When Shūxīn arrived in the village, it happened to be the end of the workday—the busiest time.
The people of Liǔlín Brigade saw the second daughter of the Liǔ family riding a brand-new bicycle. On either side of the handlebars hung meat and pastries, and behind her trailed a large bundle as she rode into the village.
The crowd surged toward her like cats smelling fish. Each person called out, asking questions, but Shūxīn, relying on her strength, pushed through easily, answering while steadily steering toward the Liǔ family home.
Someone had long since informed the Liǔ household of her return. Luó Yuè, working alongside Granny Liǔ on pig fodder, heard the news and ran toward the house with her.
Luó Yuè’s heart leapt—he hadn’t seen his partner in a long time. They had only recently confirmed their relationship, and now, after nearly half a month apart, she was finally back.
So when Shūxīn arrived at the Liǔ family gate with the villagers following, she not only saw her excited family but was greeted by a handsome, delicate husband waiting for her.
Before the Liǔ family could even step forward, a shadow darted past them, rushing straight into Shūxīn’s arms, nuzzling her neck and softly whining:
“Xīn Xīn, you’re back! Yuè Yuè missed you so much. You’ve been gone so long—did you think of me while you were away?”
With Shūxīn’s skill, avoiding him would have been effortless. But once she recognized him, she deliberately stopped, letting him tumble fully into her embrace.
The Liǔ family and villagers saw this normally effeminate man leap into Shūxīn’s arms, acting coquettishly.
“Ew—gross!” The older women shuddered with goosebumps.
If a woman acted this way, they would call her a seductress with loose morals. But what do you say when it’s a man? No one seemed to know.
Of course, Luó Yuè understood their expressions—he was doing it on purpose. He was asserting his claim over his wife in front of the village peers: this was his partner, and no one else could even think about taking her. Hmph!
Shūxīn also knew her delicate little husband had ulterior motives. She didn’t expose his little scheme but gently calmed him, then took his hand and entered the Liǔ courtyard.
Behind them, the Liǔ family froze, faces stiff and expressions dazed. Who would have thought such a ridiculous man existed in the world? No shame, no dignity—he made even women look modest in comparison.
The villagers outside, seeing the Liǔ family’s reactions, immediately began whispering. They pitied the family—how could their formidable second daughter end up with such an inexplicably odd partner?
“When Luó Yuè first came to the village, I only thought he looked good. Aside from being a little weak, he was fine. But since he started courting Shūxīn, he’s changed—so soft and delicate. I have to be careful not to startle him.”
“Haha, it’s easy to understand. Nobody cared for him before. Now he has Shūxīn as his backing, so he can drop the act and be pampered.”
“Shūxīn must be really capable. Anyone else wouldn’t manage a ‘knowledge youth’ like him. Before, he could barely carry anything without staggering, but Liǔ Jiànguó stepped in to help him.”
“Exactly. In our countryside, it’s rare to find a son-in-law like that. Only a capable girl like Liǔ daughter wouldn’t mind. If I had her skills, I’d pick someone like him too—so handsome! Even crying on his first day of work was adorable. Eating with him, every meal would be better.”
Hearing the villagers’ chatter, the Liǔ family wondered why Shūxīn liked him. Shūxīn’s brother teased: “Darn, I knew that pretty boy had bad intentions. Shameless!”
Once inside, they saw Luó Yuè happily eating pastries, while Shūxīn tenderly wiped crumbs from his face. Liǔ Jiànguó, taking advantage of his youth, hugged Shūxīn’s leg, claiming he wanted some too.
The Liǔ family comforted themselves: out of sight, out of mind. Once he wasn’t there, they could calmly focus on Shūxīn, asking her about her trip.
Shūxīn repeated what she had told Huáng Yáo, handing one pouch to Granny Liǔ to distribute the gifts.
She poured a glass of water for her little husband, Luó Yuè, who took a sip and gave her a sweet smile, softly saying thanks.
The Liǔ family, curious about all the gifts, were too busy inspecting them to care about Luó Yuè. Granny Liǔ received new clothes, Uncle and Father got tobacco and liquor, Mother and Aunt received scarves and face cloths, brothers got shoes, the younger brother got toys, and the cousin got a red dress—everyone had something.
Luó Yuè wasn’t jealous; he had his own pouch. Sharing among so many showed that Xīn Xīn still loved him the most.
Shūxīn told Granny to cook the meat and wait to eat the seafood until after she left, making sure Luó Yuè had his share, then took him inside.
After teasing her shy little husband a bit, she asked how he had been these past days.
“Xīn Xīn, can I eat at your house from now on? You have no idea—they’re so annoying. When I eat something tasty, they give me attitude.”
“And that Zhào Lì—so irritating! She’s always trying to trick me, and her two bodyguards keep causing trouble, telling me not to upset her.”
Luó Yuè sulked to Shūxīn. They had indeed troubled him, but he had cleverly dealt with it and even turned it around, all while giving Xīn Xīn reasons to feel for him and ruining their impression of him. Multi-tasking at its finest.
Shūxīn, knowing this, smiled. She would have scolded them otherwise.
“Okay. I’ll tell my grandma. When I bring you back later, we’ll move the grain over. From tomorrow morning, you’ll start eating at the Liǔ house.”
“Thank you, Xīn Xīn! You’re the best!”
Shūxīn thought a moment and added, “As for the other ‘knowledge youths,’ avoid them while I’m gone. If they go too far, ask my grandma for help.”
“In two months, it’ll be autumn harvest. Not much free time. I’ll build a house nearby in winter, and we can marry next year. How does that sound?”
Luó Yuè was ecstatic. He quickly agreed and hugged Shūxīn. He knew some couples waited years to marry; for Xīn Xīn to marry him so soon meant she truly loved him.
Seeing him so happy, Shūxīn was pleased too. She wasn’t one to procrastinate—once they decided to be together, early or late marriage didn’t matter.
Before the year’s end, she would repay her grandma for the bicycle, build the house, and marry after the New Year. She was still young—she would wait until twenty to have children.
Speaking of marriage, after the autumn harvest, her cousin’s wedding would take place. Her eldest cousin and brother would also be choosing partners. There was plenty to do—she would gauge her grandmother’s opinion before deciding whether to split the family property.