But he couldn’t bring himself to hit her. Only his hope of taking her behind Desire Rock to feel the wind was dashed. His face darkened.
Lan Xingyu released the curtain, turned her back to him. The male lead was unreasonable—not thinking about the mud outside, insisting she pick mushrooms.
Fuming, Huo Nanting threw down the curtain in frustration. He’d pick the mushrooms himself to feed her—would that do?
Zhang Weiping squinted, then went back to sleep. He’d stayed up until midnight guarding Zhao Jiani, only returning after the heavy rain.
Huo Nanting went out with a bag of fertilizer. Lan Xingyu pulled the curtain again to sleep. When she woke, Huo Nanting had returned with the bag.
He placed it by her bed. “Look, you’ll help wash the mushrooms, right?”
Lan Xingyu opened the bag—full of plump, white mushrooms. “I’ll pay. Zhang Zhīqīng wash them for me.”
“No problem, I’ll wash them.”
Zhang Weiping came over but received Huo Nanting’s meaningful look, scratching his head, confused.
Huo Nanting wanted to train his little master—otherwise she’d grow up useless. If she married him, she’d exhaust him.
Zhang Weiping: “Wow, they look really good.”
“Boil water first—mushrooms need to be washed in warm water.”
“All right. No work this noon; we’ll eat breakfast and lunch together.”
“Fine.”
Zhang Weiping went out to boil water.
Huo Nanting looked at Lan Xingyu, speaking as if she were his wife: “What do you even do all day? Always needing someone to serve you. With just two work points a day, not only will you not receive grain, you’ll owe the village money. Why did you even come to the countryside?”
Lan Xingyu looked up, her eyes flashing with anger. “Are you my father? My mother? What gives you the right to talk to me like that?”
Huo Nanting met her gaze. “I’m doing this for your own good!”
Lan Xingyu snapped, “I don’t need you doing things for me! I have plenty of money to hire people to serve me. Stop worrying about me, you old busybody!”
Huo Nanting chuckled lightly. “People like you won’t even be able to marry a wife!”
“I have money! Plenty of women want to get close to me!”
“You dare to look for women?”
Hearing her talk about finding women, Huo Nanting’s anger surged. He couldn’t accept her seeking women—he wanted to possess her.
Lan Xingyu rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I’m a man! Of course I’ll look for women!”
Huo Nanting’s face darkened. He didn’t know what to say—she was a man, so naturally she’d seek a woman!
But he really wanted to be with her. If anyone found out, it’d be a death sentence. Not just a trip to the pigpen—way worse.
He stood by the bed, fuming, and whispered after a long pause, “I want you!”
Then, clutching the bag of fertilizer, he ran off, completely flustered.
“What?”
Lan Xingyu watched him flee, tugging at her ear. His meaning—he wants me? Wasn’t he supposed to pursue the heroine?
Wait… she’s a man now. He wants a man?
Lan Xingyu stared at the man sorting mushrooms under the eaves. My god—the male lead is… gay?! The plot might be shifting!
She laughed to herself, a show was about to unfold.
Lighting a cigarette, she watched Huo Nanting and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Huo Nanting looked up and saw her laughing. His face turned dark—she actually had the audacity to mock him! But… such behavior is utterly scandalous.
Still, he couldn’t help it. He liked this little pretty boy. Seeing him act spoiled made Huo Nanting’s heart race even more.
Lan Xingyu laughed for a long time before finally calming down. She thought: the male lead is still under the influence of the plot; otherwise, how could he bend like this?
She wondered—how far has he bent? Can the heroine straighten him out?
She glanced at the yard. Mud everywhere. No way she was going out today. Turning to Zhang Weiping, who was washing mushrooms, she said, “Zhang Zhīqīng, help me take the afternoon off. I’m not going to work.”
“All right.”
Zhang Weiping’s gaze was gentle—he had already taken Lan Xingyu as his master.
Tang Zhirou was watching the mushrooms being washed. She glanced at Lan Xingyu with a hint of disdain, curious about this newcomer who immediately had someone serving her.
