When Zhao Lie emerged from the mountains, he happened to see someone digging cheerfully with a small hoe.
Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last long. Xu Ruyi had only been digging for a short while before she threw the hoe to the ground. Looking at her bright red hands, she was in so much pain that tears unconsciously fell.
Seeing her cry, Zhao Lie immediately approached and grabbed her hands to examine them. Those two fair and delicate hands were now completely red, making Zhao Lie’s heart ache terribly.
Xu Ruyi was startled by the sudden hand grab. She was about to scold the person when she realized it was someone familiar, so she could only keep quiet.
However, she noticed Zhao Lie’s behavior toward her seemed unusual. Could this big guy have taken a liking to her?
Wait, brother, why are you blowing on my hands? Did you even brush your teeth?
Of course, this was just Xu Ruyi’s internal scream. She didn’t dare say it out loud – what if he became angry out of shame and abandoned her deep in the mountains?
Zhao Lie: I brush my teeth with mint leaves and salt every day! Don’t wrongfully accuse me!
Xu Ruyi uncomfortably withdrew her hands. “Um, Zhao Lie! What are you doing here?”
Zhao Lie rubbed his fingers. “I just came back from the mountains. What are you doing here? What are you digging? Let me help you dig!”
“No need, no need! I can dig slowly by myself!” Xu Ruyi quickly refused. Just kidding, what if he used this help as an excuse to cling to her? No, no, absolutely not.
Seeing her refusal, Zhao Lie turned around to pick up the pheasants and rabbits he had just thrown on the ground, placing them beside Xu Ruyi’s basket. Then he took the hoe and started digging where Xu Ruyi had been working.
Xu Ruyi was stunned. She thought he had listened and was preparing to leave. Instead, he picked up his things, came back, and started digging without saying a word.
But his strength was truly impressive! One swing of his hoe was equivalent to three or four of hers.
Xu Ruyi stood aside, at a loss, watching Zhao Lie sweating profusely yet working with full energy, her feelings mixed.
Of course, she only hesitated for a moment before stopping. If he wanted to do a good deed, she couldn’t very well stop him, could she?
Naturally, all the things would belong to her – she wouldn’t share even a bit.
After a while, Zhao Lie had already dug up a large patch of Danggui. Xu Ruyi felt too embarrassed to just stand there doing nothing, so she squatted down intending to remove all the Danggui leaves.
Just then, Zhao Lie suddenly stopped what he was doing, pulled out something wrapped in leaves from his chest, and handed it to Xu Ruyi. “For you, wild fruits I picked in the mountains. They’re very sweet.”
Xu Ruyi was taken aback for a moment, then immediately waved her hands. “N-no, that’s not necessary. You should keep them for yourself…”
Seeing her refusal, Zhao Lie directly stuffed them into her hands, then continued digging.
Xu Ruyi was completely stunned. This guy was pursuing her, right! It’s just that his methods were somewhat special! Particularly domineering!!
Since there was food, Xu Ruyi didn’t stand on ceremony. After all, he was the one who forced it on her – it wasn’t like she asked for it. He better not come asking for repayment later.
Opening the leaves, she picked up a wild fruit. The fruit emitted a fresh fragrance. She gently took a bite, and the clear, sweet juice spread in her mouth.
Sour and sweet – just the flavor Xu Ruyi liked.
Watching her eat the fruit, Zhao Lie smiled foolishly.
Soon, all the Danggui had been dug up.
Zhao Lie set down the hoe and dusted off his clothes. “Alright, it’s all dug up. If there’s anything else you need help with, just let me know.” With that, he picked up the pheasants and hares from the ground. “Take these to nourish yourself.”
Before Xu Ruyi could refuse, Zhao Lie had already turned and walked away.
She looked at the game, then at the half-eaten wild fruit in her hand, and thought to herself, “Oh no, I owe him a huge favor now!!!”
Actually, Zhao Lie hadn’t gone far, as he wouldn’t feel at ease leaving without seeing Xu Ruyi come out. But he was afraid she might refuse him again, so he had thrust the game into her hands and run off.
Watching the young girl standing there dazed and flustered, Zhao Lie found her utterly adorable and so kind-hearted.
She was getting so worked up over a few worthless things—she must be worried he wouldn’t have enough to eat. She was truly too kind!
Such a beautiful and virtuous girl—if only he could marry her.
But his family circumstances were too poor; she would surely be unwilling to marry him.
A girl this wonderful would be wasted on someone like him.