His voice was calm, but it sounded particularly harsh to Xie Wanzhen. Lu Yunyang’s meaning was clear: regarding what had just happened, he chose to believe Su Yutao.
“Brother Yunyang!” Her lips trembled, a wave of grievance rising in her chest. “I—”
Lu Yunyang suddenly turned his gaze on her. “What is it?”
The man’s eyes were icy, carrying a trace of disdain. Xie Wanzhen froze instantly.
Her mind buzzed in shock. Such an obvious trick, and the Lu Yunyang she had once idealized in her dreams actually believed Su Yutao?
Anger and despair surged through her, and she blurted out, “Whether you believe it or not, I never did it!”
With that, she turned and ran, leaving Yutao momentarily stunned.
“This…” Lu Weirong scratched his head, thinking perhaps he had spoken too harshly earlier. “I… I’ll go see her.” He spoke to Lu Yunyang.
Lu Yunyang hummed, and after Weirong walked away, he turned to the girl still standing in daze. “Aren’t you going?”
Yutao came back to her senses. “Yes.”
The man’s words had already shown that he was on her side. Since he hadn’t exposed her little scheme, she wisely decided to erase the encounter with Xie Wanzhen from her mind.
She slowly walked up to him, her eyes soft and shy. “But I need to go to the Qin Family. Doctor Lu, will you come with me?”
“What are you going to the Qin Family for?” he asked casually as he began walking.
Yutao followed at a leisurely pace. “My sister-in-law said they collected a hive of honey a few days ago, so I wanted to borrow some combs.”
“They don’t have any,” Lu Yunyang said straightforwardly.
Yutao blinked in surprise. “How do you know?”
“I just came from their house with the production team leader. I overheard him say they sold it to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative yesterday.”
“Ah…” Yutao’s steps faltered. “It’s gone?”
Her expression fell slightly. Lu Yunyang frowned and stopped walking. “Why do you need it?”
“For making beeswax,” Yutao explained cheerfully. “I need it to make rouge. Do you know anyone else in our team who might have some?”
The raw pigments were ready, the powders ground, all that remained was the beeswax to set them.
“I’m not sure,” Lu Yunyang continued walking. “If it’s not urgent, I’ll help you look tomorrow when I go up the mountain.”
Her eyes lit up at his sudden offer. An idea popped into her head, and she smiled. “What a coincidence! I’m going up the mountain tomorrow too. We can go together?”
Lu Yunyang: …
Was it really such a coincidence?
The man’s eyes narrowed. Yutao cleared her throat and explained earnestly, “Really, I’ve used almost all the raw materials from last time. I can’t keep spending money at the pharmacy every time, can I?”
“And besides—”
Before she could finish, Lu Yunyang interrupted sharply, “What do you mean by ‘every time’?”
Yutao: …
Her words had slipped out too quickly.
Lu Yunyang caught the subtle change in her expression, his voice deep and meaningful. “You don’t look that big. Was the amount you took last time enough for yourself?”
His mocking tone made Yutao nearly lose her temper. But she also knew she couldn’t hide this from Lu Yunyang. As a doctor, he surely knew about wellness and cosmetics, and being a local, there would likely be more things to consult him about in the future.
She cleared her throat and spoke slowly. “It’s not just for me. I helped some friends make it too, and collected a little handcrafted fee.”
“Just a little,” she added, measuring with her fingers. “Working in the fields is hard. I just wanted to practice a little, make some crafts…”
Lu Yunyang studied her silently, remaining quiet for a long while.
Yutao couldn’t read his expression and felt frustrated. In this story, it wasn’t only possible to attend the college entrance exam, but also to run small businesses. She thought someone like Lu Yunyang, who had seen the world, should understand.
So why did he look like this?
She was about to come up with more arguments to convince him that her business was harmless, when he suddenly asked, “Climbing the mountain is tiring. Are you sure you can manage it?”
“I’m not afraid of tiring,” she replied instinctively.
Lu Yunyang squinted, assessing her credibility.
“Really,” Yutao smiled lightly. “I’ve worked in the fields. What’s a little climbing?”
If she could go up the mountain with him, alone, she was delighted by the thought.
Lu Yunyang’s eyes softened slightly, and he smirked. “You’re going up the mountain with a man. Don’t you mind if someone special in your heart knows?”
