seeing the bow and arrows on his back, she didn't ask any further questions.
After lunch, Tian Yu took Tang Yuan to the river to collect snails. Tang Yuan was overjoyed to hear that they were the same snails they had eaten yesterday. They set off with baskets and poems on their backs. When they arrived at the river, the water was much lower than the day before, and the weather was sunny. Many snails were hidden in the crevices of the rocks along the riverbank. Tian Yu and Tang Yuan walked along the river from downstream to upstream, collecting them. Along the way, they encountered Zhao Jincheng and his sister Zhao Jinxiu, carrying baskets and books. Zhao Jincheng politely greeted Tian Yu, calling her "Sister-in-law." Tian Yu returned the greeting somewhat rudely. After exchanging greetings, Tian Yu learned that Zhao Jincheng had gone fishing and had been reading by the stream, losing track of time. His family had sent Zhao Jinxiu to look for him. Zhao Jinxiu still acted arrogantly and rudely towards Tian Yu, but Tian Yu didn't care and pretended not to see her. Zhao Jincheng, however, smoothed things over, asking Tian Yu what she was doing. Tian Yu, of course, said she was collecting some to feed the chickens. Zhao Jinxiu snorted coldly, unwilling to stay with Tian Yu, and urged Zhao Jincheng to hurry home for dinner, otherwise there would be no food. Before leaving, she added sarcastically, "Brother Chen will never like you, give up on that idea." Then she happily left. Tian Yu didn't understand her meaning, thinking Zhao Jinxiu had gone crazy again, and shook her head, thinking she was hopeless. After they said goodbye, Tian Yu and Tangyuan wandered around for a long time. Later, they encountered some teenagers gathering firewood. Perhaps thirsty, they ran to the river to drink water. Tian Yu strongly disapproved, telling Tangyuan that one shouldn't drink river water carelessly, especially in spring, as there are many insect eggs in the water, and drinking it would make one sick; it had to be heated before use. Tian Yu collected many snails and clams along the riverbank until her basket was full before going home.
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