The two of them, one full of shifting thoughts and the other simply worried, kept working without stopping.
After an entire afternoon of busy effort, until the setting sun dyed the whole courtyard a warm orange, the long-sealed east room was finally cleaned up—bright and tidy.
Although still simple, it now had a faint sense of home.
Huo Yunqiao straightened her sore back, looking at the transformed room with a strong sense of accomplishment.
She suddenly remembered something and turned to Lin Peiru.
“By the way, Peiru sister, where’s your luggage?”
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Lin Peiru replied slightly out of breath, “Oh, I left it at the village head’s house for now because I had too many things. I’ll go get it later myself.”
Just as she finished speaking, the curtain to the inner room was lifted.
Mu Xinyao walked out holding onto the door frame. Although her face still showed signs of illness, she looked noticeably better.
“Go get what?” she said gently but firmly, her tone that of an elder caring for a junior. “A young girl like you shouldn’t be carrying heavy things around alone.”
She looked at Lin Peiru with warm concern.
“Once Yunshen finishes work later, let him go to the village head’s house to fetch it for you. He’s strong enough.”
Lin Peiru quickly waved her hands politely.
“Oh, that would be too much trouble for Comrade Yunshen.”
But inside, a warm current surged through her heart.
In her previous life, Huo Yunshen had always been like this—he never let her do any hard work, always quietly and domineeringly doing everything for her.
If it were his past self, he would probably be even more eager at the chance to “serve” her.
She suppressed the bitterness in her heart and smiled at Mu Xinyao.
“Auntie, your health still isn’t fully recovered. Go back and rest. Yunqiao and I can handle things here.”
“I’ve been lying down for days already—my bones are getting stiff,” Mu Xinyao waved her hand and walked straight toward the small kitchen. “I’ll make dinner.”
“Mom, I’ll help!” Huo Yunqiao quickly followed, her tone full of concern. “You’re weak. You should rest!”
Mu Xinyao’s voice remained gentle.
“After taking Peiru’s medicine, I feel much better now… don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Seeing this, Lin Peiru quickly washed her hands and followed with a smile.
“Yunqiao, Auntie, I’ll help too!”
In the courtyard, three women working together created a warm and lively atmosphere.
At this moment, outside the Huo family gate, a tall figure was walking in through the dusk.
Huo Yunshen had just finished work. His wheat-colored skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat, his features deep and striking—yet his handsome face was now covered in frost.
Along the way, he had already heard plenty of village gossip.
People pointed at him and whispered things like “a beautiful city girl,” “she’s staying at the Huo family”…
His expression darkened as he pushed open his courtyard gate.
With a creak.
Huo Yunshen raised his eyes. His deep gaze shot forward like a sharp arrow, instantly locking onto the person he least wanted to see.
Lin Peiru was squatting by the vegetable patch, holding a freshly pulled green onion, still covered in dirt.
Hearing the door, she looked up—and their eyes met.
Seeing that she was still there, and even already familiar enough to be pulling vegetables in his yard, his expression darkened further.
He strode over in a few long steps and stopped in front of her, looking down at her from above. His voice was as cold as ice.
“Why are you still here?”