After leaving the elderly grandmother’s house, Su Qinghe carried a bamboo basket filled with vegetables while Lu Zhiheng held another basket. One walked ahead while the other followed behind as they made their way back to Our Little Courtyard along the village path.
The setting sun slanted westward, bathing the stone-paved road in warm golden light. Old earthen walls lined both sides of the path, morning glories climbing over their tops. Every now and then, the sound of chickens clucking drifted from nearby courtyards.
Su Qinghe walked in front, with Lu Zhiheng trailing two steps behind.
She reminded herself repeatedly: The farther away I stay from him, the better.
But the basket in her hands was rather heavy. Eggplants, chili peppers, tomatoes, green beans, and a large cabbage filled it to the brim. She switched hands, yet the handle still dug painfully into her palm.
Behind her, the steady rhythm of footsteps followed unhurriedly.
Without turning around, Su Qinghe continued forward.
The path was made of packed earth. It had rained a few days earlier, leaving muddy puddles in some places. Carefully avoiding a patch of mud, she stepped onto a nearby stone.
The stone shifted.
Her body tilted sharply to the right.
Beyond the edge of the path was a ridge leading down to a freshly turned vegetable field. If she fell, she would definitely end up covered in mud.
Su Qinghe’s mind went completely blank. She only managed to let out half a cry.
“Ah…”
The next second, a hand shot out from behind and firmly grasped her left wrist.
A strong force pulled her backward.
Her body spun halfway around under that momentum before crashing straight into a solid chest.
Her nose collided with what felt like a wall.
More accurately, it collided with someone’s chest.
A faint scent of soap mixed with a trace of sweat, carrying the warmth of sun-dried fabric.
Su Qinghe froze. Looking up, her eyes met Lu Zhiheng’s jawline.
He was looking down at her, brows slightly furrowed. It was impossible to tell whether the expression held concern or annoyance.
The distance between them was so close that they could hear each other’s breathing.
Su Qinghe’s mind stopped functioning for three whole seconds.
Then, as if scalded, she abruptly stepped backward.
But her wrist was still caught in his grip.
She tugged once. It didn’t budge.
Lu Zhiheng released her hand, withdrawing it expressionlessly as though nothing unusual had happened.
Steadying herself, Su Qinghe lowered her gaze to her left wrist.
A lingering warmth remained there.
When she lifted her head again, her face felt hot. She wasn’t sure whether it was from embarrassment or something else.
“…Thank you.”
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.
Lu Zhiheng responded with a quiet “Mm.”
Bending down, he picked up the basket she had dropped. During the fall, vegetables had spilled onto the ground. He gathered the scattered tomatoes and eggplants before handing the basket back to her.
Su Qinghe accepted it, eyes lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.
“Watch where you’re walking.”
His voice drifted down from above, calm and emotionless.
Su Qinghe nodded. “I know.”
Then she turned around and resumed walking.
This time, she moved very slowly, carefully checking every step before placing her foot down.
Following behind her, Lu Zhiheng watched her rigid back and the bright redness spreading over her ears. The corners of his lips shifted almost imperceptibly.
When she had crashed into his arms earlier, her eyes had widened into perfect circles like those of a startled cat. A blush had rapidly spread across her face.
For that brief instant, it felt as though he had glimpsed the person hidden beneath her thick layers of disguise.
She was completely different from the Su Qinghe who usually avoided him at all costs.
He withdrew his gaze and continued walking.
Yet that image lingered in his mind for quite some time.
Up ahead, Su Qinghe’s heartbeat had yet to settle.
What… What just happened?
She had almost fallen.
He had pulled her back.
She had crashed into his arms.
And then?
Then she thanked him, and he reminded her to watch where she was going.
That was all. So why did the scene keep replaying in her head?
She shook herself mentally and scolded herself.
Su Qinghe, wake up! He only helped you out of instinct. Anyone would have done the same thing. Don’t flatter yourself!
Yes! That had to be it.
Taking a deep breath, she focused on the road ahead once more.
Yet the spot on her left wrist where he had held her still seemed to retain a trace of warmth.
She quietly touched it with her right hand.
Then she immediately dropped her hand again, pretending nothing had happened.
【Not Far Away • The Cameraman Following Them】
Hidden among the roadside bushes, the cameraman steadily tracked the pair through his lens.
