Su Ying twisted her fingers together, feeling somewhat guilty about his praise. In truth, she was a selfish person—most of her heart was occupied by herself, leaving only a tiny corner for him.
Caring for him was just a small part of it; her real intention was to have him protect her. If he left and no one protected her, she would be afraid.
But at this moment, the sincerity in the man’s eyes and his heartfelt gratitude made her heart soften uncontrollably. Her gaze wandered aimlessly before she finally murmured, “You’re welcome.”
Zhou Kuangye hooked his finger under her chin and lifted it, planting a scorching kiss on her lips. He kissed her soft sweetness, gentle and lingering.
He had served in the military for six years, rising to the rank of regiment commander, determined to serve the country in the army.
But policy changes led to him being implicated by his family and sent to the countryside. He had harbored resentment, even hating heaven, earth, and himself.
Yet at this moment, he felt a sense of release. Because here, he had met someone worth cherishing and protecting for a lifetime. If not for being sent to the countryside, they might never have met in this lifetime.
He wanted to give her the best of everything, offering all of himself, and his kiss grew even more fervent.
Suddenly, images of crying, bloodshed, and brokenness flashed through his mind, and he pulled back.
In that moment, fear crept into his heart. What if, after they were together and he took her back to the city, she learned of those rumors?
Would she fear him, call him a madman, and distance herself from him? At this point, he felt a little afraid to take her back.
Su Ying licked the corner of her lips, yawned, and buried her head in his chest, closing her eyes. “A-Ye, I’m sleepy and want to sleep. Hold me while I sleep.”
Her soft, sweet voice shattered his wandering thoughts. Zhou Kuangye scooped her up, changed her into her pajamas, and laid her on the bed.
He patiently fanned her, watching her peaceful sleeping face, and his heart gradually calmed.
Even if she were to fear him, so what? He would never let her go in this lifetime.
Su Ying could only be his.
Early the next morning, the Brigade Leader came to find him, carrying six eggs in his pocket.
He happened to run into them during breakfast and placed the eggs on the table with an apologetic expression.
“Kuang Ye, I was too hasty last night. I apologize to you and Educated Youth Su. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Zhou Kuangye remained silent. The insult had been directed at Su Ying, and he had no right to forgive on her behalf.
Su Ying eyed the free eggs, secretly licking her lips, and lifted her chin. “Since the Brigade Leader is so sincere, I’ll forgive you.”
“Ah, good. Kuang Ye, when do you think is a good time to go hunt wild boar today?”
“Eight o’clock. We’ll go after everyone finishes breakfast.”
“Alright, I won’t disturb your breakfast then. I’ll take my leave.”
As soon as the Brigade Leader left, Su Ying’s proud little head drooped, and she gleefully stared at the six eggs.
Her covetous expression made it seem as if she had been starved. Zhou Kuangye’s lips twitched slightly. “Hurry up and finish your meal. What’s so special about these six eggs?”
Hadn’t the things he bought for her been better than these six eggs?
Su Ying gave him a proud glance, as if he understood nothing. “How can they be the same? These six eggs are free—we didn’t spend any money. Of course I’m happy about things that don’t cost money.”
Zhou Kuangye smiled faintly. “Little miser.”
After breakfast, Zhou Kuangye still had to go hunt wild boar.
Su Ying knew she had been unreasonable. The wild boar had to be hunted.
Before he left, her worry grew a bit more. She grabbed his hand, looking at him with pleading eyes, “A-Ye, be careful, okay? Fight if you can win, but if you can’t, run away quickly, understand?”
Zhou Kuangye ruffled her fluffy hair, “I know, don’t worry. I’ll definitely come back alive.”
Su Ying turned and stuffed the lunchbox she had packed into his satchel, saying somewhat awkwardly, “Come back quickly. I… still need your help with work when you return.”
“Okay, I know.”
“Then go ahead. I’ll wait for you at home.”
“If I don’t make it back by noon, have some sponge cake yourself and make a bowl of malted milk. I’ll cook something delicious for you when I get back tonight.”
“Got it, hurry up and go.”
Su Ying watched him leave the courtyard, walking to the gate and watching him go farther and farther away. A feeling called loss welled up in her heart.
She pressed a hand to her slightly uncomfortable chest, her brows lightly furrowed.
Zhou Kuangye arrived at the west room to survey the area and noticed that among the messy footprints, there seemed to be traces of two wild boars.
He immediately shared this news with the other strong men who were going boar hunting.
Everyone instantly became alert, feeling a wave of fear. Luckily, they hadn’t gone hunting last night—otherwise, they would have truly been in danger.
After Zhou Kuangye meticulously planned and assigned tasks, he led everyone into the mountains.
The wild boars must have run far away, as they found no trace of them by noon.
Everyone found a clearing and ate the cornbread buns and sweet potatoes they had brought, washing them down with water.
Zhou Kuangye took out the small metal lunchbox Su Ying had prepared for him. Opening it, he found it filled with the snacks she had previously treasured most.
A few fruit candies, a few White Rabbit milk candies, sponge cake, cat ear crackers, eggs…
It was the first time he had seen her be so generous.
He unwrapped a White Rabbit milk candy and placed it in his mouth. It was sweet and didn’t seem so bad after all.
The strong men from the village had all gone boar hunting, but the farm work still needed to be done. Those who didn’t go hunting still went to the fields to work.
Su Ying thought for a moment and decided to take her small sickle to the fields. After all, there was nothing to do at home, so she might as well get some exercise and work off her meal.
As soon as she opened the courtyard gate, three skinny little girls blocked the entrance.
Seeing her come out, they immediately hid behind the big tree by the gate, peeking out cautiously as if afraid she might eat them.
All three were the daughters of their neighbor Wang Ping. Su Ying initially didn’t want to pay them any mind and walked toward the fields with her small sickle.
But after a moment’s thought, she turned back, marching up to them with an imposing air.
“You little girls, come here!”
She left this fierce command and turned back into the house.
The three little girls looked at each other, unsure, but eventually followed her inside. Su Ying rushed into the room, rummaged through her things, and reluctantly took out three pieces of sponge cake.
She locked the rest away in her small cabinet.
“Here, one for each of you. Don’t hang around my gate anymore.”
The eldest sister, Laidi, swallowed hard as she looked at the golden, fragrant sponge cake but timidly refused to take it, asking first, “Sister Su Ying, do you have any work at home? We can help you.”
“No work. All the chores at home are done by my husband.”
“Then… then we don’t want it, Sister Su Ying. We’ll go.”
Although the three sisters were eager, they knew they couldn’t take food without giving something in return—it would make others look down on them. So, hand in hand, they reluctantly prepared to leave.
Su Ying watched their thin, frail figures and for a moment felt as if she were seeing her own past self. Yet, they had more backbone than she had.
Back when Zhou Kuangye was away helping with village work, there were chores she didn’t want to do herself. She would ask the three little girls to help her and then give them a small reward in return.