Lin Feng kept glancing back at Lin Xiyue, step after step, until she disappeared from sight.
When Lin Yue was sold, Lin Feng hadn’t been home. By the time he returned from the town, she had already been taken. He had spent a long time finding out that she had been sold to the Lu family village.
He ran straight to Lu Family Village, thinking only of rescuing his sister, no matter the risk. He vowed not to let her be harmed again. But by the time he reached the Lu family courtyard, night had already fallen.
What he saw instead was Lin Xiyue happily eating meat in the yard. The rich aroma of the stew, the smile on Lin Xiyue’s face, Liu Ruyun’s kind expression, and Lu Yanqiu’s sincere praise for her cooking—it was such a harmonious scene. Seeing this warmth, he quietly left. Knowing his sister was living well, even better than at home, put his mind at ease.
He hadn’t expected that his grandmother would come with the little uncle and cousin to harass his sister again. He couldn’t allow them to trouble her. Though initially, he only meant to scare them with the knife, in that moment, Lin Feng truly wanted to kill them.
After Lin Feng and his family left, Lin Xiyue let out a sigh of relief. First the Lu family caused a scene, and now the Lin family—it was exhausting, even if she could handle it.
“Yanqiu?”
A voice suddenly called from inside. Lu Jinghuai spoke, and Lu Yanqiu quickly responded before returning inside.
Lin Xiyue and Liu Ruyun followed, concerned something might have happened to Lu Jinghuai.
Hearing the commotion outside but unaware of the details, Lu Jinghuai asked worriedly, “Yanqiu, what happened outside? Did someone from the old house come causing trouble again?”
“No, big brother. It was Xiaoyue’s family. Her grandmother and little uncle aren’t good people, but thankfully they’ve been driven off. You didn’t see it—Xiaoyue literally kicked the old lady rolling across the ground. Big brother, do you think if I train with Xiaoyue, I could be as strong as her someday?” Lu Yanqiu said, recalling the power of her kick.
Lu Jinghuai hadn’t expected Lin Xiyue to strike her own grandmother. Her fiery temperament was striking—perhaps shaped by past hardships, now fully unleashed.
“You should train your body. Before, you refused to train with me because it was tiring, but things are different now. Your second brother is weak and scholarly; you can’t always let Xiaoyue handle family matters alone. You must grow into a man capable of bearing family responsibilities,” he said.
Lin Xiyue and Liu Ruyun heard this as they entered.
“Big brother is right. You’ll train with Xiaoyue. I can handle household chores. When you grow strong like your big brother, you’ll be able to protect Xiaoyue,” Liu Ruyun said, smiling as she left.
Lin Xiyue checked Lu Jinghuai’s injuries, ensuring he was alright. Luckily, their courtyard was far from the village; otherwise, the earlier commotion would have drawn everyone out. After reminding him to rest, she pulled Lu Yanqiu outside.
From that day, Lu Yanqiu began training with Lin Xiyue. Lu Jinghuai slowly recovered, now able to sit in a wheelchair. Though it was basic and hard to move alone, being pushed by someone was far better than lying in bed.
A year later, seeing the blue sky again, Lu Jinghuai felt reborn.
Half a month had passed since Lin Xiyue arrived. Her face seemed to change daily. Skilled in hunting, she ensured the household never lacked meat. She had gained some weight, and even Lu Yanqiu’s face had softened with baby fat, making him look adorably plump.
Lin Xiyue’s favorite pastime was teasing him. Watching him jump in frustration always made her laugh at how lively and cute he looked.
Lu Wenyuan hadn’t returned for half a month. Just outside the courtyard, he heard Lin Xiyue and Lu Yanqiu playfully arguing.
“Lin Xiyue, how many times have I told you not to pinch my face? Let go! This time I’ll smear paint all over your face!” Lu Yanqiu ran after her, legs weighted with sandbags, clumsily chasing her.
Lin Xiyue devised these games to force him to train, every day playing tricks like a mischievous monkey.
“Little weakling, catch me if you can!” she teased, running and provoking him. But suddenly, she stumbled and fell into someone’s arms.
Lu Wenyuan, startled, didn’t recognize the pretty girl crashing into him. This was the girl bought with two silver coins half a month ago?
He was shocked. In just half a month, she seemed transformed. Her once sallow skin was now fair and delicate. Her features refined, her small face perfectly shaped, her lively eyes—he found himself momentarily stunned.
“Second brother? You’ve finally returned,” Lu Yanqiu greeted, smiling and rushing over.
Lu Wenyuan quickly withdrew his hand from Lin Xiyue’s waist, about to speak, when Lu Yanqiu grabbed her hand and pulled her aside.
“Don’t run around like that! What if something happened to second brother?” Though speaking to Lin Xiyue, his tone was gentle, almost playful, like he was teasing.
He’d been gone only half a month, and they were already this close? Could it be that the youngest brother had taken a liking to her?
“I’m fine. How’s the household? Any trouble while I was gone?” Lu Wenyuan asked as they walked inside, meeting Liu Ruyun who had come out upon hearing the noise.
“Wenyuan’s back! Come inside. Yanqiu, take your brother’s things to his room,” she said, moving to help carry his belongings. Lu Yanqiu quickly followed.
Lu Wenyuan first checked on Lu Jinghuai, pleased to see him in good spirits. Lu Jinghuai was also glad to see his brother, showing him the wheelchair Lin Xiyue had designed.
Seeing how close and natural they all were with her in just half a month, Lu Wenyuan realized he had truly missed a lot. She had already earned the respect of his brothers—it was impressive.
His gaze sharpened like a knife as he looked at Lin Xiyue, instinctively putting her on alert.