The setting sun stretched Huo Yan’s silhouette long and slender in its golden afterglow, even the basket in his hand appearing particularly conspicuous under the shifting light.
Rubbing his temples, Huo Yan sighed with resignation, “Must we really resort to thievery?”
During dinner, he hadn’t understood what Qiao Wan meant by “suffering from thieves.”
It wasn’t until after washing the dishes, being handed a basket, and being dragged to the backyard garden that he realized – the thieves were themselves.
“Don’t you want to eat cucumber dumplings this winter? Fragrant and refreshing.”
Huo Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, but he remained silent.
“And during the freezing cold, wouldn’t a pot of stewed pork ribs with green beans be wonderful?”
Huo Yan stepped forward with the basket, “Which should we pick first?”
“Whatever, we’re not leaving even a single leaf behind.”
It was June, and the early-planted vegetables were at their freshest. Before her marriage, Qiao Wan had discovered that her Dimension not only contained a spiritual spring but could also store items – whatever went in would remain exactly as it was when taken out.
This discovery had delighted her. When she saw the garden full of vegetables on her wedding day, she had already planned to store them in her Dimension to enjoy fresh produce during winter.
However, Zheng Shi’s appearance had accelerated her plans.
“Let’s get to work!”
At Qiao Yan’s command, Huo Yan was the first to dive into the cucumber trellises.
Qiao Wan headed straight for the chili pepper patch on the eastern side of the garden.
As the last rays of sunset bathed the vegetable garden, Huo Yan moved deftly through the cucumber vines, picking cucumber after cucumber still bearing blossoms and spines until his basket was full.
Qiao Wan worked even faster. Red and green peppers disappeared silently into her Dimension the moment her fingers touched them, a space only she could perceive.
To avoid arousing Huo Yan’s suspicion, she took out half a basket of peppers to carry in her hand.
Her movements were light and quick, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as she occasionally glanced toward Huo Yan.
Watching him meticulously – even “diligently” – stealing vegetables from their own garden, his profile appearing particularly serious in the twilight, Qiao Wan couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“What’s so funny?”
Huo Yan didn’t pause in his work, his deep voice mingling with the rustling of leaves.
“Just amused that even as a thief, you’re so earnest,” Qiao Wan teased before picking two more peppers.
Huo Yan paused briefly at her words, replying helplessly, “This is my garden. How can this be considered stealing? But with all these vegetables picked, how do you plan to store them?”
“My parents’ home has a vegetable cellar. We’ll visit them tomorrow morning and store them there first. Once your aunt settles down, we can bring them back.”
Huo Yan nodded. As long as these garden vegetables remained, Zheng Shi wouldn’t give up.
Better to cut off her expectations.
The vegetables in the garden diminished at a visible rate as night gradually fell. The once lush and abundant garden became sparse and desolate, almost completely “looted.”
Straightening up, Huo Yan brushed the dirt from his hands and looked at the empty garden, his tone carrying a note of disbelief, “So we’ve… raided our own home?”
Qiao Wan patted her hands together contentedly, surveying her “spoils of war”:
“This is called strategic reserves! When winter comes and everyone else is gnawing on pickled vegetables, you’ll understand how worthwhile tonight’s thievery was!”
They neatly arranged all the vegetables in bamboo baskets, ready to take to the Qiao family home at first light tomorrow.
After a quick wash, they dragged their tired bodies to bed.
Unlike the Huo family who slept peacefully, Zheng Shi, who had just laid down, suddenly sat up.
“I can’t swallow this anger.”
“What mischief are you causing in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?” Huo Youtian was startled by Zheng Shi and spoke impatiently.
His wife loved taking advantage the most. Ever since returning from Huo Yan’s place today, she had been slamming things around in frustration, and during dinner she had scolded all the children. Now in the middle of the night, who knew what madness had taken her.
Zheng Shi said resentfully, “When Huo Yan isn’t home on ordinary days, I’m the one who helps take care of the garden vegetables. How can he just forbid me from going?”
“Enough, aren’t the vegetables in our own garden sufficient for you to eat?”
“How can they be the same!” Zheng Shi lowered her voice, “His garden has black soil. The vegetables grown there are fresh and delicious, people in the county fight to buy them. That entire garden’s produce could sell for at least five taels of silver!”
Just as the vegetables were ripening, Zheng Shi had been planning to harvest them and sell in the county town these past two days. But because he married that little wench Qiao Wan, she couldn’t sell the vegetables anymore.
Usually, the family’s money all went to Huo Yaoxian’s studies, and Zheng Shi was counting on this money to improve their branch of the family’s living conditions.
“No, tomorrow I’ll find mother and ask her to go harvest vegetables with me. I don’t believe Huo Yan would dare chase away his own grandmother!”
“Go find whoever you want, don’t count on me.” Huo Youtian pulled the blanket over himself and turned away to sleep.
For some reason, ever since Huo Yan returned from the military camp, Huo Youtian’s legs turned weak every time he faced him.
To provoke that Evil star over some vegetables? He wouldn’t do it.
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye.
As it was Qiao Wan’s return-to-maternal-home day, the Qiao family had been busy since the first rooster crow—sweeping the yard, boiling water, slaughtering chickens, everyone was bustling nonstop.
When Qiao Wan pushed the door open, she saw Qiao Erchuan sweeping the yard while limping.
“Wanwan! You’re back!” he shouted joyfully toward the house, “Dad! Little sister is back!”
“Wanwan’s back?”
“Little sister!”
Qiao Fugeng and Qiao Dahe walked out from the house, and Qiao Qing also came out holding a kitchen knife.
Looking at the enthusiastic family, Qiao Wan felt her eyes grow warm. Though she had only transmigrated a few days ago, she had already developed feelings for this place.
“Dad, eldest brother, second brother, sister, I’m back.” Qiao Wan closed the courtyard gate properly and entered the yard.
Qiao Fugeng frowned as he looked behind Qiao Wan: “You came back alone?”
The others also noticed Qiao Wan had returned by herself.
“I always said that Huo Yan was no good. This is clearly bullying our little sister. That night, eldest brother’s dirt clod should have hit Huo Yan’s head instead.” Qiao Qing raised the kitchen knife with a posture ready to fight Huo Yan to the death, startling Qiao Wan.
“Sister, no need for that…” Qiao Wan quickly grabbed her hand and took the knife away.
“Why not? Little sister, don’t be afraid. Eldest brother will go have words with that Huo Yan right now!”
Qiao Dahe picked up a sickle and was about to go out, while Qiao Erchuan leaned on his broom ready to follow:
“Eldest brother, I’ll go with you!”
“Enough!” Qiao Wan hurriedly stopped them. If she didn’t intervene, these sister-obsessed madmen didn’t know what trouble they might cause.
“There are some vegetables at home that I’ve harvested. I want to store them in our cellar. Huo Yan can’t carry them all himself, so I came first to ask eldest brother and dad to help. The reason I came so early was to avoid being seen by others.”
Hearing this, the Qiao family men finally put down their tools, looking somewhat embarrassed as they said:
“Hey, look at this misunderstanding. You should have said so earlier.”
Qiao Wan: You didn’t give me a chance to explain!
Taking advantage of the fact that the villagers hadn’t yet risen, the Qiao father and son quietly followed Qiao Wan back to the Huo residence.