Lan Xingyu avoided her gaze. She wouldn’t provoke trouble, nor would she like the male lead. If Tang Zhirou kept antagonizing her, she wouldn’t be polite.
Hah!
Tang Zhirou thought she was unbearably arrogant, completely disrespectful.
Lan Xingyu returned to her bed and opened a book. Medical knowledge in this era was backward—she had to self-learn.
She could perform many surgeries now, though her skills still needed refinement. With her current level, she could easily be a specialist in a modern hospital. Don’t let her delicate appearance fool you—she was highly competent.
Not only did she study at school, she also trained at hospitals under the Lan family, far surpassing doctors of this era. She just had no chance to use her skills yet.
Meanwhile, Huo Nanting worked quickly, washing mushrooms. Thinking of his little master who hadn’t eaten breakfast yet, he was anxious.
He felt hopeless—he really wanted this little master, and he wanted her as his bride.
“Lan Zhiqing, I’ll buy half a bowl of mushrooms to try. How much?”
Tang Zhirou’s coquettish voice interrupted his thoughts. He didn’t even look up. “There are more mushrooms on the mountain. You can pick some yourself. These aren’t enough for the three of us, and Zhang Zhīqīng still has to give some to Zhao Zhīqīng.”
He spoke politely—Tang Zhirou was a neighbor and a client; he couldn’t just give her the cold shoulder.
“All right, next time take me with you. I’ll pick some too.”
Tang Zhirou didn’t feel offended and went along with him.
Huo Nanting acknowledged with a hum—the matter was settled.
“Rou Rou, do you want mushrooms? I’ll check the mountain now to see if we can find some!”
Xiao Heng arrived, his eyes soft on Tang Zhirou.
Tang Zhirou felt disgusted. The thought of him sneaking around with that wretched Jiang Wanwan made her want to vomit.
She went straight back indoors, giving Xiao Heng no glance.
Xiao Heng’s expression darkened. Tang Zhirou, don’t push me!
He squinted at Huo Nanting. Tang Zhirou’s mind short-circuited—how could she fall for this poor guy?
Huo Nanting’s family was very poor. Because of a sickly sister, the whole family had been dragged down!
Phew!
Finally, the mushrooms were washed.
Zhang Weiping stoked the fire, and Huo Nanting cooked the mushrooms. When he covered the pot, he started kneading dough—soon they’d make pancakes.
The aroma filled the air. Zhou Jianjun and others had just finished washing mushrooms. For these less fortunate zhiqing, mushrooms were a rare treat.
Over an hour later, a big bowl of mushrooms was ready, along with fragrant white pancakes.
Huo Nanting carried the mushrooms inside, calling to the person behind the curtain, “Time to eat!”
“Coming.”
Having only had some milk that morning, Lan Xingyu was hungry.
She put down her book and went to the table. The mushrooms, though not perfectly colored, smelled amazing.
“Sit down, I’ll get bowls and chopsticks.”
Huo Nanting’s voice was soft and gentle. Lan Xingyu shivered, thinking: no wood gun for you, huh? Guess I’ll ruin your plan!
“Eat.”
Huo Nanting quickly brought in the steamed buns, placed her bowl and utensils, added a bun to her bowl, and sat down.
Lan Xingyu picked up her chopsticks and tasted a mushroom—fragrant, smooth, spicy, and fresh. The numbing sensation of green Sichuan pepper filled her mouth. Absolutely delicious.
“So good!”
“Eat more. These are the best mushrooms. Try them.”
Seeing his little master enjoy the food, Huo Nanting smiled and picked the best mushrooms for her.
Opposite him, someone opened their mouth: “Don’t try using mushrooms to trick me. My ass isn’t for you!”
Huo Nanting froze mid-pick, then said, “You know quite a bit. Seems you’ve thought about it?”
Lan Xingyu froze. What did she just say? Quickly, she lied, “Your mushrooms are poisonous—they’re making me talk nonsense!”