The incident had been over a month ago, and Lu Yunyang had pieced together the sequence of events. He considered himself adequate, and though there was an age gap and little prior interaction with Su Yutao, he couldn’t imagine she would take such extreme action over a mere engagement unless she had someone in her heart.
“That ‘someone special’? Don’t talk nonsense,” Yutao glared, then turned her head, smiling coyly. “But I do have someone in my heart. Do you want to know who?”
Lu Yunyang remained expressionless. “No.”
Yutao was momentarily stunned. His response was too blunt.
But if she told him she liked him, he probably wouldn’t believe it either.
She leaned closer, her voice soft and alluring. “Just kidding. Tomorrow I need to gather herbs. Since you’re a doctor, can I follow you?”
Her delicate face neared him, the scent of her approaching. Lu Yunyang inhaled sharply, a shiver running through his chest.
Somehow, he felt… seduced.
“Doctor Lu…” Yutao tugged at his sleeve gently. “I’m scared going up the mountain alone as a girl…”
Lu Yunyang looked down. Her little hand kept tugging at his clothes, as if trying to roll up his hem.
He grabbed back his sleeve, fixing his gaze on her smiling face. “I’ll take you with me.”
Yutao’s eyes lit up. “Brother Lu, can I really follow you tomorrow?”
Lu Yunyang: …
Not what she meant, but fine…
After a brief silence, he fixed her with a dark gaze. “Eight o’clock tomorrow morning, I’ll wait for you at the Songyun Mountain trailhead.”
Startled, Yutao exclaimed, “Eight o’clock?”
He frowned. “Do you think that’s too early?”
“No, I’ll be there on time,” she said, blinking. Her black eyes gleamed. “Now, can you send me home?”
Recalling her slightly exaggerated acting, Lu Yunyang raised an eyebrow. “Su Yutao, they’ve already left.”
Though simple, Yutao understood his meaning: “They’re gone, don’t pretend anymore. I’m too lazy to expose you. Go home yourself.”
Before she could respond, he added, “You didn’t hurt your legs earlier, did you?”
Yutao: …
“Oh.”
Another mocking tone.
Lu Yunyang, the “iron-hearted,” refused to escort her home. Yutao went back alone, thinking about the mountain tomorrow. After dinner, she went straight to her room to pack.
Grandma Su noticed her recent seclusion and asked Wu Xiaofeng, “Did you find out if Yutao likes any man?”
Wu Xiaofeng shook his head. “I asked. She said she doesn’t.”
“Really?” Grandma Su doubted.
“She said so. I even tested her. Nothing.”
Grandma Su’s eyes brightened as she glanced at Yutao’s room. “Then why has she been learning cooking and going to the Educated Youth Site, but refused to marry Yunyang?”
Su Dahe paused mid-motion. “Isn’t it related to Wanzhen?”
“Yes,” Zheng Chunling replied. “I asked her before. It should only be about Wanzhen.”
Grandma Su had long realized it. Despite her disdain for the Xie Family, she knew her granddaughter’s character. If there wasn’t someone in her heart, she wouldn’t have fallen for Xie Wanzhen’s tricks.
She looked at the three at the table. “Yutao has been acting strange lately. Keep an eye out—don’t let her spring anything on us we can’t handle.”
Wu Xiaofeng also noticed Big Sister-in-law had become more mysterious, as if a thick veil separated her from them.
“Mother, it’s fine,” Zheng Chunling said. “She’s been helping in the fields. Maybe she’s tired. Let her rest tomorrow.”
Due to the engagement incident, Grandma Su had a slight rift with the girl and tried to indulge her, so she agreed. “Watch her. Don’t let her hang herself a second time. This old woman couldn’t handle it.”
The room’s poor acoustics meant Yutao had overheard the conversation. She had no excuse to skip work tomorrow, but Zheng Chunling had already granted her a day off.
Somehow, Yutao felt envious of Su Yutao, who had such a good family yet chose to grow close to Xie Wanzhen, ultimately becoming a mere tool in her love story.
Thinking about tomorrow, she slept restlessly, only to be awakened early by the sounds outside.
After they left, she changed, applied makeup, packed food, brought a sunhat, and a mosquito-repelling sachet before heading out.
At the Songyun Mountain trailhead, the man was already waiting with a hat and carrying a basket.
