More than ten days had passed since Gu Qingqing and Lin Heng moved to Peach Blossom Village. Under Qingqing’s care, the little courtyard had finally begun to feel like a real home.
That morning, Lin Heng got out of bed and strolled leisurely around the courtyard.
Lately, Qingqing had become enamored with the forest behind the house. Whenever she had a spare moment, she’d sling a bamboo basket over her back, grab a small shovel, and disappear into the woods for half the day. Lin Heng couldn’t help wondering what was so fascinating about that forest.
But when he looked at all the dried goods spread out across the courtyard, he finally understood why she was always running off into the woods.
The flower beds were covered with mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and bamboo shoots laid out to dry, along with several kinds of wild greens he couldn’t even name.
So that was why she’d been spending every day in the forest—she’d been gathering food.
It was only early May, and the sun wasn’t too hot yet.
Lin Heng walked over to the well and filled several large water jars to the brim.
The wounds on his back had already scabbed over. He could now manage lighter chores and help Qingqing with some of the work—chopping firewood, hauling water, watering the garden…
The small vegetable plot on the west side of the front yard was lush with greens. Some were wild scallions, wild garlic, and wild ginger that Qingqing had dug up in the forest. Others were seedlings Aunt Liu had given them, along with vegetable seeds Qingqing had bought in town. Even the open patch in the backyard had been planted with all kinds of vegetables.
Qingqing loved spending her days tending her little gardens.
When she wasn’t in the forest or working in the vegetable beds, she’d occasionally sit at home sewing and mending.
Her sewing basket still rested on the table beneath the eaves, holding several embroidered handkerchiefs and sachets she had already finished.
She had said she intended to sell them in town.
How much could a few little handkerchiefs possibly bring? Lin Heng thought.
Once I’m fully recovered, I’ll head into the mountains to hunt. That has to be better than having her stay up late every night embroidering handkerchiefs.
While cleaning out the storage room, he’d found several hunting tools left behind by the previous owner—bows, arrows, and animal traps.
After another period of rest, he’d be able to venture into the mountains.
At least all the skills he’d spent his life learning wouldn’t go to waste.
The thought lifted his spirits.
These past few days had been the quietest, happiest days he had ever known.
If life could continue like this forever…
…that wouldn’t be bad at all.
It was almost noon.
The sun had already climbed high into the sky.
Qingqing would probably be home soon.
He carried the boiled water that had cooled and placed it beneath the eaves so she’d have something cool to drink when she returned.
After finishing everything, Lin Heng sat quietly beneath the large peach tree in the courtyard and waited.
The courtyard gate opened.
The first thing Qingqing saw was the quiet man sitting beneath the peach tree.
“I’m back! Look what I brought!”
She held up the contents of her basket with a grin.
“Apricots! They’re so sweet! There’s an orchard behind our house. Uncle Liu said the previous owner planted it, and it all belongs to us now. Hahaha… We’ll never run out of fruit again!”
Looking at the woman whose eyes practically sparkled at the sight of food, the corners of Lin Heng’s lips unconsciously lifted into a faint smile.
Qingqing set down her basket, filled a basin with water, washed the apricots, piled them into a large bowl until it was overflowing, and carried it over to the stone table beneath the peach tree.
“Here, have some. How about noodles for dinner tonight? I’ll wipe my hands first, then put some more medicine on your back.”
Lin Heng picked up a washed apricot and took a careful bite.
Sweet juice spread across his tongue.
It really is sweet…
Qingqing brought over a basin of warm water, soaked a cloth, and gently cleaned his back.
The wound had already scabbed over, and the new flesh beneath was soft and pink.
She scooped out a small amount of medicinal ointment from the jar and carefully spread it over the wound, using her fingertips to rub it in evenly.
Lin Heng straightened his back.
The cool ointment slowly spread wherever her fingers passed.
A faint tingling sensation crept across the wound.
It itched…
Itched so badly that he wanted to scratch it.
“Bear with it. Is it itchy? Don’t scratch it with your hands. It finally managed to scab over.”
How does this woman always know what I’m thinking…?
“I’ll go get you a clean set of clothes from inside. Don’t move.”
