That night, Tian Yu couldn't fall asleep even more after taking a nap by the river in the afternoon. She wanted to go out but didn't want to, and she felt it was inappropriate to talk to Chen Chong. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, wondering why Chen Chong hadn't come to call her. She wondered if she should go out if he did. She was caught in this dilemma until very late before finally falling asleep. The next day, she had dark circles under her eyes and didn't dare to look people in the eye all day. After lunch, Chen Chong took a moment to pull her into the bamboo grove and asked, "Tian Yu, what's wrong? Why are you looking down? Are you sick?" He reached out to lift Tian Yu's head.
Tian Yu refused to look up and said, "It's nothing, I just didn't sleep well last night, and my eyes are a little swollen. Don't look at them."
"Hmm, it's nothing, let me see." There was a hint of laughter in his voice.
Tian Yu was furious when she heard this, so she raised her hand and slapped Chen Chong, saying, "It's all your fault, and you still laugh at me."
"I wasn't laughing, let me see." He held Tian Yu's head and looked at her intently for a long time before gently kissing her eyes and saying, "You're still very beautiful."
Tian Yu pushed him away angrily and said, "What are you doing? Someone will see us." But she also felt an indescribable joy in her heart, and her mood instantly improved.
"Work may have to be suspended this afternoon."
"Why? Is something the matter?"
"Some of the bricks and timber we agreed on haven't been delivered yet, so we don't have any bricks for the time being. Zhao Jinxin and I will go check on them this afternoon, and we might be back late tonight. You stay home with Tangyuan, so don't go out, okay?"
"Can't we go tomorrow? If we go now, will we be able to come back in time tonight? There are no cars in the village."
"It's alright. Coach Zhao didn't go to the county town this morning and should be at home now. Don't worry. If we really can't make it in time, we'll rest in the county town for the night and come back early tomorrow morning. Don't worry, just take care of yourself."
"Okay, then be careful on your journey. If you run into trouble, remember to go to Li Yong. He should be able to help you."
"Okay, I understand. You can go back now. Tangyuan is waiting for you at home."
Are you leaving now? Do you have any money on you?
"Yes, let's go now. Zhao Jinxin should already be waiting at the village entrance."
"I still have some money on me, you can take it first, or wait for me a while, I'll go home and get you some more." Saying this, he took out a few taels of loose silver from his pocket and stuffed it into Chen Chong's hand, then turned around and went home to get more money.
Chen Chong grabbed Tian Yu, pulled her into his arms, and whispered in her ear, "That's enough, we don't need that much. Tian Yu, once the house is built, I'll marry you, okay?"
Tian Yu was still reeling from Chen Chong's sudden hug when she was startled by his words. But feeling his strong and warm embrace and hearing his sorrowful tone, Tian Yu came to her senses and hugged Chen Chong back, whispering, "Okay, now that the house is built, let's get married."
Hearing this, Chen Chong hugged Tian Yu even tighter, only letting go after a while, and walked towards the village entrance. Watching Chen Chong's departing figure, Tian Yu slowly recalled that she had been too busy lately and hadn't paid attention to what was happening around her. She thought that Chen Chong hadn't been so melancholy before. She remembered when she first met him, he was lonely, but as lonely and calm as a wolf. When did his eyes start to show other emotions, as if he was always afraid of losing something? It seemed to have been after that time he came back from his trip to the county town alone. He seemed to be melancholy at times and anxious about their relationship. He was no longer as calm and easygoing as before. Tian Yu didn't know what was wrong with him. She remembered asking him before, but he said nothing was wrong and wouldn't say. Tian Yu didn't want to ask any more questions. Since he wanted to marry her, she was willing to marry him too.
Chen Chong and Zhao Jinxin did not return that night, only returning the next morning. When they returned, they brought five young men with them, along with a large amount of rice, flour, and other food. Tian Yu was puzzled as to why they had hired more people. Chen Chong explained that these were soldiers from Li Yong's army camp, who had previously helped build houses. Recently, the camp had been short of supplies, so he had them come to help, and they only needed to be fed. So that explained it; no wonder Chen Chong had bought so much grain and pork. Some of the pig offal and large bones nearby were given away for free; knowing Tian Yu could cook, Chen Chong had taken them all. The bricks and timber arrived at noon, and construction officially began in the afternoon.
During the day, Tian Yu was busy preparing the ingredients, working herself to the bone. Luckily, Xiao Ju and Tang Yuan were sensible and always ready to help, especially Xiao Ju, who, though silent, always managed to assist Tian Yu. Time was tight, so for dinner, they simply cooked a pot of rice porridge and ate it with pickled garlic sprouts and salted duck eggs. With so many people around, the food tasted even better. Seeing how they ate, Tian Yu realized she might need to find another way; rice porridge and rice every day wasn't enough.
After dinner, Chen Chong arranged for everyone to stay at his place. He didn't return until very late. When he came back, he stood in front of Tian Yu's tent and hesitated for a long time before asking Tian Yu if she was asleep.
Tian Yu also had something to discuss with him, so she got dressed and came out to sit with Chen Chong in the courtyard. The moon was still so bright tonight, making the courtyard as bright as day. Chen Chong held Tian Yu's hand and asked, "I'm serious about what we talked about during the day. Are you really willing to marry me?"
"Yes, of course I'm willing. If it weren't for the fact that I didn't handle things well with Zhao Moyan, we might have gotten married long ago, wouldn't we?"
"Yes, but I can't blame you. Have you thought it through? Are you really willing?"
"Yes, I'm willing. What's wrong? Don't you want to marry me?"
"No, of course I'd like to, but do you believe me? Maybe I'm not what you think."
"That? No matter who you are or where you're from, all I know is that your name is Chen Chong, and that you're the person I, Tian Yu, like. That's enough."
"Really? You don't care that I'm just a hunter, or whatever?"
"Identity? What is your identity? You are my future husband, so what if you're a hunter? That's great!"
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