He had captured the entire sequence.
From the moment Su Qinghe lost her footing, to Lu Zhiheng pulling her back, to her falling into his arms, and finally to her panicked retreat.
He had filmed all of it.
Silently, the cameraman gave himself a mental thumbs-up.
This footage was incredible.
He definitely deserved an extra drumstick with dinner tonight.
As for Zhou Yichen, teaming up with Chief Wang had truly made him the chosen one.
It was an effortless victory.
Chief Wang knew every household in the village and introduced them one by one as they walked.
“This family makes tofu. Their tofu is the best in the village. That household raises sheep, and their goat milk is especially fragrant. And over there, their cured meat is so good that I place orders every New Year…”
Zhou Yichen’s eyes sparkled.
“Grandpa Village Chief, you’re practically my real grandfather!”
They first visited the tofu workshop, exchanging one jin of dried bamboo shoots for two blocks of fresh tofu.
Next, they traded another jin of dried bamboo shoots for a jug of goat milk from a family that raised sheep.
Finally, they exchanged two jin of dried bamboo shoots for a large piece of cured meat.
Carrying his spoils of victory, Zhou Yichen beamed from ear to ear.
“Grandpa Village Chief, you’re amazing!”
Chief Wang chuckled.
“Of course! I’ve lived in this village for over fifty years. I know exactly which household has the best of everything.”
Zhou Yichen asked excitedly, “Then what should we exchange for next?”
After some thought, Chief Wang replied, “Let’s get some eggs. The old lady over there raises chickens, and their eggs are excellent.”
Following Chief Wang, Zhou Yichen headed toward the next household.
By the time Su Qinghe and Lu Zhiheng returned to Our Little Courtyard, they were carrying a basket full of vegetables: eggplants, chili peppers, tomatoes, green beans, and a large cabbage.
But they had not exchanged for any meat.
Seeing that the elderly grandmother did not have much herself, Su Qinghe had felt too embarrassed to ask for meat.
Besides, she had planned to trade some of their vegetables with the other guests later anyway.
As they entered the courtyard, they happened to run into Zhou Yichen and Chief Wang returning with their abundant haul.
Loaded down with bags, Zhou Yichen grinned as if he had discovered buried treasure.
“Sister Qinghe! You’re back! Look at all the great stuff I exchanged for!”
Forcing a smile, Su Qinghe replied, “I see it. You’re impressive.”
Noticing something odd, Zhou Yichen tilted his head.
“Sister Qinghe, why is your face so red?”
Su Qinghe paused before instinctively touching her cheek.
“Is it? Maybe I got hot from walking.”
Zhou Yichen nodded, accepting the explanation without much thought before happily showing off his rewards again.
Lu Zhiheng passed by her side without glancing over, walking straight into the courtyard.
Remaining where she stood, Su Qinghe took a deep breath.
It’s fine, nothing happened.
That was just a tiny accident.
Carrying her basket, she entered the courtyard as well.
A little while later, Liu Yinuo and Shen Ci also returned.
They had exchanged dried bamboo shoots at a farmhouse for a cleaned chicken, five eggs, and a bunch of leafy greens.
They planned to make chicken soup.
The reason they had managed to secure such excellent ingredients was because the hostess of the farmhouse happened to be a fan of Liu Yinuo’s television dramas.
At the time, Liu Yinuo had stepped forward with a bright smile.
“Hello, Auntie. We’re filming a program in the village and would like to exchange some dried bamboo shoots for ingredients.”
The woman looked up at them, her eyes lighting up immediately.
“Oh my, you’re a celebrity, aren’t you? I’ve seen you on television!”
Liu Yinuo smiled. “Auntie, you have a great memory.”
Shen Ci chimed in. “Yinuo, this is your target audience age group.”
Still smiling pleasantly, Liu Yinuo discreetly pinched Shen Ci.
“The dramas I star in are suitable for viewers of all ages. Isn’t that right, Auntie?”
The woman’s eyes crinkled into crescents.
“That’s right. Our whole family loves watching them. Even my daughter, who’s in middle school, is a huge fan. She’s staying at school right now, otherwise she’d be thrilled to meet you in person. Oh, could I take a photo with you?”
Liu Yinuo nodded readily. “Of course.”
Then she promptly assigned Shen Ci the task of photographer.
Shen Ci simply smiled.