dwimmered path

  Chapter 20 Zhang Fangyuan, holding his breath, finished turning the soil before his anger finally subsided. He planted the hoe handle in the ground and sat on it, sweat beading on his forehead. He took a handkerchief from his waistband to wipe his sweat, glaring at Xu He who stood nearby. “Don't have any more contact with Fei Lian from now on.” Xu He stared at the all-too-familiar handkerchief in Zhang Fangyuan's hand, which had apparently been kept close to his chest for who-knows-how-long. The tips of his ears burned fiercely. Faced with the man's harsh tone, he refused to show weakness. “Why should I listen to you?!” “Whatever he gives you, just tell me, and I'll buy it for you.” Seeing that raising his voice didn't intimidate Xu He but instead made him more prickly, Zhang Fangyuan's mind was in turmoil. He was angry but didn't dare vent it, ultimately deflating and softening his tone instead. “Just consider it me begging you, alright?” Seeing Zhang Fan...

  Chapter 19 The days passed leisurely past the New Year period. After the fifteenth, the festivities were essentially over, and soon it was the end of the first month. The villagers gradually picked up their work again. Zhang Fangyuan also slaughtered another pig and resumed his routine of leaving early and returning late from town. By now, the whole village knew that Zhang Fangyuan not only possessed a sturdy black horse but also had a stall in the town's meat market, running his own business. Occasionally, he even helped villagers with poor mobility by bringing back candles and salt. On non-market days, if he met someone heading to town while his cart was empty, he'd offer them a free ride on his plank cart. People speaking well of him became increasingly common. Some even started considering buying or selling livestock through him. Everyone began to look enviously upon this capable young man, many changing their minds and reconsidered broaching the subject of marriage allia...

  Chapter 18 Liu Xiangmei enjoyed a satisfying meal at her younger sister's house, her complexion growing increasingly rosy. The only one with such culinary skills was the youngest of the Xu family. She remembered how impressed she was the first time she tasted Xu's youngest cooking. She went home and immediately pressed her own daughter to learn cooking properly, only to realize that this skill required a bit of innate talent; it couldn't be forced. The table featured braised pork knuckle with winter bamboo shoots, a dish Liu Xiangmei loved. She was delighted and wanted to praise He Ger in a few words, but with Xu Shaochun continuously serving food into her bowl, she could only swallow her words. Liu Xiangmei returned home in the afternoon. The first few days of the New Year could be considered either leisurely or busy. Liu Xianglan didn't press her sister to stay longer, saying she would visit her house when going for the town’s market another day. Zhang Fangyuan had ...