As he watched her walk toward the house, Lin Heng shifted slightly and caught a glimpse of the horrifying scar across his back reflected in the basin of water.
She wasn’t afraid of it.
If it had been another woman…
She probably would’ve burst into tears at the sight.
Qingqing returned carrying a set of white cotton underclothes.
She shook them open and helped Lin Heng put them on.
“I bought this fine cotton fabric in town last time and made you a set of underclothes. It’s soft against the skin and very comfortable. I’ve also made you trousers and an outer robe. You can change into them after your bath tonight.”
Lin Heng’s face flushed red.
It was the first time in his life that anyone had made clothes for him.
And that person was a woman.
“You’ve still got enough medicine for another ten days or so. By the time you’ve finished it, the poison should be almost completely gone. Has your throat changed at all?”
Lin Heng remained silent.
He had already tried.
Nothing had changed.
Apart from a few meaningless sounds, he still couldn’t speak.
“It’s all right. There’s no rush. Once you’ve finished the medicine, we’ll go back to town and have the doctor take another look.”
Looking around the courtyard, which looked more and more like a proper home with each passing day, Qingqing turned to Lin Heng.
“Our courtyard is getting nicer and nicer. It finally feels like a home.”
A home…
Is this what a home feels like?
Could someone like me really have one?
Lin Heng gazed at the woman before him.
These past several days of running around outdoors had given her cheeks a healthy flush.
She looked far livelier than before.
More vibrant.
More full of life.
He found himself wishing that she could stay by his side like this forever.
That together…
…they could build a home that truly belonged to them.
“Uncle Liu said our household registration and deed should be finished in the next few days. If he brings them over while I’m out, help me keep them somewhere safe.”
Lin Heng nodded in agreement.
“Then I’ll go make lunch. You can peel the bamboo shoots in the basket and sort through the wild vegetables for me.”
She carried the bamboo basket over to him and placed two empty basins on the table beneath the eaves.
The herbal tea sitting on the table was still faintly warm when she touched it.
She poured herself a cup and drank it down in one gulp.
“Did you cool this tea for me? Thank you for working so hard, my man.”
She turned toward Lin Heng with a teasing smile.
My man…
This woman really has no shame.
How can she casually tease a man like that?
Lin Heng shot her an irritated glare.
Pretending not to notice, Qingqing laughed and skipped off toward the kitchen.
For lunch, she rolled out fresh noodles and stir-fried two tomatoes with eggs to make a savory topping.
After their simple meal, Qingqing followed her usual habit and went inside for a short afternoon nap.
Lin Heng couldn’t sleep.
Instead, he sat in the courtyard cleaning the bows and arrows until they gleamed. Then he sharpened the hunting knife and animal traps with a whetstone until their edges were razor-sharp.
Just then, someone knocked at the gate.
Lin Heng put away the hunting tools and walked over to open the courtyard door.
Standing outside was a woman in her forties.
“Is this Qingqing’s home? Where’s Qingqing?”
Lin Heng pointed toward the house and gestured that she was sleeping.
Looking at the tall, handsome young man before her, Aunt Liu smiled warmly.
“She’s taking a nap, is she? I’m Aunt Liu from the village head’s family. I just came back from the mountains and gathered some medicinal herbs. Boil these in water and drink them—they’re good for the body. Take them and make some for your wife.”
As she spoke, she looked him up and down.
The two of them really do make a fine match.
Handsome, tall, and strong. A man who looks like he’d be good at hard work.
Looking at the kind-faced woman before him, Lin Heng finally understood why Qingqing enjoyed chatting with her so much.
She gave off the feeling of a loving mother.
He quickly bowed to thank her.
Seeing that the young man seemed unable to speak, Aunt Liu felt awkward about asking too many questions and prepared to leave.
“Just empty my basket and give it back to me. I should be getting home now. Your Uncle Liu will be back soon.”
Lin Heng hurried into the courtyard, found an empty basket, carefully transferred the medicinal herbs into it, shook out the borrowed basket, and handed it back to Aunt Liu.
“All right then, you get back to your work. Tell Qingqing that whenever you’re free, you two should come visit Auntie.”
Watching Aunt Liu walk away, Lin Heng finally closed the courtyard gate and returned to his work.