“I’m not late, am I?” she panted.
Without a watch at home, she only knew she’d risen early, but makeup took time.
Lu Yunyang glanced at her flushed cheeks and, seeing the time, said calmly, “No.”
Yutao breathed a sigh of relief and handed over the sachet.
A faint mint scent wafted from it, distinct from her own fragrance. He could tell immediately.
“Let’s go,” he said, turning to ascend the mountain.
“Doctor Lu, what are you looking for?” she asked. “Is it those century-old ginseng roots?”
Lu Yunyang glanced at her. “The odds of finding century-old ginseng here are lower than your chances of reconciling with Xie Wanzhen.”
Yutao snorted. “I broke off with her for you. You should be responsible!”
He ignored her, striding forward.
The midsummer sun was harsh, but the morning was still mild. The trail started flat, gradually steepening, with shrubs turning into tall trees.
Lu Yunyang’s long legs easily covered three of Yutao’s steps at a stride. She had to alternate between small and long runs to keep up, nearly out of breath.
No hives were found yet, but tree shade reduced the sunlight.
Eventually, Yutao could walk no further and sat in the shade, unbuttoning a collar button. “I can’t. I need a break. It’s too hot.”
Her body had changed, but her clothes hadn’t; the climb made her feel suffocated.
Seeing her loosen her collar without concern, Lu Yunyang’s expression shifted. He stepped forward a few paces to keep distance. “I’ll sit ahead.”
Yutao noticed his distance and frowned. “Why so far? I won’t bite!”
Clenching his fist, Lu Yunyang glanced back. “When it’s hot, I sweat. Don’t get too close.”
Yutao observed him. Sweat rolled down his arms, his grey cloth shirt clinging to his strong, rugged frame.
“Really?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes,” he said, eyes diverted, voice tight. “Ten minutes’ rest, then we go.”
“I don’t believe you,” Yutao said, standing and moving toward him.
She came too quickly. From his angle, her loose collar revealed the view of her chest.
“No,” she sniffed lightly. Only a faint herbal scent reached her.
He straightened and stepped back, hoarse. “It’s true.”
Yutao didn’t mind a small imperfection in such a handsome man; she could always remedy it with perfume later.
“It’s fine with me.” She took out the fruits she had prepared. “Here, for you.”
Lu Yunyang glanced, recalling the earlier image of her chest, his breathing tight. “I’m not hungry. Keep it.”
His ears flushed, gaze avoiding hers, as if fleeing.
Yutao narrowed her eyes, beginning to understand.
“Then I’ll eat it myself,” she sat at his feet, unbuttoning another collar button. Smiling, she asked, “Can I?”
Lu Yunyang stiffened at the movement.
She bit into a fruit, cheeks plump, lips red, juice trickling, licking lightly. Light yet provocatively enticing.
“Doctor Lu,” she looked up, eyes curved with a smile. “It’s really sweet. Want some?”
Her face tilted up, dappled sunlight on her skin, eyes bright and alluring.
“Do you want some?” she offered the bitten fruit.
Despite her innocent words, the tone was playful.
The heat thickened the tension, like oil on fire, and the man’s primal desire stirred.
“I don’t want any,” he said coldly, voice tight. “Rest here. I’ll check ahead and return soon.”
He strode forward.
Though inexperienced with women, he recognized her clear intent to seduce him.
Suddenly, he regretted bringing her up the mountain. Today was long, alone with a girl—what would she do next?
“Lu Yunyang…”
Her voice called from behind, frustrated.
“Don’t leave me alone! I’m scared…”
Footsteps followed. Lu Yunyang turned. She had tripped, bag thrown aside, one hand on her ankle, grimacing in pain.
Yutao’s face turned pale, eyes tearing as she cried, “My ankle! It hurts!”
He immediately came to her side, crouching to support her. “Let me see.”
“All your fault. If you hadn’t insisted on going, I wouldn’t have hurt myself,” she said, pulling up her pants to reveal her fair leg. “Feel it. Is it broken?”
Her leg shone like jade, irresistible. His eyes dropped. “It’s not broken.”
He wanted to explain bones were sturdy, not as fragile as she imagined.
“But it hurts…” Yutao extended her foot, eyes hinting at subtle charm. “Doctor Lu, rub it for me…”