After all the dishes were stir-fried, Jiang Shiyue called for Gu Yian to bring them to the table.
She then washed the two woks and added fresh water to them before washing the bowls and chopsticks and heading to the bedroom with the rice paddle.
Jiang Shiyue set down the bowls and chopsticks and sat on a stool. "Let's eat."
Hearing this, Gu Yian served rice for them both. Looking at the several dishes on the table, he remarked with genuine admiration, "I never thought there were so many ways to cook a rabbit."
It seemed Gu Yian had taken what she said at noon to heart. Look at him, taking the initiative to chat. This wasn't Jiang Shiyue bragging; it was just that some of the ingredients weren't in season, and even if the mall sold them, she wouldn't dare buy them casually.
Gu Yian's eyes widened in shock, and he praised her sincerely, "Yueyue, you're amazing!"
For someone as worldly and knowledgeable as Jiang Shiyue, it might seem novel at first, but he wondered if she would grow tired of him after a while.
Jiang Shiyue was very pleased with Gu Yian's praise. A thought occurred to her, and she looked up at him. "By the way, I want to start a small business. Do you have any opinions on that?"
Gu Yian simply said softly, "Do whatever you want to do. I believe in you."
Since it was something Jiang Shiyue wanted to do, he would, of course, support her unconditionally.
The fact that Jiang Shiyue was willing to tell him this meant he held a certain place in her heart, so what more could he be dissatisfied with?
Seeing Gu Yian's sincere expression, Jiang Shiyue raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you afraid I'll lose money?"
"You've handed over all your assets to me. If I lose it all, we'll have to live on air."
Gu Yian said nonchalantly, "If you really lose it all, I can earn Work Points to support you. Although the monthly earnings aren't much, it's enough for the two of us to live on."
They still had vegetables growing outside, and they could occasionally hunt some game in the mountains. In terms of food, they had nothing to worry about.
The only thing was that he wouldn't be able to buy Jiang Shiyue new clothes or new shoes.
Jiang Shiyue was somewhat moved. He was this supportive without even knowing what kind of business she wanted to start.
How could one not love a man like this?
After a moment's thought, she placed a rabbit leg in Gu Yian's bowl. "Eat more meat, or you won't have the strength to work."
Gu Yian placed the rabbit leg back into Jiang Shiyue's bowl. "You're the one who needs to eat more. You're too thin."
She was even a bit bony to hold.
Jiang Shiyue rolled her eyes. "Hey, there are four rabbit legs in total. What's with all the modesty?"
With that, she decisively put two rabbit legs into Gu Yian's bowl and threatened, "You have to finish them! Otherwise, you're not allowed to sleep in the bed tonight!"
Gu Yian's eyes lit up. He had originally thought he might have to sleep in the storage room from now on, that last night had been nothing more than a beautiful but fleeting dream.
But now, Jiang Shiyue was saying that if he didn't finish, he couldn't sleep in the bed.
So, Jiang Shiyue had no intention of making him sleep separately. He had been worrying for nothing.
He no longer refused and immediately picked up a rabbit leg and began to gnaw on it.
Jiang Shiyue felt as if Gu Yian wasn't gnawing on a rabbit leg, but on her.
Remembering everything that had happened last night, Jiang Shiyue couldn't help but blush.
But she wouldn't be so bold tonight. She had her pride, and a girl should be reserved.
After the meal, Gu Yian washed the dishes as usual, while Jiang Shiyue took a walk in the courtyard to aid her digestion.
Although there were no streetlights like in modern times, the moon in this era was just as bright, allowing one to see far into the distance even after the sky had darkened.
When Gu Yian came out after washing the dishes, he saw Jiang Shiyue looking up at the bright moon, a hint of sorrow in her eyes, as if she had thought of something unhappy.
His hands by his sides clenched into fists. So, who was she missing as she gazed at the moon?
Liang Zeyuan?
No, no, that couldn't be it.
Since Jiang Shiyue had said she wanted to build a life with him, she wouldn't be thinking about another man.
She was probably just homesick.
She hadn't been back once since coming to the countryside. It was only natural to miss her family.
After reassuring himself, Gu Yian calmed down considerably and walked over to Jiang Shiyue's side. "Are you ready to bathe?"
Jiang Shiyue turned her head at his words and met his deep gaze. She nodded. "Go fetch the water for me. I don't really feel like moving."
"Okay, I'll go right now."
He strode over to the eaves, picked up the two water buckets, and walked into the kitchen. A moment later, he came out with the buckets again and promptly poured the water out.
Seeing this, Jiang Shiyue's lips curved into a smile. He was quite the clean freak.
She averted her gaze, returned to the room, and took her pajamas and a towel from the wardrobe before heading to the washroom.
Inside the washroom, there was a low stool, probably meant specifically for holding clothes.
She used soapberry for washing her body and hair. Although it cleaned well, Jiang Shiyue wasn't used to it.
Returning to the room, she bought body wash, shampoo, and conditioner from the mall. Afraid that Gu Yian would notice something was amiss if she carried them in her hands, she put them in a bag.
By the time she returned to the washroom, Gu Yian had already placed two buckets full of water inside.
Jiang Shiyue reached out to test the water. Gu Yian had probably mixed in some cold water; the temperature was just right.
As for Gu Yian, he was in the courtyard doing push-ups.
He had just seen the tank top placed on the stool, and his mind was filled with the image of Jiang Shiyue wearing it. The thought was persistent, and he could only use the exercise to calm himself down.
He wasn't a young boy anymore, but he was still easily aroused.
He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but Jiang Shiyue seemed different from before, as if she had become a completely different person.
Gu Yian didn't know how much time had passed. Just as he was drenched in sweat, he heard Jiang Shiyue call out, "A Yan, I'm done. You can go wash up."
Gu Yian stood up, replied, "Okay," and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Jiang Shiyue had already carried the buckets out, placing her dirty clothes in a wooden basin to the side. She took the body wash and other things back to the room, hid them under the bed, and then began to dry her hair with a towel.
Men weren't as meticulous as women when they bathed. They just washed off the smell of sweat and were done in a few minutes.
When Gu Yian returned to the room, Jiang Shiyue was still drying her hair, dressed in floral pajamas.
The neckline was cut a bit low, and a single glance revealed a magnificent view.
Gu Yian felt like he had just bathed for nothing. He quickly turned around, leaving behind a single sentence, "I'm going to step out for a bit," and strode out of the room.
Jiang Shiyue found his behavior a bit strange but didn't say anything.
Gu Yian, having left the room, didn't stay idle. Under the moonlight, he took out the dirty clothes they had both changed out of and washed them.
Back in the room, Jiang Shiyue spent a long time drying her hair, suddenly missing the hairdryers of modern times.
In the time it took to towel-dry her hair, it would have long been dry.
But there was no electricity at home; they used kerosene lamps for light.
The idea of buying a hairdryer from the mall was thus extinguished.