Starting a fire was a basic skill that almost everyone in the village learned from childhood.
Since Lin Suhe had inherited the original owner’s memories, she also knew the basic steps for making a fire in this era. It didn’t seem too difficult.
She nodded confidently at Jiang Wangchuan, walked behind the stove, and recognized the flint and the tinder.
Excited to try, she rolled up her sleeves and followed the original owner’s memories, striking the flint hard to light the tinder.
Soon, the courtyard was filled with the repeated sounds of “clack, clack.”
As Jiang Wangchuan scrubbed clothes in the basin, he watched Lin Suhe’s serious, focused little face.
Only then did he truly understand why the men in the village all wanted to marry early.
So this is what it’s like to have a wife.
It’s… really wonderful.
Unfortunately, the fire still wouldn’t start.
Lin Suhe’s hands were sore from striking the flint.
She finally managed to create a few sparks, but they still failed to light the tinder.
Tiny beads of sweat formed on the tip of her nose.
Finally, Jiang Wangchuan couldn’t bear to watch any longer.
“Suhe, let me do it.”
He wiped his hands on his clothes, walked over to the stove, and took the flint from her.
With just two quick strikes, the tinder caught fire.
He pushed it into the stove, and the firewood quickly burst into flames.
Lin Suhe’s eyes turned red.
“Wuu…”
“Brother Jiang…”
“I’m so useless.”
“I can’t even help with such a simple thing.”
She looked so guilty that she resembled a pitiful little rabbit.
Jiang Wangchuan couldn’t bear to blame her.
He gently wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes and comforted her.
“Who says you’re useless?”
“You know far more than a rough man like me.”
“I shouldn’t have asked you to do heavy work.”
“Didn’t you say you know how to make sugar?”
“That’s something valuable.”
“We still have some wheat at home.”
“After I sell the animal hides, we’ll buy some glutinous rice.”
“We’ll make malt sugar and sell it in town.”
“The two of us together…”
“We’ll definitely build a good life.”
His large hand gently stroked Lin Suhe’s cheek.
Her face wasn’t even as big as his palm.
Her skin felt as soft and smooth as fresh tofu.
He didn’t even dare use any strength, afraid the thick calluses on his hands would scratch her delicate skin.
Lin Suhe sniffled.
Then she gently rubbed her cheek against his warm, dry palm.
“Mmm!”
“I’ll work hard and think of lots of ways for us to make money!”
Jiang Wangchuan quickly withdrew his hand.
If she kept rubbing against him like that…
He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from pinching her soft little cheeks.
…
At noon, Jiang Wangchuan cooked a pot of wild vegetable dough soup.
He even gave Lin Suhe the only egg they had in the house.
After filling their stomachs, the two of them headed toward the town together.
Lin Suhe quietly followed behind Jiang Wangchuan.
Along the way, many villagers looked at them with curious eyes.
Wenhe Village had only a little over forty households.
There were no secrets in such a small place.
In just a short time, everyone already knew that Jiang Wangchuan and Lin Suhe were going to live together.
A woman washing clothes by the river smiled teasingly.
“Hey, Wangchuan!”
“Where are you taking your new wife?”
When Lin Suhe heard the words “new wife,” her face instantly turned bright red.
She lowered her head and hurried after Jiang Wangchuan like a little tail.
Jiang Wangchuan laughed openly and replied,
“Auntie, I’m taking her to town to sell some animal hides.”
“We’ll also buy a few things while we’re there.”
The woman shook her head.
“Animal hides don’t sell for much at this time of year.”
“They’re worth far more in winter.”
Jiang Wangchuan smiled helplessly.
“It can’t be helped.”
“My family needs money.”
“I have to sell them cheaply for now so we can get by.”
He never tried to hide how poor he was.